Update July 18 - 2 Batreps on P.4. Finally getting some games in again!
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Hello to all! Thanks for dropping in to check out my Tyranid blog. I've been working on my hive fleet for over 5 years, and I think it's now time for a regularly updated page! I've accrued a number of models over the years - now around 350 Nids, and I've got quite a few painted now. I'll share what I have completed, and what I'm working on at the moment. I usually get a little done at a time every week or two, so expect updates bimonthly, give or take

Here's a few shots from when I had out most of the bugs:



The pewter Raveners are fun, but I have a few more plastic ones underway.



These guys haven't seen much table time.



The horror... the horror.





My current project is a few ravener broods - I scored 19 unbuilt raveners (amongst other bits) for a great price a while back, so I have recently begun construction.

Good stuff, they look.... sticky!

 SJM wrote:
Good stuff, they look.... sticky!

They look like candy because they look like that

Otherwise they look like a great army and you have put on some great washes which has added a great effect.

Thanks, the idea was that the chitin was 'slimy'. I've also made sure that external tubing has the same effect, and the teeth/mouths on the larger monsters as well. I use Humbrol clear gloss - nothing looks quite like the oil does.
I tried using the water-based 'Ardcoat that GW puts out, and it goes on nicely - cleanup is easier - but the final coat is noticeably thicker.

The wash that I use used to be Devlan Mud, but after it was discontinued, I found Agrax Earthshade to be a poor replacement. After much deliberation, I tried Army Painter 'strong tone' - it's superior to even the original Devlan Mud! As a bonus, it's more than twice the product for a lower price.

I won't say too much about my method for the carapaces, other than the fact that it takes the most time and involves a minimum of 6 steps - and up to 9, in some cases. The final effect is worth it!

Here's a Venomthrope - on a 2+, he successfully hugs you.

So, a minor update: Basecoated 3 Warriors, 2 Raveners, 5 Termagants, and started in on the second (carapace) coat on another Finecast Venomthrope. I prefer the metal Venomthropes in most circumstances - just not assembly

We can see the beginnings of the candy coating here...



And what's the best thing to have while painting miniatures?

Carrot cake, with cream cheese icing.



More later!

I've begun work on my list for an upcoming 1500 point tournament, and realized that many of the models I need are not quite finished. I'm also lacking several pairs of MC Devourers - so I decided to make my own! How about a quick rundown of how I did it, and if you want more details, feel free to ask. Sounds good? Great!

Acquire a Heavy Venom Cannon. You probably have 9 of them, waiting to see the light of day once again. You also have approximately 437 infantry Devourers: take out three two. That's it for bits... Cut the HVC thusly. 3 plate sections down is far enough.



As you see here, the devourers need to be shaved down and trimmed so they sit flush against one another and the body of the HVC. Don't cut the tips of your fingers off.



The angle has to be just right - we're keeping the armoured plating on the lower devourer, but not the top one. Note the slight trimming of the lower part of the HVC barrel on the lower (assembled) unit. The top is not yet trimmed here.



Two completed units! They still require a small mount of greenstuff, but are otherwise 'functional'.



And here's the crowd waiting for their arms.



I've got a little painting to do on them yet, but it's coming along... the Pyrovores are being used as Biovores, of course, and I'm procrastinating painting them. Questions, comments, just ask!

Nailed down a game for the weekend, so I need to make sure I have at least a majority of models finished by then! Some quick progress shots of the Carnifexes and Venomthrope, with new pink paint and basing, as well as the basecoat on the TL-Devourers. I'm hoping to have those completed tomorrow, but we'll see. I also magnetized both of them, along with a set of normal TL Devourers... never know when a swap will be needed. Easy magnetization, only 3 magnets per set, and the Fexes have already been done.



The Venomthrope is in dire need of a wash, which will be happening ASAP.



Basecoats look so plain, I'm anxious to see how these look when complete. They need some purple and brown.

Update time...

I've done a number of small, semi-inconsequential things (base rims, greenstuff, etc) and made a few more large devourers. I liked the look of them so much, especially compared to the teeny-tiny ones that come in the kit, that I determined to make one for each Fex.



Not terrible. Here's some in progress, you can see the GS drying.



I've got some plans for these 5.



I'll get some shots of all of them together with their devourer arms once the three new ones are painted up. I've also got to paint up my newest Tyrannofex - fully magnetized, of course! Any interest in a quick walkthrough of how I magnetized the Tyrannofex?

I've decided to use some pink paint. It's a good accent colour, and seems to work well with the purple.



I've yet to finish up the carapaces and use washes - you can see here how I've blotted grey on the purple basecoat. After I hit it with a purple wash, the grey shows through as lighter purple, and results in a mottled look. Then when the gloss coat goes on, it's accentuated rather a lot resulting in a very natural, multi-hued carapace.

Hi SBG.

Your hive scheme looks really nice. I like the shiny effect (I also use gloss on nids) and that purple chitin contrasts really well with the skin colour.

Thanks for sharing how you make the TL devourers. Nice and easy to follow and they look good as well, I'll give them a whirl for my newest carnifex

You planning on using those pyrovores as biovores? Or you actually going to roll some pyrovores onto the table?

I'm now subscribed so I can keep an eye out on further updates!

Thanks and I'll try to keep those updates coming as regularly as possible! Glad to hear that the mini-tutorial is useful - I'll try to put in more 'how I do it' things if you like.

The Pyrovores are definitely standing in as Biovores - though I've used Pyrovores before, that was when we had access to Mycetic Spores. I like the stats and weapon for the model, it just never survives long enough to use it. Perhaps against drop pod armies... but Biovores are just so useful against everything!

Thanks for subscribing!

Alright! So busy this past week - new baby born, you know, the usual - Hence, I've been unable to accomplish much hobby-related stuff, except:

Drilled/cut hormagaunt arms off of 30 Termagants. Why they were there, I don't know - but those are the perils of buying used/unseen. Cleaned hot glue (!) off of ~5 bases, prepared the now-armless horde for their new fleshborers/devourers. Should I convert some spike rifles?

Bought about 2,000 points of Tyranids 'used' - a bunch were new in box! I finally have a flyrant, so that's neat. Also, I believe I am now at 160 gaunts... with almost half in need of (re)painting.

I'll get photos up of the new addition to the horde once I get them on display!

Congratulations on the new arrival!

Good luck getting all those gribblies painted up with the new distraction

Thank you very much! I'm very pleased with my new baby. He's pretty well behaved for a newborn! Hasn't even tried to borrow the car yet.

Finally went through the entire collection to condense it into 'only' 5 medium boxes. This prompted commentary from my wife regarding hoarding, and a healthy (if one-sided) discussion on the finer points of Tyranid list creation. It's important to own 9 Carnifexes, just in case.

I've got a ridiculously large number of models to paint now, which is fantastic! I'm probably going to assembly line all the gaunts at once after the Carnifex project is complete - that is, if any sleep is forthcoming. Further, I need to:

Strip a Flyrant
Re-pin 2 metal Hive Guard and one Venomthrope
Build about 10 Ripper bases
Strip the Swarmlord
Strip a Tervigon
Strip 40+ gants

So the dip bucket will get some super clean action soon.

Pictures as soon as possible!

So, the terrible thing about batch painting is that it takes forever to get anything actually completed.

The great thing is, when something gets done, everything is done. I sat down tonight and finished up 5 Carnifexes, a Hive Tyrant and one Pyrovore! Very happy to have the space cleared off my painting table now. I just have to drag out the 60+ magnetized arms and guns and get to gloss coating those too...

So shiny.



Why does the base look so terrible? We'll never know. Gotta touch that up Also, less flash next time...



And these guys just look lost. And somewhat armless.

Carnifex get lost when there is no synapse

Nice work there, coming along well, must feel good to get that many big bugs finished, and I don't envy you playing around with that many arms... I know and feel your pain

Do you find its hard to get decent pictures when the model is glossed because of the mirror effect from the flash? I'm finding I'm having to take a bunch to try and get half decent pictures to share.

Thank you, it's been a few months of looking at the whole lot wondering when they'd be finished. Very happy about it. I've got the majority of the arms basecoated, at least, so it'll be a quick feathering, wash, and gloss to finish those up.

Pictures can be very frustrating due to the shine. I've found that natural outdoor light is excellent, especially when indirect - indoors, the flash washes out the flesh while making the carapaces reflect most of the light. Ends up looking less than ideal... the Tyrant and Carnifexes above, for example, are rather a lot darker and less 'cartoony' in person.

Maybe try some shots outdoors with some light cloud cover, and see how those work for you? You may have to use the flash to get some of the shadowed areas, or you could try large white posterboard 'reflectors' for less harsh lighting. Cheers!

I was able to get enough of my wits about me to wash a Venomthrope and base a Ripper swarm last night. Also got started on those MC arms...

I really need to strip that Flyrant so I can get it painted ASAP.

SBG wrote:
Pictures can be very frustrating due to the shine. I've found that natural outdoor light is excellent, especially when indirect - indoors, the flash washes out the flesh while making the carapaces reflect most of the light. Ends up looking less than ideal... the Tyrant and Carnifexes above, for example, are rather a lot darker and less 'cartoony' in person.

Maybe try some shots outdoors with some light cloud cover, and see how those work for you? You may have to use the flash to get some of the shadowed areas, or you could try large white posterboard 'reflectors' for less harsh lighting. Cheers!

Hmmm, ok I'll give that a go, got a couple of ideal places outside that might work. Well give some photo sessions a whirl there and see if I can up the quality I'm getting.

What colour is the flyrant at the moment? I'm looking forward to see what you do with the wings on the big guy

The Flyrant is currently brown and green and ugly. Secondhand purchases are the best purchases... I'll try to get him ready for paint this week but it's going to be hard with all these creatures on my painting table right now.





Not pictured are the multiple bags of arms, 16 spore mines (unpainted, of course), second Carnifex (where do these keep coming from!?) and miscellaneous Nids that are in need of various types of painting. I've got magnetized heads/arms/tails and guns for days... And 2 more TL Devourers to build.

I'm going to blast through these guys, the Rippers, Carnifex, Venomthrope and Pyrovore only need a gloss coat now, and I can then get the Flyrant started. I'm quite excited to do so.

I may have the beginnings of a Skyblight Swarm going, if rumours are to be believed. Harpy/Crone kits might be birthday material, apparently. Building, magnetizing and painting 3 or 4 of those in one go? Sounds like fun to me!


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And why do my bases look so terrible!? Camera, you disappoint me...

Day 1,264.

No visual data available for the period of 22/09/14 through 29/09/14: I suspect the Lictors have stolen the imaging equipment.

SBG wrote:
No visual data available for the period of 22/09/14 through 29/09/14: I suspect the Lictors have stolen the imaging equipment.

Pesky lictors... need to get some more synapse to keep them in line

Well, I found the lair where the skulkers had hidden my camera, and they made me promise to paint them next. So, we'll see... Maybe Lictors will be on the menu for next week!

For now... Finished stuff! Mostly.



Where did they get that combat knife?



Oh. They ate the owner.



One of these bases does need finishing...



And again with the Pyrovores! (Biovores)



So, good progress, soon the Flyrant and Lictors will be coming up! Thinking of custom base ideas for the Tyrant, maybe some pillar that he's bounding over? Not sure yet. Thanks for looking!

The flash really washes things out. Next up: proper pictures!

These guys look rockin! I'm a fan of the gloss carapace!

Thanks! I'm working on better pics, to get the full effect of the candy coating effect... need to do up a light box.

This evening I was lazy and only finished basing one Carnifex. I'm going to get pics of all 7 completed ones when I have the scything talons done; there are 4 sets of Mawloc talons for me to magnetize and paint now.

I have 2 fexes with scytals glued, and am thinking of ripping them apart for the magnet treatment as well - 9 interchangeable fexes sounds kinda fun. Should I risk the damage?

The old me would have said yes, but I've been known to over magnetise single models. I'd probably still risk it for the sake of continuity with his brood

I was productive! Just waiting for the superglue to dry. Then it's time for heads and talons! Still need 9 pairs of Warrior rending claws and 4 bases, so those might be a bit of a wait until I source some. But otherwise, these critters will be seeing paint soon! Thanks again for reading!




Automatically Appended Next Post:

StolleMan wrote:
The old me would have said yes, but I've been known to over magnetise single models. I'd probably still risk it for the sake of continuity with his brood

Totally going to magnetize them. cheers!

Which gloss varnish are you using?
I MUST KNOW!

Humbrol oil based - full gloss, I think it's #40. Small metal tin, and it's really hard on the brushes unless you have some good thinner on hand to clean with. I use lacquer thinner because it works the best.

That's quite a few raveners you have there, going to look great when they are painted up and ready to go.

Heh, I like how you and I have opposite gloss varnish setups, you do the carapace I do the skin, both look good and I think it highlights the versatility of the tyranids and what you can do with them,

I see we are both working on getting better photos too

Keep up the good work

I'm very excited to put a few broods of Raveners on the table, I need to get going and put some claws and paint on them! It will be a labour of love.

I like how the bugs can have such variety... and can be so shiny as well! But your photography seems to be outpacing mine. I will work on it, lol! Thanks for the comments!

This next month is going to be wild - moving, a newborn, university papers... gotta find time for miniatures!!

SBG wrote:
I've begun work on my list for an upcoming 1500 point tournament, and realized that many of the models I need are not quite finished. I'm also lacking several pairs of MC Devourers - so I decided to make my own! How about a quick rundown of how I did it, and if you want more details, feel free to ask. Sounds good? Great!

Acquire a Heavy Venom Cannon. You probably have 9 of them, waiting to see the light of day once again. You also have approximately 437 infantry Devourers: take out three two. That's it for bits... Cut the HVC thusly. 3 plate sections down is far enough.



As you see here, the devourers need to be shaved down and trimmed so they sit flush against one another and the body of the HVC. Don't cut the tips of your fingers off.



The angle has to be just right - we're keeping the armoured plating on the lower devourer, but not the top one. Note the slight trimming of the lower part of the HVC barrel on the lower (assembled) unit. The top is not yet trimmed here.



Two completed units! They still require a small mount of greenstuff, but are otherwise 'functional'.



And here's the crowd waiting for their arms.



I've got a little painting to do on them yet, but it's coming along... the Pyrovores are being used as Biovores, of course, and I'm procrastinating painting them. Questions, comments, just ask!

subbed on the strength of this post alone. Will have to try it

Glad to hear it! Hope I can continue to provide useful information, and feel free to ask if there's anything else that I can help with.

Today I actually got a few more critters finished!



I finished midterms and papers last week, sitting at A's and an A+ ...so figured I'd take an evening off.

The Hormagaunt needed scything talons rather than a gun so I changed them up, and the Raveners... There are so many. What was I thinking?

I also made 2 more TL-Devourers as well; nine might be just enough. Well, actually I should have eleven but when will I ever run 4 walkrants and 7-9 carnifexes? Actually... Hmmm...

Fit in a 1500pt game, here's the painted swarm heading to the buffet!



Moving this week; everything is packed. I expect to have the Carnifexes finished up in early December however!

Man, it never ends. You're making great progress though man, just keep it at.

The best reward is showing up the game store with a fully painted nid force, draws a lot of attention to the table.

That's the best part, absolutely. It's encouraging to hear - thank you! There were a few gamers at the shop who came by to check them out too, which is why I try to only field the painted stuff...

Packing was enlightening: I have about 9 cubic feet of paints and models. :0

After unpacking, I will have to prioritize what needs work. Thinking that I would like to do one of 2 things:

1. Run a DS list with the Subterranean Swarm, which means finishing the Raveners, fixing a broken Mawloc, and assembling/painting another one...

2. Finish painting the 10 Lictors so that I can do an invasion themed list.

The Lictors will be easier and faster, and Vanguard type lists are pretty fun. Of course, I recall the glory days of assault out of outflanking with Genestealers, things have changed. Looks like some success has been had with Lictors of late, so maybe I'll give them a go in my next (always fluffy) game.

Subscribed!

Did you magnetize your Tyrannofex to swap into a Tervigon, or just the arm options? Also, do you trawl eBay for these models on the cheap, or somewhere else?

I'd start with the lictors...

Not like the raveners and mawloc are going anywhere anytime soon, so start with lictors, and when you do get round to completing the mawloc and raveners you could use the assassin brood as homing beacons for your DS guys

Just my thoughts though, ultimately it's your army, so you can do what ever you want hehe

Any details on the 1500pt game? Who did you come up against and did you consume or die trying?

Sinful Hero wrote:Subscribed!

Did you magnetize your Tyrannofex to swap into a Tervigon, or just the arm options? Also, do you trawl eBay for these models on the cheap, or somewhere else?

I've acquired several of the big guys, and I have multiple setups. Three were purchased new, one from Discount Games Store (My favorite online seller), 2 from the local games shop, and I have one used one that is still waiting to be stripped. They are set up as follows:
1. Tervigon with magnetized scything talons and head, and acid spray,
2. Tyrannofex with permanently glued acid spray and head,
3. Tyrannofex with full magnetization for all weapons and both heads - but not the birthing chamber.
4. Tervigon (used) with glued scytals and head.

There is about a 30/70split in my army for new/used. New stuff generally is from the FLGS, but I've picked up a handful from DGS as well. My used models are carefully picked out, I have a shockingly low budget for wargaming - so I don't buy used unless it's about 20% of retail. Which means I miss out on a lot of auctions. However, the ones that I win are amazing, like the Raveners... I got 7 boxes of Raveners, plus several thousand Tyranid bits, for $50. My Lictors and Deathleaper were all used, all metal, and I don't think I paid more than $10 for each of them. And I've scored three phenomenal deals in person as well - thousands of points in models for less than a hundred dollars, a couple of times... But my collection has been growing for almost five years, it's just taken a LOT of patience and a LOT of waiting for the right deal to come along.

Mad.. wrote:I'd start with the lictors...

Not like the raveners and mawloc are going anywhere anytime soon, so start with lictors, and when you do get round to completing the mawloc and raveners you could use the assassin brood as homing beacons for your DS guys

Just my thoughts though, ultimately it's your army, so you can do what ever you want hehe

Any details on the 1500pt game? Who did you come up against and did you consume or die trying?

Thanks for your thoughts, and I may do just that! The lictors have been waiting far too long already, and are basecoated for the most part, so they'll be quick. And as you say, they have some great benefits for the DS broods later. Now I just need to go buy the Rising Leviathan V.1 - I only bought the second two for some reason

The game went well, I was facing the Dark Angels played by a like-minded friend of mine. We both brought fluffy lists, but the game had to end after turn two because of real life, parental duties. However, we had a blast and it was tied when we stopped.

I brought what was in the picture above:
A walking CC Tyrant (!)
2 Tyrannofexes
2 Venomthropes
2x 10 Gargoyle broods
4x 3 Warrior broods with Stranglers
2x Dakkafexes

My associate brought:
Named Character/Land Speeder with AV14 and a 4+ invuln
10 Marines
6 Bikers
Land Speeder with assault cannon
Venerable Dreadnought
Dreadnought
Scouts x5
Aegis Defence Line with Emplacement
5 Deathwing Terminators with Assault Cannon
Land Raider with Hellstorm Flamers (?) S6 AP3, anyhow.
...There were flamers and heavy flamers throughout the list.

I had first turn and the mission was The Relic...

Deployment was straightforward - Gargoyles screening, Big Bugs central and forward, and venomthropes providing cover for almost everything.
Dark Angels deployed the ADL in the rear, with the troops manning the gun. Dreads on the side, bikes and skimmer on my right flank ready for a rapid advance. DWT deepstruck turn 1.




I Onslaughted the Gargoyles to the Relic to screen it out, and shot down 3 Scouts who had infiltrated close by. Potshots were made by the Warriors, killing another Scout, but not much else happened.



DA replied by flaming a few Gargoyles, advancing aggressively, and dropping DWT into my face ... but they scattered back about 8". Shooting was eneventful with a few Warriors getting wounded.



Tyranid turn 2 was better - First Blood for me as the Gargoyles killed the last Scout in the open, and the other Gargoyles combined fire with 6 Warriors to kill 4 bikers including the Sergeant and Flamers (Lead from the front!). Warriors and Carnifexes kill a few Terminators, and the Tyrannofexes move to drop AV14-Skimmer-Captain, but though I roll a glance and a penetrating hit, he negates both with his invulnerable save!



The Marines are forced to make three Morale checks this past turn, and pass all of them. DA turn two - last turn - he turbo-boosts his remaining 2 bikes into my DZ for Linebreaker. Sad Tyranids! As you can see, he determines that smashing the Tyrannofexes with several types of powerfists is a great idea. I think so too - there's no better way to go about it, really.



The game ends after Tyrannofex #1 Smashes a Dread and detonates it, and is itself killed by Terminators. The second Dread and Tyrannofex slap each other about but fail to accomplish much. With the Tyranids holding First Blood and the DA possessing Linebreaker, it is a draw as my Gargoyles cannot pick up the Relic - though they have it swarmed with bodies!



A rematch will occur after the move, and it will be delicious.

Thanks for sharing the batrep... battle between those T-fexes and the dreadnoughts is amusing, one gets detonated, t-fex goes down... the other dreadnought and t-fex must of been distracted by the explosion and did nothing .

Rematch should be fun!

Yes, that was a weird combat... 2d3 auto-haywire hits do -nothing- to 2 dreads charging in, then one Smash hit explodes a dread while the second combat is a wimpy slap fight.

Very unexpected. I will screen them next time, I think - they are more useful in the shooting phase.

The rematch is likely to be Deathwing, so I will build the fluffiest list and it will be awesome. I fully expect to see more ridiculous and ineffective combats!

Update:

Moved to a house twice the size of the former. Now the hobby stuff doesn't need to be stored in the garage! I've now got a proper shelf inside with the ability to keep most foam and models out for quick access - totally excellent.

Still haven't stripped the Flyrant but I've repaired the tail and removed the Lash whip/Bone sword combo in preparation for magnetization. Sorry for the lack of updates lately... moving, new baby and a particularly busy semester (10 papers!!) were overwhelming.

More pics and progress to come, now that things have stabilized somewhat. Cheers!

Well, my wife made Christmas baking while I painted this evening! Everybody wins.

Started with three bare Warriors, finished with these:



They aren't yet done - still need clearcoat, a bit of wash, base trim - but I'm starting to make progress again!

Warriors are looking good.

Did you get to sample any of the baking?

Moving house, new baby, and 10 papers... sounds like a handful, no wonder things slowed down a bit

Thank you! I managed to scoop a few (of each!) treats and she's definitely a professional.

Finally got around to fixing and painting the Flyrant; was going to strip it first but I don't want to wait and the paint wasn't too thick...



I also 'armed' (heh) his little buddies there. I still have an overwhelming number of Raveners to build. :|

Small bites!

I really like the ravener models. Personally I like close combat looking nids with Thorax weapons, which is exactly what the raveners are.

Looking forward to seeing what you do with the wings on your tyrant... I have one to make up and paint up in the near future. Have you magnetised the wings?

The Raveners are some of my favorites too, very menacing... I'll be sure to put up pics as they. come along! I find that they are, points-wise, very expensive with deathspitters but I'm contemplating running the Subterranean Swarm and pinpointing a whole bunch of them. Once they're built, that is...

I'm going to have to find about 9 sets of Warrior rending claws for the rest of them before I can build them - hoping to have about a 60/40 split between scything and rending in my CC-oriented broods.

The Tyrant is going to be an experiment for me - the gargoyles were easy but tiny, so I hope to get the same results with the Tyrant despite the huge surface area. I may have to water down the wash a bit, we will see. I'll try to remember to do a step-by-step as I paint it! Unfortunately the model came glued, and I did not want to risk destroying it so they have stayed on. I plan on getting 3-4 more sets of wings to magnetize for my other 4 tyrants, but given the price they will have to wait a bit.

Hissy approve SBG.

Good! Then she can feast her eyes on the newest, sneakiest project of mine... The long awaited Lictors! And a few Raveners... Had to break it up a bit.









Basecoats mostly finished... Assembly line work is at times so tedious. But at least I got to paint tonight - my wife beat me in Settlers of Catan quite rapidly, so that freed up an hour or two!

Those lictors are coming along well, are you planning on doing anything unique to them to represent the chameleonic skin? I've seen others paint lictors up in the middle of a skin colour change to match the base, and it looks good in most cases.

That Ravener on the left, looks a bit like he is bowing, before leaping at you and eating your face off!

Agreed that assembly line work can be tedious, but the end result is always worth it when you see that swarm grow.

I'm totally not doing the chameleonic effect, because my bases are BORING. otherwise I might do it. However, they are starting to fit in more! That Ravener just ... Is odd. Not sure why the sculpt is leaning so far but he does look hungry!





These sneaky sneakers are very, very pointy. I keep rubbing paint off the spikes, but that should slow after the gloss is applied. Painstakingly. To every single purple part and spike.

:| only 7 Lictors to go! and about 17 Raveners, for some reason.

Group shot, so far...





I am absolutely taking these in a game soon. After so much work, it must be done!

Well, no pictures but I based all 9 models last night after getting beat at Catan again. Perhaps this upcoming week I will get them completed! If so, pics will be forthcoming.

Also, might have a 1500-1850ish game coming up... list ideas? I'm willing to try pretty much anything, usually go MC heavy but would like to use the Lictors, if possible.

I have the rules for all Leviathan formations, so am considering DL assassin brood...

I'd give DL assassin brood a crack... and perhaps throw some mawlocs into the list so you can drop them in on the lictors that will be everywhere and watch your opponent try and work out what to shoot first when it starts raining nids.

You just want me to have to build that last Mawloc! Lol... Semester just started again so we'll see how progress goes. Slowly, I'm sure. The game that was planned never ended up happening, but perhaps in the near future!

If nothing else, I am planning on getting a group shot of all of the Raveners - that's kind of exciting! I haven't seen a collection with 28 raveners in it before... A good reason exists I am sure! Lol...

Wow! That semester was awful. Also, I started a business, and had to work the earth rather a lot (terrible lawn at the new house, fixed now). I painted the Flyrant a bit, and will try to get it done tonight... I need to figure out how to make more hobby time happen!

No university for me until at least 2017.

Welcome back!

Started a business while studying, with a new addition to the family? You are a tiger for punishment aren't you

Keen to see your flying hive tyrant

I like to be busy, apparently... It's been a wild ride. I did find some time to put a few more coats on this big guy, just a few more washes and a clear coat, and some magnets... Then I just need to find some table time and get in a game. Thanks for looking!

I will likely be posting better quality pictures now, as I have a Canon T5 now... Just have to figure out a light box and the macro setting

Still wanting to finish Lictors: all basecoated now, mostly washed as well.

***

Interesting fact of the day: One Imperial Guardsman, carefully rationed, can feed three Termagants for an entire week!

The tyrants wings look good with the light base coat and darker wash over the top, nice and easy, but looks really effective!

Heh, I recently discovered that my iPhone seems to be taking better photos than I am getting with my point and shoot... so thats what I'm rolling with for now

Looking forward to seeing the sneaky lictors.

Fact of the day.... guardsman will feed three termagants, except the pesky rippers get there first

Hi all! Sorry for the lack of updates. Things have been super hectic all the time forever. Happy Halloween by the way! I have a game coming up next weekend, so look for a battle report by next Monday, and due to said battle, I have been catching up on painting! I decided to start with the Troops. I will try to get the larger beasties up on here as well, a family portrait as it were, probably just pre-game.

For now, here's a little preview of what I have been up to the last few evenings... Batch painting!

Termagants!


And as a group:



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I'm still working on getting the arms for Carnifexes painted, though I've finished building them. Magnetization has been completed as well, so it's just a matter of primer, paint, and one more evening.

The last model for the list that is unpainted is built and ready for primer; this one will be a surprise as it's been a real challenge to magnetize properly (but a worthwhile end result has come of it). If it gets finished before the battle then I'll put it up here right away! I have a love affair with magnetization, this particular MC used around 16 magnets to do.

Final news: New foam incoming! I sourced some new foam, it's suitable for the hordes of minis that I have, and I now need to spend hours plucking cubes out and fitting each mini into its new home. Tedious but worth it, especially since the Raveners and Lictors have just been sitting out in the open - a recipe for disaster. Now they're safely packed away...

Look for that upcoming batrep! Cheers everyone!

Nice to see you again SBG

As a fellow member of the hive I don't envy the task of batch painting all those troops. They are looking good though.

Looking forward to seeing the batrep and the above mentioned big beastie! Good luck with the game

Thanks! It's good to be back at the painting table. Just been so busy this summer, now that it's getting colder out and I'm inside the igloo more often, I will be painting much more.

Batch painting will continue at full capacity, with 24-ish Raveners, 6 Warriors, 4 Venomthropes, 20 something Ripper bases, dozens of spore mines, and over 100 more gants of varying types all waiting for paint... I had better be done before the Spring thaw! Good thing you're all here to keep me accountable!

Nice work. Batch painting looms painful but you've made an excellent job of it.

EDC

It's a labour of love, even though it takes so much time, it's worth seeing the end result. I am hoping for a new army picture soon... There's incentive! Still hoping to put primer on the new MC tonight, and maybe, just maybe, have a fully painted force for Saturday's game.

You just gotta get into a zen place and bang them out.

And the little people need to be asleep. Otherwise I end up with superglue in hair, missing pieces and other fun things.

Last minute painting underway... Not likely to be done by game time, but no bare plastic or visible primer is a win in my book.

Carnifex arms will probably be done though. Magnetization is great except when you have way too many extra arms to paint!

Pics incoming...

What a great game, against a great opponent.

The fog of war lifts over the field of battle, as both armies prepare for combat... (I'm attacking the darkness).




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Belligerents:

Tyranid Hive Fleet (unknown designation): 2500 points
Dark Angels CAD: 2500 points


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Army composition:

Dark Angels: (forgiveness for errors or omissions: I am no DA player.)

HQ: Azrael on foot, attached to...
Veteran Squad x6, plasma pistols, mounted in...
Razorback with no upgrades.
Techmarine and servitor with heavy bolter.

Elites(count as troops): 6x Terminators, chainfists, mounted in...
A Land Raider! With Assault Cannons and Flamestorm cannons!
2 Dreadnoughts with multi-meltas.

Troops: Tactical squad with heavy bolter and flamer, in...
A rhino. There's a second rhino as well.

FA: 6 bikes, with plasmaguns.
10 assault marines, with minor upgrades.
One Land Speeder (counts as troops) with an assault cannon and heavy bolter.

Heavy: Devastators with plasma cannon, missile launchers and bolters.
Predator.
Whirlwind.

Aegis Defence Line, with quad gun.

\/\/\/\/\/-----\/\/\/\/\/-----

Tyranids:

CAD:
HQ: The Swarmlord.
Troops: Termagants x10
10 more gants
10 more gants

Elites: Venomthrope x1
Venomthrope X1
Venomthrope x1

Living Aritillery Node:
Exocrine
Biovore x3
Warriors x4, venom cannon

Bioblast Node:
Dakkafex x1
Dakkafex x1
Dakkafex x1
Tyrannofex, ESG, Acid spray
Warriors x4, Barbed Strangler, 1 rending claws

Bioblast Node:
Dakkafex x1
Dakkafex x1
Dakkafex x1
Tyrannofex, ESG, Acid spray
Warriors x4, Barbed Strangler, 1 rending claws

What a fun list... Fluffy, full of Warriors, and I finally took an Exocrine, proxied by a Tervigon, and the Swarmlord (who both performed very well!)

Proper batrep on its way... A close game, to be sure, and well matched armies.

After setup - we played Crusade, with 5 objectives. One centre, one in each DZ, and one on the far right flank as well as a second in the DA DZ.

Both armies began to advance... The Nids moved to the centre.



Shooting immobilized the Dreadnought.



The left flank took some Termagant casualties... And advanced through terrain. Slowly. Dark Angel shooting for the first turn was good for a few gants and a wound or two on the right flank's Tyrannofex.







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Another view of the Biovore brood.




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The LAN were all-stars this game, with the Exocrine taking out 3 Terminators and wrecking the Dreadnought. Preferred Enemy from the Swarmlord really helped with re-rolls here, as did staying still for the +1 BS. Biovores completely trashed the assault squad in the back with multiple, deadly accurate barrages.


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Here is the left flank: one wrecked Dread, glanced to death by TL-Devs. Dark Angel shooting for the first two turns managed a few wounds on scattered MCs and about 60% casualties on the Termagants. Cover saves from the Venomthropes were absolutely vital this game, with krak missiles, melta guns and autocannons scoring plenty of hits that were saved away...




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The right flank advances into the teeth of the enemy, TL-Devs shredding the bike squad that had unfortunately been unable to make a dent in the Carnifex-led lines.



And the Termagants are compelled to move ever closer to their impending doom, in order to protect their larger brethren.



While the Whirlwind and AA gun blast away at, well, everything that moves, the Termagants experience new sensations.





Many Termagants die in service to the Hive Mind. On a brighter note, the Assault Marines declare a charge into the Tyrannofex, losing 3 of their number to Overwatch and failing the charge.




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The Terminators take stunning damage from the Exocrine, Termagants and Carnifexes, with only one remaining. He passes his LD check, of course!



Sacrifices must be made to ensure success.



The Razorback dies to 5 s9 hits, and explodes 6" - causing no damage.




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The Carnifex in the centre of the right flank charges the lone Terminator, and they remain locked in completely ineffective combat for the remainder of the game.


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The Land Raider takes aim at the Tyrannofex, along with most of the DA army, and removes it from existence.



The Swarmlord bravely observes from cover.






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The left flank suffers moderate Termagant casualties and a few Carnifex wounds from the DA Tac squad, rhino and Predator.






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The Devastators are surprisingly throughout the game, suffering only a few wounds on Bolter guys (and the plasma cannon).


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The DA warlord and crew declare a charge...



And take one wound from the barrage of devourer shots.




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At this point we had to call it on time, as we had 4 hours in.

DA controlled 2 objectives...
Tyranids controlled 2 objectives...
And Tyranids had First Blood.

Tyranid victory, 7-6!

What a great game. I will be using the BioBlast node again, as the extra Fexes really came in handy. I found the Warrior perk, Shrouded bubble, and Synapse to be a bit limiting movement wise, but with so many MCs with brutal close-in firepower, it wasn't a huge deal.

The Dark Angels performed well; they just didn't have quite enough heavy weapons to take down all the MCs before they careened into the Marine's lines. No pinning or leadership checks were failed! And I must commend the generalship - my opponent played well and we had a great time.

Nice batrep, and a good win for the Hive Fleet!

Good to see the LAN did some good work as well, because I was looking at using my Hive Guard as Biovore proxies and give it a run.

It's an amazing formation, the rerolls just make it that much more useable. They hit every time that game, and the Exocrine is now going to be an auto-take for me. The whole LAN actually.

Alright everyone, what models should I build and paint next? I would love to incorporate some of your ideas!

1. Finish Flyrant (clearcoat and basing): I have a bit of a theme going on with bases, incorporating rocky sections and, on special models, Marine equipment and/or armour. Tell me what you want to see on this Flyrant's base! If you want to trade a few bits, let me know and let's make something awesome happen. Different army bits would be too cool.

2. Build remaining Raveners, about 7 of them. Then prime, paint, and base all of them... that's 22 total. :0

3. Finish Lictors. Really all that's left is some clearcoat and a few bases...

4. Strip and re-paint a Tervigon.

5. Build a third Trygon from its new on sprue state. Then paint and base it creatively... Taking suggestions!

6. Repair and reconstruct a badly damaged Mawloc. As above, paint and base it.

7. Build 6 Warriors, potentially magnetizing them. I have Boneswords, Lash Whip/Bonesword combos, and a variety of guns... Magnets are fun and these would be the first Warriors to have a magnetized CC loadout.

I'd like to see you finish the flyrant and lictors as both just need clear coat and basing.

For a basing idea, not sure who the most common enemy you fight against is but you could get some pieces of your normal opponents and have bits of them on your bases. Taunt the opposition with your models I say. Personally I have bits from my two brothers armies (Tau and Chaos) and I have them on the bases of my bigger bugs.

Once You have finished them, then my vote goes to... 4. Repaint the Tervigon.

Just my 2c.

It appears that you will get your way my good man! Since no one else has any opinion, Flyrant and Lictor-spam will receive first treatment... And I just might have the bits and pieces needed to accent their bases.

I think a nice ruined spire would go well on the Flyrant. We shall see...

My votes goes to the Trygon.

Nice bat rep btw.

EDC

Trygon eh? It seems we need a tie breaker!!

Thanks for the kind words Will keep putting them up as I get games in (which is infrequently!)

Finish the Tyrant and Lictors.... then Trygon!

Always good to see more subterranean beasties and the Tervigon is already painted

It has been far too long since our last irregularly scheduled update! Carrying on as normal, though. Just busy.

I managed to source some great foam and made a few trays, and am working on getting all models into this one size... Requires some crafting and gluing, so a good time overall.

I went ahead and pulled out the 'misc box'... It's been accumulating items for a while now and this was the evening to sort it out. Where did the resin boneswords come from? Why is there another tyrant guard? Do I really need 11 lictors?

(GW, 'Because', and of course).

Found some cool stuff. Organized it a bit better, and here are some shots of the before and after.

Original (crowded) organization system and extra models:





9 infantry trays... Need a few more yet. :0



And the current tray I'm working on - Elites and HQ. Will need to do up a few deep Heavy Support trays soon - all the Fexes are being left out so far.

I opened up a few old blister packs, and bought some 40mm bases, and now have 5 Shrikes to build. Found an old pack of Harpy (whfb) wings and some boneswords with lash whips from Tyrant Guard, it will be fun to mix up a few kits and see what happens.

Loadout will be cc; lw/bs and scything talons on 3 of them, rending claws (terminator insurance?) and talons on the other 2... Though I do have some bonesword pairs as well if that's a better option. Adrenals and toxin might have to be included but I don't generally use them - but I don't usually use dedicated elite CC units, either.

Has anyone had experience with Shrikes? Suggestions?

Welcome back.

That is some collection you have got there! What foam trays are you using?

That's one impressive collection.

EDC

It's good to be back! I've missed hobbying and haven't had the time this year :/ but will be making more time from here on in. Helps that the little people are getting to be more reasonable - I did some painting today with them running around and no significant damage resulted!

You asked for Lictors... So finally, here they are!

Codex grey drybrush- only on carapaces.


Purple wash over top...


And the clear coat (humbrol clear).


And a group shot while they dry... A better picture will come along after they cure for a day or two.





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Still need to hit the bases with Army Painter wash and paint black rims on them. Otherwise they're done... Feels good to have that little project finished.


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Mad, I actually found these trays at a local household hardware shop! Weirdly enough, they have pluck foam for tools/equipment, and it is perfect for my purposes. I have to do a bit more work than buying ready made, but this is so much cheaper at $10 CAD per tray.

So many stealthy lictors... love it!

Hmmm, I might have to have a look see next time I'm in the hardware shop to see what sort of storage options they might have... nice find!

As promised, some completed Lictors.







So, I kind of want to finish the Raveners but the Shrikes call my name... And the Trygon's still half built. That Flyrant, though, only needs clear coat and basing. Might have to do that first.

I have a game coming up (1200 points) and want to use these shiny new ones. Any list suggestions for heavy-duty Lictor spam?


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I just realized it took 18 months to finish 7 models. Sigh. :p

Nice work on the lictors, in particular the carapace on the scything talons looks great!

If I was looking at going heavy lictor spam, I'd look at one of the lictor based formations, Deathleapers assassin brood or the lictor forest brood.

18 months for 7 models... considering new born baby and all the fun stuff that comes along with that it is forgiven

I'd go with the Tyrant to finish it off and then move onto the others.

Thanks bud!

I'm definitely considering the assassin brood. Looks pretty decent.

I finished the Flyrant, save for the basing as I plan on putting some ruined Dark Angels bits on it. I can't sort out how I want to do it, though; perhaps a helmet and a bolter, and misc. battlefield debris - will go through the bits box today if I get a chance. I do have a spare chapter master (?) and librarian from Dark Vengeance box so perhaps I could use them. Will just have to mess about with the model until something just looks right.

The humbrol oil based clear is amazing. I've compared it to the GW water based clear ('ardcoat?) and the difference is huge. While the GW stuff dries to a latex-like finish - moderately hard - and has a noticeable film thickness, the humbrol clear, once dried, appears to be significantly thinner to the point of being unnoticeable (aside from being full gloss, that is).

The clarity is better, as well, and the colours beneath are sharper and more enhanced when covered with the oil based product. The major benefit to the water based stuff is clean up, though the detriments outweigh the positives in my opinion. I will keep the GW clear around as it's really useful in a pinch, but the carapaces and larger areas will be getting oil from here on in.

Trygon's built now. Subterraneanean swarm is now feasible, hmm...

With the Flyrant needing only basing, and a Trygon and Mawloc needing some paint, it sounds like I'm priming tonight! Then maybe a base coat, and Friday will have to go buy more foam for heavy support. I like how this is coming together so far, though I want to mix up the basing a bit. It's getting repetitive after several hundred, maybe it's time to consider doing a small allied hive fleet...


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When the Trygon was built, I didn't take a picture. I did however get a shot of tonight's efforts: A repaired Mawloc, and 5 Raveners. Planning on one more rending claw Ravener (total 10) and the remainder being Scytals (around 16).

The repairs to the Mawloc went well, it had been built strangely and many bits had been broken in shipping. I repaired several spikes, spines, feelers and mouth bits, and now it's looking the way it should.

It really feels good to be back into the hobby routine. Thanks again everyone for looking and as always comments are appreciated. Cheers!

Tonight's work: basing! I glued a few Raveners together as well, talons and the like, but primarily focussed on getting some nifty basing materials down.

My regular opponent is a Dark Angels player, so I fit in a few Marine 'trophies'.

Mini report: Yesterday, assembled 2 more Raveners, primed 18 or so, and primed both the Mawloc and Trygon.

And tonight, primed the two Raveners, and painted three sets of magnetized Carnifex arms, as well as all the base coating for the magnetized Tyrannofex.

It's looking like a good modelling week so far... By the end of the week, I will have accomplished more than I had all year!

Late night Friday painting.



Monstrous creatures with painted arms? Yes!

Looking good dude. Really liking those Lictors from the previous page.

EDC

Thanks bud! I'm really pleased how they turned out. Only one more pewter Lictor to build!

This big guy just needs a wash, basing, and clear coat now.

You cant really see the trophies from that photo, would be interested to see a better photo i'm a sucker for a awesome base

I'll get some models out this evening and shoot the bases for sure. I've done a few different things - mainly Dark Angels trophies - but there are a few Space Wolves ...accessories... as well.

Cheers and thanks for looking!


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Long evening, got tons done.

Magnetized Flyrant.
Magnetized 2 sets of MC arms.
Base coated Trygon skin.
Washes applied to around 10 sets of MC arms.
Basing begun on Trygon, Tyrannofex and Mawloc.
Wash applied to Tyrannofex.

5 Fexes are almost 100% done, just need clear coat on the guns, and on the Tyrannofex to get them all off my plate. Tried to get some good shots of the basing but it's not yet complete... Will make sure to include base shots as I carry on.

Photos:

Well, you are certainly back into the swing of things by the looks of your progress, nice work! That Tyrannofex looks like it is getting ready to go and melt down and consume some marines.... I approve!

You mentioned a few posts back that you might be getting a bit bored with painting just tyranids and were thinking about a different smaller force... I've been thinking along similar lines and wanted to do a GS cult with vehicles etc, and then GW released the Deathwatch overkill game, so I've got that so far and the models in that are awesome! I've also got a Leman Russ that I will paint up as part of the GS cult army eventually as well.

Going to look up the Deathwatch game. I do enjoy painting a few Marines from time to time, and the variety (at least in the novels) in Deathwatch teams is pretty cool.

I did up a few tanks years ago, no longer have them, and kind of would like to finish up my Wolves force. Right now it's infantry, some long fangs, Terminators and some DA characters from the DV box, so some pods or rhinos might be the way to go.

Thanks buddy!

Yeah there is 11 deathwatch marines, one of them is even on a bike, and they are all from different chapters (obviously) and some really nice poses.

But you already have some non-tyranid models lying around?... I'd start with those then hehe

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Clear coat applied, carnifexes done! Very pleased with the Tyrannofex so far.

'Fexes are looking great dude. You've done a great job with these.

EDC

Coming along nicely SBG...

I really want to get a tyrannofex now, after using a proxy in the last game and seeing them pop up every where... must be the hive mind exerting it's control over me

Thanks guys! The Tfexes are the best. They always pull more than their own weight in my games. Speaking of which, I had a little outing today. Got in a 1200 point game against a Dark Angels friend of mine.

Here's a sneak peek of today's battle... Batrep incoming soon!

Cool. Looking forward to the batrep.

EDC

mmmm, marines... our food conveniently in a can!

Interested to see how it went

As dawn broke upon the field of battle once more, the proud Dark Angels force bore witness to four monstrous behemoths striding purposely towards their battle lines...

***

Good old 6th edition rules, with current codexes. Warlord traits weren't important, and we played a very relaxed game/ruleset.
We rolled for Purge the Alien - very fitting for a gunline and DS Nid army.

Order of Battle

Dark Angels Gunline:
Captain with Relic Bolter on foot
Command Squad with Devastation Banner and assorted goodies
3xTactical Squads
Forge World Laser Destroyer Array (?)
Devastator Squad - ML, MM, Las and Bolters
Razorback x2
ADL with Quad Gun

Tyranid Hive Fleet:
Thyrax Prime
Bio Blast Node
-Dakkafex
-Dakkafex
-Dakkafex
-Tyrannofex
-Warrior x3
Tyrannocyte
Pyrovore x3
DS Ripper
DS Ripper
DS Ripper

***

As the first turn begins, the deployed gunline chips a few wounds off the monsters. The monsters do not slow...





The Tyranid right flank approaches the Razorback.



The scratch built Razorback guards the Dark Angels right.



As do the Devastators.



After another turn of fire from the Razorback takes a wound off the Tyrannofex, and a few heavy bolter shots don't, the return fire from the Carnifex wrecks the Lascannon Razorback.



And on the left flank, another Carnifex shreds another Razorback. Additionally, two of the ripper squad drop in and scatter back 7-8".





The Dark Angels line up their Salvo bolters...



And wipe out both broods of Rippers. But one more drops in, and the Tyrannocyte with Pyrovores does as well...



The Pyrovores ready themselves for a fiery sacrifice.



And after another twin linked shooting phase, the Laser Destroyer and several Marines are melted away.



And the Marines plan their retribution, mainly consisting of multiple short range bolter shells applied with wild abandon.



It works - the Pyrovores, outside of Synapse, break and retreat several inches. A Carnifex on the left flank is obliterated by Krak missile overwatch!



But the giant beasts, unconcerned about the deaths of their kin, draw ever closer. Their weapon symbiotes fling acidic fluids and living ammunition towards the beleagured Marines...



And the Pyrovores regroup with a 4!



With this much close range firepower, the Marines start to falter - several squads break and run, or are wiped out.



The Devastators are engaged in close combat, and the Carnifex's Hammer of Wrath causes an unsaved wound.



And the AP2 attacks finish off the others.



And the final few Marines are wiped out by a barrage of devourers and acid spray. To their credit, they stood firm to the end - valiantly blazing away at the alien horde to the bitter end.



***

Final tally - Tyranids Victory, with a complete tabling as well as Warlord, Linebreaker, and First Blood.

***

As always, a fantastic game against a good friend. The Dark Angels he uses typically are more mobile, so the stationary gunline was a neat change. The banner was very useful - but more heavy weapons could have taken out the bugs a bit faster. A very thematic game - we've discussed a 4,000 point game for the future, as well!

Finally have the Tervigon done- will be playing next week's tournament with a 100% painted force!



And this guy wants to go, too... Busy weekend painting these two!

Tervigon and Mawloc looking good, its nice playing with a fully painted army for sure.

Great batrep, and a nice win for the hive fleet I love it when our food tries to hold the line... delicious cans of food.

Sounds like you had a great game. Some excellet pics from the day.

The Tervigon and Mawloc are looking great too.

EDC

Thank you both! I'm very excited to have the tournament this weekend, which is why I have been prepping my figures... Just got the list packed up tonight and I think it should do well. I will have to try and get photos... If nothing else, a recap of the three games!

Change of plans - just as planned! One game vs. chaos. Sneak peek: