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Finished the Laserback!



Pew Pew



Also in Assback.



And er..Backless?

This should give a nice amount of flexibility to it's deployment.



I went with this name mostly because all my Rhinos have names beginning with 'S'. I don't know why I did that. mostly



I forgot to write 'crisps on the side of that box. This car belongs to squad 2 as denoted on it's side here.



I'm pleased with it and whilst not a super job it will look fine on the table next to it's brethren..



Like this one, painted some time ago now..

Tack squad up next, they are going along quickly and should be done soon tm.

So the SM Codex is popping out of the wood work all of a sudden. Changes look good so far and a lot of the tick list of things SM need seem to be being addressed; which is surprisingly good. My main concern is the lack of defensive measures revealed so far and the customization of the new units. We'll see how those shake out. I'm very pleased to see an actual UM Codex, for the first time since 2nd Ed, there will be a proper book for them which is not sharing Relics/Strats/WL Traits etc with all the also ran Codex chapters. Frabjous day, they even get there own Psychic discipline, all we need now is for Tyrannic War Veterans to be good......

So I've been slogging away at the Tacks..



Seen here after drybrushing (yes I drybrush my marines), squad '2' is in the background here being used as a reference..



Moar painted..



A bit more



And based.



Pew pew.

The first combat squad is about done now and work has begun on the 2nd. This will be my last tack squad and it feels a bit emotional really. This whole project has been a long time in the making, I think I got back into making them around 2006? And now 13 years later (Including the small matter of an IG force of 2-300 models and other stuff) the whole army will be finished.

Still there's the Restartes that I will dabble in and own a few of already. I do have a bunch of Medievals sitting around too...

More SM rules. Seems like Tack squads could be a fair bit better! Lucky I've got 6.

RandyMcStab,

Nice work on the Razorback and Tactical marines.

Cheers,

CB

Looking real nice, Randy.

Captain Brown wrote:RandyMcStab,

Nice work on the Razorback and Tactical marines.

Cheers,

CB

Thanks! Glad you like em.

oldravenman3025 wrote:

Looking real nice, Randy.

Thanks again!

I've been away so sorry for late replies. I have not been idle in my spare moments and have finished the first groups of Tacks and the next is progressing.



The Sarge is already done, so just these 4 to be getting on with. They're nearly finished too.



Enough to bust out these guys. My last squad to complete the Battle Company. These guys have been built for a few years waiting for their moment (almost dead last) but that time is finally here. With the Assault Doctrine and Shock Assault they are less of a joke but still hardly devastating. Still I've always liked Ass marines and I am looking forward to painting these bastards.

Most of the SM stuff is out and Ultras look like they will basically ignore all moving and firing penalties after turn one. The layers of power add ons are interesting and powerful but there has been few Pts reductions and little up armouring of anything, so SM are going to play like a less extreme version of Eldar, hard hitting but without sustain. I think I preferred them as a tough brawling faction more but we'll see how the dust settles.

Moar soon.

Tactical squad No.6 complete!! Classic Grav/HB/PF loadout.



I wish I could be bothered to crop these. The aforementioned 'Grav Gun'. This newfangled item is the first of these I've built (I'm up on all the new trends me). I actually deployed this squad in my last game a few days ago and it was ok. The Sarge I built a long time ago and has been my fav since then. He's got an OG metal DW head and his BP arm is a 'metal' one from the OG SM veterans box released with 4th ed (? maybe). He is a old model. The Crux on his fist is an old FW resin bit they don't make anymore. I'm glad this guy finally gets a squad of his own and 'Squad 1' what's more. I used to just replace a Sarge with this dude when I wanted a PF dude.



HB is the Sternguard version. I liked the lighter look and have endeavored to give (some) of the Tacks lighter versions of the heavy weapons. I cut off the Crux on the housing of the heavy bolter and painted a 'U' over it. The other guy is the full suit of Mk VI armour you can make from the 'new' Tactical box. In a perfect world, and my original idea for this army, was for nearly everyone to be Mk VI as I loves me some beakies. But that proved too difficult/expensive and it was 10-12 years later that the above box was released.



Grenade-y guy and reloading guy.



Various bolter carriers round out the squad. I haven't painted these guys to the max but I'm happy with how they've come out. I want to actually finish the company one day and I would consider these above table top standard and that will do.

I did play my first game in ages just recently but unfortunately didn't really take pics. It would have been a good idea too as it was an interesting game. I think I took a few and so will post up them soon. The night I finished this squad I took a few quick, poorly lit snaps of all 6 squads and I will stick those up too.

I think the new rules do a lot to make Tacks more interesting (less gak). 1pt off is nice and the -1 AP buff from Tack Doc (with the extra UM buff to it) is amazing for basic bolters as well as the 'move without penalty' allowing the unit to actually move and still bolter discipline fools and fire the heavy at full effect. Finally should they actually charge they should be slightly more hurty. A lot of these changes make much more impact on mini marines than Inters I think. The AP and extra attack basically make them hit as hard as current Inters, which is amazing for 5 pts less (obviously Inters are getting these buffs too and will hit even harder and have the extra wound). Rhinos are also 5pts off I think which is nice as they add a lot to a tack squad and I haven't yet got over them not being 35pts anymore.

Ordered my new Codex yesterday so counting the minutes till then. I'm off on hols for 2 weeks from tomorrow but will manage the odd post.

Hope you like the Tacks! Moar on the Ass soon.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
https://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/60/733369.page#10534140

I've just noticed MLCS has completed the BatRep for the game we played back in March! head over there and check out my 10th Company force in combat for the first time.

Back from my hols and armed with the new Codex(s). Yay.

Here's some stuff I've done already but not yet posted..



These are only quick snaps but I couldn't help myself once I'd completed the last Tack squad, I had to get the rest out...(that's what she said etc)..



Squads 1, 3 and 5.



Squads 2, 4 and 6. Loves me some Tacks. The new update actually helps these guys a lot. A bit cheaper but fighting like Intercessors of 'Old' (i.e. a few weeks ago), with no penalties to hit with Heavies and always rapid firing as well (from turn 2). They die just as easily is the only problem. This Codex actually gives a lot of love to 'Classic' stuff, lots of good strats for 'legacy' stuff like: Ass marines, Stalkers, Terminators and Artillery. Also the above buffs to Tacks make it seem like they are far from squatting minimarines but want to make either new or old school playable. This is clever really as good will is garnered from both sides of the fence, no ones toys are invalidated and the general positive spin will probably generate more sales. Some of the BattReps I've watched have had guys busting out old 7th ed armies rather than the new stuff. Drop pods with Grav Cents in it is a real blast from the past.

Speaking of Ass marines..



Work has been progressing on these guys..



Getting there..



Nearly done now...

I hope to be able to keep up the work rate and finish off my mini marines. To do the Company I need to finish these guys and a Standard I've got built. I also remembered another Landspeeder I may do but they are still underwhelming so may not bother. I also have some bits put aside to do some Sternguard/Deathwatch/Tyrranic War Vets as well. Exciting times. I will try and play a game soonish and I've a couple of pics from a game I played a few weeks ago too (not many pics but an interesting game).

See you soon!

Closing in on the company!

I’m looking forward to experimenting with speeders again. Once turn 2 hits for the Tac doctrine, they can move and fire the heavies without issue. And they have a jink strat. I think there might be some life back in the old guys.

I really need to sit down and digest the new rules. I don’t think it’s going to cause any drastic changes to my lists, but there might be subtleties that could be fun. Like actually building my Cents.

I do want to like LS but the jink strat is better for a biker blob as it's 2CP which is a lot to protect a single speeder (possibly if it's a 'Storm full of Scouts about to grab an objective or something).

Still I used a couple in the SCOUT FORCE! game and they were useful, the speed is easy to underestimate, when they weren't being one-shotted by Fusion Commanders that is.

The use I see is to fill out a Brigade but at 80 odd points for the classic Typhoon/HB or MM/HF load outs is pretty pricey considering how soft they are (T5 W6). I think a HB attack bike (T5 W4) at 35pts would be better for slot filling (not that I have any). Maybe I magnetize the last Speeder so I can swap the Tyhpoon in and out for a cheap 55pts HB only LS?

For 50ish point more 3 Inceptors are amazing.

I will try and do a bit more on the Ass's tonight *fingers crossed*

You can squadron speeders if you want to get more bang for your buck on the strat. 4+1 bikes w/plasma c-plas, w/ and an attack bike is the same number of wounds as 2 speeders, and not that far off in points (2 TML/HB speeders is a dozen points more) 4 dakka Inceptors is the same number of T5 wounds for roughly the same points, but it’s all HB-equivalent shots. Honestly, I think there are pros and cons to all the options. A lot depends on the theme of your list and what you like best.

If you just want to fill a slot, the attack bike does cost peanuts. But it’s not going to do a whole lot. I think a scout bike squad might add more utility to your list. The FA slot in the brigade I think is a good place to invest points to upgrade the minimum slot fillers. We can run some bare bones stuff there, but it’s a lot of points just to fill space..

RandyMcStab,

That is a lot of progress you have not posted...there is something like 50 Marines in the shot. :0

Cheers,

CB

Nevelon wrote:You can squadron speeders if you want to get more bang for your buck on the strat. 4+1 bikes w/plasma c-plas, w/ and an attack bike is the same number of wounds as 2 speeders, and not that far off in points (2 TML/HB speeders is a dozen points more) 4 dakka Inceptors is the same number of T5 wounds for roughly the same points, but it’s all HB-equivalent shots. Honestly, I think there are pros and cons to all the options. A lot depends on the theme of your list and what you like best.

If you just want to fill a slot, the attack bike does cost peanuts. But it’s not going to do a whole lot. I think a scout bike squad might add more utility to your list. The FA slot in the brigade I think is a good place to invest points to upgrade the minimum slot fillers. We can run some bare bones stuff there, but it’s a lot of points just to fill space..

Yes it was more on an idea to fill Brigade slots cheaply, I think double Battalion is probably better anyway as SM HQs are great and not too expensive. I'd like some Scout bikers but am generally against SM bikers, I do like Scout versions however.

Captain Brown wrote:RandyMcStab,

That is a lot of progress you have not posted...there is something like 50 Marines in the shot. :0

Cheers,

CB

Yep that was a busy weekend. Glad to have all 60 done feels like a milestone and they are nice to look at in serried ranks.

I'm finishing the Ass marines slowly only recently finding the will to paint, the pressure of coursework is giving me lots of procrastination power so have managed a bit of painting when I should be writing essays. Yay!



Here are a few snaps from the first full game (ie not KT) I've played in a while, it was a bit before the new Codex dropped and so was a farewell game to the old maligned book. We decided to play the 'Grand Assault' mission from CA18 as mission games can break up the 'line up and shoot till you run out of turns' normal type game and that would give me a chance! T'pau are a hard match up for SM normally so I didn't expect much.



My right hook.



Dirty Tau hiding perilously close to the above..




My central castle. These were just quick pics and the lighting is terrible, it was just for me really as it's really nice to finally have pretty much entirely painted armies on both sides and fully painted terrain/board.

The game was interesting for me as I got to field 6 units for the first time! That's a lot of fresh paint curse! The Captain, Inters, Contemptor, Razorback (in AssBack configuration and the first time I've used one), and both of the Tactical squads. Not bad.

The game itself was surprising and would have made a good BatRep if I'd bothered doing all the photography. The right hook ploughed through the Tau and made it to the diagonally opposite corner of the board though only 3 Tacks (out of 15) and the Libby got there. They met up with a delayed assault from the centre by the 'Temptor, Inters and Captain out of which only the Hero and the Sarge made it. I had 2 significant respawns which helped but I was almost exclusively firing at enemies with a -1 to hit and +2 cover save as we were using 'Cities of Death' rules so it was an uphill struggle. I did manage to cap all 6 points that the mission required but only because it went to turn 7. Still I was really impressed by the gumption showed by the boys in blue and was really surprised at how much damage they did.



The last half of the Ass squad has been started...getting there...

Always nice to get a well painted army on the table. With that much fresh paint, surprised you did so well!

Keep chipping away at the assault squad.

Courage and Honour!

 Nevelon wrote:
Always nice to get a well painted army on the table. With that much fresh paint, surprised you did so well!

Keep chipping away at the assault squad.

Courage and Honour!

I know right? It was very lucky. We are thinking of writing new lists but doing the same mission, roles reversed. Would be nice to be on the receiving end of the +2 cover save as I've attacked in the last 2 missions.

Speaking of chipping away..



Ta da! Last Assault squad reporting in!



Went from this to the above strangely quickly..



Pleased with the Vet Sarge, he looks serious..



I gave him a fancy looking Plasma pistol for LOLs but there is now a Strat that allows me to give a Sarge a 'Sunwrath' pistol (basically a MC PP) so it works out well, not sure it's worth the CP but still. The other guy is (illegally, insert 'Would you play me if...' thread) packing a melta bomb. You can give them to the Sarge but I like the idea of one trooper a squad carrying one...I used to use them a lot in Dawn of War I, jump over to a tank chuck a krak and MB, jump away, good times.



2 x Flamers. Great for setting Xenos/Heretics on fire (with -1 AP now!)...



Generic dudes. I use the same torsos and mostly the same heads for the Ass Marines. I think of it as 'flight armour' and that the JP is integral. I use the torsos with straps on my big backpack heavies........................................... mostly

They are not perfect but will do nicely. Especially now they're finished...



They are significantly better painted than my other squad, seen here, which are officially the oldest painted squad in my army now. Tack squad number 4 was the first painted but looked so bad I resprayed them (so I've technically painted 7 Tack squads in this army!).

All this means I have completed all the squads in my BATTLE COMPANY, which is kind of amazing. There is a full complement of support staff too and everything bar the standard bearer is complete now. The flag guy is being started!

More on him soon.

Fitting to save the colors for last. But once the banner is snapping is the breeze generated by burning Xenos, full formal pictures will be required.

I am amazed by the consistency you have achieved over such a vast number of miniatures, a well as the number you have reached. Any plan for a group shot of the entire battle company once it has a standard?

Thanks!

Yes I will indeed do full company shots once the last guy is done. I will probably need to set up the 6x4 and lighting large areas is usually a pain but I will try to get some nice ones. It if it's lighting well I may do some full army shots too.

After the standard is done I may add 2 dudes to my Sternguard as they are 8 man and now they are cheap they could easily be the full 10.

I've done the base coats and inks on the standard dude (not touched the flag yet) so will do some WiP shots soon.

XX

RandyMcStab,

Nice work on the Assault Squad.

Cheers,

CB

Thanks!

I'm pleased with them, not sure if they'll see much table time however. Still the completist in me demanded the whole company so I obey.

Not had much of a chance to get in any painting recently hopefully I can do a bit tomorrow.

Wow, great work. Really liking the darker UM scheme and the precise brushwork. Great army.

Thanks! I've always painted them much darker, in the old days there was a phase when the GW scheme was almost powder blue with bright red guns and yellow trims *shudders*, I've always preferred a darker tone.

I've enjoyed your BattReps in the past too. I don't really frequent that setion of the forum anymore as nearly all games were video and just to cheese armies facing off in a game of 'who can get first turn'. But I used to enjoy yours. I see the link in your sig but a lot of the pics aren't working for me? Is that me or a Photobucket death type thing?

I've still not been able to make any time for painting, grrrr, hopefully soon......

Ah yes, the great Photobucket ransomware business decision...

Lost most of the old campaigns, but our current one is still going strong -pop over to the batreps section every month or so for a new instalment.

I just filtered the thread to Randy's posts and read the through the entire thing. 22 pages of just his posts.

Lot of very cool things in there. I really like the new Contemptor you made, and, yeah, I like it without the launcher on top as well. It's a great piece. The not-Rapier Lascannon weapon teams are also really cool.

I love the subtle little conversions and repositionings that you do, plus raiting the bitz box to find things to make into other things, or things that might be useful elsewhere. It's the approach I have to all my Necromunda stuff (new and old). It's fun to kitbash in that way.

Gordy2000 wrote:Ah yes, the great Photobucket ransomware business decision...

Lost most of the old campaigns, but our current one is still going strong -pop over to the batreps section every month or so for a new instalment.

Rad, it that the Triskelion War? I will start reading that. I think it was Shadow of the Hive Mind I was reading before. I would like to do something of this ilk at some point, probably significantly less ambitious.

The closest we got to it was this escalation campaign which petered out but was really fun. The best part is the (erotic) fanfic we all wrote. The highlight is probably near the end of page one where the noble IG clash with the foul D'eldar under the command of Archon Soulfelcher....

https://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/640921.page

It's here if you have time to waste....speaking of which..

H.B.M.C. wrote:I just filtered the thread to Randy's posts and read the through the entire thing. 22 pages of just his posts.

Lot of very cool things in there. I really like the new Contemptor you made, and, yeah, I like it without the launcher on top as well. It's a great piece. The not-Rapier Lascannon weapon teams are also really cool.

I love the subtle little conversions and repositionings that you do, plus raiting the bitz box to find things to make into other things, or things that might be useful elsewhere. It's the approach I have to all my Necromunda stuff (new and old). It's fun to kitbash in that way.

I'm amazed you've ploughed through the whole thing, it's a lot. This blog is nearly 10 years old (how did that happen?) and I feel I should post you a medal.

I'm really glad you appreciate the minor conversions and swaps. I don't like to make my stuff the same as everyone else and have put a lot of effort into making my stuff unique, even if it's only in small ways. I loved making those Rapiers, even though it meant falling foul of 'RedStarOne' and the Contemptor was a massive effort but the result exceeded my expectations. Hope you come here for the models but stay for the weak innuendo (in your endo etc). I might get a chance to do some actual painting soon, today-tomorrow hopefully.

 RandyMcStab wrote:
I'm amazed you've ploughed through the whole thing, it's a lot. This blog is nearly 10 years old (how did that happen?) and I feel I should post you a medal.

I was procrastinating, and I saw some of the pics come up and thought the Ultra's paint style was interesting, so figured I'd read it through. I liked the restoration of old minis, or the recreation of old minis using new parts.

I did laugh a little when you made a modern version of this guy, only for GW to make their own (including an updated "skullbard").

I like how simple the Guard style is, yet it's so effective, especially with all the cool officers you made. Also getting the most out of each of those heavy weapon boxes. I usually built 9 teams out of a single box (cannibalising some regular Cadians for extra crew, of course).

 RandyMcStab wrote:
I'm really glad you appreciate the minor conversions and swaps. I don't like to make my stuff the same as everyone else and have put a lot of effort into making my stuff unique, even if it's only in small ways. I loved making those Rapiers, even though it meant falling foul of 'RedStarOne' and the Contemptor was a massive effort but the result exceeded my expectations. Hope you come here for the models but stay for the weak innuendo (in your endo etc). I might get a chance to do some actual painting soon, today-tomorrow hopefully.

I love making unique models, and I like making minis that intentionally use as many bits as possible. My Lost & The Damned army (from which a few of my Scavvie gangers come from) have lots of different kits thrown in. I've got one that has parts going back as far as the original plastic Genestealer Hybrids in there. Another that contains parts from no less than 6 different kits (Ork, Chaos Marauder, Zombie, Catachan, metal Necromunda weapon sprue and something else I'm sure!). I do it with the odd Chaos Champion as well, always going out of my way make the minis my own.

It's more fun when you've got key minis that you know are your own, are unique, and that no one else has anything like it.

Thanks.

I really like reclaiming models, eBay rescues and the like. The wreaked Sentinels I was given all look fine now and much of the wall of SM infantry was cobbled together from all sorts of crap. I like to add nods to RT era stuff, like my IG HQs both being OG IG which I've added contemporary arms to.

I'd forgotten the GW re-make of the old Skullbarded Termie Captain, probably for the best as it's a bit of a mess, those legs are really short and the AGL looks too big..

Yes the IG heavy box can be amazing value if you just add more dudes and 60mm bases, I've the bitz stashed to make another Mortar team but that would leave the Platoons unsymmetrical and that would slowly drive me to buy another box and then I'd have to make loads more....slippery slope.

I agree about making the key models unique, so much more interesting and involved. I will check out your stuff too.

Meanwhile....

I've started the flag guy and managed a tiny bit more today..



This was the first pass in 2014 (the pic is dated then but I think it's from before that).



Designed to fit in with my Command Squad, seen here with my original (1st) Captain conversion.



He got rebuilt around 2015 I think, added a (poorly executed) tabard to fit in with the rest of the robed HQ squad..



I dusted him off and trimmed/filed the dress to it's a bit less naff. I also cut off the skull on the BP arm as it looked too big (that's what she said).



Base coats and inking.....



More of the same..



Here you can see some progress on the metallics and whites. I also started planning out the banner.......which is still in early days.....

Well I hope you liked the unnecessarily in depth coverage of my dude, I hope to get him done soon as he's mostly there but the standard will be a bit of a project I think. Mostly.

Moar soon hopefully.

Uhm. I see a flaw in the general plan of your banner.

 Briancj wrote:
Uhm. I see a flaw in the general plan of your banner.

I’m sure it’s just some Tyranid monster...


(That’s what she said...)

Oops sorry I see it now, I googled a banner design for the 'Emperor's Pointed Sticks' Chapter silly me. The 3rd Company banner is of course the sword through 'Nid head logo. I will change that over.

That banner is certainly... inspiring?