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DarthSpader wrote:so you find that normal stealers dont work? i happen to have close to 20 stealers, (got em for a steal....heh heh heh) was originally planning on a unit of normal stealers at 10-12 str each. but i also like the idea of the yrmgarls...problem is the limited and other elite options available...like DoM, hive gaurd and so on.

Genestealers are one of our best units. Just give them Toxin sacs and they are good to go. Ymgarl preform a bit of a different role than Genestealers though. They are great though. I've had success in every game I've used them in.

DoM is a waste after the FAQ killed it. If you take 2x3 Hive Guard, and a Unit of Ymgarls, you would be fine in that respect.


Both Ymgarl and Genestealers really depend on the type of list that you are running though.

Sorry it's been so long, just a quick update on what's going on. Firstly, this thread has seen the end of its use after this post. I'll be working on my 'Nids Year Resolution' to get my army completed very shortly, my first deadline is February. I'll have a new thread in P&M blogs for that so if your interested keep an eye out. Thanks for any and all help.

So what's your first goal post model? The Tyrant or Deathleaper?

I'm definitely going for the Tyrant first, it's much more work but my vision of it is very solid unlike the Deathleaper. Deathleaper was a solid half built model but i'm having second thoughts on the pose.
To be honest, i have a bad habit of getting bored of a model that i see a lot which devalues it to me subconsciously. I think this might be what's happening in this case, if so i'll need some time to get feedback and conclude whether i should push on with it or not.
Thoughts?

I can certainly see where you're coming from when talking about having second thoughts regarding some models, especially the fairly common ones.

What usually works for me is looking at completely divergent sources of inspiration and then try to merge it with the project. Call it "looking for new biomass" if you will...

You might want to start here, here or here while listening to this.

As for other thoughts, post some pics, show us what you have so far and we can build from there.

If you don't have a camera but you have a webcam i'd even be open to a skype "show and tell" session. Which reminds me, I should really start a youtube channel for showcasing the conversions...

Hope this helps.

(just found this shortly after hitting the submit button. If this doesn't inspire nothing will.)

Well, "looking for new biomass" was very enlightening, thanks for the links. I will have to revisit them again soon as there is even more inspiration to be had there. It's been a long time since i have put some great music on, lined up some websites and just soaked up some awesome.

I'm glad i'm not the only one that loses faith in their own models before they complete them. It's very strange because i remember being so impressed by the concept when i originally began it, i actually was surprised that it was something i was implementing. I mean, ideas are ten a penny to me and i think they are mainly good ones but i find it very difficult to follow through. As you say, the best thing i can do is post a picture and get feedback, sadly i still don't have any AA batteries although i'll go and pick some up in the morning. I'll hopefully get some pictures up by around 12GMT. Oh, and i've never had a webcam, i don't think it's something i'd use very often tbh.

A youtube channel would be pretty cool, man. If you go ahead with it give us a heads up and i'll subscribe.

P.S. Did you see the Beastman bust? Very inspiring, makes me want some beastmen but i'll be strong!

Did I see it? Oh yes, Step awaaaaayyyyy from the beastman models, sir! Step away!

Damn I swear that sometimes, the worst part about inspirational artists is that they can easily squash your enthusiasm due to the level of their skill. But then again, it's just a reminder to be humble and accept that before they were that good, they were like us, aspiring to greater things.

Over on MassiveVoodoo, what I find particularly maddening are the painting sessions these gusy have. In total, 20 or 30 people get together in some cozy looking 15th century inn or church, paint and drink beer all evening. We seriously need such groups in Canada. Keeping inspiration up when the thing you hear the most is your significant other complain about the mess on the painting rather than the praises of like-minded mini maniacs can be hard at times. Thank goodness for Dakka or else this hobby would really be such an isolatist passion, hidden from sight all too often, kinda like coding webpages.

Twenty or thirty folks getting together to drink beer and paint sounds great but, for me, it will never happen.
The miniature scene is extremely 'uncool' where i am. A lot of people who participate are... socially awkward lets say. I'll be trying a few nearby clubs this year that i've been invited to but i'm not holding out masses of hope. It'd be nice to have a couple of beers and relax with like minded folk, i think the reality is there will be at least one 'TFG' wherever i go, disrupting the enjoyment for everyone. Hey, maybe i'm the weird one for being quiet and looking to chill out. Who am i to say?

Here it tends to happen once every 6–8 weeks at the FLGS. No beer, no teachers, some music but at least nobody's adverse to listening to my airbrush when I bring it Thankfully, our 'TFG' doesn't show up on painting nights, he's only there on Sundays for 40k Day.

Once I get closer to where I need to be with the Nids paiting-wise, I'll have to see what I can do to try and coax the painting nights into overdrive, or at least into a monthly event, maybe even try to spark an open-brand Painting Competition since our store in split almost 3 ways between Malifaux, WarMachine and 40k.

That would certainly light a fire under my brushes...

A painting competition would be sweet.

Can't be a conversion competition because, well, I'd feel bad for everyone else

Haha, . Big talk! But very true, lol.

On topic, it's probably worth mentioning that i have decided on a design for my spods! But you'll have to wait and see. It's a bit different to anything i've seen yet, but i've had a good think and designed it around functionality.

Can't wait to see what you've come up with. Surely you can do some drawings and borrow a friend's scanner...

I'll see what i can do! I might be able to do it on Google Sketchup.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Okay, i'll need you to be imaginative here as Google Sketchup is very constraining.

The pictures below show an egg surrounded by half a sphere(bottom of a larger, hollow egg). But first a quick walkthrough:
The inner egg will be modeled to appear like ribbed Tyranid flesh, very similar to the front of a Trygon torso although bigger.
The outer shell will be jagged and broken, and resemble Tyranid armour plates.
Joining the two will be stretches of tendon and muscle tissue and a lot of sticky fluids.



The idea is that the thick armour plating protects the spore as it enters the atmosphere but cracks on impact. The tendons and fluids in between the armour and 'egg' take the brunt of the impact force to stop the gribblies turning to mush. The fluids also serve to sustain the occupants, as they enter the pod when they, and the pod, are just recently 'born.' On the ground the 'egg' is free to push away some of the broken armour segments with its tentacles and it's ready to defend the area. The warriors inside can then exit via the sphincter like opening on top.
I think it's a reasonably elegant solution. The only thing i'm currently considering is some way for the pod to be taking less force upon impact.

I hope i explained that okay, i probably forgot something. What do you think of it?


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Also, i just spent a bit of time using my google fu for inspiration. The music today? Killswitch and Limp Bizkit, why? Because you need to go slightly old school when your looking for bad ass poses.

Here are my finds:
One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven, and Eight. I've used Eight before but i never realised how useful and extensive the 'Scratchbuilders Paradise' section is. I'm going to need pipes for two, maybe more of my projects, that website does them in 3 different plastics, different sizes and even miniature curved pipe segments.

Their wont be much to see for a few days though, until i start making serious progress.

Take your time, post a bit at a time. Even a little bit of progress counts as progress.

We'll be here

Thanks, dude.