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That's funny my 2nd Assault has finally neared the top of my to do list and part of me is thinking 'is this really the best use of my time..' Still the completist in me requires the battle company to be finished.

I was also thinking about plasma Inceptors but the cost increase is crazy (+70pts, admittedly on a squad of 5) for an already pricey unit, and they've come down a lot. Primaris stuff was costed so highly in the OG Codex and with 2-3 straight price decreases they are still not cheap.

 RandyMcStab wrote:
That's funny my 2nd Assault has finally neared the top of my to do list and part of me is thinking 'is this really the best use of my time..' Still the completist in me requires the battle company to be finished.

I was also thinking about plasma Inceptors but the cost increase is crazy (+70pts, admittedly on a squad of 5) for an already pricey unit, and they've come down a lot. Primaris stuff was costed so highly in the OG Codex and with 2-3 straight price decreases they are still not cheap.

Nothing quite a nice as a full battle company on the shelf! Even if most of it doesn’t see play often.

Inceptors are comparable to hellblasters. 6 T5 wounds rather then 10 T4, (so probably less tough against most fire) but 6d3 shots vs 5/10 rapid fire. HBs have range, Inceptors have speed. Inceptros don’t need an expensive transport to survive to optimal range.

--

Painting progress:


Did a second test. The first had the flesh wash before and after the details, the second only after. I think I like the tone of the first better. Might put a second coat on the other guy to have him match, see what that does to the details.

This should be my 15,000 post on Dakka. I may have a problem.



Edit: Well, it was nice being a Chaplain with hate to spare, but at least now I get a nice pair of gloves to keep my fingers warm. And crush the foes of mankind...

They both look good, I think as you get more done the variances will make the whole look even better. You might even want to try and do areas on some where they get the two coats and some areas with only the one coat. Maybe the legs and chest in the two coats and the arms and face with only one. The lighter colors making those areas look more flexible.

Nice quick Dryads. I am torn as both show the detail well, perhaps the extra wash does give a bit more depth.

 Nevelon wrote:


This should be my 15,000 post on Dakka. I may have a problem.

We all have a problem Nevelon...you are not alone

Cheers,

CB

Those old-school Dryads look pretty cool! Congrats on your 15000 posts!

Thanks guys



Some progress. Eyes are done on the first two tests, back 3 are ready for eyes/touch up pass, front 3 still need green, then wash.

Then to base them all.

Chugging along.

And the list of unpainted gets smaller.

Cheers,

CB

Just need to wait for the glue to dry on the tufts/rocks and then flock them. So probably done this evening.

Then pick the best 5 for the comp.

Looking good. The eyes are a nice bit of color. Lovely old school models. Have a unit painted up, myself. One of the few things I kept from my short-lived Wood Elf army back in WHFB.

I like what they are doing with the modern tree spirit stuff, but the mix of elf and forest units was what drew me to WE back in the day. I think they are separate in AoS, but will admit to not paying particularly close attention. Right now AoS is mostly just a painting project for me. The “local” scene is only at the FLGS an hour away, and they tend to be competitive, which makes it hard for new players to join in. I’m sure they would accommodate by bringing soft lists if I asked, but I’d hate to do that.



Done. I broke out some moss to add some brambles to the bases. Next step is formal shots.
(They needed to be ranked up in a movement tray. Anyone else have a pile of those old green ones collecting dust?)

Over in the What's your backlog thread I decided to do a light inventory over coffee.

 Nevelon wrote:
When the hateful Day-Star is a burnt out cinder, my pile of shame will endure. The grey legions are without count, and are only the third wave, reinforcing the old guard of “safe” alloys and a core of lead from dark ages past. For the mortal mind to ponder the piles of the unbuilt and unfinished is to court madness; the scope of such is beyond human ken.

My primed pile of active projects is about 90ish assorted models. I should do a formal inventory. My active to-build list will probably add another 30-40 models to that. This assume I buy nothing more, or dig deep into the pile for projects to do for painting competitions.

So I thought I’d inventory my primed pile while drinking my morning coffee. Once I wake up enough, I’ll try to chip away at it.

Ultramarines: 33
12 RTB01 bolter marines
3 RT assault marines on foot
2 RT veterans
1 RT captain
5 30k destroyers
1 terminator librarian
1 primaris standard bearer
2 blind-box heroes
1 ML/SB tank hatch crewman
2 scouts
1 stalker/hunter/command tank
1 stormhawk
1 TML/HB land speeder

Eldar: 7
2 war walkers
1 jetseer
3 bikes
1 wave serpent

Deathwatch:18
3 agressors
5 reivers
2 inceptors
6 vets (4 w/ heavy guns, 2 SB/chainsword)
2 terminators

Misc.: 8
1 nighthaunt axe guy
3 nighthaunt scythe guys
1 nighthaunt bell guy
1 sister of sigmar novice
2 D&D young wizards

Hm 66. Lower then I thought. Of course, I’ve got 10 things active out on my painting area, and that doesn’t count the spare bits and options kicking around. The guns to swap my LRR to a LRC alone should count as a mini or two. Plus some assorted scatter terrain bits.

The short to-build list, from stuff I own

Ultramarines:
1 primaris librarian
?? finish stripping the RTB01 stuff.

Eldar:
5 dire avengers
5 wraithblades w/axes
1 farseer on foot

Deathwatch:
3 sb/chainsword vets
4 sb/ss vets
1 vet sarge
2 Vanguard vets
1 watchmaster (kitbash)

Nighthaunt:
24 rest of the soulstorm box

Terrain:
3d printed crates, ruins, pipes, etc.
foam hills

--

Now at the rate I paint, that’s more then a year’s worth of stuff primed. So no risk of running out before the end of next winter. I do need to start thinking about squirreling stuff away though. The time in the pipe for a project to be purchased, built, and then primed can be quite lengthy. So if it’s something I want to do before next spring, I need to give it some thought. I’d like to be able to put more boots on the table for Deathwatch. Right now I’ve got my poorly equipped old squad, and 2x5 man intercessor teams. The back 5 for the primaris are primed and ready for paint, but I’d like to get a 10 man vet squad with proper gear. Right now I’ve got 2 SB/CCW guys and 4 heavies. I should probably build the SS guys next, that would make for a pretty nasty squad.
I’d also like to get the wraithblades with axes built. I want some chop on the table, right now my only options for CC are HQs.

Hope everyone has a relaxing weekend,
--Nev

Edit:
Clipped the wraithblades. I’ll get started cleaning them soonish. Also finally got around to putting the second blue down on an intercessor. I’d do more, but my back’s had a rough week, so not spending a lot of time at the bench.

There is unrest in the Forest
There is trouble with the trees
For the Maples want more sunlight
And the Oaks ignore their pleas.

The trouble with the Maples
(And they’re quite convinced they’re right)
They say the Oaks are just too lofty
And they grab up all the light
But the Oaks can’t help their feelings
If they like the way they’re made
And they wonder why the Maples
Can’t be happy in their shade?

There is trouble in the Forest
And the creatures all have fled
As the Maples scream ‘Oppression!’
And the Oaks, just shake their heads

So the Maples formed a Union
And demanded equal rights
‘The Oaks are just too greedy
We will make them give us light’
Now there’s no more Oak oppression
For they passed a noble law
And the trees are all kept equal
By hatchet,
Axe,
And saw…
(Rush, The Trees)

Final pics:


I dug deep into the pile of shame for these guys. Originally my “good” WHFB army was going to be wood elves. Idea was everything either on the wing, or made out of wood. Never really came together. But I had a chunk of old dryads kicking around collecting dust So I thought I’d break them out this month. I wanted to try out the new snakebite leather contrast paint, but my FLGS was sold out, so I used my old snakebite leather paint and Darkoath flesh to get a similar effect. These guys came together real quick once I finished out what I wanted to do. Liking the new contrast paints, even if I’m basically using it as a dip/glaze for these guys. Obviously not going to win any awards, but I think a nice solid table top for a reasonably light amount of effort.

For those interested, the full 8 man squad:

Well done. Takes me back.

I actually really dig your old metal dryads. They look better than what I remember them being like which is always a winner.

I know you said it was from a past project but have you got any more woodies in the future?

I haven't yet tried the contrasts, i was going to get snakebite and the flesh just as those are the colours i usually struggle and seem to use most.

Thanks guys.

This should be the last of the Wood Elves. There is one Dryad missing a base, and I think the rider for the forest dragon. Neither of which is likely to ever see the light day. Unless there is something else forgotten lurking in the pile of shame, but I honestly don’t think there is Only hope there is if I decide I want a new bike autarch for the eldar, I might check the dragon rider and see if he’s got any parts worth working with.

In other news I’ve got all the blues down on the intercessors, so need to start on the blue washes. I also need to clean and get ready for my folks visiting this weekend/next week, so not sure how much painting is going to get done.

These guys are looking great . Love the glowing eyes on them.

Also kudos on the Rush tribute .

Nice Dryads for the monthly competition Nevelon.

Keep up the war against the unpainted.

Cheers,

CB

Just a quick minimal content post to prove I’m still alive and blogging. I put the first blue coat down on the hunter before I stepped away from my bench. Going to have to keep on the ball to finish it once I get back, which will be Sunday.

Dryads are polling well. Nostalgia and tight theme adherence seem to be a path to victory. Might end up being my highest voted thing this year. We’ll see.

Hopefully normal blogging will return next week.

OK, back at the bench Everyday a new layer. No pause, no skipping. Need to keep this moving, despite the lull in motivation and short time. Need to pick out more details (grey skulls, aquila, optics) then the second blue and wash. Plus the turret and all the bits and bobs.

And eventually wash those two intercessors.

Ordered the new codex and UM supplement. Ultras here now, still waiting for the codex. Will need to read and digest them, plus putter around in some lists once battlescribe updates. My initial take from the leaks is that I need to put together some alt-gunned intercessors. Probably 5 stalkers, 5 auto.The unbuilt Primaris librarian The Boy got for me will be magnetized with a staff for a Tiggy counts-as. And I think I need to build a new chapter champion. Maybe a TDA ancient. Now that the vanguard marines are in multipart kits, I need about 10 of the basic guys and 2 squads of eliminators. Might grab a box of reivers to kitbash a captain and LT, need to buy the lib. As I’m not in any rush, I might wait to see if bundles come out at the end of the year. But as my list of things I covet starts reaching into the 30-40 model range, I’d like to find some savings.

Layer a day. Just put the black wash down. Next is the second blue coat.

Are you using Contrast paint on that vehicle? I'm not sure that's going to work well without an inordinate number of coats.

 ZergSmasher wrote:
Are you using Contrast paint on that vehicle? I'm not sure that's going to work well without an inordinate number of coats.

Nope, just my normal sloppy base blue, slightly more tidy blue, (more layers if needed) blue ink (highlight) procedure I use for all my Ultras. The first coat is pretty thin.

Just finished the second blue coat with the big brush, still need to use a smaller brush to get into some of the little bits. Also started some accessories. Progress!

3D printing a champion shoulderpad. Hopefully it’s usable. Going to make a new company champion. Like the blender-like nature of him, going to use a lot of the UM specific parts off the upgrade sprue. I might also look to put together another HG with an axe, just so I have a pair of “official” ones. Not sure how index options interact with supplements. Stupid no-model, no rules. Grumble grumble...

Edit:
Blue wash down on the hull. Shoulderpad came out pretty good. Interspersing paint and breaks.


Automatically Appended Next Post:


Washed the intercessors. Need cleanup and edges. Puttering along. Going out for dinner with friends, so that’s probably a wrap for today. Hopefully some solid progress tomorrow. I’d like to get all these guys to the "almost done" stage by the end of the weekend.

Gettin there.

Cool, I was always tempted to use the front plate on a Pred (instead I built that plasticard thing). I thought it would show the AV13 better. Now they are only Rhinos plus 1W it's probably not worth it ;p

I'm always surprised to see these things at T8 too, the new strat is ace (though probably slightly better with the AC one), have you used the Hunter before?

 RandyMcStab wrote:
Cool, I was always tempted to use the front plate on a Pred (instead I built that plasticard thing). I thought it would show the AV13 better. Now they are only Rhinos plus 1W it's probably not worth it ;p

I'm always surprised to see these things at T8 too, the new strat is ace (though probably slightly better with the AC one), have you used the Hunter before?

The different Toughness and Wounds for 8th makes me shake my head a bit. The Pred is one of our oldest MBTs, but because it dates from an early era of model design, gets to hang out with the rhino/razor for durability. Meanwhile the AA tanks, which should be more akin to the lightly armored tanks, is tougher. Makes no sense. Oh well. Is what it is. I think if you wanted to make tougher looking tank, stealing bits from the Hunter and the Vindi , and then slapping a pred turret up top would look the part. Still be T7 though.

I’ve not played with it yet. Haven’t felt strongly enough to proxy, and still stick to my play it painted philosophy. For 75 points it seems a very good deal. That’s less then a 5 man tac squad with a LC. And it’s a lot better in most roles. Sure, it might degrade, but put 5 wounds onto the footsloggers, and they are done. The strat looks interesting, definitely better for the stalker. Gives me another reason to paint up the HK/SB driver, as it looks to affect all the guns. One of these days I’ll try out a brigade, so a cheap HS pick will be useful to have.

And not to totally go all meta, but The Boy really loves flying a Stormraven. Tossing some AA up in it’s face might make him diversify his army selections. Of course, when he has free range of the shelf when I’m playing my Eldar, it might do unseemly things to my Crimson Hunter. Of course, the Stalker would be worse for me there, as it will also erase large chunks of my army.

Overall I decided to go with the hunter first, over the stalker for a few reasons. One is looks. I like the big launcher (that’s what she said!). The other is that it’s more of a TAC tank. The hunter can shoot at ground targets without penalties, a flexible edge over the stalker. I like solid hits. I know the math says that weight of mid-range fire is statistically better. But our fickle little 6 sided friends don’t really belive in mathhammer. When a clutch roll needs to be made, they can screw you. When it’s all on one big die, a CP can help save you. Relying on the laws of averages is like going on a date with destiny, and she just ordered the lobster.

In painting progress I just put the blue wash down on the remaining parts. Next up is edges for them, and assembly, touch ups, and decals.

Almost done. Glue is drying, then I need to go back and touch up a few things, maybe stick a decal or two on.

Read the release from NOVA. Plastic Howling Banshees. They will be mine. Hopefully some other cool shiny things. Need to pick up the painting pace if I want to add to the pile of shame. The only reason I’m ahead on my paint more then I buy goal is the lack of new stuff, not any real productivity on my part...

Hunter looks pretty good so far. Once you pick up the small details I'm sure it'll look great! I've debated picking one up for my Dark Angels, but as yet we haven't gotten the points drops that vanilla Marines got, plus I'm probably going to save my hobby money for plastic Sisters when they drop...

That's looking really great... nice color saturation, even finish, and precise details. Can't wait to see the finished pics... awesome addition to the Painting Challenge.

Hunter done. Turned out OK, but I hate painting tanks. I knew it was going to be a slog, and rushed, as I did in half the month. But persistence pays off. A little time at the bench every day, just to put down one layer, and eventually you will finish any project.

Which brings us to the halfway point of the competition yesr:


Pretty happy here. Nice mix of stuff, both scale and armies. I think the dryads placed the best tied for 5th, or close to it. I’d have to double check the votes at the wire. Tight to the theme and nostalgia FTW!. I’d like to get both my Eldar and Deathwatch solo entries, but we are almost out of months. Next month I’m going to mix them in another duel, October is undead, November is undecided, then the December wildcard. Which is going to be a short month for me again, as I’m visiting my folks for the holidays. I’d like to get the back half of a fortis kill team done. At least 5 reivers/inceptors/agressors. In an ideal world, I’d finish 10 of them, so both KTs are finished. The war walkers would make for a good entry, but I could probably use the WS that’s sitting around more on the table. We’ll see what the vote is for Nov, I can try to do one army for that and the other for the free pic in Dec.

When voting for next month, I picked “Up, Up, and Away” to use as an excuse to paint the stormhawk languishing in the primed pile. But I need to get my volume up; I’m behind for the year. Two goals are at risk. One if the 1-a-week goal, and the other is the paint more than I buy goal. Which I’m knocking out of the park right now, but that is probably going to change. Plastic aspect warriors, multipart Vanguard marine kits. I suspect I might pick up a number of things this holiday season. Depending on contents, there is a real change I grab the marine megaforce. I want all the new stuff, and with the rules changes, a lot of the old stuff as well. So even if there is a stinker or two in the box, it’s probably still a good deal. And if we get more then one aspect in plastic and they release a swordwind box, I’m sunk for that as well. So I need to paint like a mad fool to get ahead of the curve.

Next month going to try to bang out all 5 of these guys. Continuing my “Duel” theme, a squad of windriders attempt to intercept a pair of deathwatch inceptors screaming down from orbit.


Edit:
Just put the edges on those last two intercessors. Just need to glue their arms on, and then base and decal the squad.

Edit2:
Since the Intercessors just moved off the painting handles, and next month’s entry will not need them, I just put the first black coat down on a pair of Deathwatch reivers.

Edit3:
Decals done, rocks and tufts glued on the intercessors. Need to be flocked then they are done.

Edit4:
Have I mentioned lately how irritating it is cleaning mold lines off Eldar? 2/5 wraithblades cleaned. Going to wait until they are all clean before final assembly in case I want to swap legs/arms around for posing.

Edit5:
Automatically Appended Next Post:


And done. That should be a wrap for all the intercessors I own. 15 from DI boxes, 10 from the full kit. 3x5 squads for the Ultras, 2 sarges with power swords, one with a fist. 3 AGLs. Deathwatch is 2x5, power swords on both, one stock rifles, one assaults.

With the new rule I want 15-30 more. Sad, I know. I’d like at least a 5 man stick with the snipers, for backfield camping. At least a 5 man squad with assaults, possibly a full 10. 3 shots a pop seems pretty sweet. I’d also like to get the bodies to boost at least one squad up to 10 men, for use with the strats.

And maybe some for KT specialist.

In other news, 3/5 wraithblades cleaned and sub-assembled. Layer of brown down on the reiver pouches. Fun thing I noticed, on the inner thighs of the intercessors there are little loop looking things. On reivers, these are where the straps for the pouches get threaded through. Nice nod to the modular nature of the Mk X suits.

Fun thing I noticed while reading the codex: Scout bikes are no longer limited to 3 AGLs. While I think bolters are a better option, haveing the capacity to fit them out entirely with assault weapons has a certain charm. 16” Move +6” assault + AGLs and shotguns = fun. And because you advanced, you can get a 3++ vs. shooting with 2CP.

Also, the stormtalon/hawk are going to love Scions of Guiliman and moving and shooting heavies. No PotMS and the need to move. Makes them a lot more attractive.

Even in death, we serve!
Wait, is that our line?
I don’t know, I’m so confused.
Has anyone seen the spiritseer?
...

Axeguard built. I’ve felt the need for some chop in my Eldar lists, but unfortunatly only had Jain Zar, as there are limits to my collection of old metals, I refuse to use resin, and only so many plastic options. So now that these guys are built, we get pics of plastic banshees. Oh well. Room for both in a list. These guys are more of an anvil unit, hopefully the gals will be a blender. But no idea how long until they release, might be months. And we are in the home stretch for priming season, so good that I got these guys built.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Edit:

Courage and Honour!

Took a little trimming to get the torso halves together. But he needed the cape. Then finding a pair of legs that would fit between the pturges and the cape. (Mk. IV for the BaC box). After that, just tweaking arms and angles until I was happy. Left the torso unglued from the legs to help paint the cape.

Looking at the rules, he a right blender. Should be fun on the table.