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 blockade23 wrote:
If you're short on musical bits, fairly certain I've got some excess bretonnian ones bouncing about. But all you really need is a horn and you're golden.

I've got an active eldar army and am just getting the book and the swooping hawk Phoenix Lord. Made my own out of DE Scourges and they look shockingly close to what GW has created, although w/ bigger wings.

I'm in the same boat as you with the shrines. Just another token to keep track of that I have to paint up (quickly). I never even painted the ranger one, so maybe I'll just use that with my already existing squads or something.

I’m pretty sure I don’t need the music bits. If it turns out they add them I’m pretty sure I can always cobble together an extra skeleton or two. Or just re-base an old guy to a round one. One issue, which I’m sure is partially intentional, with GW’s rules churn is you never know what the future holds. I’m not chasing that dragon with tertiary armies. I like to keep WYSWYG, but I’ve got limits.

Once I paint up the shrines I have I’ll be fine. Each aspect might not have the correct shrine, but the odds of me putting more then a half dozen squads of aspects down on the table in one list are low. We all are just one big happy family of the god of war and murder here, we can share. The hard part will be waiting until it’s good weather to break out the rattlecan. But they are just going to get a basecoat and a brown wash. Nothing fancy.


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Paint down. Nids need black wash next. Wait, need any rubble on the base greyed first. Then blackwash. Marines are plugging along. I think the intercessor is done with his basecoats. Would like to get him done by the end of month to free up the handle.



First skelies built. 3 more clipped so far. Going by the book with swords for the first 10. While there are assigned arms, they are all flat connections, so the next 10 I might just build the bodies and clip random arms and see what happens. Or just build them with the assigned spears. Probably buld other things between the first and last 10 though. The vampire cav for one, maybe Eldar depending how fast I work.

The Chaplain looks great. The edging makes it pop - nice job on it!

I feel you on the Eldar models. Lots of cool and tempting models. But am I going to paint them any time soon? Probably not. Do I need them for games any time soon? Definitely not.

 Zambro wrote:
The Chaplain looks great. The edging makes it pop - nice job on it!

I feel you on the Eldar models. Lots of cool and tempting models. But am I going to paint them any time soon? Probably not. Do I need them for games any time soon? Definitely not.

The calculus of hobby acquisitions is odd. Wants/Needs/Desires are muddy.

I theoretically am an active 40k player. So I need to be able to put a viable list on the table. That said, I’m an irregular player with multiple armies and an established collection. I’m not playing in any competitive tournaments. I don’t need the latest hotness to crush my foes. There are times I “need” to get minis to play the current edition. Usually when something is critical to how I want to field my army. I’m no meta chaser, but there are times a new shiny will make an army just click. Or datasheets got juggled around and I need more bodies to field legal squads. Or something new like having the models for the combat patrol so I can play that way. Nothing in this release is a firm need. And I already have the squads. So it’s the argument that kept me using my old terminators for decades. Would the hobby budget be better spent on getting something new, instead of upgrading perfectly serviceable minis? That said, I’ve enjoyed the new terminators and am sure I’d enjoy the new aspects.

Wants? Shiny model syndrome is a heck of a thing. There are a lot of things I want, but time and money are not infinite. But I’m an adult, and if something would make me happy and I can keep the bills paid, why not? We are not being rational here. If I was thinking logically, about 9/10th of my collection would be up on eBay. Does it spark joy? It does. I have a collection of minis that stretch back to the start of the hobby. And seeing them sitting there collecting dust does make me happy. Even if they might never see the table. And having a variety of stuff in the Pile of Shame helps keep me busy and out of trouble. Does it make a lot of sense? From a certain PoV. I’m not just a player, but a painter and collector. If we take a step back form the needs of the game, and look at it from a painter’s view, why not? Sure, it might not get paint for a bit, but that can be said for so many other things. The fact that there is not a launch box has put a damper on what I’m going to pick up. With no savings on FOMO box sets, why jump and get things on release? Everything is general product. It will be around for a while. But I deserve a little treat from time to time, and why not a Phoenix Lord?

--

Splashed some nuln oil around. Next up is eyes and teeth for the nids, and cleanup blue on the marine. Cleaned and glued the body on skeleton number 3.

I totally get what you're saying about wants/needs/desires. Thankfully in the upcoming releases there really isn't anything for me, so my wallet can rest easy for a bit (unless I decide to pick up existing stuff for my armies, and I'd love to have a High Elf Realms army for The Old World). I've been known to let my desires rule too often, and gotten myself into financial trouble on occasion. Adulting is hard sometimes and I often have to tell myself no when it comes to certain new stuff (like the recent Krieg box).

As for favorite of the new Phoenix Lords, I'd have to go with Baharroth. I'm tempted to pick that guy up just to paint! But, see my above statement about telling myself no.

Just catching up on all your posts, that camo scheme looks excellent, wish I had your brush skils, your figures really pop,,, my figures always seem to come out “flat” even with wash’s, dry brush and edge highlights,,,

ZergSmasher wrote:I totally get what you're saying about wants/needs/desires. Thankfully in the upcoming releases there really isn't anything for me, so my wallet can rest easy for a bit (unless I decide to pick up existing stuff for my armies, and I'd love to have a High Elf Realms army for The Old World). I've been known to let my desires rule too often, and gotten myself into financial trouble on occasion. Adulting is hard sometimes and I often have to tell myself no when it comes to certain new stuff (like the recent Krieg box).

As for favorite of the new Phoenix Lords, I'd have to go with Baharroth. I'm tempted to pick that guy up just to paint! But, see my above statement about telling myself no.

As odd as it sounds, I’m often too good with money. Years of being a stay at home dad in a single income house and a partner who was not the best with money made me crazy frugal. If it’s not load bearing or required, no reason to spend money on it. Buying things just to make me happy? Not in the budget. Now, I’m not rolling in dough, but I’m stable. I can afford treats. But sometimes I need to force myself. But no reason to go crazy

I think I’d rate (as models) the PLs as Fuegan, Asuman, Baharoth, Lahkhis. From a game play POV? Not sure, they all do some pretty nice things. It’s real hard to prioritize who to get first.

Alaricuk wrote:Just catching up on all your posts, that camo scheme looks excellent, wish I had your brush skils, your figures really pop,,, my figures always seem to come out “flat” even with wash’s, dry brush and edge highlights,,,

I blame my any apparent skill with the brush on the lack of good pics. I’m actually pretty sloppy. If your technical skills are not making your minis pop, it might be your palette. If you start with a muted scheme, it’s not going to pop on its own. Even on my camo minis I still include bold colors to help contrast. Real camo is boring; intentionally so.

--

Nids got their details over lunch/breaks today. Next step is some cleanup pass and then re-wash the spots that need it. Built a few more skelies. I noticed that suprisingly a few had swords in their off hands. So I needed to make at least one double sword guy. Like the way he turned out. I’ll try to grab pics when I’m next at the bench.

Edit:

Nids are done, got rocked and tufted. Waiting for flock.

Ordered some more boxes/magnets/metal. If the nighthaunt are going to be borrowing one, I need more. Plus the nids needed another one with more headroom.

Edit:
Put the cleanup blue on the intercessor and built 2 more skeletons over lunch.


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Am I going to let a little thing like “the rules” stop me from modeling? I don’t think so.

With a musician. If they ever change the rules so I can have one, I’ve got one. And if anyone gives me crap, I’ll just point out that skeletons can’t actually play the horn, he just caries it out of tradition...

Flocked the nids, off to the YTD shelf with them. I should probably move some more down to the paint handles, still some time before next month starts...

Edit2:
Put the basecoat on two more hormagaunts this morning.

Running forward for snacks and hugs. Hormagaunts are just big puppies. Put the brown wash on this morning before work, reds next.

Edit: reds down on morning break, started clipping a blood knight.

Edit2: grey on the nid’s base rubble. Undead horse one assembled. Very nice looking death pony.

So, boxes.


Added 2 more 9Ls to the collection and more magnets and metal. Originally I got A4 magnet sheets, which are 8x10. Turns out, the boxes are 8.5x12(ish). So this time I picked up standard sided 8.5x11, which were far more common. The metal sheets I got were 8x12 (by 1/32nd thick) I might have paid more then I needed, (a 4 pack was a little over $20). The sheetmetal I had picked up before was 2x3 feet and 50ish bucks. Plus I needed to get tin snips and cut it to size, which was a massive PITA. So the cost per box is roughly comparable, without the work and scratching my hands up. I should probably just be glueing the metal straight to the bottom of the boxes, save the cost of the magnetic sheets. I wish there was a mid sized box between the 4L and 9L that stacked nice with them. Some units like nid Warriors with arms up are just a little too tall for the low boxes. But I do have some tray that hang on the top of the boxes which while shallow, can hold rippers and gaunts; anything about an inch or less tall. I should figure out exactly how much headroom there is.

Anyway, now I’ve got boxes to drag everyone around, including the nighthaunt spearhead.

--

In painting news put the black wash on the gaunts. Blue ink on the intercessor.

Clipped a few more bits on the vamp rider. Love the look of this kit so far.

Still need to do more work on the marine’s gun, but body is done and off the base. As are the pair of gaunts. Decks are clear for scorpions, which will be next month’s entry.

2 vamps down, the champ and the standard. 3 to go, “basic” guys. I think I’m going to do them all without helmets (I think there are the bits for that) all the better to feed.

 Nevelon wrote:
So, boxes.


Added 2 more 9Ls to the collection and more magnets and metal. Originally I got A4 magnet sheets, which are 8x10. Turns out, the boxes are 8.5x12(ish). So this time I picked up standard sided 8.5x11, which were far more common. The metal sheets I got were 8x12 (by 1/32nd thick) I might have paid more then I needed, (a 4 pack was a little over $20). The sheetmetal I had picked up before was 2x3 feet and 50ish bucks. Plus I needed to get tin snips and cut it to size, which was a massive PITA. So the cost per box is roughly comparable, without the work and scratching my hands up. I should probably just be glueing the metal straight to the bottom of the boxes, save the cost of the magnetic sheets. I wish there was a mid sized box between the 4L and 9L that stacked nice with them. Some units like nid Warriors with arms up are just a little too tall for the low boxes. But I do have some tray that hang on the top of the boxes which while shallow, can hold rippers and gaunts; anything about an inch or less tall. I should figure out exactly how much headroom there is.

Anyway, now I’ve got boxes to drag everyone around, including the nighthaunt spearhead.

--

In painting news put the black wash on the gaunts. Blue ink on the intercessor.

Clipped a few more bits on the vamp rider. Love the look of this kit so far.

I know this wasn't the purpose of this picture, but it answered a question that's been simmering in the back of my brain for a long time.

OGRE! I recognized the font, and it all came flooding back to me. That was my first wargame.

Oh, and if you figure out how to make boxes made for magnetic model bases, I think you are sitting on an excellent business opportunity.

OGRE, Car Wars, Battletech and SFB all saw a lot of play back in the 80s, early 90s. I’d be hard pressed to say what my first wargame was. Complicated by the fuzzy lines of what separates board games from wargames. Risk? Axis and Allies?

There are a number of companies that make magnetic transport options. And tutorials for DIY ones. They are pretty simple to make. It’s not like I could upcharge based on my skill making them. If you are in the hobby, you can make your own. I do have a friend who works in the steel fabrication industry, so might be able to get stuff custom cut just right. But that’s a lot of work for a side hustle that probably is going to have lousy margins. It’s not a bad idea, but it’s a crowded market and easy to do yourself at my level.

Those Deathrattle-Skeletons are really nice. All the Age of Sigmar stuff is so good.
I'm very tempted to pick up some Cities of Sigmar minis to convert into inquisitors or those Freeguild Steelhelms into something for that new Trench crusade game.
This also reminds me, I need to look into magnetizing the bases for all my new minis.

AoS is rocking from a minis’ PoV. I keep on wanting to grab stuff for painting projects, but already have a lot going on.

So hit the FLGS to pick up my scorpion (I came solidly in the middle of the pack for votes) and the FMotM Clan rat. Who I’m not even going to try to paint in a week. Got a demo game in. New player, the GW guy had run him through a couple turns, but had to tend to the store. So I played a quick not-Combat Patrol game. No objectives, just death using starter rules to just get a feel of movement and attacks.



Victory for the new guy! My Ultras fought bravely, but ultimately were food for the swarm. Guy had fun, and is getting more comfortable with the rules, so while a tactical loss for me, a strategic win for the hobby.

Quick update



These guys are done being built and off to the to-prime pile. Mostly done building the old wight king. Not a easy model to assemble. Trying to decide how many parts to leave him in for paint. The back with the cape blocks a lot, but includes half his shoulders.

Scorps are getting along. Greens and browns down.

Put rocks and tufts down on the 2 gaunts and the intercessor (who’s gun is also progressing.

No new pics of all that, as I’ve got guys replacing my furnace, so am a little blocked from my workbench.

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The gaps on the shoulder needed work, so just glued.

Digging out parts to make a glave DA exarch. Found 2 more shrine looking bits.

Welp, I wasn’t planning on getting her, but the WS PL came home with me. I guess when the guy at the FLGS told me “We’re getting 2 of each new release” it was only dice, codex, squad boxes, and her. Not the planned order, but as I said before, I want basically everything in this release wave. It’s just a mater of priorities. I think I’m going to have to enforce some sort of PoS neutrality clause. No more elves until I clear out some of the backlog.

So right now I have the 5 scorps on deck getting paint (which I need to get a move on)

5 more scorps waiting (one actually needs to be primed, the free mini of the month guy)
5 Dire Avengers
3 Shroudrunners
3 Shining Spears

To build:
1 Farseer on foot
1 Old bike
1x Lhykhis (going to take a while before I remember that spelling)

The old stuff on sprue is likely to stay there for a while.

So I started reading the codex. Read through the background. I like that it’s like half mythology. Really sets the mood for the Eldar. Trying to digest the datasheets is hard. Not only do you have leaders to consider on how units work, but what detachment are you using? Because that changes everything. It does not help that my vision for my army is in the center of a venn diagram of like 3 of them. Bikes, tanks, and aspect warriors. There are also a lot of synergy buff/debuffs tossed into the army, sometimes in odd spots. Like if a War Walker tags you, everyone else who shoots that unit gets an extra point of AP. Or when a Vyper lands a hit, you suppress the target giving it -1 to hit until your next turn. One thing I’ve picked up in my years of wargaming is that it’s not the force adders that win games, but the multipliers. Not that you don’t need a few hammers, but the ability to leverage things to make all your units better is huge.
Looking at units in a vacuum when there is so much of this in the list is rough. You can take a look at something like the Night Spinner and think “this guy would cash out MEQ, but is only AP-1. But if you light up the target first with a WW and some shroudrunners, suddenly you have an extra pip of AP and ignore cover. I honestly want to print out a copy of everything and put up a red string conspiracy board with all the ways things interact. That would take a huge amount of work though. Flipping back and forth through the book theorycrafing it is.

It will give me something to do while I recover from clearing a foot of snow off the driveway. Enjoy your Sundays all.

It's been great catching up on what you've been up to in the last few weeks.

Those storage boxes are great. I have a load of them myself. Excellent for storage, and just as good for carting around RnF fantasy armies to events. And, (and this is a huge bonus), they make it harder for the partner to keep a track of how many minis I have. I only ever usually have 2 or 3 boxes out and on the go at any one time, the rest are stored in the loft. The partner only sees a box of minis - I'm not sure if she realises that 1) there are more boxes in the loft and 2) the minis in the box get rotated regularly. The 2-3 boxes are probably closer to 7-8...

The paint progress is great. I look forward to you starting to shift some of your Eldar. Seeing them getting painted is always good.

 Zambro wrote:
It's been great catching up on what you've been up to in the last few weeks.

Those storage boxes are great. I have a load of them myself. Excellent for storage, and just as good for carting around RnF fantasy armies to events. And, (and this is a huge bonus), they make it harder for the partner to keep a track of how many minis I have. I only ever usually have 2 or 3 boxes out and on the go at any one time, the rest are stored in the loft. The partner only sees a box of minis - I'm not sure if she realises that 1) there are more boxes in the loft and 2) the minis in the box get rotated regularly. The 2-3 boxes are probably closer to 7-8...

The paint progress is great. I look forward to you starting to shift some of your Eldar. Seeing them getting painted is always good.

Just remember to answer and direct inquires honestly. It’s one thing to not point out an issue, another to actively deceive. Relationships are built on trust and communication. Even the impression you are trying to pull one over could be harmful. But that’s enough unsolicited relationship advice for now.

So built this guy:


He came to me in parts, some of which I’m not sure matched, and with his right root snipped off. Hopefully he comes across as an exarch. Had to fudge the shimmersheld, and the head is just a basic DA one. Anyway, off to the to-prime pile.


Getting more layers down on the scorps.

Also the intercessor’s gun arm is almost done, just needs blue edges. And then assembly and a deal. Getting there.


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Interesting build. I was a little worried when I opened the box, as the sprue had a bit of a curve to it. And the way kits go together these days, things need to line up just so. And this was no exception. But my worries were largely unfounded. I thought about leaving her in a few parts to paint, but decided to just glue everything. Some of that if I wanted to fix her to the web before the glue had fully set. That way I could be sure everything would line up correctly. For those interested, if you wanted to re-base her not with the swirly crap it would take some, but not a lot of knife work. Not just a snip, clip and done. There is swirly stuff lightly wrapped along the feet, web injectors, and butt plate. But mostly easy access, and smooth surfaces. The flesh arms have square pegs for alignment, but if you clipped those off would be easy or adjust. Spider arms on the backpack would be a little harder, the uppers more then the lowers.

She’s a unique character, so not a lot of reason to build 2. But if you wanted to, the kit could be modded with intermediate skills.

Well done on the Chaplain there Nevelon. He did well in the monthly painting competition as well, congratulations.

Cheers,

CB

Thanks.

For those who don’t follow the comp, My JP chaplain got to share in 2nd place. My second podium finish in 10 years we’ve been at it. Also, if you don’t follow, go, get something entered. This month is “Suprise!” You’ve got 2 weeks left.

Speaking of which:


Should be done with the basecoats. Next is some touch up work, and the camo. Which doubles as touch up work.

Finished decal and bases on the 2 nids and the patiently waiting marine. They are off to the YTD shelf, which is actually looking pretty good for this time of year.


Hang in there everyone, almost the weekend.

Congrats to the JPC!

Brave man, fully assembling that spider-gal. That Exarch looks like his dancing days are far from over. Nice recovery. Given how the single scorpion turned out, I am very much looking forward to a group of them.

Part of the problem with the spider is how I would hold her to paint if not attached to her base? Also wanting to get everything in the right spot while there was still wiggle room before the glue set. Which was needed.

I’m still trying to wrap my brain around putting together an Eldar list. So many moving parts. Also the desire to keep a tight theme vs. including units for mechanical reasons. Like War Walkers. I picked them up by accident. They were part of a previous battleforce where even if I tossed them straight into the bin, I’d still be saving money. And now they hand out “Oh, I landed a shot on you? The rest of my army now gets an extra point of AP against you for the turn” Kinda crazy good. But they touch the ground. But are kinda advance scout-y. I have feeling on including them...

I should also survey my exarchs for wargear options. It looks like they did a fairly good job making them all situationally good.

I should also get to painting for the day. Done with coffee.

Hope everyone’s weekend is off to a good start!


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Just did a quick survey on points, by plugging what I could into the 40k app. Eldar are about 4,060 points, and the Tyranids are 4,280. Painted, based ready for battle. Does not include the stuff on the YTD shelf. Also does not count legends models or guys I couldn’t get into squads. There was some rounding up/down for them. If I wanted to be more diligent I could math out the points per model and get a better count, but can’t be bothered.

The only thing really giving me rule of 3 issues were ripper swarms.

Kinda affraid to do the Ultras, as that is a lot more work.

 Nevelon wrote:

 Zambro wrote:
It's been great catching up on what you've been up to in the last few weeks.

Those storage boxes are great. I have a load of them myself. Excellent for storage, and just as good for carting around RnF fantasy armies to events. And, (and this is a huge bonus), they make it harder for the partner to keep a track of how many minis I have. I only ever usually have 2 or 3 boxes out and on the go at any one time, the rest are stored in the loft. The partner only sees a box of minis - I'm not sure if she realises that 1) there are more boxes in the loft and 2) the minis in the box get rotated regularly. The 2-3 boxes are probably closer to 7-8...

The paint progress is great. I look forward to you starting to shift some of your Eldar. Seeing them getting painted is always good.

Just remember to answer and direct inquires honestly. It’s one thing to not point out an issue, another to actively deceive. Relationships are built on trust and communication. Even the impression you are trying to pull one over could be harmful. But that’s enough unsolicited relationship advice for now.

I was being somewhat facetious, but you are right. I went through a phase of having a "warhammer conversation of the day" with her, where I talk about my models / armies, lore, games, up coming events, etc. in the vague hope to generate a little bit of interest and get her to paint a model. It didn't materialise. Maybe a second attempt is in order.

It's awesome that the Chaplain landed in second - well done mate!

You're going to have to update your signature block too... You count 4k of Nids but your signature says 2k. You're all aboard the bug train now!

I was going to, but after I posted that I started to tally up the Ultras in the same way, but as the app doesn’t have legends, which make up a chunk of the shelf, I switched over to battlescribe. There was an issue updating the files, so I just used the old one. It bugged out and crashed, and I just gave up. Did not go back to update my sig, but just did it now. I should probably call the nids out by name, but for now they can live under assorted oddities.

So painting is going well.

Just put down the black wash. Next step is to brighten up the gems and do some edging. The exarch will also need his ruin painted, but I knew the wash was going to pool around his feet, so it will need a cleanup pass first.

I should do more work on the cent. I did put some greys down on him the other days.

Thinking about what to build, and the PoS is actually a little on the thin side for grey plastic. Not that I don’t have a big old box of random stuff. And some stuff that was re-gifted to me from The Boy. I should probably slap together 5 intercessors for the company project. I’ve also got another 10 skeletons that need building, but the undead primed box is kinda packed, and the to-prime pile is also chock full of bones and bloodsuckers.

Edit:
OK, Ultras in the app with a bit of counts-as is actually down to 14k. Napkin math on legends stuff is a little less then another thousand points. This is not counting stuff on the swap shelf (now in a drawer) or models that are retired in reserve status (like the 2nd ed tacs, Calgar in artificer armor, etc) So I’m just going to leave my sig at 16k+ as that’s probably a decent ballpark of the complete collection.

Man I'm jealous you got a hold of the Phoenix Lord - I wasn't able to grab one from GWs website or anywhere else for any amount of money that was even moderately reasonable. Everything is looking good. I Like the scorpion camo styling - looks a bit more like what they should be other than bright in your face green.

I think your camo scorpions are going to look great in the tabletop.

I have noticed your Centurions have once again vanished into the warp.

blockade23 wrote:Man I'm jealous you got a hold of the Phoenix Lord - I wasn't able to grab one from GWs website or anywhere else for any amount of money that was even moderately reasonable. Everything is looking good. I Like the scorpion camo styling - looks a bit more like what they should be other than bright in your face green.

I actually felt a little bad picking her up, as I knew a lot of other people out there coveted her a lot more then me, and she was lower down on my to-buy list. But If I’m dragging myself to be there when the door opens, i’m walking away with something shiny.

Bright emerald stealth troops never sat right with me either, hence the camo.

Lathe Biosas wrote:I think your camo scorpions are going to look great in the tabletop.

I have noticed your Centurions have once again vanished into the warp.

He’s there, just out of frame.



Tufts down, next up is flock and formal shots.

Moved the next 4 down to the handles, put green on 2 of them. While I’m on a roll and have time, might as well try to finish them up. I’ll need to revisit when the last guy gets primed, but as scorp number 11, he’s no rush.

Flocked the scorps, just need formal pics.

Paint progress:

I'm liking your approach to the Scorpions. Going with green camo keeps them close to classic Aspect colors without the eye-burning brightness of 2ed paintjobs.

Also, I'm intrigued by your approach to basing. I'm a white glue-and-sand guy, and I usually have the bases about 90% finished before I start painting the model. How do you keep flock and snow off the finished models?