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I know white denotes veteran status, but I think that is overkill!

You could probably get away with a chapter symbol on one of the shin pads. But I demand some freehand! Not only is this the model that you're putting forward to Para's comp, but it equals 4 models (a month of painting). You have plenty of time to do some freehand now, and finish it off before the end of the month (or finish it, then circle back to some freehand).

 Zambro wrote:
I know white denotes veteran status, but I think that is overkill!

You could probably get away with a chapter symbol on one of the shin pads. But I demand some freehand! Not only is this the model that you're putting forward to Para's comp, but it equals 4 models (a month of painting). You have plenty of time to do some freehand now, and finish it off before the end of the month (or finish it, then circle back to some freehand).

Don’t you worry, he’ll get more paint. And I think I will try some freehand in one of the legs. Even if it’s just a divided field heraldic thing.

Cleaning up a bit today, saw a photo op:


Lt. Cmdr: Brothers! We have arrived in the promised land! No more shall we accumulate dust on the shelves in the basement.
Seer: Wrong mon-key, the strands of fate have lead the Eldar to this place. This glass fronted china cabinet will be your grave!
Lt. Cmdr: The Emperor’s light shines upon us, none shall stay our wrath!
Seer: That’s is not emperor’s light, but the built-in illumination, which shall show off our reds better then the florescent lights of the deeps we’ve been residing in.
<sounds of garage door opening>
Lt. Cmdr: On second thought, I think I heard someone saying this space was cleared to hold The Wife’s grandmother’s pink depression glass. Perhaps we should cede this battlefield, lest we anger her.
Seer: You speak wisdom, quickly, back to the basement!

In a world of infinite space and resources, I’d love to find someplace else for the assorted stemware, vases, bowls, etc. that are currently housed in the (very nice) china cabinet. and relocate my armies to it. Not going to happen, even when we move to the “Next House”. But a gamer can dream. I do realize that I could get something reasonable, for something closer to a sane price then we paid for the cabinet. It’s on the “things to buy” list, just very far down.

Do more heraldry, love that the sprue comes with the 3rd Co. Logo too.

Oops you 2 posted before I managed to reply to the previous post, lovely glassware BTW.

 RandyMcStab wrote:
Do more heraldry, love that the sprue comes with the 3rd Co. Logo too.

Oops you 2 posted before I managed to reply to the previous post, lovely glassware BTW.

We have more glassware then we ever use. I’ll just pour a drink in a juice glass, rather then have to wash the stemware. But it’s nice to have for those formal occasions. Mostly the china cabinet just holds pretty stuff to look at. Why that can’t be my armies is beyond me. But not The Wife, and she gets to win this one.

But on to progress!



Got the colors blocked in for the rest of the dread. Well, most of it. One shin pad has been left blank for freehand. I’m not sure what I’ll put there, but it’s getting something. Next step will be the drybrush and washes. Things are a little slower then normal, due to the temperature in the basement. The spring thaw means the underground river that flows under our house is sucking all the heat out. It should even out in a few weeks, but right now it’s chilly down there; I can only paint in short bursts.

On the flip side, it’s quite nice out today. Should be in the mid 60s. Very windy yesterday, but if it has calmed down, I might break out the primer.

<rattle rattle>
<KSSSSSSsssssssshhhhhhhhhhhhh>



So it’s officially spring here. I spent yesterday assembling new deck furniture and fired up the grill for the first time this year. Burgers and Brats, winter can suck it! I would have primed stuff yesterday, but The Wife was also enjoying some time in the sun on the deck, and I wasn’t going to taint that with the sweet smell of propellent.



Mmm, look at that crappy lawn. I should probably rake, de-thatch, fertilize, and otherwise take better care of it. But that would cut into my hobby time. We’ve got stuff to prime!



The observant among you will notice that this is not everything that’s been cleaned and ready to prime. There are some finecast Eldar who while free of mold lines, probably need a little hot/cold water action to straighten out a bit. Didn’t feel like taking the time to do that, and wanted to prime while the weather was clear. With the rumors of new Eldar on the horizon, I’m going to wait a few before finishing up the bike riders. I suspect that nothing will change the fact that I need to finish them, but hope springs eternal. If we do get new bikes, I suspect I’ll end up with a squad of the old ones and a squad of the new ones. Probably 6 strong each, but we’ll see.

The turret of the WS got primed, but I still need to figure out if I want to bother magnetizing the chin gun. So that’s still on the workbench.

But added to the Primed and ready for paint pile:

4 jetbikes
2 cannon jetbikes
Bike Autach
TLBL WS turret
4 Vanguard Vets
(2 w/ melta bombs, axe/shield, spear/BP, 2xCCW/BP)

Before/after on the drybrush & wash pass on the details:



Next step is to do touch ups, then the blue wash. Might finish that by Friday, but probably sometime next week is more likely. Still plenty of time before the end of the month.

It’s Wednesday, so I’m heading up to the FLGS for a game. Set one up with a new chaos player. He’s still gathering his army, and asked for a 867 point game. I’ll take a 7 point handicap for the sake of my sanity and the math. Nothing fancy, just a simple little list:


1st and the 4th tactical squads, auto/las pred, and some terminators lead by the chaplain. I was debating bringing up my Eldar, but it’s hard to make a “simple” list with them. Plus they are hard to pack. Although my new foam should be shipping any day now.

Just waiting for The Wife to get home so I can bolt down some dinner and run.

Should be a fun little army.

Dread it looking damn nice! Perhaps the larger flat panel in the centre would be a great canvas for some freehand (even simple scrollwork) if you want to show off!

Looks like a nice list for the game, there's something quite cool about something that simple, no flashy toys or gimmicks, just boots, guns and armour to get the job done!

Gitsplitta wrote:Should be a fun little army.

Paradigm wrote:Dread it looking damn nice! Perhaps the larger flat panel in the centre would be a great canvas for some freehand (even simple scrollwork) if you want to show off!

Looks like a nice list for the game, there's something quite cool about something that simple, no flashy toys or gimmicks, just boots, guns and armour to get the job done!

He had to call it early, do we only got to the bottom of turn 3. Had fun though.



His army was (as far as I could tell) 2 small squads of chosen, one shooty, one CC, a squad of regular chaos marines with a HB and a meltagun, and a unit of bloodletters. HQ was a ML3 sorcerer. Relic. We both moved forward, I disembarked one squad first turn, some light shooting back and forth. On turn two he almost charges me, but rolls snake eyes, a little lucky for me, as his choppy squad would have mulched my tac squad. I only lightly shoot him back, spending the rest of my time shooting up demons. Top of three, the rest of the demons (3 IIRC) charge my terminators who scattered near them, but get killed. His CC chosen grab the relic. Bottom of 3, my terminators move towards his marine squad (where his champion was warlord) while I shoot the relic squad. We fight a close CC, I win by a point, and he stays. Unfortunately, time ran out so we had to call it. 1-0 victory marines, as I had first blood.

I’d have to double-check my numbers, but I think I’ve played as many games year to date then I did in all of 2014. I think I might also be undefeated. I blame those cheezy Eldar.

My list was fun. Very basic. I didn’t want to spam armor, but wanted at least something for him to shoot at if he brought an anti-tank unit. Turns out all he has was one meltagun and a few melta bombs. Not that he got close enough to the pred to threaten it. Terminators did a risky backfield deep strike. The only reason I didn’t mishap was the fact that I didn’t rebase onto 40’s. Just playing the minis on the bases they came with. I’d say I feel dirty, but I really don’t. Tac termis did some light shooting, crumped some heads, rolled some ones. The usual. Love the guys though. I was worried when the demons charged them. There were only 3 left at the time. Only AP3 and not that many attacks. Dead demons, no losses on the marine side. The traitors did more harm, putting a wound on the chaplain and dropping 2 veterans, simply by dice and luck.

As for painting the dread, I can’t promise anything too fancy. If the mood strikes me, I might try something on the center torso, or find a transfer. Not sure. It’s a very central point to screw something up in. I might be a little more daring on the leg.

 Nevelon wrote:
The only reason I didn’t mishap was the fact that I didn’t rebase onto 40’s. Just playing the minis on the bases they came with. I’d say I feel dirty, but I really don’t.

Careful... That's how it starts...
One minute your playing old termies on the smaller bases they came with. Next thing you know your collecting Eldar. And amassing more Wave Serpents than FoC slots!

I kid (although, you do collect Eldar...)

The dread looks great in the second picture. You're all set to finish on time

 Zambro wrote:

 Nevelon wrote:
The only reason I didn’t mishap was the fact that I didn’t rebase onto 40’s. Just playing the minis on the bases they came with. I’d say I feel dirty, but I really don’t.

Careful... That's how it starts...
One minute your playing old termies on the smaller bases they came with. Next thing you know your collecting Eldar. And amassing more Wave Serpents than FoC slots!

I kid (although, you do collect Eldar...)

The dread looks great in the second picture. You're all set to finish on time

This blog and all you as my witnesses prove I was collecting and painting bikes and Saim-Hann before the new codex and the (rumored/leaked) MASSIVE cheese fest they look to be heading for. Even with that, I think I’ll stick to a self imposed 1 special per 3 bikes. Just like I’ve never fired the serpent shield as a weapon in all the games I’ve played with my WS. Just because the cheese is available, does not mean we need to partake. I asked my FLGS to get me a copy of the codex when it releases. From the WD leaks, I’ll need at least 3 more bikes to use the new formation. We’ll see if the rules make it worth while. I know there will be times I stick with the basic CAD. For example, if you want to field crimson hunters as part of the Eldar detachment, you need 3. That is not happening. Some of the other things, like needed to field aspect warriors in groups of 3 squads, is more doable. I’m not going to worry overmuch before I have the book in my hand though.

I have no plans on getting another WS. When I placed my order for some new foam trays, I did leave some room to expand. I have slots for a total of 16 bikes, and another falcon chassis, but not an extended WS one. It will be interesting to see how the new bikes compare to the old ones in size. I’m guessing there will be some creep. Hopefully they will fit in the same trays, if not I’ll need to borrow the generically useful 4 rhino tray from the SMs.

Speaking of foam, I’m getting a little antsy and impatient waiting. I got my “Thank you for your order” e-mail on the 6th, with a 10-14 day estimate for custom foam orders (mine is) I know KR are running a little behind due to the mass of people taking advantage of their offer, but the UPS guy could in theory be dropping a box off at my door any day now.

I think I might have touched a nerve... lol

I've seen the pictures of the new bikes. They look fantastic! Head and shoulders better than the previous ones. But I've not followed the discussion on their rules - can you give me a run down?

Have any of your Eldar related plans changed because of the new stuff?

@Zambro: the two changes that are causing the internet to implode are that bikes can not take a Scatter Laser/ShuriCannon on EVERY model for 10 points, so 1 unit at 270 points can put out 40 S6 shots at 36" then jetbike-move away, and the Distort Weapons on Wraith units getting Strength D (Along with the WK getting a S: D sword, bye bye Knights!)


@Nev: hopefully the rising tide of anti-Eldar-ism won't hit you too hard at the game nights! Keep that attitude and you'll be fine!

 Zambro wrote:
I think I might have touched a nerve... lol

I've seen the pictures of the new bikes. They look fantastic! Head and shoulders better than the previous ones. But I've not followed the discussion on their rules - can you give me a run down?

Have any of your Eldar related plans changed because of the new stuff?

The nerve is that jetbikes look to be the new WS, so there are going to be a lot of cheese calls against Saim-Hann players.

There are a few solid bits from the WD leaks:
1- Wraithknights are going to be gargantuan creatures, and very nasty. This doesn’t bother me, as I have no plans on owning/fielding one.
2- At least some distort weapons are going to be D weapons. Some people thing this is huge, I’m OK with it. Plus there are still a lot of unknowns out there on how it’s going to happen and to what extent.
3- every jetbike in the squad can upgrade its TL’d catapult for a scatter laser or cannon for 10 points, rather then 1 in 3. Otherwise unchanged. Basic bike is 17 points, so 27 each with a S6 4 shot gun with a 36” range. With all the movement tricks of a jetbike. Lots of rage over this on the boards.
4- Decurion style army chart. Lots of options. You take 1-3 blocks of guardian forces (which come in 3 flavors) and then can open up 12 different auxillery forces to pick from. The jetbike guardian core is the one I’ll use if I go that way. It consists of:

Farseer
Warlock council
3+ jetbike squads
Viper squad

So if I want to use it I’ll need at least 3 more bikes, for a 3x3 squad setup, and possibly more warlocks. If I wanted to use the foot based guardian forces, I’d need to pick up some war walkers and support batteries, and that’s not going to happen. I dislike the look of the walkers. Or just play with the old CAD, which is probably going to happen a lot. Still no word on what the formation bonuses do, they might be quite tempting. I’m going to wait to see the book before I make any plans. I suspect those plans will encompass a new new box of bikes and a warlock, but I’m not ordering them from the FLGS on release day. Going to read and digest the codex first. Almost out of store credit, so am getting a little more picky about what I blow cash on.

Also in the news: Got a e-mail from FedEx, package ETA Monday. So the foam is incoming! <cheer> I also got the second coat of blue down on the dread, so will probably get around to the wash coat today. Then it’s just clean-up and freehand.

Edit:
Thanks Para. The problem with being long-winded sometimes is posts sneaking in while you work.

Oh, lordy, I can see why people are going crazy. scatter lasers on every jetbike is massively abusable. Are they twin linked from the laser lock, too?

I'm not sure on the Gargantuan Creatures rules. So that change is a little lost on me.

A friend at the LGS has been talking about collecting Eldar for the last month or so, but has held off for the new codex. I'll end up having a flick through his codex to see what's what.

 Zambro wrote:
Oh, lordy, I can see why people are going crazy. scatter lasers on every jetbike is massively abusable. Are they twin linked from the laser lock, too?

I'm not sure on the Gargantuan Creatures rules. So that change is a little lost on me.

A friend at the LGS has been talking about collecting Eldar for the last month or so, but has held off for the new codex. I'll end up having a flick through his codex to see what's what.

Looks like laser lock has been dropped. Not that it would have helped the bikes, as it only worked on the model’s other weapons, and they just have the laser. It should help tone down WSs though. And nerf the way I fielded my Falcons, but I’ll worry about that later. But I can only assume that the Eldar are going to keep handing out psychic buffs like candy, so it’s not like there aren’t things to do to boost the lethality and effectiveness of already good units.

I’m not that familiar with the gargantuan monster rules myself. But IIRC they are the super-heavies of the monster world, and we all know how balanced the MC rules are. I suspect WKs are going to be even more hideous, and hope they get a points boost to match.

Off the top of my head, the Gargantuan Creature rules are:

All Poison/Sniper Weapons only wound on a 6
5+ FNP
Possibly Move Through Cover
Can fire each gun at separate targets, and can fire as many as it likes.
Maybe Stomp?

Basically, I reckon WK will end up as the Eldar 'Knight' equivalent/counter they arguably should be, given the size, but I'll be surprised if they don't clock in at close to 400 points apiecd when kitted out.

Buddy of mine did a YouTube review of the dex preview in WD. It kinda went "viral" (by his standards at least). He did do a good job with it though. If you're interested, here's the vid.

 Gitsplitta wrote:
Buddy of mine did a YouTube review of the dex preview in WD. It kinda went "viral" (by his standards at least). He did do a good job with it though. If you're interested, here's the vid.

Spoiler:

I saw that; it was very informative. Tell your buddy thanks and good job!


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Hey, it’s Friday. I should post an update or something.

I think I mentioned that I got the blue down on the dread. Just snapped a pic of him. Here he is pre-wash.



We’ll see if I have time to work on him more today, pile a of chores I need to work on.

Enjoy your weekends!

That dread looks beautiful.

 Adamski Alders wrote:
That dread looks beautiful.

Thanks! He’s getting closer to done. He got a wash this morning, and now that he’s dry I grabbed a picture:


Need to go back and clean him up a bit. The blue wash sometimes strays from where I want it. Mostly just a few spots of gold that will need a refresh. And then I need to do transfers and the shinguard freehand. I’m leaning towards a diagonal stripe, but haven’t decided if I want to do a white on red, or a red on white.

Edit:
I’m a little pissed at FedEx. My ETA got moved to Thursday, and the last tracking status for my package was leaving the FedEx location in Connecticut at 4:35am Saturday. I would hope they have seen it since then, but it should have checked in somewhere. I doubt it’s spent all weekend+ on the road. If it fell off a truck somewhere I’m going to be even more irritated. I’ll be a little more patient before I start sending out e-mails.

White on red always reminds me of Veteran Sgt's markings on their headgear. I do think red on white would look fractionally better than white on red. I also think white on red would also be a rarer sight, at least from what I've seen around.

What green did you use for those laurels on the front of the dread? I always struggle with those.

 Adamski Alders wrote:
White on red always reminds me of Veteran Sgt's markings on their headgear. I do think red on white would look fractionally better than white on red. I also think white on red would also be a rarer sight, at least from what I've seen around.

What green did you use for those laurels on the front of the dread? I always struggle with those.

The laurels, in addition to my plasma coils, frag grenades, and lenses, is an old pot of metallic Glistening Green (seen here). Lenses don’t always get a green wash on top of that, but the rest do. I’m still using an old RT-era pot of green ink. For larger laurels I’ll drybrush a little silver on before and/or after the wash to help bring out the details better. I didn’t bother with that here due to the size.

I hadn’t actually thought about the red/white being the sarge’s helmet colors. I’m still a believer in the old RT markings, with the bordered stripe and cross hatching. Now that I’m thinking of it, the diagonal white on red is also a SCUBA flag, and I think this guy would sink like a stone. I could do a vertical stripe, which would mimic the modern helmet pattern, plus be easier to do. I don’t think I’m going to make up my mind until I pick up the brush. Still undecided on what to do.

While I mull over the options for the dread, I started some other projects. The two Vanguard Vets with meltabombs hanging off their belts got their base blue down, as well as their greens. I also started a closed top vehicle hatch. I forget if I grabbed it from the razorback or the old spares pile. But if I want to play WYSWYG without ponying up the points for an extra stormbolter, I needed another hatch.

Happy progress on the shipping front: FedEx has handed off the package to the USPS for the last stretch of delivery. ETA still Thursday, but it’s moving again.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Went vertical, white on red, like a modern vet sarge’s helmet


With his mostly ‘armless brothers:


and the armory:


And the WIP of what’s currently getting paint:


Next stop is transfers for the dread. Might slap some on the ironclad while I’ve got the stuff out.

Looks awesome, mate!

Time for a trip out with all 4 dreads now?

One tiny nit-pick with the red stripe: the bottom left red/white border isn't quite straight. In the first picture, it doesn't quite go straight down, it angles slightly. It'll be a quick fix if you do go back to it, a steady hand and probably 1 brush stroke will do it.

I agree with Zambo, the next list you take to a game must include all 4 Dreads! I'm drawing a blank here, does the MotF still unlock HS Dreads? If not you could just run dual-CADs.

Either way, he's looking great!

 Zambro wrote:
Looks awesome, mate!

Time for a trip out with all 4 dreads now?

One tiny nit-pick with the red stripe: the bottom left red/white border isn't quite straight. In the first picture, it doesn't quite go straight down, it angles slightly. It'll be a quick fix if you do go back to it, a steady hand and probably 1 brush stroke will do it.

I noticed that they weren’t quite even, but thought it was close enough, and might not be noticed. Obviously, I was wrong. I’d go back and fix it now, but it can wait until the middle of the day tomorrow. I’ve got a narrow window of the day I trust myself with ultra-fine detail work. And it’s not after a glass and a half of wine. This assumes I don’t get roped into helping my father-in-law take down his snow fence, which was the plan, weather permitting.

I need to make sure I finish the dread and get all his glamor shots done before I take him out for a battle. Wouldn’t want to get his paint mussed before his entry into the monthly competition. After that, I’ve got 3 pods and a SR, with 4 dreads. They might technically be walkers, but they are going to ride into battle in style!


Automatically Appended Next Post:

 Paradigm wrote:
I agree with Zambo, the next list you take to a game must include all 4 Dreads! I'm drawing a blank here, does the MotF still unlock HS Dreads? If not you could just run dual-CADs.

Either way, he's looking great!

I’d need the MotF, but I can steal the guy from the TFC, so that’s not an issue. It’s a plan.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
OK, hopefully this won’t auto-append.





And give us a twirl…




Brother’s in arms:




I’ll select the best 4 tomorrow and post over in the contest thread, Time to watch some TV with The Wife now though.

1250 points, 4 dreads, and probably null deployment. Drop dread gorgeous!


OK, it’s a little silly. Game is vs. the new chaos guy again. He still has to bail at 8, so I told him I’m bringing a very aggressive list. The lead two pods (venerable and ironclad) have locator beacons, so the raven can skies of furry the tac squad and shooty dread down safe. Or I could just chuck them out the back near an open objective. Or all of the above if I combat squad.

Also in the news, my KR order showed up. You can see it in the background of the army pic. Quite happy with it. I’ll do a review in the near future, but don’t have time ATM. Also in a fit of spring cleaning, I cleared off my game table in the basement. It was getting massively cluttered, as all horizontal surfaces are want to do. And a 4x8 gathers a lot of junk.

Should be fun, unless he stocks up on Meltaguns! I reckon Combat Squad the Tacs, just so you can drop in 2 locations//deploy one half if you need to.

While light on meltaguns, he did have a few lascannons, and melta bombs. He managed to blow up the ironclad in CC, and shot up the new venerable a bit.

Purge, he goes first. Once again we only did three rounds:

Turn one saw the new venerable dread land next to a pair of sorcerers, killing one and wounding the other. Plasma, it works! The ironclad messes up the jump unit, and some spillover HF kills a few marines. His armor saves were cold, lots of early bad luck. His turn two his sorceror charges my dread, and some of his traitors charge the ironclad. Terminators show up, but don’t have any AV weapons, so stand around. Some damage done to the dreads, nothing terminal. Unlike the sorcerer, who did have something terminal happen to him.

Here is the start of my turn 2.


Both my reserves come in. I kick the TLLC/ML dread out next to the locator beacon. A lot of firepower gets released. There is a chainfist in with the termis, but I manage to kill it. They try to take advantage of the our weapons are useless rule, but get run down. Over at the ironclad, the scouts plow in to help. The champions’ lackeys hold them off, paying for time with their lives. He plants a melta bomb, and blows the arm off the ironclad. I win on wounds, he holds in combat

His turn three is some mostly ineffective shooting. He put another wound on the ven. He charged his chosen into the old lead, but with only a maul and krack grenades didn’t accomplish anything. Over at the ironclad fight I manage to miss completely with the dread, and he saves the wounds the scouts inflict. In return, he tosses a melta bomb right into the ironclad, and blows it up. Rules question we punted on due to short time is “Do wounds from explosions count for combat results?” We said yes, but I made my Ld check, the champ remained locked with 3 scouts.

My turn three pretty much wipes out the rest of his scattered forces. The raven hovers, tacs deploy, and everything not locked in CC is shot to death. Both combats continue without results, but we have to call it on time.

All in all, a fun day out.

Ven Dread did fine for his first outing. While I didn’t think I’d like the PC, it works. I might have to field it more often. It just feels like a waste of a dread platform for a single PC though.

Looks like a fun game!

I'm a rather big fan of Plasma Cannon on Dreads, simply because they are one of the few mobile good-AP Blasts we can bring (seeing as Devs can't move and fire and Attack Bikes can't take PC). While in an ideal world you always have models at maximum coherency to mitigate blasts, terrain/other units/simple mistakes mean that doesn't always happen, and being able to throw out a PC shot without slowing down and that is perhaps not as expected/easily avoided as Devs can really capitalise on that. It also makes a nice DS deterrent.

"If you land within 36" of this Dread, he will kill half your squad in one shot with a direct hit. Now ask yourself one question: do I feel lucky?".