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@ JustALittleOrkish: Thanks. Always nice to know that someone’s reading the ‘blog... I knew I didn’t want “jus another plastic Hell Pit Abomination” since they’re supposed to be at least somewhat unique and when I saw the Demogorgon (née Thing) Rat, I figured it’d be perfect. I am pretty happy with how he (she?) turned out...

I took a couple more pictures of The Tangle so that the whole tangled mass of rats was more clear than the previous picture might have shown. The second picture kinda shows how the tails are knotted together to make the classic tangle image.





Next up, I finished up the full unit of Stormverim (err... Shock Troops with Heavy Halberds). I did, however, make a seriously rookie mistake on the second batch of 20ish... Was in a bit of a hurry to keep momentum and wanted to get them sealed and on their movement tray to join their brethren. It was a bit humid and had rained earlier, but I figured it wasn’t that bad. I’m sure folks who paint in humid areas know where this is going... Rather than waiting (like I freaking should have!), I went ahead and sealed them... Big mistake... The gloss coat got pretty foggy from the humidity. I’ve never seen or heard or any way to fix that, but if anyone has one, I’m all ears...

Ironically, I did more or less the same thing back when I painted my first Skaven army with Josh(e) and Bruce were skiiing, but in that case, I was just impatient and sealed some models before the paint was completely dry. So I guess that’s just history, if not repeating itself, then at least rhyming.

Anyway, I have enough “good” models to an outer ring of non-foggy models but the units commander, standard bearer, and musician were in that second batch so there’s not much I can do about them. Anyway, pics (shouldn’t be hard to spot the misty models....)

Business side first:



Flank view. (Still looking okay)...



And then top... There you buggers are! Ugh... Patience is a virtue...



But what’s done is done...

Next up, I finished the next batch of Slaves with Slings (or Scurriers). That used up all of the metal bits I save, so 40 Slaves with slings will be what the army has!



I know they suck in KoW terms, but one thing I’ve picked up over the many years I’ve been a wargamer is if you like models, paint them. If nothing else, you’re in it for the long haul and eventually the nerf bat will move on to other targets and your poor sad unit will be useful again!

Finally, I finished up the first full horde of 40 Skaven with spears. Here’s the part you’re not supposed to charge...



The part you are..



And a couple of close ups of the unit’s heroic commander who will let nothing get in the way of leaping on his foes!






Have more assorted units in process and I’m sure I forgot to record something, but I’m much closer to the end of the models I have than the start... I have some long-term projects in mind (specifically for Skaven riding Giant Rats since I really, really, don’t like Mantic’s Fleabags) but that’s at the whim of when I get some models I ordered. Still also waiting on a couple of Doom Flayers. Otherwise, I’m down to <100 Skaven models left (and I need to save at least 10, and probably 20, of those for the Riders). So I’m shooting for one more horde of 40 and maybe one more unit of 20 as a flank guard. Then It’ll be things like more Weapons teams, maybe a Warplightning cannon and some more characters...

Right. That’s all for now. Thanks, again, to the couple of people who have chimed in with encouragement and to those who have viewed the thread even if they didn’t reply.

Valete,

JohnS

Those hordes look really impressive all ranked up like that. I like your Tangle model. I went all in on Myth when it was Kickstarting, painted up a bunch of the models, played once, realized that the game wasn't very good, and then gave everything away. Naturally, I regret that last step, as the ratmen and the eyeball guys were pretty cool models.

I've only had spray sealer go foggy on me once, but the consensus treatment seems to be waiting for a dry day and then sealing them again. The propellant/solvent apparently softens the original coat enough to let the trapped moisture escape. Given how rare a truly dry day is over here, I have switched over to brush-on sealants rather than go through that again.

 JoshInJapan wrote:
Those hordes look really impressive all ranked up like that. I like your Tangle model. I went all in on Myth when it was Kickstarting, painted up a bunch of the models, played once, realized that the game wasn't very good, and then gave everything away. Naturally, I regret that last step, as the ratmen and the eyeball guys were pretty cool models.

I've only had spray sealer go foggy on me once, but the consensus treatment seems to be waiting for a dry day and then sealing them again. The propellant/solvent apparently softens the original coat enough to let the trapped moisture escape. Given how rare a truly dry day is over here, I have switched over to brush-on sealants rather than go through that again.

Thanks. I’ll have to try out resealing them. Maybe it’ll help... And, if nothing else, it probably won’t make it any worse...

Never played the Myth game. Heck, I barely remember the Kickstarter. Google-fu was my friend looking for a model. There were some other options, but the Myth one was kinda of the best option I could find for what I had in mind. ‘Course it was *way* bigger than I thought it would be... C’est la Vive!

So right now, for Skaven proper, I’m sitting on 3 40-strong Hordes (Plague Monks, Stormvermin, and Clanrats with Spears) plus two 20-strong Regiments. And the 40 Slaves. And then all the other supporting stuff.

I’m pretty sure I officially have painted more Skaven than I had in my old army, especially since I only had 20 Stormvermin and 20 Plague Monks back in the day...

And, hey, the thread is officially on Its second page ere on Dakka... So that’s something! Maybe I’ll hit 1000 views at some point!

Valete,

JohnS

*summoned, Salvage appears in a burst of warpfire*

You know, I've caught glimpses of this army somewhere (maybe just the Dakka front page? unless you're on the FB KOW groups too), but never visited the thread proper Impressive progress across the board, and mad props for going FMC! No mean feat with rats, and a relatively rare sight - I'm actually sticking with it for my individually-based Abyssals, but apart from them I'm a big proponent of PMC (75% model count). I think it's especially good with Mantic's own minis, which are often too big to really rank up FMC or look very cluttered if you force it. Same goes for AOS-era GW stuff. That said, I do think there's a real high fantasy / historical charm in FMC. Respect.

Specific props on your Tangle, that's a great choice of mini And that John Carpenter MRF, wow!

I hope you're able to get a game in with your rats some time soon, tho you don't seem to be hurting for motivation. In case you haven't played them yet, Ratkin are very good in KOW, and I found playing them in 2E an immense relief after a decade of my Skaven blowing up all the time in WHFB.

 Boss Salvage wrote:
*summoned, Salvage appears in a burst of warpfire*

You know, I've caught glimpses of this army somewhere (maybe just the Dakka front page? unless you're on the FB KOW groups too), but never visited the thread proper Impressive progress across the board, and mad props for going FMC! No mean feat with rats, and a relatively rare sight - I'm actually sticking with it for my individually-based Abyssals, but apart from them I'm a big proponent of PMC (75% model count). I think it's especially good with Mantic's own minis, which are often too big to really rank up FMC or look very cluttered if you force it. Same goes for AOS-era GW stuff. That said, I do think there's a real high fantasy / historical charm in FMC. Respect.

Specific props on your Tangle, that's a great choice of mini And that John Carpenter MRF, wow!

I hope you're able to get a game in with your rats some time soon, tho you don't seem to be hurting for motivation. In case you haven't played them yet, Ratkin are very good in KOW, and I found playing them in 2E an immense relief after a decade of my Skaven blowing up all the time in WHFB.

Thanks! I’m okay with 75%, and I’m certainly always able to be moved by the rule of cool if someone pulls off a cool diorama. But all too often it just looks like someone trying to cut corners to me if they’re going with 50%+1.

The Tangle came out pretty well IMHO. But as I said, it was WAAY larger than I thought it was going to be.

I haven’t played Skaven/Ratkin in KoWv3 yet. Kinda annoyed with the loss of Brutes and (to a lesser degree) The Blight, but overall, I like the list and.I am a huge fan of the KoW rules, especially compared to AoS and T9A.

Valete,

JohnS

 cygnnus wrote:
But all too often it just looks like someone trying to cut corners to me if they’re going with 50%+1.

I find this most glaring with cav regiments, for whatever reason, just so much base shows through. Also it's worth noting that the old MMC isn't supported by the 3E rules, but I haven't heard of a tournament that has barred any 2E vet for their MMC units. PMC is the only alternate model count provided.

I haven’t played Skaven/Ratkin in KoWv3 yet. Kinda annoyed with the loss of Brutes and (to a lesser degree) The Blight, but overall, I like the list and.I am a huge fan of the KoW rules, especially compared to AoS and T9A.

I'm right there with you, my 2E rats were virtually entirely Blight and Brutes The Nightmares are so far removed from Brutes that I don't even use them, and have just gone with the multiple Spawn Moms + Shock Troop hordes grind wall. Spoiler: old Brutes are almost identical to new Molochs, except Molochs are even better for marginal upcost. Hence my interest in Abyssals these days ...

 Boss Salvage wrote:

 cygnnus wrote:
But all too often it just looks like someone trying to cut corners to me if they’re going with 50%+1.

I find this most glaring with cav regiments, for whatever reason, just so much base shows through. Also it's worth noting that the old MMC isn't supported by the 3E rules, but I haven't heard of a tournament that has barred any 2E vet for their MMC units. PMC is the only alternate model count provided.

I haven’t played Skaven/Ratkin in KoWv3 yet. Kinda annoyed with the loss of Brutes and (to a lesser degree) The Blight, but overall, I like the list and.I am a huge fan of the KoW rules, especially compared to AoS and T9A.

I'm right there with you, my 2E rats were virtually entirely Blight and Brutes The Nightmares are so far removed from Brutes that I don't even use them, and have just gone with the multiple Spawn Moms + Shock Troop hordes grind wall. Spoiler: old Brutes are almost identical to new Molochs, except Molochs are even better for marginal upcost. Hence my interest in Abyssals these days ...

I can live with The Blight since Shock Troops with Plague Pots and some kind of magic item would seem to do the trick. But losing The Brutes is just annoying, and kind of sloppy since they left Brutes in the fluff AND there’s a freakin’ Brute character opiion! I get it that Mantic wants to sell their models, but that one bugs me. I was thinking of using them as proxy Ogre Berserker allies. Which, ironically, was what got me thinking about Trollkin “counts as” Ogres in the other thread...

I suppose I could also look at the Molochs again (especially with the Abyssal Dwarf/Ratkin link) but I had mentally ruled them out for some reason... Just can’t recall what it was right now.

Valete,

JohnS

The Brute Enforcer is pretty mindboggling! Why not a Nightmare Enforcer??

Also if you're looking for large infantry allies, Nightstalker Butcher regiments are the hotness right now. Hordes aren't quite as points efficient but the concept holds - fearless, mindthirst means you don't need to worry about their inspiring despite being allies, punchy as expected.

 Boss Salvage wrote:
The Brute Enforcer is pretty mindboggling! Why not a Nightmare Enforcer??

Also if you're looking for large infantry allies, Nightstalker Butcher regiments are the hotness right now. Hordes aren't quite as points efficient but the concept holds - fearless, mindthirst means you don't need to worry about their inspiring despite being allies, punchy as expected.

Yeah... I’ll probably keep away from the Nighstalkers since they just don’t “feel” right to me for counts-as Rat Ogres. Maybe as some allies at some point, but to replace The Brutes, I’ll probably stick with Ogre Berserkers since they just feel right to me. Not trying to build the absolute best synergies (if Butchers would even really do that?), just trying to field something that feels right. I just don’t see Rat Ogres with Mindthirst or, really, even fearless.

Valete,

JohnS

The trick to fixing a grainy varnish spray is to go over with gloss varnish before attempting again - but that works on filling the gaps on the surface, so I’m not hopeful it will work for captured moisture... I guess it can’t hurt to try. Keep up the good work.

 Arakasi wrote:
The trick to fixing a grainy varnish spray is to go over with gloss varnish before attempting again - but that works on filling the gaps on the surface, so I’m not hopeful it will work for captured moisture... I guess it can’t hurt to try. Keep up the good work.

Yeah... It’s definitely not a rough surface. I’ll try re-sealing them when the humidity drops a bit. I’m also going tor try putting on model in a jar with a desiccant pack and see if that’ll draw any moisture out. Not hopeful, but it’s worth a try, right?

I’ve bogged down a bit in painting. Had a change in work schedule that killed some of my recent free time and, frankly, hit a bit of a wall on some of the Skaven models. I have 5 more Jezzails being worked on along with some rat swarms, characters, and a couple of plague mortars. I also did get the two Doom Flayers (Tunnel Runners in KoW terms) but I wanted to do something different so they weren’t all the same model, and the conversion work has been slow. But I have an idea, finally, and I’ll post some updates when I get something more concrete on them.

One figure to post for now...



I really kinda like this guy. He has this thick front armor and nothing on the back.

Again, all contrasts aside from the metallics.

Right. Short update and I know it’s been a while. Hopefully, I’ll have some Doom Flayer conversion updates at some point along with some more actual painting. Oh, and I know I’m coming very late to the game, but GW WTF were you thinking about with Finecast??!?!? The two Doom Flayers I got are Finecast and the number of gates cut into the models is just freaking insane. At least I appear to have dodged some of the bubble problems, but there are freaking vents and pouring gates everywhere, including some that completely cut into the detail. Ugh...

Anyway, that’s all for today.

Thanks to anyone who’s reading this.

Valete,

JohnS

Dude, are you still painting? You haven't updated in a while...

 JoshInJapan wrote:
Dude, are you still painting? You haven't updated in a while...

Yeah... As I alluded to in my last update, I’ve gotten a bit burned out and had a change in work schedule that drastically cut down my painting time. I have a couple of projects “on the table” and some stuff on order that, when it gets in, I hope will re-kindle my progress. But that doesn’t really solve the spare time issue.

Glad to see you’re keeping the painting up, and great stuff as always (I’ll chime in on your thread in a bit). And props to keeping your painting (And the P&M blog) running for so long. Very impressive! I didn’t realize how much work keeping a blog running was and how important getting feedback was to keeping inspired.

Anyway, we’ll see about getting things moving again. I got a shipping notice for my order, but it’s coming from out of the country and hasn’t hit the US yet (and it’s WAAAAY late since I put in the order in May!) but COVID really seems to have jacked up international shipping..

Valete,

JohnS