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 Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote:
I’ll get to that in due course. Like…after I’ve either located my pin drill, or have given up looking for mg pin drill and bought a new one, when inevitably the Stuff Goblins will return the original Pin Drill, leaving it in plain sight.

Your pin drill is somewhere under my coffee table, together with the pointing hand I lost last week and the needle for my glue bottle that disappears on a daily basis.

I wouldn’t put it past the Stuff Goblins to have the necessary wormhole technology you know.

Currently putting together a cataphractii command squad. What are peoples thoughts on loadout? At the moment I'm leaning towards high risk/high reward with combi-plasmas and thunderhammers, but I'm curious as to other peoples favoured set ups and preferences.

 Snrub wrote:
Currently putting together a cataphractii command squad. What are peoples thoughts on loadout? At the moment I'm leaning towards high risk/high reward with combi-plasmas and thunderhammers, but I'm curious as to other peoples favoured set ups and preferences.

I don't expect a ton out of my command shooting so it's mostly combi-bolters and thunderhammers, with a sacrificial dual claw termie and one volkite just for flavor.

Still working on my dark mech, built the transport... darn that thing is huge.

That reminds me, how much extra attacks am i doing with the shock ram?

 Snrub wrote:
Currently putting together a cataphractii command squad. What are peoples thoughts on loadout? At the moment I'm leaning towards high risk/high reward with combi-plasmas and thunderhammers, but I'm curious as to other peoples favoured set ups and preferences.

Given the current info in the HH thread, you might want to hold off a bit and make sure your preferred load out is actual legal to field in 3.0!

 Alpharius wrote:

 Snrub wrote:
Currently putting together a cataphractii command squad. What are peoples thoughts on loadout? At the moment I'm leaning towards high risk/high reward with combi-plasmas and thunderhammers, but I'm curious as to other peoples favoured set ups and preferences.

Given the current info in the HH thread, you might want to hold off a bit and make sure your preferred load out is actual legal to field in 3.0!

Or you remain guaranteed in 2.0

There is always that!

I'm not loving a lot of what I've seen so far about 3.0, but I reserve final judgement until after the release...

I'm here for the Saturnine Terminators and Dread though!

 ScarletRose wrote:
I don't expect a ton out of my command shooting so it's mostly combi-bolters and thunderhammers, with a sacrificial dual claw termie and one volkite just for flavor.

Well Hersey command squads are a new unit for me, so i've not used them. And I do tend to build units with rule of cool in mind, rather then maximum killyness/points efficiency.
My plan was to sit them on a central objective and then goad whatever's around into attacking me, wherein I'd (dice willing) overwatch them, blast them to smithereens and hammer whatever remains into the dirt.
That being said, saving myself 40 pts definitely is appealing, that's for sure.

 Alpharius wrote:
Given the current info in the HH thread, you might want to hold off a bit and make sure your preferred load out is actual legal to field in 3.0!

A sensible precaution under normal circumstances. But unfortunately I have no desire to play 3.0 and shall be sticking with 2nd ed. Hopefully my local community will be doing the same, otherwise I'm going to be skint on games.

 Snrub wrote:

 Alpharius wrote:
Given the current info in the HH thread, you might want to hold off a bit and make sure your preferred load out is actual legal to field in 3.0!

A sensible precaution under normal circumstances. But unfortunately I have no desire to play 3.0 and shall be sticking with 2nd ed. Hopefully my local community will be doing the same, otherwise I'm going to be skint on games.

I envy you and your local HH2.0 group!

3.0 is shaping up to be...not great. It looks a lot more like 'modern 40K' than I'd like...

We will know that HH has officially become 40k, when the new models all come with tactical rocks (outside of the special characters).

Cataphractii Command Squad. Wanted something a bit more interesting then just basic cats, so I used a Justaerin squad with the icons removed. Turns out the Paravane helmets work really well with them.





I've left the eyes (slightly modifed to be less Eye of Horusy) on the shoulder pads for now, I think I'll paint them up as big gems. Might otherwise remove them if I end up not liking them there.

It's finally done...

I am not really working on anything. My collection is basically done. I stopped playing like a year and a half ago. HH 3.0 has me digging out my collection to see if maybe I give this new edition a go. But that all depends on the other HH players around me. They stick with HH 2.0, back my SoH go into their cases.

Saturmorn Carvilli wrote:

Spoiler:

I am not really working on anything. My collection is basically done. I stopped playing like a year and a half ago. HH 3.0 has me digging out my collection to see if maybe I give this new edition a go. But that all depends on the other HH players around me. They stick with HH 2.0, back my SoH go into their cases.

Wow, that's an impressive army. Hope they play 3.0 in your area. That force needs to see gameplay.

I have been diving into the new box set, deciding to do a new Death Guard force:





Also, put together a few notes on the paint scheme I used, as well as some... thoughts... on what it was like building the heroes...

https://ttgamingdiary.wordpress.com/2025/07/14/new-heresy-death-guard/

MongooseMatt wrote:
I have been diving into the new box set, deciding to do a new Death Guard force:

These are...pretty amazing. I love the muted (but not dull) colours and the gritty (but still crisp) finish. Lovely stuff.

Yea gorgeous

Is that stippling?

 lord_blackfang wrote:
Yea gorgeous

Is that stippling?

No, pure Slapchop.

Basically, spray undercoat black, then drybrush Admin Grey all over, followed by a lighter White Scar drybrush to catch the edges.

Then Skeleton Horde, followed by a moderate Wraithbone drybrush.

That is it. Drying time aside (minimal, just with the Skeleton Horde), you are looking at about 3 minutes on each model to do the armour. Add another 2 minutes to do the green (Militarum Green, no drybrushing/highlighting).

Really is that quick

Put the full paint scheme in that link, would recommend to anyone with (like me) no actual talent who wants to do Death Guard!

MongooseMatt wrote:
No, pure Slapchop.

Is THAT what slapchop is?! I've always wondered what people meant when they said it, but I never did care enough to find out as I assumed it was just some silly gimmick. Turns out its just zenithal highlighting.


Deathguard look awesome by the way. Can we get a shot of the new MkII centurion please?

MongooseMatt wrote:
Put the full paint scheme in that link, would recommend to anyone with (like me) no actual talent who wants to do Death Guard!

I think you're underselling your ability! What colours would you suggest for Sons of Horus, using the same method?

 Snrub wrote:
Is THAT what slapchop is?! I've always wondered what people meant when they said it, but I never did care enough to find out as I assumed it was just some silly gimmick. Turns out its just zenithal highlighting.

Pretty much What brought it into vogue was a) Contrast paints and b) a very good video from the Honest Wargamer. It got traction because of the sheer speed at which you can get decent results if (like me) you have no artistic talent at all. Seriously, there are models that I have spent longer building than it takes to paint them, (the Saturnine Praetor might be a contender for that...).

I usually figure 2 hours to paint a ten-man unit, from start to finish, with Slapchop - but that Death Guard Tactical Squad would have been quicker than that.

 Snrub wrote:

Deathguard look awesome by the way. Can we get a shot of the new MkII centurion please?

This chap?

 Snord wrote:


I think you're underselling your ability! What colours would you suggest for Sons of Horus, using the same method?

I don't have artistic ability, just techniques

The trick for the Sons of Horus would be picking the right shade, but that is the only real thinking that would need to be done. Looking at GW's site, perhaps try a model with Aeldari Emerald? Might be a bit too 'rich'. I might say Akhelian Green, but that is probably a bit too bluish.

That said, I did a similar Slapchop thing with Akhelian Green but with a Leadbelcher/Stormhost base, and it made for a very good metallic Alpha Legion:



As I say, play around with the colours, the results will be worth it and double-quick once you find the right one. You can even start looking at the usually pain-in-the-rear colour schemes like White Scars and Imperial Fists, and the Slapchop approach makes them properly feasible

Need to get back to my Rapier pool. Snord needs his Graviton Cannons.

 Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote:
Need to get back to my Rapier pool. Snord needs his Graviton Cannons.

I am building my first 2 with quad launchers. I understand Rapiers are now in units of up to 4 - what do people think of mixing weapon types?

MongooseMatt wrote:


That said, I did a similar Slapchop thing with Akhelian Green but with a Leadbelcher/Stormhost base, and it made for a very good metallic Alpha Legion:

Spoiler:

I desperately need help getting stuff painted quicker - can you give a step by step of your Alpha Legion "Slapchop" Method too?

Also, what's your technique for larger models/vehicles?

 Alpharius wrote:

I desperately need help getting stuff painted quicker - can you give a step by step of your Alpha Legion "Slapchop" Method too?

Sure.

First off, watch this video from the Honest Wargamer. I promise, if you want to get through minis quickly and make them look good, this will be the best 15 minutes you have ever spent.




As for the Alpha Legion specifically (and this procedure is for speed, but you should get similar results as I did above)...

1. Undercoat with Leadbelcher spray (don't brush it on).
2. All over with Akhelian Green. Large brush, but clean up any 'pooling' as you go (likely on the legs).
3. Very light drybrush of Stormhost Silver, just on the edges of the armour.

And that is 80% of the model done

4. Black Templar on the weapon casings, small piping and undersuit.
5. Go over all the bare metal, bigger pipes, armour edging, etc, in Leadbelcher. Wash with Nuln Oil, do a little Stormhost Silver where you think appropriate (edges of blades, certainly).
6. Stormhost Silver in the eye lenses, and any targeters on guns (and bionic eyes). Spiritstone Red on top of that (makes them glow ).

And that is about it. Do yourself a favour and get the Alpha Legion transfer sheet, for the base perhaps use Astrogranite, wash with Agrax, drybrush Screaming Skull and do the rim in Skavendinge (will need two coats of that, but it is the work of minutes for an entire squad).

The quickest Legionaries to do are the MkVI but MkII is really not far behind, and nor are the MkIV. Would avoid MkIII unless you want a special veteran unit

Seriously, ignoring drying time, you are probably looking at about an hour's work for a ten-man squad once you have the process down, no more than two hours start to finish when you first start. But factor in the drying time. Fans and shelves above radiators are your friends

 Alpharius wrote:

Also, what's your technique for larger models/vehicles?

Doing the above does risk 'blotchiness' on large flat panels. But...

You should be fine with the likes of Rapiers and bikes, and things all the way up to Dreadnoughts in size - I have used pretty much the same technique with my Ravenwing, and it scaled just fine.

However, I did chicken out with my Deathwing Land Raiders and ended up lining all the panel gaps. Which you will not want to do.

So, I would recommend you start with this technique on troops, then go up to the support weapons when you feel comfortable with it, and then onto Dreadnoughts. Only then go up to something like a Rhino, and see how it goes. You may find that you have enough control over the Contrast paint by that point to avoid the worst blotches and, if not, in all seriousness take advantage of the fact that Heresy armies are supposed to be grimy and that paint jobs will not be perfect. You can also cloak the worst of it with transfers and/or weathering - and if that all sounds like a hassle, I believe you will find the motivation to take a bit more time on a vehicle just fine once you have a hundred-odd infantry all painted up and ready to go

The one last thing I would say... must it be the Alpha Legion? [Edit: Just seen your user name ] I ask as one of my primary factors in choosing which army to do is how quick/easy it will be to paint. I only did the Alpha Legion because I was doing a campaign based around a station near Pluto which would not have involved any vehicles larger than Dreadnoughts.

Happy to chat which legions may or may not be easy to do. Got a method for doing World Eaters than would see you get a 2,000 point army done, with vehicles, in one solid weekend

Oh, and if motivation is a problem for mutli-hour stints, I have some tips for that too

Thank you very much MongooseMatt - much appreciated!

 Alpharius wrote:
Thank you very much MongooseMatt - much appreciated!

Post the results when you finish your first squad

MongooseMatt wrote:

Also, put together a few notes on the paint scheme I used, as well as some... thoughts... on what it was like building the heroes...

Woah, very nice! I've been following your blog for years now. I am happy to see you are dipping a toe into Heresy again!