Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

So I've played warhammer for a while and what drives me is the need to make 'my dudes'. Conversions are a must for me when making an army and seeing how I'm finally coming around to make a HH army, I want to start this blog to both chart my progress and further incentivise me to work hard on it. So welcome and hope you enjoy.

So right now I'm making my first 30k army, and also my first space marine army. I absolutely love the 30k lore and after reading a bunch of BL books I needed to make an army. I chose blackshields for 2 reasons: 1) maximum my dudes, and 2) its too hard deciding on a legion

First off is my main HQ slot, my Reaver Lord in Cataphractii Terminator Armour with Thunderhammer.





When I had the idea of making a blackshield army I looked around to find a cool HQ model, and when I saw the Dark Imperium Lord of Contagion model, I just knew. All the details of cata armour was there, all I had to do was remove all the tainted chaos filth . It took me a while and the hardest part was actually the tentacle on the right leg, I'll probably have to do a cover up job to finish it. The whole plague marine weathered down, dirty and corroded look is 100% the blackshield feel I'm going with. My boys are hardened veterans who have seen there, done that, screw everyone else, we have our own problems to deal with.
I alsolutely LOVE the tattered chainmail cloak the LoC has. Its so grimdark and adds so much character to the whole model. Also the battle damage that peppers the armour also really enhances that 'veteran vibe'. Really glad I chose this model to funk up.



So in the Ogre Kingdom Bulls (now Ogor) and Irongut sets, there are a ton of super cool and shoddy pieces and I am using for my blackshields. One of them is the Irongut maul. Its basically a giant rock hammered into place, and I knew my Lord had to have it. In Praetor of Dorn, the Last of the First has a weapon that is super similar to this one, and its just a giant black space rock attached to a handle. Again, I am very much trying to make a very fluff-centric model that oozes the dirty veteran vibe. Cut off the axe, add in the maul. Can't wait until I'm done.



Apologises for the blurriness of the pic, but this is how I'm going to fix the belly problem. The entire belly section of the LoC is just nurgle rot, so I needed to remove it all. I'm going to replace it with an Irongut chain mailed belly plate and its going to be sick. My lord has a very chainmail theme going on.

Anyway, that's all I have so far. Stick around when I talk more about my Blackshields, my lord, finish my lord, and start on my marauder, cata termie squad and my contemptor. And I assure you, they will all receive as much attention as my lord will

Got some more time to work on my Reaver Lord.



I needed to decide on the head to use, and luckily I had a wide range to chose from (bits for life ). It was up to the MK5 Heresy Armour helmet and the Primaris Reaver helmet, and I just loved the grimdark vibe from the skull helmet. Also it only makes sense my Reaver Lord has a Reiver helmet .
I think fluff wise my lord is definitely going to be an ex-Death Guard / Dusk Raider Chaplain. He was there on Istvaan 3 and he made it out alive. So far that's all I have fluff wise on my army. I'm a very much convert the model first and make the story from there. So the fluff is going to dynamically sprout as I find cool things to cobble together.

I'm a bit Reaver Lord out at the moment so I'm going to move onto another project - the BaC Cortus Contemptor conversion.

As I said before, I'm kinda done with my BoC converted Blackshield Cortus Contemptor. Meet Venerable Cubias.









I had a bunch of Warhammer Fantasy Empire Knights lying around and I thought those bits would look cool on a contemptor, they do. As I said before, I like to convert first and make story later. I knew the Imperial Fist had Templars, so I did some digging and created the entirety of the fluff around the fact that I had some bits lying around . I got the name Cubias because I know a Cubias. I'll post the fluff stuff later.
Also this goes to prove that BoC contemptors are still cool and you don't need to dish out more cash for a good contemptor. Just be patient and be creative. I'm very proud of what I've made.
I was going for a 'this guy use to be strong, noble and proud - but years of war have made him a Cortus'. He looks like a battlefield repair job and his counts as chainfist is a reassembled heavy industry construction machine attached to a giant saw. He still bears some scars, and has stuff bolted to him. He is still strong, but savaged.

Tune in next time when I talk more about my fluff.

Taking a break on my contemptor as I await parts. I really wanted to make my Cortus look like a venerable Contemptor decorated with trophies and honours, but the Heresy has taken a heavy toll and really messed up the contemptor. My model had the venerable look, but I was having a hard time getting the Cortus look down. So I went on ebay and got the legs below:



I'm going to cut the left leg or the left hand side (the one with the studs) and attach it onto my Cortus. Really going to hammer in the 'this has not been a good war' vibe to Venerable Cubias (my Cortus Contemptor's name).

Also worked a bit more on my Reaver Lord, after some suggestions over at /hhg/, I fixed the belly plate and will soon fix the TH as well. So far I've shaved the belly plate and made it less 'bulky'. I like it this way more. It makes my Reaver Lord Odikinya look more menacing, like he has more momentum.

A very imaginative use of the model - I completely wrote it off as too nurgley but you have shown us all the potential

Thanks for sharing

Got something good today, meet Marauder Squad Alpha, my custom objective bases:

123
456

So as I'm waiting for my legs to come, and my chainaxes to come, and some other stuff to come, I decided to make some marauder squads. I also wanted to make super cool objective bases for my zone mortalis game, then I thought 'why not both'. So I made a marauder squad that will be my objectives. From left to right, then left to right again are Objectives: 1,2,3,4,5 and 6. 1 is definitely a not-Dark Angel, 2 is a not-Night Lord, 3 is a not-Death Guard, 4 is a not-Imperial Fist, 5 is a not Blood Angel, and 6 is a not World Eater. When I paint them I'm going to put their number on the shoulder pad.

Not going to lie, I absolute love how 4 and 6 turned out. Love them so much. Just making models and having the fluff come out from that is such a cool process. 6 looks like hes challenging someone who be chainaxed, "YOU THERE, COME TASTE MY AXE". 4 looks so badass, striding and fire a bolter with one hand, power sword in the other. Those two are my favourites.

I have a lot of cannibalised CSM, normal marines, 30k marines, catachans, and everything in between and used all the parts to make these 6. Took me a while but I really dig how they turned out. I jumped the gun a bit and glued them all onto bases. But its fine because as they're meant to be objectives I'm going to spice up my bases. This tutorial makes great looking tile bases and I am so using it to make it look like my boys have smashed into a mansion or something. http://themostexcellentandawesomeforumever-wyrd.com/topic/50397-easy-tile-bases/



My next update will see me work on my Reaver Lord a bit more, and hopefully fix his thunder hammer.

It's been a bit busy but I managed to make time to make my 2 Marauder Chieftans.



Chieftan Silac Hazyr

Former Emperor's Children Seeker Squad Sergeant under the command of Captain Lucius of the 13th company. Survivor of Istvaan 3 who continues to wear proudly the Aquilla on his wargear, most notable on his backpack and his Umbra Pattern Bolter.



Chieftan Staaruk

Former World Eater Assault Squad Sergeant under command of Captain Karnaugar. Was present on Istvaan 3 and operated closely with loyalist Death Guard contingents. Took a blood oath to kill all traitors he could get his hands on. Always spearheads the most dangerous missions and volunteers to command the most at risk squads.

Not so much showcasing my conversion today, but definitely about showcasing my dudes.



From left to right:

Chief Staaruk. Former World Eater Assault Squad Sargent under the command of Captain Karnaugar. A veteran, but never a War Hound, the World Eaters is all he has ever known. Talented battlefield tactician with a vengeance to match, has sworn a blood oath against all World Eaters. Will always been seen at the tip of the trench knife. A sentimental and collected man by nature, but when the nails bite, they bite hard. All know to steer clear away from him during one of these blood fits.

Apothecary Hiran. Former Emperors Children Apothecary under the command of Captain Temeter, 4th Company. Fresh to the legion, less than 10 years active service. Is deeply ashamed and guilty his Captain died before him. Quiet, stoic and utterly driven - Istvaan 3 earned him his spurs and everyone in the warband respects him for the countless deeds to performed in those months. Having lost his Narthecium during the first month of Istvaan 3, he has resorted to using his chainsword to recover the gene seed of fallen astartes - friend or foe. Many dub his chain-sword 'Equalizer'.

Chief Silac Hazyr . Former Emperors Children Seeker Squad Sargent under the command of Captain Lucius , 13th Company. Proud and boastful, on the outside he bears all the evil aristocratic airs and qualms of his legion. However he is nothing but. A perfectionist in everything from war to personal character, he leads by example. Is often contrasted with Apothecary Hiran in mannerism, but not character. He continues to proudly wear the aquilla and artificer armour of the Emperor's Children - for to him these symbols still hold meaning and purity, and no traitor should ever take away.

They're all blood brothers with one another. For Istvaan 3 made brothers of all loyalist fighting on the ground, some brotherhoods are stronger still. Staaruk and Silac can always be seen close at hand with one another. Sparring, planning, staging mock battles with their squads. They are almost inseparable. Hiran is a quieter sort, so the two brothers always seek him out for companionship. They are good for Hiran's introvert, and sometimes brooding soul. He he helps mellow out the other two's eagerness and pride.

Better pictures:

Been a bit busy, but this afternoon I've finally completed my first squad. Meet Hazyr Squad, Marauder Squad commanded by Chief Silac Hazyr.




Chief Silac, ex-Emperor's Children
His story is detailed in the above post.




Brother Baskim, ex-Death Guard - Pariah Flamer Operator

The pariah flamer I made out of a MK4 flamer. But I chopped off the handle rail on top and the 'barrel up front'. In the Wargames Factory Greatcoat set there are a bunch of flamers. I cut the top of one of those flamers and stuck them onto the MK4 flamers. Thats how I made my Pariah flamers.



Brother Daxtel, ex-Night Lord



Brother Verlyn, ex-Emperor's Children



Brother Eustaphos, ex-Iron Warrior



Brother Rezat, ex-Death Guard



This squad is armed with chainaxes and regular bolters, plus one pariah flamer. Their purpose is to basically take pot shots at things and die. They'll be supported by a terminator squad, but I don't expect this squad to do much. Small and flexible, that's their purpose.

My first 30K game will be on the 12th of May, so I've got to throttle out the models if I want to make it. Here is my Terminator Squad Atal.




All the arms (except the 2 combi bolters on the 2 chain chainfist models) are magnetised. Haven't shaved off all the mould lines, but will get to it. Unit has 1 heavy flamer, 3 power fist, 2 chain fist and 4 combi bolters.



Squad Sergeant Atal, ex-Sons of Horus. 2nd Company Terminator elite.



Matenos, ex-Imperial Fist.



Adimar, ex-Dark Angel.



Egim, ex-Death Guard.



Lubas, ex-Night Lord.

Just adding some lore to each of my terminators:

Chief Atal
Previously part of the Luna Wolves elite 1st Company Justaerin, Legionnaire Atal distinguished himself on numerous occasions for valour and bravery. When Tarik Torgaddon was promoted to the Mournival, Captain Abaddon offered Atal to command the 2nd Company’s terminator squad. Tarik accepted. Atal was fiercely loyal to Abaddon, but under Tarik’s command, Atal learnt true brotherhood. On Istvaan 3, Tarik sent Atal and his men to assist the Death Guard. That would be the last time Atal would see or hear from Tarik. Now one the highest ranking chiefs in Lord Odikinya’s forces, he is known for his cold precision and unrelenting application of force when committed to a task.

Brother Matenos
Matenos is a proud man, loud and strong. Fiercely loyal to Chief Atal, he is Atal’s 2nd hand man and enforcer in the squad.
Originally an Imperial Fist Templar Brethren, sent as part of Yolanda’s Retribution Fleet. During the prepartations in the battle, Matenos was one of the highest ranking Warriors Lodge member in the Fleet. Whilst the Imperial Fist never had a large Lodge following, months of planning under the nose of Captain Polux allowed Matenos to gather as many Lodge members onto the Heavy Cruiser ‘Star of the South’. During the Battle of Phall they enacted an uprising that successfully claimed the Star of the South, however they look staggering losses. However, rather than joining the Iron Warrior forces, they fled into the warp, finding Lord Odikinya.

Brother Atimar
A quiet and secretive man, a true son of Caliban. The ex-Dark Angel legionnaire has become an irreplaceable member of Odikinya’s war forces. Whilst never disapproving a command or voicing antagonism, his quiet has always unnerved his fellow brothers. Whilst they will always die for him under fire, they will still keep an eye on him.

Brother Egim
Unlike many of the Death Guard present on Istvaan 3, Egim is a son of Barbaros. A Grave Warden under the command of the Commander of the 2nd Company Ignatius Grulgor, he was sent to die like all the rest on Istvaan 3. He saved Odikinya’s life twice in the Choral City, and will always have a place in his war force. However in a force where Terran Death Guard dominated, he is not a popular warrior.
A dour and brooding man. He wields the squad’s heavy weapon with glee, some say with too much glee.

Brother Lubas
Cruel and sardonic, Lubas is a true son of Nostramo. Always the voice of descent and the squad troublemaker. However he holds the squad’s highest kill rate. He is always the first in and the hardest murderer. It’s said that he can only feel alive ankle deep in blood and bones. You want no other psychopath to watch your back.

Took better pictures of Terminator Squad Atal, tahh dahh ~

Nice work. Liking the Lord and Dread in particular.

Love your creative use of bitz. Always an inspiration to see your conversions

Meet Venerable Cubias, one of the first Templar Brethren in the 7th. He fell in combat when an Eldar Brightlance struck him over 50 years ago and was reborn a mighty Contemptor Dreadnought. However, this civil war has changed many a fates of many a hero. Venerable Cubias is one of Lord Odikinya's closest advisers and warriors, bearing the scars to show it.







Contemptor Cortus with Powerfist and Graviton Gun, and Chainfist with Flamer. I haven't modelled them on because I haven't bought the graviton gun or heavy flamer from FW.

Its been a long while.

I've since based coated these bad boys:


Chaplain - Lord Odikinya


Cataphractii Terminator Squad - Squad Atal


Lord Odikinya and Retinue


Objective Markers - Squad Edguad


Seeker Squad - Squad Silac


Dual Bolt Pistol Marauders


Shotgun Marauders


Cortus Contemptor - Venerable Cubias


Newly(ish) Assembled:


Marauder Chiefs with Power Fist, plus Staaruk


Support Squad with Pariah Flamers, Squad Sav'val


Chainaxe and Bolt Pistol Marauders


Still haven't decided a name for my Blackshield Warband yet, I'm using 'Fatherless Sons' now, but I want something with more poetry to it. I'll think of something.