Progress (of sorts) so far.

Still not painted anything yet. Been building the scouts and the Aegis line (I have one for my Chaos and one for my Loyalists).

Sorry about the rubbish picture, even for me it is a bad one, but since it isn't of anything painted I figured it wasn't the end of the world.

The Scouts for my Blood Angels are Sniper Rifle and Missile Launcher armed so I didn't really want to repeat that with their Dark Angels counterparts. After talking with Ben I decided to go with Bolters. My intention here is to use them to either outflank as a full unit or combat squad them as infiltrators (in the main), but I suspect that other options and ideas shall present themselves once I've used them a couple of times.

So, I'm going to have to paint these things now.

I've also converted a quad gun for my Chaos Space Marines so that the Imperium and the Traitors don't have to share.

I have no idea why, but blogger doesn't want to show this the correct way up. Even though the picture is saved as such on the computer.

Stupid thing!

Rise of the Unforgiven

Well, after nearly a month of not painting anything for my painting pledge, I have decided that Chaos Space Marines will not be the force of choice for this.

I've very much enjoyed playing my Huron led Red Corsairs army and I shall continue to do so for pick up and play games, however if I wish to use a painted army for any given event, then the Dark Angels stand the stronger chance of being painted in time.

At present I have a little over 2250 points of painted Dark Angels, but typically my newest list has very little by way of my originally painted units. Furthermore, I think it about time I actually painted some of these Dark Angels myself.

So this means that I have a little over a month to paint a few models, but at this stage I have no idea which ones I intend to paint.

The first problem I have is that if I choose a Tactical squad to paint, then I need to paint a Rhino with it, though as I have already said, I am hoping that someone will be able to help me out with airbrush painting my vehicles (hint).

So for now, I've just got to decide which units I need painting the most and then find a reasonable painting guide so that this time I can have a unified colour scheme.

Intermission

So guys, I've been making a lot of changes this year and in order to continue to do so next year then something has got to give.

I've pretty much had a hand in the hobby since I was thirteen and I am now thirty one. More than ever this year I have written at an increasing rate and next year I wish to do so even more. In order to do that I need to allow more time to concentrate on it and as such the obvious element that needs to go is the gaming.

Now, I'm not going all 1 Corinthians 13:11 (go on, look it up) on you all. I've written a 1800 point 40k list, a 2,400 point fantasy list and as for the Kingdom of Britannia and Russian Coalition for Dystopian Wars and Trollbloods for Hordes/Warmachine, I still have plenty of lists for those. But the difference now will mean that it will be much more sporadic. I won't have time to interact with people's blogs, forums, Facebook groups etc. To that end I've changed certain preferences on Facebook to filter out the gaming elements, so if you want me to pay attention to any of it, tag me in a post.

I also intend to radically downsize my collections to just two or three armies for Fantasy and 40k and shall be considering carefully those that are headed for the chop over the next month or so. It is my preference that the armies I do eventually sell go to friends locally rather than eBay, even at the expense of a better price (though I do wish to make enough money to fund a couple of projects that will improve my craft) so please keep your eyes peeled.

Despite this, as you know, I'm a sucker for a bargain and a nice book especially, so if any limited edition items appear for any of the above mentioned systems, please let me know.

As many of you are aware, I've got many alter egos. Some I make known to the masses, some I keep to myself. One of them, the writer, is the Shadow Scribe. Please feel free to pop over there, read and comment as the intention of that blog isn't just for me to show off my work, but to receive C&C. Another thing I wanted to mention about that site is that the original intention for it was for me to use as a means to write up my Army Background for my forces. To that end, I shall actually do some writing for them and place it on there. Should you see anything you like and would like any help writing something for your own army, please let me know. I will need a few details and such about your forces and unless you are one of the early ones that I use for showcasing, then I may well start making a small charge!

I'm nearly finished now, but before I do go, I'd like to state categorically to you Shane that I've not given up yet, I'm still in the painting challenge.

Well then friends, I shall see you on the other side, if not before, but until then, enjoy yourselves in the last hours of 2012 and the first days of  2013!

Love you all,

Mark/Drax/Vanguard/Shadow Scribe/Tzeentch/Forlorn/Jinx/Kalaghar/many, many more

My god, what have I done?

It seems that I have entered a painting competition.

Finished falling about laughing? Good.

Yeah, I know! 'Why' you may ask 'have you, you entered a painting competition?' Well, the main reason is that I want a 40k army that is painted but isn't Deathwing mainly so that I can go to an event at Warhammer World (probably Planetary Empires) with a none Imperial force at some point in the future. So to that end I've put forward the Red Corsairs as my army of choice in the hope I'll actually get something done.

And so, I've joined Nick, Mart, Shane and Chris in their efforts. Now, I don't expect I'll finish, nor that the paint jobs will be brilliant, but if I get something done then it shouldn't be too bad should it? To be honest I half expect the true competition to be whether Shane or I tap out first.

Come on Shane, don't get upset, you know it's true.

From what I understand the rules are to paint 250 points every two months which is feasible for me, so the first step is to paint a squad of Chaos Marines with Rhino.

I'm fine with the painting of the marines, but I may need help with Rhinos and Daemon Engines as I want to use an airbrush to achieve a nice clean finish, so Mart, Nick, you boys are up! Maybe Mart we could even spend the odd Saturday painting whilst you babysit your wife's children? ;)

So, the initial list:


1800 Pts - Chaos Space Marines Roster

HQ: Huron Blackheart (1#, 160 pts)
   1 Huron Blackheart, 160 pts ((C:CSM, pp. 58 & 92); Infantry (Character); Frag Grenades; Krak Grenades; Power Armour; Sigil of Corruption; Power Axe; The Tyrant's Claw; Champion of Chaos; Fearless; Hatred (Space Marines); Independent Character; Psyker (Mastery Level 1); The Hamadrya; Veterans of the Long War;  Warlord; Master of Deception; 6E Psychic Disciplines: ; Biomancy; Divination; Pyromancy)

Troops: Chaos Cultists (10#, 63 pts)
   9 Chaos Cultists, 63 pts ((C:CSM, pp. 38 & 95); Infantry; Improvised Armour; Autopistol x2; Close Combat Weapon x9; Autogun x6; Heavy Stubber x1)
      1 Cultist Champion ((C:CSM, pp. 46 & 98); Infantry (Character); Improvised Armour; Autopistol; Close Combat Weapon; Shotgun; Champion of Chaos)

Troops: Chaos Cultists (10#, 55 pts)
   9 Chaos Cultists, 55 pts ((C:CSM, pp. 38 & 95); Infantry; Improvised Armour; Autopistol x8; Close Combat Weapon x9; Flamer x1)
      1 Cultist Champion ((C:CSM, pp. 46 & 98); Infantry (Character); Improvised Armour; Autopistol; Close Combat Weapon; Champion of Chaos)

Troops: Chaos Space Marines (11#, 268 pts)
   9 Chaos Space Marines, 268 pts ((C:CSM, pp. 37 & 95); Infantry; Frag Grenades; Krak Grenades; Power Armour; Bolt Pistol x9; Boltgun x7; Close Combat Weapon x9; Plasma gun; Plasma gun; Hatred (Space Marines); Veterans of the Long War)
      1 Aspiring Champion ((C:CSM, pp. 37 & 95); Infantry (Character); Frag Grenades; Krak Grenades; Power Armour; Gift of Mutation; Bolt Pistol; Boltgun; Power Fist x1; Champion of Chaos; Hatred (Space Marines); Veterans of the Long War)
      1 Chaos Rhino ((C:CSM, pp. 54 & 99); Vehicle (Tank, Transport); 10 model capacity; Searchlight; Smoke Launchers; Combi-Boltgun; Repair)

Troops: Chaos Space Marines (11#, 283 pts)
   9 Chaos Space Marines, 283 pts ((C:CSM, pp. 37 & 95); Infantry; Frag Grenades; Krak Grenades; Power Armour; Bolt Pistol x9; Boltgun x7; Icon of Vengeance; Close Combat Weapon x9; Plasma gun; Plasma gun; Fearless; Hatred (Space Marines); Veterans of the Long War)
      1 Aspiring Champion ((C:CSM, pp. 37 & 95); Infantry (Character); Frag Grenades; Krak Grenades; Power Armour; Gift of Mutation; Bolt Pistol; Boltgun; Lightning Claw x1; Champion of Chaos; Hatred (Space Marines); Veterans of the Long War)
      1 Chaos Rhino ((C:CSM, pp. 54 & 99); Vehicle (Tank, Transport); 10 model capacity; Searchlight; Smoke Launchers; Combi-Boltgun; Repair)

Fast Attack: Chaos Bikers (5#, 190 pts)
   4 Chaos Bikers, 190 pts ((C:CSM, pg. 27 & 99); Bikes; Frag Grenades; Krak Grenades; Chaos Bike; Power Armour; Mark of Nurgle; Bolt Pistol x4; Close Combat Weapon x2; Plasma gun x2; Twin-Linked Boltgun x4; Hatred (Space Marines); Veterans of the Long War)
      1 Biker Champion (Bikes (Character); Frag Grenades; Krak Grenades; Chaos Bike; Power Armour; Bolt Pistol; Lightning Claw x1; Twin-Linked Boltgun x1; Champion of Chaos; Hatred (Space Marines); Veterans of the Long War)

Fast Attack: Heldrake (1#, 170 pts)
   1 Heldrake, 170 pts ((C:CSM, pp. 52 & 101); Vehicle (Flyer w/ Hover mode); Daemonic Possession; Baleflamer; Fear; Daemon; Daemonforge; It Will Not Die; Meteoric Descent)

Heavy Support: Forgefiend (1#, 175 pts)
   1 Forgefiend, 175 pts ((C:CSM, pp. 51 & 103); Vehicle (Walker); Daemonic Possession; 2x Hades Autocannon; Fear; Daemon; Daemonforge; Fleet; It Will Not Die)

: Aegis Defence Lines (2#, 100 pts)
   1 Aegis Defence Lines, 100 pts (Battlefield Debris (Defence Lines))
      1 Gun Emplacement (Quad-gun)

Elite: Chaos Terminators (6#, 336 pts)
   5 Chaos Terminators, 336 pts ((C:CSM, pp. 40 & 97); Infantry; Terminator Armour; Mark of Tzeentch; Power Axe x1; Chainfist x1; Power Fist x3; Combi-Plasmagun x4; Reaper Autocannon x1; Hatred (Space Marines); Veterans of the Long War)
      1 Terminator Champion ((C:CSM, pp. 40 & 97); Infantry (Character); Terminator Armour; Gift of Mutation; Combi-Plasmagun; Lightning Claw; Hatred (Space Marines); Veterans of the Long War)

Validation Report:
c-1. File Version: 1.11 For Bug Reports/www.ab40k.org; b-1. Roster Options: Named or Special Characters; a-1. Scenario: Normal Mission; b-2. Levels of Alliance: Battle Brothers
Roster satisfies all enforced validation rules

Composition Report:
HQ: 1 (1 - 2)
Elite: 1 (0 - 3)
Troops: 4 (2 - 6)
Fast: 2 (0 - 3)
Heavy: 1 (0 - 3)
Fort: 1 (0 - 1)

Total Roster Cost: 1800

Created with Army Builder® - Try it for free at http://www.wolflair.com

It only needs to be 1500 points from what I understand, though I think that maybe I shall try to squeeze 1800 out since Planetary Empires has been known to include 2500 points games.

Here's hoping, and to my fellow painters, Bon chance.

Iron Kingdoms RPG

Well, it seems I don't play enough systems already and have now dipped my toe in to the new Iron Kingdoms RPG. Now, I will say that I have actually intended to do so for a while as I had pre ordered a copy from the ill fated Maelstrom (who still have my money for this incidentally) only for the release date to come and go and for no book to appear.

As such, I've had to wait to take a look at someone else's copy, and this Friday gone not only did I get to have a look, but I also had a chance to take part in my first ever RPG thanks to Dave.

Typically, I decided to stick with what I know and chose a Trollkin character, and Jarl being my favourite Warlock I also went for a pistolier. Now I appreciate that I won't actually be playing Jarl, but I did like the idea of a Trollkin becoming a gunslinger. Apparently, with the help of some of the other players, I've put together a ruthless combination which will only be muted by my inexperience.

CHALLENGE ACCEPTED!

For now I await my re-order of the book and look forward to the next adventure!

Chaos Decided

Well, I'm nearly done finalising my plans for my Chaos Space Marines and I think I'm settling upon Red Corsairs. I love their background and have often considered going with them in the past, especially having taken part on the secessionist side of the Badab Wars campaign last year. I have also always been drawn to the Huron model being as it is a very strong sculpt and I bought it as soon as it was released intending to use it as a Chaos Lord if not as Huron himself. Sadly however in the previous edition it was a Lash Sorcerer or Lash Daemon Prince every time.

I've gone for a relatively unmarked force in order to fit in with the Red Corsair's background, though I have gone for Nurgle Bikers (I know, I know) and Tzeentch Terminators (I said I know) and I may add in a unit or two of marked CSMs or Legion units from time to time.

For now though it's mainly the same force I used in the last edition but with a couple of the new units such as the new Heldrake and a Forgefiend which may switch with a Defiler from time to time.

I am currently trying to find a second list to give a bit of a varied force, this time edging for a more Legion heavy force, though I suspect that it would be best to focus on the first list for a while to see what works, why how and where.

In other 40k news, I'm nearly there with the Blood Angels army (obviously unpainted) as I just need to assemble a Tactical squad before the intended list is ready. The plan here is to use them as a second force for when I play regularly against other Chaos players to give them an Imperial force to face so they can make best use of the Veterans of the Long War rule from time to time.

Distractions

I've had a lot of distractions of late. Firstly I've managed to get a job so that's taken up some time, but in addition I've started my second year of Uni studying Creative Writing, which takes up a lot more.

And yet, there are ever more hobby interests that I am trying and failing to give attention. In no particular order they are: Ogre Kingdoms for WFB, Blood Angels and Chaos Space Marines for 40k, more Trollblood lists for Hordes/Warmachine and Russian Coalition for Dystopian Wars. I'm beginning to think that I need to win the lottery more to have time to justify the money I have already spent than to be able to spend more.

For the most part I know what I'm doing with lists and it is purely that I don't have time to play, though the Chaos Space Marines are making things a little uncertain as I don't know what I want to do with them. On the one hand, I have liked the idea of a Red Corsair list since the Huron model was released, however at the same time I like the cult units and would want to include them. I had thought of using the Huron model as a counts as for my own Renegade chapter but that doesn't quite sit well. As such I may well go for a second FOC force of Red Corsairs so that I can have the best of both worlds.

Modelling wise for Chaos, I've been tinkering with a couple of existing units to adapt them to new roles I wish them to take on since they were last placed on the table but I've also put together my only new unit purchase so far for the book: The Heldrake. This model is a lovely kit to put together, let alone the end result being nice. Now I was sceptical of the Heldrake when I heard rumours of it, but I must say there is very little I don't like about it. Really, it's just the retail price I think is a bit high, that aside I'm very pleased with it.

The next step now is to come up with at least a single list to get the most of the models I wish to use.

I've not played much Fantasy lately. In fact up until last week I think it had been nearly 6 months since I rolled magic dice. The reason being that I've constantly struggled to find a working list that I like. I can make a Warriors of Chaos list no problem, but I constantly sought to make other lists work instead of them, namely Beastmen and Vampire Counts. Between the two, and possibly because they are my favourite two armies, I've often been disgruntled at not being able to work a list that included the units I wanted to include instead of building the list that works. As a consequence of this Fantasy, despite being my preferred GW game, suffers from rage quits more than most, however I've turned a bit of a corner with the game now. I can win with WoC, so why not use them? I've often resented using them because I dislike that I can make them work instead of one of my preferred armies. I've decided however that if I disliked the army so much, why do I have it? The answer is of course because I do like it. As such I'll be playing them more often now.

But first, I've frequently intended to play my Ogre Kingdoms army but for a variety of reasons I've been distracted or decided to go with something else instead and so not managed to get much table time with them. As such Meat's back on the menu and the Great Maw is hungry!

Dystopian Wars. Well, I've got everything currently available for KoB and everything for the Russian Coalition Navy and Air Force, now I just need to get some time to play. That's about all to say on DW. No I won't be sucked in to Dystopian Legions. I won't.

I LOVE my Trollbloods. I'm one War Wagon shy of full faction and I'm eager to rectify that. I've been playing Jarl a lot recently, and a few rash decisions (including playing against Dave) aside, I've not done too bad with him. Before Jarl, I'd got a bit of time in with Borka, and again was doing ok with him, though now I need to try and fit in a game using Borka and tuffalos!

As mentioned however, I'm nearly at full faction, so that means that I have all the warlocks, so now I need to try out a new on. Current candidates are Calandra and Gunnbjorn, though I suspect it may be worth concentrating on eDoomie before The Mountain King arrives!

I know that I've discussed trying out a new Warmachine (as opposed to Hordes) a lot over the last few months, but I think realistically I have enough on.

So, to sum up, I play a lot of different factions, not very often and in case you think that the title isn't apt, I began writing this post a week ago whilst waiting for my new Chaos codex to arrive.

Thanks for rea SQUIRREL!