Still Not Dead

Grand Marshal Helbrecht (Swapped helm and Custom Chapter Colors)

Been terribly busy with my day job, and I have a lot of work on my plate.  Trying to finish up things as they hit the queue.  The Caestus Ram will be finished this weekend (just need minor touchups and need to create a scenic base.)

Then it's on to finishing a Marneus Calgar, a Magnetized Hexlord Superheavy, and an Ashmantle Dreadnought.

...And working on 2000 points of mechanized Dark Eldar.  :D

Quick Update -- AWOL

Just a quick update to keep everyone informed that I'm alive.  I have been very busy with work, etc, lately and haven't had much time to update.

Here's what's currently on the table and the order in which I will be working on them:

1) BT Marshal Helbrecht
2) BT Caestus Assault Ram
3) Marneus Calgar
4) Magnetizing a Hexlord (Six Variants of Shadowsword Kit)
5) Salamander Bray'yarth Ashmantle

In-between, I will be working on 2500 points of Dark Eldar for the upcoming ATC tournament in July. 

Lots on my plate!

Real update soon, I promise!

Titan-Forge Ogre Pirates Assembled

Just wanted to post a quick rave review of the Titan Forge kits that I ordered from the Polish model sculptor. (http://www.titan-forge.com).

I haven't touched on this project here before now, but my first-ever WFB army is 2500 points of Ogre Kingdoms, with an overall pirate/swashbuckler theme that makes me chuckle every time I theorize the look of a unit.  So, seeing these models I soon ordered the Mega Deal for 99 Euros (9 models AND scenic bases, plus a t-shirt) and must say that I am thoroughly impressed with the craftmanship and quality of the model kits contained within.  I thought these guys would serve as perfect models for the Maneaters in my list, and the Kaptin will be either my Bruiser or Tyrant depending on who I choose to run.

Here's a quick break-down:
Price/Value: 5 out of 5 skulls
Hard to beat the pricing for these models. 99 Euros for 9 detailed resin models, 9 scenic resin bases, and a t-shirt.  Keep in mind these are RESIN. OGRES. Big dudes = big models = more resin.  The whole sha-bang came out to roughly $130 dollars, which is about $14.50 USD per model. That's quite a bargain when considering using them as OK Maneaters, which are Finecast and run around $24.75 a pop (questionable cast quality and no scenic bases)!

Delivery Time/Packaging: 4.5 out of 5 skulls
The package took about a full month to arrive from the date of purchase.  While not as fast as other model companies/websites, it's definitely not the slowest.  Points were scored by the quick response of the e-mail I sent to their customer service asking about their shipment time, etc. All unassembled models were packed in baggies, wrapped in bubble wrap, and packed in cardboard boxes with a photo of the model on the front and an illustration on the back. 

Sculpt/Assembly:  4.5 out of 5 skulls

When comparing to Forge World kits, Titan-Forge's kits have most of the cutting and clean-up work done for you.  Pieces required minimal de-flashing or cleanup.  I found this fact quite impressive.  Limbs and major accessories were molded so that they fit together with pegs and slots, so there was no guesswork on how they were assembled.  The models go together in just a few minutes out of the box.  They don't necessarily require pinning but it doesn't hurt; especially to their bases.

The overall look of these models when assembled and standing on their scenic bases is fantastic. The only problem I had was fitting some of the regular pirates into formation together as their arms were posed out to their sides and, being my first fantasy army (used to the freedom of position 40k gives you when placing models on the tabletop) I didn't think ahead and assemble the models next to one another so that they fit in formation.  This will take a little bit of finagling on my part to correct. Lesson learned.  :)

Compared to the GW Ogre Kingdoms models, the 'Crewmen' are just a touch larger than their OK counterparts, the 'Heroes' in the Titan-Forge pack are much bulkier, and the Kaptin Gorehook is bloody gargantuan; but I don't care about that because it makes for an imposing hero ;) . The pirate crewmen came with many extra accessories for hanging on belts; daggers, bottles of rum, pistols, scabbards, etc, and came with 6+ head options for 3 models.  The only issue I had with a few of the models is that up close on the skin areas you can see some folds and creases where sculpting putty was shaped, so the craftsmanship is not 100% perfect.  No defects, no warping.  Impressive to say the least.

Overall: 4.66 out of 5 skulls

I will definitely be looking at Titan Forge from time to time for their upcoming releases.  These guys are one to keep an eye on for sure.

Workbench Update: Black Hearts and Black Templars

Just a very quick update on what's on my table... pardon the sloppiness of the pictures but I'm just throwing these up to show that I'm still alive and kicking.

Just started a 31-model batch of Dark Eldar (Kabal of the Black Heart) tonight, which I will be trying to do 1-2 colors for the entire batch each night.

The below are two Black Templar (Custom Chapter) models I'm working on for commission; A minor converted Helbrecht and a Caestus Assault Ram.  Both are at about 80% completion.  Minor touchups here and there, and basing.  The ram was particularly fun to work on, as I was trying to figure out how to weather black armor plates without overdoing it.  I'm pretty satisfied with the results thus far.

Back to it tomorrow!

A Large Model This Way Comes

Quick update! A shot of this gargantuan beast before I make it look like it has had a few atmospheric entries. ;)

Midweek Update - On the Table

Currently three models on the workbench - two Black Templar commissions (Helbrecht and Caestus Assault Ram) and the spoils from the tournament last week. Just finished the red basecoat on the Contemptor tonight, and will be highlighting and weathering it as I take breaks from the Templars. 

Stay tuned for updates!

Female Commissar Commission and Tournament Update

This one has been finished for a while; this model is the "Kapitan Ivanka Kurganova (28mm)" from Raging Heroes, and fits well within an Imperial Guard army looking for something a little different than grumpy ol' manly commissars.

Must say, it was fun painting a non-GW model for once. ;)  

A local invitational tournament was held at the LGS, where I pitted my Blood Angels with an Ultramarines player against five other teams.  Three matches were played, and an abridged battle report follows:

Our list: (Limited Shared Force Org.)
HQ
Mephiston
Kor'sarro Khan (Counts as ;) )

Elites
Ironclad Dreadnought, Drop Pod
Dreadnought - TL Lascannon

Troops
Scout Squad x5 - Telion/Sniper Rifles/Missile Launcher
Scout Squad x10 - Combat Blades, Power Fist
Death Company x11 - Power Fist

Fast Attack
Baal Predator - Heavy Bolters, TL Assault Cannon
Baal Predator - Heavy Bolters, TL Assault Cannon

Heavy Support
Vindicator
Vindicator
Storm Raven - Extra Armor

Match 1 (Vs Two Space Wolves), Primary: Capture the most Objectives
We turtled up in one corner, had them come to us; we wiped out their Thunderwolf Calvary unit without it getting a single charge/swing on us.  We ended up tying because both teams denied each other the primary, secondary, and tertiary goals.

Match 2 (Vs Tau, Tyranids), Primary: Kill the most expensive HQ
Mephiston stayed in Reserve as long as possible. (Teehee).  Storm Raven and Baals pushed up to assault their flank (made up of Genestealers and Sniper Drone Squads), while Genestealers and Raveners attempted to push into our front lines.  Vindicators and Baals made short work of gribbly nids.  Death Co. valiantly pushed into the flank, but were cut down to two troopers by withering fire from drones and crisis suits.  These two marines continued to wreak havoc when supported by outflanking Ultramarine scouts and Khan.  The enemy was slaughtered down to a single Hammerhead.

Match 3 (Vs Tau, Chaos Daemons), Primary: Send one of your units off of the opponent's deployment edge.
This mission played out in our favor, with the deployment zone being nearly half the board, and the mission goals.  The Storm Raven nuked a Broadside squad who was in the open with an alpha strike of Bloodstrike missiles.  Devilfish and Fire Warriors were cut down with assault cannons and meltaguns.  Daemons appeared piecemeal, and were cut down by the Baals and the Ironclad.  Both sides were able to achieve the Primary goal, but the enemy team was tabled by essentially the top of turn 3.  The game continued to turn 5 because the last daemon unit rolled poorly on its reserve rolls.  Oof.

Results:
* My teammate and I pulled out with First Place, and won a pair of Contemptor Dreadnoughts and choice of arms.
* The Space Wolves team placed second.
* The Tau / Daemons placed third.
* I somehow pulled out First Place in painting score, and won a full set of Forge World weathering powders.  Kick ass!

Overall, that was the most fun I've had in a tournament setting.  I look forward to doing it again.