Returning from a Long Hiatus

2016/02/10 KeptainKayak

It’s been a long, LONG time since my last post which was WAY back in June of 2015. I guess I got busy after that and hobby took a backseat.

I had a lot of projects on the go; my biggest was to finish an Astra Militarum Valkyrie. I’m also mostly done an Inquisitor Karamzov model. But the finishing touches on each could take a LONG time, and that was a little discouraging. Although I love vehicles and big models, they take a lot of time and if I get an hour here or there I don’t feel like I got a lot done in each little sitting.

I also have A LOT of unpainted models: Dozens of Astra Militarum infantry, 10 Space Marines, 5 Space Marine Scouts, 3 Space Marine Bikes, another Dreadnought, about 20 cultists/inquisition acolytes/conscripts, 2 crusaders, a Land Raider, another rhino, 13 arbites, Commissar Yarrick, and a handful of other characters. I’ve also started 5 terminators, a techmarine, another Commissar, and death cult assassins. It’s a long list. Perhaps it’s so long that it seems insurmountable and it may simply be easier to give up.

The "to do" pile. Rather large and regrettably daunting — The “to do” pile. Rather large and regrettably daunting

Towards the end of 2015 I hadn’t touched my models in a long time, and the unpainted masses were getting further and further buried. I even considered selling them all for a few extra bucks.

And then for whatever reason, this week I’ve felt a compelling to get back into Warhammer. Pimpcron published a timely post regarding Murdering the Hobby Slump like I was in.

So, with time on my hands last Friday night, I took the advice from that post, sat down and worked on a single model. And I finished it happily.

My painted version of Cyril the Bear, the Dwarf King's Court Royal Mascot — My painted version of Cyril the Bear, the Royal Mascot of the Dwarf King’s Court

This was a model I found on eBay about 8 months ago of a Cyril the Bear, the Royal Mascot of the Dwarf King’s Court. It is a Citadel miniatures model, but from 1982. I just kinda wanted a bear to add to an Inquisitor’s party. I thought it would be suitable as an equivalent to “Arco-Flagellant”

	WS	BS	S	T	W	I	A	Ld	Sv
Bear as Arco-Flagellant	5	1	5	3	1	3	4	8	–

I think this profile sits suitably because it represents a strong, dangerous animal that can hit hard in close combat for 15 points.

So, I enjoyed that hour and I think I’d like to do some more. Maybe keep carving out some evening time or weekend afternoons for personal hobby time. The dangerous question is what next?

I’m even tempted to buy some more models if I see a good deal on eBay. Okay, I probably shouldn’t, the to do list is still REALLY large. But a Stormraven, another Vindicator, Predator, or two more Leman Ruses would be really nice.

Hobby

Rhino

2015/06/09 KeptainKayak

Much like my recently published post about the Ironclad Dreadnought, I saw this Rhino on eBay and decided to buy it and repaint it.

The Space Marine Rhino is the most ubiquitous of the METAL BAWKSES. The steel workhorse of dedicated transports, the iconic Rhino is a competitive stalwart of Space Marine Armies. At a measly 35 points, it’s also an incredibly cheap transport with a capacity of 10 models and a storm bolter! Two models can also fire out the top hatch giving it some additional punch and overwatch potential.

This particular tank model looked pretty rough when I received it. I got a pretty good price for it so I knew I was getting what I paid for. It had a rough blue colour and some thatch which I imagine was supposed to represent some sort of camoflage. I tried scraping it off as best I could and then primed it white.

Like the dreadnought, it was really tricky getting a nice even yellow colour across the whole tank. I started with Averland Sunset then topped it with Yriel Yellow.

I had an older-style Imperial Guard pintle storm bolter which I mounted where there used to be some sort of missile launcher.

I wanted to add my own flair to the tank, I wanted to add optional hunter-killer missiles. I see that the new style is the small pods that look like infantry missile-launchers, but I like the old style that look like a huge box.

And I used some really powerful magnets to make them optional. One was mounted on each side of the hull. I had to carve out a lot of space for the magnet.

Concealing some strong magnets within the hull of the rhino.

I was able to successfully hide the magnets with a lot of liquid green stuff and then several layers of paint. You can hardly tell that they’re there. But, the magnets on the missile launcher are definitely going to stick, and swivel as necessary.

I felt that the dozer blade was totally necessary. I expect the rhino to drive up the field flat out 18″, so passing those dangerous terrain tests is a must. As a last resort, it can also ram some tanks in the back. And, finally, it kind of maintains the “construction” look I was going for with all of my Imperial Fists.

Imperial Fists Space Marine Rhino (rear view)

Imperial Fists Space Marine Rhino with two Hunter-Killer Missiles

Imperial Fists Space Marines with Rhino in back right

Can you see the “construction” theme?

I have the parts to make another Rhino. I was thinking of making it an Inquisition Rhino, but I hear that Rhinos can be taken as Fast Attack units in the next Space Marine Codex. If that’s the case, I can put a squad of Astra Militarum veterans in one and treat it as a cheaper troops unit… hmmm… decisions decisions.

Battle Report

Space Marine Ironclad Dreadnought “Fort”

2015/06/05 KeptainKayak

This model was something of a labour of love. I saw this Ironclad Dreadnought on eBay and decided I needed to have it. It came with a hurricane bolter for its right arm, and a choice of Seismic Hammer or Chainfist for the left arm.

The purpose of an Ironclad Dreadnought is to get into CC with things, preferably vehicles and wreck them.

Ironically, I rather liked its original colour. The grey was a good match for my Astra Militarum forces, but not for the Imperial Fists Space Marines it would join.

So, I did a dirty coat of white to cover the old paint scheme.

Getting an even coat of yellow over the formerly grey was really tricky. I find painting any models yellow is a labour of patience and persistence.

I didn’t like the stats of the Seismic Hammer. It’s 2X Strength (so, 12+D6 damage) and AP1, and unwieldy and comes with a built-in meltagun. Reading a few reviews, many recommend replacing the seismic hammer with a chainfist. The difference is that the chainfist is only AP2, but has armourbane which means its damage will 12+2D6. Another recommendation was to replace the meltagun with a heavy flamer. I think this makes a lot of sense because the meltagun’s effective range is within charging range of its dangerous CC weapons, and the heavy flamer gives this dreadnought some potential anti-infantry punch, especially on overwatch! Both substitutions are points neutral.

As an Imperial Fists dreadnought, I imagined it really needed to have a fist, in particular, a Power Fist! Most tactics blogs I read recommended ditching the hurricane bolter in favour of a power fist.

I got a power fist from eBay and it fit nicely on the left arm. However, the chainfist arm I had was also meant for the left arm. Since the hand would look weird flipped, I decided to modify the arm so it would go backwards and fit on the right arm. It took a lot of glue and liquid green stuff, but I think it looks almost like it fits on that arm now.

The hunter-killer missiles on the shoulders aren’t the most competitively functional items. At 10 point each, two 1-shot S8 missiles may not make their value back, especially if they miss. But, they looked too cool not to keep.

Imperial Fists Space Marine Dreadnought "Fort" (Front View) — Imperial Fists Space Marine Dreadnought “Fort” (Front View)

Imperial Fists Space Marine Dreadnought "Fort" (Side View) — Imperial Fists Space Marine Dreadnought “Fort” (Side View)

Imperial Fists Space Marine Dreadnought "Fort" (Other Side View) — Imperial Fists Space Marine Dreadnought “Fort” (Other Side View)

Imperial Fists Space Marine Dreadnought "Fort" (Back View) — Imperial Fists Space Marine Dreadnought “Fort” (Back View)

The name “Fort” has a double meaning. Fort is a boys name, and could be the short form of Fortuanto. Fort can also be a short for fortification. And lastly, in Italian and French, fort(e) means strong, which makes sense for such a large beast of a machine.

At 155 points including the 20 for the two hunter-killer missiles, it’s a big sink for points. But, if I can get in range of a few enemy tanks and rip them apart, it will definitely be worth it.

Actually getting it into combat may be a challenge. Without a drop pod it will have to walk to the enemy tanks. Its front and side armor of 13 are impressive, but I still don’t want it in the open too much or it will be destroyed before it sinks its chainfist into heretic, traitorous and/or xenos enemies.

Imperial Fists Space Marine Dreadnought "Fort" with other Imperial Fists — Imperial Fists Space Marine Dreadnought “Fort” with other Imperial Fists

Hobby

Bullgryns

2015/06/02 KeptainKayak

Bullgryns are an interesting new addition to the Astra Militarum Codex. They are effectively abhuman Ogryns that have have traded some offensive bite for serious defensive gain.

However, I didn’t really like the look of the new Bullgryn/Ogryn models. And I’m partial to pewter models too. So, I cobbled together bits from a number of purchases to create my own custom Bullgryns. In the end, they probably cost more than buying 3 new ones in a kit, but they’re uniquely mine.

I got 3 Ogryn models through various eBay purchases. They weren’t quite complete. I had to order bases seperately. One was missing a head, but an Ork head made a surprisingly appropriate replacement.

Various pieces of Ogryns and Bullgryn bits ready to be assembled

I also had to purchase the slabshields and grenade gauntlets separately on eBay as bits. Two of the Ogryns were missing their left hands that would have held their ripper guns, so I substituted ork hands.

The model that would be the Bone ‘ead was the most difficult to modify. His left arm was way up in the air and not appropriate for holding the shield. I had to break his pewter arm and had a hard time getting it re-attached in an appropriate position.

I’m quite happy with the final result. They look imposing, ugly, and very tough. They don’t look like they’re wearing carapace armour, but I can say all the chains they’re wearing help to protect them.

Bullgryns taking cover behind their slabshields

Tactically speaking, I think they will be a very interesting addition to my army. When two or more of them are in base contact with each other, they improve the cover save of all models behind them by +1. Any models behind them will already receive a 5+ cover save because they are obscured. This would even apply to tanks behind them! With the +1, all models behind them could receive a 4+ cover save. If the models behind them have camo cloaks or stealth in some other way they have a 3+ cover save!!

They’re a pretty tough unit in general too. With 3 wounds each and T5, they will be hard to disgorge, especially with the 3+ armour save they get from linking slabshields. The leadership 6 (7 with the Bone ‘ead) is a little worrying though. They’ll need something to keep them from running away. I’ll probably stick a ministorum priest with them to keep them from running away. And, in a codex sorely lacking CC options, the one-two punch of Bullgryns with a priest may help with this unit tango at close range.

At 145 points for 3 models, they certainly aren’t cheap! I’m curious to see how they’ll play on the tabletop, but they do look cool in my display case!

Better view of my Astra Millitarum Bullgryns. From left to right “Otis, Deathlok, and Enzo.”

Hobby

Adeptus Arbites Models

2015/05/26 KeptainKayak

First post in a while, but I hope there are many more to come.

eBay picture of three Adeptus Arbites models with boltguns I won

eBay picture of two Adeptus Arbites models I won. One has a bolter and the other has a grenade launcher

eBay picture of four Adeptus Arbites models with boltguns I won

I recently won a couple of eBay auctions and I’m looking forward to receiving 9 Adeptus Arbites models soon. I’ve been eyeing these models since I played 2nd Edition of 40k. They’ve been “out of print” for a LONG time so I’m happy to pick up several because I really like how they look.

I was thinking of fielding them as Inquisition Acolytes with Carapace Armour, but I recently started thinking of fielding them as Astra Militarum veterans with the “Grenadier Doctrine” which equips them all with carapce armour. I could still attach an Inquisitor as an Independent Character to either. Here’s how they compare.

	Inquisitional Acolytes	Astra Militarum Veterans
Unit Type	Elites	Troops
WS	3	3
BS	3	4
Leadership	8	7 (8 with sergeant)
Points for 10 models	80 points	75 points

The biggest difference is how they play in the rules: As Inquisitional Acolytes, they are elites rather than troops, so they lose the “objective secured” special rule. And Inquisition Acolytes can’t take Orders. ‎But, the Inquisition has access to nicer toys like Boltguns for all, and Storm Shields.

Their transports are a little different too. An advantage to the Inquisition Chimera is that it’s 10 points cheaper, and can have 5 units fire its fire point instead of the AM which only has two. The AM has the lasgun arrays, but they aren’t very special.

	Inquisition Chimera	Astra Militarum Chimera
Base Cost	55	65
Searchight	1	0 (included)
Dozer Blade	5	5

The Inquisition Chimera could also have Psybolt ammo for 5 points more, which could make it very dangerous with two heavy bolters firing three S6 AP4 shots each!

I suppose I have to choose first though. Inquisition doesn’t have access to grenade launchers for some reason, so I’ll have to modify that model. And If they have bolters they have to be Inquisition. An Inquisition Acolyte with carapace armour and a boltgun is 9 points. A Tactical Squad Space Marine is 14! Perhaps if I run them as Inquisition I’ll probably give most of them storm bolters. Only 11 points each then!

Or, as Astra Militarum veterans, I’d have to remove their bolters and give them lasguns or shotguns.

Hmmm… decisions, decisions…

All the Arbites models ready to be primed

Hobby

Nork Deddog

2015/01/05 KeptainKayak

I bought this Ogryn model for Nork Deddog as part of another wave of eBay purchases. I’m not very fond of the new, plastic model for Nork Deddog, so finding a version of the old, medal model made me pretty happy.

Original Nork Deddog model, primed white

I tried to follow a similar colour scheme to the rest of my infantry models. But I did make it a point to give him big medal shoulder pads. And I have him a beret. A soft fabric hat seemed ironically appropriate for a brutal giant assigned as a bodyguard!

Tactics:

He makes a very interesting character to add to a command squad. At 85 points he’s more expensive than a Chimera! So, obviously in a mechanized list, he’s not useful points. But, as Imperator Guides states, he can be very valuable in the right deployment.

In my previous games, my command squad was decimated in close combat, and my commander murdered in close combat challenges. This powerful, very tough, close combat-oriented character can now absorb challenges that would normally decimate my commander. And his Heroic Sacrifice special rule is rather ridiculous: If slain in close combat, he gets to make all his attacks (again if he already hasn’t) before he expires!

He also makes a very efficient meat-shield. He has look-out so he can take a wound for another character, including the regimental advisers. Having Feel No Pain almost replaces the need for a medic. And 3 wounds with T5 and 4+ armour save is nothing to sneeze about!

Nork Deddog with a Company Command Squad

He also looks interesting as part of the Command Squad. Like other Ogryns, he’s head and shoulders bigger than all humans. So, he looks like the most intimidating character in the group, even though he’s “merely” a bodyguard.

I look forward to using him in combat and taking down enemies with his “thunderous headbutt”

Hobby

Happy New Year!

2015/01/01 KeptainKayak 2 Comments

Happy New Year readers! If there are any of you…

Anyways, I saw this particular post on Tumblr and decided it was a good resolution for myself and this site: Not to buy any new Warhammer Models until I finish painting all the ones I currently have. (Well, I may buy a bit here and there if I need it to finish the job). There are a lot of models left to paint…

Leman Russ that I will make into a Punisher Tank Commander

eBay picture of Leman Russ kit that will become mt Tank Commander in a Punisher — eBay picture of Leman Russ kit that will become my Tank Commander in a Punisher

Leman Russ that I will make into an Exterminator

eBay picture of Leman Russ that I will make into an exterminator

3 Ogryns as Bullgrnys with Slabshields

eBay picture of Ogryns I will convert into Bullgryns

eBay picture of Bullgryn Slabshields I will give to the Ogryns

5 Old 90’s Style Stormtroopers (first mentioned in this post)

Old 90's stormtroopers — Old 90’s stormtroopers

4 Servitors

Servitor with servo arm	Servitor with servo-arm
Servitor with Heavy Bolter	Servitor with Heavy Bolter

Squad of Space Marine Scouts (5 models inc Sergeant and Heavy Bolter)

Eversor and Vindicare Assasins

Lots of Inquisition Henchmen:

Jokaero Weaponsmith
Acolyte as Ministorum Priest
SOB Dialogus as Ministorum Priest (x2)
Crusader
Death Cult Assassin
Servo Skull (x2)

eBay pic of Inquisition Henchmen in blister

And I have enough parts for probably about 8 more guardsmen.

And I still have to finish a Rhino. I’m still deciding if I want to do it as a Rhino or Razorback, and Space Marine or Inquisition.

And THEN, there are lots of models I could convert or update.

This will keep me busy for A WHILE!

So, NO BUYING for a while.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Hobby

Regimental Advisors

2014/11/12 KeptainKayak

I ordered this set of Regimental Advisors through an independent Tabletop Hobby store. Although I saved a few bucks, it took a month to be delivered, so I won’t be going back to them.

After reading about the Regimental Advisors in the Codex and some tactics blogs, I decided I had to have them as options to add to my Company Command Squad.

Regimental Advisors in the back row flanked by a command squad and Basilisk

Astropath

I feel like I’m going to add this character to my Company Command Squad (CCS) in every game I play. He’s the cheapest psyker in the game at only 25 points, easy warp-charge points. And he generates his powers from Telekinesis discipline which the Primaris Psyker can’t.

Master of Ordnance

The Master of Ordinance (MoO) is an interesting character. He’s a T3 single wound character for 20 points. But, he has the ability to call a S9 AP3 Large Blast BARRAGE attack down anywhere on the board. The problem is it’s likely to scatter 3D6″! And since the attack counts as Ordnance, he has to remain stationary. A odd tradeoff, but could be handy for a static CCS.

Master of Ordinance on the back of a Basilisk (being blinded by my camera’s flash)

Master of Ordinance on the back of a Basilisk

Master of Ordinance on the back of a Basilisk with a command squad in the foreground

Officer of the Fleet

The Officer of the fleet (OoF) is character I don’t plan on using, but I’m glad to have.

Upon passing a leadership test, this character improves your reserve rolls by one (so 3+ on a D6), or reduces your opponents reserve rolls by 1 (5+ on D6). This is stack able with other modifiers like a Comms Relay, Emperor’s Tarot, or another Officer of the Fleet. I don’t think this is all that great, especially since the leadership test will only be successful about 50% of the time for this character.

However, from the moment I saw this model, I knew how I wanted to paint him. I hope it’s painfully obvious.

My officer of the fleet. I hope you can recognize his resemblance to a certain Starfleet Officer (hint, see vessel in the background)

Uses and Tactics

I was planning on usually having my CCS in a Chimera, which is fine for protection, issuing orders, and firing a witchfire power. However, if the tank moves at all that turn, it eliminates the ability for my MoO to fire.

Alternatively, I may have my CCS stationary hiding in cover or behind a blob squad. In that case, I’ll either have to be strategic about being stationary, or make use of a trick like the “Forward For The Emperor” order or hope my warlord rolls “Relentless” to make use of the MoO’s attack.

Hobby

Another Wave of eBay Purchases

2014/11/10 KeptainKayak 1 Comment

I haven’t completely gotten through the last wave yet, but I bought a whole bunch of other things on eBay to fill out my army:

–Leman Russ Battle Tank
–Schafer’s Last Chancer (10 of 12 models)
–Nork Deddog
-4 servitors
-5 Old 90’s “Stormtroopers”
–Rhino

Each of them fills a void or interest in my army.

Leman Russ Battle Tank parts, still on sprue, but primed skull white

The Leman Russ is a given because it’s so iconic for the Astra Militarum. Reviews from Grumpy Guardsman and Imperator Guides say the Leman Russ Main Battle Tank (MBT) is too expensive and ineffective because of the ordnance rule. I agree, but it is a nice ‘generalist’ for my first Leman Russ. I expect it’s S8 AP3 will be great for chewing up Space Marines. And, I can modify it like the Basilisk for lights and sound, which is a big plus!

I really like the Schaefer’s Last Chancer’s models and am looking forward to painting and using them. I plan to organize my Cadian models as a platoon from now on, and I wanted some models that distinctly looked like veterans. So, this set of the “Last Chancer’s” looked perfect. A nice treat is that the set includes a meltagun, heavy bolter and missile launcher. I plan on fielding them as “melta-vets” in a Chimera, and some as my new Command Squad.

Ogryn I plan to field as special character Nork Deddog

I don’t have any fluffy special characters, and reading the Codex I decided I wanted Nork Deddog. In my previous battles, my Command Squad has been devastated by close combat. This big, tough, angry Ogryn should act as a good deterant or measure for fighting back!
I don’t like the new Ogryn models, so I was very pleased to get a good deal on this older version of Nork on eBay.

Servitor with servo arm	Servitor with servo-arm
Servitor with Heavy Bolter	Servitor with Heavy Bolter

Since I plan on fielding a rather tech/mech heavy army, a Techpriest and some servitors are practical and appropriate. Some dislike them as not useful or cost-effective. But I like the idea of Techpriest repair rolls being more effective. Further, for 10 points you essentially get a guardsman wearing carapace armour armed with a power fist! Not a bad deal. And two of these servitors I ordered have heavy bolters, which will give them some punch in the backfield and overwatch protection. I’m looking forward to fielding the squad of 5.

The old stormtroopers are an oddball but I like them. I have a squad of old 90’s stormtroopers which I’ve fielded a few times. But they’re a different colour scheme and hard to field because of the heavy bolter and plasma gun. These additional 5 models give me some flexibility. I can run 9 lasguns or modify one to have a plasma gun and run “plasma vets”. And more importantly, I can try out the new paint colour scheme on them.

This Rhino is a bit of an oddball. It’s not an Astra Militarum vehicle. However, it could be a Space Marine Rhino to go with my Imperial Fists or as a transport for my Inquisitor. In fact, I’m tempted to modify it a bit and field it as a Razorback for additional mechanized punch. We’ll see how it goes.

This pile should keep me busy for a while! Lots of fun to come!

Hobby

Updating Chimera “Eaton”

2014/11/07 KeptainKayak 1 Comment

This chimera is one of the oldest models I own. I bought the kit for this Chimera at the Grand Opening of the Games Workshop at the Eaton’s Centre in Toronto around 1998. It’s one of the few times Warhammer models were all discounted! The store has since closed, but I still have the tank and treasure it.

The paint colours reflect the colour scheme I had for my Imperial Guard forces at the time: Black with blue and red trim.

Old Imperial Guard models whose uniforms inspired the old colour scheme for Chimera “Eaton”

My new forces have a distinctly different colour palate. My new infantry models are grey with black and gold trim. I will probably get around to re-painting those old models too, but my mechanized army made me prioritize getting the vehicles up to spec more quickly.

Rather than re-painting the black hull Administratum Grey to look like my other Chimera, I decided to flip the colours a bit. I left the hull black, and gave it gold and grey trim. And I’m really happy with the result!

Chimera “Eaton” with its new colours, side view

Nameplate of Chimera “Eaton”. It says “Espandor VII” in a highly stylized font. I don’t remember what that was supposed to mean, but I decided to leave it.

I found that the gold on black looked really, really sharp. I’m tempted to paint others to look like it, but then I decided this should be a special tank.

The only physical change I made was to switch out the pintle-mounted storm bolter with a heavy stubber. Most tactics I’ve read suggest the heavy stubber over the storm bolter. They’re the same points, and although the heavy stubber is weaker and has a poorer AP, it fires 3 shots instead of 2, which is really important, especially if snap-shooting.

Chimera Eaton Before(left) and After (right)

I’m glad to (re-)introduce Chimera “Eaton” with its new colour scheme. I plan on using it as a stationary “pillbox” for a command squad. That way they are kept safe, the commander can still issue orders, and the tank can fire all of its weapons with full ballistic skill.

Keptain Kayak

Returning from a Long Hiatus

Rhino

Space Marine Ironclad Dreadnought “Fort”

Bullgryns

Adeptus Arbites Models

Nork Deddog

Happy New Year!

Regimental Advisors

Another Wave of eBay Purchases

Updating Chimera “Eaton”

My Warhammer 40,000 Blog