June Motivational.

 

Until next time, have nice day...

Hobby Spending - June 2023.

 

June is a couple of days of being done with and that means that we're nearly halfway through the year!

Where has time gone...

Several trips out as it's getting nice weather in the UK, and when the kid is off school, we head out, meaning hobby shop visits for me!

This could be bad...

Early on in the month I visited Mighty Lancer Games whilst visiting my mum in Bridlington and picked up a couple of Reaper Bones blister packs:

The two blisters of Deep Ones were bought to create a unit of them, as even though I wrote the campaign idea for Chris just about SIX YEARS AGO, as far as I know he hasn't gotten round to playing it.

So I figured I'd have a go as I was looking for something other then 40k to build and wanted to branch out a little into some historicals.

Shaeress, the Dark Elf Queen, was bought a couple of days later on the first visit to Element Games and is intended to become a Chaos Sorceress for a Chaos Marine force.

Speaking of future projects, as much as I love Dragon Rampant, with the Sci-fi version being released in Hardback form, I took the opportunity to piggyback onto an Amazon order and pick up a copy of Xenos Rampant for myself:

The plan here is for myself, Chris and Cardboard Fortress to do a 40 point Weird World War 2 force each, probably do a second opposing force to make two axis and two allied forces and rope a friend in to play, and have a gaming day with them next year.

We're aiming to build and paint out forces from October to December this year as it's when we have more hobby time with darker night and kids being at school, no annual leave season at work for example.

The Resistance, isn't a wargame, nor miniatures, it's a card game, but a bluffing, body language reading, secret identity game set in a dystopian future where you have to try to bring the corrupt government down, but there are spies in your midst!

I bought this to play with the family over the course of what will probably be out last big holiday all together, since my niece's are off to universities in September.

Finally, most recent purchase (yesterday as of writing this post), and one of the most vital was this Melee Leviathan Dreadnaught from Element Games:

I was good at the store, honest.

At one point I had this, the Hunters of Huanchi, Kill Team: Novitiates, Kill Team: Kommandoz and a Fyreslayers Grimwrath Berzerker all in my hands!

Buuut...

Being honest with myself, the Seraphon and Fyreslayer forces haven't been started yet, the Battle Sisters I need to figure what's happening with them and the Kommandoz, well, I have enough Orks stored up to work on to keep me going for maybe another ten years if I painted an Ork a day...

So the Leviathan was the obvious shoice as I just needed that and a few 3D printed bits to have everything I need for my Horus Heresy World Eaters army (more of those shortly).

Considering, I had one item and my friends had baskets full of gear they were buying, I was deemed the sensible one by the staffer who rang our stuff out of the store for us!

Onto the numbers:

Deep Ones Shaman and Elder - £6.39

Deep Ones - £6.39.

Shaeress, Dark Elf Queen - £3.

Xenos Rampant - £18.

The Resistance - £4.

Leviathan Dreadnaught - £42.50.

Total for June: £80.28

Budget for June: £50.

Over/Under Yearly Budget: under budget by £44.44.

That Leviathan Dreadnaught was nearly the full budget for the month in one go...such is the nature of the hobby though.

With what seemed to be a bumper month for purchases as just of £80 spent, I am still nearly a month behind in the total budget for hobby, which is good.

So...

Until next time, have nice day...

Encounter at Quinrox Sound, a Battlefleet Gothic battle report.

 

Dust hung in the void, the leftovers of some asteroid shattering collision or general cosmic debris, Admiral Sabanc of the Blood Angels Strike Cruiser Angelic Blade did not know, nor care.

What he did know is that this region of the Quinrox Sound had been subjected to repeated pirate raids, rumoured to be the leftover heretics from the recent battle of Ardekka.

His squadron formed five of the Blood Angels chapters Strike Cruisers; Angelic Blade, Chalice, Encarnadine, Sanguine Victus and Flame of Baal.

His orders were to run a patrol sweep of the Sound, and then head for Savaven to reinforce the chapter led assault planetside.

*****

A recent visit to Stockport saw the partaking of a game of Battlefleet Gothic with my friend.

His full 3D printed fleets, from Scourge Scenics were brought out and with a quick bit of list building we had two 750 point forces ready to go.

What follows is the story of the Encounter at Quinrox Sound, read on...

*****

Barely visible, the distances were so vast, the auspex scanners of the Angelic Blade pinged as they picked up and registered the heretic ships.

The Acheron Heavy Cruiser 'Despicable' led a squadron of two Devastation Cruisers, registering as 'Unforgivable' and 'Heathen Promise', as well as the understrength Infidel Escort Squadron 'Fellclaws'.

Each warp tainted ship screamed it name across the vox, and Sabanc was forced to ensure that the vox officer complied with his demands to "shut the damn thing off", executing the wretch when he refused to comply and promoting a new vox officer from the bridge ratings present.

"All ships, form up and hard burn, we take the fight to the heretic's" he ordered, relayed across the squadron vox a series of acknowledges sounded as the other captains ordered their crews into action.

"We'll meet the False Angel's head on" Warmaster Varrah rasped into the vox, "train all guns on the center of their formation and open fire!".

The beastmen of the bridge crew roared their approval and punched the drive buttons for a full burn towards the hated enemy. 

Other mortal crewmen issued orders splitting the chaos flotilla to the flanks, each ordered to open fire on the nearest target.

Lance and weapons battery fire spat towards the Astartes ships as every gun which could be tracked opened fire causing a series of blossoming explosions in the void as energy shields were stripped and hull plating began to bear the brunt of the focussed fire.

Amongst the storm of weapons fire back and forth between the two fleets, blood red Thunderhawks were launched, jinking between firing patterns as they sped towards the Chaos flagship.

"Wings of Baal, boarding parties, may the Emperor and Sanguinius walk with you" Sabanc boxed as he watched the occulus feed tracking the battle.

Over the course of thousands of kilometers of distance the two fleets closed upon one another, soon they were filling the viewports of each ship, looming large and blocking out the winking stars in the void.

Weapons fire stabbed back and forth as fires spread and explosions bloomed silently in the void.

Captain Zydea of the Unforgivable cruiser watched in frustration as the Warmaster of the fleet charged headlong at the Astartes vessels.

She knew that the master was a languid worm, more fixated on the pleasures of mistress Slaanesh, then the actual danger of void combat.

Especially, point blank ranged void combat, she sighed deeply as her occulous read that the flagship was burning furiously.

"Retrain the weaponsss, and fire again, prepare our boarding parties" she ordered.

"Give them a broadside, Encarnadine you as well, we'll bracket the heretic between our ships, Flame of Baal launch boarding sorties against those escort ships on your flank, I want them taken out of the void!".

Another series of acknowledges sounded across the vox, and within moments the ship began to vibrate with the gravitic passing of the Heavy Cruiser close enough to overwhelm the gravity systems for a moment.

Soon the ship began to vibrate with another rhythm as the gundecks found their stride and began the deadly business of launching shell after shell into the hulking heretic ship passing between them.

"Sergeant Gideon, now is the time, spring your assault!" Sabanc ordered, and the Thunderhawks sped forward through a torrent of turret defensive fire, two of the noble ships exploding as they were caught in arcing fire.

With a series of Turbolaser blasts, the surviving Thunderhawk gunships stormed through the explosions and landed on the outer hull of Despicable and deposited their deadly cargo.

A series of Terminator led boarding parties stomped down the ramp in the mag-locked gait of one walking in zero gravity.

"Plant the breaching charges here and here" Gideon, the assault's lead Sergeant ordered and once placed everyone returned to the landing point, as the Thunderhawks lifted off silently in the void, energy beams and explosions blooming in the pitch black.

Within moments a huge rent had been torn in the hull plates and the Terminators waded through the rushing of escaping atmosphere from the stricken ship, the occasional piece of equipment or mutated crewman flying past and into the unforgiving void made for the spectacle.

Soon the bloody melee fighting had broken out and the boarding parties rampaged through the Despicable causing severe damage to the already stricken ship.

Sabanc listened with pride as the assault forces reported the capture of the escort vessels with little to no resistance overall.

Sergeant Gideon reported in that they had completed their primary objectives abord the enemy flagship and it was for all intents now out of commission.

They would remain on station until their transports could be sent to evac them, until that time, they would carve a bloody swathe through the enemy crew and head towards the bridge to disable the command staff.

*****

Watching as the Despicable flickered out of contact on the auspex, and had become a burning, drifting hulk, Zydea, leader of the Devastation squadron assumed command over her sub-servient second aboard her sister ship.

"All Lancesss, open fire on the clossessst ssship" Captain Zydea ordered, her serpentine tongue flicking through the air, "Reload everything!".

With only two cruisers left, Zydea focussed her fire upon the closest ship and launched wave after wave of her own wretched assault parties.

The Blood Angels cruiser, Chalice, bore the brunt of her Ire, stripping it's energy shields and tearing at the hull plates, she managed to force a hull breach.

Her boarding parties fought their way through the defensive fire and deposited group after group of crazed Slaaneshi Cultists and Spawn to the strike ship in an effort to destroy it.

*****

Sergeant Gideon, having been picked up by his Thunderhawk, ordered a change of course upon hearing the fighting taking place upon the Chalice.

They boarded and headed towards the worst heretic infestation upon the ship in an effort to save her from falling to enemy hands.

"This is the Angelic Blade to Chalice, Captain Ephredes, break off and head for Port Maw for repair" Sabanc voxed, "All other vessels, come about, we're going after the remaining ships!"

"Chalice to Angelic Blade, messaged received and acknowledged, good hunting Admiral" Captain Ephredes replied and moved his ship out of formation, well aware of the brutal battles still taking place within her hull, he hoped the fire would not effect the warp jump if they couldn't contain it.

The rest of the fleet swung around in formation and began to give chase to the chaos cruisers.

Zydea, having seen one of the enemy ships break off was satisfied with her small victory, but she was still outnumbered two to one.

"Heathen Promissse, I am taking command, we break off and run for SSSabathrax, repair and rearm, then we'll bring the fight back to the Falssse Angel'sss, ressspond!" She hissed into the vox as she sat in her command throne.

A crackled voice replied, "Agreed" and then shut off with a click. Cantakerous fool Zydea thought. She knew she'd have to face Old Captain Charith in the fighting pits to assert dominance over the fleet soon.

*****

Admiral Sabanc watched as the heretic's disengaged and burned hard for the systems edge, they were soon lost to auspex due to the nebulous clouds of astronomic dust and an ion storm causing static feedback.

One more patrol of the area and we'll rendezvous at Port Maw, he thought, then on to the chapter at Savaven.

*****

Well, it's been some years since I've played Battlefleet Gothic, but it's such a good game.

Not only was it nice to get over to see my friend, but just the chance to play a game and roll some bones whilst talking shit to each other was fantastic, some hobby afterwards finished the day off and made the trek worth it.

Battlefleet Gothic is a game from that golden period GW had around the turn of the 21st century, when 40k was in its prime of 3rd/4th edition, Warhammer Fantasy was in its 5th edition, and games like Battlefleet Gothic, Epic 40k, Necromunda (1st edition) and Inquisitor were all working good and offering different aspects of gameplay.

As mentioned the ships featured in this game were all 3D printed from Scourge Scenics and are lovely detailed miniatures, I am tempted by some of them.

We had no blast markers, so that's why the red D10s were used, but I think some actual modelled 3D blast Markers, maybe using the technique I used for my Stormboyz could be a good go-to for them?

As is usually the case, there was some bad luck with the dice, until I only had Zydea's two cruisers left and vegan rolling like this, stripping hull points away from the Chalice in short order!

Once we'd reached the point with just the two cruisers left for my fleet, we decided to call the game (the start of turn four!), I was outnumbered, but more importantly the rations had been delivered, so the more important task of eating was undertaken!

As I post this, I am fulfilling the monthly challenge me and Chris set each other.

This month wasn't to paint a certain amount of figure, it was to actually play a game, as neither of us have much time to do so.

I've completed my side of the challenge Chris, now it's your turn mate, I expect to see a game write up on your blog before the end of the month!

Until next time, have nice day...

May Hobby Challenge - Rescue Roundup!

 

Greetings everyone, a little later then originally anticipated, but we're finally here with the Hobby Rescue Challenge round up. 

Everyone who managed to get a miniature from the depths of "pro-painted" eBay, stripped and cleaned up and given the paintjob they always deserved, but the original owners skills were not up to the task, or it's been an old project they've forgotten about since they were a kid.

Whatever the reason these miniatures were languishing in limbo, we have rescued and reinvigorated them.

The participants were the usual bunch of myself, Chris and A Cardboard Fortress.

In no particular order, here are the Miniatures:

Chris:

Chris chose this classic 1995 Necromunda Goliath leader, complete with bionic chainsaw headpiece!

Some minor conversion work, repositioning the head and changing the barrel on the meltagun (from a plastic Cawdor Flamer I believe?) And he is more dynamic.

Chris' usual gritty, desaturated painting style sells the miniature:

A Cardboard Fortress:

Currently building up an Orc and Goblin army for Warhammer Fantasy (OldHammer), the addition of some metal Savage Orcs was a no-brainer.

The is no conversion work here, the model is built as stock and painting in a classic bright colour scheme (I particularly like the skintones used), which is a wonderful throwback to older editions of the games we love:

Finally my own effort:

You've already seen Kharn from my previous posts about him, but for completeness sake, here he is again.

Finecast and with a broken off leg when he arrived, some minor conversion work and a suitable "heroic base" turn a per-loved Kharn the Betrayer into Kharn the Bloody for my 30k World Eaters force:

This panned out well and I think everyone enjoyed it once again.

Myself and Chris often set a monthly challenge to each other, and this was no different apart from the fact that I extended it to a fair few other friends, most of whom declined to take part.

So thank you to Chris and Cardboard Fortress once again, and I think we'll have to arrange for something towards the end of the year, November maybe.

Maybe something Vehicular?

Until next time, have nice day...

The Host of House Moranin - 10mm Dark Elf project, completed.

 

The huge Black Ark rose and fell with the swell of the tide as it was moored in Naggarond's docks, busily loading everything for the upcoming season's raids upon hated Ulthuan.

Slaves swung craneloads of foodstuffs and fodder for the mounts to the sounds cracked whips and grating laughter.

"The dock masters are getting their fill today" Morghynn Sablestar said lightly as she joined the Dreadlord she was sworn to at the rail overlooking the teeming activity.

Tall, pale skinned, slender and scandalously under-dressed for the pervading cold weather, she cut a striking contrast to the looming, dark armoured lord next to her.

Fully armoured in plate,purple cloak billowing in the sea breeze, Athsinrell Moranin took stock of their forces marching up into the holds of the giant city-ship.

Athsinrell cringed in anger, due to the fall from favour of House Moranin. Once they had commanded Black Arks and raids at the behest of the Witch King himself. Being aligned with Crone Hellebron had done them no favours in the recent decades, as anyone associated with her fell from favour due to Morathi's displeasure.

Soon, they would see their house regain its position within the fractious politics of Naggarond. Something a knife between the ribs had fixed, a year ago.

Since then, with their father dead by their hand, Athsinrell had taken every opportunity, called in every favour and scraped together every coin in order to buy passage and hire troops for the plan of starting an overseas colony, and the riches and prestige it may bring.

A wet snarling sound snapped senses back to reality and Athsinrell realised that they held the guard rail in a white knuckle grip.

Looking towards the source, to of the rival Cold One Knights mounts had taken offense at the other's presence and were about to launch themselves at each other in a frenzy of teeth and claws.

Some unfortunate slave was thrown between the two prehistoric beasts and they carved the screaming wretch up instead, then loped onto the Ark.

Morghynn stood focussing on the passing of the winds of magic, her loincloth and long white hair ripping about her form. 

There was something about the sorceress which didn't sit well, Athsinrell realised. 

They would have to watch themselves about her, incase she got ideas above her station or Hellebron decided to try to size power at the expense of House Moranin.

With a smile which could cut glass, Athsinrell offer their arm to the Sorceress and they moved below decks to find their troops...

*****

Recently, I managed to finished off this entire 2,000 point army for old 6th edition Warhammer Fantasy.

However, it's in 10mm scale, not the traditional 28/32mm. The entire force was 3D Printed from Forest Dragon STLs.

The details are fantastic on the miniatures, and they have a bunch of faction specific pieces to draw you in, so that you know at a glance that this unit is what it is meant to be.

I'll let some photos and descriptions follow on from this:

Sorceress Morghynn on the left and Dreadlord Athsinrell Moranin, the Warhost's principle commanders. No doubt there are others plotting and scheming about how to take command.

You can see the effort made by the Forest Dragon STL sculptors here, as they do look a lot like their old 28mm counterparts.

The black and purple are traditional Druchii colours, the gold is something to pick them out on the tabletop, these models being on 10mm tall without bases!

The souls-stuff Morghynn is pulling from the ground is Nihilakh Oxide over a white undercoat.

Is Athsinrell the leader of the house and warhost, or is Morghynn, you never can tell with their society of Druchii.

The main phalanxes of the Warhost, there are two regiments of Spearmen with full command here. Based two strip's to a base, this is the traditional Warmaster style, if we're playing Warhammer, I plan on using a D20 behind the unit to keep track of how many are left on the table.

There is a clear distinction between the two units with one being a lighter purple and having more metallic colour, but the other being darker in general.

If you look closely I still messed up, mixing the two units together for the photo...

The first half of the ranged support, in a unit of two stands of Crossbowmen (elves?) And a Repeater Bolt Thrower at the back.

And the second half of the ranged units.

Also pictured is the sneaky assassin, hired at great cost during the last visit to Naggarond, capital city of the Dark Elves.

Not only does he eliminate enemy leaders given the chance, his mere presence also ensures loyalty within the regiments of House Moranin.

A lot of this force was painted with contrast paints as the detailing really suits the paint. The assassin started as a coat of Black Templar, and then had a Mechanicus Standard Grey highlighting later as I felt he needed something to stop him being a black blob on the table, the purple loincloth ties him to the force.

The rival regiments of Cold One Knights from the Arkaneth and Helbane houses.

Buying these regiments loyalty was not cheap and the firt two hundred souls taken will be transferred half to each house as payment for their services. This has created a rivalry and tension as each regiment not only seeks to outdo each other on the field, but to also assassinate the other first.

Such is Druchii society.

The Cold Ones allowed me to introduce some different colours into the army in the green and dark turquoise of the Velociraptors the knights ride. I tried to tie them to one each of the spear phalanxes, with the lighter and darker colours, these minis also got more good the the line troops, being nobles and that.

From Bar Ganeth, these maniacal Witch Elves are one of the forces of nature within the Dark Elves army. Here by order of Crone Hellebron, they form a bodyguard to Sorceress Morghynn and send information gathered about Morathi's forces which they occasionally come across.

The lightest coloured regiment in the army, unsurprisingly because they don't wear much. The Witch Elves use a lot of Guilliman Flesh contrast over a white undercoat, as well as Apothecary White for their long hair.

Lastly an overall photo of the army all together, now finished.

This is an interesting project, and one which I will be continuing with, as I now have 3D printed Brettonian, Wood Elf and Undead armies in a box which a friend is printing off.

He has the entire Forest Dragon range of STLs and I am considering getting him to print me an Orc and Goblin army at some point.

Until next time, have nice day...