Showing posts with label Forge World. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Forge World. Show all posts

Monday 1 July 2019

'nids part 269 - Rippers - Forgeworld inspired conversion

I'm continuing my Big Build theme and finally plucked up the courage to do my next three Ripper bases in the style of the Forgeworld ones. As you can see they got built and are considerably bigger and more representative than my first press-mold prototype.


I had been struggling to work out how to build these up, then I just started gluing chunks of hardboard to a 40mm base with the press-mold Rippers coming out of the base [plus one Warrior face pushing through the ground].


All in I think there are 12 Rippers on the base, 4 of which are the plastic ones.


  The next base I tried to use some of my Ripper side pieces glued to a vertical strut but it looked really odd and I ended up with the three heads running up the spine of the strut to try and hide it. Hopefully it won't be noticeable that those two halves are different.


I'll need to blend them in with a bit of ground material as they burst through the dirt. I think there are 14 on this base.


The last one, I think there are 15 or 16 on this, including 4 plastic and one Warrior face again. I pretty much used all my plastic Rippers.


All I have left are the Spinefist Maw variety, the two other upright versions [one with the horn on its head] and a couple of the others, in case I ever need to make any more press molds. It's unlikely though. The Spinemaw Rippers might make a base but it's an odd one I don't really need.


Now to blend them into the ground...

Tuesday 18 March 2014

What's on my palette?


Nearly six weeks since my last confession... and how've I been doing? I've obviously been flitting between the Great Maw and the Skyshield walls in preparation for Throne of Skulls, preview to follow. This has actually been quite a challenge, it's required a lot of will power and discipline, not to mention a lack of sleep, to complete. This is what I was dealing with last time:
  1. 20 termagants
  2. Skyshield Walls
  3. New Tervigon
  4. 4 Spore Mines [actually 6 got completed, some old metal ones resurfaced]
  5. Deathwing [they're base coated at least...]

And I also made 2 new figure boxes:


However, as the deadline and completion approaches I can feel the reserves of energy waning, the job will be done but what of post-Thrones? Traditionally I have found myself completely stuffed on hobby gluttony after previous visits to Warhammer World, and with a solid six months of modelling and painting I may well take some 'time off'. That wasn't the plan, I wanted to get three months of Dark Angels work in before Project X is required to begin, but I feel quite tired right now so we'll just have to see what comes.


I have promised to repaint my brothers vivarium, after the only solution we could find to the matt floor varnish 'frosting' was to start again, So it's now a flat brown, so I need to do a shadow wash and then drybrush it. A couple of nights work but one that has been postponed since about Christmas, the poor lizard needs a new home.


I'd also planned a couple of 'large' purchases some 'Apocalyptic' things but having just come off the Skyshield I'm not actually keen to start a big model, although Project X will be big, but potentially straightforward. In case you're guessing it is not a Tyranid Fortress of Redemption. I had thought of doing one and I had a brilliant idea for the tower and some of the other bits but I came across the following picture a good few months ago that's pretty much what I had in mind

http://www.reddit.com/r/Warhammer/comments/1cydoj/awful_sketch_for_a_tyranid_fortress_of_redemption/
Nabbicus pretty much read my mind [and he even likes my Quad Gun], although I was going to add some kind of 'oesophagus' using rope between the Capillary Towers with Termagants attached to it and coat the entire thing in PVA tissue paper so it looks like the gaunts are running up and down the tower 'gullet'. I wonder if he got round to making it? I measured up the Fortress to plan ahead but project X will take up a fair bit of room [I don't have ] so it will go on the back burner.

Meanwhile I do have a new Zoanthrope and a Venomthrope as well as a Carnifex and Pyrovore to paint but I don't want to start those, despite the 'voices' telling me they'll be SOOOO easy. I want to do the Dark Angels and if I'm going to struggle to get motivated and also try and endeavour to be sensible with my hobby time - not working till stupid o'clock I think they deserve a bit of attention.

I actually felt nauseous the other day at the thought of doing something new. However I managed to overcome that last night when I thought I'd prep the Zoie and Venom [that's when I lost the back vent for the zoie, grrr!] and get some bases done too - 6 bike bases and 11 Genestealers [wait, what?! Where did they come from, ha, ha!]. I know I shouldn't but until Thrones happens I still feel I'm allowed to do some nid stuff and may well throw in some nids while I'm focussing on Dark Angels, just to keep momentum going. So  I basically prepared a simple list that I can hopefully achieve for the Dark Angels that utilises as much of the stuff I've already got started so I can have something complete to play with sooner...

I've my Aegis Defence Line to do, a unit of Deathwing, the MKI Land Raider, my Dreadnought [it's on the list too!] and I want to get some Ravenwing complete. I recently saw this Black Legion Army painted by Ballistic Skill Four which is what I would love to achieve on my Ravenwing


Which is reminiscent of the Codex entry that manages to eschew the 'white wings' of the Ravenwing who are supposed to be dark and shrouded hunters, not blinged up followers of Liberace

This is a bit darker in the Codex
More like the original version just excuse all the reflections.
Anyway, that's it for now, lets get Thrones out of the way, overcome the post thrones slump and we'll see what treats the hobby has in store for me and the faithful.






Friday 31 January 2014

What's on my palette?


Nearly six weeks since my last confession...and how've I been doing?
  • Capillary towers - painted and complete
  • Skyshield Landing Pad - painted and complete [pictures to follow next week!]
  • Finished the Epic Reaver Titan
  • Started painting 10 Termagants [and added a further 10 last night that will be primed soon]
  • I also primed and base-coated 5 Deathwing [well I have to at least pretend I'm interested in them]
  • Added a further 4 Spore Mines to my painting list [for giggles]
  • Won a Tervigon on ebay and have set about trying to remove it's CC claws and head [only bled once so far]
  • Stripped the Land Raider Proteus
  • Started the walls to the Skyshield
So there are some pics to follow for most of these. But first up here's the last aborted attempt for the Skyshield walls that resulted in me 'keeping it simple' and familiar with the frame and Milliput process. I tried using Silicone Sealant which I probably would have gone with except for one thing - it's Silicone, nothing sticks to it! I thought a coat of Vernidas might 'set it' hard, but it cracked when I flexed it. Equally Tamiya Clear Red X-27 wouldn't stick to, or harden it. So although I can create a nice organic shape that looks like alien excretions it's not going to solve my problem. I'd just like to point out the ultimate solution would be to create the walls in Milliput, then make a mold and cast clear resin for the ideal effect I imagined. But that's not the simple answer, which, given the time available I need to go with. So that leaves us where we're at - with building the five remaining frames.


I'm going to base the gaunts first and then add the colours after, the advantage being the rough and ready drybrushing is covered up by the neatly applied Termagant colour scheme.


 I thought I may as well start the final 10 at the same time, no point waiting. Three needed paint stripping with Fairy Power Spray and two needed remedial repairs to their base. Had some fun putting adrenal glands on the base of their tails. They're more for identification purposes really than upgrades.

5 more snapfit Termagants with Adrenal Glands on their tail!
The Dark Vengeance Deathwing, again I'll do the bases at the same time as the gaunts. At least they've progressed since my last 'confession'.

Dark Vengeance Deathwing
 Another Tervigon... I don't know why either? It was £24 and it was one of those ebay auctions that you bid on and suddenly find you're winning and then hope someone else will snipe it before the auction ends. Still, for Throne of Skulls we're not supposed to have proxy models, so I'm not sure whether I can still justify my Carnifex/Tervigon conversion any more. It's new rules so maybe a new regime. Either way I'm going to try and magnetize it so I can maybe use it also as a Tyrannofex. I've applied Fairy Power Spray to all the joints. It does help to break down the Poly Cement weld a bit, sufficient to remove the head so far. I'm replacing the Tervigon head [which I've already used on my other Tervigon] with my spare Tyrannofex head, but, I'm removing it's lower jaw and adding the spare Mawloc mandibles. The T-fex jaw has a blade underneath that obstructs the Termagant spawning sack. The Mawloc mandibles will frame it instead, although those 'bamboo' crests may have to go. Either way the opening may make a decent representation for a mouth mounted Miasma Cannon - given it makes a Miasmic 'Spit' attack and it'll look cool and different too!

New Tervigon, for £24!
Four new Spore Mines
I had plans to make a couple of Tyranid Void Shield Generators for Throne of Skulls too. This was the final epiphany from my last 'What's on my palette'. I'd thought to create a couple of them, based on the following  concept but I can't take them AND my Imperial Strongpoint so they're hanging fire and I may well reconsider the design. I actually added the 'battlements' with suitable room for 10 gaunts to 'man' them, but then noticed they're 'impassable' buildings so didn't need to add space. Anyway, they may or may not get done, we'll see. I also took out the bits for my Tyranid Icarus Las-cannon emplacement but have decided not to pursue that just yet as it uses the T-fex Rupture Cannon I may need to magnetize to create my Tyrannofex.

I also picked up 3 more Tyranid Warriors and a Carnifex on ebay. I intend to make 2 of the Warriors into Hive Guard and have the remaining one either with a Venom Cannon or Deathspitter. The Carnifex was also a bargain, I think in total I may have made something like a 65-75% saving and this came fitted with a Fleshborer Hive to make it a Dakkafex, which was my intention anyway, bonus! I also plan to pick up a Venomthrope, two more Zonathropes and one or two Biovores, depending on availability. To cap it all I may go insane and look at something from Forgeworld too! I might be able to get a good deal on something so we'll see. So much for my Winged Tyrant being the 'treat to myself to celebrate finishing the Tyranids'.

And THIS is why the Dark Angels are languishing! So I've still got to get the following done:
  1. 20 termagants
  2. Skyshield Walls
  3. New Tervigon
  4. 4 Spore Mines
  5. Deathwing
That's the priority order. Everything except the Termagants would be nice to have, the gaunts are essential.

PS, I also broke the 200 follower barrier and had an increase in the amount of hits this month by 25%! High Score again - you guys rock!


Thursday 26 December 2013

New Warhammer World order - Escalation and Stronghold Assault [what it means to me]


Recently the Warhammer World Facebook page was the forum for a 'ruling' on the use of Escalation and Stronghold Assault at their events. The question was asked very soon after the release of the two supplements, additions that at that point I really had no interest in. After a brief pause for the Events Team to get to grips with the rules themselves it seemed only one of the supplements would be in use, I forget which because pretty much as soon as it was mentioned that it was confirmed that both would be allowed.

Escalation

Suddenly I actually have to take notice of these new rules. Escalation is pretty much a non starter, the only Lord of War available to Tyranids is a Harridan from Forgeworld and that is never going to be on my shopping list. So instead I have to turn my gaze to Stronghold Assault. Now this is something I can get behind, literally! The ability to take numerous fortifications, if only I had more than one... Oh, I do! An Aegis, Bastion and Skyshield... and even try and shoehorn my redundant Mycetic Spores as Vengeance Weapons Batteries!

Stronghold Assault
There's plenty to think about and it doesn't end there because although the idea of 'fortifying' my Hive appeals, I'll still need to 'man' it with creatures and in January those options will be completely different. I'll continue to develop the buildings but I need to ensure I've actually got sufficient models to win against someone who doesn't turn up in Escalation mode, or those who turn up in Stronghold mode too.


Ultimately I believe the choice of the the Events Team to take on board the supplements is the right thing. Warhammer World is GW HQ and they should showcase all the best that GW has to offer. I'm not sure how the mission setups will go but that's their problem to overcome, its a bold move

However, I do feel that those who invest in their army will be at a distinct advantage . At this moment in time I would not be able to face any Lord of War with my Tyranids, I'd struggle to do any damage whatsoever. The prospect of spending £62.50 on a ticket to an event where I may as well leave my models in their box doesn't appeal to me, and that's not including the money on travel and hotels too. This is my only reservation, Warhammer World is supposed to be fun, competitive but not at the expense of enjoyment. Including the supplements could end up like taking a knife to a gunfight. No one wants to be outclassed before turning up and those with lots of money to buy the big new shiny toys are at a distinct advantage.

I hope the atmosphere will still be the same and there won't be those who use the supplements as a route to win at all costs. I think the advantage with Stronghold is at least my options are defensive, I'm just hoping to stay alive and conveniently showcase all my Tyranid bio-architecture at the same time

Wednesday 9 October 2013

Apocalypse WOW! 12,500pts of Armageddon - Turns 4, 5 and 6

Our turn 4 and Nancy was suitably miffed at the loss of the Swarmlord and trained her guns on the Warhound which had just suffered a glancing hit from one of my Hive Guard!


This is 're-creation' of the dice roll Otty quickly whipped off the table in excitement. It surely looks like the Warhound was wounded badly but is still in later pics so I guess she didn't die, just yet! 


The Hormagaunts are routing all the way back now with little hope of me regrouping. Otty's mishapped Devgaunts are nearly out of the deployment zone - sodding Synapse and run moves. My Tervigon is starting the dash across the frozen wastes...


Only to get splatted, probably by the Shadowsword given how smug it looks immediately opposite.


The Vulture culls even more of the fleeing Hormagaunts.


And with targets running out everywhere why not drop an Apocalypse blasts on those devgaunts who've done nothing all game? Yep, thats around 8 dead.


I think this is now our Turn 5 as Nancy takes another crack at the Warhound.


And she finally bites the dust getting us a VP!


The remaining Hormagaunts head for the hills and I move what's left of the Devgaunts forward.


Meanwhile my Tervigon is still holding the Chapel, with her 5 spawnedTermagants waiting in cover to steal the objective should she fall.


The Warriors finally make it to the objective but there's a busload of Ogryns the other side of that wall and I just don't think the Prime and a Warrior with only one wound is going to survive their ripper guns let alone an assault.


Nancy slams into the Shadowsword and I think she ultimately smashes it to pieces like tin foil!


The vanilla Tervigon gets prioritzed for termination by whatever Imperial weaponry is available.


And ultimately her fate is sealed...


and the Chapel is sullied no more by the stink of Xenos filth


The Ogryns dutifully wipe out the Warriors and Prime, although I think the Prime might have offed Commissar Yarrick in a challenge as he doesn't seem to be with his crew.


The Stormlord swivels to bring down Nancy


But somehow she smashes that to pieces gaining us our 3rd VP


With only Otty's Devgaunts for me to move there was one last hope for redemption when an over eager Vendetta pilot closed in for the kill on the already fleeing Hormagaunts, thus allowing the Devgaunts to reposition for a rear-armour shot. Here's my first 11/21 snap fire shots. Sadly I only got one more 6 to hit and needed three 6s to glance it out of the sky. Sadly the bitter irony did not go my way and I could only manage 1 glance and the flyer escaped.


The Termagants managed to pass their Instinctive behaviour and capture the Chapel once more.


Only to have it snatched away by the contesting Vulture, he probably shot them all too, to capture it back for the Imperium


And that was the end of the game, with I think the final score being something like 19 to 3. So it was an absolute whitewash, although in that last turn Nancy was an absolute beast ripping through the three Super Heavies like they were never going to be a problem. This was a fun game though, it was more like a big 40k game for me as I didn't have any Apocalypse beasts under my control but pretty much everything I wanted to do with my deep strikes delivered. I think I should have committed the CC Tervigon sooner, it did nothing all game and neither did the Swarmlord. But we were terrified he was going to be killed first turn.

The BIG problem with Apocalypse is the scale of it, with so much to move and the amount of time it's such a shame that you have an hour+ of killing where you just totally hammer your opponents only to then be on the receiving end yourself for an hour+ too. It can be too much of a up, down, up, down scenario. Also you really need the Apocalypse creatures/tanks to stand a chance. I'm not sure what my 4000pts could have done to those Super Heavies, maybe they should have been a priority instead of the Manticores but I think Smash attacks would have been needed by MCs and I'm not sure any got chance to do that with easier targets in the way anyway. Then again Otty was stuffed by a drop pod capturing an objective and he didn't have anything nearby strong enough to even glance the thing let alone penetrate it.

And once you start getting the extra VPs for controlling objectives in turn 4 there was just no coming back for us. Luckily 3 of the VPs spent by Ben and Liam were pretty ineffective otherwise we'd be looking at an even worse score line.

We'll definitely do this again, although we may have to tinker again with the rules to see how the playing field can be levelled. Clearly letting us go first helped a bit but then again Nancy was brutal when she finally got her a$$ in gear. A great game all round.


Lastly here's a shot of Liam's scratchbuilt Contemptor Dreadnought, not bad for a Bucks Fizz plastic cork, plastic lids, caps and other bitz!


His awesome Forgeworld Dread.


And the four of us, Otty, me, Liam and Ben...


...yes I was dead by the end of the day!