Battle record - Warhammer 40k - 01/01/226

Afternoon #Warhammer Community I've been playing Warhammer 40k! Shock horror. Anyway, 13 years agon my eldest son was still invested in the hobby. For 2 years he'd been buying figures, helping build and paint, playing a game and even went to Warhammer World for a Tournament! Of course that enthusiasm waned somewhat as my own grew. And for all this time he has shown little interest. However, he moved to Sheffield last year to take up a teaching job and the school has enrichment clubs for all students after school. He was supporting a cookery class initially but having jokingly mentioned the Warhammer Alliance programme he genuinely started to consider it. So much so he went into the Warhammer store, Element Games and there are a few more gaming shops there too. He got himself some Thousand Son's, paints, brushes and other hobby supplies. Even if he doesn't do the club he's actually having fun. So, he asked me for a quick game to get a handle on the rules. Annoyingly I'd left my 10th edition rulebook in the shed, but I made do with a 9th edition one. I wanted to use the Tyranids, as I have the Codex and it would be easy for him to read the rules. Death Guard for me, using the combat patrol stats. The plan was: 

• 3 Ranged Warriors
• 10 Termagants
• 1 Ripper Squad
• 5 Plague Marines
• 10 Poxwalkers

But I couldn't find the Poxwalkers, so chose another squad of 5 Plague Marines. I had no idea... It turns out Toughness 6 and Lethal Hits made it completely unbalanced in my favour.

I'd wiped half the Termagants out before he'd even got a go. It was only when he started to use the terrain for cover saves that he could weather the storm. The Rippers did not survive either.

Then the Tyranid Warriors managed to make some damage on the left side, but I could see that things were not going to end well. I hadn't spent any CPs, I didn't need to. So to help change the narrative I thought it might be fun for the Tyranids to bring on reinforcements.

With just the Warrior left a Psychophage appeared. Just 2 Marines remained in this squad, but the other squad had finished the Termagants and would be coming to reinforce what was left.

The Warrior has Fall Back, Shoot and Assault, which came in handy. The Psychophage was going to instakill any Marine it wounded. Plus it has Devastating Wounds.

But as Play On Tabletop like to say "dice tell stories". Although my 'old Yeller' dice had had some insane rolls - four 6's on ten dice, this triple 1's was jaw-dropping. It was one of those moments where we laughed and when I said "dice tell stories" he liked it so much he'll consider using it when he sets up the school club.

It didn't change things much. The Plague Marines had met their match, and although they'd been too tough for the weaker bioforms now they could not crack the Psyhophage's touch chitin armour. It had a couple of scratches but ultimately it squished the Death Guard.

This was SO much fun. I hope my enthusiasm was contained. He seemed to enjoy it and was inspired enough to get a Thousand Son's Codex with his Christmas money. I got to share some of my ideas about how a gaming/hobby club can go beyond the Alliance support. But apparently it's a structured programme that will give him plenty to teach them when he sets up the club and will cover multiple terms. I hope it does expand to include role-playing and terrain building.

I can't convey how happy and proud this made me. He's an amazing person who I love spending time with, watching TV shows usually. But this is a much more shared experience. As he lives elsewhere and he has his own interests; the fact I got to spend a few hours helping him build some figures, giving him tips and then playing a game with him was an absolute joy.

'nids part 382 - Leviathan Tyranids - WHITE BACKGROUND PICS ⚪

Afternoon #Warhammer Community I've been #PaintingWarhammer and after the red background pics come the white background pics. The second set of chitin highlights were such a revelation to me. I was totally in the zone. It did not feel at all tedious to do and I was motivated just to crack on and get them done.

Although, I don't think it was in one sitting. But even so I was completely reinvigorated for the last push to do all the little details that makes my scheme more than just 'tabletop'. No way Golden Demon but they're definitely smarter than the average Biovore! 😉

After the second set of chitin highlights I didn't really keep track of how long the red and black highlights took, it was just a lot quicker to crack on without interruptions.

My wife got me a 'getting started with Warhammer 40k' magazine a while back and it came with this unique Termagant [and Infernus marine]. It was like £9 or £10 and she hadn't realised the cost and was not happy when she got to the till. Typically reinforcing the pricey nature of the hobby. I'm really not sure what use he is with broods only coming in multiples of 10, but he is quite cool.

I think I'd found the first brood of 5 Barbgaunts something of a chore. But second time around it was a lot easier.

I was actually quite surprised that those same feelings didn't resurface. I'm not sure if it was the unknowns first time round.

This time I had references to work from so I knew which colours were going where and how to add the chitin striations.

Not that they're perfect, it's just I had a plan to follow. And the second highlights, although easier as you know where they are going, does require more finesse in how you apply them.

So, it's not always quicker, but perhaps it's a bit easier. 

So I still think there's some yellow flock to add on two bases but a brood of 10 definitely looks cool. Not that I can ever imagine me playing all 10. But for Armies on Parade they will look much more impressive altogether.

And the VRL's, as nobody calls them. I do think I should have been braver and swapped the arms around a bit.

The basing helps differentiate them from the original brood of three in their standard poses.

But I think arm swaps would have made them that little bit more different than their twins.

Still, they got done and that's what counts.

And they're different enough to make the brood of 6 more interesting.

And the Neurogaunts, which I love.

I think 20 of these might have pushed me over the edge though. They're not hard to do as there isn't a huge amount of model to paint.

But again GW have added a lot of detail on a very small model so they felt far more time-consuming than they had any right to be.

But look at them, they're sooo cute.

And the main guy. I can't work out if the brain glow works. I think it does, I like it at least. I don't why I'm surprised the yellow glow has turned out green when over the turquoise though. I mean it's basic colour mixing!

But it somehow surprises me but I also love it.

And the little guys. Again, does it look like a weird hivemind glow between symbiote 'neuro' beast and gaunt bioform? I think it just gives enough visual queues to sell it.

And lastly the 3 Genestealers for my Castigator base.

So, 43 models done. This may not be Poxwalker levels of Serotonin high, but I am way more satisfied and proud of my achievements than I thought I would be. Again, a lot of legacy feelings and emotions had kept me from embracing the task, just seeing it as a chore to overcome. I know many hobbyists say that should never be the case, We do this for fun, as they say in certain addictive advertising campaigns "when the fun stops - stop!" But, lets be realistic, sometimes you have to push through. And there is satisfaction from overcoming obstacles and mojo-sapping tedium. If that's what it takes to reach that zen state, sign me up. I'll happily wade through the soul sucking effort if the end result is to feel at peace and one with the project. So I might not feel quite as 'high', but definitely fulfilled in other ways as well.

Now, what's next?

'nids part 381 - Leviathan Tyranids - TO DONE! 🔴

Afternoon #Warhammer Community I've been #PaintingWarhammer on the remains of my Leviathan box set Tyranids.

I had many doubts about these. Both in whether I could get them done in time and if I was going to be disappointed with the results.

Once again I need not have worried. They look great together.

And they're so overwhelmingly busy with detail at tabletop level that I think it's hard to see if they're actually painted well! 😝

One could say that that is their biggest flaw now.

However, if I was masochistically inclined to do any more I'd still be putting Adrenal Glands on their backs for giggles.

I still have to look at my old Termagants and add their base adapters to make them 28mm. 

As much as I'd never use my movement tray I do feel sad that they are now completely redundant. I may well have some Termagants remaining on 25mm bases. 

But the Tervigon/Termagant base will probably never be used again. 

Barbgaunts next. 

Once again so proud of the almost rainbow effect that's been created. 

I did put yellow flock on the bases. I did 10 with and 10 without for the Termagants where, so I could form two distinct broods. Foolishly I have only flocked three of this brood of five Barbgaunts. 

So I may have to rectify that so I differentiate the two broods.

You can also see [particularly on the base rime] that my Vallejo Matt varnish is more satin. If you look back at the Termagants you'll see their rims are more matt as I used Vallejo Ultra Matt Polyurethane Varnish. 

I have a post to share on this at some point and the VMV came out surprisingly well in my test. 

While this time it's slightly different.

I don't know if I'm ever going to be happy with the results.

Von Ryan's Leapers.

And alongside the previous brood.

Neurogaunts, again rocking the rainbow effect with the brain glow from their little symbiote brain beasts.

Can you imagine these as creatures in Epic/Legion Imperialis/Adeptus Titanicus?

This is the Vardenghast Combat Patrol, which I think might be pretty cool, if we ever get round to playing it.

And with the Neurogaunts added too.

Plus, I also finished the 3 Genestealers that will go on my Cerastus Knight Castigator base.

And possibly the last of the Great Big Wooden Stamps of Approval.

And for the 3 Genestealers, the last Great Big Wooden Minor Stamp of Approval.