#BattleReport - 1,500pts Imperial Knights v Astra Militarum

Afternoon #warmongers and #warhammercommunity we've been playing #new40k Following our last game we felt upping the points and a bigger board might add the dimensions so far we'd felt lacking. Another 500pts got me a Crusader, which I felt needed the Rapid Fire Battle Cannon for the extra range I' didn't have with my previous games against Ben's Orks. However, he switched to his Astra Militarum, and tanks. Don;t worry he gave me fair warning and I knew a Thermal Cannon would serve me well against them, but I figured so would a Battle Cannon, plus, the range... we rolled The Four Pillars we took secondary objectives but *SPOILERS* there wasn't much point keeping track of score as it became apparent very quickly only one of us was scoring points 😔.

Deployment can feel like quite the disadvantage for Knights. As soon as you put your first model down you're committed. I very quickly surmised that I'd put the Lancer on the wrong side. Although it was a shorter distance to potential targets it was through cover, whereas the Questoris Knights had great field of fire but would be slower to get to Ben's backfield. 

But, I look at it now and realise I can't second guess this,because at the time there are few models on the board, so I've no idea where he's going to put stuff. It's easy to say they're in the wrong place, when you know what they're up against and where they're deployed. And, of course, you don't know who is getting first turn. Ben won the roll off and only moved the Leman Russ Demolisher.

As shooting started I used the Kolossi Eternal stratagem - My Preceptor blended his Ion Shield with the Crusader and Armiger so they all had 4+ invulnerable saves. Now he already had the Ion Bulwark of a 4+ but this would help the other 2 weather the incoming storm. Unfortunately, everything was just thrown at the Preceptor who did blow up but I used a re-roll to prevent any damage to the other Knights. Then with the Preceptor gone, the blended Ion shield fell and the two remaining Knights had to rely on their own shields. I think the Crusader took 2 wounds and the Armiger 4, the Lancer remained untouched.

My turn and the Warglaive focussed its attention on the Demolisher, with the shooting and assault combined it was able to bring it down to just 2 wounds, which felt like I was getting somewhere, although I'd hoped to destroy it. Similarly, I felt I made some conservative target priorities with the Crusader - it's Stubbers targeted one infantry squad doing enough damage to force a morale check, it's Ironstorm Missiles another squad for the same reason and Endless Fury and the Battle Cannon laid into Pask's Leman Russ to destroy him, but I think I only halved it's wounds or it was on 4 when the dust settled. The Lancer failed to charge the Bullgryns.

Ben moved his Techpriests up - one repaired Pask so he was back up to top tier. The other fixed the Demolisher and it also Jury Rigged itself for another repair so it was back to 6 wounds. Now in middle tier it didn't take much to destroy the Warglaive.

And with the smaller knight out of the way the weight of fire went into the Crusader, who had 15 wounds stripped off it!

Luckily I had the Machine Spirit Resurgent stratagem to be at top tier wounds on the Crusader. Once again putting all the big guns into Pask to try to kill him but I don't think I did. I then charged the Demolisher. I still couldn't stomp it to pieces. Meanwhile, the Lancer strode over the Bullgryns into the trees and assaulted them from behind, as well as the infantry squad. I'd wanted to take out the Leman Russ, but it was going to be a 10" charge, so went safe. I perfectly split the attacks to wipe out the Bullgryns and by the end there were only 3 Guardsmen left in the squad.

I think I missed pics of Ben's turn here, all the tanks offl-oaded into the Lancer and killed it, with no CPs to give me any rerolls. The Demolisher, still in combat with the Crusader, fired point blank and stripped another 4 wounds off it so it was now left on 5 wounds. In my turn I used my command phase CP to use the Machine Spirit Resurgent stratagem again. I think I fell back 1", finally wiping out Pask with all my 'heavy' guns

Then I multi-charged the Demolisher and the other Leman Russ. I allocated 8 Titanic Feet attacks to the Demolisher with just 6 wounds to make and all I managed was 3 wounds! I think the other 4 stomps went on the other Leman Russ and didn't damage it! And there was me originally thinking I should have had the 8 on the 'fresh' tank and 4 on the damaged but I was adamant it had to go and still 8 attacks couldn't cut the mustard!

With only 5 wounds left it was easy pickings to bring the knight low for my 5th successive defeat.

So, what have we learned? Was this a better game? It felt like it, it felt like I was making intelligent decisions but losing first turn and losing the Preceptor, which had arguably the best ranged anti-tank weapon [and 2nd best melee weapon] in the lance, was a big blow. But when you think how long it took me to kill anything, in fact I only killed Pask, the 3 Bullgryns and a smattering of Guardsmen and yet I was deluded into thinking I was doing OK. It says a lot that whenever I tried to score Ben's VPs in the Command Phase he never even bothered to write them down. He knew the inevitable - that his gunline would persevere while my Knights would not.

Which still leaves us unsatisfied. No doubt we will try again, but I thin k with such a wealth of other options - Blood Bowl, Deathwatch Overkill, Blackstone Fortress, Middle Earth Battle Companies and our much paused MERP campaign I don't feel too bad if we just patiently hope 10th edition. Or, perhaps in the shorter term the next Knight or Tyranid codex will solve some of the shortcomings of 9th we're both experiencing. This isn't just me, Ben has won 5 times now and clearly there's no joy in it for him because it's just point and shoot. We're going to try Deathwatch Overkill next.

Dark Angels - Primaris Chaplain on Bike Big Build TO DONE!

Afternoon #warmongers and #warhammercommunity I've been working on the Primaris Chaplain on Bike that I got for Christmas from my friend Pete. He'll be multi-purpose, for both my Dark Angels and potentially for my Guardians of the Covenant Primaris force - if I ever go through with it.

As discussed, I don't have Primaris in my Dark Angels because of the scale creep between my old skool Rogue Trade metal models and then the newer plastics. A third increase in miniature size would be too comical. But this guy is a centrepiece model and although I also have the Redemptor dreadnought for my Dark Angels I think in isolation these work, because of that specialness.

Ultimately, if I can live with it, it's OK. And, I can live with it. I get a Great Big Big Build BLESSED VERDIGRIS Stamp of Approval.

 I went on with my standard Red Planet Base process. I had dabbed some Vallejo Red Oxid texture paste on the outcrop - just to give it its some gritty texture.

It was too smooth otherwise, and I think it works better because of it, less plastic looking.

Here's my Great Big Big Build Base BLESSED VERDIGRIS Stamp of Approval.

The Chaplain himself has been primed black and I'll be working on him alongside the rest of my Ravenwing... now that's a challenge!

Death Guard Kill Team Big Build TO DONE!

Afternoon #warmongers and #warhammercommunity I've been working on my Death Guard Kill Team over Christmas. Does this count for #NewYearNewArmy? When it comes to  #ArmiesOnParade2022 it might have to.

I'd been debating what I was going to do and will have a post at some point to share my plan. Small as this 'army' is it may well be the antagonist for my wider parade... other than that I'm out of ideas.

For this I get a Great Big Big Build BLESSED VERDIGRIS Stamp of Approval.

I am hoping to mage these as Grimdark and grungy as I possibly can - to stretch myself. I'm using my Blood Bowl Rotspawn as a starting point [maybe not with the threads though].

They will be tar based, like the blood bowl team, but I'll be doing the odd rock as red, to try and fit in with my Red Planet BASE. The rims will be black though...

Anyway, because the tar bases have to be done at the very end but they have been built for quite a while and could only be primed after adding the stones and odd bit of dead foliage so I'm still giving myself a Great Big Big Build Base BLESSED VERDIGRIS Stamp of Approval.

'nids part 322 - Tyranid Warriors - Big Build TO DONE!

Afternoon #warmongers and #warhammercommunity I've been building/basing my #Tyranid Warriors. 

Some additions of Tyrant Guard Lash-whip/Bonesword and Rending Claws. I certainly felt the lack of some minus AP modifiers when I took my Warriors with Scything Talons out last time. Having at least one special melee weapon in the group is worth the extra points I think, we'll see.

 I had used some Fairy Power Spray to strip the bulk of the original paint off these. I know Dettol would have worked better but the spray is a bit quicker and perfectly clean models aren't a priority, they'll look good regardless.

And for this I get a Great Big Big Build BLESSED VERDIGRIS Stamp of Approval.

Like the Primes I primed the bases with my truly awful Simoniz Red Oxide Primer. I used a toilet roll tube to mask off the model itself and just spray the base. Then I went on with my standard Red Planet Base process. I've also added Bahama Blue to the chitin and Khorne Red in all the fleshy bits. Sepia Washes next.

My original Warrior bases were left as is. Some are slightly different with their highlight tones but I'm hoping it won't be too noticeable when they're fully updated. I also painted over their guns, which was more disheartening as they weren't bad. I considered keeping the original maroon weaponry, to help identify different broods, but some still had frosting from Purity Seal varnish. The faces in particular were going to be repainted and as I go with the warmer red here it made sense to just start from scratch.

I had a spare metal Spore Mine knocking about too, which I thought could do with being finished. I've got loads of them but it's just knocking about and annoying me for it's incompleteness.

Here's my Great Big Big Build Base BLESSED VERDIGRIS Stamp of Approval.

'nids part 321 - Tyranid Primes - Big Build TO DONE!

Afternoon #warmongers and #warhammercommunity I've been contemplating my original Tyranid Warrior to Tyranid Prime conversions. The twin Bonesword Prime first featured in this blog in 'nids part 2 just over 11 years ago. On the plus side I look at that post and I can see how both my writing and painting has improved.

I thin built a second Prime in September 2011, there were some WiPs too, you can access them here, or through the tutorials tab. I kitbashed the Lash-whip from a Devourer, florist wire and a Mawloc claw. Alongside the original 3 Warriors they're all starting to show their age a bit. Not just how the Turquoise feathering on the chitin was executed but the colours themselves.

The Decoart Turquoise I use now is much more vibrant than the pale mix I created and I no longer do the 'liver' colour for the muzzle and fleshy bits - it starts off Khorne Red. On top of that the bone colour goes much paler. Some of these element won't need too much updating, perhaps, but I'm also adding 50mm bases to the Primes. It'll add another 3mm to their height, making them even more imposing so they stand out against normal Warriors. Also, the Tyrant Guard weaponry might look cooler than my weedy kitbash.

I decided to keep my twin Bonesword old skool, even though I'm no fan of his 'Rending Paws'. I glued the bases down and used tile adhesive/grout to blend the bases together.

And for this I get a Great Big Big Build BLESSED VERDIGRIS Stamp of Approval.

I primed the bases with my truly awful Simoniz Red Oxide Primer. Loads of shaking and it still won't mix properly. I managed it in the end though, using a toilet roll tube to mask off the model itself and just spray the base. Then I went on with my standard Red Planet Base process. I've also added Bahama Blue to the chitin and Khorne Red in all the fleshy bits. Sepia Washes next.

Here's my Great Big Big Build Base BLESSED VERDIGRIS Stamp of Approval.

What's on my palette?

Bless me #warmongers for I have sinned, it's been over six weeks since my last confession! It's been Chrimblemas though so no bother. Now a lot of folk will be doing New Year's Hobby Resolutions, but I do things differently and already have my Hobby Season To Do List. That doesn't stop me just organising things a bit as 2022 roles around.

Long time readers may recall that I tend to suffer from a post-Christmas malaise that saps all my hobby mojo. Since returning to the hobby I always make something over the festive period, but then with those items built I just lack any motivation to press on. This year I think I'm going to buck that trend - I'm going 'off-list'. I received from my good friend Pete a Primaris Chaplin on motorbike - a fantastic gift as I could never justify buying such a figure for myself. I know it's Primaris and I don't do Primaris with my Dark Angels but I think Id make an exception for him as he's such a centrepiece model. I will hopefully use it alongside my eventual Primaris force, which I've decided will be Guardians of the Covenant.

Having built the Chaplin I also cleaned up 5 Tyranid Warriors and based them. The new Tyranid Crusher Stampede army of renown is based around big monsters, but for a Battalion detachment you still need 3 Troops and with only 5 painted Warriors I can't make the 3 broods of 3. So I'm painting those up, basing them and will look at updating the paint jobs on my original Warriors - they're showing their age. I'll also be updating the Primes, with colour schemes, and as they are now on 50mm bases, I'll be building these up so they're even bigger. I'm also going to swap out my kitbashed lash-whip/bonesword with a Tyrant Guard version. The arms are a bit chunkier but I don't mind.

With a dip back into 'nids, I haven't done any since May! I'm hoping to avoid the malaise, it's certainly helping me avoid my Ravenwing Talonmaster... ahem! I have primed [very badly] my Death Guard Kill Team too. So that may creep into my schedule. I've certainly got enough to keep me busy for January and should I get through it all there is the Ravenwing... Anyway, a few micro-blog Big Build TO DONE! posts to come over the next few days so you can see what I did with my festive period.

Hobby Spends 2021

Afternoon #warmongers and #warhammercommunity Following on from previous year's spending record I've kept another log for 2021 [and will do so for 2022]. The final figure of just over £362 represents a huge increase on last years gross spend of £227, almost £137 more. I did sell the Necron half of Indomitus though, bringing in £46, but that's still £316 spent on the hobby, which is just over £25 a month. Here's the breakdown:



My figure purchases were up, but they were also due to magazine purchases - Imperium and Mortal Realms. The Halfling BB team, Helverins and Munitorum Containers were a treat for myself and I don't regret their purchase. But I'm still not convinced on why I bought Indomitus, although the Primaris figures are still an asset, should I be so inclined to offload them in the future. At the very least I would recoup my money. 

One reason for investing in Indomitus is I've played 9th edition a few times now and although I may love the Indomitus Big Rule Book, I do find it incredibly heavy and cumbersome. Whether I consider downgrading to the softback A5 version is debatable - it'd be much easier for gaming but so far we're undecided about 9th as an experience. We rationalised our way out of playing the latter part of 8th and in some ways 9th has, and it's an odd phrase, become more one dimensional. Despite all the secondary missions and the Crusade rules our experience has very much been everything dies and then the game is over and the objectives become almost irrelevant. We'll keep trying, but we haven't yet had the tactical experiences we had with 5-7th or even 8th. We'll press on.

Back to my spends - I spent £40 on Mortal Realms and the new Imperium magazine. I'm still not into Age of Sigmar but my wife got me an issue with one third of the Mortis Engine in so I had to get the others. I have an idea one day I will love painting all the ghosts I've accrued - they'll be something to paint purely for fun. Of course I have to paint the other things ahead of it that I NEED to paint before I can do that. Again, it's something I could sell on if I give up on the dream... nightmare?

So, 2021 has been an expensive year, bizarrely so given I've hardly played at all and even then it was Middle Earth, with figures I already owned [or added to in 2020]. But, the two previous years had been exceptionally frugal so there was bound to be a relapse eventually. It feels like a wake-up call though and I hope I won't be as spendthrift next year. Not only do I have plenty to keep my occupied, painting-wise, I feel they should be painted before I get any more [see above picture]. I've also got plenty of variety that should stave off boredom painting the same old nids or Dark Angels.

That said, the Malaceptor is all new hotness for Tyranids rules-wise, and I recently saw some floating kitbashed version of the actual kit that make it look really cool. But £40 for one model... 😖 We'll just have to see, a new Tyranid Codex will be due next year and all bets could be off!