Imperial Guard Stormlord

After painting a lot of scale model tanks, I've decided to put my skills to the test back with a 40k model. I had a lot of ideas on which colour scheme to paint for this tank, and after contemplating a whole lot, I've decided to go for the standard colours. I like how it turned out, so I'll be building a whole army themed like this.

Back from the dead!

I only found the title fitting since I haven't posted a single thing for almost 2 years!

To put a little timeline to this, I'll just summarize my years.

2010:

I just had to put Dead Space 2 as the comeback picture for my blog post as I've finished playing the game over and over. It's really good. Apart from that, I went out with some friends and played lots of Left 4 Dead 2. Currently I'm into Diablo 2 again, since I can't wait for Diablo 3.

I moved to my own apartment during that time, and dedicated a lot of hours into making Hobby Forge the store it is today.

I also managed to finish a brand new Blood Angels army within 2 months. I did it so quickly just because I wanted to participate in a tournament that was organized by Oliver Woo from Just Wargame.

I managed to win 2 out of 3 of the games, 1 of them being a draw, but I got the highest overall score. I was shocked when I was awarded the best painted army since I myself knew that some of the marines didn't have their details done yet. Nevertheless, the biggest objective of participating in the tournament is to visit a store that's located in a state at least 1,600 kilometers away.




A shot of the army after it's completely painted. I changed the colour of the power weapons to make them look interesting from a distance.




The Death Company part serves as an expansion to my army, though I really need to finish my Death Company army. More on that later.



I also dabbled into proper IG as I would like to have a nice IG army someday. But now I gotta focus on what I need to finish.



2011:

I think this is the year where I'm super broke.

Went for Games Day UK 2011, stayed in UK for 2 weeks. Spent a crazy amount of money there.

Went to Australia for 2 and a half weeks. Spent not so crazy amount of money there.

I started the ball rolling on the Badab War thing in my store. Managed to get quite a lot of guys interested in the campaign. But the campaign came to a grinding halt when we realized that Forge World is slowly releasing Badab War goodies. Everyone is hoping that their chosen chapter gets a release soon. I too, hope for Forge World to release Chapter Master Lias Issodon.

I chose the Raptors as I think they're the coolest in terms of tactics, rules, and hobby opportunity. You don't normally get to do camo on Space Marine vehicles, so this is the only chance.

I did something different with my Raptors, I tried digital camo. Again, more on that next time. As you can see, some of the vehicles are not done yet, but of course, that's just me being distracted with something else for now.





One of the projects that really got me going was the Ultramarines project. I wanted to paint up an army for beginners to try when they come to the store, a combination of the Battleforce and the Commander box goes well for this purpose. So I pulled a super fast paint job on these.

I think the total painting time it took me to finish them was around 2 weeks, but that 2 weeks was spread out to at least 2 months. Towards the end, I got sick and tired of the Scouts. Not really my thing at all. I took less than 3 days to actually assemble, base, and finish all 5 of them. I wouldn't mind painting the marines, but Scouts? No thanks hombre.






Towards the end of the year, I took part in Legio's Ghemehaal Annihilation Campaign. I played my Alpha Legion in this campaign, and it was totally amazing. I managed to learn a thing or two about running campaigns now, so hopefully I can finish crafting my own campaign in time.

I've also built a German army for Flames of War to participate in the Legio campaign. Didn't take me too long to finish them, but I'll be repainting the Tiger Tanks since they're so dark.


2012:
Now, I'm actually working on the Iron Warriors, I plan to finish this army before the next Chaos codex comes out. So when the Codex is out, I can just bring out the pain and unleash it on the enemy, Iron Warrior style!



I haven't taken photos of my latest progress, but as you can see from the main header picture above, I'm actually done with the Dreadnought.

I'll do my best to post more this time, and not neglect my blog. I also need a constant reminder to finish my last commission project. Not like I need so many months to do it, just 1 or 2 focused painting days and I'll be done. Seriously though, no more commission jobs for me unless it's super easy.

After looking at most of the pictures here, I think it's time for me to invest in a proper camera and rely less on my phone.

Do check back again, I'll be posting more progress on my Iron Warriors.

Overloaded with projects.

I've been really busy for the past few weeks! I've got commission work to do, luckily one of my clients dropped a full army project or I don't think I will have time to even blog.

These are the Daemonettes for his Chaos Daemons army. I'm making it a dual 40k and Fantasy army. Obviously they are not done yet.

I'm also working on my Chaos Renegade Militia. Finally got some tanks up.

I've also started work on some of my Dark Elf characters. Really love these Avatars of War miniatures.

This is the sorceress from Avatars of War.

This is also another commission work from another client, luckily I don't have to paint his entire Dark Elf army, or I will have 2 Dark Elf armies to paint. I'm almost done with this Supreme Sorceress.

Don't forget, I also have to paint the terrain for the shop. I'm really churning out a lot of time to make sure the terrain for the shop is looking good. Especially when I have to make sure I have enough terrain for more than 4 tables, because players want to switch out terrain every once in a while.

Hope I can rush these things up as fast as possible!

Chaos Renegade Militia - The army list.

I've spent lots of time tinkering with this list over and over and over again. I suppose it's now time to ask the readers (you guys) what do you think of this 2,000 point list. I've got some friends who are well into Imperial Guard Tactics to teach me

I've got no interest to spam 100+ men especially when I'm dealing with Forge World upgrades. So I'm keeping it to a really powerful mech list.

HQ
Company Command Squad (1+4) with Astropath and Officer of the Fleet. All with camo cloaks. 2 Veterans with sniper rifles. Vox Caster. Regimental Standard.
160


Elites
Storm Trooper Squad (1+4) with 2 Meltas
105 points



Troops
Veteran Squad (1+9) with 3 meltaguns and Vox Caster. [In the Vendetta]
105 points

Veteran Squad (1+9) with 3 plasma guns and Vox Caster. Grenadiers. [In the Vendetta]
150 points

Veteran Squad (1+9) with 3 Sniper Rifles and Lascannon team with Vox Caster.
110


Fast Attack
Scout Sentinel Squadron (3)
105 points

Vandetta Gunship Squadron (2)
260 points

Bane Wolf (2) with heavy flamer and multimelta (both)
290 points


Heavy Support
Manticore Rocket Launcher with heavy flamer and pintle mounted heavy stubber.
170 points

Leman Russ Executioner with plasma cannon sponsons and heavy flamer
230 points


Leman Russ Demolisher with heavy flamer
Leman Russ Battle Tank with heavy flamer
315

Total: 2000 points

Can somebody enlighten me on why I should actually take the Bane Wolf or a Hell Hound? If you do have any suggestions, I'm open to listening, but I would also want to test play this army some time soon before I commit to buying everything.

Chaos Renegade Militia - Chaos Sentinel

I spend a few hours doing converting this sentinel. I wasn't happy with the driver, so I sawed the body off and replaced with the militia part from Forge World. I haven't glued most of the parts yet for painting purposes.

I'm really happy with the model, especially the base.

Won't be painting this any time soon as I'm awaiting for my paints to arrive...

Just a little progress.

Been real busy like I said. Well, just to show some progress I put this picture up.

My new army... again?! Short Forge World Review.

Aloa! Long time no see mi amigos!

I've been busy painting my Fantasy army for the up and coming campaign and I've been putting lots of time into hobbying in the past few weeks. I will post pictures of them up soon when the secret army is out.

For now, I'll just show what other army I'm working on at the same time. Chaos Renegade Militia!

This is what I've bought...

2 sets of conversions, 1 set of weapon arms, 1 set of vehicle crews and the Chaos Renegade Psyker set. This is enough to start me off to my 2,000 point list. Awesome!

Have to warn you guys that my camera is sick. It can't really focus well an all that, so I think I might need to take it to the doctor or just replace it...

Conversion set. Nice...

Chaos Renegade Vehicle Crew. I bought these just to make sure my vehicles will look real Chaos when I convert and paint them...

The arms that come with this set is amazing. Love the pointy finger. Never had enough pointy fingers...

This is the part where I go crazy. £ 10 for 2 models. 2 FREAKING FORGE WORLD MODELS FOR £ 10! That is £ 5 each! It's almost cheaper than any character/single model you can ever find in the GW Direct store.

The thingy that comes with this set. Oh, and 2 bases too...

The weapon arms set is a really good deal. You get the Vox Caster, which means extra model! I bought this set just for the coolness of the guns. I need more meltas and plasmas anyway...

I'll be quite busy with assignments these few days, but I'm pushing my hobby time and stretching it. I normally sleep around 3am in the morning and wake up around 9am to continue work.

Stay tuned for the next update! :D

The best Battleforce set for value? Part 2, Battleforces Overview

Ok, maybe I was a bit too harsh when I said that I would talk about the worst valued battleforce, there is not even a need to open up a poll to find the worst since it already shows at the poll now...

But I think we can discuss about whether you would buy a second or third battleforce after your first. Remember, it's not necessary for a battleforce to be useful, but when you spent and thought you "saved" money, you find those redundant models that you will never use accumulate, you'll be wondering if you either saved or actually have spent more by buying more battleforces.

I will be setting a rating system here from 1-10, 1 being less chance for me to buy it the second time, 10 being that definitely I will be buying it again if I were to build an army. I will also go through the contents of all the battleforces (except the Imperial Guards for now, since they aren't open to the market yet).

Oh, and heads up, battleforces have a new price already, at 55 GBP per box, I think the price hike will occur in either June or July. But the Imperial Guards Battleforce already has the new price tag of 55 GBP. A 10% increase, sigh...

I hope and pray that the GW web crawlers (if they do have some to find and sue people's butt off for copyright infringement) to watch this so they know what we want and what we think ain't so useful in the battleforces.

Rating: 7/10

Good starting point, but the people don't seem to want the Possessed. They should be replaced with something else. I wouldn't buy a second box just because of the Possessed.

Chaos Space Marine Battleforce:

15 Chaos Space Marines There's nothing wrong with having more CSM in the army!

8 Khorne Berzerkers Only useful for Khorne Worshippers, but it can easily be sold off.

5 Possessed Chaos Space Marines Err, I don't think Possessed are actually useful at all due to their randomness.

1 Chaos Space Marines Rhino Rhinos are always a welcomed.

Rating: 9/10

Good for a full biker army, for those who intend to use the White Scar's army list but use Dark Angel parts for conversion, this is good.

Dark Angels Ravenwing Battleforce:

6 Dark Angels Ravenwing Bikes Dark Angels parts anyone? These many bikes in a box can save you a load of money. Not to mention the Dark Angel parts.

1 Dark Angels Ravenwing Attack Bike A 2 wound bike? Fear me.

1 Dark Angels Ravenwing Land Speeder Land Speeders are cheap, efficient, and annoying to the enemy.

Rating: 6/10

I don't know much about the Dark Eldar since I started playing last year.

Dark Eldar:

20 Dark Eldar Warriors Ain't that a good load of warriors?

5 Dark Eldar Reaver Jetbikes Jetbikes are fast, and this really fits the Dark Eldar to use them to harass the enemy.

1 Dark Eldar Raider I don't know what this thing here does, but it looks good.

1 Jungle Trees set Who doesn't love free terrain? :)

Rating: 3/10

I won't recommend this for a starting player. Starting Eldar players must plan their army list before buying anything so you won't regret any redundant purchases like I did.

Eldar:

5 Eldar Dire Avengers Having so little Dire Avengers, it won't be effective as having a full 10 men squad.

8 Eldar Guardians No thanks, with heavy weapons all they do is sit and shoot. When being shot at, they will run off the table.

1 Eldar War Walker Now this is cool, "9 War Walkers outflanking in reserve" will be the last thing you want to hear from an Eldar player.

1 Eldar Heavy Weapon with 2 Crew Yeah, but not so useful... Maybe to me it isn't useful...

1 Eldar Wave Serpent This is the more expensive and faster version of a Rhino, still, the best thing in the box...

Rating: 10/10

The must buy thing for a new Necron player, I like the contents of this box, having 2 of these is good enough for a medium sized game if you add in a Necron Lord. Always good to have a second box.

Necrons:

28 Necron Warriors The only Troop choice in the army, tough as hell and they're good at shooting.

7 Necron Scarab Swarms Great choice to use for tying down the heavy weapons team and stop the enemy from shooting.

3 Necron Destroyers Good for tank hunting, they're very mobile too.

Rating: 10/10

Best starting point for a new Ork player. Though the points in there is little, but it will keep you occupied a long time.

Orks:

22 Ork Boyz There can't be enough Boyz.

3 Ork Warbikes There can't be enough Warbikes.

1 Ork Trukk There can't be enough Trukks.

Rating: 9/10

Good starting point for new players. especially the number of Marines and the points this battleforce can give you. But some players just don't like scouts. I would consider the scouts a bonus.

Space Marines:

15 Space Marines Core of the army, this is the reason people play them anyway!

5 Space Marines Assault Squad Always good to have some, for the parts and the cool factor of flying marines!

5 Space Marines Scouts Good for some, but some hate painting faces, but these boys here should not be underestimated.

1 Space Marines Rhino Rhino's are always welcomed.

Rating: 8/10

The variations in this box is huge! Lots of choices for a new player to switch in between models to use different tactics. I'm not all that familiar with the Tau.

Tau Empire Battleforce:

12 Tau Fire Warriors Core of the army, must always have more of these guys.

12 Kroot Carnivores Looks good to model and paint, but some just prefer a full Fire Warrior army and they might not want the Kroot.

1 Tau XV8 Crisis Battlesuit I heard that this can be modeled into a broadside?

3 Tau XV25 Stealth Suits Good for sneaking around enemy lines and distract them.

6 Tau Gun Drones No idea what it does, but nothing wrong with having more.

1 Tau Markerlight Drone I suppose that this helps the army shoot better.

1 Tau Devilfish Is this the transport? If so, this is a good vehicle to have.

Rating: 10/10

Best starting buy for a new player. I bought 4 of these to build my army. A real money saver. This box also allows the player to play right away as it fulfills the Force Organisation Chart!

Tyranid Battleforce:

3 Tyranid Warriors Synapse Creatures, 2 wounds, immune to instant death, the Tyranid Warriors can either be a HQ, Elite or Fast Attack choice of the army, so mathematically, you can have up to 72 Tyranid Warriors in an army!

8 Tyranid Genestealers Best close combat fighters in the game! Rips everything apart, I love them!

8 Tyranid Termagants Meat shields of the army, their shooting is seriously dangerous as they can churn out a good number of shots. A well planned shooting phase can wipe out a Terminator squad.

8 Tyranid Hormagaunts Well planned use of them can really scare people out of their pants! Only advice is to make them Initiative 5 and let them have Strength 4, marines will die from them, but currently overpriced in the Codex.

1 Tyranid Carnifex This is the main focus in the box, nobody should buy a separate Carnifex, always get this from the Battleforce!

(10 Ripper Swarms, 2 Ripper Swarms with Spinefist) *These were not listed, but it's in the box.* Consider these free, as they come as a part of the Warriors and the Gaunts.

"There you have it, all these comes from what I think, comment away guys! Oh, poll is still open for those who haven't voted."