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Wednesday, April 29, 2015

Cult Mechanicus Pictures!!!

I'm just gonna leave this here...



Tau Empire Drone Turrets/Sentry Towers WIP

I have a quick update today with ACTUAL HOBBY CONTENT (TM)!

I did a little work on those Tau Empire Drone Turrets I duped a while back.  They'll most likely see action as either objective markers, random scatter terrain, Drone Turrets or Drone Sentry Towers.  In any case, I think I'll get a lot of use out of these things.

The blue tubes are actually "party shot glasses" from the local dollar store.  It's amazing what you can find that goes well into terrain.  The blue tubes won't be glued in, which will make these more flexible AND easier to transport and store.



You can see three more Drone Turrets in the background.  They're mostly painted, but still have highlighting and detailing to be done.  I think I'll need to make up a couple more if I'm going to use these as objective markers.  The discs on the top can be flipped over with numbers on the bottom to represent the various markers.

In other news, the Maelstrom's Edge Kickstarter is up to 29,040 USD.  The first stretch goal is at 30k, so I'm expecting that we'll see it at some point tomorrow.  The momentum has certainly slowed down, but that's normal for a Kickstarter campaign this long.

Monday, April 27, 2015

Short and Sweet

This one is going to be short, sweet and to the point.  Tomorrow is my buddy's birthday as well as a full day of work and I have a TON of stuff to do between now and then.

Spiral Arms Studios (the good folks at DakkaDakka) launched their Kickstarter and it funded on day one.  It looks pretty cool.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/medge/maelstroms-edge-a-next-gen-sci-fi-miniatures-warga?ref=category_newest

It funded the first day, but is making slow progress now.  This is more or less what I expected.  Hitting stretch goals will be nice as it will allow for more things in the starter box, but this isn't going to be one of those "millions of kickstarter exclusive add-ons" kind of campaigns.  I'll be buying into this, but haven't yet.  I want to make sure they don't futz around with the pledge levels.

And here is what's in the box for now...


As well as a photo from Salute of the Scarecrow models that will end up as Epirian units...


I like these quite a bit.  They are a little static in this picture, but evidently the arms and legs both move at the elbows/knees, so the modes should be quite poseable.

I'll be playing a game using my Skitarii units tomorrow.  I'll post on Wednesday letting everyone know how it went.  I definitely don't play often enough and am trying to get some more table time.

Friday, April 24, 2015

Gundam Master Grade MG XXXG-01H is RIDICULOUS

So, I'm not a Gundam dude.  I've bought a couple of those little Gundam Converge for making Tau Crisis Suit conversions.

I got the below model kit as a present.  I checked the price, because I was curious to see how much these things cost.  45 USD.  Keep that in mind as you read this.  Keep in mind that a Space Marine Dreadnought is 46.25 USD at the same time.  This is your point of reference.


This is the front of the box.  The instructions give you an idea of what the model looks like finished.



Let me stress...  the above presentation requires NO PAINT.  This thing comes in a multitude of plastic colors.  Some of the sprues actually have multiple colors in one sprue...  and they're all clearly labelled.



The instructions are amazing.  They're in Japanese, but the images are clear enough that anyone who has done even minimal modelling in the past will easily be able to understand them.  The assembly part is in black and white, but there are what appear to be hobby articles in the front and back.  I can't read them...  but I guess the pictures are pretty!



I think the pic above is telling me that if I get a fine point marker, I can draw slim black lines in the cracks and make the model look cooler.  At least, that's my guess based on the before and after photos.  Also, it's funny that before and after are in English, but almost everything else is in Japanese.

Time to get started.  I've only put together the main torso bit and the head so far.  This thing doesn't even need glue.

This bears repeating.  NO GLUE IS REQUIRED.  This entire thing is snap fit AND pose-able.  It's so beautiful I want to cry.




The multi-colored pieces go together with almost no effort at all.  The torso bit (with built-in chest miniguns!) is 50 pieces by itself.  The head is another 11 or so.  I'm not even close to being done.  This thing is so complex, but is almost trivial to put together.

And there is a little dude inside!!!  It's tough to get a solid picture, but the yellow thing between the miniguns swivels down and the dude is inside the chest cavity.



I'm not going to stop building, painting and playing with my 40k and other company gaming models, but I can totally see myself picking one of these things up every so often.

Again...  This thing is a buck or two cheaper than a Space Marine Dreadnought, doesn't require glue, is fully pose-able and comes effectively pre-painted (although can be repainted).  This thing makes Games Workshop models look like Ford Model T's in comparison.

I would love to see Games Workshop mode in the same direction, but I don't think that'll ever happen.  Imagine being able to snap fit together an army and have it come in a default color scheme.  Imagine that the larger models are pose-able and that things like Rhinos have working doors and translucent glass plates with models that can be seen on the inside.  It's like an impossible dream

IN TOTALLY OTHER NEWS...

1.  By the time you're reading this, DakkaDakka's Maelstrom's Edge Kickstarter should be up and running.  They previewed some terrain sprues today that looked pretty sweet and said they're only going to require $45k to unlock them as a stretch goal.  Can't wait.

2.  Leadbelcher Spray is still back-ordered.  Grumble grumble.  If I'm able to, I'll run to Showcase Comics in Swarthmore, PA this weekend and pick up some Army Painter spray cans.  I hear good things, but have never used that brand.

3.  My good buddy's birthday is rapidly approaching.  We're going to Brick Fest, a LEGO festical, in Philadephia on Saturday.  I'm hoping to take some cool pictures and get ideas for possible LEGO usage in gaming.  I've seen cool things done with impromptu terrain or using LEGO bricks as a framework for a tank or something else.

Wednesday, April 22, 2015

Maelstrom's Edge Kickstarter

The Kickstarter date has been announced as Friday, 4/24.  I'm pretty excited by this.  Partly I'm excited because these guys...


...will make perfect Tau Gue'vesa models.  I'm never really been happy with using slightly converted Astra Militarum dudes.  These guys will work with just a head swap and maybe a Fire Warrior should pad on the one shoulder.  The should pads they come with look almost exactly like the pads on the smaller arm of the Fire Warriors.  The drones will be nice to use as Gue'vesa Gun Drones.

The other Faction is also looking pretty sweet...


The intention is to have a total of 6 units available per faction at the end of the Kickstarter.  The above pics show 3 each, so half are yet to be unlocked.  Below is some artwork from the Maelstrom's Edge website.  I'm particularly interested in the bulkier of the two robots.  This is supposed to be entirely plastic, so I'm expecting some nice poseability.  This should hopefully be perfect for a Gue'vesa Broadside or Crisis Suit, depending on the size.  There are more pics on their site.  I don't want to steal all the thunder.



Monday, April 20, 2015

More Skitarii Work... More Waiting for Leadbelcher Spray

So, evidently the Leadbelcher spray is currently back-ordered for 3rd party gaming stores.  It's on the GW website as currently available.  This is super frustrating.  My local store keeps telling me that it'll show up in a day or two.  I'm not entirely convinced they ordered it.

Net result is that I haven't done any work on my Necrons.  I think I'm just going to head to another store that stocks Army Painter stuff and get their equivalent.   I don't like changing brands mid-army, but since I'm going from brush base coat to spray base coat, I imagine I'll be seeing a slight change anyways.

I did get some more work done on my small Ad Mech Skitarii force.  The plan is to make a 1500 point list with a Skitarii Maniple Detachment and an Allied Detachment of either Space Wolves or Blood Angels.  I'm currently thinking Blood Angels.  I could use a Flesh Tearers Strike Force.  It has a requirement of 1 HQ, 1 Troops and 1 Fast Attack.  Among other things, it has the option for another 5 Fast Attacks and a Lord of War.  This would allow me to take Drop Pods for the Ad Mech units and also add an Ad Mech themed Imperial Knight.

I'm going to try to work up an army list over the next couple of days so I'll know what all I need to build.  For the Troops choice, I'm thinking the named Dreadnought from the Shield of Ball box set... Cassor the Damned.  The HQ will most likely be a standard Techmarine to fit the fluff.


And lastly...  I made some assumbly progress on the main Ad Mech components.  The Onager Dunecrawler is an amazing kit.  I'll take more pictures and put them up on Wednesday.  I'm going to try to make some animated gifs.  The Dunecrawler has some moving parts.  It's pretty cool.


Friday, April 17, 2015

Ad Mech Skitarii

I was able to get a little bit of hobby time in and started doing a little assembly work.  I haven't been able to paint because my local store STILL hasn't ordered in the Leadbelcher spray for me.  My plan is to hit up a farther away, but better store on Saturday.  Hopefully the weather will cooperate and I'll be able to do a priming.  Once all of the Necrons are primed, I'll be able to knock out the painting in now time.


I decided to go for the Sydonian Dragoon.  It seems to have better stats than the Ironstrider Ballistarii.  This model was pretty fiddly.  It's also pretty small.  When I bought it, I thought it was on a flying base.  It's not.  It's a smaller, new base size.  Kinda lame for the price point, but such is life.

I should have a box of Rangers assembled at some point this weekend.

I'm also working on a "secret project".  I anticipate being able to post pictures around 4/27 or so.  Stay tuned for details.

More to come...

Wednesday, April 15, 2015

Maelstrom's Edge - A New Game from DakkaDakka

There have been lots of cool things going on in the industry lately.  The latest is that the always popular gaming forum, DakkaDakka, is making a 28mm Scifi Skirmish game.  Not only making, but it appears that they're quite a but into it.

The game is called Maelstrom's Edge.  I'll provide a couple of links towards the bottom so that you can check out a little more.


The nice thing about this game is that I think it has a lot of potential.  I can't imagine a better scenario in terms of community engagement.  We're talking about people with a proven track record of maintaining a well moderated and fairly large community of gamers...  not the easiest crew to make behave.

I'm very optimistic.  They already have a ton of background written and have actually put out two novels to coincide with the game announcement.  I've started the first.  Links to the novels are on the Maelstrom's Edge site.

The background seems to be that there was some sort of explosion in the center of the galaxy that is propagating through the faster than light travel system.  The resulting storm is called the Maelstrom.  Anyone who is in the path of said storm is said to be on The Edge...  hence, The Maelstrom's Edge.

The artwork they've put up shows ruined cities with the purple tinged Maelstrom in the sky.


But...  you want to hear about models!



You cam see more on their site.  What they've put up so far is pretty promising.  Not only do they look nice, but...


...they're made from HIPS plastic on sprues!  This is basically like what Games Workshop uses.  No resin or metal nonsense for this game.  This is really good news for me.  These will be easy to work with, convert and repose.

It also looks like they'll be putting out some cool looking robots and little spider walkers at some point.  This excites me.


My current understanding is that they'll be doing a Kickstarter, starting around the end of April and going into the beginning of June.  This is longer than the normal 30 days, but I think they'll be able to pull it off.  I'm imagining that the "sweet spot" containing rules and a starter army will be around 100 USD.  I might be wrong, but that seems to be roughly normal for these sorts of things.  I will definitely be buying into this if for no other reason than to support my favorite gaming forum.  Buying into this will be my way of "paying where you're playing".

Again, I'm very, very optimistic that they'll get this right.  I'll post again on this topic when the Kickstarter comes out or as more interesting information is released.

Linkies...

Main Site
http://www.maelstromsedge.com/

Forum with lots of updates
http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/644194.page

Book 1
Maelstrom's Edge: Faith

Book 2
Maelstrom's Edge: Sacrifice

Monday, April 13, 2015

3D Design Work - Old School Military Computer Stuff

I got a little bored this weekend and decided to do a little design work practice.  I wasn't trying to do anything very complicated.  I'm aware of my limitations.  I know how to use Google Sketchup and not much else.  This pretty much limits me to anything NOT including organic shapes.

I decided to work on some sort of old school military computer equipment - the sort of stuff you're likely to see in the "abandoned bunker" scene in movies.

I think it's turning out ok so far.  I did a quick 'institutional green' coloring to make it look like it does in my head.

First up are the first four components that I quickly worked up.


The little holes on the side are 3mm across and 1mm deep.  They're intended for 3x1mm magnets.  The idea is that the "floating" pieces would actually be help in place with magnets.


And lastly, a quick shot of several pieces put together.


My end goal is to get one of each part printed out and then to cast up a bunch for my gaming group.

And I know they still need work.  They're a little blocky, but very much works in progress!

Friday, April 10, 2015

Star Wars 40k - Sweet Jesus, It's Beautiful.

So...

This is amazing.

Someone actually made these absolutely beautiful fan Codices for Star Wars.



The quality on these is extremely professional.  I talked to one of my buddies already and we're planning on putting some armies together.  We both have random old Star Wars minis which will be great as proxies until we can get something a little nicer.

This is truly an amazing fan project.

Check it out...

https://ttgamingdiary.wordpress.com/2015/04/08/codex-star-wars-downloads/

Wednesday, April 8, 2015

Frustration + Magos Ideas

So, the hobby stores that I frequent sold out of Skitarii Rangers/Vanguard boxes AND the Boltgun Metal Spray Cans almost immediately.  Ugh.  I asked one of the stores to order some for me today.  I probably won't have the stuff until maybe this weekend though.  I get a discount in the store and don't have to pay shipping, so it makes sense to wait instead of buying online.

What this means is that I haven't been able to work on the Necrons right now.  I don't want to have to base coat a ton of models if I don't have to.  I think the spray can is the way to go.

In the mean time, my plan is to start working on some Ad Mech conversions.  I still haven't worked the rules out yet, but my intention is to somehow add in a AdMech Magos.  I'm most impressed by this design from the always amazing Dave Taylor.


Looks to be a Necron Wraith tail, Cairn Wraith (?) Body and a couple of Servo-Skulls.  I think I might try this out.

Here are some others that I'd like to post for possible inspiration in the future.  I dig the pose on this first one.


I really like this next one.  Seems to be based off of one of the Skaven models.  The Klaw guy.


This next one looks maybe a little too Necron-like for my taste.  It would, however, look freaking awesome in my Necron army.


I mainly like the color scheme on this one.


Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Plasma Obliterator!!!

Holy hell!  GW pulled this one out of their asses.  I had heard a rumor, but they kept this one locked down pretty well...


The Plasma Obliterator looks freaking amazing and is clearly intended to fill that Fortification slot in the Skitarii Maniple Detachment.

Sigh...  66USD for the Onager Dunecrawler and 83USD for the Plasma Obliterator.  I can't wait to see the rules for these things.  Any day now!

Monday, April 6, 2015

Ongoing Project - Codex: Unbound

I know I've posted a little about using the Staples Arc Junior notebook system to keep track of army list entries and army lists for the armies I play.  I've decided to expand the idea a little and turn the book into a full blown "Codex: Unbound".  The idea is to eventually have ALL of the army list entries in the entire game in one large notebook.  I have an iPad and I've purchased almost all of the various rule books in ePub format, but having to navigate back and forth can be very tedious and time consuming.

The main draw of the iPad is that it takes up a small volume of space.  You can carry everything you need with you very easily.  The ease of use just isn't there.  eBook readers and iPads are absolutely fantastic for reading pretty much any book that isn't a reference book.  Flipping back and forth between sections can be a pain.  Gaming rule books are basically reference books.

I'll be using the notebook I've already been working on and adding in new army list entries as I'm able to complete them.  I've finished Orks, Harlequins, Imperial Knights, Tau and Necrons.  I've started working on the Skitarii units based on what has been released so far in White Dwarf mags 61 and 62.  As a reminder, the page size is only 5.5" x 8.5".  It's basically a regular letter size sheet of paper cut in half.


In other news, an acquaintance with access to a 3D printer printed out a copy of my Tau Empire themed Aegis Defense Line. These aren't going up for sale or anything EVER, but it's cool to see something in real life.  The printer resolution isn't fantastic, but it's a solid proof of concept.  The plan is to buy a printer for myself at some point in the next couple of years, but I want to make sure I get one that is going to be high enough quality.



The weird looking "H" shaped object was intended to be an ion looking weapon.  I never actually finished it.

Friday, April 3, 2015

Codex: Skitarii Onager Dunecrawlers and Skitarii Maniple Detachments

I am so thoroughly excited by this news.  The Codex: Skitarii main detachment has been leaked.  It's called the "Skitarii Maniple".


I was very worried that GW would pull the same thing they did with Codex: Harlequins and have the main detachment (the Masque Detachment) involve basically purchasing 1-3 of every release.

I like that the minimum detachment size can be fielded using just a single 39 USD box of models.  I also really like that it has a Fortification slot.  I don't think anyone has mentioned this yet, but you can now take any Fortification you want if you're willing to pay the 2x Troops tax.  In this case, 2 minimal units of Skitarii Vanguard will cost you only 55 point each.  Tireless Advance is also nice.  Giving all your models Scout and Crusader is also pretty amazing.  Crux Mechanicus isn't bad, but we've come to expect Warlord Trait re-rolls.  The Preferred Enemy thing is nice, but not a game changer.

The Codex is supposedly only going to be 33 USD.  This actually makes a lot of sense, given how small it is.  It's rumored to be only 80 pages.  It also supposedly has five different "official" paint schemes...  NOT all of them are red.  I'm curious to see what the studio went with.

Lastly, when the heck is this thing supposed to come out?


This is a shot from the Codex.  It's definitely in there.  GW's typical release methodology has involved White Dwarf with rules followed by actual model followed by Codex when releasing an entirely new model.  It's hard to believe that they're releasing the Codex in the middle of a three week new army release.  Then again, the Codex has rules in it that are required to play the army.  We don't yet know what Imperative Doctrines do.  The White Dwarf tells me that the unit has the rule, but not what the rule does.

I can't wait until tomorrow (I'm writing this Thursday night).  The plan is to hit up my local store after work and pick up a box of Rangers/Vanguard as well as the new White Dwarf that features the Ruststalkers/Infiltrators.

In totally other news, I played my Necrons against my buddy's Orks.  It was a blood bath...  or should I say oil bath?  I was still in a 6th Edition mindset and didn't play anything right.  I forgot half the rules and played Reanimation Protocols wrong the entire time!  BUT...  I had tons of fun.  It was nice to be playing again.  I'm going to actively try to play more.

Wednesday, April 1, 2015

Codex: Skitarii Sicaran Ruststalkers/Infiltrators

ZOMG...




These things look effing amazing!  I'm VERY excited about this impending release.  I'm REALLY, REALLY hopeful that the Codex will be good.  I'm expecting a more or less useless detachment that requires you to buy 1-2 of every release and gives you almost no leeway in how you assemble your army...  kind of like the Harlequin Masque Detachment.  I'm also expecting a pretty good number of formations.

As excited as I am by this release, the plan is to wait and read the Codex before buying any models.  I don't want to accidentally buy or assemble something that isn't going to fit into a chosen formation.  I've done this in the past with new product releases and ended up with models that I'm unable to use.

These just look SO DAMN GOOD.

The Infiltrators actually have a sort of Star Wars Drone vibe going for them.

In other news, I'll be playing an actual, honest to God game of Warhammer 40k tomorrow.  I don't actually play very often owing to my local Games Workshop store closing down this past year.  The other local gaming stores that sell product don't really have tables, so i have to make plans and go for a bit of a drive to get a game in.  It's now always convenient.  The plan is to play with a hybrid army of Necrons and Tau.  I'll take some pictures and post them on Friday.