Deathwatch - Proteus Kill Team Options

 

Continuing the Deathwatch I had painted by Squiggle's Studio, here's all the models I have that can go into a Proteus Kill Team - in other words, not Primaris Marines. First up are a squad of Deathwatch Veterans that I got in the Death Masque box. I asked for them to have a variety of models so I could learn how they worked a bit - I'll probably get some more weapons options bought and painted up once I've had some games.

I also had an old Forge World limited edition Minotaur with a Heavy Bolter I'd not been sure what to do with that I realised could be a Deathwatch Veteran with a change of shoulder pad, so he's joined the army.

I got three bikes in the "Supply Drop" box that I got as a bit of a gamble. On reflection, it wasn't a great gamble and I probably wouldn't do it again. The bikes and the Arcoflagellants were about all I ended up using from it, and while I could have got a bunch of Chapter specific characters turned into Deathwatch characters, I actually already had a bit of a surplus of Deathwatch characters so they're heading for the eBay pile instead.

I also got the Vanguard Veterans from Death Masque painted up. I've since learned from Goonhammer that the optimal load out for Vanguard Veterans is widely held to be Lightning Claw and Storm Shield, but for now, they'll have to live with a more aggressive build, and I'll see how they go.

I'm not planning to go Out just yet - infection numbers remain way too high for me to merit it. I'd say "maybe on blah date", but one of my ways of trying to stay together in all this is to plan absolutely nothing that could be impacted by changes in the wider situation. We'll see how it goes.

Settling into a routine

 

So, preparation for St Albans Smackdown continues apace. First up, I've assembled and undercoated my Defiance Breach Markers to use as Taighas. Pretty much every list I've tested has some, and they're incredibly useful for Shasvastii lists.

I've also cleaned up and undercoated the Defiance turret models so I can use one as a reaction turret for the mission that has it. With those done that's everything I might need to use assembled and undercoated, so even if I don't get my painting done on time, I can still play!

I had, however, forgotten that the Countermeasures mission requires three civilian (HVT) models, so I've dug out the other two I already had assembled so they can see some paint too.

My test missions so far have shown I'm almost certainly not going to want to use the E-drone or the Cadmus Hacker in my lists. However, a bunch of the drafts are ending up including Corax Hasht, and some are using a Nox Hacker. Now, I could use one of my painted Nox Troopers with Combi Rifles I already have painted for the latter, but getting him out so I can use the right model if I do well with the painting is a good shout.

I also got the supply crates and dead bodies cleaned in time to undercoat, although I didn't get to the consoles and doors. With this batch of undercoating done, they're going to the bottom of the pile as I switch my focus to painting for the next few weeks.

I was particularly pleased this week with how I got a little hobby done some evenings after work, and also managed to get in some undercoating on my lunch breaks while the weather was good rather than needing to wait for the weekend.

I got a commission back from That Mr Shy, and I'll be showing that off later as it deserves its own post. He was kind enough to include a miniature in the box for me to paint. The focus for now is getting ready for St Albans Smackdown, so I'll probably look to get her assembled in February after the tournament, unless I finish early.

If this was a video I'd insert a clip of me laughing hollowly at this point. When has my hobby stuff ever been early?

Also arriving to the flat were 16 miniatures from the Arcworlde Comic Kickstarter. I already loved the Arcworlde range, but these were the first computer sculpted miniatures for the range and they absolutely blew me out of the water. The detail they can get in single cast resin is incredible, and the larger models with multiple parts fit together incredibly snugly.

So, February's assembly roster seems to be one metal Reaper figure and 16 Arcworlde models. I should also probably look at getting some of my Salute purchases together. My, it's really piling up, isn't it?

Recent news from Corvus Belli has also changed my "what to buy" plans. They've announced that in April, the Morat Aggression Force is going to be discontinued. I have been planning for a while to expand into the wider Combined Army once I'd got my Shasvastii painted, and there's around 36 or so Morat models on the list for discontinuing that I don't have.

I have no intention of trying to hunt down that many models on the second hand market after they've been discontinued. So, Dungeon Bowl is sadly being put to one side as a target for now in favour of soon to be discontinued models for a faction I'm already playing.

Without a particular project deadline post St Albans Smackdown, I'm thinking spending a little time painting random cool models would be a good way of getting to the point where I've got enough painted to get the Morats.

This is feeling pretty positive. I haven't quite got regular hobby into my routine just yet, but it's feeling like I'm getting regular progress, which is good for my morale. Hobbies are things we should enjoy, after all!

Salute 2021: Mantic Deadzone

 

One of the bigger companies at Salute was Mantic Games, who were showing off their new edition of Deadzone.

Deadzone is Mantic's sci fi skirmish game. It uses large squares as part of the mechanics. It looks quite fun, but I'm trying not to start any new games right now . . .

Deathwatch - Kill Team Cassius

 

I originally picked up the Deathwatch: Overkill box when it came out because the first release of plastic Deathwatch and Genestealer Cults was something I was super excited about.

Kill Team Cassius have been carried over into 40K as a Troops option for the Deathwatch army. You can't customise their equipment, but that's not necessarily a bad thing while I'm learning the army.

Chaplain Cassius is the namesake of the team. I'm not sure if he's at all different to a "normal" Chaplain, but I guess I'll find out!

There's also a Librarian in the team, so I'll have a good opportunity to learn the Space Marine and Deathwatch psychic powers when I get to a game.

Is this just real life?

 

With the winter holiday break over, I'm back at work and trying to remember how the real world works. I have found some time to get in a practice game ahead of St Albans Smackdown, and have started work on prepping and assembling the Taigha I need for my lists. I'm working on getting them assembled first as days with undercoating weather at this time of year are few and far between. 

I'm also working through the Deathwatch I got back from my commission painter, changing the base rims and fixing a few dings they suffered in the post. I've already finished the first of them and will post some pictures later in the week.

Salute 2021: Monkstone Miniatures

 

I've had my eye on Monkstone Miniatures for a while now. They make an assortment of weird creepy models that are very much my kind of aesthetic.

The first model they did that caught my attention was Glomm the Collector. He's a weird little snail person with lots of bits and pieces hanging from his shell. He was referred to in Forbidden Psalm, which is a Mork Borg wargaming campaign.

There's also a trio of fighting pig men, with this one being my favourite...

And new at the show were these creepy little Mandragores. They're adorable little fleshy lumps, and I kind of love them.

Plans for the Year, Plans for January

 

Christmas has been and gone, and my hobby presents were limited to a few Kimera Colours paints to try out. I've tidied up the hobby area a bunch and am all lined up for some new hobby projects.

My plans to "only buy one miniature in December" catastrophically failed as a hobby shop decided to stop selling toy soldiers and listed their Infinity range at a 50% discount. New Year's Resolution: Stop Doing This.

I'm going to stop tracking "overdue models" on the blog. It turns into more time I'm spending tracking what I'm painting rather than painting.

I will try and stick to "only buy half as many miniatures as you've painted" - with one thing painted last month, I've got no "allowance" in January. We'll see how it goes. I'm still working towards buying Dungeon Bowl, I just need to be a bit more productive, and hopefully a clear hobby desk will facilitate that.

The plan for January is a revisit of my Shasvastii. St Albans Smackdown is on 5 February, and provided the island hasn't sunk into some new level of plague infested hell pit, I'm planning to go, with a Shasvastii force I've painted all myself.

I haven't finalised my lists yet, but the first priority is going to be the Ikadrons and the R-Drone, as those are models I commonly take. The Seed Soldier is probably next, with the Cadmus and E-Drone bringing up the rear.

Possibly even more importantly, I need to get these breach markers from Defiance assembled, painted up and based to work as Taighas, as I've found them absolutely key to making Shasvastii work as a force. I also need to check if any of the missions require a S1 turret model, and if so, get one of those painted.

The bonus goals on the assembly front will be to get the rest of the Defiance Scenery Pack prepped and undercoated ready for paint, and finishing up the base rims of my Deathwatch force.

Salute 2021: The Fighting Pits of Baad Tibera

 

Tucked away as part of the Extraordinary Laser Company (or The XLC) stand was a small game called "The Fighting Puts of Baad Tiberia". Its a "fighting pit" game intended to let you pit any of your fantasy models against each other in gladiatorial combat.

They've partnered with XLC (who do some really excellent pre-printed MDF terrain you should also check out) to produce a game board, scenery and so on. You can either buy a PDF of the rules from DriveThruRPG or a physical book and accessories from XLC.

It's always nice to see new small games on the market, and this one seems to have a pretty low buy in to try out. There's plenty of extras and widgets you can get if it turns into a regular thing, too.

The Reassuring Familiar Feeling of Abject Failure

 

With three days left in the year, and still with a single piece of scatter terrain painted, it's time to admit that painting scores of figures to justify buying Dungeon Bowl isn't happening this month. Looking at my desk, the "limited work in progress" ideal of Kanban I try and follow definitely isn't happening.

So, for the end of year, rather than rushing to finish one more figure, I'm going to tidy up. Put everything away. I can then get out the thing I'm going to be working on and have the space to actually work on it. Starting the New Year with a clean slate will have a good feeling to it.

(I do still want Dungeon Bowl, but that is going to move to a running total of what I've painted before I can get it.)

Once everything is tidied away, if I have time, the first "project" will be sorting out the Deathwatch commission I got back from Squiggle's Studio recently. There's a couple of transport casualties that need fixing, and having got them back, I want to very slightly tweak the base rims. It's not worth sending them all back just for that, so I'll get it done myself before putting them away into their KR cases.

I'll have a think about what I'd like to do first while I'm tidying. I won't decide now, I'll find three cool things while tidying up at least!