On the Workbench [December] - Legions Imperialis!

 

Hello and welcome back! The blog has been still for a bit, but we haven't been idle over here at 262krieg.  I picked up my copy of Legions Imperialis and couldn't resist the lure to start assembly.  I've been painting pretty steady for a while now and the break before the (already busy) holidays has been a treat. I've been plugging away building a handful of detachments each night over the last week or so to get to this point. Not much to share on a day-to-day basis!

As it is, I have just the one picture to share today. Above you can see Solar Auxilia on the bottom tray and my completed Adeptus Astartes models on the tray above.  Besides the Legions Imperialis game box, I picked up a box of Rhinos, Karatos tanks, and Baneblade tanks. The kits are fun to build - maybe a little fiddly for my large old hands - and go together pretty well. I am missing one 25mm base from the box set apparently, so I subbed in an old traditional beveled 25mm base for one walker.  Should be easy enough to pop him off later should I manage an extra base somewhere.  Otherwise it's playable enough as is.

Last up will be to build the Malcadors and Leman Russ tanks from the box set. Then I'll be done with this initial batch.  There are still the two warhounds, of course, which will get built at some point.  However I have a large number of Adeptus Titanicus titans for any game I wish to field them in all ready painted up.  I have a handful of Aeronautica Imperialis planes painted too but I need to paint up more variety for the space marines.  My marines will of course be drawn from the First Legion, Dark Angels. Not sure just yet when I'll get to putting paint on these bits.

I would have loved to love the rules more.  I don't know that they are bad - I was just hoping for some simplification like has been seen with Titanicus and esp. Aeronautica Imperialis.  Scanning the rules here, this feels like a big game of Warhammer 40K with smaller models.  Which is certainly cool, of course.  Who doesn't want to field large varieties of big tanks, titans, aircraft, etc. without the high cost and storage of the 28mm cousins (OK, fair point - Legion Imperialis is not cheap either to play at scale!). 

I just don't see this getting played much, is all. Tiny plans and titans is just going to be easier to set up and get going with the handful of folks I can still muster to game with on the table.  

Regardless, they are still going to be a blast to paint up and a welcome, nostalgic bit of kit to have in the collection.

Hope you are enjoying this holiday season how ever you choose to celebrate it.  

Cheers and Happy Gaming!

On the Workbench [December] - Dark Angels Replusor and a Surprise!

 

Greetings and welcome to another edition of on the workbench.  This month I'm sharing the first tank introduced to my growing Dark Angels Primaris force.  I've been sitting on this Repulsor in the box for quite some time. After painting a couple dreads, bikes, the ATV and a ton of infantry, I felt it was time to reward myself with something bigger.

What a beast.  It took a few sessions of bingeing Netflix for a couple hours each to get it all together, but I'm happy with the time spent. I've said this before here, but I do love the building aspect of the hobby...probably a bit more than the painting truth be told.

A quick trip to the bits box came up with plenty of Dark Angels icons to plaster to the all sides of the tank.  I still have to attach the stowage that comes with the kit, prior to priming for paint.  I chose an odd, yet mechanically fearsome looking head after seeing the cool mini-gun that comes as a turret option.  Since crew are often techmarines, this seemed a fitting and simple change to the kit. This guy looks plenty ready to lay down some covering fire as the squad inside disembarks. I think it's the exposed head from the Primaris Techmarine kit.

There is space for lots of Dark Angels icons in this tank...

And so many guns!  In 10th edition, it doesn't seem to matter what you pick for the defensive weapons (grenade launchers, storm bolters, etc.), so I went with all grenade/rocket launching options. Otherwise this bad boy is set up to move out and break armor, once it deploys it's cargo onto an objective. Maybe an odd choice for a transport, but the rule of cool wins every time. I've also grown tired of magnetizing everything when I hardly play any games.  I end up with lots of fiddly weapon bits laying about to keep track of with no real use for them.

And now for the great reveal!  For the first time since 3rd edition, I'm entertaining a new 40k xenos faction.  Anyone who follows the blog knows I have stuck close to imperial forces since the beginning.  The only exception has been specialist games where I may paint a few xenos (Aeronautica Imperialis and Blackstone Fortress come to mind). I had a sizable collection of Tyranids starting w/3rd edition that predate the blog.  Those were given away to a friend during the era of 4th edition and I never looked back...until Leviathan.

It's probably because I've slowly grown weary of painting power armor, but these Leviathan era models have really captured my imagination.  A second motivator is the drive to have a second force to play against my various marine factions when and if I'm able to con any friends into tackling 10th edition.  That is not very likely to happen - tiny titans and airplanes have proven quicker to play and just as satisfying for a pickup game - but I can dream.

So that's what I have on the workbench.  Expect to see the Screamer Killer during Monster March next year, at the very least.  Squaduary may see one of the other broods on the table.  I haven't abandoned my other projects, and I now have Legions Imperialis in the backlog...so we won't go all buggy at once.  But the bugs will make an appearance through out the rest of the season here and there (and on into the next season, no doubt).

I'm looking forward to trying my hand at painting something more organic.  This force allows me to run a combat patrol game and that may be where it stops.  But there are certainly a few other great new Tyranid kits out there. However, unless some serious gaming comes out of the wood work, I will not add to the force until it is entirely painted and in the done pile. That's my commitment.  No need to pile on a bunch more models I'll never get to. 😂 If you are thinking "Too Late!", you are not wrong.

That's it for now.

Cheers and Happy Gaming!!

Dark Angels Company Heroes - TO DONE

 

So here's a fun little project I have been working on since DreadTober 2023.  Inspired by the recently released Company Heroes box set, I put together my own unit using an already painted Ancient, two special release models I had on the shelf, and one single model grabbed from eBay. I sprinkled on some bitz from the bin and voila'! 

The ancient got a minor upgrade to his shoulder pads to complete his elevation to the 5th company command cadre. This involved a fancier veteran icon and gold trim.

Otherwise, this model was good to go. The remaining three models were painted in earnest and I'm pleased by both the simple conversions and the resulting paintwork.

For closer detail, click through to the original images. This is every bit the celebrated veteran duelist I was going for.  Plenty of bling and a great opportunity to work in a classic winged helmet for the Dark Angels. This is easily my favorite of the four.

This veteran could easily stand in as a captain/master for a small game. I like the bossy, I mean authoritative,  pose. 😁

And this veteran cuts a fine figure as the most bling'd out heavy weapons trooper in the company! 😂But best of all is the family shot with 5th Company Master Lazarus...

I suppose that in a 10 Edition game, the whole squad would likely be taken out by a single round of fire, but they look swell all the same! 😎 I'm tickled that the three new marines blend well with the prior painted Master Lazarus and Ancient.  There is a subtle shade difference to the bases, but otherwise I think they could pass for having been painted at the same time. This was a non-obvious outcome when I was first considering the grey plastic veterans next to the completed Ancient.

So that puts another project in the done pile. Up next, I'll reveal the new faction I'll be putting on the painting table later this season. There's also some holiday gaming in the wind, so that might lead me to painting tiny planes or titans in December. There's plenty to share so let's keep the inspiration train rolling!

 For those in the US celebrating this week: Happy Thanksgiving!!

Cheers and Happy Gaming!

Dark Angels Company Heroes WIP - Part 2

 Greetings, and welcome back.  I'm sharing more progress on my Dark Angels 5th Company Heroes.  They are very close to done, but I keep fiddling with this and that, realizing I missed one small detail or another, etc.. I've had them on the table with the 5th Company Ancient and Lazarus and I must say they present a fine looking command cadre for the 5th company.

The veteran with stalker bolter got additional transfers on his right knee (recognition that he has achieved the rank of captain), right thigh armor plate (scripture) and backpack. Small details like the scroll work on the bolter and his left shoulder were also painted in.  I need to ink some text on there at some point.

The various purity seals on the heroes were inked with black text.  I had been using brown to make things seem older, but I found I prefer the contrast using black ink.

The power sword on the Company Champion was completed using the same method I have been using on my Custodes and earlier primaris Dark Angels. This comes from a recipe and method demonstrated by Duncan on YouTube when he used to paint for GW.

The Champion also received veteran honors on his right shoulder pad and another honor on his right thigh armor plate.  These are decorated heroes of the 5th Company and so get more bling than the rank and file of the chapter.

The heavy bolter veteran got a bit of scripture on his left thigh armor along with a key signifying his role in securing the chapter's secrets.

I added an honor badge to his right knee as well. The heavy bolter got some love too, with the cables now painted along with highlights and other fun stuff.

And finally, there was a chapter icon added to his backpack, for good measure. Oh, and the based have been completed with dry brushing and a neat black rim to match the rest of the force.  I typically paint a final layer on all the base rims just prior to sealing with spray varnish. 

So it's down to the wire for these lads.  I expect to finish them up this week.  Not sure what to move on to.  I'm having fun with 40K Dark Angels, but must at some point put some time in on their 30K ancestors, not to mention tiny titans and planes.  There is also a surprise faction to get started on...hmmm...

Oh!  And of course Legions Imperialis is up for pre-order at the end of the week...yikes!  So much to look forward to. I'm planning to get some gaming in over the holidays too, so that will no doubt sway my immediate choices as well.  Time will tell.

Best of luck with your own projects.

 

Cheers and Happy Gaming!!

Dark Angels Company Heroes WIP - Part 1

 

Hello and welcome back!  I've been slapping some paint around on these company hero models, with some success.  As I described in my last post, only the heavy bolter veteran is from the actual company heroes box set. The second veteran with the stalker boltgun is from a lieutenant kit with a new left shoulder pad and the comany champions helm. The company champion is the previously released limited/special edition model with a head swap. With some paint and transfers I think they carry the image of Dark Angels well enough!

 

 

I rather enjoy this company champion.  I mean it's a bit hard to grok a model in 40K with just a power sword and a pistol doing much in the game.  But he looks quite cool. :)  I've also been looking for the right place to put this iconic winged helm in my collection.

 

As the 5th Company champion, he bears the company colors prominently (and proudly!) on his armor. 

I like the pose on this fella. He has the company champion's original head, which helps him stand out as a company veteran; and the laurels match the laurels on his right greave and shoulder pad.

 

The Dark Angel's left shoulder pad fits in well.  With the scroll painted and lettered this will also stand him out as a veteran.

An of course, more laurels and a veteran skull icon to seal the deal.  He is well decorated, and no doubt worthy of his honored position in the command cadre. So many skulls...

All the veterans get gold trim to mark them out as company heroes as well. This hopes to help them stand out among other veteran squads. I think of this veteran as the most junior of the squad, but he is still well decorated.

 

A quick chop of the chapter icon helped it fit on this shoulder pad.

And not only does he carry a crux terminatus pendant, but he has earned the right to bear this mighty crux on his right shoulder pad. Clearly the mark of a seasoned veteran. I'm very happy with how this little squad of plastic dudes is coming out.

Did I need a company heroes squad?  Probably not.  Did I even know that was a thing prior to the kit coming out? Nope.  But it's a cool take on the typical command squad, so I'm happy to have these fellas in the collection. As I draw these models to a close, I'll take some pics of the full squad again with the already completed company Ancient (see prior workbench post). 

If I did my work well, they'll hopefully look like they were painted at the same time, not many months apart. 😂

Cheers and Happy Gaming!!

On the Workbench [November] - Dark Angels Company Heroes!

 

Greetings and welcome back.  For November, I've chosen to complete a unit of Company Heroes to serve as a command squad for Lazarus in the 5th company. I have been collecting the various unique Space Marine character models that have come out. So I decided NOT to buy the new company heroes box when it released.  I had already painted up the special edition Primaris Ancient as a 5th Company standard bearer.  So I used the special edition champion and recent lieutenant boxes to build a Dark Angels Company Champion and Company Veteran.  Then I turned to eBay for the heavy bolter veteran from the newly released heroes box to complete the unit.

I added a classic winged helmet to the champion and a Veteran's tilting shield. There's another bit or too on the belt as well to add some Dark Angels feel to the model. The new champion in the heroes box is fine, but I had this one and I like the pose a bit better.

The special edition lieutenant kit had all the perfect bits for the bolter veteran so this is built pretty stock with some DA shoulder pads. I used the original champion head here too to make this model stand out a bit more as a company veteran. I *think* there was a back pack switch, but I honestly can't remember.

The heavy bolter veteran is built stock with no embellishments. Coming form the company heroes box set, he's already looking veteran enough.  With some Dark Angels transfers he'll fit right in. I would have pulled this model from somewhere else too, except the data sheet is so specific on the model's load out with no options. Other than the recent Sternguard, we don't have Primaris heavy bolter models to choose from. And this model is unique and built for the part. I'm looking forward to painting these up in November to match the Company Ancient and complete the 5th command cadre for my collection.

Oh, I almost forgot - I also assembled the Leviathan box Infernus Marine squad and got them based and ready for paint one day. Bonus!  I like to take a painting break to build models which really is my passion in the hobby. These were easy to assemble and look great.  I like the push fit just so I can remove the arms later for painting.  Nice little hack! 

Ok, so I also snuck in a 5 marine Mars pattern lascannon squad for the Horus Heresy Dark Angels.  These fellas are in Mark VI armor using the Forge World shoulders and heads. I'm never going to have time to paint all the infantry for this force, but it sure is fun to get 'em built! 😂

Cheers and Happy Gaming!
 

DreadTober 2023 - TO DONE

 

Greetings and welcome back.  I was able to complete my pledge of one Ballistus Dreadnought in ample time for DreadTober this year.  While a larger model, it seemed much easier than the infantry and bike models I have been painting recently. less fiddly in the details, I think.  

And here it stands in the light box after a solid coat of matte varnish.  I freely admit to doing nothing special here.  It's a straight up Dark Angels scheme, no free hand, no creative battle damage.  But I still love it!

It was a challenge to leave so much free space on this dreadnought.  I wanted to plaster it with transfers - so much space for creativity there.  But in the end I stayed utilitarian and kept things simple (relatively so for the Astartes!)

 

 

So there we have the first Dread of the 9th Fire Support Company of the Dark Angels Chapter. It's been fun to step away a bit from my usual 5th Company projects to add more models to the collection. Here's a quick shot of the Ballistus next to a 5th Company Redemptor Dreadnought.

I painted the Redemptor in June of 2022 and I'm pleased that these two match up very well side by side.  Painting recipes help a lot here. And that's a wrap on another DreadTober challenge (my 8th so far).

Best of luck to the DreadTober challengers working hard to complete their projects! There is some great work out there this year, as always.

Cheers and Happy Gaming!