Deathwatch are done(ish)

Finally I am ready for FBX in December (how I'm going to transport the army notwithstanding)

I ended up painting an extra boltgun/power sword model (Blood Drinkers) as well as the Dark Angel from the Overkill box set as I read my list incorrectly - but that's a positive as in one less model in the long run.

I also finished a second Drop Pod (not pictured). Everything is based and varnished so now I'm printing off easy reference sheets and cribbing secondary missions. I'm hoping to get in a few more games before I go but we will see.

Aaand... back to the Deathwatch

And with that hobby scratch itched (or more realistically, taking a break) I am back into the Deathwatch.

Here we have the last of my combi-melta guys (a Space Wolf from Krom Dragongaze's Great Company).

I painted his skin darker than usual to reflect the other tribes from Fenris ("The people of the southern isles are dark of skin and ill of temperment").

And I now have a painted Watch Master.

One of the few remaining marines from the Astral Knights (who were wiped out as a Chapter by the Necrons of the World Engine), he is now devoted to the Deathwatch for the rest of his life.

Now I'm starting on my 10-man Indomitor unit... and that should be all for the immediate future unless I'm still possessed to do more!

An irregular update

<Is this thing on?>

I have to admit I was a bit knackered after the Deathwatch painting frenzy and did need some time out.

Well I have not been lurking in a hobby desert since my last post, as I got inspired to build and start painting my HH 2.0 Vlka Fenryka army!

It’s great (for me) as I have been grabbing a few models I would never get around to in 40k (looking at you Grey Hunters and especially Scouts) and integrating them into 30k. Also I am able to use a big chunk of the Dreadnoughts I have painted already which is great.

I’ve painted:

1x 15-man Grey Stalker squad

1x 5-man Wolf Scout squad

1x Jarl Praetor (Haakon Vidurssen, the Iron Wolf)

I’ve got undercoated:

1x 15-man Grey Stalker squad

1x 10-man Tactical Support squad (Rotor Cannons for that sweet Space Wolfy Relentless Infantry rule)

1x Rune Priest/Caster of Runes (no photo yet)

I’m building:

5x Command Squad

1x Contemptor

I’ve still got to buy:

Ulrik the Slayer

Grey Slayers (a priority once I have finished painting the undercoated Grey Stalker and Support Squad)

Deathsworn (but they are down the list)

A couple of Rhinos 

I’ve got bits/kits for:

1x 10-man Jorlund Hunters

1x 5-man Recon squad

1x 5-man Seeker squad (maybe 10)

10x Tartaros Terminators

15x Cataphractii Terminators

5x Indomitus Terminators (might be missing a couple of torsos to be honest…)

1x Centurion/Praetor

1x Geigor Fell-Hand

2x Apothecary

1x Spartan Tank (needs FW Land Raider doors)

1x Dreadnought Drop Pod

1x Drop Pod 

Probably a special weapon squad or two

Probably enough for some other Centurion types e.g. Champion, Moritat

I should have 2000pts painted by Xmas which is my goal. Then I have to figure out whether I do Varagyr and the Spartan or ‘something else’.

Two more... White Scars

Firstly... apologies for the rubbish photos. The reason for this is that I have been painting these two models on and (mostly) off for nearly 4 weeks, and I just couldn't quite face getting my lightbox set up.

Lazy I know. 

Still, now it's time to maybe take a break and build some HH models whilst I gather up the courage to start the next squad.

I take great satisfaction in completing each model. It's all contributing to reducing the mountain of unpainted models!

Deathwatch Drop Pod #1

This is a rescue Drop Pod from my collection... not my greatest work but I was trying to work with the scheme that it already had.

I have another one that will be more black and red rather than red and black ...

A break in the production line (still Deathwatch though)

As I went through the process of drybrushing 20 models yesterday I baulked a bit at the thought of starting another bike or infantry model... so today's reward (for 4x full Kill Teams) I thought a transport with guns might provide a nice change.

This model is quite deceptive - I thought to myself "hey there's only half a dozen colours, that'll be quick..."

Of course I needed to do some battle damage to hide some of the rough and ready drybrushing.

Famous last words. Still, at least it's done now. Looking forward to it being an integral part of my list(s).

Deathwatch... halfway there (ish)

I'm about halfway through the army (model-wise) so a good opportunity to take a picture of where I'm at so far.

I've calculated the painted models coming to approximately 1500pts, which is great. 4x characters, 4x full Kill Teams...

Looks cool when you put them all down in one place

So that leaves to "finish":

• 6x Heavy Intercessors
• 3x Eradicators
• 1x Inceptor
• 2x Aggressors
• 5x Terminators (plus some I think)
• 4x Veteran Bikers
• 13x Veterans
• 5x Vanguard Veterans
• 1x Primaris Chaplain on bike
• 1x Chaplain
• 1x Captain on bike
• 1x Watch Master
• 1x Captain in Terminator Armour 
• 2x Librarians (don't ask)
• 1x Venerable Dreadnought 
• 1x Corvus Blackstar 
• 2x Drop Pod
• 1x Rhino
• 1x Land Raider if I can finally figure out how it might work (modelling wise that is... I want something unique that leverages the Deathwatch's access to more esoteric 'stuff')

I also have in my box of unassembled Deathwatch:

Indomitus characters and 5x Assault Intercessors, 4 or so Sternguard, some Terminators, another Drop Pod and probably enough bits and pieces for another 4 DW marines. And probably some more characters (I need to build a Techmarine...).

Phew!

Fortis Kill Team assemble... I mean, complete

So I've had a productive 24hrs despite finally testing positive for COVID-19. I have finished the 4 Primaris Outrider models and now that means my Fortis Kill Team is complete!

I used a few bits to make them more interesting including an Assault Intercessor arm, and some different helmets.

L -> R, front to back: Tigers Argent, Iron Snakes, Sons of Orar, Disciples of Caliban

In all their glory...

Throwback... Monday?

1996 was a crazy year. The 2nd Ed Chaos Codex was out, and my 2000pt army consisted of a Black Legion Chaos Lord in Terminator Armour with all four Marks of Chaos, a bunch of Terminators, three Chaos Sorcerers, a Dreadnought, Land Raider and a squad of Chaos Marines. Pretty tiny!

The army has long gone, but I have kept one model to remind me of this time. 

Looking at it again, I think this is actually one of the best models that I have ever painted. I tried to copy the picture in White Dwarf and while it's not perfect by any stretch of the imagination, I hadn't done any blending before and there were no YouTube tutorials, just whatever you got from White Dwarf, any mates tricks, and experience.

The only bit I think I would try to fix is the eye on the top of the staff.

Captain Markus She'don of the Iron Hands gets an update

I've had a couple of friendly games with the Deathwatch, and based on this I decided to update my Captain Markus She'don of the Iron Hands model.

Previously I was using him as a "counts as Artemis" but I've been having a little more fun with this combo:

Deathwatch Captain: Master-crafted boltgun, Relic blade

Stratagem: A Vigil Unmatched, The Imperium's Sword

Warlord: Castellan of the Black Vault: Adamantine Mantle

Relic: Purgatorus

Purgatorus has been such a fun pistol to use - with an 18" range as well it's in use quite quickly, and the times where he's been stuck in combat and unloaded 3x S5 AP -3 D2 shots before has been hilarious (for me) and a surprise (for my opponent). And then the Relic Blade has more fun.

I dithered about choosing the Adamantine Mantle (5+++) vs Resolve of Iron (+1W & 6+++) but think the 5+++ is a better deal (although Resolve of Iron sounds cool).

It's not all about the meta if you're having fun.

The Relic Blade comes courtesy of the Dark Angels Firstborn upgrade pack (converted to have an Inq symbol on it), whilst the Purgatorus is made from one of the noticably smaller Deathwatch bolters as well as changing the sickle magazine to a smaller straight to resemble the bolt pistols.

I did consider a pistol from the Sternguard sprue but they looked a bit small to be honest. 

I also changed out the Artemis backpack for the old (old? hey it was only 3rd Ed.) Captain backpack (with Artemis's Iron Halo transplanted because it looks cool)