Rough Rider update

Ok so I have finished the remaining two of five... 

All undercoated now and will be started tomorrow (maybe...)

Rough Riders ahoy... err... charge!

Given that I have decided to follow popular opinion (i.e. Ryan) and focus on the Astra Militarum for Lords of War, I have dug out my old Rough Riders that I had been working on.

So yeah, I started work on these about 5 years ago, and then after building 3 got distracted (selling and moving house, child #2... excuses excuses). 

I only need to build another two and I am sorted (after they are painted that is).

They are made from Space Marine Scout bikers, Cadian parts, Rough Rider hunting lances, and Forgeworld Cadian upgrade parts (heads, backpacks).

I was lucky enough to have a store of the old hunting lances, and got some good ideas from one of my local Guard Appreciation Korps (GAK) members, Kevin O’Leary, for having them mounted on bikes.

I've got enough parts to do a full squad of 10. But let's focus on the required 5, shall we?

All of a sudden... some upcoming tournaments!

I have registered and paid for two local one-day tournaments coming in November, in Wellington – Lords of War (750pts 40k), and Vermintide (1200pts WHFB)

Vermintide details can be found here for you locals who are looking for a one dayer!

Also have paid for my share of the team entry for the NZ Team Championships early 2015, yay! Go team! Super excited already.

 

I’ll deal with the Vermintide WHFB army list and my thoughts about possible NZTC lists in a separate post or posts (as there is only one army for me to take – Lizardmen – so I will just be discussing army composition).

 

But 40k is a teensy bit more complicated as far as what to take goes.

 

I have five armies to choose from (six, if I think about my Word Bearers... but I’m trying not to... Cultists and a Defiler sound like fun) – I have come up with some draft lists listed in order of work required to complete them (also with pros and cons for each). 

Note there is no Inquisition appearing as you are required to take a Combined Arms detachment and there are no allies, fortifications, or flyers allowed (amongst other things). Games will be played on a 4'x4' table.

 

Astra Militarum

Lord Commissar (70pts) – Carapace Armour, Warlord

 

For 750pts I *think* the Lord Commissar is a better choice than the HQ Command squad. You are not tempted to upgrade too much although thoughts of a BS4 lascannon firing out of a Chimera is one I remember fondly.

 

Ministorum Priest (25pts) – Autogun

Goes in whichever squad I want to sit on an objective and NOT MOVE.

Veterans (120pts)

– Forward Sentries

1x Veteran Sergeant  

4x Veteran – Lasgun

3x Veteran – Meltagun

1x Veteran Lascannon Team – Lascannon, Lasgun

 

Infantry Platoon

Platoon Command Squad (130pts)

3x Guardsman – Flamer, Krak Grenades

1x Guardsman – Heavy Flamer, Krak Grenades

1x Platoon Commander – Melta Bombs, Krak Grenades

1x Chimera – Multilaser, hull Heavy Flamer

 

Infantry Squad #1 (100pts)

1x Sergeant – Power Axe  

6x Guardsman – Lasgun

1x Guardsman – Plasma Gun

1x Lascannon Team – Lascannon, Lasgun

 

Infantry Squad #2 (85pts)

1x Sergeant  

6x Guardsman – Lasgun

1x Guardsman – Plasma Gun

1x Lascannon Team – Lascannon, Lasgun

Heavy Weapons Squad #1 (75pts)

3x Autocannon, Lasgun

 

Heavy Weapons Squad #2 (75pts)

3x Autocannon, Lasgun

 

Rough Riders (70pts)

1x Rough Rider Sergeant – Melta Bombs  

3x Rough Rider

1x Rough Rider – Meltagun

 

Pros:  Orders, lots of *properly* scoring units, flexibility to blob if need be, plenty of (albeit BS3) shooting, a small counter attack unit, some mobility.

Cons: Potentially slow to play unless I get lots of practice in! No Leman Russes... in this iteration at least.

Models required to build/paint: 3x Rough Riders

 

Adepta Sororitas

Canoness (125pts) – Inferno Pistol, Power Sword, Rosarius, The Litanies of Faith, Warlord

 

Battle Sister Squad #1 (155pts)

1x Sister Superior – Combi-Flamer

2x Battle Sisters – Bolter

1x Battle Sister – Meltagun

1x Battle Sister – Heavy Flamer

1x Immolator – Dozer Blade, Twin-Linked Multi-Melta

 

Battle Sister Squad #2 (145pts)

1x Sister Superior – Bolter

2x Battle Sisters – Bolter

1x Battle Sister – Meltagun

1x Battle Sister – Heavy Flamer

1x Immolator – Dozer Blade, Twin-Linked Multi-Melta

 

Dominion Squad (190pts)

1x Dominion Superior – Combi-Melta

4x Dominions – Meltagun  

1x Immolator (75pts) Dozer Blade, Laud Hailer, Twin-Linked Heavy Flamer

 

1x Exorcist (135pts) – Dozer Blade, Storm Bolter (5pts)

 

Pros: BS4 Guardsmen in Power Armour. One of my favourite armies of all time.

Cons: A bit light on model count. No counter-strike unit (Dominions not excepted)

Models required to build/paint: 3x Immolators, 5x Dominions

 

Militarum Tempestus

Tempestus Command Squad (135pts)

1x Tempestor Prime – Power Sword, Warlord

1x Tempestus Scion – Grenade Launcher

3x Tempestus Scion – Hot-shot Volley Gun

 

Tempestus Scions #1 (105pts)

1x Tempestor – Power Sword

2x Tempestus Scion

2x Tempestus Scion – Meltagun

 

Tempestus Scions #2 (204pts)

1x Tempestor

2x Tempestus Scion

2x Tempestus Scion – Plasma Gun

1x Taurox Prime – Pintle-mounted Heavy Stubber, Recovery Gear), Relic Plating, Searchlight, Twin-linked Autocannon, Twin-linked Taurox Gatling Cannon

 

Tempestus Scions #3 (214pts)

1x Tempestor

2x Tempestus Scion

2x Tempestus Scion – Plasma Gun

1x Taurox Prime – Pintle-mounted Heavy Stubber, Recovery Gear), Relic Plating, Searchlight, Twin-linked Autocannon, Taurox Missile Launcher

 

Tempestus Scions #4 (90pts)

1x Tempestor

2x Tempestus Scion

2x Tempestus Scion – Meltagun

 

This is using the metal Kasrkin models I have, which will supplement and fit in (look-wise) with my normal Astra Militarum army.

 

Pros: Well it will allow me to get through several models/squads that need converting and painting on the list of ‘things to do’. Plenty of tactical flexibility especially with the Deep Strike options. Enough-ish AP1/2 to deal with pesky Terminators/Meganobs. Orders. Reasonable amount of options for last minute objective grabs.

Cons: Umm... my Taurox are destined for my Inquisition though so would be painted differently and look a bit odd (IMO). No Chimera’s as a transport option is annoying.

Models required to build/paint: All of them

Grey Knights

Librarian (155pts) – Cuirass of Sacrifice, Psyker [ML 3], Storm bolter, Warlord

 

Strike Squad (173pts)

1x Justicar – Master-crafted Nemesis Daemon hammer

4x Grey Knight – Nemesis force halberd

1x Grey Knight – Psycannon

 

Terminator Squad (201pts)

1x Terminator Justicar – Nemesis force halberd

2x Terminator – Nemesis force halberd

1x Terminator – Nemesis Daemon hammer

1x Terminator ­­– Nemesis force sword, Psycannon

 

Nemesis Dreadknight (220pts) – Gatling Psilencer, Heavy Incinerator, Nemesis Greatsword and power fist, Personal teleporter

 

Pros: Terminators as troops... Librarian is awesome... Dreadknight more so.... painting more models in the list of ‘stuff to do’. Everyone has Deep Strike.

Cons: Thin on the ground, need to get hold of a Dreadknight (and then convert it to not look so... yeah) and a Terminator Librarian. So cost. Only the Terminators are mostly complete.

Models required to build/paint: 9 or so

 

The last option is also the most expensive and would start a few lengths behind...

 

Space Wolves

Wolf Guard Battle Leader (140pts) – Thunderwolf , Fangsword of the Ice Wolf, Storm Shield, Warlord

 

Grey Hunters #1 (139pts)

1x Wolf Guard Terminator Pack Leader – Combi Plasma, Power Sword, Terminator Armour (duh)

5x Grey Hunters – 5x Chainsword, Plasma Gun

 

Grey Hunters #2 (225pts)

1x Wolf Guard Pack Leader –Combi Melta, Melta Bombs, Power Fist

6x Grey Hunters – 6x Chainsword, Flamer, Power Fist

1x Drop Pod

 

Thunderwolf Cavalry (165pts)

1x Thunderwolf Cavalry Pack Leader – Bolt Pistol, Storm Shield

2x Thunderwolf Cavalry –Bolt Pistol, Storm Shield

 

Pros: Get rolling painting some Space Wolves! Have already assembled most of the Grey Hunters for a Kill Team project, so not completely starting from scratch.

Cons: Thin on the ground (BUT HAS THUNDERWOLVES). Need to buy all the bits and pieces to build the Thunderwolf Cavalry, this army has had zero paint anywhere near it either. Also need to learn how to use the new airbrush compressor (this is also a Pro)

Models to paint: All of them...

 

So at the moment I am leaning heavily towards the Astra Militarum or the Tempestus Scions lists. Pretty much because they won’t put me under a crapton of pressure, imaginary or otherwise, to complete (he said, hopefully).

I haven't played a lot of games at <1000pts so any considerations or thoughts from others would be appreciated.

Where can I fit a carnosaur in a Lizardmen list?

Sorry about the lack of activity over the last two weeks - real life intruded with a family member passing away.

So, obviously, there has been a lack of painting. So this post will be (hopefully) a discussion point where my spawn-kin, lizard buddies, or just generally those with more experience than me at The Warhammers of Fantasy can provide some insight.

Rather than take the potentially humourous and slightly painful path that the title of this post might imply or suggest, I am asking this question because I have, in the list schedule thing of stuff to paint, one of the new Carnosaur models. It's a nice model, and I would like to use it. And not just at the next 4000pt tournament.

My problem is that at what points value is it a good choice. Maybe not even a good choice, but a viable option?

The best list I can come up with (caveat: quickly and without much thought or analysis) at 2000pts is:

Lords

Old Blood on Carnosaur (why an Old Blood? Well, the extra wound, better magic allowance, WS, and AS is tempting at first pass...)

- Halberd, Light armour, Charmed Shield, Talisman of Protection, Other Trickster's Shard

- Loping Stride (carnosaur)

So I could save 60pts if I dropped to a Scar Vet, but I'd need to drop the Other Trickster's Shard too.

Heroes

Tetto'eko (I don't like using special characters as a general rule, but...  but... there goes my argument)

Skink Priest - Dispel Scroll, Heavens

Scar Vet - BSB, Cold One, GW, Armour of Destiny (really wanted the Standard of Discipline here, but with no other Scar Vet heroes to take a challenge in the face once the champion has gone...)

Core

12 Skink Cohort, 1 Krox, Standard, Muso

12 Skink Cohort, 1 Krox, Standard, Muso

12 Skink Cohort, Muso

10 Skirmishers, Javelin and Shield

10 Skirmishers, Javelin and Shield

10 Skirmishers, Javelin and Shield

Special

3 Terradons, Fireleech Bolas

5 Chameleon Skinks

5 Chameleon Skinks

6 Cold One Riders, Full Command, Spears

Rare

1 Salamander

1998pts

My thoughts, such as they may be, are:

Tetto, from experience, provides some mean magic offence. 

The scroll caddy... err.. second Priest provides another round of Iceshard Blizzard. This is important since my combat offence is woefully below average.

I really enjoyed using the Cold One cav at the NZTC earlier this year, I'd like to keep using them as an alternative to having to paint my Temple Guard sooner rather than later. I think also they are a bit more flexible (movement etc.)

I miss the second unit of Terradons

How would you feel about facing this list? Terrified? Amused? Suggest that I stop this nonsense and go back to fitting a Slann in?

Another painting update...

Just to prove I haven't been dawdling reading the Space Wolf codex and associated reviews... here's some more Inquisition Warband fun.

It's supposed to represent a unit of Henchmen - one with bolter/storm bolter (obviously) the other three with 2x CCW. 

The funny thing is that I have had that Bounty Hunter model since it was released for Necromunda somewhere between 1995 and 1997. Somewhere along the line I have lost the original backpack so have used a spare Catachan "Arnie" Colonel model's one. 18 years to get painted? Wow.

Have I mentioned that I am loving the new Citadel Paint range? Yes I am still getting to grips with all the copyrighted names and their predecessors, but I will get there eventually....

Now the question is do I finish off my Adepta Sororitas Command squad next, or a squad of Kasrkin/Tempestus Scions?

And while we're talking about Space Wolves... let's talk novels...

One of the key things that grabbed me back in the dim dark past was the background of the Space Wolves, as told in this...

One of the key things that gets me inspired about an army is the background, and if it is accompanied by some great skald work (in the form of short stories, novellas, or novels themselves) then all the better.

Unfortunately I don't really think the Space Wolves have had a good run of things in this department.

I've read all the Space Wolf novels by William King up to WolfBlade. Bill writes a great novel...

... if you like Gotrek and Felix... 

...but his take on the Sons of Russ for me is underwhelming. The characters themselves felt very one dimensional, and the chapters always ended the same way (i.e. "Ragnar felt confused/angry, whatever would he do next????? Who could he trust????? Dum dum duuuuuuuummmmmm")

I have not read the two remaining novels in the series, both by Lee Lightner, so can't comment on them. I'm worried it's one of Bill's nom de plumes. 

As for the novels Blood of Asaheim, Stormcaller, as well as the short story Onyx by Chris Wraight, the only bit that was really any good (in my opinion) was when the original Wolf Guard Hjortjur was getting chased down and murdered by Inquisition agents in the prologue. The worst bit? A heavy bolter in a Grey Hunters squad. WHERE IS THE EDITOR?? Does Chris not use conversations with Games Developers (or maybe not... "Hey man, write about the Space Wolves you want to read about") or even the content of the actual codexes as a bit of a clue?? (as a side note, I have been wanting a heavy bolter in my Grey Hunters packs for ages). But seriously, no. Just no.

I was particularly disappointed about these novels especially after reading Battle for the Fang (which Chris Wraight also wrote), which I thought was pretty damn good at evoking the majesty of the Aett.

*edit* Wolves of Fenris is also pretty good, particularly Kraken but avoid Wulfen... 

Deathwolf audio drama was ... ok. Can't say I have really got into the BL audiobooks. The characterisations (across all the books) are a bit repetitive and I'd rather read the words and imagine how they might sound by myself to be honest... 

The Lone Wolves graphic novel is worth a read (Dan Abnett, yay!) even just for the artwork. And the whole Vlka Fenryka thing.

Then you have the Horus Heresy novels A Thousand Sons by Graham McNeil and Prospero Burns by Dan Abnett. These really changed the game about how people looked at the Space Wolves I think. They added a much darker, more calculatingly violent, and downright vicious streak that was not there before. And leather. And bones. And repressed violence. And nasti... ok I'll stop.

Keeping with the HH series, the cameo from the Space Wolves pack in The Unremembered Empire (also Dan Abnett) was hilariously good. The interchange between Roboute and the pack, as well as when the Lion arrives, was a bit of novel gold. I may even have LoL'd at the latter bit. And they were not scared about facing off with the Night Haunter either... I particularly enjoyed that scene. 

So which Space Wolf novel do I think is the best? It's not even a Space Wolf novel - it would have to be, hands down, Aaron Dembski-Bowden's The Emperor's Gift. Logan Grimnar with his Wolf Guard on the Grey Knight Battle barge... fantastic. The space battle above the Fang? Overwhelmingly good. 

If there is one thing I'd want for Christmas is for ADB to give the Space Wolves the same trilogy love he gave the Night Lords. Damn that man can write so evocatively.

And maybe he can do a Prince of Crows treatment to one of the minor Wolf Lords... 

I'm all inspired to go read The Emperor's Gift again, for the third time in the last 12 months...  and of course I need to build an Inquisitor and retinue based loosely on Annika Jarlsdottyr... this madness never ends.

Vlka... Fenryka?

Back in the day, I played a lot using my Space Wolf army. Pretty exclusively for nearly 3 editions of the game.

Here's a photo of the old Wolf Lord himself, Haakon Ironwolf

Ahhh.... good times.

Anyway - I've had a chance to read the intarwebz and the new codex now, and I think I am liking this one the most since the one before the one last (3rd Ed just in case I missed a version).

The thing I really like about the Wolves is their individuality. I am particularly attracted to the army personality  and yes they have been/are a powerful choice of army (the internet says so), and there are those people who take units/combos because they are effective (and you know, they should be listened to and then you take on board what works for you), but you know... I'm going to take what I want to take and figure it out myself. 

What I have got planned (because I like to have choice)
Wolf Lord on foot and on Thunderwolf
Wolf Guard Battle Leader on foot and on Thunderwolf
Njal in terminator armour
Njal/Rune Priest in power armour
Rune Priest in power armour
Wolf Priest in power armour (Ulrik, sorry not sure why you wouldn't take him...)
Iron Priest on foot and on Thunderwolf
6 Wolf Scouts incl WGBL
6 Wolf Scouts with sniper rifle
10 Wolf Guard in terminator armour
6 Wolf Guard bikes
2 Lone Wolves
10 Grey Hunters 
10 Grey Hunters
8 Grey Hunters
8 Grey Hunters
6 Grey Hunters
14 Blood Claws
10 Blood Claws
8 Blood Claws
2 Stormwolf (or Stormfang, there are pluses for each)
3 Long Fangs
LAnd Raider Crusader
4 Rhinos
2 Razorbacks
3 Drop Pods
12-18 Thunderwolves...
Some Fenrisian Wolves
... and I should do some Dreadnoughts. I still have 3 or 4 of the old lead ones...

Goodness that is a lot of models. Why do I do this to myself????

My intention is to paint them grey as opposed to the powder blue, using zenithal highlighting techniques. I'll also be taking my time as I want them all to look at bit... you know... feral. Like they are described in the HH novels. 

Am yet to do a test paint figure since they are so far down the painting list but I have been collecting and converting the odd figure over the years since I sold my SW armies...

I need to find someone that can make me some Ironwolf shoulder pad designs, plus I am going to need lots of the old Wolf Scout backpacks. Plus I am making up some olde skool Long Fang legs specially for this...

Maybe I'll have it done in time for the next codex!