The New 40k Project…

As regular readers will know, new projects come and go on a weekly basis in my hobby time. None of them are ever off the table, until they're truly off the table and in the bin or on Ebay.

I was very cynical about the new 40k release – I still am if I'm honest – but with big Ork releases on the way it was a great opportunity for Bull to dust off his greenskins and have more fun with the Waaaagh! I needed to offer him a challenge. I have my Chaos forces in boxes (many unfinished) but we did that when the last 40k was released. It was time for something new.

I was going to finally get stuck in with my long-term Dark Templar marines (which haven't actually been started properly yet) but that seemed like a massive ask – I needed something quick and easy. After my experiences with the Nurgle Blood Bowl team – how quick and easy that was painted – I felt that this was the way to go. I needed a coloured undercoat, a quick colour wash, maybe a highlight or two, then finish off the details. I needed a proper production line approach to painting the new army.

I spent days going over the space marine chapter options versus the colour sprays available. It was a very difficult decision but eventually I went with Imperial Fists – bright yellow armour… I must be mad!

I managed to construct two full Tactical squads from the random sprues I had in the garage, leftover from previous armies. I also found a brand new Rhino and a Dreadnought (which will need some attention). It was now that my attention turned to Ebay.

First on the list was Captain Lysander – a bargain at £5 (albeit it appears to be a dodgy resin knock off) – followed by some additional Rocket Launchers for a Devastator unit. I did toy with the idea of going with some second-hand Terminators to accompany the Captain, but the quality vs final price on Ebay just didn't work for me. On a whim I decided to do the complete opposite!

GW have been doing a army box set comprising almost entirely of Terminators, so I jumped in with two feet. I now have more models than I can shake a stick at. A couple will find their way back onto Ebay to help recoup some of the outlay, but the next few weeks will see a production line not seen since my Bezerker tournament army days.

However, I decided to throw myself a little curve ball. I bought some of the GW sculpted shoulder pads and will attempt to amend then replicate them en masse. This will form a trial run for my Dark Templar marines, for when they finally see the light of day. There's been a lot of theory crafting in this respect since the days of casting my own resin bases. Plus the cost and quality of the official GW resins pads are so prohibitive to use across the army that I needed an alternative solution.

So, let the building commence!

I've got a test model ready for the yellow spray and in the meantime am building as much of the army as I can.

More soon…

Broadside Loot

Yesterday saw Broadside 2014 take place in Sittingbourne. Having a pretty stacked weekend, with jobs and visitors to the new house, I only managed a flying visit to make sure I supported this local event. I did have a couple of things that might be considered a shopping list, but didn't have my heart set on anything.

The Leisure Centre where it is held was quite busy and the main traders/gamers hall was downstairs, so you had to pass through the hellishly hot atmosphere of the swimming pool changing area to get there. Once in the hall there was a lot going on, lots of familiar faces and traders. I managed a couple of laps of the hall, as well as a chat with friends, before I had to make a sharp exit to go home and cut the grass before guests arrived (yay!).

As is often the way, I did manage to come home with a few things. First of all were the two items that I had on my 'list'. Army Painter Daemonic Yellow – spray can and bottled paint. This is for a new project that will appear on the blog shortly – it has been started but not much to show just yet.

Of course there is always the impromptu purchase and this time it was the TIE Bomber for X-Wing and some plastic movement templates. They've been on the long-term list for some time so I thought I would save some postage and get them while they were sitting in front of me (calling to me). I did almost purchase another 4Ground building after the success of the Saxon Hovel, but my restraint (and time) won the day on this occasion.

Guess What I Just Did!!

After two days of unpacking boxes I thought that I deserved a reward. Before I knew it I was standing in the Games Workshop in Ashford with the item above in my hand (as well as a plastic Librarian).

I haven't had more than a quick flick through the books but, since our internet is back up (and I'm waiting for the cordless drill to recharge), I thought I'd post the evidence of my weak will.

As you can see the new 40k consists of three books in a case, each book weighing in at the size of the Warmachine/Hordes rulebooks (or the original Rogue Trader rulebook if you prefer). That's a lot of paper for your £50, even if most of it is irrelevant to veteran gamers. The whole package is big and weighs quite a bit, so new gamers will feel like their getting their money's worth.

Book 1 is the shiny catalogue, 145(ish) pages full of nice model photography, a few ads but not much else (thought this would have painting tutorials in it, but no.).

Book 2 is the fluff book, 128 pages of background stories. Not had an in depth look at this, but could be a good read for campaign ideas.

Book 3 is the rulebook itself. It has 208 pages of the main rules, missions, etc. Not nearly as portable as I thought it might be, so tournament people will still need to buy the starter box in August (assuming their doing another A5 version of the rules). Haven't read this much at all so can't comment about any rules.

More to come on this no doubt…