Painting Checkers Tutorial

Painting Checkers

I just wanted to go through my process for painting the checker pattern for my Orks.  There might be some other Ork players out there that haven't given this a go.  It's dead simple and it can really set off a model.  Here we go then.

1.  Base the area that you want checks in a very light grey.  Don't go full white as it looks a bit too bright and white typically covers poorly.  If you want full-on white, you still want to build up from a light grey.  If you have an airbrush, use it here after masking off the area you want using the proper low-tack tape. If not, then just use thin layers to build up coverage such that it stays relatively smooth.

2.  Using a pencil, very lightly sketch out a grid pattern on the light grey/white area.  This doesn't need to be laser precise as this will just be a guide for you.  If you can use panels lines like I have in the following picture to help guide your grid, it makes things much easier.

 3. Using straight black or black mixed with dark grey (50/50) you can start to fill in the squares.  I usually start by painting the outline of the square, then fill in.  Paint consistency is very important here.  Thin is good, but if you go too thin, you lose control of your paint.  I would recommend practicing a small square before applying the dark color to the model.

4. Clean-up the checks by using either the light grey or the black to even out the boxes.  Don't become too concerned about perfection here.  Just get them such that at arms length they look acceptable.  The more time you spend in this last step, the better they can look, but remember to take a break and look at the model at normal viewing range from time to time.  Often times we focus on the details of things that disappear completely when you pull your head back from the model.

5. (Optional) Use a sepia wash to dirty up the checks, dulling the white.  This helps tie the pattern back into the model.  Weathering the checks is another great option.  You can use a medium grey shade to show chipped paint or even just the base coat of the rest of the model.  Apply these colors using a bit of sponge to achieve an irregular pattern.

That's it.  Nothing fancy but this looks great on the table.  If you have an airbrush you can also mask off the white squares and spray black over the strip.  This gives a very precise look, but not everyone has access to an airbrush so I wanted to go through the steps assuming you didn't.  If you have any questions, just post below.

Ork Blitza Bommer

The Ork Blitza Bommer

     I've had this model rattling around in a box for quite some time.  It occurred to me that it would provide a perfect test bed for some weathering techniques I'd like to try.  The Forge World Modeling Masterclass Vol. 1 has a ton of great techniques and I've purchased some supplies to give them a go.  The picture above shows the model pre-weathering, so I'll update when I've completed the next step.  The pilot and the tail gunner were finished some time ago.  Here are some close-ups of those:

 Pilot sporting a fine leather flight helmet

Grot tail gunner with a big "flash" gun sight

Thoughts on the Model

     The Ork flyer was a bit of a shocker when it was released some years ago.  The shock was not that they released a new kit for my beloved Orks, but that the kit looked better than the Ork flyers that were already on offer from Forge World.  Exhibit A:

Fact: Not as cool!

     The Ork flyer kit that GW released contains a good amount of options.  Enough that you could make at least three variations of each of the three unit types.  I choose the Blitza Bommer not because it seems the best, but because it has a wacky "roll to see what crazy thing happens" table for bombing targets.  I also liked the over-sized bombs it gets to carry.  I'll be saving those to paint last.

First Game of Sixth Edition

The Beast Has Arrived


     I played my first game of Warhammer 40K 6th edition today.  It... took... awhile.  Many readers might not know that I actually haven't been into 40K that long.  I got started almost a year after 5th edition had launched.  I had completed my first 1500 point army and played my first game about the time that 5th edition was celebrating it's first birthday.  Starting a game as complex as 40K (or really most table top war games) is difficult, but it helps if there are plenty of blogs, Youtube videos, and podcasts that are almost wholly concerned with sussing out some new rules.  That's exactly how I managed to figure out 5th edition, at least as much that I felt like I could put some models on a table, shuffle them about, and roll some dice with a modicum of confidence that some of that conformed with the rules.

     This is my first rules shift.  Many vets out there have been there, done that, purchased the over-priced limited collector's edition T-shirt.  I certainly haven't and I'm a bit worried.  One of my least favorite experiences in this hobby to date was one of my first ever public pick-up game.  One of the regulars at the gaming store I visited agreed to play against me in a low point game.  My first few games I had played with a friend, and I had a blast learning the rules with him.  This pick-up game was different.  This guy didn't care to teach me anything, other than how to try and piece back my ego.  Ultimately, the sore spot for me wasn't that I lost (I've had plenty of that since) but the way that I lost.

     He used 4th edition and even 3rd edition rules that favored him.  True line of sight? PFFT!  Not if it meant I had caught him at a disadvantage.  There were many more instances of creative rule blending, and it made me furious because I found out AFTER the fact.  Not only that but he had played far more points against me.  He had just dropped some models on the table and ran rough shod over the "newb" and didn't care what that meant for the community.

     It had occurred to me that perhaps he didn't know what he was doing.  Perhaps he was just a bit of a bumbling idiot that generally forgot what edition he was playing, or had a difficult time sorting out the rules in his head.  Maybe he added up his army wrong when he put together his 1300 pt "1000 pt" Eldar army.

     Bollocks!  He was a punk.  I'm worried that I might fail to pickup 6th edition rules and 5th edition rules will pop out instead, so I'm trying extra hard to dump 5th edition, and learn 6th quickly.  I don't someone to think I was trying to be the bastard against them.

So How Was It?


     Well, it was "fine."  That might seem a bit lack-luster for a review, but I'm not sure one game is enough to tell anything.  Just reading the rule book made me feel like my Orks had taken a bit of a pummeling.  Some of that beating showed up on the table, but I'm learning to cope.  The allies rule allowed me to dust off those Grey Knights I had made for that exact purpose back when the Demon Hunter codex allowed allies.  They performed admirably on the table, but 6th has really dull the razor sharp tip of the Grey Knights spear.  It was needed, don't get me wrong, but if your Grey Knights come face to face with Thunder Hammer wielding Terminators, get ready to pluck some models off the table.

     The wound allocation method is certainly "logical" and a little forethought goes a long way if you position your units properly.  I had not spent much time learning the rules for wound allocation in close combat, but as it so happens I did it right.  This was mainly because the allocation rules between shooting and close combat are pretty much the same, and seemed second nature to me.  I'm sure the beard-ier members of the community might be hating it right now, but for a more "cinematic" game (which we've heard multiple time from GW that this was the intent of this edition) they really have hit the nail firmly on the head.

     The mission that we played was number 6 on the list: The Relic.  It just so happens that I had made up a very similar mission one day while playing a friendly game.  It's an entertaining mission and one that forced me to play counter to the Ork ethos.

Orks in 6th


     Much has been made about the effect this edition has on a number of armies.  Generally there is conscensus that assaulting has been negatively impacted, while shooting has been positively so.  Here is a quick list of things I feel hurt and also help my Orks in 6th:

Bad Stuff
- Furious charge is only +1 strength, and not +1 strength and +1 initiative
- Feel No Pain is only on a 5+
- Cover saves are generally lower
- No assaulting from reserves
- Fleet no longer allows assaulting after running but a re-roll of a run die, and the charge dice so a slight net loss (this is only a benefit to units that innately have Fleet, not gain it for a single turn like the Orks with their WAAAGH! rule)
- Wound allocation by wargear is gone (needed to be fixed anyways)
- Overwatch means I get shot at when I assault (I tend to do a lot of assaulting)

Good Stuff
- No more Fearless wounds
- Look Out Sir allows some wound allocation schenanigans for my Nobz (which brings me to...)
- Nobz are all characters (challenges, precise strikes/shots, and Look out sir)
- Bike +1 toughness is accounted for when determining Instant Death (HUGE!)
- Reserves come in on 3+ on both turn 2 and 3.  Automatically arrive on turn 4.
- Snap Fire means I'm only shooting at one less Ballistic Skill than normal!  Never a tough choice.
- More Night Fighting missions.  People hate it, but for assaulting armies, it's great.
- Feel No Pain only negated by Instant Death wounds not AP1, AP2, and Instant Death

     There is more, I'm sure, that I simply can't remember at this time.  There is plenty of "neutral" stuff that I haven't figured out if it's a boon or bust for me just yet.  The random charge ranges seem like a random element I could have done without, but on the table, it creates some interesting situations and surprises.  My Deff Dread stomped up 9 inches on a charge!  He was in assault in turn 3, which was previously unheard of.

     This has turned into a wall of text.  I'm stopping here.  I'll be back later with more thoughts about 6th edition.  Feel free to ask me any questions concerning 6th, my Orks, or anything else 40K related.  I won the game that I played, by the way.  4 victory points to 1.  Good start to the new edition.

Wait... WHO MADE THIS? Oh yeah and I played 40K.

This CAN'T be a coincidence!


     So this is the lamp for the display case that I featured in my last post. Look at the designer's name! MIKAEL WARNHAMMAR! ... WHAT? Totally meant to be. Truth is sometimes stranger than fiction.

Got Some Games In!


     A friend of mine was visiting from out of town. He was obliging enough to bring not one, but TWO armies. Since I had this Monday off, and he was on vacation, it seemed the perfect excuse to log some serious time on the table. We stopped by the local GW (which, as it turns out now isn't closing until the end of April, with promises to bring back the local Baltimore Battle Bunker somewhere not too far from my house... fingers crossed) and we took up shop on one of their two 6x4 tables.

     I need to put another plug in here for the Battle Missions book. I don't think nearly enough players out there know of or enjoy missions out of this little gem. I don't want to seem like I'm bashing everyone about the head about how much I like this book, but the three basic missions are incredibly boring to me. Two of them are practically the same game, and the other one is the most unimaginative mission you could possibly make. It's stone soup with just stones. Bleh!

     We got in two games, all told. One with his Grey Knights versus my Orks and the second with his Blood Angels versus my Orks (again). Though I won both games, they were interesting fare. The were a few interesting highlights. My Ork warboss, for example, has continued to be schooled by his Grand Master. Trick here is that he has purchased most of this army from a friend who STARTED this silly streak. So the same model! I think, at this point, we can call them arch rivals.

     OH IT'S SO ON!

     The Blood Angels game was a very strange beast for me. He was toting two Storm Ravens with five assault terminators with lightning claws and a sanguinary priest in terminator armor in each one. That's a whole lot of hurt. My Lootas managed to immobilize one that came on the board with a turbo boost. CRASH BANG! The other one was immobilized by a squad of Deff Koptas. The strangest thing about this match though, was that Ork shooting featured prominently in it. Whoa! Weird! If it wasn't the Deff Koptas (who admittedly didn't survive too long with the exception of one lonely Kopta) it was the Lootas, and if it wasn't the Lootas, it was the Bikes.  Assault was a dangerous phase for both armies. Furious charge can a victor make.

     And, for the record, I caused 21 wounds (Choppas, Big Choppas, and 'Urty Syringe) from my foot Nobs on one of his assault terminators. After 2+ saves and 4+ feel-no-pain... he took one wound.

     I don't know if he'll be putting up a batrep (YOU BETTER! I know you read this!), but when he does I'll be sure to link it.

Oh! Deffy got to dispense some hugs too!

     In more materialistic news: I bought the Badab War books. I need to frame these posters! One is freaking HUGE! Any tips guys?

Featured on GW's site!

     File this under "Totally unexpected and yet pretty cool", My Deff Dread was featured on the What's New Today page on Game Workshop's web site.

Here's the link

     It's really quite cool to get some recognition there. Didn't see it until really late, so I'm glad I didn't miss it. Good times. Guess I'll have to raise my price on my commissions... I'm now published. Just kidding! Still, it's pretty neat. Sort of surprised they didn't mention the "Free Hugz" sign.

The Most Dangerous Game

     I'm back in the groove at home. I've started work on my IG army, and I have just so many ideas spinning around in my head that I'm having difficulty focusing on finishing my Blood Angels. There's not just a terrible amount of work that I have to do, but there's enough that I'm letting the IG distract me willfully. On the Guard front, I've assembled my first Veteran Squad, I've completed all their bases, and I've even managed to build a Hell Hound (complete with magnetized weapons). I've also been pecking away impatiently at my Valkyrie model. I'm afraid of doing any substantial assembly as I need to understand what I'm going to need to paint and how I might magnetize things.

     I stopped by at my CLGS this Saturday for a game. I experienced what I might classify as the worst game I've ever been a part of. I brought my Orks (1850 pts) against a Necrons army. This guy is a regular, but he's not very... good. He basically lost the game in deployment. He crammed everything into a corner, put his Monolith in reserve, and let my Biker Nobz and Foot Nobz run rampant through his trapped Necrons. I've seen this guy up there on and off for the last year. I really have to wonder what he has been doing because there were some really basic 40K concepts that seemed to be alien to him. He didn't even know that you can assault multiple units. He asked if that was a piece of war gear that I had on my Nobz.

     The game was officially over at the end of round two. Unofficially it was really over after the top of round two. Though I won, it wasn't fun. I've said before that I thought my Orks were a little TOO competitive to be fun, and a game like this certainly shows that. I'm not saying that I can't lose, I've proven that I'm quite capable of that. I just think I just enjoy a game were there are more eventualities. Which is why, at some point in the future, I'll need to paint up a few less power-gamey type characters for my Orks.

Can you hear the distant thumbing of Koptas?

     Here is a quick shot of my Deff Koptas all ready for priming. I should have a few more ready for assembly in the future, but these six will be enough to fill out my 1850 point list. I'll be running them in two squads of three. I've really tried my best to make these six Koptas as different from one another as possible. As these are the last units for this army, I have a large selection of bits to throw around. I dug through some other random odds and ends and used those for the bases. Hopefully these will be properly interesting to look at.

     I didn't have a chance to get any 40K games in this last weekend as my wife graduated from college. Her parents and god parents came into town and we had a great few days of celebration and fun. It was  a ton of fun, but now I must focus back in on my army and get these Orks finished up. I had a goal of attempting to finish my Blood Angels variant of my Space Marine army before I return home on vacation, but I don't think that's going to happen. I would need to complete five Honour Guards, a magnetized Captain, and at least two Sanguinary Priests. Though that's not outside the realm of reality, I think I'd maybe end up rushing the job just a little too much. We'll see, I suppose. Depends on these Koptas.

     Stay tuned for the Blood Angels variant project, I promise there will be some truly interesting models and paint jobs. Until then, here are a few more closer shots of the Koptas, enjoy:

Victory!

     HUZZAH! I've won my first 40K tournament! I'm so very excited, and I'd really like to share that experience with everyone, even though it might not be a very big deal to most, I'm just about on cloud nine and I gotta do a little boasting.

     I headed out to my CLGS on Saturday to see if I could get a game or two in. Most of the day was spent helping a friend learn 40K with his spanking new Sisters army. Later in the afternoon, a married couple asked if anyone wanted to play a team game against them so they could practice for a local tourney. One of the regulars, Dan, said he'd be willing to give it a go and asked me to team up with him. I brought my Orks, and he pulled together a list from his fairly new Chaos Demons army. We each had 1250 and a shared force organization, so 1 HQ, 1-3 troops, 0-1 fast attack, 0-1 elite, and 0-1 heavy support. Floating between the two players was the extra fast attack, elite, and heavy support. While I can't speak to Dan's specific list, here's a run-down of mine:

HQ

     Warboss: Bike, Power Klaw, Attack Squig

Troops

     Nobz (6): Bikes, Power Klaws (2), Big Choppas (3), Waaagh Banner, Boss Pole, 

                     Shoota/Skorcha. Painboy

     Boyz/Boyz' Nob (21): Big Shoota (2), Choppa/Slugga (18), Power Klaw, Boss Pole

Elite

     Kommandos (6) & Snikrot: Burna (2), Choppa/Slugga (4)

     Lootas (8)

Heavy Support

     Deff Dread: Dreadnought CCW (4)

Fast Attack

     Deff Kopta (3): Twin Linked Rokkit Launcha (3)

Total Points: 1246

     After a good game, which we ended up winning, Dan asked if I would be interested in entering the tournament. I had nothing to do the next day, so I agreed. I met him the next morning and we headed out to the tournament location.

     We had three rounds, each with only an hour and a half to play, and two 15-20 minute breaks between. Each round had different objectives, and actually they just used some of the Adepticon missions from the team tournament this year. Here's how our games ended up (roughly):

Round 1 - Victory

     Space Marines (10th Company themed) and Eldar (Mech/Eldrad)

     Points: 8 out of possible 10

Round 2 - Victory
     Space Wolves and Chaos Space Marines
     Points: 29 out of possible 30

Round 3 - Victory
     Imperial Guard and Orks
     Points: 28 out of possible 30

     I might be off on the total possible points there, but it was pretty close. I must say, all of the competitors that we played were top notch sportsmen. I've heard people talk about how cool people are, even in most competitive environments, but I didn't really believe it until I saw it with my own eyes. The few rules issues we had were handled pretty quickly and fairly. I think everyone enjoyed the games. Most of the games seemed much closer than the points portray, and I think the gab between us and second seemed hard to believe. We didn't field the most power-gaming combinations. I think my Nob bikers were the most min/max thing we had, but we had some great rolls go our way, and that made all the difference.

     The cherry on top was that my Warboss was selected as the "Best Painted Unit" which really put a smile on my face. I was super happy about that because I'm a hobbyist first, or at least it's really starting to seem that way.

     I can't say enough how much fun it was playing those games and meeting those awesome gamers. There was a real sense of enjoyment there and I gotta thank the organizers, the players, the store, and my teammate for a fantastic event.

Free Hugz!

     An update at last! Sorry for the little bit of down-time. I've been pretty busy. I completed eight Lootas, and this here Deff Dread. The Lootas, I'm afraid, haven't been photo'd yet. I'll get around to taking some pics of those in the future. Right now, I need to plug ahead. I would like to talk about this big-bad-blender right here, in the meantime. The Deff Dread kit model is the best kit I've assembled in 40K. The options are awesome, and the assembly was a breeze. They need more kits like this one for sure. Painting him was an absolute blast. I don't think I've had more pride upon completion than I had with this baddie. If you're an Ork player, and you're on the fence about this model, let me just say that if you pass this up, you're crazy! Even if you NEVER run him in your army, you just got to get one for the sheer coolness alone.

     Now, on a non-Ork related note: I've got an interesting plan for my Space Marines. My hope is to put together a Blood Angels variant list, using mostly my current SM models. My 1850 point list should include the following new models:

-5 man honour guard (including Sanguinary Novitiate)

-2 Sanguinary Priests

-1 New Space Marine Captain

     With just those models, I'll have a VERY different list to play. I'm trying not to spam uber-units into the mix because that's not really what this army is about. After playing some games with my Orks, I'm beginning to feel that they're just a bit TOO powerful. I'm not saying that I can't lose, not at all. What I'm saying is that it sucks a little bit of the fun out of the game. My most memorable games tend to be with my Space Marines, and that list is FAR from competitive. My other problem is that, right now, my Orks are a little too "two dimensional" in that they are nearly completely about close combat. Granted, they're Orks, but I really think that there's something to be said about the more silly, certainly less competitive Ork units and HQs that have nothing to do with close combat. The Shokk Attack gun, for example. I'll get around to adding this layer to my Orks eventually, but for the near future, I think this Blood Angels variant list will do just fine.

     Here are some detail pics of the Deff Dread for your viewing pleasure: 

'Os Da Boss?

     He's done! This represents a true mile-marker for me. This is my first Forge World model that I've purchased, assembled, and painted. I'm completely thrilled that it came out as well as it did. His little squig partner looks like he's enjoying the ride back there, so I think that was a proper addition to the model. I've actually decided NOT to glue the Warboss down. This is mainly because I painted quite a lot of detail on his chest, and I'd hate to just leave it covered up forever. I've got eight lootas sitting there to be painted next, but I think I'm going to take a small break from just straight unit painting and try adding a little flavor to my army along the lines of a nice barrel of fungus beer to ride in the back of the Trukk. I'll take some time to start assembling the Deff Dread just a bit, getting a feel for the model.

     That's all I got for now. I'm looking forward to putting this bad boy on the table. Here are some detail shots and some nice size comparison shots:

Speaking of Bikez... I have Bikez!

     I'm nearly finished with the bike for my Warboss. I think she is coming along excellently. I'm pleased that the end product is looking very much as it did in my mind before I started painting it. I still have a few touches to work on, but for the most part, this thing is done. I tried a slightly different approach to weathering. I used a tiny bit of sponge, dabbed it in a very dark brown, then pressed it to parts of the orange paint. I then highlighted near these marks with the base orange mixed with some Bleached Bone. I think the effect is really nice. It gives a slight hint of a 3rd dimension.

     Though I was slightly daunted by the complexity of this model, I think I've been most inspired by it. I'm yearning to get some more of this Ork army over and done. Here are a few more detail shots:

Hogz for Nobz and Games for Me

     Can you smell the exhaust fumes? That could actually just be the primer. Regardless, my Nob Bikerz have doubled their numbers and my little biker gang now boasts two power claws, three big choppas, and a painboy. I pieced together the Painboy from the Ork Nob box consisting of the saw arm and one of the Cyb-ork heads. I think he came out alright. All of my bikes are unique, which is pretty sweet. I green stuffed one of the big choppa arms so that he's holding the weapon lower to the ground and away from his body. I think it gives a little appearance of speed and, in my mind, represents him speeding towards his next assault.

     This weekend was most excellent. I managed to get in a teaching game (my Marines got slaughtered by my Orks at approximately 550 points), an 1850 point level battle mission game, and a Kill Teams game. I won the last two. I enjoyed teaching, but I don't know if the guy from work got much from it. One thing I can say for sure is that it is supremely annoying when you're trying to teach the game and people keep stopping by and offering tips and tricks, side-tracking me and trying desperately to clean up what knowledge they're spilling. Just being enthusiastic about something, doesn't mean you're an excellent teacher. Just KNOWING a lot about something doesn't make you a great teacher either.

      My 1850 game was absolutely perfect! I played against a fantastic opponent. He was gracious, gentlemanly, and played the game for fun, not just to win. His list is very fluffy and well painted/converted. He has an entire Thousand Sons list with a Demon Prince as the lead. We played the "Pillage" mission from the Chaos Space Marine Battle Missions, and I have to say that it is one of the best missions I've played thus far from the book.

     My Space Marines, at 1850, are severely lacking. I've essentially hammered it together, stretching my anemic army to get to that value. I throw in my Grey Knight terminators simply to soak up some points (which is what they do best, frankly). Imagine my surprise when they actually started earning their points back! They performed admirably given my expectations and their previous record. The big BIG VIP of the game, however, was my sniper scouts. I think I might even have to say it was mostly Telion. He was a right bastard to those Thousand Sons. I managed to kill the Demon Prince and THREE sorcerers with my sharp shooting. Telion's ability to assign the wounds is PRICELESS in these situations. Furthermore, if you get those rending hits, you're a GOD! Even with the 4+ invulnerable saves, you're going to fail eventually.

     Kill teams still seems enjoyable to me. I enjoy the faster pace, and the unique strategies. I think I've found the list I enjoy playing the most. I take a five man Sternguard squad, and a five man scout squad. You're really only taking minimum gear, but you have some deadly firepower in these choices. Once my Orks are finished, and I've started back towards my Space Marines, I have a few ideas for making a themed army for Kill Teams.

     Lastly; I purchased my Deff Dread. I just can't wait to get this guy put together and painted. I have a really fun idea for some customization that I know people will enjoy. In the meantime, I've primed my eight lootas and my Forge World Warboss, so look forward to those within the next week or two. I leave you with some more pics of my new bikes:

Bikerz go WOOOOOOO!

     Here's a little peek at those Nob Bikerz I mentioned in the last post. The happy fellow in the middle is my Painboy, and you might see the Space Marines flamer attached to the Nob with the Big Choppa. I also have a sneak peek at my Forge World Warboss with a little hitch-hiker that I purchased for just this purpose some while ago. I think it's perfect! Gotta love that Ork character!

Incoming Ork Bikes and Armies of the Future

     With the Kommandos done, I was fired up. Like I said in my previous post, the painting process for those Kommandos was just painful for various reasons. Once completed, I was refueled. I plunged into one of my Ork Battleforce boxes and immediately started gluing my last three Nob bikers together (and my fingers). I have combined a few bits to build a Painboy on a bike, and I even scavenged a Space Marine flamer to make my shoota/skorcha Nob. I'm chomping at the bit to paint them up and that will lead me towards my Warboss on Bike! HURRAY!

     I've been pondering my future army ideas. I'm constantly thrilled with how deep this hobby goes. My imagination and creativity gets a goodly amount of exercise just dreaming up new armies. Right now I'm thinking of doing a group of Sternguard as Deathwatch. I've got my theoretical Imperial Guard army tempting my wallet as well. My more immediate thoughts are of a Salamanders variant of my Space Marines, so once the Orks are done, I'll have to refocus on those guys.

     I just purchased some foam trays for my Orks from Battlefoam. I can't fully explain how awesome my Battlefoam case has been for me. My current case has been getting some really good use. I've got this thing loaded up to near full capacity. I just noticed that they have a new bag coming out and it looks slick. I'm wondering which bag I'll eventually upgrade to: The new 720 or the massive 1520. I guess this depends on what my third army ends up being.

     Last bit of news here. I've found a new 40K related podcast that I've been enjoying. It's called 11th Company. The podcast is very focused and nearly completely 40K tactics focused. 40K Radio has been sucking and I'm tired of pointless babbling about beer drinking and shitty puns. I've enjoyed World's End Radio, but they aren't strictly 40K focused. Check out 11th Company if you get a chance.

Mission Success

     I had a really good day at the CLGS today. I won every game I played, I had a pretty good time, and the Battle Missions book seems to be pretty slick.

     First, my orks! They performed excellent. The Trukk showed to be an extremely lethal addition to the army. I played a 1000 point game against my friend Sean with his Eldar army. Turn one was a down right murder! I flung my three Nob bikers and the Trukk filled with 10 Nobz and my Big Mek up the right flank. The awesome open-topped-ness of the trukk allowed me to disembark far enough out front to setup a truly epic assault. With the Nobz plowing through the Eldar in assault, my 20 'Ard Boyz just sat back on our objective, making sure no sneaky Striking Scorpions tried to take it. I had pretty much wiped the Eldar by the end of turn three. For as awesome as this all sounds, it was assisted by some exceedingly terrible rolls on my friend's side. I found myself in that uncomfortable position of feeling bad for him.

     After that first game, we got the Battle Missions book and played a game of Kill Teams. I really dig it, but I must say that this game type needs a few rule clarifications. If you and your opponent have an understanding before the game starts, then it's totally cool. This game type seems like it might be easily broken by certain armies (namely horde armies). I got one more two on two kill teams game in before I left, and this too was tons of fun.

     I got Vulcan Hes'tan in the mail the other day, along with some squigs that I plan on using on both objective markers and potentially with the Warboss on Bike that I'm getting for Forgeworld. Vulcan represents really the beginnings of my "third" army. Really I'm just building a variant of my current SM list to be more Salamandar-ish. I really still want to do a Imperial Guard army next, but that will have to wait for a while. I've got plenty to paint until then.

Beep Beep!

     Trukk is DONE! I'm very happy with the trukk. The only thing I wasn't thrilled with was the gunner. He doesn't want to fit in the gunner's mount so well. I managed to get him glued in such that it wasn't a problem, but other than that, I think everything came together quite well. I've got some extra little bitz I'm going to be attaching to the trukk later, and I'll post pics when I do.

     I've ordered some more fun stuff. I have five squigs headed my way as well as Vulcan Hestan, which represents my baby steps back into the SM arena. My goal is to have a Salamanders variant of my core SM army ready within the next six months. I do have plenty more Orks to do, but I've purchased the last of my Orks for my 1500 point list. The only things I'm desperate to add to my Orks are a Deff dread and a weird boy. Those are more just for S&Gs so I'm in no great hurry.

     I stopped by my CLGS and ran into a new face. He's another Navy guy who is getting back into 40K. Excellent news! I was happy to lend him some advice about our CLGS. He informed me that he was completing an Eldar army at the moment. Our CLGS has a terrible Eldar player that has effectively ruined the army in the eyes of the regulars because he's an absolute power gamer and doesn't exactly play the rules so well. Saying "Eldar" around the store usually elicits some rather negative responses. One of my friends from work who's also getting back into 40K is playing Eldar as well and found this to be the reception. I told him that it was up to him to change everyones' mind. God speed Sean... God speed.

     Here are some more shots of my trukk: