29 August 2016

Dusting off 3rd Edition Blood Bowl

So after dusting off my Human and Orc Blood Bowl teams I was motivated to play a game so invited @bignerdbowski over for a match. 

Although I own the original Blood Bowl video game (which I didn't really like and as a result I didn't managed to complete a match!), it has been over 22 years since I last played a Blood Bowl match from start to finish. Needless to say, it was epic fun playing a game and I'm annoyed that I waited so long to reconnect with the game.

In the single match that we had time for, I played as Humans whilst my opponent played as Ocs. 'Back in the day' my team was Ocs so it was a new experience playing as squishy 'umans. Without going in to too much details of how the game played out... it finished 1-1. My opponent had an opportunity to score with a long bomb in the last turn but fumbled the throw.

Off the back of this match I have been trawling eBay and have picked up some Orc and Human star players. I'll get to work on these when the models arrive and I'll post updates at that point.


22 August 2016

Bases!

After my experimenting with Blood Angels test model, this week I have mostly been experimenting with bases! The bases photo'd in this post all use GW texture/dry paint combinations and basing stones.

I haven't completely settled on which colour I will go with for my Blood Angels although I'm leaning towards the 'urban' Astrogranite/Longbeard Grey combination. I'm also not entirely certain whether I will use the texture paints as I found them quite hard to apply. no matter that decision, it has been very useful to built this suite of test bases. No matter which style I choose for the BAs, I will retain these testers for any future projects.



15 August 2016

Blood Angels Test Models (2nd Set)

Last night I spent some time working on further Blood Angels test models. Following my post earlier this week, I wanted to spent some time experimenting with a technique which would be quicker to paint and could result in a higher standard of paint job! a.k.a. a win/win!

So, these three, roughly, follow the same base coating/washing process (with some slight differences on each model, which I cover below):

  • Undercoated Black
  • Airbrushed Mephiston Red
  • Gloss Varnish
  • Oil based Wash


8 August 2016

Blood Angels Draft 1,500 point List.

Today I wanted to cover my draft BA list.

For this 'core' list I have focused on Blood Angels specific models and will try, when I get the chance, to play this as a fast attack, 'in your face' list. One main principle of this list is for the scouts to persue any difficult/remote/backline objectives and thusly call down the Terminators from Deep Strike to bolster their attacking or defensive requirements. The Death Company will arrive in the Storm Raven and so have a good range of options to get to where they are most required. I'll probably combat quad the Tactical Marines so I have 3 x units which can secure objectives and the Assault Marines can support the combat squad which doesnt enter the battle in the Rhino. Throw in the Blood Angels Chaplain with Jump Pack, a Sanguinary Priest & this list starts to feel very much inline how BA should conduct their battles.

HQ

Chaplain [90]
+ bolt pistol
+ jump pack [15]
= 105

Sanguinary Priest [60]
+ chainsword
= 60

Troops

4 Scouts [44]
+ 3× Space Marine shotgun
+ missile launcher [15]
+ 1 Scout Sergeant [11]
+ melta bombs [5]
+ teleport homer [10]
= 85

9 Tactical Marines [126]
+ grav-gun [15]
+ heavy flamer [10]
+ 1 Space Marine Sergeant [14]
+ power weapon [15]
+ inferno pistol [15]
+ melta bombs [5]
= 200
• Rhino
= 45

Elites

5 Death Company Marines [100]
+ power weapon [15]
+ power fist [25]
+ inferno pistol [15]
+ thunder hammer [30]
= 185

4 Assault Terminators [160]
+ 5× thunder hammer and storm shield [20]
+ company standard [20]
+1 Terminator Sergeant
= 290

Fast Attack

4 Assault Marines [68]
+ flamer [5]
+ hand flamer [10]
+ 1 Space Marine Sergeant [17]
+ power fist [25]
+ plasma pistol [15]
+ melta bombs [5]
= 145

Heavy Support

Stormraven Gunship [200]
+ side-sponson hurricane bolters [30]
+ extra armour [5]
= 235

Baal Predator
[115]
+ flamestorm cannon
+ sponson heavy flamers [20]
+ storm bolter [5]
+ hunter-killer missile [10]
= 150

1,500 points

Alongside this list I have Commander Dante and a Lord Executioner as options. I will also (most likely) paint up my 30th Anniversary Space Marine as a Blood Angel and use him as part of the tactical squad... just for some added cheese!

In terms of modeling, I'm going to make these units as detailed as possible and replace 40k models, with 30k (Horus Heresy) equivalents, e.g. I will pick up the ForgeWorld Rhino instead of the GW Rhino.


There are a few of reasons for this approach:


  1. the models look better!; 
  2. Blood Angels were my first army: I feel drawn to many ForgeWorld models as they are based on the early incarnations of, for example, the Rhinos and Land Raiders, which I had back in the early 90's; and 
  3. I want, where I can, to have units which could function both in 30k and 40k.

 It's going to be a little while until I can start this project without distraction as I want to complete my Space Marine Army first but I now have a solid list to which I can use to direct my hobbying activities over the next 12 months or so.

1 August 2016

Blood Angels Test Model (1st Set)

I only have 2 or 3 models left to paint for the Space Marine army so I've started to cast my eye towards my next project, Blood Angels. These were my first army back in the early nineties so I have been itching to start this next project and I'm determined to do them justice by adequately planning the paint scheme and general aesthetic.

The first step in achieving this goal has been to paint up some test models. I experimented on 5 different models in total, using various colours, styles, methods but this model below is my favourite. For him, I followed  GW colours scheme for Blood Angels contained in the Sons of Sanguinius: Blood Angels Painting Guide as follows:
  • Mephiston Red base coat
  • Agrax Earthshade wash
  • Evil Sunz Scarlet highlight
  • Fire Dragon Bright highlight
  • Ungor Flesh highlight

Out of this batch of test models, I found this scheme created the most striking looking marine, remained true to the Blood Angel colour scheme (I guess 'cos this is the GW scheme!) and  would be relatively easy to paint.

I now have to decide on base styles, weathering options and which units I want to purchase for my army. Fun times!