The return from Fire and Ice!

Hi folks,
I have survived the land of Fire and Ice! Most importantly I have had an awesome few days in Iceland and did some insane things I never thought I would do and have thoroughly enjoyed myself. I might have some pics eventually but certainly have some ideas for ice bases and conversions for a small army now!!!

Great country, awesome food, tasty beer and INSANE vehicles! Can recommend it to any one. Now on my return its time to organise and get painting finished, the Power Armour challenge organised and the hobbying back on track. Keep your eyes out for more models, reviews and articles in 2012.

All the best, Millest

Blog News and Shamless Ebay Plug

Hi Folks
just a quick note that over the next few days there will be some changes to the tabs at the top and their content, I'm looking to consolodate some of the options and shrink down their content (think subpages). I will also be adding some new Labels to posts, so please keep an eye out.
Once everything is live it would be great if you could let me know what you think of the changes. Also please let me know if there are any changes I havent made that you might like.

Secondly, please keep an eye out from some more TOFG news and information coming soon.

Finally to help fun my hobbies and plastic habit I've decided to have a small clear out, theres Figures, FW, DVDs and Lego. Odd collection I know!
Many items have gone via Buy It Now already but there are some nice bits left, so please check them out here:
http://myworld.ebay.co.uk/the-inqusitor

Thanks and enjoy!

Army Lists- Imperial Guard 500pt votes are in!

Well everyone the votes are in and I'm pleased with the results. The leading list was thankfully the one I was leaning towards if i had voted (but didn't as don't want to skew the votes), though thankfully its versatile enough to allow me to make List 1 as well.

The winning list as I'm sure some of you saw was List 5, as seen here:

So there you have it, looks good and will certainly look the part on the table i think.
Thanks for voting and cant wait to start!

on a side note I'm looking for three specific items and need suggestions and ideas please, those items are:

• An ornate las pistol pref in the left hand but that's adjustable
• A chain sword fit for IG with no hands on it (i.e. it still has the grip - though if it has an easily removable hand that's good)
• A thunder hammer style hammer ideal for IG with the tech theme of 40k - no fantasy please

any suggestions or offer can either be emailed to me or put in comments.
thanks for any help or offers.

Army Lists- Imperial Guard 500pt Variations!

Well folks in preparation from an upcoming project I've got round to re-jiggering some of my existing army lists as well as having a submission from Mark over at Imperius Dominatus. My problem is there are two many options to decide upon, so your mission should you choose to accept it is to help me pick a list, or if none are sufficient to the task to help me formulate a new 500point list.

Before we start at present my main opponents will be a Tau force, a Nid force and potentially a Kroot mercs force. Later on i may be facing Marines or MEQ but for now Tau and Nids are my main protagonists.

So with out further ado here are the lists (please click on them to enlarge), there will be additional notes below each list:

1 - Imperius Dominatus 500pt gun line

A nice simple 500 point AC heavy list with the option to swap the Griffon out for either a Hydra or two sentinels at a later date.

2 - Valkyrie 500pt Veteran response force

A fast response force meant to represent an inquisitional raiding party with the Psyker counting as an inquisitor. There are options available to drop some of the meltas and the door heavy bolters and either have two valks with rocket pods, one with pods and one with lascannons or two vendettas.

3 - Chimera 500pt Veteran response force Mk1

A tank mobile option with 3 tanks and a full HQ unit this time, with the option to swap the Griffon out for either a Hydra or two sentinels at a later date if desired.


4 - Chimera 500pt Veteran response force Mk2

Similar to above really but with a psyker (inquisitor) instead of the HQ, one less tank but allows for the inclusion of a sentinel and once again with the option to swap the Griffon out for either a Hydra or a further two sentinels at a later date.


5 - Static Defence 500pt force

A mixture of a static AC heavy gun line with the rapid response nature of the veterans in a Chimera with the Psyker (Inquisitor) and once again with the option to swap the Griffon out for either a Hydra or a further two sentinels at a later date.



6 - Valkyrie Static Defence 500pt force

Basically the same static AC heavy gun line with the rapid response nature of the veterans in a fully tooled up Valkyrie with rocket pods and door bolters, also the option to go for the vendetta when needed.

7 - Leman Russ Static Defence 500pt force

As above once again but with a Russ to anchor the corner, this means the vets are much less mobile though. It does mean though that at a later date the Russ could be swapped for other vehicles of a similar points cost, failing that the vest could be swapped for another platoon (minus some special weapons) and the Russ could be kept.


Well folks there you have my attempts at lists so now is your chance to tear them apart, improve them and help me create a new list or to just simply help me select a list from these, the list selected or created will then be modelled up and used.

thanks in advance

Imperial Guard Army List - 500 Armoured Variations!

After playing with the Valkyrie 500's I thought it a good idea to organise some other 500 point lists for games and days when the Valkyries would not be practical (and from a costings point of veiw these are cheaper price wise) and have come up with the following lists.
Please have a look and feel free to give me any feedback you have for them.

Rapid Response 500

This is my first attempt at a response and patrol force using the 500 point limit. My thoughts were to offer a scouting element with the Sentinal, a Support element in the form of the Griffon and Rapid Response units in the form of the Chimera Squads.

Rapid Response 500 MK2

The second attempt at a response and patrol force is similar in its make up but drops the Sentinal and gains Meltas in the squads. It maintains a Support element in the form of the Griffon and Rapid Response units in the form of the Chimera Squads.

Rapid Response 500 MK3

The third attempt drops the extra and provides a Chimera based force with no extras but lots of assorted weapons.

Thinking about these lists I am very tempted to swap the turret weapons and the hull weapon for flamers on the command squad for a bit more anti-personal.

Next we have my mini armoured coloumn forces:

Armoured Coloumn 500

This is a bear bones list with no extras in the squads

Armoured Coloumn 500 MK2

This list alters the Russ and adds some punch with the launchers in the squads. There with these lists of course is the option to change the hull and turret weapons on the chimeras.

So folks, thoughts and feedback as alternative lists? I've a feeling I'll end up using one of these first

Imperial Guard Army List - Valkyrie 500 Variations!

Ok so for some insane reason yes I've decided my reintroduction to playing 40k will involve Valkyries, as some of you have already seen or commented on my lists from the other day I thought I would share with you the thing that drew me back to the Valkyrie after I tried to be "saner", I give you "The" image:

Uknown artists image of mega-firey-shootie-winged death!

Ok folks based in thar thinking and the ideas of some of the folks on here time for a few of the Valk 500 variations, all collected to tidy things up:




VERSION 1

• Psyker – 70
• vet squad – 85 (3 flamers)
• vet squad – 100 (3 meltas)
• Valk – 100 (no upgrades)
• Valk with rocket pods or vendetta – 130

Total = 485 that Leaves me 15 points for HB on one of the valks (possibly the basic one to make it more useful) and a few points to buy the sergs some bolt pistols or something.

VERSION 2

• Psyker – 70
• vet squad – 100 (3 meltas)
• vet squad – 100 (3 meltas)
• Valk – 100 (no upgrades)
• Valk with rocket pods or vendetta - 130 (no upgrades)

Total = 500 on the nose

VERSION 3

• Psyker – 70
• Vet squad – 95 (2 meltas and 1 flamer)
• Vet squad – 95 (2 meltas and 1 flamer)
• Valk – 110 (basic Valk with heavy bolters)
• Valk with rocket pods or vendetta – 130 (no upgrades)

Total = 500 on the nose

VERSION 4

• Psyker – 70
• Vet squad – 90 (2 meltas) 
• Vet squad – 90 (2 meltas)
• Valk with heavy bolters – 110
• Valk with rocket pods or vendetta either with heavy bolters – 140

Total = 500 on the nose

VERSION 5

• Psyker – 70
• vet squad – 80 (2 flamers)
• vet squad – 90 (2 meltas)
• Valk with Rocket Pods or Vendetta- 130
• Valk with rocket pods or vendetta – 130

Total = 500 on the nose



I’ve included the alternate option in all the lists for the rocket pod Valk to be replaced with a vendetta then that way depending on the force can choose between rockets or las depending on armour facing me. Although that does beg the question how easy is it to magnatise the weapons on them?

So any thoughts or suggestions?

Keep an eye out for my other options of armour and troop based lists coming soon (hopefully)

Imperial Guard Army List - First 500pt attempt

After visiting my local store and a few folks at work mentioning it I thought it might be a good idea to get a force together as something to work towards and also as something to help me relearn the rules.

The force is designed as an initial starting point - though obviously if its that bad I'm sure I could start afresh - as something to buy some models for and build up. Its also my first proper foray in to list building and could be the road to disaster.

so without further ado here is my first all rounder list:


Please click on the image to open up full size.

As you can see its a bit of an Air Cav force designed as a bit of an all comers killer. I fancy playing this in the local store in their 500pt pick up tourney as well as against some of my mates.
I know the force may be a bit extravagant so any suggestions on alternatives or changes would be great. I intend to be taking on any force but the most common forces I am expecting are Space Marines, Tau, Eldar and Kroot. Any suggestions on building a good guard list would be great.

Thanks and feel free to feed back.

All your Base are belong to........... us? Part the second!

After asking the question and sticking up a poll to judge the mood and thoughts of those reading I thought this wouldn't get much action, oh boy was I wrong! not only in a few days did the poll get the most votes so far on any poll, but also the comments on the post were the most ever received, so a massive thanks to all those that contributed and commented.

After a rather decisive winner in the voting and some rather insightful posting in the comments section of the post from a few folks (albeit slightly biased but we can forgive that) I am happy to announce a clear winner, consensus or collective drooling - call it what you will. The results were:

As you can clearly see the winner by a Suffolk mile (bit like a country mile but with more cider!) are the Secret Weapons Bases. Personally after all the useful info Mr Justin provided in the comments sections, the recommendations he got and my own personal preference I am glad they won. For those of you still curious as to which bases these are here's another picture:

As you can see a good range, nice detail and looking at those pictures some pretty good casting. I will hopefully get an order in once the New Year has rocked up, but for those of you that are interested the bases can be bought from Mr Justin here:
 

SECRET WEAPON MINIATURES

 

Once I pick the bases up I intend to get some of the other exceptional bits and pieces, such as the bolter shells just for the hell of it. Once its available I fancy some of the Roman Numeral brass etch too, depending on the size. So once ordered and arrived expect a product review on those SWM items.

 

Also just so the fans of the other bases aren't too upset don't worry as I intend to use the other bases in a number of other smaller projects to tie them together with a coherent theme.

 

As always thoughts and comments welcome!

All your Base are belong to........... us?

Well folks after a few days trawling the web since I was originally given the links I have narrowed the choice of bases for the city fight based guard to the two selections show below.
I was wondering if anyone had experience of the two companies and what peoples preferences were towards the quality and style of the bases. so far I have found the following options:

Dragon Forge Concrete rubble bases:

FOUND HERE

Secret Weapon Miniatures Urban bases:

FOUND HERE
Any ideas, comments, reviews or other comments would be appreciated. Cost wise the two work out very similar in price but the Dragon Forge bases seem to have a slightly larger range.

Obviously once they were received each base would have minor conversion detail like extra rubble, soil, bricks, weapons and body parts added on. When trying to decide on a theme I was considering just sticking with one range but would a mixture of the two work?

Any thoughts and ideas would be great, also feel free to vote in my short poll on the side for which is your preference.

Thanks

Hobby News - Plans for the Future - Space Marines et al!!

SPACE MARINES LEAD THE WAY!

Well folks after a hectic week of late nights at work, long days at work and real life I've finally got round to deciding the flavour of the future of my forces and it looks like there is a heavy leaning towards the forces of the Adeptus Astartes, hinted at by the rather awesome retro pic above (if this is your pic let me know and I will add a caption with credit).
This realisation of how things will be building up have led me down some interesting fluff and planning stages over the past few days. Not only will there be Marines but of course there will be Guard, there will be Inquisition and most importantly there will be different games and also terrain!
The main thing is though it has now allowed me to set a list of goals and plans to aim for. So listed here for your viewing pleasure are my plans for my forthcoming projects and models:

Marines

Red Hunters

• 2000+ red hunters force
• Red Hunter figure for my standard =I= retinue Mentor Legion

Mentor Legion

• Mentors legion squad representing Deathwatch
• Mentors Scouts (possibly as hardened veterans or platoon commanders) and a Space Marine Officer to representing =I= in the guard force as commanders.
• Mentor Legion Kill zone team
• Mentor Legion specialist for assigning to the Red hunters
• Mentor legion figure for my standard =I= retinue

Imperial Guard

• 2000+ guard force – 13th Lignum Iugo Expeditionary force (Inquisitional Detachment)
• 500-750 guard force – 303rd Gyppeswyck Rifles for pick ups or store tourneys as allies

Badab boarding games

• 750-1000 Loyalist force - undecided until after IA10
• 750-1000 Succesionists force - undecided until after IA10
• 750-1000 Astral Claws force from the IA9 list

Others
=I= Retinue
500pt Sisters of Battle force
Boarding Game terrain
Various Terrain

Obviously there is a hell of a lot of bits and peices there but patience and I'm sure I will manage to make head way on these, especially in the new year.

In the meantime however you guys can look forward to fluff and background not only on the Imperial Guard forces in the list but also for my Marine forces and my Inquisitor. So whilst it may not be fully modelling or painting at the minute (casting up GS pads for me and a few friends takes it toll on how much one can do) there will hopefully be plenty of bits and peices upcoming.
Any ideas, thoughts, suggestions and possible army lists are welcome so feel free to contact me using the button on the left or by leaving a comment below.

Have fun and be excellent to one another!!

So it begins..........

Well folks after a week of waiting with baited breath for the postie to arrive, well when I haven't been stuck at work that is, all the modelling bits and airsoft bits I've been waiting on have finally arrived! YAY!

The Airsoft bits were the first to arrive and once I've finished the alterations to my M249 I will make sure that they are fitted then get some pics up for you all later in the week.

On to the modelling and painting bits! Other then new books these have been my first purchases of models and paints in well over a year. I dug out my old paints and bitz and found that it had all either dried up (apart from a couple of pots) or I had traded it away, so I set out on the task of restocking and getting enough models to tie me over until next month. In the end i ended up ordering:

• A Bucket load of paint
• Couple of varnishes
• Some paint palettes
• 5 snap together Cadians for test models
• A box of 5 Space Marines for some test models
• 20 Marine shoulder pads for casting pads on to (Thanks to imcdonnell on Dakkadakka for giving them to me for free).

Once all this lot arrived in its various dribs and drabs I was a happy bunny, though admittedly I did spend my first day off having a very interesting day out at a local music festival. To be fair though it was worth it and it was definitely a great way to spend the afternoon with the other half! So once I got home and unpacked everything I was confronted with this little lot:

I know it doesn't look too much but considering other then books I haven't spent a penny on 40k stuff for a long time its a vast amount of stuff for me. Well now that lots arrived I have a lot of things planned and now realise I need to buy some important things, like the Guard and Marine codexes, still lots planned over the next few weeks when I can slot things in around work and the real world! So as a brief run down and to help me remember here's a list of whats coming up:

• 
  
  Mentor Legion Test model
• 
  
  Red Hunters Test model
• 
  
  Guardsman Test model
• 
  
  Storm Trooper Test model (using guardsman)
• 
  
  Inquisitional Storm Trooper Test model 1
• 
  
  Inquisitional Storm Trooper Test model 2

So as you can see lots planned and over the next few weeks there will be a couple of polls appearing on the blog for some important decisions, and as always any feedback, help or suggestions are greatly appreciated.

A Return to Reality and Modelling!

Well folks I'm back after my fortnight away, again I apologise for not posting much for the last two weeks but I think the picture here explains where I've been and what I've been up to..............

....enough said really :D

still more pics and information on my conversions coming soon. hopefully there will also be some Airsoft pictures coming up over the next week.

Have a good weekend everyone