Genestealer Brood #2 (Part 1)

 I did not need to build these guys. I have a lot of Genestealers, more than I can currently field in a game, but I wanted a unit that looked very different from the other painted unit. The first unit, or if you prefer brood, that I painted started off life as a kill team intended to be used in one of the older iterations of the Kill Team game. But this brood I wanted to build using the scything talons and extended carapace, two options and biomorphs that have been saddly dropped from their rules. 

The brood of 8. 

Just like the last two batches of termagants, I painted these up to a battle-ready standard as I don't currently want to invest the time in them to get them up to my parade-ready standard. I will in time, just not yet. I did this by using mostly Contrast Paint with exception to just the extended carapace which was basecoated using Abaddon Black. 

I wanted these guys to look like the hivemind was actively adapting with guys, thus the variety of biomorphs and strange heads. Even though the game hardly supports these concepts on the tabletop. 

The first half of these guys I put together using their basic hands, as that's traditionally how they're built. However the assembly instructions that I got showed them using  the clawed hands with the scytjing talons that I thought looked really dynamic. So I built the second half using that look. 

Those of you that can count will have no doubt noticed that this is just a brood of eight models and Genestealers are now fielded in units of 5 - 10 models. I have one finished model that will join with these fiends, despite his lack of biomorphs. The poor guy has been through hell since he was first finished so it will be nice to give him some chums to run with. I just need to find one more model of this style genestealer purestrain to complete the brood...

The Hivefleet Neverness Repair Prioject (Part 1)

 As told in the most recent battle report, a lot of my tyranid force was damaged due to heat exposure. The damage was done mostly to their bases (thankfully) and only one model was truly damaged.  

Other models had their tabs warped and malformed when their base shriveled up around them.  I will talk about this a bit more below. 

It seems that the models that had painted bases were the ones that took the most damage.  This would become more apparent when tried to remove these warped bases. 

Even my old hybrid models were shown no mercy from the heat, as their bases were slightly warped as well. 

My old Primarch, Papa Claws, had some slight damage to his base. It looks like it was dented in a minor accident... I am trying to decide how to proceed with this model; do I replace his base or just smoothe out that dent with green stuff?

Once I got started on the repairs, it seemed to be a fairly straightforward process. Just clip off the damaged base and pop on a new one. 

But things became complicated when I got to the models that actually had painted bases. Not only were they shriveled up but the Slotta base tabs on some of them were severely warped as well. 

For a few of them I had to cut apart the tabs in order for them to mount properly into the new base. 

All-all this was definitely a new modeling experience for me, and not one I hope to ever repeat. 

Genestealer #11

 The next Genestealer* to be graced by my paint and brush is a more modern interpretation of the concept. This one I believe came from the wh40K 4th edition starter, the Battle for Macrage.  I got it with a small batch of nids that Da Masta Cheef tossed my way. Why he only had a single one is a mystery to me, perhaps he'll tell us below, or maybe there's just no tale to tell? Only he knows for sure...

Basecoated. And no, he won't end up with lipstick! 

The basecoats were done using Macrage Blue and  Luxion  Purple Contrast Paint. 

Basecoats, bird's eye view.

I really liked how the Luxion Purple worked on the Genestealer so I didn't feel the need to use Xereus Purple  and skipped it. I went strait to the Genestealer Purple which I used sparingly and highlighted it with Kakophoni Purple. 

On the blue area, I used Calgar Blue, a layer of Fenrisian Grey with a final highlight of White Scar. 

A dead Ultramarine, a homage to Cheef's current Astartes army.

I think this turned out better than I was expecting . I like how it turned out out so much that I am tempted to paint up all of those Space Hulk Genestealers that I have lurking somewhere.

White highlights on the spine and elbows.

And I think I have finally settled on a fast and easy paint scheme for my nids. I just need to decide what gets the honor of being painted next for my skittering little army...

Free hugs for the four-armed Emperor!

Last minute addendum: on Saturday night I took the bugs out for their first game in years,  and my first game in 7 months,  but I underestimated how freaking hot the car would get while I was at work. About a dozen model had their bases damaged from the heat but this guy was the only one hat was truly damaged. Hit leg melted! Arrrrgh!!!!

He was literally my latest painted model too.. Mrs. Neverness thinks he looks cool, like he's being gunned down... 

So this, the other eight** Genestealers, a ripper swarm, and the patriach all have damaged bases.  Expect their repair to be a future blog post....

* I promise I am not going to make a post featuring every single individual Genestealer I paint.  Promise! 

** only two of the painted Purestrain Genestealers came out of this with undamaged bases. 

Genestealer #10

 This is only the 10th Genestealer I have painted (if we discount the hybrids and Patriach). So, yeah, I just finished a squad, or rather a brood, of ten models. The first few were painted while I was still living in the U.K. way back in 1992.  Three decades for one unit... kind of impressive huh?

Basecoats.

Genestealer #9 was finished last year and this critter was supposed to join him at that time but it just didn't happen.  So here we are now with the opportunity to get him done. I followed the steps discussed in Genestealer Killteam #2 with a few changes. 

Mostly done.

The biggest change was not using my ancient Citadel Worm Purple and instead using Xereus Purple and Genestealer Purple with a final highlight of Kakophoni Purple.  

Genestealer #10 and #9. 

He's probably not the best of my painted Genestealers, but in a large group he'll look just fine. 

"Fear not men, we have lasguns!" 

And, even with just a single addition, Hivefleet Neverness grows...

Termagant Fun! (Part 2)

 All this attention brought on by the Warhammer 40,000 9th edition Codex: Tyranids shifted my attention back to these little bugs (for a few moments anyway). As stated last time I want to use the same scheme as I employ on my Genestealers. And the best way to figure that out was to paint up another Genestealer alongside a Termagant. I took them outside and primed them all, but I only selected one for this first color test. 

Outside and primed.

I decided to hold off on WIP pics this time and cut to the chase. Here are the two finished miniatures:

The recipe for painting these guys was described in Killteam Genestealers-part-2. And I followed that (mostly). I used Screaming Skull as the highlight color on their claws and teeth. 

The Fleshborer was painted by using Ushanti Bone as a base color with a wash of Waywatcher Green. I used Averland Sunset on the eye with a slash from a Micron to finish it off. Anyone else think it's weird that these weapons have a clip that isn't really an actual detachable clip? 

I think they turned out good. Next up is to repeat this process on the rest of his chittering and chattering gribbly friends. 

Disrupt Supply Lines

Finally! Finally. I had the opportunity to play a game.

Genestealer vs. Kabalite Warrior.

This time I played against Matt and his nefarious Genestealer Cult in a Kill Team skirmish against my Dark Eldar. This is to be my 2nd game of the current edition of Kill Team. I wasn't as prepared as I thought I was and didn't have pen or paper handy! So I looked on my phone for an app and found this brilliantly constructed app, that was easy to learn to use, called Kill Team Manager. If you play Kill Team and own a smart device I recommend giving this app a go.

(This is not a link)

Today's scenario was a fun one called Disrupt Supply Lines. I was the Defender and the Genestealer Cult were the Attackers. Basically I had to defend the 3 supply markers from the 'Stealers that wanted to destroy them. The scenario has special strategems that we can use our CPs to fulfill the scenario's objectives.

Dark Eldar deployment.

The Dark Eldar set up was very much a defensive one. I had every intent to maximize my gun line and blast Purestrains and the Abomination before they could close on my team.

Skulkers revealed. 

Matt's set up was a defensive one as well, He did not want to be caught in the open so he set up in a way that allowed for the most cover. Also, by keeping them hidden, when charges are declared he can avoid overwatch.

Matt's right flank. 

TURN ONE.

The Dark Eldar win the roll off for the turn. I decide to not move anyone and just Ready the whole team. Having not played since the day Kill Team was launched, I forgot that we play in turn at each given phase, so when suddenly the Genestealers break from cover and rush my force I was a bit surprised. The Genestealer Purestrain Veteran was nasty and he tried to make it to one of my objectives but I was able to counter his efforts to destroy it. In the shooting phase the Warrior with the Blaster vaporized the Abhorrent that was lumbering towards our lines. Two more Genestealer Purestrains were cut down in the shooting phase also. With the Genestealer Cult loosing 3 models on the first turn things were looking hopeful for the Dark Kin. Things were about to be shown to be more than they seemed...

Blasting from afar. 

The Genstealer Vet. had charged my Wyche Fighter with the Shardnet and Impaler. She had no hope and despite the Dodge ability and Power From Pain ability, she was taken out without hope of a counter-strike.

The Wyche Figher, bested with ease. 

TURN 2

Realizing that I had no targets, and that the Purestrain Vet was only going to get shot when he next charged a guy, I decided the best course of action was to try to take him out at his own game. I charged in with the two Wyches. One of them was killed by an Acid Spit Strategem. The other one put up quite the fight however. We both played the Decisive Strike Tactic which forced a roll-off to see who would go first. We both rolled 6s. I said "What are the odds we'll do that again?" And, we both rolled 6s again! So we rolled a 3rd time, and this time the Wyche  won the roll-off. The Genestealer made the save however and so did the Wyche when it was the Genestealer's turn to strike back, thanks to Power From Pain.

Wyches charge the Purestrain Veteran. 

Turn 3, and it was getting very annoying not having anything to shoot at, therefore I sent up a few warriors to try to flush out the leader. But the Cult Leader leapt through the window in a desperate gambit to get away.

A slippery escape attempt. 

He left behind another Purestrain Genestealer, who I had forgotten about, that charged one of the approaching Warriors.

>ulp!<

That warrior was butchered outright. The Genestealer Purestrain  Veteran and the Wyche continued their melee, with neither foe going down.

Turn 4

A critical and strategic maneuver was staged for Matt to strike hard against my force. His Purestrain Genestealer was about to charge into my Team Leader who was also holding an objective. She didn't have any close combat weapons so I didn't expect her to be able withstand a direct charge for a this killing machine. He declared a charge, and I responded with overwatch. And I rolled a 6! And it wounded! The blast pistol absolutely fried the Genestealer, ending his rampage!

Blasted by overwatch

Meanwhile my warriors had managed to achieve LOS on the Genestealer Cult Leader. Not wanting to see what the shooting phase was going to be like he decided to charge the closest warrior. He took a wound from the Overwatch shot, but managed to hold his own in the melee phase.

Hurt but not out!

Over to the never ending fight, and finally my Wyche took a wound, but he was still in it to win it, even if he was now a little less effective at it.

Turn 5 came and the game ended.

Dark Eldar 6 points to Genestealer Cult 1 point.

Never giving up!!!

Wow! What a fun and intense game that was! My Overwatch shots were sickeningly accurate and made a massive difference to how this game would go. So did the Power From Pain save. The Genestealers are quick and fierce (like they should be!) And the way Kill Team works now, Overwatch is crucial for survival.

The terrain set up was weird. Although the Dark Eldar were in a great defensive line, the fields of fire were too small to matter. The Purestrain Genestealers had no problem closing the ground when they charged from cover. The Aberration and the two Genestealers I killed on the first turn are an exception, but I shudder to think how it would have gone for these murder-elves if they had managed to engage them! Winning every roll-off to determine sequence order every turn was a huge benefit as well. Luck was clearly on my side, and Matt's Kill Team could have easily shattered mine if my dice had been performing in their typical manner.

Once again, good game, thanks to Matt for (re)showing me the ropes for this edition of Kill Team.


Thanks for reading Neverness Game 1 of 2019!

Kill Team Launch Party

Kill Team Party!

Hello! This past Saturday my local gaming store, Hobbytown USA hosted a Kill Team launch party. It was a big launch for Hobbytown, probably the biggest I have seen at this location. They had plenty of Kill Team products in stock (which they sold a lot of!) And they had multiple tables set up for purposes of conducting demo games. And according to Matt, the man cordinating the event, they had quite a turn out for their first session. That session ran from late in the morning until 5pm, and the evening session ran from 6pm until 10pm.

The Kill Team event poster.

The event had some nifty give-aways: buttons (aka badges for my UK readers), a poster (for those who arrived early enough to snag one) and some really cool CP tracker dials. And pizza.

The Reaper's Mirth assembled before a dial.

I arrived at the 6pm session with 2 teams in tow, but I decided to run with the Harlequins since I never got to use them in the previous version of Kill Team. Matt gave me a super quick crash course on the rules, I threw together a team of 7 Troupers for 98 points, rolled up some quirks and background (fun but not game affecting), and I was ready to hit the table.

Racing towards the Skitarii.

Bob and Matt were already pretty familar with the rules at this point, so we decided to try the 4-way team battle. Bob had Dark Angels, Matt had Tyranid Genestealers, Jim and Chyanne had Skitarii and I had my Harlies.  One of the new (and refreshing!) changes to the game is the Iniative phase. All parties roll off each round to determine the turn order for that round. This added some variety to this game for sure and was especially refreshing in a 4 way match like this.

Genestealers pour into the Dark Angel wall of bullets.

I had a difficult time adjusting to how charging works now, but it was more an adjustment from decades of learned behavior than it was comprehension. This early mistakes caused some tactical blunders that surely cost some Harlequin lives, but my biggest foes were the dice were using. If I hit, I rarely wounded, but my armor save attempts were especially frustrating as I pretty much failed most of the ones I was asked to make. All well! LOL!

Look who  is charging who.

Multiple charges in the fight phase was an interesting thing to experience. In the pic above a Genestealer charged a Skitarii, the my Harlequin charged that Skitarii, then another Genestealer charged my Harlie. It was definitely a  crazy and swirling melee!

Slaughtered by Genestealers.

Once I got my Leader engaged with a foe, I finally got to expeience the joy of the Harlequins Kiss shredding a target to death. By the time this had occurred I was down to less than half of my force being alive. Most of the Harlequin had been shot to death by Bob's uncanny ability to roll 6s on Overwatch!

Harlequin Leader showing the clockwork guys how to dance! 

Ultimately this game shrank down to an area of a single building, the structure the Dark Angels were holding onto tightly! With a few marines left to defend the building from the invading xenos, the Dark Angels stood firmly in piles of dead clowns and shattered chitton.

This Harelquin and Dark Angel fought each other for 5 rounds! 

I had one Harelquin that charged one of the Dark Angels on the 2nd storey of the ruins way back on turn 2. That fight carried on until it finished on the ground level on turn 6. The Harelquin trouper finally surrendered to the beating it had been taking.

Finally it ended, with Bob hanging on steadfastly against my sole surviving Harelquin and Matt's remaining Genestealer.

The grand finale.

It was good, fast-paced fun and once we master the rules it should go even quicker for us. We hope to run a campaign at some point to as to experience the leveling system as well. I haven't gotten the book yet but I had really good look through it. I'm definitely looking forward to making some more Kill Teams as the diversity looks very appealing to me. Also, those numbered counters that come with the boxed game will be really handy in future 4 way games for keeping up with whose turn it is.

Alpha Legion vs. Dark Angels.

While we played our game there were other KT games taking place as well as a massive Chaos vs. Dark Angel 8th ed battle.  I think the Dark Angels won, but it appeared to have been an bloody good game!

This looks like a fun party, yes?