From DaveV: Sedition Wars - Strain Strategic Points (Retro - 50 points)

Like my Ogre project for last year's Challenge, this year I have become fascinated by another old board game, Sedition Wars: Battle for Alabaster.

My previous entry featured mostly characters from the human Vanguard Samaritans. I now turned my focus to the Strain. These "strategic points" come from a 70+ piece Terrain Pack that was another Kickstarter stretch goal. For this entry, I painted up the following:

• 2 x Necrocysts - each creates 1 Phase 1 Necroform (zombie) from 2 nano-virus clouds.
• 2 x Exocysts - each creates 1 Phase 2 Exoform (living monster) from 3 nano-virus clouds.
• 1 x Macrophage - evolves an adjacent Exoform to a tougher (Phase 3 or 4) beast for 3 nano 
• 1 x Gestation Vent - consumes a Phase 1 Necroform (eww!) to create 3 nano 
• 1 x Spore Engine - creates 4 clouds of nano-virus at the cost of 1 nano

The design of these plastic models is real nightmare fuel. Kudos to the designer. They are cast from a brittle, hard plastic, which takes sanding and filing better than the basic Vanguard and Strain. I cleaned up the models with sanding sticks and files, and affixed them to 25mm or 50mm square bases, to fit the 1" square grid lines of the game.

Below, the Strain strategic points on their painting handles. (Visible behind them are Vanguard strategic points, which include various computer consoles, sentry guns, auto-docs, and doors.)

After priming with trusty GW Chaos Black, I used rattle can GW Corax White downward at about a 60 degree angle for zenithal highlights. The skin, orifices, tubular bits, claws, teeth, and other protuberances  were painted with various greens, brown, purples, reds, and pinks from the Army Painter Zombicide Warpaints sets (Scaly Flesh, Zombie Flesh, Toxic Boils, Crusted Sore, glazed with Zombie Shade and Toxic Shader). The harder chitinous plates and spikes were built up with several glazes of Seraphim Sepia, and shaded with Agrax Earthshade and Army Painter Sepia.

The bases were painted with various Vallejo greys, glazed with Secret Weapon Stone and GW Coelia Greenshade washes, then finished off with weathering powders.

Afterward, all 6 models got a coat of Tamiya Semi-gloss (TS-79), and Matt (TS-80) spray can paint. I went back with some Citadel Blood for the Blood God and Green Stuff World Coagulated Blood, to add various blood effects. This was used y around the fleshy tubes, orifices, teeth, and seeping from the claws.

Below, L-R  a Necrocysct, 2 Exocysts, and another Necrocyst.

Below, L-R a Gestation Vent and a Macrophage.

Below, a Spore Engine.

With my recent Sgt. Ramirez purchase on eBay, I also received a 2' x 3' paper map that Studio McVey used when Beta testing the game way back in 2011. I took it to my regular art framer's, who dry mounted it like a poster. This gives me a striking map, much more robust than the then cardboard map boards provided in the basic game, which are prone to warping. This will be great for participation games at conventions, too.

 

With seven 28mm terrain models, these models for a long OOP (Out of  Production) game are also Retro, Total = (20 + 20) = 40 points.

Cool looking gribbly things, they certainly look creepy. I have scored them as 28mm minis as they won't garner you many points as terrain. Given how nice the minis are, it is a shame that the game just vanished once the kickstarter was over, your board looks very cool laid out mid-game. 

From David V - 6mm Ogre Miniatures tanks and artillery (Cybertron) (42 points)

Additions to my growing forces for Ogre Miniatures, the 6mm scale miniatures wargame based upon Steve Jackson's Games' 45-year-old board game.

"Ajax" Missile Tanks (MSL) are another popular Paneuropean armour unit. Their missiles hit hard and at a longer range than their fellow Paneuropean G.E.V.s and Heavy Tanks. However, the Missile Tank's amour is lackluster, and they are slow. This entry includes a couple of platoons of Ajax's. 

The "Arquebus" Howitzer (HWZ) is the heaviest hitter in the Paneuropean arsenal, excepting only their own Ogres and actual nuclear cruise missiles. Long ranged, but immobile, there was a time when Ogre players tried to devise the perfect "4-Howitzer Defense". A combined arms force of various tanks, G.E.V.'s, and infantry is probably a better bet. I have included a battery of 4 artillery pieces.

The Paneuropean "Thor" Superheavy Tank (SHVY) is almost like a miniature Ogre. Dual main armament that can be combined or fired separately, and some point defense anti-personnel batteries give it a lot of firepower. However, it's human crew is still subject to disablement with a non-fatal hit. I painted up a platoon of two of these beasts.

In the basic game of Ogre, the objective of the Ogre player is to destroy the Paneuropean Command Post (CP). To the Combine, destroying the centralized Command, Control, and Communication at such a brigade or divisional level is worth the loss of an Ogre. What the Ogres think of that is anyone's guess.  

After assembly, I primed all the units with GW Chaos Black, and laid in flat white zenithal highlighting with an airbrush. I used a couple of different tones for the base blue, glazing with washes of GW Drakenhoff Nightshade or Indigo oil paint. I then laid in highlights and details with oil paints, and did some light weathering with oils and powders. 

The relative size of the various units is shown against a Galahad G.E.V. 

(9 x 2) points of 6mm or 1:300 scale amour units (6 MSL, 2 SHVY, and 1 CP), plus 4 points for the 4-HWZ battery, makes for 22 points. Add 20 points for Cybertron (Robot(s). In the basic game of Ogre, all the powered armour infantry, various tanks, and artillery that the Paneuropean player fields are opposed to a single Combine  robotic supertank. And there is a more than even chance that the Ogre will win.

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Thanks again to Curt, Sarah, and all the Minions for another great Challenge. I fell short of my rather modest goal, mostly due to work commitment. But, I was able to paint up a couple of my favourite Star Wars characters, and I finally finished a bunch of Ogre miniatures that I had assembled back in 2019!

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A great final entry for this year's Challenge, Dave. I really enjoyed following your Ogre posts as they provided for a wonderful stroll down memory lane (I remember marvelling over the Arquebus Howitzers as a teen, loving the models and trying to puzzle out the best Ogre defence with them). It was wonderful to have you with us again this year, and I hope that you can join us for the next edition.

- Curt

From David V - 6mm Galahad G.E.V.'s (From SJG's Ogre) (Klendathu) (36 points)

Additions to my growing forces for Ogre Miniatures, the 6mm scale miniatures wargame based upon Steve Jackson's Games' 45-year-old board game.

The Paneuropean "Galahad" G.E.V. (Ground Effect Vehicle) is my favourite type of  "armour unit" in the Ogre game universe. Something about these jet jockeys zooming in at 200 kph, then zooming out again to try and avoid the Ogre's weapons (two moves per game turn!). This entry is a squadron of such fast attack vehicles. I went with a traditional Paneuro blue paint scheme. 

After assembly, I primed all the units with GW Chaos Black, and laid in flat white zenithal highlighting with an airbrush. The base blue of the G.E.V.s consisted of several washes of GW Drakenhoff Nightshade. I then laid in highlights and details with oil paints, and did some light weathering with oils, acrylics, and powders. 

The relative size of the Galahad G.E.V. is shown against a Heavy Tank, and my Combine Ogre Mark V. Some more Paneuro vehicles, artillery, and a Fencer (Ogre), are in queue for the Challenge. 

(8 x 2) points of 6mm or 1:300 scale G.E.V.s are a modest 16 points. Add 20 points for Klendathu, an Invasion Gone Bad. Some of the classic scenarios from the game I remember playing include Raid and Ceasefire Collapse, deep, fast movements of luftpanzer forces that ultimately did not prevent the rise of the A.I. overlords during the Descartes Revolution. TOTAL = 36 POINTS

I've really been enjoying this bit of OGRE nostalgia David, and it's green to see the Air Cushion Cavalry make an appearance.  The skirting effect reminds me a big of Sow bugs (or Rollypollies or other regional names), but that's not a bad thing as both zip around, appear everywhere and can be damned hard to kill.

Excellent work and full value on the Invasion Gone Bad.

From David V - Ogre Mark V (Skaro) (35 points)

 

Addition to my growing forces for Ogre Miniatures, the 6mm scale miniatures wargame based upon Steve Jackson's Games' 45-year-old board game.

The Combine Ogre Mk. V is a very large cybertank, with more than double the firepower of the Ogre Mk. III that I recently built. Above, next to the Mk. V you can see a normal sized 6mm (1:300) scale PanEuro heavy tank. I went with a traditional Combine = red, Paneuro = blue paint schemes. For the Ogre Mk. V, the base red was accomplished with a light spray of Army Painter Dragon Red primer. I then laid in several glazes of GW Druchii Violet for shading. I painted highlights and some light weathering and damage using various artists' oils, especially Alizarin Crimson, Burnt Sienna, Cadmium Red, Cadmium Scarlet, Cadmium Yellow, and Peach Black.

I was hoping to get several troops of Paneuropean armour units done to go along with this Ogre: GEVs (armed, jet-powered hovercraft), missile tanks, super heavy tanks, howitzers, etc.). Hopefully, next week!

I suggest 15 points for the Ogre Mk. V (which is easily equal to or larger than the size of a 20mm T-34 or similar tank). Add 20 points for Skaro (Robots). The Ogre Mk. V is a giant robotic tank! This should total 35 points for my latest entry into this year's Challenge.

Lovely work on this beast of an OGRE David!  You are aging taking me back to my teenage years with this one. I like the weathering effects on the tracks and around the bumps and spikes.  I will accept your rational on both the OGRE itself and the Skaro bonus. 

FYI, IIRC the Halifax area gamers used to use their Panzer Leader and Panzer Blitz geomorphology maps to great mega-OGRE games.

From David V - 1/48 scale Anakin and Artoo (27.5 points) (Glorantha)

 "Now THIS is pod racing!"

After recently watching Episode 5 of 'The Book of Boba Fett' TV show, I put aside the project I was working on and dug out an unbuilt, 1/48 scale diecast N1 Naboo Starfighter, from 'Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace'. I built it stock. (I also traded with Conscript FrederickC for an all-plastic snapfast kit, to eventually turn into The Mandalorian's rat rod version of the ship, seen in that episode.)

The pilot figure in the diecast kit is little Ani Skywalker, a 9-year-old kid. It looked somewhat blob-like to me, but after black priming and zenithal highlighting, it turned out to have a fair amount of detail. After some GW washes, I did some detailing and blending with artists' oils.

R2-D2 rides in the astro-mech slot behind the cockpit; after black priming I sprayed his head with Tamiya aluminum paint from a can. Details and carbon scoring were done with oils.

The cockpit had some details, mostly not screen accurate, which I just picked out with acrylics and washes, after gray priming.

The N1 starfighter is a  mostly metal kit, with either yellow enamel already painted on, or polished metal parts, and a clear canopy. I screwed it together with the provided screws, setting them into place with locktite fluid, and covering the screw heads with the provided metal caps. I added some of the 22-year-old decals, which fortunately did not disintegrate after liberal use of decal set and solvent solutions. This is a painting challenge, so I take no points/credit for the starfighter itself.

Scoring: 5 points for the roughly 25mm pilot figure, 2.5 points for the top part of Artoo, plus 20 bonus points for Glorantha: Heroes. Somewhat accidentally, Anakin destroyed the Droid Control Ship at the end of 'The Phantom Menace', helping to save the day. Total = 27.5 points.

I like to see old lead resurrected and I like to see kit bartered between Challenge members, so well done on both counts here.  Ani and Artoo look great.  That straighter is a rather vibrant banana yellow.  I might consider toning it down with some ashes to represent grime.

From David V - 40mm Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader (27 points) (Istvan V )

 

"You don't know the power of the Dark Side!"

Star Wars: Legion has a very nice injection-moulded plastic model of Anakin Skywalker as he appears during The Clone Wars and Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith. There are optional parts for a couple of cool poses. However, I decided to paint Anakin in a kind of "What if...?" scenario, as a somewhat older Darth Vader, who came out of his original fight with Obi-Wan in better condition, and does not usually need his armoured suit.

I assembled the pose with Anakin holding his lightsaber in his right hand, and casting a Force power with his left. The only gaps needing filling were across the shoulders of his tabard. I also set aside for use the head option with a more neutral expression.  

I black primed with Chaos Black, and airbrushed the lightsaber with Vallejo white, fluorescent orange, and red. I laid in zenithal highlights on the head with Vallejo Dead White. After affixing the head, I underpainted Anakin's face and left hand in Vallejo acrylics, with details and blending in artists' oils. I gave him greying hair, and made the sculpted facial scar fresh using Alizarin Crimson. 

I painted the tabard, right glove, and boots with Vallejo Grey Black. Light highlighting and details were added for his clothing and gear using artists' oils.

This is a similar project to my last year's submission of a young(er) Count Dooku, modeled when Jedi Master Dooku had just left the Order to defend his home planet. In Star Wars: Legion, the Anakin Skywalker character is part of the Grand Army of the Republic faction. I plan to use this version of Anakin/Vader as part of the Empire faction, using the rules for Vader’s Operative form.

Scoring: 7 points for a 40mm figure, plus 20 bonus points for Istvaan V: Betrayal; Heretical/Heretics or Loyalty/Loyalists. In either his canonical or this AU guise, Anakin betrayed his master and murdered countless innocents. Total = 27 points.

Fine work on these iconic SW figures David.  These are a perfect fit for the Challenge themes. I really like the shading and highlighting that you've worked into the blacks and also the dusty cloaks.

From David V - 40mm Ben Kenobi (27 points) (Death Star)

 

"An elegant weapon, for a more civilized age."

Star Wars: Legion does not have a model for Obi-Wan "Ben" Kenobi, as he appeared in the original 'Star Wars' movie. 

I purchased from Order66 Miniatures three different prints for that Old Fossil, all 3D sculpted by Madox3d (Felipe Manivel). (This particular pose seems to be taken from the Star Wars: Rebels episode entitled "Twin Suns", when Ben finally defeated a half-prosthetic Darth Maul.)

Ben is a very nice print, with a dynamic pose, good anatomy (check out those hands), and almost completely unnoticeable printing lines. I really like the flowing robes and tassels. I just used some brass wire for the lightsaber blade, instead of the resin one; I have real doubts about the separate. resin blade holding up to gaming. 

I did my usual black priming with Chaos Black, and airbrushed zenithal highlights with Vallejo white.  Face and hands underpainted in Vallejo acrylics, with details and blending in artists' oils. 

I do have the book "Star Wars Costumes: The Original Trilogy', which has nice colour photos of Ben's costume.  I went with lighter values for his shirt, under tunic, and hooded robe, as opposed to the movie colours. Did some detailing with Payne’s Grey and Titanium White oils for the under tunic. Ben's brown robe was finished mostly with a few washes combining GW's Agrax Earthshade and Reikland Fleshade. I weathered his clothing, adding stains and little tears using artists' oils.

I have now painted 5 figures sculpted by Felipe, all taken from the original 'Star Wars'.

Scoring: 7 points for a 40mm figure (Darth Vader is over 45mm tall!), plus 20 bonus points for Death Star (Hubris). Hubris, thy name is Obi-wan Kenobi. Hubris to think he could properly train young Anakin, hubris to hold the the Jedi order's myopic worldview, and hubris to try and control the information that he provided to Luke. Plus, the Death Star is the location of Kenobi's final duel with his former padawan. Total = 27 points.

That's a wonderful Obi-Wan David, great shading and highlighting on the subdued base tones.  Really loving the rest of the figures too.  Well done!

From DavidV - 6mm Paneuro Mobile Infantry and Heavy Tanks [Caprica] (57 points)

 

I have played Steve Jackson's game Ogre since it was a Metagaming pocket game in the late 1970's. I even got a detention from the Principal at school once, playing Ogre with a friend instead of attending study hall. 

For those unaware, the game is a fast playing sci-fi game pitting giant, A.I. controlled atomic supertanks (the "Ogres") against futuristic combined arms forces consisting of various tanks, hovercraft, artillery, and powered Mobile Infantry. Each armour or infantry unit (or each Ogre subcomponent, like its main battery, or its tread units) has a rating for move, attack, and defense. A simple CRT gives odds for the results of (combined) attacks, which include destruction, disablement, or NE. Any reasonable Ogre attack will disable or eliminate a unit, but there are a lot of enemy units trying to slow it down and pull its teeth. 

The original vehicle designs, by Winchell Chung, have stood the test of time. The tall sensor tower of the North American Combine Ogres, and the sleek Paneuropean tanks and blowers, have become iconic. In recent years, Steve Jackson Games started producing 6mm scale plastic models of the various Ogres and Paneuropean ground forces. They have future plans to do Combine tanks etc. 

To start my Paneuro collection, I have completed a battalion of Mobile Infantry; each of the 42 models represents a single 4-6 man squad, and each of the 14 3-model stands is a platoon. They are supporting 8 Heavy Tanks; fast, hard hitting AFV's, whose sole weakness is the relatively short range of their tac nuke shells.

After assembly, I primed all the units with GW Chaos Black, and laid in flat white zenithal highlighting with an airbrush. The base blue of the tanks and infantry consisted of several washes of GW Drakenhoff Nightshade  . I then laid in highlights and details with oil paints, and did some light weathering with powders. The infantry bases were finished with GW Martian Ironcrust, to simulate the blasted landscape of the Ogre Designer's Edition map board (seen in a couple of the photos).

The relative sizes of the Paneuropean models against my Combine Ogre Mark III can be seen in the comparison photos. I had actually prepped the Ogre for last year's Challenge, but only started painting it last month; it does not count for the Challenge. I do have a couple of other Ogres planned; a Combine Ogre Mk. V, and a Paneuropean Fencer. All these supertanks are the size of a 20mm scale tank, or even larger. How do we score those for points?

Anyways, (42 x 0.5) points of 6mm  Mobile Infantry, and (8 x 2) points of 6mm Heavy Tanks should come in at  a modest 37 points. Add 20 points for Caprica (Doomed). The mark of a good Ogre player is how they handle their infantry, but the poor bloody MI are going to die as fast as you send them in, Bi-Phase Carbide battle armour notwithstanding. This should total 57 points for my first entry into this year's Challenge.

These look great David!   You are taking me back a long way with Ogre.  I used to play with a guy who played it so often he had Xeroxed a copy of the map with the three artillery units in what he considered the perfect hexes.  Back in the late 70s, Xeroxing was a process.

I agree on your points and will get these updated by end of day. One quick reminder, Curt likes to have exclusive posting for the first 24 hours before you post them yourself.  I saw these on your Group Blog on Sunday.    I also added a "Caprica" label  because Curt or Miles might be tracking these things.