From GregB: More Legions Imperialis Marines (44.5 points)

Some more "Legions Imperialis" Space Marines - these ones in the lovely green of the Warmaster's own legion, the Sons of Horus.

I have been doing a lot of painting, but I'm not too focused on any particular project. Thus my efforts are spread all over the place, and I've very little to show in terms of actual completed work. Thus I'm back this week with only a few odds and ends from GW's "Legions Imperialis" game, the reboot of the classic small-scale "Epic" game set in the Horus Heresy setting. There are elements from two different Legions Astartes - the Sons of Horus and the Thousand Sons. 

XVI Legion - The Sons of Horus

High command base for the Sons of Horus.

To the surprise of nobody, I already have a chunk of figures painted for this, the finest of the Legions Astartes. But you can always use more basic infantry. And in the case of the Sons of Horus, my initial efforts really disappointed me...I was pleased with the vehicles, but my method on the original infantry looked sloppy - I didn't care for how the green turned out. And if you don't like the green...well...the Warmaster won't be pleased, will he?

Tactical Marines and their Rhino APCs.

I had assumed I would not be able to replicate the green recipe from my 28mm collection on these smaller troops. But decided to experiment with it...and...well, it's actually not too bad! I like these much more. I painted up a high-command stand, and then a tactical detachment comprised of four bases. They also have Rhino APCs to give them a ride on the battlefield. 

Re-painted dreadnoughts - I like these much better!

Chuffed with the results on the infantry, I pulled the dreadnoughts I had completed before out of the box...knowing now that I could have done the nicer green on them drove me nuts - the OCD hobby monkey in mind started to scream and break things, so I opted to do a re-paint on them. Boom - OCD monkey at peace...for now...

Mobile fire support - Rapier on the right, "Quad Launcher" on the left.

To keep building up the firepower we have a couple of tracked fire-support platforms. Long-time Space Marine fans will probaly recognize the Rapier. The other one is a "quad launcher" - heir to the famous "Thudd Guns" of yore. There are supposed to be four tracked platforms in the unit, but I f*cked up a pair of the chassis from the box, so the XVI Legion will have to settle for a pair of them for now. 

Ready to drop some ordnance on those who would defy the Warmaster!

Finally, the Whirlwind is a classic mobile artillery support system for the Space Marines. The plastic kists for these are just lovely, and they allow for you to make two variants. These are "Scorpius" variants, with ammunition that hits vehicles a little harder at the expense of covering a much smaller target area. I just love the look of these things. Again...the kits have LOTS of tiny pieces, so assemble with care, but, wow, credit where credit is due - these are just a real treat to paint up.

XV Legion Astartes

A bit more fire support for Magnus' sons. 

A much smaller component for the Thousand Sons, but considering this collection is just getting started, they'll take it!

Beakies with shark-fin-style missile launchers - a classic!

Rhino APC with fancy markings for the "devestator" unit. 

Up first we have heavy support marines and their Rhino APC. If you look carefully, fans will recognize the classic "shark-fin" style missile launcher has been replicated in this scale. Now, this is a bit of a b*tch, as they come in two parts! But whatever frustration caused in gluing these tiny Marines together is lost once you are painting them - just wonderful to have "beakie" style Marines with these weapons. 

Mobile rocket artillery for the Thousand Sons.

Even space wizards need mobile firepower...

Finally, since I had assembled all of the Whirlwinds from the box, I thought I would paint two of them up for the Thousand Sons as well. You get eight models in a box, so there is still more to do there - maybe I'll even paint some for the poor loyalists? 

Let's get to the tally of points:

39 x 6mm infantry: 18.5 points

2 x 6mm crewed guns: 2 points

12 x 6mm vehicles: 24 points

Total: 44.5 points 

That's all for this week - hope to have more stuff next week. Cheers!

=========================================

Sylvain: How can you make so many details pop out on these tiny models? Maybe I need some of your painting recipe? Anyway, another smashing demonstration of your mastery of everything 30k. The master will be pleased, very pleased indeed. Fabuleux!

 

 

From GregB: Thousand Sons Detachment for Epic 30k (60 points)

A detachment of Thousand Sons Space Marines ready to deploy to an Epic30k gaming table

For this submission we have more Space Marines - again from the XV Legion Astartes - but we leave 28nm behind - these are little 6mm chaps! All of these are plastic figures from Games Workshop's "Legions Imperialis" game range. The assorted elements portrayed here include a high-command stand, two units of tactical marines, a small group of tactical support marines, and Rhino APCs to haul the lot of them. They are supported by a group of "Tarantula"-type automated weapon turrets and some assorted dreadnoughts. 

High-command base with a hero, flunkies - and their own Rhino to ride around in.

Sylvain, our Wednesday Minion, is quite the master of 6mm painting and basing, and each Painting Challenge I enjoy seeing the material expansions to his massive historical 6mm collections. Inspired by Sylvain's tremendous small-scale work I thought it would be good to continue with efforts to expand my own 6mm Horus Heresy collection during this edition of the AHPC. 

A tactical squad - 20 little marines and a pair of APCs to transport them.

These miniatures are for "Legions Imperialis", a specialist-type game released by GW a couple of year ago. It is meant to be a re-boot of the old-time "Epic" game, a truly classic and fun set of rules from GWs older 1990s/early 2000s era. Indeed, the GW studio has often demonstrated an ability to release some really outstanding rules over the years. The state of the 40k rules has ranged from "difficult" to today's "unplayable", but games like Epic/Space Marine, Battlefleet Gothic, Warmaster, Space Hulk and others were creative, fun, engaging and fantastic. The more recent re-boot of "Adeptus Titanicus" had a few issues, but was, in general, outstanding! I had high hope for this game when it was (at last) re-released...

Tactical squad number two...looking a lot like the other one because...well...they have the same kit and same ride :)

Sadly, "Legions Imperialis" did not live up to the legacy of the 90s/2000s specialist games studio. The rollout of the game was a complete fiasco. The "Legions Imperialis" rules themselves are deeply disappointing and highly excremental. They are poorly written and generally very bad even once you "understand" them. One run through the game will be more than enough for most folks.  

Tactical support Marines sporting plasma guns - and, naturally, their own APC!

Yet, even while the rules are trash, the miniatures for the game are just excellent! Small, of course, and with a number of fiddly bits that will easily disappear into ANY carpet...but they are just great! Wonderful little tributes to the Horus Heresy, each of them! These things are just great IMO. 

Was it a bit of a process to get there with the models? Yes. At first, I was concerned that there had been a "re-scaling"...but the effect, especially for the infantry, has been slight-to-nothing. There are also some tricky models...some of the infantry bits are two-piece kits, and all of the vehicles have very small components. I struggle with this...but odds are, you won't. I am not a very good model-builder - have always been "average" at best. My frustration with that aspect is an outlier...I might suck with these, but you'll do fine.

"Tarantula" automated turrets - these can be left to cover objectives etc. while the Marines themselves head to deal with matters requiring personal attention...

Sane hobbyists would just speed paint these things, I suppose. I find I cannot...rather, I paint these little guys in batches of two and three infantry or vehicles at a time, in no particular rush. I amazed at the level of details the sculptors managed to place on them all, and I like to make an effort to catch it (even if that effort often comes up short). The results in a tremendously slow/plodding pace to my accumulation of completed units with which to expand my collection, but that doesn't worry me too much.  

"Contemptor" type dreadnoughts - mix of fire-support and close action help for the Marines.

"Deredeo" type dreadnoughts - lots and lots of firepower here.

So if the rules are hot garbage, why bother with the figures? Well, the good news is that great rules ALREADY existed with which to use these models - namely "Epic: Armageddon" and its fan-made 30k mods. I also understand there is a sci-fi mini-scale game from Mantic that also has excellent rules, and frameworks exist to adapt this to 30k, so that is something I will be looking to try as well. Trust me, if you like the Horus Heresy, you will love "Epic 30k" and you will love these little figures. 

Close up of the supreme command guy with all of this troops...

One last aerial shot of the whole group!

So Sylvain, I hope you like these 6mm fellows!

For scoring we have:

55 x 6mm infantry: 27.5 points

4 x 6mm artillery bits: 4 points

14 x 6mm vehicles: 28 points

That's all for now - cheers!

GregB

-------------------------------------------

Sylvain: Greg, the old Epic (Space Marines) was my favorite game ever back in the 90s. I still have all my armies... But this post is about your stuff. Obviously, the love of the lore is strong in you and, as you explained, it makes you want to pick up all those little details. It's such a shame than Toronto is 2,683 otherwise I would request to see your minis and play a game with you. I will add a .5 points just to round up the total to 60 points. Bravo!

 

From GregB - Legions Imperialis Infantry Bits (46 points)

Space Marines and Solar Auxilia for "Legions Imperialis" 

One last submission for AHPC XV to share - this collection of Legions Imperialis infantry. These are 6mm plastic figures from GW, for their rebooted game of "Epic", which allows players to recreate the battles of the Horus Heresy in grand scale! The green chaps comprise an Assault Detachment and a Terminator Detachment for the XVI Legion Astartes, the Sons of Horus. The little blue fellows are a Solar Auxilia detachment - unlike my 28mm Space Bavarians, I've no particular notion for them yet...their anonymity provides flexibility for scenario purposes - they can fight for whichever side might work for the game that night. 

Legion Astartes

Cataphractii Terminators in 6mm...still scary-looking, even at small size.

Let's start with the Sons of Horus, although there is not a ton to say...Assault Marines and Terminator Marines are grouped into smaller, supporting detachments of four stands. I thought it would be best to at least get one of each type done for my Sons of Horus. 

Even in 6mm, the Cataphractii-plated Terminators exude an ominous "f*ck around and find out" vibe. I do have to hand it to GW - even if they completely f*cked up the launch and rollout of this game, the sculpting and quality of the models is very high. 

Assault Marines ready to hop into action (sigh, lame...but...whatever...I'm tired)

The Assault Marines, with their jump packs...it is the same, I am impressed with the tiny details, even if many are beyond my brush skills. If you are a fan of the Horus Heresy setting, you will love the models (not too sure about the rules on the other hand, but that is for another blog post). 

Solar Auxilia

Ready to stand...either for, or against, The Emperor...flexibility is key...

I find the force-assembly rules of for the new Legions Imperialis rules to be a touch Byzantine, and definitely prone to causing headaches, but if I understood correctly, this batch of models would be able to represent a pretty basic detachment (sans vehicle or transport support) for the Solar Auxilia. What you see here comprises the entirety of a single sprue, save for the Sentinels, which I never got around to painting in time for this post.

Love all the crazy command figures!

Again, the figure design is great. If you are a nerd like me, you will find much to love on these tiny figures, from the assorted whacky command and support types, to the vexillary...so many (literally) small details done up nicely. 

Velatari in the foreground - with axes, natch. Regular lasrifle troops at the rear.

It's BBQ time! Mind the gap there lads...

The Auxilia count on support from Velatari...units with fancier weapons. In this case, we have chaps with power axes because of course, and fellows carrying heavy flamers because even more of course. Will a flamethrower solve that problem? Yes? Then let's send ten of them, shall we? Do tell the lads to be careful with their formation...

Charonite Ogryns all set to break things, or people, or both!

The bigger things are Charonite Ogryns. The back story is too long for here, but just imagine "ogres + combat drugs + power claws" and you pretty much have it. These are ugly models (no matter the scale), and I found them particularly difficult and frustrating to try and paint in this scale. But here they are...

For scoring purposes, we have the following:

- 85 x 6mm infantry models = 42.5 points

- 4 x 6mm monsters ("cav") = 4 points

Half points are dumb - so let's call it 46 points! This will get me to oh-so-close to my AHPC XV points target, but shamefully falling short all the same. Oh well - there is always next Challenge!

Thanks to Curt and Sarah for hosting, and to my fellow minions for their assistance. Also a huge thanks to all who took the time to share encouraging comments and feedback. Great work all around everyone, and I hope to see you all in Challenge XVI! Take care everyone!

GregB

Wow, Greg, what a way to end the Challenge! I paint a lot of 6mm myself, but these definitely put those to shame. Such neat and crisp painting, the picking out of just the right details, the vibrancy of the colours, they are absolutely stunning! I know that they are great sculpts too, and that certainly helps, but your brushwork really makes the difference and does them more than  justice. The command stand with the vexillum is particularly awesome. The frustration in some cases, though I definitely feel your pain, has not had any influence on the great result you achieved. I agree that half points are a no-go, so let's make it 50. Excellent work, and thanks for all your great submissions (and arduous service!). 

Martijn

From GregB - Loyalist Armour for "Legions Imperialis" (8 points)

A squadron of Imperial Fist Sicaran tanks for GW's "Legions Imperialis" game.

A little palette cleanser of an entry here on Christmas Eve - a unit of Sicaran Tanks for GW's rebooted Epic 30k game "Legions Imperialis". These are multi-part plastic kits from GW, and they are painted in the colours of the VII Legion Astartes, the tiresome (if stoic) Imperial Fists.

Heavy plasma-type cannons in the turret and lascannons on the sponsons - this configuration is ideal for engaging armoured targets, like other vehicles or some of the scary walkers.

GW botched the rollout of this new game quite comically in 2023. While some of the issues relating to supply of models have alleviated since the game launched, you can still sense the impact of the failed release for the game in a lack of enthusiasm among the local 30k community. It would not be accurate to say nobody is playing it, but interest is quite limited and I frequently encounter hobbyists who had been keen to try it, but gave up when they could not obtain it, or subsequently gave up on it due to lack of models. I still haven't found an opponent to give the game a try - even those who have small collections have them put away, or are more focused on the main 30k game etc. 

Yellow armour for hope! You can see some of the different decal options used on the vehicles.

As an old-time fan of the original "Epic" game from GW, I am still working on a collection myself - after all, I find the models remarkable in their quality, if somewhat tricky to assemble owing to their size. But given that there is no game or event pressing me to get moving, my pace of painting these figures has been very, shall we say, "stately" (i.e. laughably slow). 

Autocannons in the turret, and heavy boaters on the sponson - this configuration is primed to take out light vehicles and flyers.

All the same, this slow pace allows for time to enjoy the models. And to swear constantly at the yellow paint! The Imperial Fist colours look striking when you are finished, but wow...what a pain! Even on little tanks like these!

There are scads of different tanks for GW's Horus Heresy setting. The Sicaran tanks fit somewhere in the middle in terms of size and impact. They are pretty fast, have slighter armour, and can pick different weapons load outs to emphasize anti-personnel, anti-tank or a mix of both. One model has a vehicle commander popped out of the hatch, so it can serve as a command tank should such a thing be needed in the game.

Four little tanks equals 8 points - not a whole lot, but like I said...a nice little palette cleanser.

_____________________________________________

Lovely work Greg! Your brushwork is so clean and precise. Also the yellow you've chosen (as painful as its been to work with) really makes them pop on the tabletop.  I too have been really disappointed with GW's 'own goal' approach to design, marketing and rollout of this game. This is something you could say is typical of them, but it's not the case as their more boutique 'epic-scaled' game 'Adeptus Titanicus' was/is actually very good and was for the most part well-supported. That being said the minis for Imperialis are it's strong suite with the models being amazing in their intricacy, especially the vehicles (as we can clearly see here). Hopefully if you get enough models painted for both sides you can entice a local gamer to try out the rules with you. 'Stately progress' is still progress!

Again, great work Greg!

- Curt

From GregB - Let's Start With Some Wee Little Space Tanks... (19 Points)

A small gathering of small tanks...APCs and light armour for the Sons of Horus in "Legions Imperialis".

Two posts for today. Two! They are sort of the same, but also very different! After all, painting a single setting in multiple scales is totally normal, and not at all a sign of hobby insanity, right? Right? Well, whatever. We will start small, in the physical sense, with this submission of some wee little Space Marine armour vehicles. We have a group of Rhino APCs, the all-purpose armoured troop carriers of the Space Marines, and also a squadron of Predators, light tanks of the Space Marine Legions painted in the noble colours of the XVI Legion Astartes, the Sons of Horus. These are plastic models from GW's re-launched Epic game, "Legions Imperialis".

Why walk when you can drive?

My last submission touching on this game shared quite a bit of feedback and many thoughts about GW and how they have handled the rollout of this new-old game. I stand by all of it - although I concede the Legions Imperialis rollout looks like a Formula One race compared to the absolute dogsh*t hash they have managed to make of the launch of "Warhammer: The Old World, but I digress...

Trio of Rhino APCs.

These vehicles offer a chance to ponder some of the great positives of the new Legions Imperialis game. First and foremost, these models (assuming you were able to acquire any) are quite fantastic. I cannot say they are a joy to build - after all, the parts are, in many cases, very, very, very small, and you do NOT want to assemble these on or near any sort of carpet into which, say, the very small exhausts would surely disappear into should you drop them. But these models ARE remarkable in their lovely detail, and of how you receive a rather crazy number of options for things like pintle-mounted weapon options, and multiple weapon options for the tanks.

The 28mm unit symbols come in handy on the top hatches of the APCs.

GW can be infuriating. But GW can also do some remarkable things with figures, and these little tanks are, in my view, very much in the latter camp (although, as I said, trying to acquire them will lead you on a bewildering journey through the former). 

Anti-personnel configuration on the Predator - autocannon in the turret, and heavy bolters on the sponson.

Remarkable detail on these very small models.

I also give them full marks for the decals included with the kits. Are they very small and difficult to handle? Well, yes they are...but really, given the scale of the vehicles here, there was no other way to make them, and I would much rather have the decal sheet, and brave some frustration, than not have the little decals at all. The models also offer opportunities to use small decals from set intended for the 28mm figures, which keen GW fans will surely have spotted on the top hatches of the APCs indicating broadly the different roles of the Marines on board.

AT configuration on this one - laser cannons everywhere...and a commander with a heavy bolter for extra fun to mark this vehicle out as the squadron commander.

Each APC can carry ten Space Marines, or at this scale, two stands' worth of the little wee Space Marine figures. Here in this submission we have sufficient number of troop carriers here to mount up a basic detachment of Space Marine tactical infantry, backed by support and heavy support troops.

Love the small decals for the turret and back hatches.

The Predator is a "light" tank...and the hawkeyed among the Challenge participants will surely spot the similar chassis it shares with the troop carriers. GW's model kit for these vehicles offers different weapon choices such that the vehicles can be configured for AT work (the twin-lascannons on the turret) or heavy anti-personnel work (the single autocannon turret). Similar choices can be made for the sponson weapons.  Again, not easy to assemble, but remarkable detail, remarkable to have the choice at all. Some maniacs out there are even using tiny magnets such that the weapons can be swapped on and off...such lunacy is not for me, but that it is even being attempted is clearly a testament to how impressive these small models are. And that magnet people are bonkers. 

So for scoring, we have nine different 6mm vehicles...I think that amounts to 18 points, and a small start to the motor pool of small vehicles for the XVI Legion.

These are truly gems, Greg! The painting is top notch as always, and in the by now familiar colour scheme that suits them very well. Another great job! Yes, I can totally understand your feelings, both about GW in general and about the fiddlyness (fiddility?) of  these models. I am a great fan of small scale miniatures, but the thought of having put them together horrifies me. However, you have stood up to the challenge and they provide you with another 18 points!

 

From KyleC - Death Guard LI infantry (180 pts)

So have almost been broken by this lot of Infantry for my LI DG army project.. I had originally thought I had gone overboard on printing and building too much infantry and yet already I can see that is not the case 😳

So 6 bases of Middle Launchers.. and from what I hear this is light years ahead on build quality Vs the plastics (where many a missile has been lost to the carpets..) 

6 bases of Plasma and I suspect this will not be sufficient for a game.. but I do like how the glow came out on the guns.. easier at this scale than many others.. 

9 bases of Terminators.. which is 1 base too many as they all need to be chosen in pairs of 2.. plus the special and heavy weapons haven't been revealed yet so there is that.. I have more printed but need to get more bases made for them as well.. 

And then the main stay of the game.. the tactical units.. 51 bases in all.. with a mix of command and breacher models throughout.. will make for some interesting combinations.. though still have to build some proper command bases with banners and such. 

Overall this makes 72 bases of 5 models per base (though one base only has 4 models on it).. gives me 359 models painted up here.. and almost a full nervous breakdown on trying to get through them all 😅

So that's 359*0.5 per model makes for 179.5 PTS (I've rounded to 180 - Dallas)

And now I can begin to look at the actual starter box of models to begin to assemble and paint up 😅

Meanwhile I have this all painted and ready to play with... Just got 2 tanks to finish and that's a cool 3000 points of DG to game with . 

Some bits painted before the challenge like the Thunderhawk and the predators..

Now to switch gears onto something that doesn't make me squint while painting.. let's see! 

Ooooooh cool - loving these Legions Imperialis models Kyle! And Death Guard too, one of my fave Space Marine Legions as I've got a ton of Plague Marines in the regular scale. You've done great work here and your forces appear to be building up nicely! I've rounded your total to 180 because math is hard!

Dallas

From IannickM: An Epic finale, Heresy style (29 points)

"That which causes us trials shall yield us triumph, and that which makes our hearts ache shall fill us with gladness. For the only true happiness is to learn, to advance and to improve. None of this could happen without rejecting error, ignorance and imperfection. We must pass out of the darkness to reach the light!"

— Primarch Fulgrim, Attainment of Perfection

I'm keeping up with my long tradition of submitting a final entry on the last few hours of the challenge, with some more Epic goodness! 

The last week as been, for me and many others, absolutely insane due to that viral bombing, i.e. the despicable Covid-19. I work for the Ministry of Health here in Québec, and to say I've been very busy would be an understatement of massive proportion! The last nine days have been without a doubt the most challenging of my professional life. I basically work from 7 to 11 non-stop, one emergency after another. But Its no time to whine, as I get the luxury of isolating myself and work from home, and I tip my hat off to all those front line workers in health institutions across the world, the real heroes of this crisis. 

Anyways...I wasn't able to paint anything this week, but I did managed to paint a bunch of small stuff before the apocalypse started. And so I'm taking some time off while eating dinner to post what I did, as it would a real waste to miss the deadline.

First we have a tuple of Predator Destructors, the classic tank of the Adeptus Astartes (Space marines, for us old timers). My favourite, design wise. I always have fun painting them.

Next up a tuple of Vindicators, the Imperial siege tank based on the Rhino chassis used by many Space Marine Chapters. This one boasts the most powerful weapon of its type in the Adeptus Astartes' standard armoury, the Demolisher Cannon. Though short-ranged, the Vindicator's Demolisher Cannon is capable of destroying enemy armour and fortifications in a single shot. I was missing artillery...

My very first try at weathering. Looks cool, no?

Then a duo of Land Raider Achilles. This one is a heavily armoured variant of the standard Land Raider we all know and love. It's badass looking.

And then the "Piece de resistance", my man, Fulgrim. Fulgrim, also known in the time before the Horus Heresy as The Phoenician, is the Primarch of the Emperor's Children "Traitor" Legion. He possessed silvery-white hair and was quite vainglorious, as his entire life was dedicated to the pursuit of perfection in all things; physical, mental and spiritual.

Amazing little figure, full of details.

Here he is accompanied with a quatuor of Contemptor Dreadnoughts. My initial plan was to show him off with a regiment of his Phoenix Guards but yeah, fuck you COVID-19.

All these were supposed to see action in our first game of Epic with John on Sunday, but alas borders between us are now closed, and the fight will have to wait. Even the Horus Heresy has to pause for the virus. 

So...

• 12 6mm vehicles : 24 points
• 4 Dreadnoughts : 4 pts 
• 1 Fulgrim (I'd suggest at least 1 points, as you can see he's no mere 6mm figure)

Total : 29 points (the sad fate of the 6mm painter).

I managed to keep my focus on Epic pretty much all challenge. Sure, less points, but my force is getting impressive and that's what the challenge is for!

Once again, thanks to all the minions, a big thanks to Curt for all his hard work, a shout-out to Greg for corrupting me to Epic, and a congratulation to all challengers!

And remember, stay inside, wash your hands, and take care of each other.



That's a great looking finale Iannick! I do like the purple and gold scheme, and that Fulgrim is clearly big enough to warrant a point.

TamsinP