From TeemuL: Imperial Fists vehicles, Squirrel 10 (26 points)

There's an old saying "New Year, New Army". How about "New Squirrel, New Army, New Game"? Yeah, I'm picking up those squirrels this week. So a completely new game and scale for me, 6mm Epic WH40K. I was going through my unpainted miniatures to find out something different for a Squirrel challenge when I found my collection of Epic miniatures. I have never painted them, never really played with them either. So I carefully calculated to 13 (6mm vehicles are 2 point each) and got myself nice set of 10 Rhinos and 3 Land Raiders, one of the latter ones is metal, others are plastic.

I have always felt, that WH40K doesn't really work on 28mm scale (or 32mm either), the ranges are just wrong, which makes close combat too important. Nice game though, but brains need to be set on correct mood. May be 6mm makes it work better, lots of vehicles makes more sense, ranges are hopefully more reasonable and so on. There are many Space Marine chapters to choose from, but somehow bright yellow and the combat doctrines of Imperial Fists have always interested me. Painting bright yellow is not that interesting, I ended up painting quite dull yellow. 6mm needs some practice, but I guess these are a good start.

"Hammer" in the middle

I painted them all a bit different, picking details in red in various parts and painting the chapter symbol (or white circle with black mess) on different places etc. I marked one as a HQ Rhino with skull, others are Tactical Rhinos with arrow. Land Raiders are bit different as well, the metal one even has a name label on it. They came without the base, so I hope I'm not penalized (pointswise) for not basing them even though I know some people like to base these small vehicles. Might make them easier to handle.

That's all for now, but I hope to tackle some more Squirrels before the day ends somewhere in the North America!

Close up of Rhino

That's 13*2 points for 26 points (unless Tamsin is on duty)...

Cloes up of Land Raider

List of my Squirrels here, just to keep my calculations correct and help the Duels Wallah and other interested individuals:
28mm Lord of the Rings, 28mm WH40K, 28mm General Fantasy, Age of Sigmar, Dungeons & Dragons Boardgames, 28mm Ancient Greek, 28mm Pulp, 28mm Oldhammer, 15mm WW2, 6mm Epic WH40K


TamsinP:

What a lucky fluke, I am on duty. And I do agree with your scoring (I can still feel the weals from the lash Curt applied after my stint on Saturday. Ouchie!).

Nice work on the little tanks.

From GregB: Imperial Titans for "Adeptus Titanicus" (45 Points)

Imperial Titans, ready to move out in support of some doomed cause in the name of the so-called "Emperor"...

Another 180-degree turn in painting focus for this week.  We leave horses and muskets behind and rip 30,000 years into the grim darkness of the far future with two titans from GW's rebooted game "Adeptus Titanicus."  Titans are the "god-engines" of the wars in the far future, massive bi-pedal war machines packing mountain-levelling firepower and protected by spooky void-shields.

"Let's go for a walk!"

Organised into semi-monastic, clan-like legions, the Titans are massive, macro-firepower ground assault force used to back the Space Marines and Imperial Army forces across the Imperium.  The arrival of a Space Marine Legion would be bad news already, but if the Marines are accompanied/supported by a Titan Legion then...well, in all likelihood, your lovely world will soon be reduced to rubble - if you're lucky!

Reaver class titan.

In the Horus Heresy - the great, galaxy-spanning civil war launched when the Warmaster Horus tried to liberate humanity from the clutches of the so-called "Emperor" - the different Titan Legions picked sides, and Titan would fight Titan in city-smashing encounters...these are the battles you are creating/re-creating when you play "Adeptus Titanicus".

"Adeptus Titanicus" was re-launched by GW last fall - if you want to know more about that, and see how GW handled the whole thing like the pack of s***-eating gnarled c***s that they are, see here.  I painted a few of the new Titans right after the game came out, but haven't really touched any of the kits since last year. That needed to change, as I will be helping to run an "Adeptus Titanicus" demonstration game at an event here in Winnipeg this weekend, and reinforcements were needed, starting with the Imperial side of my collection!

There are two classes of Titan represented here, both in the colours of Legio Gryphonicus, the "War Griffons", a Titan Legio who fought on the side of the loyalists in the Horus Heresy.

Rear detail on the Reaver model...really nice model.

The larger model is a "Reaver" class - a "medium" (LOL) battle titan.  This model has some of the newer weapon sprues GW released for the game in February of this year.  It is sporting a "volcano cannon" on one arm, a "laser blaster" on the other, and another "laser blaster" up on the carapace mounting - overall, this engine is configured to deliver knock-out kills on enemy engines which have already lost, or nearly lost, their void shields.  Other Titans in the maniple will have to focus on knocking out the void shields of the enemy machines so this one can make some engine-kills.

Detail on the carapace plate.

The "volcano cannon" in particular is very powerful, but tricky to manage, as it puts a lot of pressure on the Titan's plasma reactor.  I also used an alternate head that came with the kit...I liked how this version had so many optical lenses in the "eyes" - seems to me this crew will want all the targeting assistance it can get...

The Warhound up close.

View of the engine detail.

View from the turbo-laser side...

The smaller Titan is a "Warhound" class - a "scout" (ROFL) titan. I mean, this thing is still much larger than even the largest Space Marine super-heavy tank, but it's all relative, right? As the smallest Titan, the Warhound does move ahead of its larger companions, and is much more manoeuvrable, with lighter weapons, and so in this sense it is a "scout".  This particular Warhound is equipped with a "vulcan mega-bolter" and a "turbo-laser" - these weapons on their own don't do much damage to other titans, but the "mega-bolter" is very useful for knocking out void shields.  So if this Warhound can take out some shields, his bigger cousin can deliver a kill shot...

Scale creep anyone? You can see how the old Reaver and Warhound castings stack up to the new model kits - a Space Marine Fellblade super heavy tank is also in the photo to give you an idea of the size of the things.

The newer plastic kits from GW are very nice, and as you can see in the photo, they have re-scaled them to a fairly radical extent compared to the old models once used for this game. Decisions like that, together with the eye-watering prices and complete sh**head approaches to the packaging of the weapon options in the different kits have ensured "Adeptus Titanicus" will remain a niche game - but the rules are excellent, the game itself is a lot of fun.  If you enjoy the 30k/Horus Heresy setting, you will certainly enjoy the game - I'm looking forward to running it this weekend.

"Family photo" - the War Griffon maniple, and allied Knights, together on the display shelf.

I'm excited to have these two engines finished, as I will now have a complete maniple for the Imperial side of my collection!  In terms of points...I have no idea what points these will be worth. Strictly speaking, these would be "10mm vehicles", I think, but I am happy to accept whatever my minion believes is appropriate.  Power to the reactors! Full stride! As newly-painted models, I'm confident things will go flawlessly for these two engines this weekend...

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Naturally, we're going to have something different from GregB. Why oh why couldn't he stick to something French, Franco-Prussian, or otherwise Frenchified. But no, he had to succumb to the heresy and take up painting Titans for Horus. DavidB already demolished my planet for a hyperspace bypass, thank you!

Consulting the annals of the Painting Challenge, it looks like warhounds go for 10 points, and reavers go for 20 or so. Though, given the size of the things, that seems a bit low. If the really huge ones are 40 points, I'm gonna say they're the equivalent of a 28mm vehicle and a 40mm vehicle, respectively. So, they're 20 and 25, so call it 45 points. 

Cracking job, though.

From DavidB: Something epic (248 points)

These have been a long time coming. Space Marine and Adeptus Titanicus are the first Games Workshop games I ever played. I had lots of games with these very pieces in the 80's and early 90's both games were first editions and although the boxes are relatively intact and tokens are used, it still sees the gaming table every now again. I'd like to add to what I have, but with the game OOP, collectors have driven prices up sharply. It's also take a long time to paint just this portion as the figures have always seemed more board game than wargame and I'm not comfortable painting such tiny forces.

a chaplain, commander, and librarian with attendant rhino APC

3rd company tactical squads with rhino APC. took longer to paint those shoulder pads than I wished.

Six squads for another tactical detachment from the 7th company.

some surplus figures painted as veteran. since all the models are the same, I can use the color difference to have these as assault, veteran, or devastator upgrades to the two tactical companies

one squadron of land raiders with bone colored doors.

The other squadron has a banner to denote the lead Vic

Thanks must be given to Sylvain who sent me these land speeders in Dark Angel colours. They have been lonely without the entourage behind them.

Simple clunky Titan models and my introduction to Games Workshop fluff. It took a bit of work to liven up these old warriors, but at least now it'll be quite a bit of fun to jump back in Horus Heresy combat with models in appropriate colours.

To add detail I used Ad-mech and spare transfers from the bit box. Since Titans are Ad-mech hot rods, I  coated them with varnish over the armour to hold the decals in place.

The dark Angel force is in transition from the 30k black and red to 40k dark green while I imagine this particular titan group is slowly accumulating personal heraldry for their machines.

My kids love the old card and foam buildings, I'll have to see about sprucing them up at some point too.

breaking benjamin- ashes of eden

The confusion and betrayal of the Horus Heresy is tragic and compelling reading. I like the stories of Ad-mech infantry setting upon marines just because of miscommunication and distrust due to traitor acts of sabotage and subterfuge. Although a smaller force, the sudden strikes, ambushes, and infiltration of cults like the dark mechanicus really evened up the sides and still provides great stories to read. One of my daughters has been reading on the Heresy(when she should be doing school work!)

I'm uncertain on the titans so.... maybe 5 points each for 15?

16 rhinos and 8 land raiders for 48 points

160 tiny marines for 80 points

143 points

some more tally for the squirrel and the evil empire, but back to larger scale forces before eye strain gets me!

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Just in case the Black Squadron didn't give you the message, we now have the actual demolition troopers themselves! Well, maybe not. But still impressive anyway.

Consulting through the Book of Analogue, Chapter 2019, verse 16JAN, the Snowlord hath decreed that an Adepticus Titanicus is the equivalent of two 28mm vehicles, which puts them at 40 points apiece. 

All told, that gives you a planet-demolishing 248 points, or more points that I get in most challenges!

From GregB - Epic 30k Sons of Horus Space Marines (45 points)

Horus for hope! XVI Legion marines, the Sons of Horus

Building on the theme from my first entry, here are some more Epic Space Marines, 6mm figures for GW's "Horus Heresy" setting.  These troops are from the XVIth Legion, the "Sons of Horus", and as you might quickly surmise, they sided with (surprise!) Horus during the Horus Heresy wars.  Given that it was their own boss launching the challenge to the Emperor, these fellows played a pretty central role in the fighting.

A "talon" of dreadnoughts - equipped with an assortment of heavy weapons

As with my first entry, this one includes a selection of figures scored on Ebay and some models which are not available commercially.

Legion tactical marines with their Rhino APCs

There are two 20-man tactical squads and a pair of 10-man heavy weapon squads in this submission.  Also three dreadnoughts (armoured walkers which provide support in firefights and close assaults, depending on what they are equipped with), four Rhino APCs, and two Land Raiders.

Forward for the Warmaster!

Land Raider, ready to roll

While painting the yellow on the Imperial Fists took a bit a figuring out, I've already painted quite a few Sons of Horus in 28mm, so painting these fellows goes really, really fast - there are number of other troops and tanks not included here because they were painted prior to the start of the Challenge this year - I'll put a group photo over on the blog a little later on.

Heavy weapon marines - missile launchers and heavy bolters

There is still a LOT of Epic 30k stuff sitting in the painting queue, but we have the basics in place for a game of Epic 30k sometime in the New Year with the Fawcett Avenue Conscripts - I will be looking forward to that.

An old-school, original version, plastic Space Marine Land Raider - fun models to paint

With 60 infantry, six vehicles and the three dreadnoughts (which I will suggest be counted, in this scale, as artillery pieces, points-wise) this submission should net me 45 points. 

Merry Christmas everyone - may the warmth of the Warmaster's all-encompassing glow and deep commitment to positive change for the galaxy fill your homes with joy, mirth and extra ammunition...Horus for Hope!

Gorgeous work Greg! I love the Legion iconography on the Land Raiders, just fabulous. What will be the next contingent for this project?

From GregB - Epic 30k Imperial Fist Space Marines

Epic 30k Marines from the Imperial Fists, the VII Legion

Well, my first entry for the latest edition of the Painting Challenge is Epic, in literal content, not in points, namely a detachment of Epic 30k Space Marines.  "Epic" is Games Workshop's 6mm-size game system.

These troops wear the yellow colours of the VIIth Legion, known as the "Imperial Fists".  In GW's "Horus Heresy" setting, (known among GW gaming nerds like me as "30k", as opposed to "40k", the "later" period, if you will), the backdrop is a giant, galaxy-wide civil war sparked by the rebellion of Horus Lupercal, the Warmaster, top commander of the Emperor's forces.  The Emperor promoted Horus as his second-in-command, but Horus longed for one last promotion that only war could offer...

Land Raiders, the go-to, all-purpose tanks of the Space Marines

And so half the Imperial forces, including half of the Space Marine Legions, turned against their old boss and followed Horus. What a smack-down! In the middle of all of this, the Imperial Fists remained loyal to the Emperor, and as such these are some of the "good guys".  I like these fellows a lot - you get the toughness, steadfast loyalty and grim, martial determination on the loyalist side, without the MBA-style, stuck-up nerdiness of a group such as, say, the Ultramarines.

Tactical marines near their trusty Rhino APCs - each APC can carry 10 marines, or two stands of infantry

While today geeks like me explore this setting by playing with the 28mm figures from Forge World, it was, in fact, the 6mm-sized games "Adeptus Titanicus" and "Space Marine" which truly ignited interest, and gaming, in this "period". 

Another view of the tactical troops

The Epic game and its many variations are some of the top games GW ever produced, and I still love them.  I still dust off the old figures for a game from time to time with the Fawcett Avenue Conscripts - we usually get about one, sometimes two, games in per year.  Most of my collection, however, is Imperial Guard, Orks and Eldar - and I have done, comparatively, very little Horus Heresy gaming in Epic.

Steadfast loyalty to the Emperor...

Last year David Larkins' excellent Epic-themed entries really inspired me to get back into Epic.  While I didn't manage it during the last Challenge, I kept a wary eye on Ebay over the past year and lined up a few scores to be ready for this year.  Two in particular have me really fired up for some Epic-30k painting during this Challenge.

Sicaran tanks - the one in front seems a bit, shall we say, "insecure"...it's meant to be a major anti-tank weapon...right...

So with all that blather out of the way, I wanted to get a first entry which would touch on a couple of my side duels (Sci Fi and 30k), and ride the Epic nostalgia wave.  This submission includes two 20-man tactical squads, four rhino APCs, three Land Raiders, two Sicaran tanks, and one Sicaran Venator (the, ahem, "insecure" vehicle, if you follow my meaning).  The figures and models are a mix of Ebay scores as well as some non-commercially available models.

Another view of the Land Raiders - in addition to being really tough tanks, they also carry troops!

These days Epic sits, as Curt eloquently described at one point, 'moldering in GW's IP graveyard'.  Word has it the corp-tards running GW these days intend to bring the game back, but I'll believe it when I see it...

In all there are 40 infantry and 10 vehicles in this submission - a pretty small force for a game of Epic, but enough to get started, and decent starter entry to the Challenge.  Throughout the Challenge I will be adding more Epic stuff, (good and bad guys), and I hope to have a nice little throw-down for the Fawcett lads some time in the New Year. 

This batch should net me 40 points - a decent start, but 1960 points still to go...

Smokin' entry Greg! I always enjoy reading your love-hate relationship with GW as it closely mirrors my own feelings on the matter. 

You did a spectacular job on these little models. I really like the tone of yellow you went with as they really pop on the bases. Speaking of which, what size bases did you go with for these lads? I always disliked the old dorky 'strip bases' that GW used. The rounded corners really appeal to my lizard brain somehow.

And I agree, the Ultramarines are a bunch of over-rated, blue-arsed showboaters. The only thing 'Ultra' about them is their marketing servitors... ;)

40 points it is! Well done...and remember: 'Horus for Hope'. :) 

From DavidL - Epic Orks: Complete! (Mostly...) (70 Points)

And with this entry, my Epic40K Orks (and, by extension, by Epic40K project) is more or less finished. I say "more or less" because I've still got a unit of Freebooterz and a squadron of Fighta-Bommas to do, but the order for those figures is taking forever to arrive, and I'm not sure I'll be able to get them done in time for the conclusion of the Challenge. So we'll call this good enough for rock 'n' roll!

The final clan in my army is a Wildboyz Horde. This is a clan similar to the Snakebites, but even more primitive - no guns whatsoever in the basic clan army! Purely melee, which suits my preferences just fine. At the very least, they'll prove an effective meat shield for the other two clans...

Figures are from MicroWorld's 6mm Fantasy range. A set of their "Orc Command" worked perfectly for the Wildboyz Nobs.

And here's the horde itself:

All set to hack, slash, and get gunned down...

Supplementing the horde are a trio of Squiggoths, massive hairy behemoths outfitted with armored howdahs bristling with smoothbore cannons and...mechanized extendo-grabby claws? Because those giant horns aren't scary enough, I guess...

And, of course, it couldn't be a "primitive" Ork horde without some Boarboyz. Obviously, these fellows have been outfitted with their own assault rifles courtesy of Da Blue Baron and are ready to cause some trouble.

My original Epic40K Ork army had some of these Boarboyz and they almost always proved surprisingly effective. Can't wait to see what sort of trouble they get up to in forthcoming games.

Little piggy snouts!

All together, that's 95 infantry, 10 cavalry, and 6 "vehicles" in the form of the Squiggoths, so that should come out to 70 points.

For the remainder of the Challenge, I'm planning on hitting a few odds and ends sufficient to get me up over my points goal. Getting my Epic forces complete was my primary goal for this Challenge, and it's still sinking in that I got there!

And because I've gotten a few requests, I'll leave off with some shots of the Ork Waagh! as it currently stands - an almost 6,000-point NetEpic army!

That's a Zuzzy "Wounded City" mat, which is scaled for 28mm but does the job well enough for now for Epic scale.

I threw in a classic Space Marine-era cardstock building to provide a sense of scale.

The whole lot (sans the two missing units...).