Northern Revenant

Watch this space

2011-12-06T14:54:00.001-08:00

Lots on at the minute and spending more time at work than I'd like. Just wanted to check in and say that I'd be back soon.

Thanks for your patience
Lofty

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Gone Clubbin' - Changes

2011-11-28T14:14:00.000-08:00

I packed Calaban this week and had a 50pt game vs circle (the circle featured here infact!) I like how Calaban feels. He makes me think a lot differently to Barnabus. His tier list is pretty cool too, and it's very strange having a spell list to focus on :)

Regardless of the fact that I got spanked by lord of the feast and Mohsar's feat, I had fun. I might even go as far as to base coat Calaban and the bonegrinders later tonight.

This kind of links in to the fact that my posse are almost complete, and the shell areas on the Spitter are also pretty much done. Hopefully I'll have those done by the weekend, and WIPs later on.

I upgraded my phone at the weekend and it has a camera better than my digital camera an is less fuss, so work in progress shots should be appearing more regularly :)

On a side note, I'm going to be tidying up titles of old blogs and re-tagging for ease of navigation. I might even look into shifting my stuff over to wordpress but Blogger Isn't really bad enough to warrant the effort and time I don't think.

Lastly, Movember ends this week, but I'm going to keep rocking my questionable 'tache as I've grown to like it if I'm honest :p

In exchange for a horrendous phot of me with Said facial hair, please stop by and donate to a realy worthy cause :)

Thanks for stopping by

Lofty

WORK in Progress

2011-11-21T14:25:00.000-08:00

Still having trouble leaving on time, which quite frankly is depressing. had to cancel a game at the club (again) today. Both messing around a friend, and missing my weekly warmahordes fix.

This also unfortunately means that this week's progress is limited to base coating & washing the first layer on the posse, and dry brushing the shell of the Spitter. Progress is progress though :)

I've been leafing through Domination as well this week. Pleased with the results for Skorne and Minions. Once I'm painted up with Minions, I'll be working on Xerxis at 50pts, and picking up Naaresh, and Tiberion.

Hopefully by the time I'm through with all that stuff, the Vyre Myrmidons might have seen the light of day, so I can work a little on my much neglected Retribution. It's good to have a plan right? :)

Sorry there isn't much of note today, late home and all the rest. Hopefully this week I'll have some more done. I'm also hoping to pick up some decent desk lamps & bulbs (if anyone has any tips for bulb types/wattage, it would be much appreciated) as well as a portable photo booth for painting and photos, let's see what Santa brings ;p

Thanks for stopping by

Adventures in Gesso pt1 - Test

2011-11-12T12:33:00.000-08:00

found some Gesso by chance in a shop in town today, and it's the Bob Ross Acrylic stuff. I've also got my test subject (a one armed Bagh Mari from Infinity) ready. So I scrubbed the test model in warm water etc, and stuck some cork to a base to test soakage from the cork, and a scenic base that I had made up in preparation for Tyrant Radheim when I get back to my Skorne, picked as the sand & cork have been sealed with glue.

Before;

I poured some Gesso into a plastic cup, saw how thick it was and overcompensated with water... The resulting mix was pretty wet when I started on the bases, and by the time I came to the miniature, I'd added enough Gesso back to the mix to be happy with it, but as it was going on it still seemed pretty thin...

Drying;

The coverage is great, even as I'm typing this, I can see the stuff drying every time I glance down. The coverage on the metal is pretty thin, and will require another coat for sure, the cork bases are taking it a lot better I think, and I'll let them dry as they are.

Depending how they all dry out (I'll update tomorrow) I think for next time, I'll leave the mixture a lot thicker for metal mini's. Hopefully though, a second coat will set him right.

So far, Gesso is still winning vs spray priming, the time it takes to faff around spraying miniatures (especially in the evenings after getting home from work) is ridiculous when compared to slapping gesso on them and moving them to one side to dry, no ventilation issues, and even adding a second coat the following night makes little difference, as there will be some nights where perhaps the only time I will get will be sufficient to paint a few guys.

Cheers for stopping by

Lofty

Weekly WIP - 07/11/2011

2011-11-07T12:57:00.001-08:00

Little late with this post, but this weekend consisted of an all day music festival on Saturday, and catching up on Sunday. Work managed to prevent me from gaming (again) this week, which I'm non too please about, coupled with the pretty much compulsory overtime this week means gaming/modelling will be pretty thin on the ground. Life goes on thought right? :)

On with the show;

The 'Wrastler' is only a few highlights away from being done, and Calaban is waiting for the final touches to his base alongside his bestest bacon buddies.

I'm currently looking into buying some Gesso primer, after reading a lot about it on the forums, in an attempt to not be hamstrung by the upcoming naff weather. I'm currently spray priming in the cellar which isn't the driest place in the world anyway, and winter certainly won't help. I'll let you all know how I progress on that front, and will maybe do an article on the stuff once I've got some to test out.

Thanks for stopping by

Lofty

Weekly WIP - 29/10/2011

2011-10-29T02:48:00.000-07:00

I've managed to grab a few quick pictures before the guys descend for DnD today. It isn't much, but just to show what I've managed this week.

My second "Wrastler" (a Beloved of Sobek by Crocodile Games) has been basecoated, and based (minus waer & grass) and is ready for washes and highlights. The water area of his base is going to be repainted, as I couldn't get the affect I was going for :)

The other guy, boringly enough is just the base-coated shell areas of my Ironback Spitter. The skin areas will be a dark green with perhaps some red/orange spots like this guy but I'm not sure yet. I'm hoping also to do some kind of acid drip from his mouth much like I did on Skarath (which I don't seem to have any pictures of...) following the same kind of formula as Snapjaw.

I also primed, and painted the bases of my first Gator Posse, and I'll be ordering a few more sunken bases for the below additions and to re-base the posse I traded with a friend )

Also, the below parcel arrived for me today, so I've got 50pts for all the Blindwater casters, giving me alot of variety in what is firmly my favourite Warmahordes faction :)

I'm hoping to be able to post weekly progress pics like this, but it will of course depend on when I get chance versus the weatehr (light conditions) and any social hassle :P

Thanks for stopping by

Lofty

In your base, coatin' your guys

2011-10-25T15:36:00.001-07:00

Yep, it would seem that the puns have returned.

More importantly however, I primed some minions on Sunday, painted the bases yesterday, and started base coating the two beasts this evening.

Painting is fun, I seem to be a little slower at it than I remember, but then again, it has been a while, and work has been a bit hectic recently and I'm having some problems switching off in the evenings.

So hopefully this is the top of the slope leading back down into my painting groove, all the wedding and associated activities are well and truly sorted now, and we've made the last few payments versus the whole thing, so normality is returning. It's just a shame that it's the time of year that light for photos is so hard to come by. I may well just take a look at eBay for a decent budget light box setup though, as I'd like to keep this blog updated as well as painting posts on the forums.

I'll try and get a look in before Xmas, who knows - santa might even get the hint :p
I'm not sure that I will have time to get photos sorts this weekend, as we have a pretty mammoth DnD session planned, taking a big chunk out of Saturday evening/Sunday morning, coupled with potential flat pack furniture shenanigans, meaning most of the time is spoken for. Such is life :)

In other news though, I ordered a few bits for the congregation, and I'm waiting on Calaban, Maelok, full Bonegrinders, Thrullg and a second Bullsnapper. This should leave me sitting at 50pts with all the casters as well as giving my regular opponent a break from Bloody Barnabus, and me a breath of fresh air with some spell slinging from Calaban. I think Maelok may be some way off, as he seems to give posses the same durability as Barny does, which is what I'm trying to avoid leaning on at the moment.

And that's it I think for the time being. Lot to say but not a lot to show, again unfortunately. But bear with me, and I'll be back to photographic entries as as soon as I can

Thanks for stopping buy
Lofty

Space Raider

2011-10-10T12:10:00.001-07:00

I was at the club this week but I was playing Infinity so not much to report.

I did however pick up nq37 at last an I must admit I'm quite intrigued by the new warlock. I've been pondering lists and colour schemes all day.
Whilst I'd rather avoid a strip down ad repaint with my skorne, I do have some ideas to update the paint scheme I chose a little.
All I need to do now is get time to put brush to lead!

Most likely playing more infinity next week, buy I'm hoping for a vassal game perhaps in the meantime.

Sorry it's a short one, thanks for stopping by

Lofty

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Warpath

2011-10-03T11:24:00.001-07:00

More fun with Barnabus this week. Won one lost one, and still really enjoying him as a caster.

I also made some progress with Discordia and hope to been done with pics soon. Slowly getting back into the swing of painting, and I'm looking forward to getting some momentum going.

I think I might switch forces for a while once this 15pt league is finished at the club. Barny is a little limited and makes for a pretty predictable game. Being so tough doesn't help his image.
I'd like to try Vyros again, but he really isn't the easiest caster to use. Possibly Garryth I suppose, time will tell :)

Not much else goin on really but I aim to blog at least once a week.

Let me know your thoughts on next caster and maybe why :)

Thanks for stopping by
Lofty

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Gone Clubbin'

2011-09-26T11:18:00.001-07:00

First night back at the gaming club this evening in around 3months. I'd like to say i lost because i was rusty but it's actually just because I'm me :p
Had a great game though with a different Barny list - two full posses, two wrastlers a snapper and a croak hunter.
If nothing else the list is resilient! I'm learning to lie unyielding and tough on Barny, but I won't make 5 or 6 tough rolls with Hume every game (it's true, silly dice rolls!)

Glad to be playing again as well, I enjoyed the social side of it as much as blowing away the cobwebs from my dice.
Signed up for a 15 point league as well which I'm quite looking forward to, even I it just means a variety of players vs my usual two. (I'm sure I've mentioned my social ineptitudes in the past)

Now that the wedding has happened and we're back from Honeymoon, I'm hoping to get back into a regular painting routine, so watch this space, and if you want to see progress don't let me slack :p

In other news I bought the new space marine game for the PC and have been emoting the multiplayer stuff. It has left me wanting to build some space marines though so perhaps I'll pick a few up just to paint. Wheres the harm :)

Well i guess that's it for now, good to be back and hopefully able to keep at it!

Thanks for stopping by
Lofty

PS if anyone has a 'spare' Blackhide Wrastler card (longshot?) please let me know
Cheers

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Prodigal Son

2011-08-24T04:48:00.000-07:00

I've most certainly fallen by the wayside recently. There has been alot of stuff leading up to the wedding (August 20th) and I took a consicous decision to stay away from the forums/blogs in order to better spend my time.

All over now though, and I'm hoping to have some time as a married man to get more painting work done and update again.

We go on Honeymoon for two weeks in September, but after that, I hope to be back to my usual painting regime

Cheers!

Another Wrath post?

2011-06-15T11:38:00.000-07:00

Nope. I'm only going to mention Wrath to say that I'm enjoying the book, and I'm kind of glad that the ret stuff is out later this year as it will give me time to get back on my feet financially after the wedding and honeymoon, which I'm very stoked about!

The real reason for posting is WIP pics of Discordia, and an almost finished Garryth. I'll post everything from this batch together once they are all done.

Thanks for stopping by

Lofty

Barny and Friends (Pledge pt1)

2011-06-12T03:20:00.000-07:00

At last, a post with very little talking!

Enjoy;

New pledge and deadline;

26th June
Ravyn
Garryth
Discordia

Titan Gladiator

Dahlia and Skarrath

I'll post WIPS, or part completions when I can

Thanks for stopping by

Lofty

Tip of the iceberg

2011-06-10T12:24:00.000-07:00

In anticipation of finishing Barnabus and battlegroup well before Sunday, Here's a sneak peak of what to expect

As well as a humble request - what should I paint next?

Once Barny and Battlegroup is done, I'll make a start on the most popular choice :)

Here is a link to a more comprehensive list of what's left

The List

2011-06-07T13:53:00.001-07:00

As promised, below is a list of all un-finished miniatures by faction;

Retribution of Scyrah

Garryth

Ravyn

Discordia

Dahlia & Skarrath

Skorne

Max Cetrati

Max Swordsmen & UA

Titan Gladiator

Titan Bronzeback

Tyrant commander & Standard

Cyclops Brute

Cyclops Savage

Basilisk Krea

Basilisk Drake

Molik Karn

Extoller soulward

pMakeda

Aptimus Zaal

Minions

Bloody Barnabus

Blackhide Wrastler

Bullsnapper

Max Posse

Max Bog Trogs

Croak Hunter

Swamp Gobbers

Totem Hunter

That's it for now...

Minions have the closest models to finished on my desk at the moment, so this week's pledge is Barny & Battlegroup done and posted by Sunday. Let's see if I can do it :)

After that, I'll paint what you guys pick!

Thanks for dropping by and (hopefully) supporting this venture :)

Outstanding

2011-06-06T23:57:00.001-07:00

It feels like I'm finally back into the groove painting-wise. The pressure has eased off at work, and I actually feel motivated to get some stuff done. There also seems to be a trend of group painting threads on the forums at the moment, ad it's good to see all these pledges to get painted armies on the table.
All if this has put into perspective just how much painting I have to do.

So, my intention is to air the list of unfinished models here, and make a pledge to cross at least one thing off every x amount of time. Rather than join a painting thread and not contribute, I'll keep it here, and post links to updates in a forum thread, at my own pace :)

Until later! (when I get back from the gym/work and get a list together)

Thanks for stopping by
Lofty

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Throwdown mk2

2011-05-31T00:16:00.001-07:00

After lamenting my use of Wrong Eye and Snapjaw recently and garnering some varied and useful advice, I managed to get them ticking in a game of vassal last night. All I can say is 'wow'

Before I get to that take however I'd like to talk a little about my local club. From maybe three or four warmahordes players at the end of last year, I just attended a 15pt 'intros' tournament with 9 players. One of whom has recently picked up 120pts of cryx in one go... Inorite? There are at least 3 players who couldn't make it as well, so the community is really booming at the moment.
It was a really great day, and I had a lot of fun chatting with opponents I've not really met (and of course not played) properly before.

The whole thing did make me determined to vassal more though. My journey home from the club on Monday's takes around 90minutes on trains/buses as I dont drive. This pretty much limits me to one decent length 35pt game every time I go.
Now I'm not saying vassal can replace minis/real life opponents and game situations but it's sure close. So on I pops to vassal last night, and I met a great opponent (friendly and around my skill level, a rarity I find) and I had a great 35pt game with Barny and the gang.
This was also my first time at 35 with gators and the croak hunter did a great job of distracting bloodtrackers as prey, and an ambush run/charge with bog trogs took ravagers and bloodtrackers a couple of turns to clear out so I was well chuffed with recent purchases. The piece de resistance however was our infamous duo. Snapjaw charged a warpwolf stalker with the extra 2" for living model, just in range, boosted first attack with his tail... Crit knockdown, three fury and one initial bite attack later and it's all over.
In later turns Snapjaw took out a gorax as well. All this, and Wrong Eye is certainly no melee slouch either, taking names and healin' beasts :p
The caster kill was throw barny at a gheist, charge a grunt, feat and paste morvhanna. Which I felt dirty for doing but there was a clear path to her if I had range, which I did with the throw.

All in all then, good times. Sorry its been a while since the last post. Lots of wedding and honeymoon stuff going on at the moment. Which has also hit men pretty heavily financially so I won't be making any purchases till my birthday at least probably. All in a good cause though (awesome honeymoon, ask me about it :))

Thanks for stopping by
Lofty

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Throwdown

2011-05-10T00:09:00.001-07:00

I learned a lot from last nights game;

1. Gators can be tough - spiny growth, dirge of mists, iron flesh and unyielding are all abilities which make most of what is on the board tough to shift

2. Having a vague idea is far different from checking rules and understanding what you are trying to do. Yeah, I should check rules before I try to get fancy. I tried to throw snapjaw early on, and should already have known the rules for distance of throws etc. Lesson learned

3. Feat, feat and feat again. If I had a shiny penny for every-time I've forgotten to feat because I got carried away with something else id have at least 10p. Unfortunately on this occasion it was a thrown, risen and charged barny buying attacks vs baldur. It would of course been far less risky against his reasonable DEF if he was knocked down. Lesson learned.

4. This is the third game where I've really not done a great deal with wrong eye and snapjaw. No idea why, I just never commit them. I need to get out of this habit as snapjaw can hit hard

5. A good opponent is more fun than a strict opponent. I was allowed to 'go back' a couple of times, like the order in which I cast spiny growth and rise on a beast to prevent rise cancelling the ARM buff. Makes things more fun, and less like a chore. I hope for both our sakes that I stop making the silly mistakes soon though.

So that's it really. A good game which now takes me to 2 from 3 with barny, each time was a caster kill by Big B himself. I enjoy the way gators play, but like everything else, I should have more of an idea about stats abilities an synergies before I get to the table.
In my defence, I find it hard to switch off from work at the best of times, and I have to rush around from work to packed train to club in short order and then get gaming. I'll get used to it eventually maybe.

Thanks for stopping by
Lofty

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Closure

2011-05-05T00:27:00.001-07:00

I've finally got up the courage to catalogue my Warhammer High Elves (and soon to be dwarves) for sale. I was particularly pleased with the price offered for my elves, and I'm going to use the money to fund models to take Xerxis to 50 points.

I've had a hectic Easter filled with bank holidays and time away, so I've nothing really to show as progress until after the weekend maybe. I'm still part way through assembling bog trogs at the moment (fiddly little beggars) but I hope to have my posse ready to basecoat at the weekend, as well as some WIP pics of Barny and my Wrastler, so stay tuned!

Going to be testing my 35 points of gators on Monday, and then I'll be up at 50points for the foreseeable future as both of my regular opponents are testing tourney lists for the summer. One of whom is looking to grab some farrow and has a posse for sale, which means I'd have very little left to buy to take Barny to 50.
I'm pretty sure though that Ret will be waiting until Wrath for some love, except for when I finally finish discordia and Garryth.

Lots of wedding Stuff going recently too (funnily enough), so painting progress may be slow.

Thanks for stopping by
Lofty

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Clubbin'

2011-04-19T00:08:00.001-07:00

Last night's game was a bit of a farce. Not only did my I forget to deploy my battlemages (my opponent kindly let me place them on my deployment line turn2) but I got munched by shooting through indecisive deployment/first turn manoeuvring and I'm still leaving Garryth backfield doing not a great deal.
I'm still not really convinced he wants a jack at all. Or at least I need to work out how a light can be useful to him as I can't get the chimera working.
Practice practice practice. I really like Garryth and I'd love to learn him enough to use him well at least. I get pretty frustrated that I spend so much time and money on figures and then make such stupid mistakes lol.
In other news, I've ordered a case of foam for my gators, and bog trogs plus croak for my 35pt barny list.
I've also planned out this list to 50, 35 and 50 with calaban and Xerxis to 50. My good friend 'griffin' is entering a 50pt tourney later this year, and I've agreed to get as many different 50point lists (with proxies) as I can for him to refine his circle tourney lists. Works out well for both of us as it will help me think about synergies for lists, and also get me used to tourney play (assassinate/defend) and scenarios.
A friend of mine who hasnt games in a while has also shown a lot of interest in the gaming table planning, and whilst he is insisting we get some games of WHF, I'm sure I can get some Warmahordes demoes in as well.

Life's good :)
Thanks for stopping by
Lofty

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Structure

2011-04-13T00:13:00.001-07:00

Since we moved house, I've found it very difficult to concentrate on one faction, to either paint or be enthusiastic about. I've just got Garryth and Ravyn for my Retribution, and excluding maybe some riflemen for Ravyn I'm more than happy running lists with them both from my current collection.
My Gators on the other hand are only just 25 points.
So what's my point you may wonder? Well I'm glad you asked. Basically once Garryth, Ravyn and Discordia are painted, my Ret will be fully painted.
This means I can buy for my gators up to 35 points. Barnabus first, an then once his force is painted, I can grab some pieces for a Callaban theme force which would pretty much just be him and some farrow. This will give me a bit of structure, and more importantly goals to keep working towards. It also means that if I go with the painting then buying idea, Xerxis' 50 point list is only a handful if gators away :p

How do you guys plan your purchases? How close are you to fully painted?
Let me know I'm not the only one whose OCD invades their hobby?!

Thanks for stopping by
Lofty

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Superiority

2011-04-11T11:31:00.001-07:00

Superiority is a spell which doesn't need to be upkept on a dead jack...
To quote my opponent from this evening.

Very fun game. Mainly because we both forget things and it becomes a little hectic. Also because Garryth is a great caster.
With whip snap, intrigue (madelyn the merc lady's ability) and parry, he would've been moving 16" to get to Strakhov.
That is if he wasn't knocked down, easy target for kossites after having the sentinel standard slammed over him...
Most useless model ever, I just moved him somewhere arbitrary as he would've clogged up charge lanes. I also thought vortex lock would keep me safe, but I elected to utterly ignore the kossites.
Lesson learned. :)

I'm going to stick with Garryth for a few games for sure, I enjoy the way he plays (sents with mirage and vengeance is still mind boggling) and would love to get him into combat.
Must read on him some more though

Thanks for stopping by

Lofty

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Progress

2011-04-10T08:05:00.000-07:00

I just finished up my MHSF, complete with snow base ( I had a bunch of models waiting, so I mixed up a load of snow and blitzed them all),

They've been around 90% done for a week or so, but i haven't got around to adding the last couple of bits.

The archers on the other hand have been nearly done for months, and I never quite get any further with them every time I sit down and start work. I added what I needed to and called them done, I know they aren't my best work

I think the MHSF look great to my standards, but the camera is most unkind it seems. Either way, here they are;

In other news, Discordia, Garryth and Ravyn are also very nearly done, and I've got my second game with Garryth tomorrow, so we will see how that goes :)

Thanks for stopping byLofty

Mirage

2011-03-28T12:16:00.001-07:00

Not the Transformer. I'm also not water deprived, or in a desert.
That's right, Garryth. I like the way he does things.
Yes, I forgot his feat and old rowdy spanked him for it. Yes, i didnt allocate a single focus to either jack all game (curse you fury!). But I'll be damned if sentinels moving 5" and making an attack before anyone's activation isn't the most awesome thing I've done, lol.
He's going to get some vassal time this week, along with Ravyn, who I'm also very much enjoying.
Whilst we're on the 'Warmachine is teh best' soapbox, I've done a total u-turn on my opinion of battle engines. From 'how the hell would I get it in a carry case?' to 'lol magnetise it' (cheers griff) coupled with the new magister solo guy leading me to think we may get more 40mm base stuff (new foam trays please!) makes me very much look forward to what's in store :)

On a very self - indulgent note, I got some great praise for my WIP MHSF and painted dawnguard. So I'm really inspired to get them finished :)
Also means no pics till they are done :p

Thanks for stopping by, it's good to be back
Lofty

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Return to form

2011-03-26T09:45:00.000-07:00

Yes that’s right - I blogged.

I’ll give you a minute to wipe the coffee from your screens (as you of course just spat it out due to the shock…).

After saying “no more blogging till the house move is sorted” (back in February) our ISP well and truly dropped the ball, and a phone engineer has only just been to fix our phone line. (All you UK based readers – Avoid O2 like the plague) It’s a long and arduous story, so I won’t get into it now.

In the meantime however, we moved (of course) and I’ve played a few Warmachine games.

The first one (after admittedly a very long WM break) was with Ravyn. I’ll be honest, I liked her style, I rarely ply gunlines as I prefer slice n dice, but I have to admit, it was a blast (ooh pun), her spell list is interesting, and I’m yet to figure out what she can bring to the table (is she a melee caster or a support caster). The game also taught me how frikken cool Invictors are, mini feat (snipe optional) and re-rolls (UA) make for some pretty solid CRAs, and flank is a dream come true to be fair. I also learned that good friends, good laughs and wargames are the cure for hangovers (it was pretty bad weekend that I was still pretty ropey by Monday evening after a day at work)

I intend to play a few more games with Ravyn as soon as she’s done (currently WIP on the ol’ painting table).

I also played two games with Rahn. He makes me feel dirty, but boy is he fun. First game was a turn two caster kill, I ran my Phoenix and Chimera up field straight off the bat, and they diverted a lot of incoming fire (Siege), and Rahn was able to finish the job himself (although I believe it was feated battle mages that got the kill). Second game was pCaine, and he scares me to be honest, his feat is a tough one to dodge. I lost this last one, but I did put a reasonable amount of boxes onto Caine before hand. Both games were fun, and were quite a good way to get back into the Focus v Fury mechanic after so much Skorne recently.

Which brings me smoothly to my next point – Gators are fun. I played 25pts against a chap down the club who just got into Hordes (Trollbloods, sweet painting). And if it weren’t for me forgetting about the transfer mechanic, (dumb, inoright? I got carried away…) It would’ve been a second turn caster kill. As it was, Barny got thrown at Madrak, and risen to charge him. He then weathered the resultant round of retaliation and munched Mr Madras quite decisively. Gatemen are ridiculously good, and I’m yet to find a good way to use the ‘Snapper.

I’m also open to suggestions at this point for what to pad out to 35pts with my gators. My current 25pts is;

Barney

Wrestler

Snapper

Max Gators

Wrong Eye & Snap jaw

Let me know if you have any thoughts J

A friend’s dad also managed to snaffle me a pair of 6’x2’ boards from where he works, and is willing to give me a hand constructing a gaming table, so things are looking good! I'll post progress when either of us gets time to speak to the other and make some headway

The only other news really is that I bought a few miniatures of a couple of the guys at the club for the wargame Infinity, which I’m enjoying quite a lot at the moment. But that’s hardly relevant to an IABN tagged post, so keep an eye out for infinity news in other posts.

As I mentioned above, got some minis on the painting table, and will have WIPs as soon as the net is fixed. As it is, I’m drafting this on my PC whilst waiting in for the phone engineer who should be out today to sort out the net (of course the above will be posted once the net is connected so that was a bit irrelevant really…)

Anyhow, that’s quite enough from me I think. It’s great to be back and look forward to blogging again. There’s some exciting news in the pipeline, but I can only really let you guys in on it when it goes live!

Thanks for stopping by after so long

Lofty

Moved

2011-02-05T01:52:00.001-08:00

Just to check in and say that we're in the new house and I managed to upgrade from cellar to loft for my gaming space!
No Internet for a while and many boxes to unpack, so I'll be back in the next few weeks.

Thanks for stopping by
Lofty

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Moving

2011-01-20T04:58:00.001-08:00

Moving home is imminent, wedding is in August, and finding time to paint is 'difficult'

I have far too much on at the moment to get anything done so I'm putting blogging (an gaming most likely) on hold until we're settled in the new house

Cheers
Lofty

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Congregation

2011-01-15T08:22:00.001-08:00

I picked up my parcel from the post office this morning, so now I have 15pts of Blindwater to be getting on with :)

No pics this weekend as it's my wife to be's birthday and there is plenty happening. I just thought I would update. I have scrubbed and cleaned the new gators though, so I'll be modelling and basing them this week along with painting

Nihilators are even closer to finished now, but Bloody Barnabas arrived mid-week and I couldn't stop myself pinning and basing him, so I lost some painting time

I have learned a valuable lesson this week though. I was adding the final layer of water effects to Wrong eye and Snapjaw, and I sat them on top of the radiator in an attempt to harden the water a little quicker. Twenty minutes later when I went to check on them the water effects had turned solid White... I was mortified to be honest, I had put a lot of work into the bases up to this point and I thought it was ruined.
I left it overnight though, hoping that it would clear out. It didnt, but I did manage to cut out the majority of the resin in a last ditch attempt at saving the base, and all that's needed now is re-sanding the sunken area and the water again.

If any of you are using GW water effects be warned :) don't be impatient, it just needs time to go clear.

Thanks for stopping by
Lofty

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It's a Trap!!

2011-01-10T12:28:00.000-08:00

We can't repel firepower of that magnitude!
Ahem. You may gave guessed that i lost to a WG deathstar this evening, even if the reference is a bad one.

How is it possible to shift WG with def 17 and a 4+ tough roll? I hates them. Nothing much else to report about the battle to be quite honest, I got bogged down. My Gladiator would have nearly got to irusk if it hadn't been for his no knockdown on feat turn, he was standing silly close to torch. Alas, it wasn't to be. Was a fun game though, so not a total loss.

On a personal note, work is pretty rough at the moment, but that just me more glad to get home and paint, as well as being great motivation for job hunting :)

Hope to update with pictures this weekend, Nihilators and potentially Cetrati will be done by then :)

Thanks for stopping by
Lofty

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A Real Eyeful

2011-01-09T08:05:00.000-08:00

Wrong eye and Snapjaw have been around 90% done for months. Snapjaw got his water effects poured in today (the first layer at least) and Wrong Eye got his finishing touches today;

I know the pictures are a little dark, but I can always re-take them at a later date when I have more time (light) in the evening.

Seems to be a theme of my painting as of late - getting to a pretty much finished stage, and then losing attention entirely and moving onto something else entirely. I'm hoping to finish off all these poor minis in the next few weeks, and get out of that habit altogether this year. As well as keeping this blog up to date, and trying to get to the club more regularly, although that lsat one will fall foul to all the things going on this year like moving house, marriage and all that kind of thing :P

Wish me luck though!

Thanks for stopping by

Lofty

Moar Swamps - UPDATE

2011-01-07T02:32:00.000-08:00

Small update today. Just wanted to share the great work done by someone on the PP forums in their blog which I have imitated, as it's an awesome idea, and will look infinitely better than my cereal packet cut-outs 0.o

Just waiting for the sand to dry over the radiator then I can get a layer or two of paint down. Hopefully more to update over the weekend

Thanks for stopping by

Lofty

Snapjaw

2011-01-06T04:35:00.001-08:00

Since there is some sun today, and I'm stuck at home, I thought I'd share my latest WIP;

All he needs now is a coat of varnish and water effects. I'm pretty please with how he has turned out, and will be using the same methods here as for Barny and the Wrastler. "Lesser" gators may get a bit of a lighter green.

The blood in his mouth is far too thick, I neglected to pain the inside of his mouth before I started adding the blood effect, so the end result after painting inside his motuh is far too thick. Live and learn though right? I still think i t looks relatively good

Thanks for stopping by

Lofty

Swamp Thing

2011-01-05T06:43:00.000-08:00

So 2011 is off to a good start. I received by "shallow" bases today, ready for the sizable order of crocs that I have incoming from maelstrom games.

It's weird, I said to my missus, "If Maelstrom games send out a voucher in the new year, I'm going to put a load of minis on my credit card". Lo and behold... So I took the plunge and ordered 25pts of Blindwater;

FoH: Minions

Bloody Barnabus

Wrastler

Bullsnapper

Full gatormen

Tokens (also Skorne tokens)

My poor credit card, I haven't even put the rest of my guitar on there yet... (ask me about my new guitar by the way, it's awesome. Just unrelated :P)

I think I'm just awaiting stock for most of the above, so could be a while before it shows. I'm going to be putting together a new painting blog on the forums for all my Hordes minis, and trying to get back to fully painted with my Ret. Part of this is (hopefully) being inspired by me making a collection list. I used to document my collection on tabletop commander, but the new version baffles me, so my list of minis is currently stuck on my iPhone. My thinking is that if I get the list onto Excel, and I can categorise everything as to how close to finished it is, then maybe it will help me get things finished more quickly. I also love making lists for some reason.

Season's Greetings

2010-12-24T01:04:00.001-08:00

Just a quick note to wish you all well for the holidays, and all the best for your new year.

I'll be back blogging in the new year hopefully once life has calmed down (Contract for new house/holiday travel insurance yadda yadda). Plans in place for a gaming table in the new house, as well as teaching an old friend of mine the wonders of Warmachine (He's such a Khador player, he just doesn't quite realise it yet I don't think!). All of this totally trumped by the fact that my younger brother (he's only ten) has started showing an interest in the table building, and toy soldiers, so it will be great to see if he wants to try some practice games and borrow some of my guys to fight with

All the best

Lofty

Snowblind

2010-12-06T08:51:00.000-08:00

Just arrived back from Prague after being stuck there for 4days extra due to snowy UK airports.

Prague airport was of course clear of snow, and had planes taking off, but in typical British fashion, at the first sight of snow, everything grinds to a halt and no one seems to care...

Thought I would check in and update a little bit;

Spent a lot of money outside our holiday budget, so there will be no more miniature purchasing for a while, especially with having to take unpaid leave from work as I was in a nother country and unable to make it to the office (which ironically was closed for a few days beacause people "couldn't make it in" pffff)

I have, however, settled on a scheme for next years gators with Snapjaw being very nearly complete on my painting desk. I want to check my old cans of GW gloss and matt sealant and get him painted and varnished then I can water his base, and finish Wrongeye. Will hopefully have him completed by the end of the year, what with everything else going on as well :)

We have just applied for a house down the road to rent, which has a great cellar space with plenty of room for a table! NExt year should see some terrain making posts, as well as plenty of WIPs on the table.

Other than that, just another day in the Lofty household. Very glad to no longer be stuck overseas

Thanks for dropping by

Lofty

Croxies

2010-11-22T11:29:00.001-08:00

I was proxying crocs, geddit?... Anyway, seems like a while since my last post.

Fair bit going on, currently in the process of selling/trading in my beloved guitar to fund the next one. (Gibson sg 2004 for sale, comment if interested) as well as more wedding stuff.
I've also based and almost completed wrong eye and snapjaw, assembled and primed the MHSF (surprisingly hassle-free 0.o) and decided against Menoth as my slow grow. What can I say? Fluff is an important factor in an army choice for me, and theirs doesn't grab me.
'But Lofty, what faction will you use to build as your slow grow guys?!' I hear you cry.
Fear not! As the post title pretty much gives away, I'm back to Crocs. This is doubly beneficial, as I was going to get some sooner or later anyhow, and also because I think that Hordes is more 'my game' and I'll more likely never leave Ios with Warmachine. Yeah, I just said that :s (sorry Rhul, but you know I'm fickle)

Which leads me (finally) to the game I had tonight.
Bloody Barnabus
Wrastler
Bull snapper
Full gators

VS

Strakhov
Kodiak
Min demo corps
Min kommandos w flamer

Proxying of course, I ran up into swamps first turn, Strakhov feated and charged his guys, kommandos had no luck but the Kodiak wrecked the snapper and the corps nearly ruined the Wrastler.
In response barny feats, munches down the demo corps, bloodboons flesheater into the last and sends the warstler off to not be able to wrestle (superiority I think?) the Kodiak. Gators take out the kommandos.

Strakhov moves and takes shots at a full fury barny (no beasts though) after the Kodiak wrecks the croc, but barny is still standing, and after the gators charge to take care of the wardog, barny goes for Strakhov, only to fluff boosting (when will i learn?) and then survive the response, and cut Strakhov down.

Would have been a very different and had the Kodiak had focus, or Stryker done more on feat turn. But I'm glad that the gators are fun to play. I really like the models (Wrastler needs to be more like Snapjaw, but other than that...)
Consider me sold.

Still loving the games, still learning :p
'till next time.

Thanks for stopping by
Lofty

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Gheistly Reflections - 12 Months On

2010-11-09T14:35:00.000-08:00

I'd like to talk today a little bit about the Feralgheist. In the few games that he has ended up being in my Xerxis list due to lack of better 1pt options (of course I already took Gobbers), he has stopped reaving on an enemy beast, and kept my Bronzeback truckin' for a turn longer than he should've.

The Bronzeback needs a separate post all to himself to be honest. Even if only because I'm still making some very basic mistakes with order of activations, and being able to leave fury on the Gladiator after one such mistakes (two turns in a row.... Inorite?) because of his Titan leadership is a real boon.

Great use of 1pt if you ask me. In fact if it weren't for my shoddy dice rolling at crucial moments, the Gheistback would've trashed pStryker. As it was, a Gladiator had to finish him off.

Xerxis and his boys have shunted themselves up to the top of the painting table after their recent performance (I've only lost once out of 4 games).

I seem to have lost impetus with this post... I did originally type this out on a blog app on my phone, and later discover that it was neither submitted to the blog or saved which is infuriating as it was a pretty long post. Anyway, whilst searching my blog for the missing post, I realised that this blog was 12 months old in September, and I clear forgot about it.

Needless to say things have changed a lot since September '09.

Looking at my opening post....

- I'm still painting the odd GW miniature, and even played a game or two of WHF 7ed with a friend who hasn't gamed in years, which ain't too bad at all

- I've been around the block once or twice, but I'm back with the Retribution as my primary faction, and I've even started pulling off wins with them!

- I've dabbled back into WoW for a couple of months here and there, but I've been clean for a month recently, so I guess I'm full circle there :p

Most importantly for me I think is that I've moved out of my comfort zone. I've been put into situations with new people which i never deal well with, or enjoy, and I've made some friends out of it too (well, two), which doubled my previous count (I don't do well with social stuff). All in all, I'm really enjoying the hobby again. Better game(s), nicer models, better community, and well... colour me happy

Vows for the next 12months?

-Don't buy so many models all at once (hey look Skorne!)

-Try and keep up to fully painted with Retribution (oh so close before my MSHF finally arrived)

-Play more paint less. Let's face it, fully painted armies on the tabletop are ace, but it doesn't have to be every time :)

Just want to say thanks really to all the encouragement, patience, tips and advice that I've had along the way, and here is to another 12 months in the Iron Kingdoms

Lofty

Cleansing flame

2010-11-07T07:34:00.000-08:00

Welp. busy week again, and plenty to report. Still no pictures though I'm afraid. Decent natural light at this time of year is as rare as me winning with Vyros....

This just in - First Vyros win!! (Vassal doesn't count though does it?) that's right a win. Could've ended a lot sooner had I not activated the Griffon second with fleet to get flank. Vyros is one hardy warcaster, and packs a solid punch regardless of flank. I'm still making lots of mistakes, but learning is like that

In other less significant news, I recently overhauled my work area and have a painting queue, and a modeling queue rather than a jumble of models on cutting mats on my desk. Feels a lot less cluttered, and is a far better space to paint in now.

I've now finished the Vyros re-paint and my DnD miniature, as well as starting my friends DnD monk (an alleigant model form Menoth interestingly enough). Stormfall Archers are nearing completion too, backpacks 90% done, and just one stage (oh and skin I guess) plus snow left for the Archers themselves.

Ravyn is also pinned together and based, awaiting a good day for primer. I'm still waiting on my MHSF which I ordered and paid for around ten days ago (I really give up on any internet related webstore...) but I have a new set of brass and drill bits for the crossbows, so they should be ready by the next tourny hopefully.

Friend of mine from the club on Mondays is building a 35pt Strakhov list in small installments. Not one to be left out when there's miniatures buying to be done, I've plumped for Menoth (my first choice was the Butcher but Khador v Khador would be a bit dull). So christmas (gifts from me to me at least) will be FoW Menoth, FoH Minions and the Menoth Battlebox methinks.

Again, a lot going on, but not much evidence of it. Will attempt some pictures if it's sunny next weekend, but i dont get home from work early enough to try in the evenings im afraid

Thanks for stopping by

Lofty

The (crit) fires of industry

2010-10-28T00:11:00.001-07:00

I've had a string of net related issues recently, but I finally managed to track down and order the MHSF, UA and Ravyn along with some 0.5mm drill hits and brass rod, I'm not taking any chances with those crossbows!
I'm still without net access at home however, but that's only detriment to my post count :p in all seriousness, I've been painting a lot more without the distraction.
Last night I finally put the finishing touches to Xerxis who has been close to completion for months. I also buckled down and re based my stormfall archers (better cork than a wine bottle cork) and painted all 4 backpacks bar metallics which I'm chuffed with as the amount of separate detail on them was daunting.
I'm going to be playing Vyros/Xerxis for my next few games, hopefully pulling off a win with V. If not it's all practice, and I enjoy playing both casters so there's no real loss.
All the while I will be painting Ravyn and re-visiting my magno-jack for her second manticore.
Goodtimes.
Not much else going on really 'cept Halloween shenanigans. Still very determined to get Vyros working, reading everything I can pertaining to his use. I'll get there one day :)

Thanks for dropping by
Lofty

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A lesson lived

2010-10-24T09:13:00.001-07:00

Is indeed a lesson learned. Won one game with Rahn, and was making ridiculous mistakes with Vyros and lost to a model. Last game was a loss with Rahn. Was a great game though. We were against the clock, as the store needed to close, so we (my friend from the club on Monday) were making some snap decisions which led to a wry close game with Stryker on 6 health at the end

Another fun day, I'm just gutted that I was so careless in my Vyros game, else it could have been very different

Cheers
Lofty

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WIP week

2010-10-23T07:53:00.000-07:00

Big V got his Paint stripped, which I think I mentioned, and I also finished painting my DND character (war priest prestige class) shown below as well. The model began life as the Avatars of War War Priest model, see if you can spot which parts have been added :P

Other than that, there isn't much new going on, Payday on Monday and I still have no clue what I'll be sepdning my monthly mini budget on, Might talk to the guys at the tourny tomorrow and see what opinion I can canvas.

Speaking of tournies, below are the two lists I'll be taking;

Dawnlord Vyros +6 points

* 2x Griffon 4 points each
* Phoenix 10 points

Arcanist 1 point
10 Dawnguard Sentinels 9 points
* Sentinel Officer & Standard 2 points
Fane Knight Skeryth Issyen 5 points
Lady Aiyana & Master Holt 4 points
Lanyssa Ryssyl 2 points

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

Adeptis Rahn +6 points

* Manticore 8 points
* Phoenix 10 points

Arcanist 1 point
10 Dawnguard Sentinels 9 points
* Sentinel Officer & Standard 2 points
House Shyeel Battle Mages 5 points
2x House Shyeel Magister 2 points each
Mage Hunter Assassin 2 points

Should be fun, as my game with Vyros on Monday was a realyl close one, which I enjoyed immensely, I will of course keep you posted on the results :)

Thanks for stopping by

Lofty

Technological interference

2010-10-19T04:47:00.000-07:00

It's been a long week. Not only did my iPhone give up the ghost and need to be returned to the shop for repair, but my broadband provider decided to switch my service off early before the next IP could connect me...
Many angry phone calls later, and the internet seems to be back up, but my beloved iPhone is still a week away apparently.
Anyhow, in the meantime, my lost package finally arrived, and I have converted up and painted the Avatars of War War-Priest miniature to represent my DND Cleric. Very pleased with the final results, which I will hopefully be able to take pictures of this weekend.
I also had a game with Vyros at the club this week (yes that's right, Vyros) and it was a very closely fought game. eNemo's feat is horrendous when he runs many 'jacks (who wouldn't run many 'jacks with him?) but Defensive line and Inviolable resolve on Sentinels is one tough nut to crack. Vyros held his own with a flanking Griffon, but I had left him far back behind his own lines, as I insist on playing every 'caster as support until I get it through my thick skull to do otherwise.
I actually almost won the game thanks to an Arcanist un-disrupting my Phoenix and allowing him to get to Nemo (gotta love mobility on a heavy) but of course I missed with his thermal blade (snake eyes) hit with the fist, then snake eyes on the bought sword attack. Gutted doesn't even cover it to be honest.
This is all after two sentinels fluffed attack rolls the turn before, so overall I was quite pleased with my first WM game in months.
Hordes has taught me a lot about the game system(s) but deployment is still a weakness, as is order of activation. For some reason, I always seem to allocate focus to the Phoenix, despite it still being there at the end of the turn...

I'm really in two minds whether or not to run Vyros at the tourney this Sunday, or to stick with Xerxis, who I am a bit more comfortable with. If I can get a couple of Vassal games in before the weekend then I may well take Vyros. We shall see what time permits.

Payday is a-comin' and for the first time in a long while, I have no list of miniatures ready to snap up from the LGS. I'm toying with the idea of Discordia for Vyros at 50 pts (even though I bought the minion elf 'lock for just such a purpose grumblegrumble) as a spray attack on his feat turn would be ridiculous. In anticipation of the Retribution Destors who are rumoured for this year, I'm tempted to pick up the second unit of sentinels for Vyros' tier, reinforced by the amateur mistakes I made with the first unit I built (let's just say I wash all my minis before assembly, and pin pretty much all joins nowadays). Or perhaps battle mages for Rahn's tier, Mage hunters and Ravyn, the list goes on...
Then there is Hordes to consider, Marketh is out this month sure, and I want Orin and an agonizer for Xerxis' brick, but what else should I get? Beastmasters, Arcuarii?

Much pondering is needed before I get my grubby mitts on a month's worth of money...
Any input is greatly appreciated!

Thanks for stopping by
Lofty

List advice

2010-10-11T14:13:00.000-07:00

Posted this on the forums and there has been no response after 70 views, hoping I get a better response here :)

I need some advice/opinions on the below Xerxis I've been running. Before anyone tears it apart, It's a slow build list, using the models I have in my collection without going crazy buying a lot more stuff.

On Friday I ran (succesful caster kill v pHaley);
Xerxis
Krea
Bronzeback
Gladiator
Min Cetrati
Min Nihilators
Tyrant and standard
Swamp Gobbers
Feralgeist

The plan is to brick down teh centre of course and martial discipline the nihilators through the shield wall last minute, which worked pretty well. The Tyrant was tehre to pick up any tough nohilators, but of course that would require me to makea tough roll once in a while ;p

I'm pretty sure that I will be dropping the tyrant and going to full on the cetrati. Do you guys have any more ideas for a list like this? I have the below to add should i need to;

Brute
Savage
Molik
Full praets + Standard
Extoller
Ancestral Guardian

Im open to suggestions, and do plan on expanding up to 50 point games once I'm a bit more used to the caster and the list, I was thinking maybe an agonizer and/or Orin Midwinter to enhance the brick?

Feedback/ CONSTRUCTIVE criticism really appreciated

Thanks in advance

Lofty

An an eXerxise in pain

2010-10-09T06:13:00.000-07:00

Why do I insist on trying to be witty with blog titles?

Friday night gaming in Leeds last night, and it was a blast. I lost my first game to a chap who had never played WM/Hordes before. Stop laughing, he was being helped by the PG and three other guys :P

I wasn't taking it too seriously, and took the opportunity to hyper aggression my Bronzeback half-way down the field from his Widowmaker/Winterguard shots. Just because you can do something doesn't mean that you should :)

The second game was against someone who has been playing a little longer, and who I had previously faced in a very close game with my eMakeda v his Baldur in the Genesis event, which was a very close game indeed. He played pHaley this time with stormy guys (halberds and swords). I was really very please with how my list performed, Bricking down the centre, using Martial discipline to devastating effect with the Nihilators moving (polarity shield or some such spell denying charge) through the shield wall with Press Forward from Xerxis. Berzerk is a very useful ability, especially with reach, and with good positioning, it can be ended quite effectively when they have to attack a shieldwalled, defenders warded Cetrati. The kill came from the tyrant of tyrants himself, who Overtook his way through some grunts straight into Haley's grill on feat. I stupidly then decided to cast fury instead of buying attacks, and of course missed. I awaited my demise.

Of course Haley 'ain't no thang' in combat, so Xerxis survived, cut for 5 and ended Haley.

Thoroughly enjoyable, even when awaiting my demise at the hands of my opponent. I still seem to be too careful with my heavies, and certainly need to get my caster stuck in more, and I'm constantly searching for stats on my cards :P

One thing about the list that I will be dropping is the Tyrant commander and standard. The plan was that the Nihilators would either berserk themselves, or get killed and make tough rolls, and the Tyrant can then stand them up next turn. This strategy of course depends on me actually making a tough roll, which I am only able to do when it means Haley can move away once the guy is knocked down... Coupled with the fact that Xerxis has both of the other orders that the Tyrant commander has, his points would be better used elsewhere.

On the whole I'm happy with the list and the way it performs. When I eventually get order of activation down pat, I'm sure I will make better use of it :)

Thanks for dropping by

Lofty

Sneak Peak

2010-10-03T07:46:00.000-07:00

Shock horror, I'm at my desk at the weekend, and there is a vague semblance of sunlight streaming through my window!

Behold this week's progress!

Bonus points for anyone who can guess what project the first picture shows!

I finally managed to get a skin tone that I'm happy with for my Skorne dudes, shown on the Nihilators with base-coat and a wash.

Of course the Bronzeback is going along quite slowly at the moment. It's an intimidating model to paint, as well as on the table top :P

That's it really, just a quick painting update whilst I had the chance (and I needed to procrastinate from work related stuff :P)

Thanks for stopping by

Lofty

Total Nihilation

2010-09-28T08:39:00.001-07:00

I was really hoping for good light to take photos today, but it seems that when I have time like today its grim and lowsy outside, but at the weekend when we're busy with wedding stuff, its great weather.

Anyhow, I've finished the bases for my Nihilators, the skin of my Bronzeback, and bases for Tyrant, and Brute. Dentist appointment days off work ain't so bad after all!

Lack of a battle report this week, as I'm going to be going down every other Monday so that I can go to the gym too. I am far from vain, but I'm getting married next year and it's a great excuse to get rid of the beer gut I've been honing since uni.

Digression into IRL isn't why you people come here so back to the musings! I've been doing a lot of Vassal spectation recently, and watching Ret' games by happen-stance. I have been quite tempted to break them out of temporary retirement and try my luck with Warmachine again, but after a lot of deliberation, I settled on waiting until Wrath is out to start my Retribution again. By that time hopefully the Destors will be around, and Vyros will have gone Epic (pleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleaseplease)

In the meantime, I will be playing a helluvalot of Hordes!

My intentions are to bulk out my existing forces to what I think I “need" to work with my current casters (mentioned in a previous post I think – Arcuari, shaman, agonizer, mr midwinter), and play them both to death :P There are two steamroller events coming up in October one of which requires two lists, which will be great for this. Other than that, I will be picking up Mordikaar and Karax, and eMakeda, maybe even the Ferox and dragoon if I can overcome the cheesy grins on the cats (I dislike them intensely)

And lastly, minion taskmaster and gators with Wrongeye and Snapjaw, which will lead me nicely into a start of a Blackwater pact. I was giving some very serious consideration to Trollbloods, as it was always between them and Skorne if I ever started Hordes. However, they really just don't grab me as much as some of the new Minion stuff. I like melee casters, and if I played Madrak with trolls, then I would feel daft for not just playing Xerxis, if that makes sense... I may well pick up the battlebox at some point, and if I ever grab a third Hordes faction, then they are top of the list.

By this time Wrath should be very imminent if not upon us, and I'll be able to expand my Ret. First thoughts are Ravyn with a couple of house guard units, which would also work with Rahn after an extra box of mages and a couple more magisters. This is all of course if Vyros doesn't get any love, and lets face it, he gets very little at the moment. I'm also holing out for multi-wound infantry, who knows what the new caster will bring to the faction :) I'm also still pretty tempted by a Rhulic force, and if they get some shiney new stuff, I'm almost guaranteed to have some kind of Rhulic/steelhead force by the end of next year

Can you tell I get a little bored at work sometimes? All this musing and pondering makes me realise what a great hobby this is!..

/soapbox

Thanks for stopping by :)

Lofty

Pop n drop

2010-09-20T11:28:00.001-07:00

Another great game today. Only lost as I really underestimated the acrobatics of daughters of the flame. I left Makeda 'somewhere safe' and she got swarmed. This made me commit to defending Makeda and I lost my tyrant (to their anatomical precision), who was my only comeback vs Kreoss' feat. Which saw Makeda getting wailed on by a Templar.

Praetorians performed well again though. Denying any use from a unit of exemplars by running at them, getting killed under Makeda's feat, and mini feating the knights to death.
And of course powering the soul factory ;p. Marketh will love those guys!

Turn two wouldn't been very different if only I hadn't rolled snake eyes vs a slam of a Templar toward Kreoss, but I get far too carried away to think about averages vs def etc and whether I need to boost :p

I'm still really enjoying Hordes however, and far prefer the mechanics to Warnachine. I need to field another light beast though i think, as I run the beasts up front and then struggle once they go down. Perhaps I'll drop the swordsmen to minimum...
Something else I struggle with is order of activation. I always have a plan in mind, but i often struggle to execute it in the right order, or I get too eager and activate key units too early. Again, practice will overcome this I guess, and practicing will be fun!

Managed to grab an earlier train today too so i'll get plenty time to finish my Bronzeback assembly, the last three Nihilators, rethink my list and level up my DnD character. Good evening all told!

Thanks for dropping by
Lofty

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Leashed

2010-09-18T01:37:00.000-07:00

I've spent far too much on miniatures this month ;_; This week in fact. I ordered a Bronzeback a week or so ago, along with the Krea I've been proxying. I went into the store on Thursday and they had received their privateer press delivery, but my gear was missing :( I browsed through the many boxes in the delivery (Privateer Press is really blowing up at my LGS) and uhm and ahh'd about the Nihilators, and later left the store with them. I called the store the next day only to find that my missing order items had been overnighted for me as they felt bad.

now far be it from me to complain, as that is one helluva service, but dropping that much in such a short space of time makes my eyes cross :P

Long story short, I've just finished the bases for ten Nihilators, there's a Bronzeback waiting to be filed and cleaned on my cutting mat, but of to one side is Xerxis surrounded by basecoated and half inked Cetrati.

I know I keep promising pictures, but I haven't had a great deal of time with decent sunlight recently. I'll try to post some tomorrow to show progress, but then i'll be triple posting for the club on Monday... nevermind :)

I feel like with my current collection of Skorne, which has expanded pretty darn rapidly to be honest (I blame the bonus/pay rise this month :P) I only need maybe Arcuari, Emakeda and a cyclops shaman to take on all comers, and have adaptibility in my choice. Which is great because I really enjoy playing them, and painting them is certainly a challenge.

Hordes definitely seems to be my game now, and I'm oh so tempted by Croctober, but I'm going to stick to my Skorne, and get them painted and played with, then see what the Bayou can bring :)

Thanks for stopping by

Lofty

White noise

2010-09-13T12:19:00.001-07:00

First game with Xerxis this week which was unfortunately a loss. Mohsar managed to lock down my cetrati with well placed pillars of salt every turn. Frustrating, but it certainly did the trick!

I love the way the tyrant and standard work with the Cetrati though (Xerxis ain't too shoddy with battle plans either mind) and having troops move through each other with the brick type if set up is a dream.
I think I'll be shunting the totem hunter for a tyrant in my usual 35pt pMakeda list for sure.

Highlight of the game was a furious Xerxis charging though the brick, and combo smiting a Gnarlhorn, ignoring the swordsmen engaging it and almost destroying it with his feat up. It was a last ditch effort on my part as I had almost no other options. Fun though ^_^

Good game, might save Xerxis till he and the Cetrati are painted so I can have a bit more of a think on how best to use him.
Tips are always welcome :p

Thanks for stopping by
Lofty

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Titantastic

2010-09-06T12:31:00.001-07:00

Great game at the club today against a beast heavy grim list.

Star of the show have to be the praetorians who combostriked a mauler to death, and minifeated a unit of kriel warriors pretty much in half.

I don't remember why grim couldn't transfer(I think I had just killed has last non maxed beast) but a Titan gladiator to the face really didn't really help him.

Despite getting the caster kill, the assassination run was clumsy. I had my totem hunter in the way of a slam, and only in reach range, so it could all have gone a lot better.
Really pleased though, as I'm enjoying Hordes a ton more than Warmachine, and finding it a lot easier to boot.
I had planned to play Xerxis today but I didn't manage to get the tyrant and standard bearer pinned in time for tonight. I like the way Makeda works though, savagery on Cetrati is a ridiculous first turn, coupled with a switch to def ward next turn Being a real headache. She even made it into combat this game, albeit I did test her out on burrowers, just to make sure before I take on bigger game :p

Praetorians certainly went up in my opinion today, even more so as they are souls after all their effectiveness as well. One flank with swordsman, AG and Extoller is really self sufficient, especially with ranked attacks from the UA to help out the guardian. It also means the other flank is beasts and Cetrati which isn't too shabby at all ;p

Won't be too much time to paint this week unfortunately but hopefully I'll get a fair amount done over the weekend.
Until then,

Thanks for stopping by
Lofty

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W(H)IP

2010-09-05T03:45:00.000-07:00

Work in progress as promised, and seemingly the puns are back (Skorne - Whips, WIP, geddit?)

Not much time today as I'm on the way out, but here is Mr Xerxis with base coat, and fancy shamncy desert base. I liked the way it turned out, so I'm going to redo some of my existing sand using the method below. Will try and get more painting and pics done this next week, but a pretty hectic list of evenings so no promises I'm afraid.

Thanks for dropping by

Lofty

Tyrants

2010-09-02T09:35:00.001-07:00

Xerxis is on the painting table tonight. As I'm looking forward to a beatstick caster that I can really get stuck in with. After building my hopes up in Vyros I think this may be a refreshing change. After talking to a friend of mine however, I realise that Makeda has two pointy sticks, despite me never getting her into combat... Perhaps I'm just paranoid about assassinations and not used to the transfer mechanic...
Does anyone have any thoughts on Makeda as a melée caster? I'd be very interested to hear any advice on this :)

In other news, I ordered a bronzeback and a krea from my LGS after deciding that a place to game is more important than online discounts. After the genesis event, they have certainly earned my loyalty. All I need to order online is hobby tools etc.
Not too much else to report really. Might get time for some WIPs this weekend if I make decent progress, and I'll be at the club on Monday with Xerxis or eMakeda, and a write up :)

Thanks for stopping by
Lofty

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Grand Slam

2010-08-30T14:02:00.000-07:00

You'll have to forgive the brevity of my last post, I was crammed onto a train home from Leeds after the tourney, and only just had room to get to my phone (Sunday+Bank Holiday engineering works make for busy trains).

I've been away from the blog for a while due to lots going on at work, and at home weekends away, my 25th birthday, social life (yes it's true) and I've found little time for gaming unfortunately recently.

I promised myself that I wouldn't miss the Genesis event however, and I ordered a new aluminium double case for my Skorne out of my recent bonus from work. I also spent most of the evenings in the week running up to the tourney preparing my Skorne for the day. The last work I did to them was to paint the desert bases that I had made based on this thread on the PP forums (thanks again), but since then I haven't had chance to paint the miniatures. So with heavy heart, I began to get ready to spray the Praetorians and Cetrati and pin undercoated black miniatures to painted desert bases. Yes I know it's silly, and yes I know it's going to be a nightmare maintaining the base while I paint the mini's.... But at least I don't have anymore Cetrati flags to replace (love the unit, don't talk to me about those flags). Speaking of flags, the Skorne I got from my friend were mostly flagless, so at a later date I'll be posting mini's and asking for opinions on custom made flags or staying flagless...

I digress, month's without the blog have led me to ramble. On to the point -

A write up of my first win in a PP game, here it comes.

It was versus a Strakhov list including a Beast'09 and a Spriggan, and some assassins (I can't think of the name) and the seemingly obligatory man hunters

Game started pretty uneventfully with me shuffling my Forge of Souls (spot the reference, win some kind of baked goods) down the left (I of course mean my praetorians with Ancestral Guardian and Extoller), and the Cetrati under Savagery and Shield wall down the centre. Next turn the man hunters and beast have made it up into my grill and Beast is trying to pull apart the shield wall, but defender's ward is laughing at him. My titan comes out from the cover of the shield wall, and is promptly engaged by a man hunter, who funnily enough is dispatched quite quickly in subsequent turns.

The assassins make some mad movement buff's (mini feat?) and miss my stupidly exposed Makeda by a ridiculously small margin, and content themselves with back-strikes on the Cetrati. Meanwhile Strakhov is hiding behind his Spriggan and I'm desperately trying to find my friend from my local gaming club to ask if slams can go over walls, to which he of course replies that they can't. I sit down dejectedly just as he says “unless they have pathfinder”. So my turn comes round, I start the timer, make my upkeep's, cast carnage and move Makeda into cover behind a building, also casting rush on the Gladiator, who proceeds to slam the Spriggan into Strakhov, and follows up with 4 fury to spend.

And that, as they say, is it. Needless to say I was stoked about the win, I apologized I don't know how many times to my opponent for the high fives with my friend, and excessive jubilance, and I explained that it was my first ever win.

The next and final game was pretty good too, a Baldur list with lots of girls with javelins (again I'm sorry I can't recall their name) long story short, I made it into a position where the Titan was whaling on Baldur (after a failed grand slam on his swamp gobber buddies, literally by a quarter inch ;_;) but I hadn't twigged that he was sitting on full focus for a reason, and he transferred it all to the new shield guard wold guy. Forest creation/teleportation shenanigans later see Baldur back-striking Makeda for the win.

I feel like after just two games with the Skorne (my first two Hordes games) on Vassal the night before the tourney, I have a lot better grasp of the mechanics than I do with Warmachine. For example, I load up my Phoenix with 3focus regularly only for it to be sitting on one or two focus at the end of the turn because I haven't thought it through.

There are of course things that I need to get used to, like watching casters fury before I attack, and of course not only do I need to leave fury on my caster for transfers, I also need the 'beast to have fury spare to receive the damage.

Practice right?

I think that's all I have to say right now. Feels good to be back on the blog, and back in the gaming world again,. Built Xerxis today and a Drake, which I may just try out next week at the club, but I'm sure I'll be blogging again before then, so until then -

Cheers for dropping by

Lofty

Hiatus is a strange word

2010-08-29T09:14:00.001-07:00

Welp.
I'm back, been lots going on recently and I haven't games in a fair few weeks until today. Talk about a triumphant return, I won my first ever game (it was Hordes I'm yet to win WM :p)
I won the Skorne coin for my local genesis event and won by caster kill on my second ever and of Hordes.
I was also pretty close on my last game, but Baldur was stocked full of fury for transfers so I learned that lesson the hard way.
I find Hordes a lot easier to play than WM, the fury mechanic I think is a lot more forgiving than focus. I also learned that my gladiator is my new favourite model, and running swordsman with an extoller and an ancestral guardian is a good idea. Now all I need is practice.

I'm back, and here to stay, Hordes style :p

Cheers
Lofty

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Painting update

2010-05-23T06:27:00.000-07:00

As promised, the Fane Knight and minion sorceress from my Vyros list last week

The mounted version of the Fane Knight took a tumble, and I had to straighten out the lance, which is why the paint has flaked off, other than that, very pleased with the above
Water effects have finally gone clear as well!.

Only other recent addition is a second Griffon, but he's pretty much the same as the other one, and I was up later trying to finish painting it before my game the next day lol

Reflections

2010-05-20T02:32:00.001-07:00

Ok, things I learned last night (a loss for those of you had dared to share my dream of otherwise :p)

1. The Fane Knight us worth his weight in gold... When he hits. A dismounted charge on rahn(ret v ret) left him with 5 boxes, but then I whiffed the second attack. Very glad I bought him to field though

2. Positioning - I suck at it, deploying second should give me chance to respond to threats, but I seem to deploy as though I'm first to deploy. Need to shake my preconceived ideas for deployment and factor in the bad guys

3. I need to remember things better, the Phoenix field, I barely ever remember to use, like the continuous fire on the sword

4. Vengance only triggers when the officer survives. Be more careful. Nuff said

5. I need to know what things do when I decided to take them. Like Aiyana and Holt, can he charge after she has cast a spell? How the he'll can he hit with mat/rat 4 if not? :s

6. Vyros really isn't the beatstick I think he is. Yes flank is good, but it's also pretty situational. He's a fair support caster for his jacks, with mobility and his feat(tricky) and Halloween avenger upkeep, but his low foc doesn't make for a fantastic melée turn if he is upkeeping anything, especially with my tendency to roll below 3 on any given dice with vyros.
He is, however, unkillable with inviolable resolve and focus camped :p

Pics this weekend I promise, less Walls of text I hope in future as well as I get back into a painting routine. Lots of things going on ATM both at work and with marriage planning.

Thanks for dropping by

Lofty

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Reach and touch

2010-05-15T09:24:00.000-07:00

I've just downed brushes after completing Lanyssa Ryssyll, and my second Griffon. (pics tomorrow hopefully) Second Griffon I hear you cry? That is correct, Vyros just got a new toy. I have, as you know, been struggling for a win with big V, but I am getting closer each time I play. I decided that in order to make it happen, he needs as much chance at rocking flank as possible, and the speed of the griffon, with it's field and mobility, make it a great way to do this.

There is a PG sanctioned tournament in Leeds next Wednesday, which I'm really looking forward to (hopefully after a practice with my list on Monday). The list I will be taking is below;

Dawnlord Vyros +6 points

* 2x Griffon 4 points each

* Phoenix 10 points

Arcanist 1 point

10 Dawnguard Sentinels 9 points

* Sentinel Officer & Standard 2 points

Fane Knight Skeryth Issyen 5 points

Lady Aiyana & Master Holt 4 points

Lanyssa Ryssyl 2 points

Only plan I really have is to get the griffons up front ASAP to cause trouble, while the sents shield the mercs, and Vyros and the phoenix make use of both aiyanas debuff, and hunter's mark to put pay to any heavy hitters, and the fane knight makes use of any sentinel deaths, as well as vengance getting triggered.

Any thoughts on the list? I need all the help I can get :)

Busy like a bee

2010-05-10T12:54:00.000-07:00

It's been a while, but here i am. I've been very busy outside of the hobby this last month, long bank holiday weekends, work shennanigand and all the rest of it, so I've not had much chance to take photos or blog. Especially considering the net connection at work hates blogspot.
It's been a bit of an uphill struggle getting the skorne minis I've bought to have all the right bits and pieces, and I'm still waiting on a cetrati shield before I can spray them. I have my gladiator pretty much finished though, only lacking rivets, and pinned to his custom base, so I'll have my first completed skorne mini up soon. Very please with how it looks, which is great after all the pondering I've done to come up with a scheme.
Angry elves haven't been forsaken though, my Fane knight has a modelled base complete with water effects, and is almost complete and ready to hit the table. I also bought a second griffon for big V to work with, and Dahlia and Skarath, after being in the wrong end of spray templates, it's my turn. :p

I'm going to start playing 50pt games too, as at least that way i have more options to work with. Still losing, but I'm going to try and play alot more vassal instead of spectating so much. I'd just like to get a case for my skorne, and clear my painting backlog :)
Priorities right?

Thanks for dropping by after so long
Lofty

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In "da" club

2010-04-12T11:21:00.001-07:00

That's right, it's time for another exciting installment of "I've just left the gaming club"!
It went very well this week, believe it or not I got a vyros charge off on eStryker. I made a bad decision on how to use focus in combat, and missed by one point. Then went on to miss with my final two focus bought attacks. Too confident.
Great game though, I was quite confident going in, and managed to fall 4" short on a griffon charge with mobility and fleet going. Right idea, wrong timing. I'm going to buy another griffon though. If I've learned one thing in all my games, it's that vyros rubbing flank can really hit hard. I woul just take a second Phoenix for the reach but in 35pt games that feels silly. I'm going to run some vassal games with a mix of two griffons, versus vyros running just a Phoenix, an a scyir with the griffin. I think I'd like the griffon on big V for the feat however. Once again lots to think about :)

Got my bases made and pretty much finished for all my medium based Skorne, and just need to sand and prime the small bases for next weekend. I've never spent so long painting just bases! It should look pretty good though when base+mini are finished.
Still struggling with a scheme, but I do know that I want to use a pale bone/stone for the armour, with a dark cloth/second colour. I've primed one praetorian so far who will get his fare share of paint this week I imagine :p will hoefully have a scheme settled by the weekend for photos.

Thanks for stopping by
Lofty

-- Post From My iPhone

Best Man

2010-04-11T01:31:00.000-07:00

My replacement bases arrived this week along with some new brushes, sculpting tools and greenstuff. I also have a parcel which I need to post for mr Astray over at yellowdice. Despite the fact that the two Praetorian swordsmen I ordered arrived as a cataphract Arcuarius (?!) I'm making a reasonable amount of progress. After many failed attempt at cork desert bases, I stumbled across a great desert base tutorial on the Privateer Press forums mid way down the thread. I've got all my medium bases sculpted and sanded, doing the small bases today, and hopefully getting them all sprayed today too. Those miniatures that arrived with pain have been soaking in paint stripper over night, and both warbeasts have been cleaned (after Royal Mail managed make them come apart in transit....grumble grumble) and assembled over the course of this week. On top of all this, me and Astray managed to devise me up a colour scheme to use, which I will have ready to post pics of next week with any luck.

The real good news however, is that my future best man and good friend of over 20 years (21 years :P) was round yesterday, and I "taught" him to play Warmachine. He liked it enough to want to sit and browse the PP galleries on the website to pick a faction! at the moment I think it's between Cryx and Menoth for him, as he isn't 100% on the Menoth 'jacks. Great news tbh. I've lent him my MK2 rulebook so he can read up on fluff/rules and when he has decided on faction, I'll try and post in the relative community and get some advice on first purchases. Looking forward to club night tomorrow as well, as I haven't been in a couple of weeks, so it's all good here :)

Thanks for stopping by

Lofty

In Bruges

2010-04-05T08:49:00.001-07:00

Back from Bruges. Been doing some wok on my Skorne guys this morning, but there is only one picture that really matters at the moment;

Yes that's right, my better half agreed to marry me.

Mini pictures will arrive shortly, just wanted to share this great news with the world (or at least those people who haven't seen the Face book status/had a phone call etc etc)

Thanks for stopping by

Skorne: paint test

2010-03-28T06:01:00.000-07:00

So here it is, a VERY quick mock up of what I intend to do with my new guys. Be frank, be brutal, I need the comments, as I'm very unsure of how it looks. I prefer the lighter of the two schemes, and the drybrushing is particularly sloppy, as I have very little time spare this afternoon. I may even ditch highlighting and patin the ridges/filigree. I personally think I prefer the lighter of the two (though the sunlight seems to have washed both to the same sort of brightness) and the green wash I used was perhaps too heavy. Anyway, I'm going on now. Pics below, let me know what you all think

Once again, mr Astray over at rollingyellowdice, has sent these models to me gratis, as he no longer plays WM/Hordes. That's right FREE... I will send him some Malifaux minis as a thank you though, as I really feel bad taking all this for nothing. I will be blogging my thoughts around the army, as well as (of course) any and all painting progress I make. I'm going to try and order some empty bases of all sizes to make more of an effort with bases right down to regular infantry, rather than saving it for jacks/solos/casters as I have been doing.

I stayed away from Skorne as my choice for Hordes, as I was scared of the fancy shmancy armour, but after having seen it, I think I can make a decent job of it once I get a good scheme sorted. I know almost nothing of the background, except for what I've managed to read in Primal. However, I do like the look, and military feel of the army, and the varied beast options really appeal to me.

I think I'm going to wait until the Hordes releases start coming out before I add anything to this fledgeling force (35 points and an extra caster), but I'm almost certainly going to try and get my head round the Hordes mechanics on Vassal, and at the club in the meanwhile.

Thanks for stopping by

Lofty

I haven't JUST been playing recently

2010-03-26T06:56:00.000-07:00

And here is the proof;

Sorry about the bad lighting, the sun stayed out long enough for me to set up, and get my camera out, and then went away again... All I have unpainted atm is my Stormfall, but they are on hold till i get some new brushes, as my GW ones which I got for christmas are pretty much bald by now... Bad batch I hope. Maesltrom games ha ve a discount voucher going, so I will be replacing brushes over Easter, as well as getting hold of the ret halberdiers for mr Rahn, probably when we get back from Bruges.

A friend of mine has just posted me 35 points of his skorne models... Gratis... I know, crazy right? This is the man who got me into blogging about my hobby, as well as Vassal, so I owe him a helluvalot :) So a big thank you to Astray over at Rollingyellowdice

After playing a lot of Vassal recently, the Skorne are certainly very appealing. I've been getting better at WM through Vassal too recently (he says, as he hasn't won a single game from 14), but the rules are sticking in my mind a lot more, and I make a lot fewer mistakes. On the whole, it's getting more fun, and I'm getting better, and enjoying it more. Looking forward to branching out into Hordes too, with only fury/animi being big rules changes (I think), it makes it easier to do something completely different :)

Looking forward to getting away with my better half next week, we haven't been away in ages, and it will be great to do so.

Thanks for stopping by

Lofty

Vertical learning curve

2010-03-22T12:48:00.001-07:00

Just had a great game at the club. I was perhaps a little over confident going into the game however. I continue to be amazed by how many attacks warpwolves can buy. Those things certainly pack a punch or four. Vyros spent all 6 focus and only managed to dismount the circle dragoon chap. Very disappointing. The sentinels and vengance continue to make me grin like an idiot, perhaps not so much today as they were well outside Vyros' ctrl area on feat. I swear I read that card twenty times at least, and I didn't know the kill had to be in his ctrl area... The palmmprint on my forehead will take some explaining tomorrow!
I'm thinking of dabbling a couple of games without Vyros. Facing eKruger (sp) tonight made me think a rahn list would be a lot of fun. My next purchase for my ret will either be Garryth with a unit of Mage hunters or a unit if halberdiers for Rahn.
Opinions anyone?
While I'm canvassing opinions, I wonder whether to have invictrs in my vyros list at all... They never manage flank, and only ever get a few shots off. But what are the alternatives?..
Anyway, I feel like I've learned alot in my ten games so far, despite being 0 for 10. Most importantly however, I'm still enjoying the game, new found friends, a great hobby and community. It's also relevant to mention here that I think a lot about each game while I'm limping away ;p

Sorry for the wall of text. I'll have some battle mage photos by the weekend hopefully, and possibly WIP stormfall :)

Thanks for stopping by
Lofty

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Gotta Have Faith

2010-03-21T06:59:00.000-07:00

I'm writing this while playing a very different type of game on Vassal today. Lots of spectators, so I explain that I'm new to the game at the beginning and still learning the rules. My opponent is good about it and helps me out. My problem however lies with all the spectators who begin to ask my opponent whether or not I can do this based on my models stats. I am after all present, and wonder why I'm being spoken about like I'm not. After all, who better to answer these questions... On top of this, in light of the apparent beating I'm taking, someone starts to set up another army on my side of the board, ready for when I've gone... Unbelievable right? not to mention confusing while I'm still playing the game. I guess for every good guy, you get three idiots. which is a real shame, because I'm yet to find a bad opponent on Vassal.

On a lighter note, I managed a pretty nifty feat with a manticore trample, leaving the manticore set up on eGoreshade next turn. but of course 'shade chewed it up and spat it out ;p
Still learning and still having fun (mainly...)

Vengance

2010-03-20T11:23:00.000-07:00

As I write this, I'm playing the final turn of a Vassal game. After not attempting a game for weeks, for fear of proxies making the matter more confusing, I am pleasantly surprised at how easy it has been. coupled with a very patient opponent (Pantheon I'm looking at you) I've had a great game, and learned a helluvalot about a) my Vyros list (I LOVE Sentinels, there I said it), and b) the game - charge lanes, reach, you name it, it came up and I didn't know it, but now I do. I even feated, and made it work to feed my Hydra for a pot shot at mordikaar, and the phoenix munched down some sword guys too, but of course the turn after, I got a few Vengance moves with the Sents, so regretted spending it early :P

I feel like I'm raring to go for my next game, Vassal or otherwise. and believe you me, I'll be playing a lot more vassal ;p. PM me here or on the forums, and let's duke it out! I finished my battlemages today, so I guess I can start testing a Rahn list, se what baldy and his follically challenged magic mates bring to the table.

Lastly - Skorne look pretty fun to play, mini feats on units are something I like - adds a lot of character I think. Makes my "I'm playing trollbloods" decision a little shakey ;_;

Tyrant Xerxis has always been a favourite model of mine, and I like the look of the filigree armour. Might be a little tricky to paint though I suppose. Exciting times :)

Thanks for stopping by

A very positive (even excited) feeling Lofty

Pressganged

2010-03-18T00:31:00.001-07:00

I had my first PP sanctioned game last night. (organised by my local PG).
Still losing with Vyros, but I'm slowly but surely learning the rules. I'm also learning that I hate Cryx. Well maybe not so much cryx but spray templates in general.
Something else that has become apparent is that I know nothing about the models I'm facing. Which leads me into some silly situations, like the exoloding scrap thralls, wish I has known what they did first :)
I also still haven't used Vyros' feat... Timing is a big issue for me, and I should be letting vyros keep focus, and feat, rather than feeding jacks every turn.
I'm going to shake up my list a little, and see if I can get the hang of him a little better. I will be giving Rahn a try too, just as a break, as well as getting 'second caster' practice in as well.
Really enjoyed my games however, and despite losing, I was pleased with my performance (totalled a thunderhead with sentinels game one, and one-shotted a bonejack with MHA game two)

Thanks for stopping by :)
Lofty

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Morphing into Primal

2010-03-08T11:54:00.001-08:00

Just left this weeks club, where I was beaten by a kaya list. I put up a fair fight though with vyros. Going first left me doing alot of manouvering with my sentinels, and Phoenix.
I was pretty chuffed with the MHA on turn two though who hit a feral warpwolf, but then went on to roll a one(above armour) for a doubled damage of two.... Couldve been nasty though.
Man of the match is the Phoenix however, who took out alot of infantry and put the hurt on a second warpwolf before being eaten.
My problem is no longer remembering the rules, but thinking how to apply them. Vyros' feat and flank being the main contender. I find it difficult to decide the activation order of models to make them work together best.
This will come with practice though, and above all else, the game is still alot of fun while losing/learning.

Also - gotta love weapon masters on the charge :D

Cheers
Lofty

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

The bodyguard

2010-02-25T01:49:00.000-08:00

I'm Ill... This time every year pretty much I end up with tinnitus, and a throat infection grumble grumble. It does give me time to paint though, behold the fruits of my labours.

Also on the work bench at the moment are Eiryss and the first of a pair of ghost snipers. I also intend to get my battle mages painted for use on Monday at the club, so pictures will be incoming soon :)

Cheers

Lofty

Magister of puppets...

2010-02-14T05:47:00.003-08:00

Worst post title ever... Sorry about that, I'm out of inspiration ;p

I has updates though ^_^ enjoy

Got a bigger order of guys dues this coming week as well, a fair few solos and two small units. I will try and post pics as and when I can, instead of saving it all up for one big blog :)

Thanks for stopping by :)

Stumble Con

2010-02-09T13:22:00.000-08:00

I know there has been a lot of excitement about the 'con recently, and I'm pretty envious at all the guys who have been and enjoyed the event. But coinciding with this most prestigious of 'cons was my first game of Warmachine :)

First game was a game with the Kaelyssa battlebox, and a similar point Cygnar force led by Caine, and well... I lost :P

Second game was with my 35pt Vyros list, and the star of the game was easily the Magister solo, who I am now smitten with (geddit? smitten, mittens?...). But I still lost, and lets just say I hate gun-mages and long-gunners ;_; I had a plan to combust his infantry with my Phoenix, so I moved it up bold as brass, and then BAM!! CRA to the face... Meanwhile, the black thirteenth took care of my Invictors, and I somehow only managed to get 1 Sentinel into combat all game ;_; I am particularly proud of the Griffon who wrought havoc in the gun mage unit :) as well as my hydra who camped a ton of focus from attacks and threw a Cyclone and a black thirteenth :D

I enjoyed the entire game, and I think the early neutering of my Phoenix left me scared to get Vyros stuck in, and I only really got anything out of him in my last turn, where he wrecked Black 13th face. I feel like I learned a lot from the game, and I am looking forward, more now than ever, to getting Retribution on Vassal so's I can practice with the army I have collected, in the hope that I win a game at the club eventually :)

I also got quite a lot of attention for having a painted army, and a fair few compliments on the painting quality, which is inspiring me no end. I have just finished m Magister solo, and I'm so please with the way it has come out that I am re-painting parts of Rahn in an attempt to emulate the solo. I'm going to be posting a few WIPS pictures this weekend I hope. It is Valentines though, so I can't promise that I will have time :)

Next order of miniatures will be battle mages and storm fall archers. The mages to fill my new found love of telekinetic destruction, and the archers as they fill what's left of my monthly budget nicely with a couple of solos (another magister and a pair of snipers )

All in all, things are going great! stay tuned for moar!

Cheers

Lofty

PS - I did take pictures of my games, but my phone decided that they should be at a some obscure size, so I'm still trying to sort them out :s

A 'jack a day keeps the Doctor away

2010-02-07T05:39:00.000-08:00

Been a busy few days. I had Thursday afternoon/Friday off with the missus, and we went out Thursday night, and a pretty quiet day Friday. I was quite content painting up mr Rahn (still very much WIP) along with the one arcanist from my order of two that was in stock. I will post pics of both when there is some half decent daylight which is un-ruined by clouds. The shake up didn't come until Saturday morning however, when my re-issue of the missing order from Maelstrom Games turned up. Both these models are in my list of guys to take to the club on Monday ( Chimera from the Kaelyssa battlebox, and a magister from my Vyros 35 list) Commence panic building! Only joking, no panic, but I was/am very keen to take these new guys and field them painted if at all possible. I've base-coated the Chimera, and pretty much done the same on the magister, and the home stretch is in sight. I tried to spice up both guys bases too, and the cork I ended up using has a way better texture of the cork I just ran out of which was used on the rest of the bases I've done. Hey-ho, I just wish I could remember which cork was from which brand of wine ;p

The rest of my day today will be spent brushing up on my limited rules knowledge, and bookmarking my pdf print out of the mk2 rules, so that I'm not spending most of the game searching for rules :) Very much looking forward to my first live game of WM, and hopefully soon being able to practice m lists while I build them, on Vassal as well as with the guys at the club :)

I'll try and document the battle(s) tomorrow as much as possible, but I can't promise that there will be pics/vids to accompany what goes on, but I'll try and make notes at least :)

Thanks for stopping by, and sorry for the lack of light for any WIP shots.

Lofty

Let the good times roll

2010-02-01T12:27:00.000-08:00

I'm sitting on the train after my first visit to my now regular gaming night :) I had a great time. Met the local Warmahordes contingent and a few others, and watched a 50pt battle. Both players were nice guys, and watching them play left me kicking myself that I hadn't brought any minis. Not to worry though. I'll be cutting teeth with my 35points vyros list next week. Should be great!
Really pleased I messaged the guy and went along.
Cheers for stopping by :)
Lofty

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Point(s) in Case

2010-01-30T09:05:00.000-08:00

My case arrived and I have pictures as promised ^_^ it is truly wonderful cost your gaze upon't;

So the case is a double aluminium from KRMulticase and it has three of the trays which you can see the infantry in (i guess they should be infanTRAYS, geddit?...) the other half of the case is made up of the Pic 'n' Pluck for the heavy jacks, a half width infantry tray for solos and casters, these two stack to make one quarter total of the case, and the last quarter is to extra deep infantry trays which I'm using for light jacks, and Cavalry when they arrive. I'm even saving space optimistically for multi-wound infantry (pleasepleasepleasepleaseplease).

So there we have it :) I'm really please with the way everything has fit in there, I've use the spare foam from the pick n pluck to pad fragile parts, and there is plenty of space for expanding the army. Im going to be getting a lot of empty trays from these guys, and keeping them (with minis in of course) in the cupboard part of my desk, and then getting them in the case when I need to move them. Genius.

Other than the case, I got my Rahn and Arcanist today (unfortunately still waiting on the Chimera and Magister I ordered a month ago) and will be basing them tonight, and priming them tomorrow. I'm trying not to be too excited about the wargaming club I will be attending for the first time on Monday, but I'm damn sure looking forward to it! I mentioned it to a couple of friends of mine, who would've been in the gaming group we were setting up, and they seem interested too, and are waiting on my feedback. I think this could be the start of a wargaming resurgence in my near future ;P gone are the days of "Just" painting at any rate ^_^

Also - what is it with me and thread titles recently, I am on FIAH! Yeah that's right, I have a caffeine problem...

Thanks for dropping by :)

Lofty

Oh Happy Day

2010-01-28T11:54:00.000-08:00

Oh Happy Day indeed! I finally found a wargaming club! It was a chance post that I spotted on the Privateer Press forums, made by a forumite who's location was listed as Huddersfield (the next town over from me) so I messaged the guy, asking where he gets his games, and he messaged me back with the best news I've had in ages - there is a club in Huddersfield, ten minutes away from the train station. Genius. We have exchanged a few emails and I'm meeting him there on Monday so I can meet the gamers.
I of course checked about Warmachine/Hordes, and there are four guys who play with various factions, and a couple more, not including me, who have shown interest in the Iron Kingdoms. To be honest, I'm chuffed to bits. After a few months of waiting for the Leeds PG to get time to sort out a venue in Leeds (to be fair I think venues are scarce) I managed to trip on the most random opening, and found one ^_^
Needless to say I will be keeping the blog updated with how it all goes, and hopefully getting some videos/pictures of battles. I've decided not to take any miniatures on my first visit, so's I can meet everyone and get used to the place before I start gaming, get comfortable, ya know?

In other news - I ordered myself a Miniature case from the lovely people at KRMulticase (a double aluminium case with custom trays) and I will be showing pictures off at the weekend along with my recent painting progress :)

It's another long post, for which I apologise, but this is massive news :D
Thanks for dropping by!
Lofty

Reflection

2010-01-25T04:42:00.009-08:00

Ok so I've been inundated with stuff from the gaming group which I mentioned last post. The friend of mine who is organising everyone is all of a sudden very keen to get some games started. So I was looking through my various cases and drawers, and came across some of my older miniatures, namely my Warhammer Fantasy Dwarves which are made up primarily of the older version of the multi part plastic kit. This means that if I did ever want to pick them back up again, the newer miniatures wouldn't fit. After a lot of thinking, and pondering, I decide to try and resurrect an old forum account on a Warhammer Dwarves board, and see if there was any interest in buying these miniatures. I also found some other bits n bobs, Warhammer elves, but they can be completed with the various half built regiment sets I also found :P
I also found my 40k Eldar which were the first GW miniatures I ever bought/played/painted, so I'm a bit reluctant to let them go, but nostalgia isn't what it used to be, and there is very little point in just keeping them in the drawer that they are in doing nothing.
Lots to think about and try to sort out, but it's all good. I enjoy painting, very much so, and I think mixing in some GW stuff along with my ever expanding Retribution army will keep things interesting. It will stop be from getting bored (yeah right ;P) of painting the same scheme over and over on my Ret, and it will hopefully rekindle my interest in some of the armies I will now maybe get an opportunity to play again with some old friends. I doubt I will ever get back into GW hobbies to the extent I was once, because I don't like the constant rules updates, but I like the miniatures, and painting them, so there is no reason not to play with them if I have the chance :)

Now that that's all been said, I found a Gorten battlebox on Ebay for £30, and I'm having a very hard time not buying it. Especially with it being payday today lol. the main reason I'm not going to get it is because I'm convinced that PP intend to make the Rhul 'jacks into plastic kits, the gun bunnies will be like the light Cryx 'jacks, and again in my humble opinion, the heavy Rhul 'jacks are far too similar to not be a half decent plastic kit. This is coupled with the fact that the battlebox is now discontinued.
I'll have to wait for the mercenary force book to find out though I suppose :) plenty to be getting on with until then!

Sorry for the wall of text, and lack of pictures, and thanks for dropping by.

Lofty

Cool WIP

2010-01-24T01:46:00.000-08:00

See what I did with the post title? Oh yeah guess who had coffee for breakfast. Seriously though this is the last chance I will get to make a picture post until next weekend. Getting fed up of it being so dark in the evenings during the week to be honest, but that's just the way it works right?

No more coffee... ON WITH THE PICTURES! ^_^

I'm very proud of the way these guys are turning out, I mean for starters, that actually looks like a face with hair, and both eyes have pupils pointing in the same direction (god bless graphical drawing pens). I also posted these on the forums, and worked out how to link individual posts, so I updated my post in the painting thread locator :)

I also decided that If/When I get chance I'm going to start photographic my most recent Warhammer Fantasy armies, and blog any further painting progress. I like the GW models, and some of my friends still have some, so it's a game I'm pretty likely to play (at least until the next new rule book comes out, or I teach them Warmachine) so why not keep painting, cos I will always enjoy it. I will of course not use the IABN tag for any such posts :)

/Rant off

Thanks for dropping by

Lofty

Double Plus Good

2010-01-23T03:50:00.001-08:00

Glorious sunshine makes taking group shots a breeze :)

Also below are my Invictor UA which I finished this week, and my yet to be primed ACTION POSE GORGON tm

Also had some pretty good news this week too. A friend of mine who has "grown out" of wargaming has always shown an interest in the models on my painting desk when he comes to visit, and each time i've seen him recently he has been asking more and more about my retribution, so I linked him to PP's website, and said he liked the Protectorate models, but not the Warjacks. so of course I linked him to the new plastic warjacks, an new cinerators/casters, and he said he liked them a lot. Then on Wednesday I get a text saying that he is going to try and get together a gaming group, which is great news, even if it is just our regular DnD plus a bit of Warhammer/40k. But the coup de grace is that the same friend came round last night and was telling me which Protectorate models he is going to buy, and how he is going to paint them etc. Awesome! Now if I can only manage to teach the other guys how to play, they might like it as well! To be honest I would really love there to be a store locally which sold PP miniatures because I would totally apply to be a PG, I've been looking at some scenery to buy this year, and maybe get a few boards which can be stored easily when not in use, but easily painted/flocked and gamed on (on top of the coffee table).

All in all, (apart from work but thats another story) things are looking up for my Iron Kingdoms hobbying!

Thanks for stopping by

Lofty

Warmahordes

2010-01-17T14:28:00.001-08:00

Ok so I've been thinking about Hordes this weekend. I want a faction to play, even if it's only 15pts (it will be more, I don't have the willpower :P). I was pondering between Circle and Skorne, after putting Trolls off as a bad idea - "Lots of big metal models will be expensive to collect wah wah wah" but then I was thinking, "Massive trolls beating on stuff... no brainer". Plus, it was the Trolls that tempted me to the Privateer Press website all those months ago and got me hooked on the Retribution models, I was actually looking at which Troll models I could use in my "Nordic" Warhammer fantasy army (barbarians, snow and ice, and bears ;p)

So I guess I'm asking for help. I know absolutely nothing about Hordes, and I know that it is being tested at the moment so it's all changing, but I wondered if you guys had any opinions on the three factions I was thinking about. Tyrant Xerxis is what tempted me to Skorne, and Werewolves is what tempted me to Circle, but tbh I'm leaning alot more to the primal sort of look/feel of the Trolls. There is all this, coupled with the fact that I;

a) want to get pretty much every model I have seen thus far for the Ret, plus a few mercs/solos, and

b) Searforge called the other day and politely asked me to buy a butt-load of their dudes to paint O_0

Also - c)

I'm vagely tempted to pick up some of the new Warhammer fantasy releases, so the sooner I have a Hordes/new faction to satiate the urge, the less likely it is that I will go back to the dark side ;)

Halp ^_^

The ol' Reach and Flank

2010-01-17T02:42:00.000-08:00

Mr Scyir and his flankin' buddy :)

I had to drill out the halberd and replace with brass rod, as the shaft was bent when I got it. It was only after I took these photos that I spotted the tabard on the Scyir seems to have only a basecoat :s should be a quick fix though.

Thanks for dropping by

Lofty

Retribution so far

2010-01-15T04:50:00.000-08:00

Finally got some decent daylight outside despite it still being grim and icey, so here we are:)

for some reason I forgot to photograph my Griffon... I also had to scale down the images because blogspot is a bit fussy, so there are some other (bigger) pictures in my photobucket album and this thread

Thanks for looking - off to undercoat my UAs and my Scyir ^_^

Industry

2010-01-15T03:50:00.001-08:00

Ok so, after my last blog, and the comments I got, I have to post a little list of responses :)

Losthemisphere - thanks for stopping by :) your retribution is really inspiring me at the moment, I'm just waiting for a dry day for undercoating, then I'm on to more painting!!

IKadventures - Thanks a bunch dude, I try, but I often feel let down by being dyspraxic, it's good to know someone out there likes what I'm doing!

CJ - thanks again for the support mate, if you want to know about anything on any particular photo that I'v posted, feel free to ask and I'll try to explain how i've done whatever it is :)

Wendell - first off, a BIG thank you for iBodger!! Second, thanks for dropping by, IABN deserve alot of praise for what they're doing with the blog syndication, I feel I owe them alot for introducing me to the many blogs I follow, and the friends I have made as a result! Thanks for stopping by!

I'm still pretty floored to be honest, and chuffed with the support. I've said it before and I'll say it again, Privateer Press has the best community ever! :P I may be a little biased to be fair, as the last "community" I was part of was on World of Warcraft.... Never regretted quitting the game ;P

Revelations

2010-01-11T12:09:00.001-08:00

Part of my order arrived from Maelstrom today! *Glee*

But as I sit here, cleaning/gluing, generally being quite excited about my newest additions, it struck me. Even as I write this, I feel a little weird. I'm under no misconceptions that this is a popular blog, heavily read/followed, or even that when it is read/followed/glanced upon it is a "good blog"

My painting isn't spectacular, my camera work is as poor as the lighting conditions here at the minute, and I don't have any celebrity interviews, or even replies to any of the emails I have sent to Privateer Press, but you know what? I couldn't care less :) I write this blog as much for me as much as I write it for anyone else. I don't have the luxury of an LGS or a gaming group to be a part of, none of my friends play war games anymore, but that is their loss. I enjoy painting, modeling, reading and learning the rules, even trying them out on Vassal, and I enjoy writing this blog, marshaling my thoughts/experiences, and setting them in black and white. If anyone were to read them and share them with me then thats great, and I hope that someday soon my local PG can get a local games night going so that I can play WM for real, and talk minis and paints and such with my fellow gamers. Until then, I'm gonna keep blogging, and keep enjoying the hobby, and keep on painting :)

Cheers

Lofty

Weekend Warrior

2010-01-10T11:50:00.000-08:00

Welp, I've had a pretty good weekend all told. New Mk2 book is awesome, Leeds PG is trying ot organise a game/event at his store in Leeds, and I finished my Manticore and my Phoenix, as well as neatening up my Magnetized 'jack ready for priming

Thanks to some tutelage on Vassal from the good Mr Astray over at Yellow Dice, I feel like I have a pretty good grasp of the rules and things now, just a few areas which I'm hazy on, but those are the areas that I haven't read too much about yet. I'm really looking forward to this game in Leeds, will give me chance to get my painted models on the table, and finally get some more use out of them, as well as letting me practice and learn more Warmachine, which is never a bad thing!

I placed a reasonably sized order at Maelstrom with some Money I got for Xmas, So I have Rahn, 2 Arcanists, a Scyir, a Magister, Chimera, Gorgon, and UAs for both Dawnguard units. Once I have my teeth stuck into painting that lot, my next few purchases will be both Houseguard units + UAs, and the battle mages. I'm still trying to mix what I want to paint in with what I would like to play with, so it might not make a lot of sense just now, but I hope it will be a pretty good collection to pull from for games once I have a steady gaming club to attend. Some good news on the gaming front as well is that the guy who updates the Warmachine Vassal module has finished all the sprites and things for the retribution, and is just waiting for the go ahead from Privateer to implement them into the module. This is awesome, as much as I enjoy playing and learning with the Stryker battlebox, it makes far more sense to play with my own faction, and learn the ins and outs of pointy eared xenophobes!

Onwards and upwards!

Cheers

Lofty

The waiting game

2010-01-07T01:44:00.000-08:00

So I've had a couple more games of Vassal, and once I was assassinated on turn two by the lovely Kaelyssa.... I really need to think about what I'm doing more. I'm getting there though, I won my second game, with lots of helps and tips from my opponent ;P

I've been leafing through my PDF print rule book, and things are starting to make a lot more sense, so I'm hopefully getting there now. Just need there to be a Retribution faction on Vassal, so I don't have to proxy, and I don't have to use the Stryker battlebox anymore. Though Having said that, I'm going to buy the Battlebox (or the models that make it) and teach some friends of mine to play WM hopefully.

At the moment, I'm home from work, waiting for a plumber to show up to fix the burst pipe we got for Xmas, so I have plenty of time to get my Myrmidons finished. I have a Phoenix just waiting for a snow base, a Manticore waiting for one more layer of highlight, and the base, and a Hydra which has everything bar basecoats/washes. Sounds like a challenge for today ;P

I also just blew some Xmas money over at Maelstrom Games, and picked up UAs for both Dawnguard units, a Gorgon, a Chimera, Magister solo, and a Scyir. They should arrive next week hopefully, so I will be able to be fully painted between purchases :)

All I have ongoing at the moment is the magnetized Myrmidon that I started, and I feel like there is a fair bit of work to do there to rectify the mistakes I made with the arcnode/power plants. shouldn't be too big a job though, just getting the motivation to sort it out :)

Will hopefully post pictures of my entire collection tomorrow, as I will be at home again, and the snow/daylight outside seems to be pretty good for photos :)

Cheers!

Lofty

Mixed bag

2010-01-03T11:08:00.000-08:00

As I write this, I'm playing a Vassal game against Astray from Rolling Yellow Dice and having a blast tbh :) He PMd me while I was layering on my Manticore, so I finished up, and started up the game. Lots of fun, though I still have a lot to learn, both in terms of rules, and in terms of tactics, but I think they go hand in hand. I lost by the way, I made a rather daring move with Stryker vs Kaelyssa in turn 3, and failed abysmally, but at least I played like I had a pari, I could have tried to save him, but where is the fun?!

EDIT: - I made the assumption that Stryker was a gonner, but on turn four, he smote Kaelyssa quite verily and bought me the game for no losses on my side, vs Kaelyssa and an unhealthy looking chimera, unlucky dice for Astray though :(

Still really enjoying painting, got the Manticore to the highlights stage, and pleased with progress, and got my Hydra base-coated, and not really looking forward to the detail on those fists of his :)

I know now what trays I need for the double aluminium case I'm after from KR, so I'll order that to coincide with my next day off, I hate re arranging DHL delivery, lol.

Quick update really, was just excited about finally making a contact for Vassal games, which, let's face it, is far far better than just painting up my minis with no game in sight! Oh - I did attempt to get a thread going on Army cases, as a reference, but I'm pretty sure people are just fed up of seeing that sort of topic, so it is on it's way down the board with a few posts. At least I can say I tried :)

Cheers!

Lofty

Addicted

2009-12-30T04:43:00.000-08:00

Loads of progress recently :)
Despite it being a pretty family oriented Xmas, I still managed to sneak a look at a couple of chapters of the PP3 DVD that I got from my girlfriend. I never thought I would manage to make alyering look convinving, what with my shakey hands and dyspraxia, but looking at my recently finished Phoenix, I'm very please with myself. I made myself a pretty basic wet pallette, keeping my paint layers thin, and satrted applying multiple coats where appropriate. Unfortunately I've done alot of learning and practice on the Phoenix, so it looks a little untidy, but hopefully, my freshly basecoated Manticore will come out looking alot more crisp.
The magnetized Myrmidon project is on hold while I am in the groove with painting, as it would be a shame to waste the momentum, but I intend to try and have it finished (magnetized and painted) by the end of January.

I've also started to read through the MK2 rules pdf that I downloaded off the PP website, because the more I paint, the more I want to play! I pre ordered the hardback rulebook, and I'm going to get my printed PDF bound, so that I can keep the hardback nice, for reference and fluff, and use the pdf for rules and learning. I'm just about to order a Gorgon, and a Chimera, as well as UAs for both of my dawnguard units, which will bring me up to a pretty decent force (I think :P) aswell as giving me the option to use the Kaelyssa battlebox when needed. The next few installments, from the next few paypackets, will be solos, Houseguard, and UAs, and possibly the remaining warcasters.
I know it's a bit of a wall of text, but I got some new camera batteries from my parents for Xmas, so when the evenings start to get lighter, I'm going to start taking more pictures of finished models, and WIP shots.

Thanks for stopping by :)

Lofty

I am the highway

2009-12-21T04:55:00.000-08:00

Long time since last post, but plenty going on :)

I'm pretty much done with my magnetized Mymidon, and I' really pleased with the way it is going. I took the advice of IK adventures, and went for a bit of a conversion with the magno-phoenix's sword, which is looking pretty good as a spear! I also added a pointing finger to the other hand, so whichever myrmidon I use looks as though he is calling out an opponent for a solid thrashing :)

I managed to get basecoats, and the thermal blade done for my non magnetized Phoenix, and I'm really very pleased with the way everything is looking. Been pretty busy with christmas recently, with shopping, and various social outings etc, but me and my girlfriend celebrated our christmas together yesterday(we are spending the 25th with out respective families), and I got my new brushes! Nothing too special, just some of the shiney new GW brushes, which I am very pleased with.
We had a lot of snow this weekend, coupled with very cloudy days, so I haven't been able to take any mini photos, but I will endeavour to do so over the festive period on one of my all too few hoilday days from work.

I've been very eager to the previews of the new battlefoam bags to be honest, and with the previews up on the site today, I have had my mind made up by the pricetag... $145 is alot of money, coupled with shipping, it's obscene. I know that Wayland games are distributing for Europe, but the prices will still be pretty high. I've spent most of my lunch hour today over at http://www.krmulticase.com/ pricing myself up an aluminuim case for half the dollar value of the battlefoam case. While the battlefoam cases may well be a dream purchase for my fledgling WM collection, it's far too much money to spend, especially considering that I still don't have anyone to play against. Besides all of the above, I have purchased at least three standard KR cases, and two custom cases(for my filthy GW habit ;P), and the guy that runs the site is a top bloke, and always happy to help. I'm even in the gallery section :P as I was so chuffed with the cases, I offered my adaptation of one of the standard cases as an entry to the gallery(my case is the one with the rune on the front midway down :P)

Sorry for the wall of text, lot's to say today :)

Thanks for stopping by!
Lofty

Oh and if I don't get time before it happens - Hope you all have a great Christmas!

Reader input required :)

2009-12-09T04:38:00.000-08:00

Check out the swanky new banner ^_^ courtesy of Gdaybloke over at http://losthemisphere.wordpress.com/ very kind (and talented) chap indeed. I suppose I should mention though that the image of the Chimera which it is based on is property of Privateer Press, and no one else is claiming ownership here :P

With that exciting news out of the way, I have been working with magnets this week...
The fourth and final heavy Myrmidon I bought is the first miniature I have ever used magnets with, and lets say it's quite a steep learning curve. Not helped in the slightest by the fact that, when I came to magnetise the arc nodes/vents, I saw that for some unknown reason, I had already glued a set of vents into the gap.... Needless to say there was much wailing and gnashing of teeth as I tried to extricate the plastic from the gap, failed, and bodged some magnets in there....

The rest of it however is going pretty well, and I'm looking forward to the results. I've also been toying with a bit of a retake on the Phoenix idea, I guess opinions would be nice -
I posed the torso and legs in a way that made me think some kind of spear would look cool... I have some brass rod from when i replaced my Griffons halberd shaft, and I have enough spare Phoenix swords to at least attempt it. I also thought, looking at the shape of the sword, perhaps a scythe would be workable.

What do you guys think? Please bear in mind that my sculpting skills barely stretch further than gap filling/fur/hair work, but I am keen to try and make something of a centrepiece here I guess.

Cheers!

Lofty

Progress

2009-11-29T09:38:00.000-08:00

I got far more done than I originally anticipated this weekend :)

after a day of christmas shopping yesterday, I buckled down and managed to crank out a Hydra, and having nothing at all planned for today resulted in a Phoenix and a Manticore.

I was going to attempt a magnetized "3 in 1" today, but I got a little carried away and made one of each heavy, with one kit spare to work on this week.

Still have to add the snow to my Sentinels' bases, but I guess I can do that during the week this week, as well as tinkering with magnets and Myrmidons :)

Just looking at my painting area with the heavies towering over the rest of my retribution is totally inspiring to keep going at the minute. Looking forward to getting a game in eventually as ever, but I'm very much enjoying this side of things at the moment. I've even been trying to decide which Hordes Faction I might want to start! I feel for Skorne in the end, but it's very close between them and Circle :)

Thanks for stopping by

Lofty

Heavy as a really heavy thing

2009-11-28T02:24:00.000-08:00

Oh Happy Day!!
Check out this mornings' post ^_^

Wayland Games come up trumps again!
Caught me in the middle of basing my sentinels. My 3mm x 1mm magnets arrived this morning too, no prizes for guessing how I'm spending my rainy weekend :D
yep - christmas shopping :P

Will try and get some pics of the heavy(ies) up by tomorrow morning, maybe sentinels too :)

Cheers

The Gale

2009-11-19T04:49:00.000-08:00

Hi all

Been busy painting Snetinels this week :) really pleased with the way they are turning out. I will take a picture once I have finished the unit of ten, and based both Kaelyssa and the Griffon as well.
In other news, I finally managed to source heavy Myrmidons in the UK so I placed an order for 4 post haste!! Will be arriving next week so I'm told :) all I need now is some 3mm magnets on payday (Wednesday) and I'm ready to rock ;P

Still hankering after actually playing WM, I don't want this hobby to end up like GW, where I don't know anyone that plays so I don;t have any inspiration to paint... still no luck with a local club/store, so I'm waiting on the Leeds PG. Just have to wait and see, if all else fails, I can move ;P

Cheers

Rational Gaze

2009-11-09T14:48:00.000-08:00

I need some advice, so you lucky people get another WIP - the lovely Kaelyssa :p

Sticking with the grey and icey blue scheme here, but I'm stuck as to how I should paint the banded armour she has on her arms and parts of her legs. I wondered about a darker blue colour, but this might look a little silly with the light colours snow scheme.

Any help would be really greatly appreciated :) Please excuse the photo quality, it's late and my camera batteries aren't charged, so it had to be the iPhone :)

Counterbalance

2009-11-08T10:17:00.001-08:00

Huzzah!!

I managed to get everything primed yesterday afternoon, and I have pretty much finished the Griffon, just need to layer the grey areas and do the base. I'll take pictures tomorrow when it's done :) but for now here is a rough WIP :P

The more I paint, the more I'm itching to get my first game of WM, maybe I'll PM the Leeds PG later and see where he's up to with a gaming night on Leeds.

That's all for now, will get more pics when I'm done ^_^
Cheers

Beyond The North Waves

2009-11-05T03:57:00.000-08:00

I hate to be negative.... but I'm ticked off.
It has been raining every evening this week without fail. My sentinels, Kaelyssa and the Griffon are still sitting on my desk unprimed. It's driving me nuts :)
Not only this but I still haven't played a single game of Warmachine. I'm unsure what else I can do to get this moving, I've contacted the local clubs I know of, and they are either too far away for me to get to (I don't drive) or they have never heard of Warmachine (welcome to Halifax). I know the Leeds pressganger said he would have something up and running for a Leeds gaming night in New Year, but I'm afraid I might go a bit loopy waiting until then.
Nevermind, onwards and upwards and all that.
I've been looking into how to magnetize my heavy Myrmidons, found some really great threads on the PP forums, as well as a couple of tutorial type videos on youtube. Got my magnets sorted from ebay for a pretty good price, so all I need is the 'jacks. Wayland games have them at a really good price so I just have to wait for stock to refill, as I put some money in my savings from my pay this month so I can get hold of some. I decided on one of each heavy plus a magnetized option for all three, I even sketched out some poses that will look good for all three types of 'jack.

I'll update when I finally manage to prime my stuff, which better be soon :P

Cheers

Planet Rain

2009-11-01T09:41:00.000-08:00

Well it didn't stop raining at all today. I still managed to finish off my invictors though, completely based including snow, and I even painted the front and back arcs of the bases, as I've seen others do, and I'm very pleased with it all.

I also managed to scrounge some cork, which I've used to spice up Kaelyssa and the Griffon's bases a little. Hopefully I will be able to Prime a least the warjack tomorrow evening. I don't mind it being dark while I spray, as I have a decent torch, it just depends whether it's still raining :P

No comments from he forums as yet on the finished unit/colour scheme, but I'm enjoying all this too much to need any motivational comments from others! :P

I'll endeavor to post any WIP photos of the 'jack this week, but I can't promise anything, as I'm ruled by the weather at the moment. Cheers!

Lofty

A Semblance Of Life

2009-11-01T01:46:00.001-07:00

Been busy this week at work, so I've made time today to get some pictures of my pretty much completed Invictors.
all thats left is the elbow pads, and the armoured joint by the elbow. I had left these unpainted till after I glued the arms on so that I could "match" the colours a little better. Bases aren't done yet either, but they wont take long :)

Will try and get everything else primed today, IF it stops raining for long enough, but I'm not holding my breath :(

Material

2009-10-27T13:18:00.000-07:00

I was greeted by this yesterday when I got home

Lovely ^_^

That will certainly keep me busy all week, I was out yesterday evening so I only really got chance to check the components in each pack. I've just drilled out the Griffon's hand to replace the halberd shaft however, and will be trimming and cleaning him for assembly with the sentinels as m next job :)

Didn't get chance to finish the Invictors yet due to family visits over eh weekend, but they only need one or two parts touching up, so I will endeavor to complete and photograph soon.

Back to it!!

Lofty

EDIT: matching the swords to the bodies for the Sentinels took far longer than I expected, and I'm still left with some strange looking poses :P nothing too outlandish luckily, so it's all good. Only Kaelysa actually glued together tonight, but the Griffon is cleaned and ready for pinning tomorrow night

Curse You All Men

2009-10-24T02:23:00.000-07:00

Royal Mail have let me down...

It's my fault in a way, I decided to dip into my savings so that I could get my order in before payday (Friday) but I left it until Wednesday to do this, the day before the postal strikes... Silly silly me. Anyhow, I will be finishing off my Invictors today so I will post new pictures when I get the chance, and on the bright side I can book a half day at work next week to collect the parcel and play with mini's ;P

Bye for now :)

Voices In The Fan

2009-10-22T04:22:00.000-07:00

Prime Remix finally arrived ^_^

Gtting some fluff reading done this week while I finish off my Invictors. the colour scheme got some good comments on here and on the PP forums, which is a real confidence boost, not to mention motivation to complete and post a few more pictures :)

I also just ordered a box of Sentinels, a Griffon, a new pin vice&drill bits, and Kaelysa. I had forgotten about the postal strikes though so I wasted money on first class post... I'm hoping it will arrive on Saturday, best not hold my breath however.

Not alot else to report, other than that I contacted the Leeds Press Ganger who is hoping to have a gaming neight set up locally by new year. Not long to wait for my first game of WM, and it will give me half a chance to get a playable force painted :) can't wait to be honest!

Will post more pictures when I finish more models.

Cheers
Lofty