That Was The Week That Was #10

It's the return of a semi-regular round-up feature. Hooray! So what's caught my eye this week?

1. The new Scibor treeman - I absolutely love the look of this model. Do I need it? Not really. Will I get it? Very likely.

2. Manorhouse Workshop have an Indiegogo project on the way. Their buildings look very impressive but they do tend to be on the pricey side, particularly with postage included. This might be a good way to pick up some top quality scenery at a good price. Here's some concept art:

3. And finally, here's a lovely looking Demon Prince from Ultraforge, as a super looking WIP from James Wappel: 

The Iron Empire Are Only Hours Away - The Raging Heroes Kickstarter Is Almost Here

Hopefully everyone is aware that the Raging Heroes 'Toughest Girls in the Galaxy' Kickstarter is now only a matter of hours away from commencing. From the information they've provided I've decided I'm going to choose miniatures from the Iron Empire faction. 

It's not entirely clear at the moment how the army builds will work with regard to 40k force organisation or even whether the TGitG will provide an analogue for both Imperial Guard and Space Marines. In my mind it looks as if you might be able to get a real mix for some kind of planetary defence force. However it works, the miniatures are certain to be excellent.

The Iron Empire: The Iron Empire is made up of exiled people that have somehow stumbled upon necromantic knowledge from alien pharaonic gods. They combine Prussian and Germanic influences with some kind of Aegyptian cyber necromancy that allow them to raise the dead and create bio-mechanical aberrations.

Just Say NO To GW Skullz!

Undertaking a few modifications to the Skullporn Mahmahmah or whatever it's called ;-)

Games Workshop's Embiggening Philosophy

The age of the plastic titan has arrived with the new Eldar releases, which have just been unveiled to the world. The Wraithknight is both a blessing and a curse. The part of me that's still 15 (circa 1990) exploded with fanboy joy when seeing this immense walker as it truly is the scale of scratch built scout titans of that era - perhaps even larger.

The trouble - and the curse - from a current day perspective is that this is a further example of GW's embiggening philosophy. How will it be possible to play 'normal' games with hulking great machines like this on the regular roster and therefore on the table? 

I suppose that's a question for the tournament players and those who follow the latest edition rules with a three line whip. I can't see how a game with one of these would get past the 'whoever kills the other's titan wins' problem. A game like that might be fun once in a while, but as a regular aspect? I don't buy it. 

But perhaps that's because I'm more interested in playing a mash-up of current game mechanics with the army lists and stats from Rogue Trader/2nd edition - a smooth game with character, variety, and armies more suited to a tabletop game than a 'floor war'.

Now THIS Is What I Call A Phoenix

We're all aware that High Elves just received a very high fantasy looking phoenix and it's a model I'd like to paint in the future sometime. It's pretty good. But it will have to wait in line behind this one, which is from Kingdom Death's Kickstarter-funded co-operative boardgame, Monster. As a fan of dark fantasy this just blew me away. I mean, just look at it... If this doesn't give my kids nightmares then nothing will!

I Don't Usually Do This Sort Of Thing, But...

Thanks to everyone from regular readers and followers to occasional and accidental visitors.

It's The Scenery Stupid!

Is how I might rudely reply to someone asking me to pick one, absolutely key, aspect to enjoyable gaming*. There needs to be characterful scenery and plenty of it. An open battlefield simply won't do. Players of skirmish gamers know this very well. But there's an odd situation at present with WFB, where 8e calls for (demands even) hordes, but GW also provide some excellent and reasonably inexpensive scenery. 

Until recently I had depended on old card buildings to provide the scene for games. However, having amassed so many miniatures I don't know what to do with them all, I reasoned I ought to turn my compulsive buying in the direction of some buildings of substance. Here is a Chapel I've had knocking around for a while, and a new Watchtower, both WIPs:

Pretty standard stuff at the moment. Yet I've noticed how easily these can be combined to make a whole range of great looking buildings. Hence, that's my new obsession. I may try something with the SKULLZ GW buildings if I think I might be able to make them look half as silly. That's a long shot though...

* Luckily I'm a jolly nice fellow and would never be so disrespectful ;-)

Mantic Trolls And Plotting A Chaos Troll Army

Mantic are spending the next week showing us examples of the tons of Kings Of War miniatures that are on the way in the summer; here are some trolls:

What do you think? There's a Hordes influence here I'd say, but they look reasonable. I mean, what does a troll actually look like anyway?! The possibility of an all troll chaos army led by this guy takes a step closer...

Oldhammer - Paul's Khorne Army WIP

So for the Oldhammer event later in the summer I'm going to be locking horns with my brother Paul. Being a busy fellow, Paul doesn't blog (although he reads plenty) so I'm going to proxy blog for him on the Gazette. This way fellow Oldhammerers and others who are interested can see the development of both of armies in the run up to the big bash at Foundry. Here then, is Paul's WIP Khorne army:

As you can see, Paul's rather like me in his miniature tastes. Plenty of new plastics and resin here. Of course he's following the appropriate way of configuring his units around the Khornate number: eight. This lends itself very well to what is a fine looking army in the making, I'm sure you'll agree. In the coming weeks we'll focus on some selected units as the paint gets slapped on and I hope Paul will follow my example and create a narrative for his army centred on his champions and their retinues. 

Oldhammer - Davey's Slaanesh Army WIP

Well folks here it is, my current pride and joy, my little chaotic children, spawn of my alliance with the Dark Prince; behold, my Realm of Chaos Slaanesh Army. Here it is in all it's WIP goodness. 

Over the last couple of weeks I've been putting the final additions into place and base coating as much as possible with Slaanesh Grey to achieve a cohesive look from the outset. The next stage will be to do all the bases. This kind of army production technique is a departure from my usual ambling approach to miniatures, but it's the best way to ensure that everything is ready for Oldhammer at Foundry in August.

The basic background narrative for the army is that they're a force loyal to a chaotically corrupted Marienburg nobleman turned Chaos Champion, who has become a recluse in his heavily fortified mansion. In the grounds of his estate, the by-products of his sorcerous experimenting are animated trees - Slaaneshi Beastmen carved from flora. Three are Minotaur-sized and form the Champion's Warband. The greatest, most ancient tree, has mutated into a beast akin in power to a Chimera - a monstrous host.

In the catacombs below, mutated Witch Elves and Chaos Centaurs partake in debauched rituals, served by Chaos Goblins and attended by Human Chaos Cultists, and overseen by a twisted Wizard; the followers of two other Champions: a Sorcerer and a Dark Elf. A dim-witted but mighty Troll completes these warbands.

Chaos Marauders and Warriors - all publicly nobles and covertly skilled fighters - make up the elites; some Marauders riding Mounts of Slaanesh. While the remainder of the army is comprised of Dark Elves: some corrupted Sea Elf traders, others devious and twisted Corsairs, and still others raiders riding Cold Ones who dwell in the Wasteland. 

Everything here is a currently available miniature, or a kitbash from current parts. As I've said before, the Oldhammer ethos is what's important for me, and as you can see, the army units (and most of the warband units too) are in multiples of six. Over the coming weeks I'll chart the development of this army AND the opponents it will face in a show down 25 years in the making... my brother's Khorne army, which I'll unveil tomorrow.

Darklands / BaneBeasts Kermorannac - Out Of The Box

Time for another dip into the new miniatures cabinet. And this time we find a raging beastie crashing through the forest! Yes, it's the Kermorannac from Mierce Miniatures. This guy makes a great Cygor, particularly as I have the GW Ghorgon. He's a totally nuts sculpt, from his oversized hooves, to his chubby manhood, to the squealing pig he's about to lob or munch, to his bulging eye. An utterly barking model!

As with all Mierce stuff the resin is good quality and the detail is clear and sharp. Everything went together with a mix of pinning and super-greenstuff (greenstuff coated in superglue - works like a dream). All the Maelstrom business aside, it really is great to have a British company knocking out such brilliant monsters and character models. The emphasis on fantasy is great too, because so many companies emphasise the futuristic and it all ends up looking rather generic most of the time. So bravo Mierce for the classic fantasy focus. 

Forge World Incarnate Elemental Of Fire - Out Of The Box

Time to take a look inside the new cabinet to see what's lurking within... And look! It's the Incarnate Elemental of Fire! This is an astonishing model. Simple as that. It's dynamic, characterful and huge. Steve Whitehead take a bow because you have created what is by far my favourite Forge World model. It's one of those models that really does need the 'experienced modellers only' warning tag attached to it mind you, so if you're not a fan of spending a good couple of hours prepping a model then this one isn't for you. I would say, however, that this chap rewards patience handsomely. 

For some reason the photos on the FW site don't really do this justice. When I saw this in person at the FW Open Day I was totally blown away. Given this could be a proxy for loads of things - giant, greater daemon, etc. - I highly recommend considering this if you're looking for a large monster or army centrepiece. It's a whole sack of WOW!

I'm Not Interested In Mantic's Deadzone, But I'd Like To Catch The Plague

Mantic's pre-order service (i.e. Kickstarter) is in full swing again with their latest offering, Deadzone. While I'm not interested in the game or backing the initiative at the moment, I am very excited about the faction called The Plague, simply because of how cool the miniatures look:

What Kind Of Geek Are You?

Here's something fun to keep you distracted on a Friday. You can buy a print from here. 

Incredible LEGO Lord of the Rings Helm's Deep

I can't really add anything to these pictures... *applauds the effort and time spent building this*

Pictures from here.

Raging Heroes 'Toughest Girls of the Galaxy' Only Days Away

Apparently we're only days away from the launch of the Raging Heroes 'Toughest Girls of the Galaxy' Kickstarter. This is going to be the first crowd funded venture that I've ever invested in so I'm getting really excited by the prospect. I just cannot wait to see the new minis that are in development, and as I've said before, if they're anywhere close to the amazing concept art then I am completely sold!

My New Miniatures Display Cabinet - Spring Has Sprung

Spring is here, I've had a mini-hiatus, and I'm back for a summer of hobby goodness. A couple of weeks ago I displayed my work in public for the first time. Then I 'outed' myself as a miniatures artist on Facebook. Now I have my first proper display cabinet. What do you make of this?

We picked it up a few weeks ago from a furniture recovery place in Bristol. It's originally from Bristol University so it's 'old school' in two senses. It's going to take a while to work out how best to arrange everything! This month is going to be all about Oldhammer as I finish prepping my Slaanesh Realm of Chaos Army. And in a first for the Gazette, I'll be featuring the work of someone else, as we get to take a look at the development of my brother's opposing Khrone Realm of Chaos Army.