Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Terrain Tuesday: Tank Traps WIP

I know what you’re thinking. How could he already be moving on to another project? He just started the Imperial Parkway last week!

You, reader, are correct! But let me explain! First of all, I haven't added any flock to the Parkway yet as I haven't had a chance to sit down and do it. Second, I'm playing in a massive Planetstrike game in a couple of weeks (June 5th!) and I've volunteered to make my own defensive terrain for it. Third, I can't help but have multiple terrain projects going.  I think I have AADHD (the extra H is for Hobby!)...I get distracted by inspiration easily! Fourth, it can be used as a Cities of Death Obstacles strategem and I've been meaning to make a few of these to add to my barbed wire options.

Also, I really like alliteration and you can't beat Terrain Tuesday: Tank Traps, right? I mean...that's 4 Ts!
DSCN2985Ahem. Moving on. Here is a very dark shot in the Terrain from Junk style.  These plastic cups are from our local takeout place. Usually filled with tasty sauces and dips, I've cleaned them (can't say this enough...clean the heck out of any food container you decide to use for terrain) and laid them out next to my Librarian (who's hiding in the shadows).

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Very simple work! I cut out the base and laid out the cups with enough space for a single model to pass through, then glued on tops (to cover up the size info) and glued them to the base. The base is slightly bigger than the "6 inches" suggested by Cities of Death strategem, but with my play group, they won't really mind.  It'll look good on a Planetstrike mission as well! Next step is to texture up the cups with some fine sand and then to flock the base with gravel. Knowing how I work, I'll probably flock these Tank Traps (I made 3. I eat a lot of delivery in NYC) at the same time I flock the Imperial Walkway.

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The height and width of the cups look sturdy enough to stop a Rhino or give a Leman Russ reason to go around it. Quite a few of the ones I see for sale seem so tiny compared to the tanks they're supposed to stop! Besides, why buy it when you can make it, eh?

For the game, I'll probably propose that any tracked vehicle with a dozer can move through the Tank Trap with a dangerous terrain test (and destroying the trap), otherwise the terrain is impassable to all non-skimmers. It'll also grant 5+ invulnerable to infantry (and is not difficult for them). Lastly, since this is Planetstrike, the terrain can, of course, be destroyed and replaced with a crater during the Firestorm phase (which I love!).

Show me your custom strategem terrain or defensive terrain if you got it!  I'll link it up and probably steal the design.  I need to make minefields and gun turrets before 6/5...I'm defending a WHFB Fortress in the name of the Crimson Fists that weekend and the more guns, the better.  Defense has it rough!

edit: I have no idea why these photos don't click/link to larger pictures. I uploaded via Windows Live Journal and for some reason only the first pic works.  I'll check when I get a chance and sort it all out. If any one out there has any tips, let me know!

Friday, May 14, 2010

It Begins: Flesh Tearers!

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As mentioned previously, I’ve decided to add a newly minted Flesh Tearers force to my ever growing numbers of armies!  A Battle Force box, 2 San Guard boxes (the second one is for the bits) and a Death Company box is a good start, I think.  I figure this will give me 1k points and I can always add a Baal Predator later.  The interwebs are all a buzz regarding the Priests, so I may need to make a few of those at some point as well.  But for now, I’m setting down a core list to build around.

I love the new Death Company and Sanguinary Guard models.  The improvements GW has made to their molding/sprue process is very evident in this latest release.  I’m not just talking about the exquisite detail either!  I think whoever laid out the bits on the sprue took careful consideration of where mold-lines might show up and adjusted accordingly.  On top of that, they redesigned some flawed layouts…like the Jump Packs.  Don’t understand what I’m saying here?  Assemble a jump pack from the Assault Squad box.  Then put together one from Death Company.  The revised layout not only allows tons of detail, but it also makes assembly great!
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Whenever I get a new project, I get crazy with organization.  I live in a modest NYC apartment, so I can’t leave out tons of WIP stuff for too long or else the place gets cluttered.  And with 2 cats and a wife, things may get eaten (by the cats) or accidentally shifted (by the wife).  So I clip all the bits I plan to use to make a squad and drop them into a bin to keep them organized.  DSCN2898From there, I clean up each model individually, decide on the pose using blue sticky-tack and proceed to glue!  My first project is a 10 man Assault Squad…that counts as a Troop choice.  5 are in the box right now. The Death Company plus the Battle Force box gives me all the Assaulters (and jump packs) I need.  One complaint is that the Death Company Box doesn’t have the jump pack torsos.  I’ll dig them out of the bitz box to cover it, which will leave the DC torsos for my actual Death Company unit.DSCN2902The Sarge pre-assembly.  The Thunder-hammer bits are so sexy I can’t help but use them right away.  I might buy another set just to use it on a Crimson Fist Vanguard model.
DSCN2921The Sarge nearly assembled.  I didn’t glue the TH just yet as I wanted to be sure I could reach all the fiddly bits for painting.  He’ll be leading 9 more Flesh Tearers.  Or maybe he’ll just be leading 4 more and I’ll make a second Assault squad with a Power Fist.  I’m undecided and the army list is still in flux.  So many options!

Anyone else starting up a Blood Angels or related chapter force?  I'm scouring the webs now for Flesh Tearer painting guides...test models to be done soon!

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Super Blog Chain Giveaway!

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBxsiUFKAc_6PA4mbSzwxcLVQ8bvrTGFIazuem9c_OIoyCDeglmafb6NP1B7rKu5xSy6HJeJTqSAk64VacVE3pBJZZdWbXxuyky4AVI0hiv1rDMG4SXzupmY85xyJFLEczhG-Hxyomjz_Q/s1600/SBCGA.jpg
Just a quick administratum post letting my readers know about the two new SBCG contests going on. 
What?  Two contests, you say?  Your eyes do not deceive you!  Dark Future Games decided to double down on the prize and choose two winners.  Which is going to create 2 more winners.  And eventually the 2 blog chains will cross streams and the universe will end, but until then, let's enjoy the ride!
In case you haven’t been following, here are the prizes and winners so far in this esteemed contest developed by Santa Cruz Warhammer:
So far prizes given/to be given away:
Santa Cruz Warhammer - 2 Winsor Newton Brushes, Brush Cleaner, Bin of Best Damn Basing Sand Ever (tm)
Adepticus Prime - 3 New Eldar War Walkers
Dark Future Games - A Custom-Dreadnaughts, winner's choice conversion/weapons/chapter!
Team Snake Eyes- A NEW Transport Vehicle of Winner’s Choice
Tales From the Warzone – A NEW Troop Box of Winner’s Choice

Now if the prizes aren’t enough for you to consider entering, consider for a moment the folks that will now visit your blog!  Before this contest, I had never even heard of Team Snake Eyes or Tales from the Warzone…but just linking off Dark Future, I visited, followed and will now watch for updates.   That’s community building and getting more folks connected.  The prize is now officially icing on the cake!
Check out the links and enter!  And follow these blogs!  Both look great!