The Chattering Horde: 6th edition

Sunday, September 30, 2012

Let the Black Templar Crusade Begin!

*Squeek*
With 6th edition out and in my hands I am definitely enjoying getting back into 40K.

While the dice gods are rarely on my side (as my opponents will acknowledge) they HAVE been unusually kind recently when it comes to excellent value purchasing opportunities. I recently picked up some Chaos Space Marines, and then this week some Black Templar Space Marines also appeared in my quadrant (and at a good price.) I was interested in the CSMs as a good way to build the foundation of an army that could grow later by purchasing the Cultists from the Dark Vengeance Box, but I basically got interested in the DTs after reading about them once I heard there were some available.

Here is what I picked up: (a big thanks to the original seller!) If I have got the names of the units or models mixed up bear with me - I am learning my way around!

HQ:
x1 Space Marine commander
x1 Emperor's champion (converted)

HQ (Command Squad)
x1 Medic
x1 plasma gun Marine
x1 normal space marine with bolter
x1 Standard Bearer
x1 Marine with power shield and flaming sword

Troops:
x1 Tactical squad of 10 (5 initiates + 5 Neophytes)
x1 Tactical squad of 10 (5 initiates + 5 Neophytes)
x1 Rhino

Elites:
x1 Dreadnaught (power claw/ assault cannon)
x1 Techmarine
x1 Swordbrethren squad (bolt pistols/ chainswords)

Fast Attack.
x1 squad of 4 bikes, (3 with power weapon)
x1 squad of 4 bikes, (3 with power weapon)

As you can see, this is the first army that I have laid my hands on that is already fully painted! Hats-off to the original owner for a job well done. :-) It looks to be around 1,000 to 1,250 points?

Reading around a bit, it appears that the Dark Templar Codex, like the Chaos Space Marines Codex, is a bit old, (new CSM Codex out this week!) but hey, they are a pretty damn cool chapter - as I am not a competitive player at all that makes them all good in my book. What kid isn't interested in the Knights Templar after all? (Especially a hard-core, far-future version with a massive chip on their collective shoulder pads, a never-ending crusade, and a definite disdain for typical Space Marine rules.)

The question is, are any other purchases essential for this army? E.g. Terminators always seem to be a good buy for Space Marines...

Any hints and tips out there?
Cheers,
*Squeek*

P. S. This purchase also included a Fortress of Redemption, so at least these Black Templars have a place to hang out!

Saturday, September 1, 2012

Return of the...TAU?

+System Reboot COMPLETE+
+Incoming Message+
+Incoming Message+

Well, you probably thought this blog was dead didn't you?

TBH, you would have almost been right. I have now recognized that I contracted a bad case of painting exhaustion, perhaps brought on my too much sustained painting over time.
Skaven (in some numbers)
High Elves (the birthday secret surprise project)
...and Dust Warfare.

I am happy to say that I am starting to regain my interest in painting and modelling, thanks in large part to the return to the gaming table of my first interest (I hesitate to say "great love")...
...The Tau!

Reasons for my renewed interest:

1. The publication of 6th Edition Warhammer 40K has renewed my interest in modelling and wargaming in general (regardless of whether you like the system, the universe is an incredibly well-developed one.)

2. Many of the new rules make Tau a far more viable army than they had been in the previous edition (apparently). This includes some of my favorite models such as Firewarriors and Stealth Suits.

3. I already have a considerable size Tau army to go back to war with.

Several years ago when I got back into the hobby, I decided to collect a Tau army. I loved the design of the models, the unit types (mecha? carnivorous alien parrot warriors? giant hover tanks with massive railcannon?) and the backstory of this young race struggling to establish itself amongst a galaxy of hostile, older civilizations.

Thanks to them being my first model painting in some (ahem) 20 years, I can't say that when I painted the Tau I did so with any great success. I didn't really know about washes, painting damage, edge highlighting or various other things, but I did love the colour scheme I chose!

As my copy of the latest rulebook is on order, I am going to take some time and get out my Tau and see whether I should give them a makeover using any of the techniques that I have tried with my Skaven (even if I haven't mastered them yet.) In the meantime, here are some pics of my cadre!

+WARNING+ +LARGE IMAGES AHEAD+ + WARNING+