Templars for the New Year.

Squeek.

Not going to be able to get in any gaming or painting time over the holiday season unfortunately, and that is a REAL shame, as thanks to the generosity of some family members I was able to order some models on ebay.

The models in question?

More Black Templars.

As you can see here, this haul included a Drop Pod and a set of ten marines (approx half with bolt pistol and close combat weapon) and also a Dreadnought (a separate purchase). Everthing I read seems to indicate that to get across the table, some kind of distraction in the enemy backfield is going to be necessary, and one way to do that is with drop pods. I only have one at the moment, but I didn't want to go over budget...

I also picked up a load of Sternguard veteran parts (not shown) from some separate sellers, because I really liked the idea of how flexible they can be because of their access to different ammunication types (as outlined on this truly excellent post over at Dakka Dakka by Sir Arun - I nod respectfully to you sir!)

These additions should help me have a more flexible army. Over time, I will pick up more drop pods, but this is a good start. I'm going to have to stop acquiring, and start painting more, as once the Sternguard get here I really will have quite a backlog to clear, as shown by the image below.

As well as the new units I bought most recently, I still have to paint the two Whirlwind units I have. Although my opponents here won't mind me proxying them "as is", I'd like to add some parts so they can be played as Anti Air units too (or at least look a bit more like AA units!)

It is the end of the Hobby year for me, and overall, it has been a good year. 

As I have exclusively been a Tau player to date, it is quite a different ball game getting my head around Space Marines and the different units and play styles they have (although, for the aesthetic alone, Tau will probably always be my favorite.) As I don't get to play often, I am only at the beginning of understanding how to use the Space Marines, but it is still refreshing to try a new army.

I only wish I had time to play more games (of either 40K or WFB). Still, being gainfully employed allows me to feed my habit, even if it precludes me from playing very often. It has also been an adventurous year in terms of painting (at least for me) because I tried some new techniques and overall I was quite pleased with the results.

The Tau Riptide model was my first try at a diorama and some weathering techniques, and the armoured units in my Black Templars were a good test bed for getting my hands dirty with mud (and more weathering!)

Here is hoping for more time next year for more painting and gaming adventures.

I'll finish by wishing everyone in the gaming world (or actually, the world in general!)  all the best for 2014 - may the Dice Gods be on your side...

Play fair and Roll well!

Black Templars Chaplains!

*Squeek*

My Black Templars army has been slowly expanding through my eagle-eye focus on eBay, but I have moved into a phase of picking up single models to boost the army, rather than larger units.

In addition to Marshal Helbrecht (recently completed, see here) recent crop of purchases just arrived over the last day or two, and I had the chance to look at them today. 

Reclusiarch Grimaldus and Servitors.

I like the Grimaldus model, and I was happy to see when the model showed up that it looked much better in reality than in the photos on eBay! I don't think Grimaldus himself really needs any highlighting or additional painting at all if I don't get around to it. 

The servitors might need a little bit of work, (maybe the bases and some highlighting) but they are fine for now and very much ready for the gaming table.

Impact on the game? In truth, Grimaldus is probably overpriced, but could be a lot of fun in a foot list or in a Land Raider crusader (where his buffs still work on units around the vehicle) AND as I am reading the Helsreach novel, he has the added attraction of just...being...awesome from a fluff point of view.

Chaplain with Jump Pack

This guy needs some work, but again, he is in a pretty good state! Some washes and highlighting on his purity seals and the various bits of cloth should do the trick (again, along with being properly based.)

Gaming wise, the (an) opinion seems to be that Chaplains in general are OK in small games. I thought he might be useful in a unit of 8 assault marines that I have. Perceived internet wisdom though is that Chaplains of any kind (especially the highly-priced Grimaldus) fail to compare to a generic Chapter Master as a good HQ choice.

As usual though, I don't play competitively, so can't wait to try them out!
:-)

Cheers!

Finished Black Templar Land Speeders

*Squeek*

Mmmmm, Typhoon missile launcher goodness!

Finally finished these four land speeders to the point where I am happy with them. They have been sitting for a while, especially as I got bored working on the white panels and it took me some time to get back into them...

Photos below, with a few more comments after that:

These Land Speeders were a good chance to try a couple of the weathering techniques that I have played around with on other models to date.
In particular, chips and general wear and tear on edges and surfaces, (something I tried first on my Tau Riptide) and also rust washes, which I previously tried on my Skaven warmachines for WFB.

I had some initial good luck when I first tried out Typhoon land speeders against Tyranids some moons ago, so I thought I would put together a squadron of 3 to have a krak at monstrous creatures and other nasties. The cannon version will be by itself, providing something else for my enemy to worry about as it zips around the battlefield...

Cheers!

"Mud, glorious Mud!"

...or "Getting dirty with Black Templar Heavy Support"

After recently having a go at weathering some Black Templar vehicles that I purchased on "the bay", I decided to really go for it and try something new by learning how to add mud. I have made stuff look used before, most notably my Tau Riptide, but I haven't muddied stuff up.

Here is how they turned out:

...also tried to add a patina of age to the metallic cherub...

The "Potestas IV". 4th in her line to bear that name.

Homebrew Tech Marine...not too happy to see all this mud in
the hangar I shouldn't wonder!

You can find lots of videos and information on the web on how to go about this, and there are a variety of techniques, ranging from very simple to a little complex, depending on what tools and resources you have to hand.

I watched this video by MarneusAugustaCalgar:

This suited me down to the ground, as I don't have access to some of the weathering pigments used to such stunning effect in other videos, but I do have modeling sand, gloss varnish ("GW 'ard Coat"), old brushes and a load of brown paint (left over from painting a battlefield).

You can see the technique in the video (I substituted modelling sand and brown paint for actual earth) but the simple steps are:

1.) Pour modelling sand into a container.

2.) Pour paint into modelling sand.

3.) Mix well.

4.) Add gloss varnish. 

I mixed up a big batch, because I was going to work on 3-4 vehicles in one go.

Once you have done that, follow the video and set to work (accompanied by the right music of course!)

Remember:

a.) Don't be too precious - get it on there in among the bogies for the tracks and anywhere else you want mud!

b.) Use an old, unwanted brush. Even if you can clean it later, the bristles are going to be ruined.

c.) If you are doing multiple vehicles, don't go too slowly! The varnish dries quicker than you might think, so the mix becomes unusable in quite a short time.

d.) If you turn your vehicles over on the tabletop when they get destroyed, don't forget to do underneath as well...

If you want to, then do the process again, but this time using a darker paint. I think it looks better to have a couple of different colours. Also, I think the darker paint on top shows that this mud is "fresher", while the lighter colour has dried. You should do this to your own taste, but you can get a sense of this above.

I like this technique because it is simple to do, fun to try, and it really adds something extra to the vehicle. I also quite like the gloss effect (although there are plenty of people who don't!).

Some useful feedback I later received from the excellent model painting communities on Google+ included...

1.) ...I have too much mud on the actual tracks themselves - the tracks are always moving, so they actually would have LESS mud on them because the mud falls off.

2.) ...consider adding modelling flock to the mix. This can help to give the impression of churned-up turf/ grass (I don't know how much you would add though).

3.) ...if you don't like the gloss effect, consider using Matt varnish, or later adding a wash.

(I can't remember the exact words, but a big thanks to everyone for the input!)

These vehicles actually aren't finished. There is lots more detailing that I would like to (should!) do, including drilling out gun barrels, further highlights and drybrushing etc. but for now, I reckon these guys could bring some rolling thunder to the table!

Thanks for looking - all comments and constructive criticism welcome!

:-)

*Squeek*

Planning a Crusade...What are my Options?

"The boss" has arrived...

...in the form of the High Marshal Helbrecht model that I snagged off ebay.

Definitely not the model I got off ebay!
Copyright Games Workshop

So now the question is, I am too impatient to wait to build up my army, so what kind of Black Templars fighting force can I put together? I thought I would ask the question to you, the experts, for your opinions.

Challenges?

1. I don't have any of the new SM: Codex models. (e.g. Centurions)

2. Everything I have collected to date fits in with the "Old" codex in terms of units and vehicles. e.g. I don't have any older  "regular" Space Marine units that can now be taken with Black Templars (Thunderfire Cannons, Flyers etc.)

3. I don't want to spend much more money - so if you build an army with the units listed below, but want to recommend a unit or two I don't have, please keep it at a unit or two!

Here is a list of the models I currently have (you can see most of them here, although the High Marshal didn't arrive in time for the family photo!) I have added links to photos that might help, but the photos weren't taken with grouping models together, so they are a bit mixed up.

I'm looking for a fun (fluffy, but with a chance of putting out some hurt) 1850-2000 point force to be used with friends, (so proxying is OK, and so is WYSIWIG)

HQ:

x1 Helbrecht

x1 Emperor's Champion

x1 Chapter Master

x1Chaplain

x1Chaplain in Terminator armor

x1Techmarine

Command Squad x5)

(x5 models, including Apothecary and Company Champion. Unit has a Chapter Banner)

Honor Guard x5

(or, 5 models that could be used as HG)

Elites:

x5 Assault Terminators

(x2 with Thunder Hammer and shield, x3 with claws)

x1 Dreadnought

(with autocannon)

Troops

Tactical Marines x25 (Initiates, with Bolters)

-including x2 missile launchers, x1 plasma x1 Flamer, x1 Melta Gun

Sword Brethren x5 

Neophytes x10

(6 with CC weapons, 4 with shotguns)

x3 Rhinos

(I also have kitbashed 

-optional x1 twin-linked heavy bolters

- and x1 twin-linked lascannon...

...so I could make x2 of these Rhinos into x2 Razorbacks)

Fast Attack:

x8 Space Marine Bikes

(4 with power swords, 2 with power axes)

x8 Assault Marines with Jetpacks

x3 Landspeeder Typhoons

x1 Landspeeder (with cannon)

Heavy Support

x1 Landraider Crusader

x2 Predators

(TL Lascannons and Sponson Lascannons, but I have the sprues to replace the turret lascannons with cannons)
EDIT: x1 Whirlwind

Any thoughts, help or advice out there?

Thanks!