Need Some WHFB Empire Advice

I'd like to get something out of the way right off the top. I'm not asking for advice because I'm too lazy to research, I've done that. It's more a matter of incompetence.

On to the blog...

Being a well rounded Geek I dabble in a wide variety of Geeky things. One thing I've always wanted is an Empire army for fantasy. While I technically have one, it is mostly in boxes... packed safely in bigger boxes. Having some precious free time recently I decided to take an inventory and see if I had enough Empire junk to make an army. When I was done I looked at the list and realized, I have no idea what it takes to have a decent Empire army? So, I would like to show to you the Grand List of Empire minis and solicit advice as to the following; is there enough for an army here, how should I build some troops (still on sprues you know), and what will popular in 13^th edition as that is how long it would take me to get this all together.

On to the list!

2x General/Standard sprues
4x wizards (two boxes)
1x Empire Champ w/mace
1x Empire Captain w/sword & shield
1x Freelance Knight on foot & mounted (from Mordheim but cool looking)
1x Warrior Priest w/2 hammers
1x Warrior Priest w/hammer & Shield
2x Champion w/pistol & hammer
1x Marius Leitdorf
1x Kurt Helborg
1x Pirate Ogre (I was going to use him as "filler" in a state troops unit or a pirate themed free company unit)
24x Knights
25x Pistoliers/Outriders (still on sprue can go either way)
40x Militia/free company
40x Flagellants (20 assembled)
87x State Troops (37 assembled with swords, the rest on sprues)
60x Handgunners/Crossbowmen (20 partly assembled as handgunners)
20x Greatswords (10 finished)
1x Cannon/Mortar sprue
2x Hellgun/Rocket sprues

I also have some old loose metal minis from long ago...

12x metal Flagellants
3x metal Engineers w/repeater musket (outrider equivalent)
2x metal Pistoliers
5x metal knights of the white wolf (two missing legs, all missing horses)
1x metal volley gun with crew


Behold the Empire in all its glory...
I know it is a lot of stuff, I just don't know if it can be carved down to a decent Empire army? For State Troops, Sword, Halberd, shield? The interwebs can't seem to decide. HandGunners or crossbowmen, what are the cool kids doing? Pistoliers or OutRiders, they both look cool but which typically sucks less?

So, if you have any knowledge of Fantasy or Empire, I'd love to get your thoughts. If you don't but you have a friend who does, send'em over!

Dangers of the Intwebz (not about Grey Knights)

Today I'd like to share a story to demonstrate the dangers of the internet...

Long ago, GW pulled the Tau race out of a dark region towards the back of the human anatomy. I wasn't thrilled that the Kroot, who'd been around since Rogue Trader fluff-wise, had been made the Tau's lackeys. So early on there was no temptation whatsoever to ever touch a Tau anything.

After a while, the look of the Fire Warriors started to grow on me. Of course, mold will do the same thing if you stand still too long. Then I decided that the Tau tanks didn't really look as bad as I'd first thought, and even the Ethereals were cool in their own unique way.

However, the one thing I could never (ever)(ever) get past is the armor suits. They look like a young childs' attempt at drawing some Japanese mecha. I know, because I used to be that young child. The Tau tanks are sleek and look fast and agile when standing still... the Crisis and Broadside suits look blocky and immobile even when moving. So, there was no temptation in the Tau army at all for me.

On another related note, I was assembling a solitary Fire Warrior for an as yet undisclosed project. I really kinda liked the little dude. So I did some reading about Tau on scribd.com. Research for the project I mentioned, of course. Then I thought to myself, "I wonder what Forge World has done for Tau?". This is where the internet gets dangerous...

A quick flashback to my burning hatred of Tau armor suits...

This sucks (in my humble opion)...



However, this freaking rocks (cold hard fact)...



Commander McUgly Pants...



Commander UberKewl with a side of awesome-sauce...



So what I'm scouring the internet for now is the answer to a particular question, but maybe some fine reader out there may know and be willing to share. These XV9 Suits are featured in IA Apocalypse II... are there rules for them in regular games of 40k anywhere? I have no desire to ever own an apocalyptic amount of Tau. I know there are people that won't play with you if you have FW toys, but I'd like to know if there are rules to do so.

That my friends is why the internet is a dangerous place. I'd advise you to close your browser, shut down your computer, unplug it, and run for the hills. Right after you leave a comment if you like.

Ungor Booty Call... WTF?

I just wanted to share a quick observation with you guys...

As you may have noticed, I like to do conversion and I have a soft spot in my heart for that rare creature, the 40K Imperial Beastman. I've used some Ungors from the old box to do some of these conversions and I think they have come out pretty nice.



But, those Ungor models are no longer made. There are new models for the Ungor that came out with the WHFB most recent Beastman Army Book. This could turn out to be a good thing, as you used to have to buy a box of combined Gors and Ungors to get just the Ungors, and you got more Gors than Ungors for your trouble. Now, you can buy a box of just Ungors... better right? That remains to be seen. I recently picked up a box of the newer style Ungors to see what kind of converting I could do to them. I was pleasantly surprised to see that they are not covered in Chaos symbols I'd have to shave off, nice start!



Then I turned the sprue over. I was dumbstruck. I think there is a reason you never see a rear shot of these models on the box, website, or anywhere else. But, I'll let you in on their dirty secret...



Yes, just like all cartoon bears, they have no pants on. That's right, bare, beastie, buns for all the world to see!

I haven't honestly decided how I feel about this yet. I guess there is something fittingly feral about running around with your (literal) tail hanging out. I will reserve judgment until I've had a chance to convert one or two and paint them up. Besides, I think they'd be the only bare bottoms on the average 40K game table. They might even make for a decent distraction technique? Maybe it won't be that bad? I've already found some reference material to work off of!



Thanks for stopping by. I'll keep you all posted on how these conversions turn out, until then, keep your pants on!

Pride (and knowing when to swallow it)

I'm not sure whether to file this blog as advice, tutorial, or product review. So let's just get on with it.

I have a friend named Pat. In fact, now that I think of it, I believe he is my oldest friend. Pat used to work at a local comics and game store many (many) moons ago. He was the manager, in fact. Probably about 24 ago years now. Pat is a great guy with only one glaring fault. He's freaking good at everything he tries to do.

So one day about five years ago, Pat is trying to help me sculpt something. Towards the end of the day he says, "here, take these extra sculpting tools and stuff, I have plenty". Very generous of him. But, in the mix of proffered supplies are these...



I was a little befuddled as I had (and still as of last week have) 20/20 vision. He assured me they were simply for magnifying things close up and that apparently I wasn't getting any younger. "Just try'em", he said. Well, to hell with that! I don't need glasses to see! I buried those suckers way way down in my pile O' tools.

Here's where the lesson comes in...

A few months ago I noticed that (despite my awesome 20/20 vision) my minis seemed to be getting farther and farther from my face as I paint. Simple enough solution, move hand toward face... but... but... what the crap!

So that day, the great bell tolled and my pride died in the heat of painting battle. I tried the glasses. Freakin Pat was right again! The glasses allow me to get the subject closer and still keep it in focus. So now I can be found slipping the 'reading' glasses on when I'm painting or sculpting anything detailed.

Now I know a lot of folks wear prescription glasses. This article may not mean much to you as you are quite used to wearing glasses. But, while I've seen a million blogs about paint brushes, paints, techniques, sculpting, blending, washing, inking, and the use of electric fences in Suburbia (thanks Suneokun), I've not seen anyone mention the fact that at some point you have to make sure you can get the mini where you can see it to do any of it. I think it's kind of assumed, but I can tell you as a person who doesn't wear glasses, I'd have never thought of it if someone hadn't shared the knowledge with me.

If you've made it this far, bless your heart. I try not to get too wordy, but I'm not always successful. I'll have more picture-y blogs coming soon. I've even made some decent progress on the Marauder Destroyer!

In closing I'd like to thank you for stopping by. And I'd like to thank Pat for the great advice that it only took me about five years to follow. If anyone is interested, you can visit Pat's project blog here. He is now a full time sculptor and he does take commissions!

Feel free to drop any comments or complaints you may have in the appropriate area.

Awesome, Cool, and WTF (Off Topic)

There are a few off topic things I wanted to share, so I thought I'd bunch them all up into one post.

First off, the awesome. My lovely wife gave birth to our daughter on 08/17/2010 (or 17/08/2010 depending on where in the world you are) at 4:23pm. Her name is Mackenzie Jane and she was born 8lbs 2.5oz and twenty inches long. She and her mother are both doing well and healthy, though me and her fourteen month old brother are both a bit frazzled. Here's a pic!



Next up is a trailer for a movie coming out next spring I stumbled upon. The movie is Sucker Punch and it looks terribly interesting. Anytime you have samurai, dragons, mobsters, nazis, and well... just take a look...



Then we come to the WTF. I don't know what else to say...



Oh, one more thing you can try, just for fun. Go to google and type in "French Military Victories" and then press the "I'm feeling lucky" button. It's good for a laugh... unless you're French.

Hope you've enjoyed my completely 40k-free post. On topic posting will resume in a few days.

Hypothetical Question (and a Poll)

Wow the Holidays were a mess! I'm back and I'm itching to work on some stuff. The Marauder Destroyer is out and trimming will begin shortly, look for a post when it begins. While I plan to take my time and enjoy the MD, I don't think it will take anything like as long as the Reaver did. So, I'm thinking ahead to my next project. Hence the poll I'm putting up!

So, hypothetically speaking, which of the following sounds like more fun; A) Another Reaver, probably with lots of Laser Blasters. Think one on each arm and a converted Mars Pattern Turbo Laser on the carapace (I like the 'D' shots). Or B) a pair of Mars Pattern Warhounds, once again with lots of Turbo Laser luvin? I'm posting a poll but I'd really like to hear what folks think the pros and cons are in comments as well. Another Reaver really sends a message to anyone across the table (that I'm crazy?), but two Warhounds makes a formation I believe?

So please attack the poll on the left and leave me a comment. I'd really appreciate it!

Things Aren't Like They Used To Be...

And they probably never were. One of the wisest things I've ever been told.

You all have Ian over at Heroes Of Armageddon and his Blast From the Past blog to thank for this post. After reading his blog, digging up some GW fossils started to sound like fun.

First off we have a rare old figure. The Female Adventurer In Power Armor. I will tell you that the head is from a Reaper miniature as the original was basically a blob with a bowl cut. There were two different minis made, this is one, the other I lost a million or so years ago.



The next mini is one of my all time favorites. It's an original Keeper Of Secrets. It's been pulled apart as it has been my intention for the last couple years to redo this guy/gal/thing. I always liked the minotaur shape of these guys. It's more menacing than a scrawny hermaphrodite in my opinion.



The next is a complicated piece. It would make an awesome tutorial, but it would be over ten years too late. It's an old style Rhino that can be transformed into a Whirlwind. You see, once upon a time, there was no model for the Whirlwind. Conversion was the only way to go. I've got two of these around and about. The other is in need of some repair though. Believe it or not, the only bits absolutely necessary that didn't come with the rhino are two fantasy shields, and a large square fantasy base.

Here it is a typical Rhino...

Inside extra bits can be stored. The openings on the opposite side (old rhinos were the same hull piece top and bottom) have been covered up with plastic card.

A Whirlwind launcher is fabricated from plastic card and bits. It's mounted on a set of rear doors with a pair of old Warhammer Fantasy shields and some scrap sprue to make it able to rotate.

Swap out the front hatches for a blank one and one with a home made radar dish (that also rotates), and you have a Whirlwind!

The Aquila on top of the launcher is carefully cut out from a Second Edition Wargear Card and glued on. Gives a nice three dimensional decoration. The missile rack itself is made from the bottom of an old square Fantasy base.

Note the little bumps inside each 'tube' on the launcher which are the missiles.


There is my trip down memory lane. I've more old stuff hidden all about, but it will wait for another day. Thanks for indulging me.

Because A Hive Mind is a terrible thing to waste...

Some news to follow at the bottom.

So, I was thinking. A dangerous pass time, I know. And the following occurred to me in no particular order...

On a backwater planet near the Eastern Fringe of the galaxy in the 38th millennium Tech Priests found a completely intact STC. When it was discovered that this STC would produce a previously unheard of Universal Translator, there was much excitement and waving of mechadendrites. This discovery came none too soon as reports had begun to come in of a Tyranid Hive Fleet approaching the system. Requests for assistance were issued, but there would be no one close enough to dispatch help in time. So, the Adepts of Mars took the most logical approach. They commenced work on the translator in hopes that it might finally allow communication with the completely alien Tyranids. Maybe they could be put off the idea of completely destroying this peaceful little rock if only reasoned with?

Six hundred years previously a world beyond Imperial control is being systematically destroyed. This world is so far out there that if a well traveled Rogue Trader were to come across it, he'd say, "Wow, this is really way out there". The world was only inhabited by one sentient being type, humans. Upon processing all the DNA and studying it, the Hive Mind picked up on an interesting tidbit of genetic information. There was a single species of insect on this planet that the humans were genetically predisposed to find, "cute". The Tyranids adapted this insects DNA in hopes of disguising itself as something less obviously dangerous in an effort to sustain less damage in future conflicts with this species that called itself 'human'. Thus was born, "Hive Fleet Ladybug"!

Flash forward six hundred years. The planet is under attack and the disciples of the machine god are working feverishly to finish the translator. Guardsmen are outside dying by the tens of thousands. For some reason the Tyranids are able to close to within just a few meters before men start firing their las rifles. The priests continue to work even as there is a thunderous pounding on the very walls of their sanctum. They finish the translator only seconds before a Carnifex, grown for siege work, busts through the rockcrete walls. As it lets out a mighty roar, the Universal Translator repeats its message in a loud monotone voice, "I'M CUTE!!!". And for a split second, the Tech Priests believe it...

The Ordo Xenos was able to acquire all the transmissions received from the planet before it was overrun. They have made some startling discoveries. Apparently, the Hive Fleet Ladybug Tyranids have combined an appearance that humans instinctively find harmless and cute with a strong psychic suggestion to believe this is true. The effect is that many of the defenders of the planet simply didn't think to fire their weapons till the true horror of what was happening was strong enough to deny the psychic manipulation. Thus far the Inquisition is at a loss as to how to combat this new weapon. But, it has been suggested that commanders in the field no allow their soldiers to look at the enemy during an attack.


Now, if I was some sort of GW guy, or even a White Dwarf lackey, I'd probably try to come up with some rules for this Hive Fleet and publish them. But I'm not, so my super awesome Hive Fleet Ladybug rules will never be seen...except by you! Besides the genuine psychological edge it could give you to field an army painted like giant mutant ladybugs, I'd suggest the following rules; For a few extra points per model, all brood size Tyranids could get the 'Harmless Appearance' special rule. Larger size creatures would have to pay significantly more, possibly 100 points per model or unit. The 'Harmless Appearance' rule would basically only allow HQ units, psykers, or units with one of the above attached to it to fire on turn one. All other units are completely taken in by the color scheme and psychic suggestion being broadcast. Units with no psyker or HQ unit to lead them would have to roll a 6 on a D6 to fire on turn one. On turn two they may fire on anything but a 1 on a D6 (some folks just don't get it).

Just the mad ramblings of a crazed (hive) mind.


On to the news!

I'm back! New house, tons of excitement and tragedy and stuff has been going on. I've just about got my workspace set up, so work on the long languishing Reaver Titan should be picking up soon (within the next week). I've not painted or built anything since last November, so I'm totally going nuts to work on some stuff. Ideas are bouncing around my head like small rubber balls on crack. I've been playing a little "Dawn of War II", and if you like pc games, I recommend it. I'm in possession of a home with a garage, and I've come into some tools, so a gaming table of some sort may be an upcoming project here on the blog. I've, obviously, still got a rambling problem...

Thanks for stopping by. Feel free to leave some feedback in the ole comments section. I'm always happy to hear from you... yes, you!