Happy Christmas from the Vault

Another year almost done, and that means time for another Christmas Hobby Challenge. This year's theme was "Giving", and I went with the best gift in the 41st Millennium; Nurgle's Plagues.

The rules were essentially paint a model which grants some sort of buff (gift) to other troops or units. This should be for a force we own so we can then play them in a group game in the new year. Bonus points awarded for Christmas colours, snow or other festive nods.

So I chose the Biologus Putrifier for the Death Guard. This guy grants his unit Lethal Hits, and the grenade racks where just asking to be painted brightly as Christmas baubles.

 

Golden Gaming: Adeptus Custodian Guard

 Welcome back to the Vault! It's been some time since I've posted, but fear not, I have been both painting and gaming! It turns out that 10th edition 40K was pretty awful at launch for a variety of reasons, so I've actually been playing other systems (Kill Team 18, Necromunda, D&D 5e) over the summer, and painting models to match.

Since the 40K balanced data slates have dropped the game seem to be returning to a semblance of sanity I'm dipping my toes back into the system. It's time to learn a the new edition with a new army so I'm painting up some Adeptus Custodes! First off the paint desk are a squad of Custodian Guard.

Warsmith's Words: Preparing for 40K 10th edition

 Welcome back to the Vault! Since my last post we've had the release of 10th edition, and I've spent a fair amount of time building the shiny new models in the Leviathan box. That's an awful lot more models added to the Pile of Promise.

I've played a couple of games with the new rules, and they are OK; some stuff I like and some changes which just leaving me shaking my head wondering what the hell the designers were thinking.

I've got a 10th ed tournament in a couple of weekends which should be a lot of fun, and a good opportunity to get some familiarity with the rules. The Iron Warriors will be in attendance, although I still haven't settled on a list.

Painting wise I've butterflied around a few projects. First up is an Iron Warriors Terminator Lord: 

Power Armoured Paint: Ultramarines

Welcome back to the Vault! I'm taking advantage of a lazy Father's Day to build some new models for my Iron Warriors to hit the 10th edition 40k table top. But that isn't the topic of today's post! 

Having painted an awful lot of Silver and Brass in recent months I fancied painting a change of colour scheme. I've played a decent amount of Boarding Actions recently and so I thought a new 500 point boarding force would be fun to do. I have an awful lot of Space Marine models in the Pile of Promise, and so here's a fully finished set of 40ks Poster Boys, the Ultramarines.

First up is the Leader; a sneaky Phobos Librarian

Warsmith's Words: Mayhem! Trophies!

 Welcome back to the Vault. I had a fantastic day at the Mayhem tournament. Gaming wise I placed 13th out of 30 having games against Votann, Iron Hands and a mirror match into a Iron Warriors. 

I won against the Iron Hands, and suffered two losses. Regardless of the results all the games were good fun and I'd love to play against any of my opponents again.  The opposing Iron Warriors list had some interesting unit selections which has got me thinking about what to build and paint next.

Putting the gaming to one side I did take home a trophy. Varchilde's IV legion were awarded Best Painted Army! Absolutely chuffed to have won this, and it now has pride of place on the shelf in the front room.

Warsmith's Words: Mayhem Preparations

Welcome back to the Vault! It's May Day and that means the Mayhem tournament is almost upon us, and I've been slapping paint on my last few models for the event. As I'm still trench-deep in painting Iron Warriors (and loving it!) it was inevitable I'd be taking the IV Legion to war.

Warsmith's Words: Spawns and Fiends, oh my!

 Welcome back to the Vault. My obsession with all things Chaotic continues with some more additions to the Iron Warriors. First up is the mighty Forge Fiend. I fully intend to bring this beastie to the Mayhem tournament next month where I fully intend to abuse it's shooting capability with the Methodical Annihilation Stratagem.

Warsmith's Words: March to Victory

 Welcome back to the Vault! I can't believe it's over a month since my last post; time is flying by these days. Whilst the blog has been quiet, my hobby activities have not. I played in First Founding's Doubles Tournament where my Iron Warriors and Lyle's Emperors Children won two out of three games, finishing 8th out of 18 games. As always I enjoyed the day and I'm looking forward to Mayhem where I'll be taking the Iron Warriors to their first singles event.

I've also played some smaller games; a 500 point Boarding Action (a format which has a lot of depth to be explored) and a couple of narrative Kill Team '18 games where my Death Guard have been trying to board an Imperial Cruiser manned by White Scars and Omega Guardians.

I've also been painting Iron Warriors. What feels like a lot of Iron Warriors! So bit of a picture dump next...

First up is the Master of Execution.

Warsmith's Words: Mustering Iron Warriors for Doubles

 Welcome back to the Vault! Next weekend I'll be participating in First Founding's annual Doubles 40K tournament, partnered with fellow heretic Lyle. We'll be bringing two Chaos Space Marine lists; Iron Warriors and Emperors Children.

As has become something of a Vault tradition I thought I'd share my list and a few pictures of my assembled force.

  This is a 1000 point Arks of Omen detachment (995 points total):

+ HQ  +

• Lord Discordant on Helstalker [190pts, -1CP]: Baleflamer, Techno-virus injector, Gorget of Eternal Hate,  Mark of Khorne
• Warpsmith "The Lord of Disappointments" [80pts, -2CP]: Warlord: Architect of Destruction, Relic: Techno-venomous Mechatendrils

+ Troops +

• Legionaries [90pts]: Aspiring Champion w Plasma pistol & Power axe, 2x Chainswords, Heavy Chain Axe, Lascannon
• Legionaries [90pts]: Aspiring Champion w Plasma pistol & Power axe, 2x Chainswords, Heavy Chain Axe, Lascannon
• Legionaries [90pts]: Aspiring Champion w Plasma pistol & Daemon Blade, 2x Chainswords, Heavy Chain Axe, Lascannon

+ Elites +

• Helbrute "Congrieve" [115pts]: Chaos Undivided, Missile launcher, Twin lascannon 
• Helbrute "Eubanks" [105pts]: Chaos Undivided, Combi-bolter, Helbrute fist, Multi-melta

+ Fast Attack +

• Venomcrawler [105pts]: 2x Excruciator cannon, Soulflayer tendrils and claws

+ Heavy Support +

• Chaos Vindicator [130pts]: Demolisher siege cannon, Vindicator siege shield

I've gone for a fairly balanced mix of punching and shooting. The Legionnaire squads have been pulled together from a variety of other units; the Champions (including a down-graded Kranan the Relentless) are from the original charity shop purchase which kicked off this project whilst the Lascannons have been seconded from the Havoks.

I like the Warpsmith combo for buffing and healing the Vindicator, whilst keeping the tank in Wanton Destruction mode all game.

The Disco Lord doesn't have his usual Relic/Warlord trait (Mantle of Traitors/Flames of Spite) so it will be interesting to see if I miss them or not. He does have the Gorget of Hate to make him a bit tankier, plus Mark of Khorne to access a Deny stratagem.

I'll report back on how well team Iron Within, Fabulous Without do!

Warsmith's Words: Raptors and Warp Talons

 Welcome back to the Vault! Life has been very full on recently, but I've found some time to write a blog post. My hobby time still continues to be very Iron Warrior focused, although it feels like there's been more playing than painting recently!

I'm currently painting 10 Possessed; the sculpts are lovely, but the level of detail on them is insane! I've finished the trim on all the power armour, and am now considering the fleshy/spiky/gribbly bits. I'm taking these fairly slowly just to avoid burning out.

I do have a back log of completed units to share on the blog. So for today here are the Raptors and Warp Talons.

Warsmith's Words: Iron Warriors 'Brute Squad

 Welcome back to the Vault and a (belated) Happy New Year. Whilst I am not really one for new year resolutions I would like to continue with my painting streak, and play more games. I think lockdown got me into a much more "stay at home" mindset, and I'd like to change that in 2023, taking more opportunities to participate in the more social aspects of our wonderful hobby.

I painted over 100 models last year (a record I think), and I still have a number of them to share on the blog. First up are a pair of Helbrutes. Nothing says Chaos Space Marines more than these corrupted Dreadnoughts.

The first Helbrute is equipped with a Multi-Melta and punchy fist: