Category: Blog Page 2 of 50

Not Exactly Impressed

By

On 14th April 2025

In Blog

So the Switch 2 Direct happened, and I am gonna be frank, not entirely impressed.

First off, whilst it was expected that it was going to use older technology, it’s quite a bit older than I would like, but I mean it’s still PS4/Xbox One level.

I mean it’s decent tech, but it’s gonna have to rely on DLSS a lot to hit that 4k, but then again, it might actually be capable of running Breath of the Wild without dropping to like 15fps in busy scenes.

Then there is the battery life, it’s worse than the original Switch, which isn’t exactly the best in the first place.

I get why they haven’t gone with an OLED screen given the already increased price, more on that in a bit, but it’s still a disappointment to not have there there.

As well as the lack of Hall Effect sticks, because the stick drift issues with the original JoyCons are huge and I am massively disappointed that they haven’t been bothered to give us JoyCons which would have avoided these issues.

And then that takes us to the cost.

The actual cost of the console, I get it, the bill of materials isn’t going to be cheap, TSMC have been raising wafer prices like crazy since 2020.

But the tutorial being paid, the paid upgrades for OG Switch games being quite high and the cost of new games is just crazy.

Nintendo have always charged as much as they can for games and it’s very irritating that Switch launch titles are now just as expensive as they were when they first came out.

Look if you work it out, pound for pound gaming, even on the Switch is going to be not that bad value if you play for a couple hours a week and have the console for say six years.

But man it’s rough, I get it, devs need to be paid, and being a poor person, I usually wait for a game to go on sale a few years later, I rarely buy the latest games because I just cannot afford it.

But I feel like this time, the lack of first party titles, which has always been Nintendos strength, most of the third party titles being older titles that run better on my other gaming devices, it’s just not doing it for me.

Oh and out of principle, I will never subscribe to Nintendo Online, I am sorry but putting the backup of saves behind a paywall if frankly ridiculous, especially on handheld device which is more likely to be lost, broken or even stolen, I mean it has an Micro SD card slot, why can I not backup my own saves.

Look maybe in a couple of years, when decent first party titles start filtering through, I will feel different, but right now I can’t see myself getting one.

What I Am Modelling

I started off the week with Swampboss Skumdrekk for the Kruleboyz

And that actually finishes off all my Kruleboyz for now

Then a Dankhold Trogboss for the Gloomspite Gitz

Which also completes all my current models for the Gitz

Followed an Imperial Fists Command Squad, this one is seven man, cause I 3D printed up some extra bodies to take advantage of the bits on the Command Squad sprue

Plus another Herald made with a 3D printed body and spare part from the Command Squad sprue

And I also painted up The Ancestors’ Wrath Einhyr Champion for the Leagues of Votann

As well as Kâhl Yôht Grendok

And a unit of Aeldari Guardians

And for Lindsay’s birthday I made some Otter Earrings

So what’s next in the queue

  1. Blood Angels Landspeeders
  2. Kellermorph & Neophyte Hybrids x 10
  3. Ogryn Charonite Squad x 3
  4. Phallax Warders x 10
  5. Thousand Sons Terminators & Infernal Master
  6. Dark Angels Incursors x 5
  7. Ogryn Charonite Squad x 3
  8. Blood Angels Impulsor
  9. Imperial Knight Magaaera
  10. Carnivale Gondola

What I Am Reading

I finished Straight Silver by Dan Abnett in The Saint, and yeah that was a good one, it felt like it was going quite slow, and woah, it sped up and didn’t stop.

I listened to Assassinorum: Kingmaker by Robert Rath, which not only was the best Officio Assassinorum novel thus far, it’s also the best Imperial Knights novel so far.

I also listened to Three’s A Crowd by Colin Brake which was rather fun and as someone with a bit of agoraphobia, I really understood how the characters felt.

What Tabletop Games I Am Playing

Had a game with Graham at Durham Raiders on Tuesday, in which we both tested out our Heresy Camp lists.

My Solar Auxilia did ok, but BS3 combined with my dice rolling was pretty frustrating when in turn 3 I just couldn’t hit anything for toffee.

As expected for me it was defeat, but I think I learned some lessons and long term now know the army needs more scoring units

And perhaps leave the Macharius and Malcadors behind and take more Leman Russ Vanquishers instead!

On Thursday I played another escalation league game of Age of Sigmar this time against Adam, and his Seraphon

That game went the typical way and I lost badly, but I did have a lor of fun removing my Orruks from the table!

On Sunday I played a game of Flamecraft with Lindsay & Megan

What Video Games I Am Playing

I started out with Horizon Forbidden West on PS5, which I am playing on Stream

What I Am Spending

We bought ourselves Avatar: The Last Airbender – Aang’s Destiny to replace Harry Potter Hogwarts Battle.

We enjoyed the mechanics of Hogwarts Battle, but sadly the IP is tainted beyond redemption by the bigot that created it.

Avatar is far nicer and far more wholesome.

And it only cost me 70p and its worth it for the LOLs, but I got The Lord of the Rings: Gollum, which I am sure may be hilarious to play given its many many issues!

War of the Worlds

By

On 7th April 2025

In Blog

This Saturday I went to see the stage adaptation of Jeff Wayne’s War of the Worlds at the Utilita Arena in Newcastle, the ticket was a birthday present from Paul.

We had tea at the Metrocentre And made our way over the river to the arena where we joined a very big queue, which did thankfully move pretty quickly.

We had a bit of a wait so I read my book for a bit, it was a full 90 minutes till the show started

And it was a hell of a great show, been wanting to see this for a long time and I am so glad I was able to.

They had Charlie Simpson from Busted singing the narrators parts, and he was really good.

The guy performing as the Artilleryman was particle good, that was Rou Reynolds from Enter Shikari, a band I have now gotten a few albums for!

We also learned that Lindsay has never listened to the album, and she only knew The Eve of the War, not even Forever Autumn, so we have been introducing her to it, and in the car this morning, we ended just before Thunder Child.

What I Am Modelling

I started off with the Tyranids getting a second Psychopage to add to their forces

I then painted some Tempestus Scions to complete their Combat Patrol, starting with two Tempestors with Power Fists and Bolt Pistols, four Scions with Grenade Launchers and three Command Squad Scions with Hotshot Lasguns

And just as an added bonus a Tempestor Prime with Bolt Pistol

I then painted up a Brutalis Dreadnought for the Blood Ravens

Followed by another Brutalis for the Ultramarines

I also painted a squad of Retributors for my Sisters of Battle

Finished painting a squad of Retributors for the Argent Shroud, armed with 2 Multi-Meltas and 2 Heavy Flamers#Warmongers #WarhammerCommunity #PaintSlam25 #Warhammer40k #Warhammer40000 #AdeptaSororitas #Retributors #ArgentShroud #PaintingWarhammer #PaintingWarhammer2025

— Michael Botterill (@biggeordiegeek.uk) 2025-04-05T17:03:57.839Z

And a Ministorum Priest to accompany them

I am currently working on Swampboss Skumdrekk and a Dankhold Trogboss

So whata next on the painting table?

  1. Blood Angels Landspeeders
  2. Swampboss Skumdrekk
  3. Imperial Fists Command Squad
  4. The Ancestors Wrath Einhyr Champion & Kâhl Yôht Grendok
  5. Kellermorph & Neophyte Hybrids x 10
  6. Ogryn Charinite Squad x 3
  7. Dankhold Trogboss
  8. Phallax Warders x 10
  9. Scarab Occult Terminators x 5 & Infernal Master
  10. Dark Angels Incursors x 5

What I Am Reading

I listened to Catch-1782 by Alison Lawson which was a great little Six and Mel story that took a look at the Grandfather Paradox in an interesting way.

I have now started on Assassinorum: Kingmaker by Robert Rath which is pretty enjoyable thus far

Still making my way slowly through The Saint by Dan Abnett and I am almost finished with Straight Silver.

What Tabletop Games I Am Playing

I played a game of 40K against Craig at Hartlepool Gamers in Friday with the Dark Angels making their debut

I used this list

Dangles (1970 Points)

Space Marines
Dark Angels
Gladius Task Force
Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Ancient in Terminator Armour (75 Points)
  • 1x Power fist
  • 1x Storm bolter

Captain in Terminator Armour (95 Points)
  • Warlord
  • 1x Relic weapon
  • 1x Storm bolter

Chaplain (60 Points)
  • 1x Absolvor bolt pistol
  • 1x Crozius arcanum

Librarian (65 Points)
  • 1x Bolt pistol
  • 1x Force weapon
  • 1x Smite

Librarian in Terminator Armour (75 Points)
  • 1x Force weapon
  • 1x Smite
  • 1x Storm bolter

BATTLELINE

Assault Intercessor Squad (75 Points)
  • 1x Assault Intercessor Sergeant
     ◦ 1x Astartes chainsword
     ◦ 1x Plasma pistol
  • 4x Assault Intercessor
     ◦ 4x Astartes chainsword
     ◦ 4x Heavy bolt pistol

Assault Intercessor Squad (75 Points)
  • 1x Assault Intercessor Sergeant
     ◦ 1x Astartes chainsword
     ◦ 1x Heavy bolt pistol
  • 4x Assault Intercessor
     ◦ 4x Astartes chainsword
     ◦ 4x Heavy bolt pistol

Heavy Intercessor Squad (110 Points)
  • 1x Heavy Intercessor Sergeant
     ◦ 1x Bolt pistol
     ◦ 1x Close combat weapon
     ◦ 1x Heavy bolt rifle
  • 4x Heavy Intercessor
     ◦ 4x Bolt pistol
     ◦ 4x Close combat weapon
     ◦ 3x Heavy bolt rifle
     ◦ 1x Heavy bolter

Intercessor Squad (80 Points)
  • 1x Intercessor Sergeant
     ◦ 1x Bolt pistol
     ◦ 1x Bolt rifle
     ◦ 1x Power weapon
  • 4x Intercessor
     ◦ 4x Bolt pistol
     ◦ 4x Bolt rifle
     ◦ 4x Close combat weapon

Intercessor Squad (80 Points)
  • 1x Intercessor Sergeant
     ◦ 1x Astartes chainsword
     ◦ 1x Bolt pistol
     ◦ 1x Bolt rifle
  • 4x Intercessor
     ◦ 1x Astartes grenade launcher
     ◦ 4x Bolt pistol
     ◦ 4x Bolt rifle
     ◦ 4x Close combat weapon

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Impulsor (80 Points)
  • 1x Armoured hull
  • 1x Bellicatus missile array
  • 2x Storm bolter

OTHER DATASHEETS

Ballistus Dreadnought (140 Points)
  • 1x Armoured feet
  • 1x Ballistus lascannon
  • 1x Ballistus missile launcher
  • 1x Twin storm bolter

Deathwing Terminator Squad (180 Points)
  • 1x Deathwing Sergeant
     ◦ 1x Power weapon
     ◦ 1x Storm bolter
  • 4x Deathwing Terminator
     ◦ 1x Chainfist
     ◦ 1x Plasma cannon
     ◦ 3x Power fist
     ◦ 3x Storm bolter

Deathwing Terminator Squad (180 Points)
  • 1x Deathwing Sergeant
     ◦ 1x Power weapon
     ◦ 1x Storm bolter
  • 4x Deathwing Terminator
     ◦ 1x Cyclone missile launcher
     ◦ 4x Power fist
     ◦ 4x Storm bolter

Deathwing Terminator Squad (180 Points)
  • 1x Deathwing Sergeant
     ◦ 1x Power weapon
     ◦ 1x Storm bolter
  • 4x Deathwing Terminator
     ◦ 1x Assault cannon
     ◦ 4x Power fist
     ◦ 3x Storm bolter

Inceptor Squad (120 Points)
  • 1x Inceptor Sergeant
     ◦ 1x Assault bolters
     ◦ 1x Close combat weapon
  • 2x Inceptor
     ◦ 2x Assault bolters
     ◦ 2x Close combat weapon

Infernus Squad (90 Points)
  • 1x Infernus Sergeant
     ◦ 1x Bolt pistol
     ◦ 1x Close combat weapon
     ◦ 1x Pyreblaster
  • 4x Infernus Marine
     ◦ 4x Bolt pistol
     ◦ 4x Close combat weapon
     ◦ 4x Pyreblaster

Redemptor Dreadnought (210 Points)
  • 1x Heavy flamer
  • 1x Icarus rocket pod
  • 1x Macro plasma incinerator
  • 1x Redemptor fist
  • 1x Twin fragstorm grenade launcher

On Sunday I played in the monthly 40K tournament at Gamers-At-Hart with this list for the Astra Militarium

Tempestus army (1980 Points)

Astra Militarum
Bridgehead Strike
Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Commissar (30 Points)
  • 1x Plasma pistol
  • 1x Power weapon

Leman Russ Commander (235 Points)
  • 1x Armoured tracks
  • 1x Lascannon
  • 1x Leman Russ battle cannon

Militarum Tempestus Command Squad (85 Points)
  • 4x Tempestus Scion
     ◦ 4x Close combat weapon
     ◦ 3x Hot-shot lasgun
     ◦ 1x Plasma gun
  • 1x Tempestor Prime
     ◦ 1x Command Rod
     ◦ 1x Tempestus dagger

Militarum Tempestus Command Squad (85 Points)
  • 4x Tempestus Scion
     ◦ 4x Close combat weapon
     ◦ 2x Hot-shot lasgun
     ◦ 2x Hot-shot laspistol
     ◦ 1x Master Vox
     ◦ 1x Medi-pack
     ◦ 1x Plasma gun
     ◦ 1x Regimental Standard
  • 1x Tempestor Prime
     • Warlord
     ◦ 1x Bolt pistol
     ◦ 1x Tempestus dagger

BATTLELINE

Tempestus Scions (140 Points)
  • 1x Tempestor
     ◦ 1x Chainsword
     ◦ 1x Hot-shot laspistol
  • 9x Tempestus Scion
     ◦ 9x Close combat weapon
     ◦ 2x Grenade launcher
     ◦ 4x Hot-shot lasgun
     ◦ 1x Hot-shot laspistol
     ◦ 2x Plasma gun
     ◦ 1x Vox-caster

Tempestus Scions (140 Points)
  • 1x Tempestor
     ◦ 1x Chainsword
     ◦ 1x Hot-shot laspistol
  • 9x Tempestus Scion
     ◦ 9x Close combat weapon
     ◦ 4x Hot-shot lasgun
     ◦ 1x Hot-shot laspistol
     ◦ 2x Meltagun
     ◦ 2x Plasma gun
     ◦ 1x Vox-caster

Tempestus Scions (140 Points)
  • 1x Tempestor
     ◦ 1x Chainsword
     ◦ 1x Hot-shot laspistol
  • 9x Tempestus Scion
     ◦ 9x Close combat weapon
     ◦ 4x Hot-shot lasgun
     ◦ 1x Hot-shot laspistol
     ◦ 2x Meltagun
     ◦ 2x Plasma gun
     ◦ 1x Vox-caster

Tempestus Scions (70 Points)
  • 1x Tempestor
     ◦ 1x Plasma pistol
     ◦ 1x Power fist
  • 4x Tempestus Scion
     ◦ 4x Close combat weapon
     ◦ 1x Grenade launcher
     ◦ 2x Hot-shot lasgun
     ◦ 1x Hot-shot volley gun

Tempestus Scions (70 Points)
  • 1x Tempestor
     ◦ 1x Bolt pistol
     ◦ 1x Power fist
  • 4x Tempestus Scion
     ◦ 4x Close combat weapon
     ◦ 1x Grenade launcher
     ◦ 2x Hot-shot lasgun
     ◦ 1x Hot-shot volley gun

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Taurox Prime (90 Points)
  • 1x Armoured tracks
  • 1x Storm bolter
  • 1x Taurox battle cannon
  • 1x Twin Taurox hot-shot volley gun

Taurox Prime (90 Points)
  • 1x Armoured tracks
  • 1x Storm bolter
  • 1x Taurox gatling cannon
  • 1x Twin Taurox hot-shot volley gun

Taurox Prime (90 Points)
  • 1x Armoured tracks
  • 1x Storm bolter
  • 1x Taurox gatling cannon
  • 1x Twin Taurox hot-shot volley gun

Taurox Prime (90 Points)
  • 1x Armoured tracks
  • 1x Storm bolter
  • 1x Taurox missile launcher
  • 1x Twin autocannon

OTHER DATASHEETS

Leman Russ Vanquisher (145 Points)
  • 1x Armoured tracks
  • 1x Lascannon
  • 1x Vanquisher battle cannon

Leman Russ Vanquisher (145 Points)
  • 1x Armoured tracks
  • 1x Lascannon
  • 1x Vanquisher battle cannon

Leman Russ Vanquisher (145 Points)
  • 1x Armoured tracks
  • 1x Lascannon
  • 1x Vanquisher battle cannon

Valkyrie (190 Points)
  • 1x Armoured hull
  • 2x Heavy bolter
  • 1x Lascannon
  • 2x Multiple rocket pod

Scions are a favourite army of mine, but I haven’t played them since 7th Edition when they had their own codex.

Struggled to figure out how I would run them in 10th, but my addition of some Leman Russ tanks plus a few more Scions has given me a lot more options to try.

My first game was against Eds Aeldari, and his Aspect Warriors tore apart my army bit by bit and in turn 3 basically removed all but the squad inside the Valkyrie

Ed is a really good player, so I didn’t stand much of a chance against him to be honest, but he is a lively guy to play with so it’s not too bad

My second game was against my pal Leon and his T’au, which featured a lot of Kroot, and the first couple of turns were pretty good, I managed to focus fire on a Commander and a squad of Battlesuits and eliminated them.

The second turn saw me destroy a second Commander and Battlesuit Team, but turn 3 saw the tough Kroot Rampagers tore apart tanks, Taurox Primes and left my Scions to be slaughtered

My last game of the day was against Ian’s Emperors Children, who are very much WIP

His force was very effective and in turn 2 eliminated the vast majority of my army, and my dice really failed me, whilst his were really very good.

So once again I got the wooden spoon, but that’s fine cause I had a lot of fun and played with some cool people

What I Am Spending

A bulb in the kitchen blew, so we decided to grab some smart bulbs for it.

It’s not just a case of laziness but often I can’t carry things and turn on the lights, my disabilities can often be rather limiting.

I also finally got Unbroken after paying for an annual subscription to Warhammer+

Can’t wait to get this model painted up

And to add to my Combat Patrols, the Grey Knights Combat Patrol box from Gamers-At-Hart

I got the first tier of the Humble Heroines 2025 bundle and that got me:-

And Humble Choice netted me:-

And I also bought myself

Do I Eat My Hat Now?

By

On 28th March 2025

In Blog

So a few years ago when the Saudi takeover was first rumoured I said if it happened I would eat my hat!

Well it happened and Graham and Chris who both said they would hold me to it, let me off, and well I am wondering if I should now.

Under the dark ages of Mike Ashley’s reign, I always said that the only expectations I desired from Newcastle United, were that we have a decent cup run, and we challenge for a place in Europe.

That’s it, I never wanted anything more than that, because in these days of billionaires bankrolling teams, the UKs other clubs don’t get a look in.

And realistically I think that’s all any football fan should want, winning the league should never be guaranteed, I want a competitive league, something that we haven’t had for a long time.

Anyway, let’s be honest, the past three seasons, we have had that, last season was a little bit less, but we were hampered by injuries, which happens.

But yeah, in three years , we have consistently challenged for a place in Europe, and had decent cup runs, it’s not been doom and gloom and I am happy with that.

Winning the League Cup might seem like noting to some people, but for us, it was a first domestic honour in nearly 70 years, and for a club the size of Newcastle that’s a big deal. In my lifetime we have ever been the bridesmaid and never the bride.

I am not expecting this to begin constant cup wins, I don’t ever want to be a jaded fan like this of Man City and Liverpool, for whom another trophy is not a big deal.

But I hope that this win is the beginning of Newcastle returning to a point where it’s not a question of if we can win something again, but when we win something again.

So should I eat my hat?

What I Am Modelling

I started out with some more bits for my Iron Sultanate warband for Trench Crusade

I painted up the Yüzbaşı Captain to lead the warband

A Jabirean Alchemists was added as well

I also added a Sultanate Assassin

And finally a Lion of Jabir

I also painted up a trio of Aethon Heavy Sentinels for my Solar Auxilia completing the army for Heresy Camp

The Chaos Knights recently got a Combat Patrol and so I printed up a couple of War Dogs to make that, and painted them up to belong to House Herpetrax.

First up was a Stalker

And then a Brigand

Outside of Combat Patrol these will be used as Allies for my Chaos Space Marines

And finally I painted a Primaris Company Champion for my Dark Angels

I then completed the Imperial Knights Combat Patrol, having printed a couple of Armigers for this, starting with a Warglaive

And then my first Helverin

And this was followed by Jokkob Bugmasson XI, a model I have no idea how it will be used, but it’s cool

And finally a unit of 10 Ardboyz for the Orruks

So what’s coming up next?

  1. Blood Angels Landspeeders
  2. Sisters Retributors
  3. Swampboss Skumdrekk
  4. Ultramarines Brutalis Dreadnought
  5. Imperial Fists Command Squad
  6. The Ancestors’ Wrath Einhyr Champion & Kâhl Yôht Grendok
  7. Kellermorph & Neophyte Hybrids x 10
  8. Ogryn Charonite Squad x 3
  9. Dankhold Trogboss
  10. Phallax Warders x 10

What I Am Reading

Been a while since I updated this, but I have been slowly making my way through Straight Silver in The Saint by Dan Abnett

I also listened to Verminslayer by David Guymer, which was very cool, I liked the new companion for Gotrex, but I hope we get a short about his falling out with the last one.

And I listened to Hell’s Last by Justin Hill which was really good, but then I did Stan Minka Lesk!

What Tabletop Games I Am Playing

Played another game of Warhammer Age of Sigmar the other week, this time against Alex with the Idoenth Deepkin and we increased the points to 1000

I took this list

Big Waaagh! (990 points) - General's Handbook 2024-25

Ironjawz - Big Waaagh!
Auxiliaries: 2
Drops: 3

Regiment 1
Megaboss on Maw-krusha (360)
Ardboyz (180)
• 1x Champion
• 1x Standard Bearer
Brutes (200)
• 1x Champion
• 1x Gore-choppa

Auxiliary 
Hobgrot Slittaz (90)
• 1x Champion
• 1x Musician
• 1x Standard Bearer
Beast-skewer Killbow (160)

Created with New Recruit
Data Version: v1

I had wanted to take some Man-Skewer Boltboyz, but they were 10 points too much, so I took some Hobgrot Slittaz for some cheap bodies instead

Regardless, Alex absolutely hammered me, his Deepkin just wore me down over the game,.

This week I played George and his Blades of Khorne

I did ok, and scored some points, but again, the Orruks just don’t have the ability to hit that they really need, 4+ to hit is really harsh man!

What Video Games I Am Playing

I finished up with Assassin’s Creed Chronicles: China which was a lot of fun

What I Am Spending

I managed to grab the only copy of Combat Patrol Issue 26, I felt terrible as there was another fella behind me who wanted a copy, but I was there first and patiently waited for it

I hope he manages to get sorted out elsewhere

I also grabbed myself another box of Tempestus Scions, to build myself the rest of the Combat Patrol, these guys are going to be a Tempestor, three Command Squad guys with Hotshot Lasguns and a Tempestor Prime with a Bolt Pistol

I am also a big Minka Lesk Stan, so of course I had to grab Hells Last to get her command squad, ok as they are, they are only for use in Legends, but I am sure I can do something with them

This means I now have three Minka Lesk models, one as a Sgt, one as a Lieutenant and now a Captain too

I got a few bits and bobs in for other hobby stuff, starting with these NFT tags, they get used to link to Google Docs of whats in my army boxes to allow for easier figuring out of what I have

I also topped up on resin, with another 3KG of Sunlu ABS like grey, and plenty of super glue, I find these little 1g packs the best value for money.

I had bought a 12TB HDD, but alas it was dead on arrival, so it was sent back, really irritating cause we really needed it.

But with the changes to PLEX we kinda needed to get a PLEX Pass, so we used the refund to grab that before it more than doubles in price.

I did need a new external caddy, so I got a dependable Ugreen one, that I have used before without any issue, which was handy as I had a 1TB drive I could pop in to expand our TV library to 9TB.

It was time for Humble Choice, and that got me:-

Plus for EA

I grabbed the Indie Allies 2025 Bundle and got

I also picked up a mystery bundle and got

And separately I bought

As part of the long term move from console to PC, there are certain games I want to still have in my collection, and as the Assassin’s Creed series is my favourite, I intend to add the whole series to Steam over the next year or so.

It’s Ayyám-i-Há, But Not A Good One

By

On 6th March 2025

In Blog

This week has been well, crap, with family stuff happening that has prevented us from celebrating Ayyám-i-Há or Megans Birthday which really sucks.

Megan and Lindsay did get me an Elegoo Mercury Plus V3.0 to help with the 3D Printing, so gonna order 5L of IPA on Monday!

Plan is to keep my pickling jars for dirty washes and use the Mercury for the clean wash.

The first prints washed and cured are markedly better than with the old system, that’s not the say what I had was pants, but this, is so so much better!

I printed some Ogryns for my Solar Auxilia, and yeah, they are a lot smoother and easier to get clean with the new system.

Website Updates

This week the My Armies page was updated with army listings for the Necrons, Adeptus Mechanicus for 40K and Mechanicum for 30K and Knights for both.

What I Am Modelling

I started out by finishing up my Malcador Heavy Tank for the Solar Auxilia

Followed by a trio of Rockgut Troggoths for the Gloomspite Gitz

After that I moved on to the Tyranids from Combat Patrol, starting with the second lot of Termagants

Alongside a Ripper Swarm

And a Parasite of Mortrex

Then I turned my attention to some Trench Crusade and painted some Azebs for the Iron Sultanate

Alongside a Sapper

What Tabletop Games I Am Playing

On Friday I played Russel and his Alpha Legion with this list of Solar Auxilia and some allied Imperial Fists

Solar Auxilia

## HQ [375 Pts]
Armoured Fist - Leman Russ Command Tank [200 Pts]: Leman Russ Command Tank (Armoured Fist Pattern Cohorts (Check Limitations manually), Battle Cannon, Searchlights, Smoke Launchers, Warlord, Heavy Bolter)

Tactical Command Tercio [175 Pts]:
• 1x Tactical Command Section [175 Pts]: Frag Grenades, Krak Grenades, Meltabombs, Refractor Field, Aurox Transport (Smoke Launchers), Augury Scanner, Command Vox, Cohorts Vexilla
  • 1x Auxilia Captain [10 Pts]: Void Armour, Pistol and Combat weapon (Sub-menu) (Close Combat Weapon, Laspistol), Auxilia Marshall
  • 4x Auxilia Companion [12 Pts]: Void Armour, Lasrifle

## Elites [45 Pts]

Medicae Section [45 Pts]:
• 3x Auxilia Medicae [15 Pts]: Auto-medicus, Frag Grenades, Krak Grenades, Void Armour, Close Combat Weapon, Laspistol

## Troops [1103 Pts]

Armoured Fist - Leman Russ Strike Squadron [155 Pts]:
• 1x Leman Russ Strike Squadron [155 Pts]: Turret Mounted Vanquisher Battle Cannon and Co-axial Mounted Autocannon (Co-axial Mounted Autocannon, Vanquisher Battle Cannon)
  • 1x Leman Russ Battle Tank [135 Pts]: Searchlights, Smoke Launchers, Heavy Bolter

Armoured Fist - Leman Russ Strike Squadron [155 Pts]:
• 1x Leman Russ Strike Squadron [155 Pts]: Turret Mounted Vanquisher Battle Cannon and Co-axial Mounted Autocannon (Co-axial Mounted Autocannon, Vanquisher Battle Cannon)
  • 1x Leman Russ Battle Tank [135 Pts]: Searchlights, Smoke Launchers, Heavy Bolter

Armoured Fist - Leman Russ Strike Squadron [155 Pts]:
• 1x Leman Russ Strike Squadron [155 Pts]: Turret Mounted Vanquisher Battle Cannon and Co-axial Mounted Autocannon (Co-axial Mounted Autocannon, Vanquisher Battle Cannon)
  • 1x Leman Russ Battle Tank [135 Pts]: Searchlights, Smoke Launchers, Heavy Bolter

Infantry Tercio [319 Pts]:
• 1x Rifle Sections [319 Pts]: Frag Grenades, Krak Grenades, Void Armour, Dracosan Armoured Transport (Searchlights, Smoke Launchers, Gravis Lascannon), Augury Scanner, Auxilia Vexilla, Vox Interlock
  • 1x Auxilia Sergeant: Lasrifle
  • 19x Auxilia w/ Lasrifle and Bayonet [6 Pts]: Bayonet, Lasrifle

Infantry Tercio [319 Pts]:
• 1x Rifle Sections [319 Pts]: Frag Grenades, Krak Grenades, Void Armour, Dracosan Armoured Transport (Searchlights, Smoke Launchers, Gravis Lascannon), Augury Scanner, Auxilia Vexilla, Vox Interlock
  • 1x Auxilia Sergeant: Lasrifle
  • 19x Auxilia w/ Lasrifle and Bayonet [6 Pts]: Bayonet, Lasrifle

## Fast Attack [200 Pts]

Carnodon Strike Squadron [200 Pts]: Two Sponson Mounted Volkite Caliver (Two Sponson Mounted Volkite Caliver), Turret Mounted Volkite Culverin (Volkite Culverin)
• 3x Solar Auxilia Carnodon [65 Pts]: Smoke Launchers

## Heavy Support [700 Pts]

Malcador Heavy Tank Squadron [350 Pts]:
• 1x Malcador Heavy Tank [350 Pts]: Searchlights, Smoke Launchers, Vanquisher Battle Cannon, Demolisher Cannon, Hull (Left) & Hull (Right) Mounted Lascannon, Pintle Mounted Multi-Laser, Dozer Blade, Flare Shield

Malcador Heavy Tank Squadron [350 Pts]:
• 1x Malcador Heavy Tank [350 Pts]: Searchlights, Smoke Launchers, Vanquisher Battle Cannon, Demolisher Cannon, Hull (Left) & Hull (Right) Mounted Lascannon, Pintle Mounted Multi-Laser, Dozer Blade, Flare Shield

## Lords of War [300 Pts]

Macharius Heavy Tank Squadron [300 Pts]: Macharius Vanquisher Cannon
• 1x Macharius Heavy Tank [280 Pts]: Two Sponson Mounted heavy stubbers, Hull (Front) Mounted twin-linked heavy stubber, Smoke Launchers

Imperial Fists - ++ Allied Detachment +

## Rite of War
Rite of War: The Stone Gauntlet (IF)

## HQ [175 Pts]

Fafnir Rann [175 Pts]: Artificer Armour, Boarding Shield, Bolt Pistol, Frag Grenades, Iron Halo, Krak Grenades, Master of the Legion, 2x The Headsman and The Hunter

## Elites [45 Pts]

Apothecarion Detachment [45 Pts]: Legiones Astartes (X)
• 1x Apothecary [45 Pts]: Frag Grenades, Krak Grenades, Narthecium, Bolt Pistol, Chainsword (Chainsword), Power Armour

## Troops [540 Pts]

Phalanx Warder Squad [540 Pts]: Boarding Shield, Breacher Charge, Frag Grenades, Krak Grenades, Power Armour, Legion Vexilla, Meltabombs, Land Raider Proteus Carrier (2x Sponson Mounted Gravis Lascannon, Legiones Astartes (X), Smoke Launchers, Twin-linked Heavy Bolter)
• 1x Warder Sergeant: Bolt Pistol, Bolter, Power Axe
• 7x Phalanx Warder [20 Pts]: Bolt Pistol, Bolter, Power Axe
• 2x Phalanx Warder w/Special Weapon (1 in 5) [35 Pts]: Bolt Pistol, Power Axe, Thunder Hammer

We played a Blood Feud mission and I was utterly decimated, I only managed to take out the Kytan

It was my first time paying an all tank army and it’s a bit of a learning curve and I made a fair few tactical mistakes

Let’s be perfectly honest, the Malcadors and Macharius are such a worse choice compared to the Leman Russ Vanquisher, but I hate the idea of just taking the most efficient unit

The biggest mistake I made was moving forward, what I should have done was stay back and fire from distance, and concentrate on the Contemprors with Multi-Meltas.

I also played a game of Age of Sigmar with Keith at Hartlepool Friday Night games and yeah I was tabled by end of turn 2.

His Ogor Mawtribes were very very effective and just wiped out everything I had on the table with ease!

What Video Games I Am Playing

I completed Assassin’s Creed: Unity and Dead Kings.

There are things like some Co-Op Missions etc that I still have to do, so I will probably have a few more sessions on Twitch with it.

And started on Assassin’s Creed Chronicles: China

What I Am Buying

I bought the House Flipper and Friends Humble Bundle, which netted me

A Change Of Plans For Camp

By

On 20th February 2025

In Blog

In May I will be attending Heresy Camp, and I had intend to take the following list 

## HQ [435Pts]
Armoured Fist - Leman Russ Command Tank [270Pts]: Leman Russ Command Tank (Armoured Fist Pattern Cohorts (Check Limitations manually), Battle Cannon, Searchlights, Smoke Launchers, Warlord, Lascannon, Multi-Laser, Cognis-Signum, Dozer Blade, Flare Shield)

Tactical Command Tercio [165Pts]:
• 1x Tactical Command Section [165Pts]: Frag Grenades, Krak Grenades, Meltabombs, Refractor Field, Aurox Transport (Smoke Launchers), Augury Scanner, Command Vox, Cohorts Vexilla
  • 1x Auxilia Captain: Void Armour, Lasrifle, Auxilia Captain
  • 4x Auxilia Companion [12Pts]: Void Armour, Lasrifle

## Elites [45Pts]
Medicae Section [45Pts]:
• 3x Auxilia Medicae [15Pts]: Auto-medicus, Frag Grenades, Krak Grenades, Void Armour, Close Combat Weapon, Laspistol

## Troops [1118Pts]
Armoured Fist - Leman Russ Strike Squadron [160Pts]:
• 1x Leman Russ Strike Squadron [160Pts]: Turret Mounted Vanquisher Battle Cannon and Co-axial Mounted Autocannon (Co-axial Mounted Autocannon, Vanquisher Battle Cannon)
  • 1x Leman Russ Battle Tank [140Pts]: Searchlights, Smoke Launchers, Heavy Bolter, Dozer Blade

Armoured Fist - Leman Russ Strike Squadron [160Pts]:
• 1x Leman Russ Strike Squadron [160Pts]: Turret Mounted Vanquisher Battle Cannon and Co-axial Mounted Autocannon (Co-axial Mounted Autocannon, Vanquisher Battle Cannon)
  • 1x Leman Russ Battle Tank [140Pts]: Searchlights, Smoke Launchers, Heavy Bolter, Dozer Blade

Armoured Fist - Leman Russ Strike Squadron [160Pts]:
• 1x Leman Russ Strike Squadron [160Pts]: Turret Mounted Vanquisher Battle Cannon and Co-axial Mounted Autocannon (Co-axial Mounted Autocannon, Vanquisher Battle Cannon)
  • 1x Leman Russ Battle Tank [140Pts]: Searchlights, Smoke Launchers, Heavy Bolter, Dozer Blade

Infantry Tercio [319Pts]:
• 1x Rifle Sections [319Pts]: Frag Grenades, Krak Grenades, Void Armour, Dracosan Armoured Transport (Searchlights, Smoke Launchers, Gravis Lascannon, Dozer Blade), Auxilia Vexilla, Vox Interlock
  • 1x Auxilia Sergeant: Lasrifle
  • 19x Auxilia w/ Lasrifle and Bayonet [6Pts]: Bayonet, Lasrifle

Infantry Tercio [319Pts]:
• 1x Rifle Sections [319Pts]: Frag Grenades, Krak Grenades, Void Armour, Dracosan Armoured Transport (Searchlights, Smoke Launchers, Gravis Lascannon, Dozer Blade), Auxilia Vexilla, Vox Interlock
  • 1x Auxilia Sergeant: Lasrifle
  • 19x Auxilia w/ Lasrifle and Bayonet [6Pts]: Bayonet, Lasrifle

## Fast Attack [200Pts]
Carnodon Strike Squadron [200Pts]: Two Sponson Mounted Volkite Caliver (Two Sponson Mounted Volkite Caliver), Turret Mounted Volkite Culverin (Volkite Culverin)
• 3x Solar Auxilia Carnodon [65Pts]: Smoke Launchers

## Heavy Support [975Pts]
Aethon Heavy Sentinel Squadron [275Pts]:
• 3x Aethon Heavy Sentinel [90Pts]: Aethon Missile Battery, Melta lance

Malcador Heavy Tank Squadron [350Pts]:
• 1x Malcador Heavy Tank [350Pts]: Searchlights, Smoke Launchers, Vanquisher Battle Cannon, Demolisher Cannon, Hull (Left) & Hull (Right) Mounted Lascannon, Pintle Mounted Multi-Laser, Dozer Blade, Flare Shield

Malcador Heavy Tank Squadron [350Pts]:
• 1x Malcador Heavy Tank [350Pts]: Searchlights, Smoke Launchers, Vanquisher Battle Cannon, Demolisher Cannon, Hull (Left) & Hull (Right) Mounted Lascannon, Pintle Mounted Multi-Laser, Dozer Blade, Flare Shield

## Fortification [220Pts]
Artillery Battery [220Pts]: Earthshaker Artillery Platforms
• 2x Earthshaker Artillery Platforms [100Pts]: Earthshaker
  • 5x Auxilia Gunners: Laspistol, Void Armour

Anyway, turned out with the Artillery counting as infantry (I know right) and the rest of the list being Armoured Fist, I cannot take the Earthshaker Cannons 🙁

So I will now be taking this list, and thank goodness I printed and painted the Macharius last week!

LI - Solar Auxilia - Solar For Camp - [2998Pts]

# ++ Crusade Force Organisation Chart ++ [2698Pts]
## Expanded Army Lists
Expanded Army List Profiles: Exemplary Units On, Legacy Units On

## Allegiance
Allegiance: Loyalist
Solar Auxilia

## HQ [435Pts]
Armoured Fist - Leman Russ Command Tank [270Pts]: Leman Russ Command Tank (Armoured Fist Pattern Cohorts (Check Limitations manually), Battle Cannon, Searchlights, Smoke Launchers, Warlord, Lascannon, Multi-Laser, Cognis-Signum, Dozer Blade, Flare Shield)

Tactical Command Tercio [165Pts]:
• 1x Tactical Command Section [165Pts]: Frag Grenades, Krak Grenades, Meltabombs, Refractor Field, Aurox Transport (Smoke Launchers), Augury Scanner, Command Vox, Cohorts Vexilla
  • 1x Auxilia Captain: Void Armour, Lasrifle, Auxilia Captain
  • 4x Auxilia Companion [12Pts]: Void Armour, Lasrifle

## Elites [45Pts]
Medicae Section [45Pts]:
• 3x Auxilia Medicae [15Pts]: Auto-medicus, Frag Grenades, Krak Grenades, Void Armour, Close Combat Weapon, Laspistol

## Troops [1118Pts]
Armoured Fist - Leman Russ Strike Squadron [160Pts]:
• 1x Leman Russ Strike Squadron [160Pts]: Turret Mounted Vanquisher Battle Cannon and Co-axial Mounted Autocannon (Co-axial Mounted Autocannon, Vanquisher Battle Cannon)
  • 1x Leman Russ Battle Tank [140Pts]: Searchlights, Smoke Launchers, Heavy Bolter, Dozer Blade

Armoured Fist - Leman Russ Strike Squadron [160Pts]:
• 1x Leman Russ Strike Squadron [160Pts]: Turret Mounted Vanquisher Battle Cannon and Co-axial Mounted Autocannon (Co-axial Mounted Autocannon, Vanquisher Battle Cannon)
  • 1x Leman Russ Battle Tank [140Pts]: Searchlights, Smoke Launchers, Heavy Bolter, Dozer Blade

Armoured Fist - Leman Russ Strike Squadron [160Pts]:
• 1x Leman Russ Strike Squadron [160Pts]: Turret Mounted Vanquisher Battle Cannon and Co-axial Mounted Autocannon (Co-axial Mounted Autocannon, Vanquisher Battle Cannon)
  • 1x Leman Russ Battle Tank [140Pts]: Searchlights, Smoke Launchers, Heavy Bolter, Dozer Blade

Infantry Tercio [319Pts]:
• 1x Rifle Sections [319Pts]: Frag Grenades, Krak Grenades, Void Armour, Dracosan Armoured Transport (Searchlights, Smoke Launchers, Gravis Lascannon, Dozer Blade), Auxilia Vexilla, Vox Interlock
  • 1x Auxilia Sergeant: Lasrifle
  • 19x Auxilia w/ Lasrifle and Bayonet [6Pts]: Bayonet, Lasrifle

Infantry Tercio [319Pts]:
• 1x Rifle Sections [319Pts]: Frag Grenades, Krak Grenades, Void Armour, Dracosan Armoured Transport (Searchlights, Smoke Launchers, Gravis Lascannon, Dozer Blade), Auxilia Vexilla, Vox Interlock
  • 1x Auxilia Sergeant: Lasrifle
  • 19x Auxilia w/ Lasrifle and Bayonet [6Pts]: Bayonet, Lasrifle

## Fast Attack [200Pts]
Carnodon Strike Squadron [200Pts]: Two Sponson Mounted Volkite Caliver (Two Sponson Mounted Volkite Caliver), Turret Mounted Volkite Culverin (Volkite Culverin)
• 3x Solar Auxilia Carnodon [65Pts]: Smoke Launchers

## Heavy Support [900Pts]
Aethon Heavy Sentinel Squadron [200Pts]:
• 3x Aethon Heavy Sentinel [65Pts]: Aethon Missile Battery, Multi-Laser

Malcador Heavy Tank Squadron [350Pts]:
• 1x Malcador Heavy Tank [350Pts]: Searchlights, Smoke Launchers, Vanquisher Battle Cannon, Demolisher Cannon, Hull (Left) & Hull (Right) Mounted Lascannon, Pintle Mounted Multi-Laser, Dozer Blade, Flare Shield

Malcador Heavy Tank Squadron [350Pts]:
• 1x Malcador Heavy Tank [350Pts]: Searchlights, Smoke Launchers, Vanquisher Battle Cannon, Demolisher Cannon, Hull (Left) & Hull (Right) Mounted Lascannon, Pintle Mounted Multi-Laser, Dozer Blade, Flare Shield

## Lords of War [300Pts]
Macharius Heavy Tank Squadron [300Pts]: Macharius Vanquisher Cannon
• 1x Macharius Heavy Tank [280Pts]: Two Sponson Mounted heavy stubbers, Hull (Front) Mounted twin-linked heavy stubber, Smoke Launchers

So yeah the Artillery is dropped, along with the Melta Lances on the Aethon Heavy Sentinels, which get Multi-Lasers instead, and in goes a Macharius Vanquisher

So left to paint for the event are

  • Aethon Heavy Sentinel x 3
  • Malcador Heavy Tank

I started work on the Malcador today and will start on the Aethons next week.

Once those are painted, the list is ready to rock and roll, and be beaten in every game!

What I Am Modelling

I started out a Dracosan for the Solar Auxilia

Then Lieutenant Titus from Space Marine 2

Followed by some Infernus Marines for the Ultramarines Combat Patrol, which finishes that off.

And finally I finished off a Combat Patrol for the Dark Angels with these Infernus Marines

What I Am Reading

I finished listening to Fabius Bile: Clonelord by Josh Reynolds and then I listened to The Game by Darin Henry

What Tabletop Games I Am Playing

We played the Ticket to Ride deck from Unlock! Game Adventures

It was fun, but man does the app suck and make the game itself more difficult than it needs to be!

What Video Games I Am Playing

Still cracking on with Assassin’s Creed: Unity

What I Am Creating

I posted a short on painting muzzle burn for flamers

@biggeordiegeek

This is how I paint muzzle burn on my flamers, using an Infernus Marine from Combat Patrol ———————————————————–

♬ original sound – biggeordiegeek

What Am I Spending

I bought myself Issue 23 of Combat Patrol with the Guardian Defenders in it

And of course that meant I had to buy the next issue, 24 for the second part of the kit, which is now built and waiting to be primed!

And for Steam, I bought Verdun, cause it looks kinda cool!

My Biggest Prints So Far

By

On 12th February 2025

In Blog

Since I got the 3D printer in August, most of my prints have been infantry, with a few Rhino sized tanks

But this project is the biggest print so far, and required 3 full to the brim plates done!

It’s a proxy for the Macharius Heavy Tank called the Lupercal, and it’s a beautiful model.

The first plate which had on the turret, sponsons and part of the tracks, took just shy of 9 hours to print

The second which had on the sides and engine block was a chew on to print. The first attempt failed at 77% done, which was fine for the engine block, but the sides were partly completed. The printer appeared to have crashed, which was annoying.

The second attempt was just the sides, plus the Heavy Stubber Sponsons which I had forgotten was the only configuration the Solar Auxilia version could take, and that didn’t print at all.

The third attempt was successful and took just under 9 1/2 hours .

And finally the third plate, containing the front hull, rest of the tracks and the Vulcan Mega Bolter parts took 5 1/2 hours.

Once it was all printed cleaned and cured, it was then time to put it together, as you can tell I decided to print the parts for all three weapons that can be swapped in and out,

Those being the standard Battlecannons, Vanquisher Cannons and a Rotary Bolt Cannon (used to be a Vulcan Mega Bolter and that was much cooler)

With it all assembled, I then primed it in Poundlands grey primer spray paint, which is an excellent can for just £2.50!

And this where the problem was, it just look too much like a Soace Marine tank, so as much as I loved it, it’s going to be joining the Imperial Fists

So back to the drawing board and look what I found on the Purple Site, a version that has more rivets and it far more Solar Auxilia looking!

So then this was primed in that very same Poundland Grey

And then painted up in my urban camo scheme I am using for the Solar/Guard to allow vehicles to be used across armies.

This has a base of Mechanicus Standard Grey (AP Deep Grey), then the camo pattern using Thunderhawk Blue and Abbadon Black, with a recess wash of Agrax Earthshade then a Dawnstone dry brush

When it was finished I coated the tracks in Stirland Mud and added some static grass for texture after which I drybrushed it with Gothor Brown and then Screaming Skull.

I am pretty happy with how this turned out and it’s adding a decent big tank to the Solar Auxilia even though it’s pretty pointless for its cost, and a Leman Russ Vanquisher is far more points efficient.

So what have I learned from this project, well if I want to tackle anything bigger, I will need a wash and cure station, a Stormhammer is something I want to do, but would have issues with the processing of it due to size

And to be honest, it’s given me a lot more confidence to run longer prints, which is something I have tried to avoid in the past cause I didn’t like being unable to monitor them.

But here is the thing when it comes to my 3D printing and Warhammer, I don’t want to be the guy who 3D prints everything. For the Solar Auxilia, so much stuff is still in very expensive resin, or just not in production, even in resin, that I found myself needing to 3D print a good ton of models.

I want to support my FLGSs, but at the same time, I enjoy the hobby of 3D printing, especially tanks, for my Krieg I want to print some Chimeras and Hellhounds for example.

I guess I am just trying to find that middle ground, where I am trying to 3D print some stuff but also making sure to buy actual plastic models for others.

It’s an interesting balancing act.

Website Update

I have added a new page to this website, its a list of the armies I own and a link to a Google Doc for each of them, listing what I have painted and ready to play with.

Its only partial, I am expanding it slowly as I catalogue what I have and get NFC tags attached to the boxes, which allows me to pull up the lists easily if I want to know what in the boxes.

What I Am Modelling

I started out with the Terminators for the Ultramarines Combat Patrol

Followed by the same squad, but this time for the Dark Angels

After that I had some Allarus Custodians to complete the new Custodes Combat Patrol

And I am starting a rebuild of my Aeldari army, starting with the Farseer from the Combat Patrol

And I also painted two Chaplains on a Bike, one for the Ultramarines

And another for the Dark Angels

Then I turned to the Tyranids and painted up some Barbgaunts

Followed by some Termagants

And a Ripper Swarm

This was followed by a pair of Ammo Monks for Trench Crusade

Finally I painted Skragrot the Loonking

With a Rabble Rowza

So what’s up next?

  1. Blood Angels Landspeeders
  2. Ardboyz x 10
  3. Rockgut Troggoths x 3
  4. Atheon Heavy Sentinels x 3
  5. Rettributes x 5
  6. Malcador Heavy Tank & Dracosan
  7. Swampboss Skumdrekk
  8. Ultramarines Brutalis Dreadnought
  9. Imperial Fists Command Squad
  10. The Ancestors’ Wrath Einhyr Champion & Kâhl Yôht Grendok

What Tabletop Games I Am Playing

It was the monthly Hartlepool 40K tournament on Sunday and I went along with Necrons.

I had originally planned to take Guard, but with the new codex seemingly deleting the Imperial Armour units, I was left well short of having a list.

So this is what I took

Tournament Necrons (1995 Points)

Necrons
Starshatter Arsenal
Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Catacomb Command Barge (135 Points)
 • Warlord
 • 1x Gauss cannon
 • 1x Staff of light
 • Enhancements: Miniaturised Nebuloscope

Hexmark Destroyer (75 Points)
 • 1x Close combat weapon
 • 1x Enmitic disintegrator pistols

Overlord (85 Points)
 • 1x Overlord’s blade
 • 1x Tachyon arrow

Royal Warden (50 Points)
 • 1x Close combat weapon
 • 1x Relic gauss blaster

Skorpekh Lord (80 Points)
 • 1x Enmitic annihilator
 • 1x Flensing claw
 • 1x Hyperphase harvester

BATTLELINE

Immortals (70 Points)
 • 5x Immortal
 ◦ 5x Close combat weapon
 ◦ 5x Gauss blaster

Immortals (70 Points)
 • 5x Immortal
 ◦ 5x Close combat weapon
 ◦ 5x Gauss blaster

Necron Warriors (90 Points)
 • 10x Necron Warrior
 ◦ 10x Close combat weapon
 ◦ 10x Gauss reaper

Necron Warriors (90 Points)
 • 10x Necron Warrior
 ◦ 10x Close combat weapon
 ◦ 10x Gauss flayer

Necron Warriors (90 Points)
 • 10x Necron Warrior
 ◦ 10x Close combat weapon
 ◦ 10x Gauss flayer

OTHER DATASHEETS

Annihilation Barge (105 Points)
 • 1x Armoured bulk
 • 1x Gauss cannon
 • 1x Twin tesla destructor

Annihilation Barge (105 Points)
 • 1x Armoured bulk
 • 1x Tesla cannon
 • 1x Twin tesla destructor

Canoptek Doomstalker (145 Points)
 • 1x Doomsday blaster
 • 1x Doomstalker limbs
 • 1x Twin gauss flayer

Lokhust Heavy Destroyers (55 Points)
 • 1x Close combat weapon
 • 1x Gauss destructor

Lokhust Heavy Destroyers (55 Points)
 • 1x Close combat weapon
 • 1x Enmitic exterminator

Night Scythe (145 Points)
 • 1x Armoured bulk
 • 1x Twin tesla destructor

Skorpekh Destroyers (180 Points)
 • 6x Skorpekh Destroyer
 ◦ 6x Skorpekh hyperphase weapons

Tomb Blades (75 Points)
 • 3x Tomb Blade
 ◦ 3x Close combat weapon
 ◦ 3x Twin gauss blaster

Tomb Blades (75 Points)
 • 3x Tomb Blade
 ◦ 3x Close combat weapon
 ◦ 3x Twin tesla carbine

Triarch Stalker (110 Points)
 • 1x Heavy gauss cannon array
 • 1x Stalker’s forelimbs

Triarch Stalker (110 Points)
 • 1x Heat ray
 • 1x Stalker’s forelimbs

So my first game was against Leon and his T’au Empire army, which was battlesuit heavy

He had a very good opening round of shooting taking out my Canoptek Doomstalker, and Annihilation Barge and Lokhust Heavy Destroyer.

By the end of turn 3 I was pretty much gone with just a few troops left, but they survived until the end of turn 5 which was good

For my second game I faced Christophers Space Wolves with an allied Armiger Warglaive

It was a much closer match, but I struggled to score in the primary mission because the Necrons are quite slow, I think I really need some transports for them

And finally I went up against the Chaos Space Marines of Ian, and for the first couple of turns it was reasonably equal, and I thought I might stand a chance at a close loss

But losing a couple of my heavy hitters really turned the tide, as the much faster Chaos Space Marines utterly trounced me

So what have I learnt, well the biggest is that my Necrons need transport, so I think I need to invest in some Ghost Arks at some point soon, because I am finding they struggle to get Warriors on to objectives

But regardless of the outcome, I had fun and well, the wooden spoon is what I live for!

On Tuesday I played a game of Age of Sigmar for the start of a local escalation league, with the first games at 750pts

I am using this list

750 740/1000 pts
-----
Orruk Warclans | Ironjawz | Ironfist
Drops: 1
-----
General’s Regiment
Megaboss on Maw-Krusha (360)
• General
Ardboyz (180)
Brutes (200)

My first game was against Michaels Nighthaunt and oh it went badly, the buffs and rebuffs from his characters just really stopped my Ironjawz from getting enough attacks to hit home and as a result they crumpled pretty easily

Ah it is what it is, but it was none the less a fun game!

What Video Games I Am Playing

Still plodding away at Assassin’s Creed: Unity, starting off by concentrating on collectables and clearing stuff area by area

What I Am Spending

I got some Tempestus Scions to add some of the models I need to get myself to have the new Scions based Kill Team, I need some Tempestors and Scions with Grenade Launchers

I still need another box to make the command squad guys with and another Tempestor, but will get that next month

I managed to finally pick up a Pariah Nexus deck, the stars never have seemed to quite align on this!

Gamers@Hart had a deck in on Sunday, during the tournament in which we were supposed to be using it, so I picked it up!

I needed a can of Wight Bone for priming Tyranids, I wanted to get it from Gamers@Hart but alas they didn’t have it in stock, so had to go to Amazon!

And a top up in paints from Element Games, alongside the Thousand Sons Combat Patrol

Video game wise, I picked up Red Dead Redemption 2 on sale at its lowest ever price on Steam, and Rogue Trader too, based mostly on the recommendation of Graham

I also added Fates Divided to Total War: Three Kingdoms

I indulged in a mystery bundle from Fanatical and got myself these

And with it being Humble Choice week, I got that and gained me the following

My Video Game Challenge 2025

By

On 1st February 2025

In Blog

The past couple of years I have been participating in the VideoGameGeek.com challenge to beat a list of 10 video games.

I did ok last year and managed to get through 9 of them and a back up.

This year I have picked a reasonable mix of games that I am going to try and beat, and this is them

  1. Horizon Forbidden West – PS5
  2. Cyberpunk 2077 – Steam
  3. Assassin’s Creed Syndicate – Xbox
  4. Assassin’s Creed Chronicles: China – Xbox
  5. Resident Evil HD – Steam
  6. Lego Batman – Steam – Completed
  7. Final Fantasy III – Pixel Remaster – Steam
  8. Borderlands – Steam
  9. Shadow of the Tomb Raider – Steam
  10. HλLF-LIFE – Steam

And the three on my backup list are

  1. Marvel’s Avengers – PS5
  2. Yakuza Kiwami – Steam
  3. High on Life – Steam

I am currently working on Resident Evil HD, and once I am done with Assassin’s Creed: Unity I will be moving to Horizon Forbidden West on stream.

I am already regretting Resident Evil HD, but I do plan on pushing through that next week a considerable chunk.

As for the rest, lets see!

What I Am Modelling

I got my next Lasrifle Section painted up for the Solar Auxilia

Pretty simple, just 20 guys all armed with Lasrifles, along with a Vox Interlock and Vexellia

Then I painted a trio of Medicae that I printed for them as well

These will accompany each of the Lasrifle Sections in my list plus the Command Squad

To carry them, I painted a Dracosan transport

I also painted up a couple of artillery carriage batteries for the Solar Auxilia that I printed, with both Earthshaker and Medusa Cannons available to it with a simple swap

I still need to sort out some crew for them however.

But I did get crew sorted for the Cyclops Demolition Vehicles, these are from the Grimguard Bomb Squads

And an Impulsor for the Dark Angels

So what’s coming up next?

  1. Blood Angels Land Speeder
  2. Ardboyz x 10
  3. Skragrot the Loonking and Rabble-Rowza
  4. Allurus Custodians x 3
  5. Rockgut Troggoth x 3
  6. Atheon Heavy Sentienls x 3
  7. Sisters Retributors x 5
  8. Ultramarines Terminators x 5
  9. Malcador Heavy Tank
  10. Swampboss Skumdrekk

What Tabletop Games I Am Playing

Myself, Lindsay and Megan played a game of Ticket to Ride: Berlin on last Thursday and I won my second game in a row with 49 points.

It was tight as Megan was only 2 points behind me, but I got lucky and had tickets worth 8 and 5 points, which required a long route to complete.

And last night we played DnD with Megan GMing for a change

What Video Games I Am Playing

Played a bit more Assassin’s Creed: Unity

Been playing Hell Let Loose with Graham and Chris on Monday nights which is a lot of fun

And continued with Resident Evil

What I Am Creating

The issue 5 Combat Patrol battle report was published

And the issue 6 one is already done too, which goes live on the 31st!

I published a shortform video, the first of many I hope Edge of Empire will publish, this one was mostly to learn techniques, and I must emphasise that I love Graham, he is amazing and whilst he plays powerful lists, he is far far from a WAAC player

hat I Am Spending

I saved up and put the money aside for the Death Korps of Krieg starter set to add to my existing Death Korps army

Looking forward to getting these painted up to give my army a few more options

I also picked up Combat Patrol Issue 20 with a Chaplain on a Bike

A Very Basic Driving Sim Rig, Very Basic

By

On 20th January 2025

In Blog

I have been wanting to get a wheel for playing racing games for quite a while, and identified the Logitech G920 as what would be ideal for me a while back, but alas at £200-£230 it’s still relatively expensive despite being a rather entry level device.

So I was keeping an eye out on eBay and Facebook Marketplace, I post a few auctions on eBay, and Facebook Marketplace has an issue with people listing things for a stupidly low price and having no intention of selling it for that, or being a straight up scammer saying they will ship it from a warehouse in the EU if I PayPal them the money as Friends and Family.

But I kept at it, and in mid November I managed to secure a deal on Facebook Marketplace, which involved a back alley knife fight (I jest), the G920 for £90, and the seller even threw in a Playseat Challenge PlayStation Edition which was supposed to cost £200 on its own!

So I was over the moon with that, we met the fella in the car park of the Burger King at Teeside Park at 10pm, and he pulled up in a dodgy looking Transit, I handed over the cash and he gave me the stuff, which we had to stuff into the back seat of our car, whilst fitting me in at the same time!

I got to use it quite a lot initially upstairs, and it was a heck of a learning curve, I am great on controller but this is gonna take a lot of learning!

To add to the experience, Lindsay and Megan got me the Logitech Driving Force Shifter for Christmas, to add the manual gear shift to make it a bit cooler and more realistic.

I haven’t had a lot of chance to play with it, but I got it setup with the Playseat after Christmas and did some driving round in Forza Horizon 5, which was so much fun!

And before publication I got it all set up in Euro Truck Simulator 2 as part of my plans to regularly stream some of that.

Started the training for the game, and will be getting ready to start streaming a week Wednesday

What I Am Modelling

I started by painting the first Malcador for my Solar Auxilia

And finally Karazai the Scarred for my Stormcast Eternals

After that I painted some Heavy Intercessors that I had 3D printed

Plus a Lieutenant for them as well, armed with a Plasma Pistol and Power Sword

Alongside a Librarian in Terminator Armour from Combat Patrol

And another Librarian in Terminator Armour, but this one was joining the Ultramarines

After that I finished my Paragon Warsuits for the Sister of Battle, with these Heavy Flamer armed ones

I am now currently working on a 20 man Lasrifle Section for my Solar Auxilia

So what’s up next?

  1. Blood Angels Landspeeders
  2. Lasrifle Section x 20 & Medicae x 3
  3. Dark Angels Impulsor
  4. Ardboyz x 10
  5. Skragrot the Loonking & Rabble-Rowza
  6. Allarus Custodians x 3
  7. Rockgut Troggoths x 3
  8. Atheon Heavy Sentinels x 3
  9. Retributors x 5
  10. Ultramarines Terminators x 5

What I Am Reading

I finished Fabius Bile: Primogenitor by Josh Reynolds, an interesting listen, and I will be tackling the next two in short order!

I then listened to some Doctor Who audios, starting with Caerdroia by Lloyd Rose, and The Next Life by Alan Barnes, which finished off the whole universe without time arc, which I am very glad of, because that wasn’t all that enjoyable.

And finally The Juggernauts by Scott Alan Woodward, which was a lot of fun, 6 and Mel are very good together!

I am also currently slowly making my way through Eidolon: The Auric Hammer by Marc Collins.

What Tabletop Games I Am Playing

On Tuesday night I played a game of Ticket to Ride Paris with Megan and Lindsay

And I won with 33 points, just 1 point ahead of Megan!

I was supposed to play a game with Paul of Warhammer 40K, I debting my Deatg Korps of Krieg with this list from the Astra Militarium index

Krieg (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Cadian Command Squad (65 Points)
  • 1x Cadian Commander
     • Warlord
     ◦ 1x Laspistol
     ◦ 1x Power weapon
  • 1x Cadian Veteran Guardsman
     ◦ 1x Laspistol
     ◦ 1x Plasma gun
  • 1x Cadian Veteran Guardsman with Master Vox
     ◦ 1x Close combat weapon
     ◦ 1x Lasgun
     ◦ 1x Master Vox
  • 1x Cadian Veteran Guardsman with Medi-pack
     ◦ 1x Close combat weapon
     ◦ 1x Lasgun
     ◦ 1x Medi-pack
  • 1x Cadian Veteran Guardsman with Regimental Standard
     ◦ 1x Close combat weapon
     ◦ 1x Lasgun
     ◦ 1x Regimental Standard

Commissar (30 Points)
  • 1x Bolt pistol
  • 1x Chainsword

Tank Commander (225 Points)
  • 1x Armoured tracks
  • 1x Lascannon
  • 1x Leman Russ battle cannon

Tech-Priest Enginseer (45 Points)
  • 1x Archeotech pistol
  • 1x Enginseer axe
  • 1x Servo-arm

BATTLELINE

Death Korps of Krieg (65 Points)
  • 1x Death Korps Watchmaster
     ◦ 1x Chainsword
     ◦ 1x Laspistol
  • 9x Death Korps Trooper
     ◦ 9x Close combat weapon
     ◦ 1x Grenade launcher
     ◦ 8x Lasgun
     ◦ 1x Vox-caster

Death Korps of Krieg (65 Points)
  • 1x Death Korps Watchmaster
     ◦ 1x Chainsword
     ◦ 1x Laspistol
  • 9x Death Korps Trooper
     ◦ 9x Close combat weapon
     ◦ 1x Grenade launcher
     ◦ 8x Lasgun
     ◦ 1x Vox-caster

Death Korps of Krieg (65 Points)
  • 1x Death Korps Watchmaster
     ◦ 1x Chainsword
     ◦ 1x Laspistol
  • 9x Death Korps Trooper
     ◦ 9x Close combat weapon
     ◦ 9x Lasgun
     ◦ 1x Vox-caster

OTHER DATASHEETS

Carnodon (160 Points)
  • 1x Armoured tracks
  • 2x Volkite caliver
  • 1x Volkite culverin

Carnodon (160 Points)
  • 1x Armoured tracks
  • 2x Volkite caliver
  • 1x Volkite culverin

Carnodon (160 Points)
  • 1x Armoured tracks
  • 2x Volkite caliver
  • 1x Volkite culverin

Cyclops Demolition Vehicle (25 Points)

Leman Russ Vanquisher (145 Points)
  • 1x Armoured tracks
  • 1x Heavy bolter
  • 1x Vanquisher battle cannon

Leman Russ Vanquisher (145 Points)
  • 1x Armoured tracks
  • 1x Heavy bolter
  • 1x Vanquisher battle cannon

Leman Russ Vanquisher (145 Points)
  • 1x Armoured tracks
  • 1x Heavy bolter
  • 1x Vanquisher battle cannon

Malcador (250 Points)
  • 1x Armoured tracks
  • 2x Lascannon
  • 1x Lascannon
  • 1x Malcador battle cannon

Medusa Carriage Battery (125 Points)
  • 1x Battery close combat weapons
  • 1x Medusa siege cannon

Medusa Carriage Battery (125 Points)
  • 1x Battery close combat weapons
  • 1x Medusa siege cannon

Not quite WYSIWYG because the Malcador has a Demolisher Cannon instead of a Lascannon, but otherwise it’s good.

Alas Lindsay was very ill so I had to cancel 🙁

But rescheduled for this coming Friday.

What Video Games I Am Playing

I completed LEGO Batman: The Videogame on the Steam Deck, which was ok, but I think I the lack of achievements didn’t serve my ADHD or need for constant validation any good!

Played some more Assassin’s Creed: Unity on stream.

And started on Resident Evil (2002)

I also spent a bit of time in the Final Fantasy and Final Fantasy II Pixel Remasters, just clearing up the last of the achievements, getting them to 100%

What I Am Spending

I ordered 3KG of Resin for the printer, although it’s been a bit too cold to print at the minute

And because of the cold, Lindsay leant me the money to buy the mini heater for the printer, which has been amazing and is allowing me to print again!

I am now printing off some Earthshaker Carriage Batteries for my Solar Auxilia.

We also upgraded our DakBoard to a touchscreen, which is a lot easier to use than the old one.

I had to reinstall the DakBoard operating system on the Raspberry Pis MicroSD card, which was annoying, but other than that, its worked like a charm!

Still need to cable manage it however!

In the last days of the Steam sale, I picked up

And it was also Humble Choice so I got the following

Finally Made It To Suffolk

By

On 25th December 2024

In Blog

On our fourth attempt, myself and Lindsay actually made it to Suffolk to visit my family.

We went at the beginning of the month, stopping at Nottingham so that Lindsay could do a days work in her office, she hasn’t gotten down there since the Pandemic.

So I was dumped in Warhammer World for the day, where I spent it working on the Solar Auxilia Army Focus article for the Edge of Empire website.

Luckily Lindsay’s office has free BEV charging points so she took advantage and charged the car to 100% getting us 250km of range, which is decent for the time of year.

We were about an hour later than planned due to a number of accidents that took us off the motorway, but made it with 14 miles left in the tank. Had some lasagna then off to bed.

After spending the morning with my mum and dad, we nipped out to charge the car, and have a bite to eat in McDonalds, before picking up three of the nibblings.

We then took them to Wendy’s in Colchester for lunch and played some mini golf in Hollywood Bowl.

After which we returned them home, and went to my parents where we enjoyed some fajitas!

And on Sunday we headed him, it was a super short trip, but we really needed to see my mum and I am really glad I did

What I Am Modelling

It’s been a tough few weeks due to the cold, and personal stuff, so not gotten a lot done

I started out with the Dwarf Fleet for Kings of War Armada

Then I painted up a squad of Phalax Warders for the Imperial Fists, this squad being fully 3D printed

I also painted up a table for Megan to decorate the Christmas cake with

And a character for my Word Bearers who can act as a Librarian, Diabolist or Esoterist

Next up I painted another Christmas Decoration, a Skyrim one!

Then my first Trench Crusade models, a pair of Communicants!

Then it was back to Christmas decorations with a The Luggage ornament for my sister-in-laws Christmas tree.

Then I expanded my UCM fleet for Dropfleet Commander with these Lysander Stealth Lighters

Followed by some Malcadors for my Legions Imperialis Solar Auxilia, the previous ones were to be frank, shit, so these were printed to replace those, its a much better set of STLs

And for the larger Solar Auxilia, some Cyclops Demolition Vehicles that I printed off, I really liked this STL, and think they will be super cool, if massively ineffective on the table!

After losing Smokey, I wanted to paint this STL I got from a Kickstarter last year in tribute to him, so I did, and we ended up with CyberSmokey, which is being put on the Christmas Tree.

I also painted a third Carnodon Tank for my Solar Auxilia to give me a full squadron for them!

After that I turned my attention to to a Snatchaboss on Sludgeraker Beast got it finished up.

So what’s next in my Painting list

  1. Blood Angels Land Speeders
  2. Karazai
  3. Paragon Warsuits with Heavy Flamers
  4. The Dread Pageant
  5. Calth High Guard Lasrifle Section x 10 & Command Section x 4
  6. Dark Angels Impulsor
  7. Ardboyz x 10
  8. Skragrot the Loonking & Rabble-Rowza
  9. Allarus Custodians x 3
  10. Rockguy Troggoth x 3

What Video Games I Am Playing

Been playing more Assassin’s Creed Unity

What I Am Creating

We published the latest episode of Edge of Empire, the last for the year.

What I Am Spending

At Warhammer World, I bought myself a Rabble-Rowza for the Gloomspite Gitz

To convert some mini planes to Legions Imperialis, I bought two packs of Flying Bases from Warhammer World

A big purchase was buying Grahams old telly, a 65” LG Nanocell TV and boy is it amazing, best TV I have ever owned and it makes all sorts of media just look so bloody good!

We also got an LED strip to run round the back of it to use as bias lights

I also bought Lieutenant Titus for my Ultramarines, which came with a £10 voucher, which I will be putting towards a Malcador for my Solar Auxilia

Speaking of the Solar Auxilia, I ordered a Leman Russ Strike Tank, which will be built as a Command Tank with a Battlecannon, I also got a pit of Fanatic Matt White, which I desperately needed, and to make it up tit he free postage, I got a MKIII Command Squad for the Imperial Fists

Also for the Solar Auxilia I got an Aethon Heavy Sentinel to make up a full squad of three of them, plus a drybrush

And I topped up my resin supply with another 4kg of Sunlu ABS like in Dark Grey

I got a few little bits in the Steam sale

Nerdy Musical Advent 2024 – 5th December – Write Like the Wind (George R. R. Martin) – Paul & Storm

By

On 5th December 2024

In Nerdy Music Advent

How long has it been since we got a Song of Ice and Fire book, and will George R. R. Martin complete the series in his lifetime, and will it wipe out the disappointment of the last season of Game of Thrones!

That is exactly what Paul & Storm are asking here

Page 2 of 50

Previous

Next

Powered by WordPress & Theme by Anders Norén