Tag: Dark Angels Page 1 of 2

Do I Eat My Hat Now?

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.


A Change Of Plans For Camp

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

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

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


Second Half Slump

Since the pandemic I have noticed that in the middle of the year, I seem to keep have a slump, just all my plans, motivation and drive drops off come the heat of the summer.

I dunno what it is, this year was no different, other than a nice bump for WorldCon, I have lost all my vroom, and I don’t know why.

In the day it feels like time just gets away from me and I don’t have the capacity to fit things in, perhaps it not having a proper schedule or just never quite recovering from Covid, I just don’t have a clue.

I know Lindsay’s moving anger workspace into the studio and then out again did really throw me and screw up my flow, but given that this has been happening for the past four years, I can’t blame that.

I know that there are things I wanna do with life, I am just bad at figuring them out and sorting out what I am doing with my time and life.

Maybe now that the house is settled into its shape for what I hope is a bit more long term I can kinda sort that out.

My plan is to sit down and hopefully convince Megan and Lindsay to help me sort out some sort of reasonable schedule to help get me back on track.

What I Am Modelling

Started out with a couple of Leman Russ Vanquishers for the Solar Auxilia, these are going to be getting a lot of use at Heresy Camp in May, but I do need a 3rd one

Then I painted a couple of Squig Herds and their Hearders

Followed by a few additions to the Deathwing, starting with a Company Master from Combat Patrol

And a squad of Deathwing Terminators, the majority here were 3D printed but the Cyclone Missile Launcher is from the old plastic kit

Alongside a couple of Dreadnoughts, a Redemptor of the Deathwing

And a Ballistus Dreadnought that I 3D printed, joining the 5th Company

Finally for the Dark Angels, a 3D printed Judicator

And I also painted a random Infection Marker I found on the floor

So yeah 3D printing is starting to really reap some rewards with me being able to print some fantastic models that I am really happy with.

But I am very wary because at the same time, I don’t want to be the guy that prints everything, I like the models that companies make.

But damn the process of pouring the resin in the vat, sending the file from your PC to the printer, and seeing these amazing models come out, it’s kind of addictive!


So what’s next?

  1. Blood Angels Land Speeders
  2. Domicile Shells x 2
  3. Space Wolves Intercessors x 10
  4. Karazai
  5. Ultramarines Terminator Captain & Aggressors x 3
  6. Dankhold Triggoth
  7. Imperial Fists Dispoiler Squad x 10
  8. Paragon Warsuits with Heavy Flamers x 3
  9. Von Ryan’s Leapers x 3 & Winged Prime
  10. Ultramarines Assault Squad x 10 & Sgts x 2

What I Am Reading

Still making my way through The Saint by Dan Abnett, and Hand of Abaddon by Nick Kyme.

What Video Games I Am Playing

I finally finished Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun on Exterminatus mode, and collected all the secrets, 100% all the original games achievements!

Alas, I do have Forges of Corruption to complete still, so will stream that next week.

Also started playing the Operations on Stream for Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2.

Also been playing Stampede Racing Royale, a game that Graham helped develop!

What I Am Spending

I have been saving for a platform upgrade for my PC and in the Prime sale, bought myself this nice little B650 board to allow me to go to an AM5 processor

Also bought a few games.


Birthday, Cassius and a Tournament

It was my birthday on Saturday, my 42nd, we had originally planned something grand because my 40th was a disaster, but sadly due to various personal things happening we had to make it much more well, not a lot at all.

We had a lovely breakfast of stottie filled with Lincolnshire sausages and mushrooms, and I opened my cards and a present from Megan and Lindsay, which was a Dieselpunk RPG called Age of Steel!

We headed up to my home city of Newcastle, and I headed straight to Forbidden Planet in the hope of getting a copy of Combat Patrol Issue 5.

Thankfully Forbidden Planet had a copy, so grabbed that, so I can add an Infernus Sgt to my Blood Ravens!

After this we headed to Middlesbrough, where we had a Wendy’s for lunch, followed by a visit to the Renault dealership, where we checked out the Megane, which is currently the favourite to be out next car come March.

Then we headed home, where I had a little nap!

Cassius

At 5pm we went and picked up a cat, Cassius

We hadn’t planned on adopting a new cat, but we had a bunch of spare rescue food we had bought for Jenny, and when we dropped it off at the rescue, well, Cassius convinced us he should come home with us.

So after a short couple of weeks whilst he had his vaccines, we were able to pick him up, and bring him home. He is a one eyed boy, having lost it in a fight when he was on the streets.

He is a beautiful boy, and really has made himself right at home, sleeping in the bed with us on night one!

Hopefully this cat will actually like me, unlike the other three who barely tolerate me!

Tournament

I played in Leon’s first monthly 40K tournament on Sunday, and I took my Ultramarines for their first ever games with this list!

Space Marines
Ultramarines
Gladius Task Force
Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Bladeguard Ancient (45 Points)
• 1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Heavy bolt pistol

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

Lieutenant (65 Points)
• 1x Bolt Pistol
• 1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Master-crafted bolter

Lieutenant with Combi-weapon (70 Points)
• 1x Combi-weapon
• 1x Paired combat blades

Uriel Ventris (75 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Bolt Pistol
• 1x Invictus
• 1x Sword of Idaeus

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

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

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

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

Aggressor Squad (120 Points)
• 1x Aggressor Sergeant
◦ 1x Flamestorm gauntlets
◦ 1x Twin power fists
• 2x Aggressor
◦ 2x Flamestorm gauntlets
◦ 2x Twin power fists

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

Bladeguard Veteran Squad (90 Points)
• 1x Bladeguard Veteran Sergeant
◦ 1x Heavy bolt pistol
◦ 1x Master-crafted power weapon
• 2x Bladeguard Veteran
◦ 2x Heavy bolt pistol
◦ 2x Master-crafted power weapon

Eliminator Squad (85 Points)
• 1x Eliminator Sergeant
◦ 1x Bolt pistol
◦ 1x Bolt sniper rifle
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
• 2x Eliminator
◦ 2x Bolt pistol
◦ 2x Bolt sniper rifle
◦ 2x Close combat weapon

Firestrike Servo-turrets (75 Points)
• 1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Twin Firestrike autocannon

Firestrike Servo-turrets (75 Points)
• 1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Twin Firestrike las-talon

Inceptor Squad (130 Points)
• 1x Inceptor Sergeant
◦ 1x Assault bolters
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
• 2x Inceptor
◦ 2x Assault bolters
◦ 2x Close combat weapon

Infernus Squad (80 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

Infiltrator Squad (100 Points)
• 1x Infiltrator Sergeant
◦ 1x Bolt pistol
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Marksman bolt carbine
• 4x Infiltrator
◦ 4x Bolt pistol
◦ 4x Close combat weapon
◦ 4x Marksman bolt carbine

Invader ATV (70 Points)
• 1x Bolt pistol
• 1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Multi-melta
• 1x Twin bolt rifle

Redemptor Dreadnought (210 Points)
• 1x Heavy flamer
• 1x Heavy onslaught gatling cannon
• 1x Redemptor fist
• 1x Twin fragstorm grenade launcher

Repulsor (180 Points)
• 1x Armoured hull
• 1x Heavy onslaught gatling cannon
• 1x Hunter-slayer missile
• 1x Repulsor defensive array
• 1x Twin lascannon

My first game was against Luke and his Leagues of Votann, which is an army I really fancy collecting someday

The game went very badly for me, and by the end of turn 2 I had very little left on the table and had killed very little!

We made it to turn 4 but I was basically wiped out, and lost 66 to 23

For my second game I played with Matthew and his Adeptus Mechanicus, which was a very enjoyable game in which I wasn’t totally humiliated

I mean I still lost but in the game it didn’t feel too bad

And in the third and final game I played against Adam and his Tyranids, which was a much more even game, with me actually scoring stuff

Still lost but it was fun

I won myself the wooden spoon, sadly no actual physical one, but it was a great day

And it’s being run monthly, so paying for my ticket for next one when I get paid!

What I Am Modelling

I started the week with a Guardian Idol for my Age of Sigmar terrain box

And followed that up with a Warchanter

And Ironskullz Boyz from Warhammer Underworlds

After that I painted a pair of Invader ATVs for the Dark Angels, the first additions to the Ravenwing, starting with one armed with a Multi-Melta

Followed by one armed with an Onslaught Gatling Cannon

Then I turned back to the Ironjawz with a unit of Arrboyz for the Ironsunz

And a Treelord Ancient for the Sylvaneth

I also painted a pair of Sgts for my Heresy Ultramarines that I need for Heresy Camp

Plus the Combat Patrol issue 5 Infernus Marine Sgt for the Blood Ravens


So what’s up next?

  1. Blood Angels Land Speeders
  2. Domicile Shell x 2
  3. Leman Russ Vanquishers x 2
  4. Squig Herd x 20 & Squig Herders x 4
  5. Dark Angels Redemptor Dreadnought, Deathwing Terminators x 5 & Company Master in Terminator Armour
  6. Space Wolves Intercessors x 10
  7. Karazai
  8. Ultramarines Terminator Captain & Aggressors x 3
  9. Dankhold Troggoth
  10. Imperial Fists Despoiler Squad x 10

What I Am Reading

I finished listening to Reaper Man by Sir Terry Pratchett which is a great story, and the new recording is fantastic.

I also listened to Faith Stealer by Graham Duff to get back on track with my Doctor Who Monthly Range relisten.

I am currently listening to the latest Dawn of Fire novel, Hand of Abaddon by Nick Kyme.

And I am still working on The Saint by Dan Abnett, I finished Honour Guard and am now on to The Guns of Tanith.

What Video Games I Am Playing

Finished playing through Space Marine 2 on stream and that is being a lot of fun!

Myself Graham and Chris have started our Co-Op playthrough, which will be uploaded to the Edge of Empire YouTube channel.

What I Am Creating

I published the latest episode of Edge of Empire

And the latest Combat Patrol Battle Report

What I Am Backing

Got the Reliquary Red spray paint can from The Colour Forge Signature Series Kickstarter, which is gonna be perfect for my Blood Ravens

What I Am Spending

It’s Humble Choice week, so with that I got


Getting Back Into The Swing

After a few weeks in which I really haven’t been doing terribly well, a mixture of illness, the black dog and fatigue, I am really trying to get back into the swing of life, and actually do some stuff.

So lets try to get stuff done and not simply be depressed and sleep my life away!

Heresy Camp

Some cool lads led by Scottish Graham are running a Heresy Camp next May, and this is the list I am think of taking, bringing the Ultramarines out of Storage, and using some Legiones Auxilia.

XIII: Ultramarines

+ Rite of War: +

Rite of War: The Logos Lectora (UM)

+ HQ: +

Centurion
. Master of Signals: Artificer Armour
. . Bolt Pistol
. . Chainsword: Chainsword
. Master of Signals

Praetor: Warlord
. Legion Praetor: Argyrum-pattern Boarding Shield, Artificer Armour, Master-craft one weapon, Thunder Hammer, Volkite Serpenta

+ Elites: +

Apothecarion Detachment
. Apothecary: Bolt Pistol, Power Armour
. . Chainsword: Chainsword
. Apothecary: Bolt Pistol, Power Armour
. . Chainsword: Chainsword

+ Troops: +

Assault Squad
. Legion Assault Sergeant: Bolt Pistol, Heavy Chainsword, Power Armour
. 7x Legionary: 7x Bolt Pistol, 7x Chainsword
. Legionary w/ Options: Bolt Pistol, Power Axe
. Legionary w/ Options: Bolt Pistol, Power Axe

Tactical Squad
. Legion Tactical Sergeant: Bolt Pistol, Bolter, Power Armour, Power Fist
. 17x Legionary: 17x Bolt Pistol, 17x Bolter, 17x Chainsword
. Legionary w/ Options:: Bolt Pistol, Bolter, Legion Vexilla
. . Chainsword: Chainsword
. Legionary w/ Options:: Augury Scanner, Bolt Pistol, Bolter
. . Chainsword: Chainsword

Tactical Squad
. Legion Tactical Sergeant: Bolt Pistol, Bolter, Power Armour, Power Fist
. 17x Legionary: 17x Bolt Pistol, 17x Bolter, 17x Chainsword
. Legionary w/ Options:: Bolt Pistol, Bolter, Legion Vexilla
. . Chainsword: Chainsword
. Legionary w/ Options:: Augury Scanner, Bolt Pistol, Bolter
. . Chainsword: Chainsword

+ Fast Attack: +

Storm Eagle Gunship: Twin-linked Heavy Bolter
. Two Hull (Front) Mounted twin-linked lascannon

Storm Eagle Gunship: Twin-linked Heavy Bolter
. Two Hull (Front) Mounted twin-linked lascannon

+ Heavy Support: +

Fire Raptor Gunship: Four Hull (Front) Mounted Tempest Rockets, Two Sponson Mounted Gravis Heavy Bolter Batteries:

—————-

Allied Detachment

Legiones Auxilia (Ultramarines)

+ HQ: +

Tactical Command Tercio
. Tactical Command Section: Auxilia Vexilla, Command Vox
. . Aurox Transport
. . Auxilia Captain: Auxilia Captain, Heavy Void Armour
. . . Pistol and Combat weapon (Sub-menu): Close Combat Weapon, Laspistol
. . Auxilia Companion: Lasrifle
. . Auxilia Companion: Lasrifle
. . Auxilia Companion: Lasrifle
. . Auxilia Companion: Lasrifle

+ Troops: +

Infantry Tercio
. Line Command Section: Auxilia Vexilla, Command Vox
. . Auxilia Troop Master
. . . Pistol and Combat weapon (Sub-menu): Close Combat Weapon, Laspistol
. . 4x Auxilia Veteran w/ Lasrifle: 4x Lasrifle
. Rifle Sections: Augury Scanner, Auxilia Vexilla, Vox Interlock
. . Auxilia Sergeant: Lasrifle
. . 19x Auxilia w/ Lasrifle: 19x Lasrifle
. Rifle Sections: Augury Scanner, Auxilia Vexilla, Vox Interlock
. . Auxilia Sergeant: Lasrifle
. . 19x Auxilia w/ Lasrifle: 19x Lasrifle

+ Fast Attack: +

Carnodon Strike Squadron: Solar Auxilia Carnodon, Solar Auxilia Carnodon
. Turret Mounted Volkite Culverin
. Two Sponson Mounted Volkite Caliver

+ Heavy Support: +

Armoured Tercio
. Leman Russ Strike Squadron
. . Leman Russ Battle Tank: Heavy Bolter
. . Leman Russ Battle Tank: Heavy Bolter
. . Leman Russ Battle Tank: Heavy Bolter
. . Turret Mounted Vanquisher Battle Cannon and Co-axial Mounted Autocannon

I am going to be printing the Solar Auxilia dudes, as they are going to be specifically for only use with the Ultramarines.

I have printed the Assault Squad, alongside two new Sgts for the Tactical Squads, and I will be printing a second Carnodon.

I will need to buy a new Vanquisher however.

But I am planning on getting most of this ready by the end of January.

What I Am Modelling

I started out the week with a bunch of stuff to add to the Dark Angels, starting with a Company Master.

Then a Lieutenant armed with a Power Sword

And to finish this trip of officers, a Librarian of the Deathwing

Plus a unit of Aggressors

And here is a unit of Space Wolves Reavers for their Combat Patrol

I then painted up a unit of Neurogaunts for the Tyranids, which completes all the models from Leviathan

I needed a palette cleanser so I started work on my Aurox for the Solar Auxilia, painting with an Urban Camo scheme, that I am quite happy with

As well as a test model for the Ultramarines Auxilia allies, who will be the Calth High Guard 105th Regiment

After that I painted these Paragon Warsuits for my Argent Shroud, all armed with Multi-Meltas

And finally some Rockgut Troggoths to complete my Gloomspite Gitz Spearhead!


So what’s up next

  1. Blood Angels Land Speeders
  2. Domicile Shell x 2 & Guardian Idol
  3. Dark Angels Invader ATV x 2
  4. Ardboyz x 10, Itonskulz Boyz & Warchanter
  5. Treelord Ancient
  6. Leman Russ Vanquishers x 2
  7. Squig Herd x 20 & Herders x 4
  8. Dark Angels Redemptor Dreadnought and Deathwing Company Master
  9. Space Wolves Intercessors x 10
  10. Karazai

What I Am Reading

Currently listening to Reaper Man by Sir Terry Pratchett and I have to say the new recordings are exemplary, really something just so good about them.

Also enjoying The Saint by Dan Abnett, its a big book though and will take me some time I think.

What Tabletop Games I Am Playing

Had my first game of Spearhead against Paul, using the Orruk Warclans Kruleboyz Spearhead

As per usual I lost, but not terribly so

What Video Games I Am Playing

I finally finished God of War (2018), I will still be going back to clear up some collectables, and overall it was a decent game.

Not gonna lie, tempted to add it to Steam if I can get a good deal sometime.

I also started playing Space Marine 2 on Stream, got two campaigns going, one on my own as a single player!

And a second one I am starting with Chris and Graham!

I also started a playthrough of Marvel’s The Avengers on PlayStation 5

Originally I was gonna play it on the Steam Deck, but it only had a Silver rating on there from ProtonDB, and apparently the PS5 version has Spider-Man and the Steam version doesn’t, so yeah, no brainer

I picked up the disc for £5 when the live service side shit down a while back

What I Am Creating

The second Combat Patrol Magazine Battle Report got published, and it included the debut of my new intro video!

What I Am Spending

I got issue 3 of Combat Patrol to add a squad of Infernus Marines to the Dark Angels

I also treat myself for my birthday in a few weeks to the Hyperkin DuchesS, a controller release I have been looking forward to a lot!

I also got a few more Army Painter Fanatics paints, mostly replacing very well used Citadel ones

And I added to my Steam games library


Studio Refurbishment

Its been a while since my last post, but I have been very busy with the studio refurbishment!

My studio is a bit of a mess, it’s awful to work in due to it being such a state.

And after insulation gate and the fact we need to repaint, why not refurb the place and make it better.

Now we rent this place so I am limited in what I can do, so it’s limited to better furniture, better storage, better cable management etc

Painting

This has taken place over a few times, but we had two slanted walls on the roof to paint plus a patch on the ceiling and the feature wall

I started off by painting the ceiling at the same time as we did mine and Lindsay’s bedroom as that was super simple to do

I did the two sloped ceilings on my own in two stages so that it was fine and ready for the feature wall, which was gonna be the big one!

For the feature wall the first thing we had to do was remove my desk and some of my storage and basically take everything off the walls!

We had some bits that were filled in and then sanded down to give a smooth finish, more than I liked.

After that we painted it a slightly darker grey than had been on there because we couldn’t colour match what was there.

Networking

Right now in the studio, we have a Powerline brining in a connection from the modem downstairs, when we started this project, it exclusively provides a connection for the server

We also have a TP-Link Deco S7 Mesh access point which most other stuff connects to, which provides a faster connection than the Powerline.

But the server, for some reason doesn’t like working through the Mesh.

Regardless, the connection to the server desk started out on the floor, crossing over it and creating a major trip hazard.

To provide power, I had to route an extension cord around the room, and that’s what we did with the network cable.

I got a 20m Cat 8 cable, and just wrapped it up with the power cable using zip ties and then took it around the room, and into a new switch under the desk.

It still needs clipping to the door frame to the eave, but I am doing that tomorrow

But alas, Lindsay decided to move out of the studio and as a result the switch is now no longer required, but I guess better to have, than have not

We also added a Wi-Fi card to Megan’s PC, not so much for the Wi-Fi, but more for the Bluetooth capabilities, that way she can use a wireless controller.

Yeah I know a USB dongle would have been cheaper and easier, but I have always found their performance to be so so.

And this kind of gives them another option for connecting their PC to the network.

Power

It might sound silly, but phone charging has always been a bit haphazard, I normally just plug the phone into the PC, but look I want convenience.

So I grabbed a cheap MagSafe charger, I did have a Qi charger, but I have found Qi to be annoying as it’s just a chew in to perfectly align the coils and it’s slower, and quite inefficient.

MagSafe solves that issue, thankfully! And you know what’s cool, Qi2 is basically MagSafe and should start being common very soon!

I also upgraded the plug socket, well, not so much upgraded as just added an extra two sockets removing the need for as many extension cords.

I get no more power from it, but I feel more comfortable with the load spread across 4 sockets than 2.

Paint Storage

We were using a deep set of drawers to store paint, that I have been using for the better part of a decade.

But we decided to move to paint racks/shelves from TT Combat, because we wanted get more desk space back for Megan.

So we bought two paint shelves to store 72 Citadel paints each for a total of 216 pots, plus a 72 dropper bottle rack, as I expand into ranges such as Two Thin Coats, Army Painter and TT Combat.

And my wonderful friend Paul gave me this shelf he had and was no longer using to give me 3 in total!

3D Printing,

We replaced my cheap Monoprice Mini, with a Saturn 4 Ultra, which takes up quite a bit more room.

So this now lives where the old printer, cure chamber and PS5 used to go.

We also grabbed a few accessories to help with this, we grabbed a funnel for popping resin back into a bottle, plus a few things like scrappers and a restock of nitrile gloves!

Mounting Hardware

One thing we decided pretty early on, is a desire for dual monitor arms for both mine and Lindsay’s setup

We started off with Lindsay’s setup straight away, cause she needed it for work.

But of course she moved downstairs, so this moved with her, and I have this same one on my desk

I had purchased some time ago a bunch of Elgato Wallmounts and was only using one of them, but with the 3D Printer and paint racks, I now needed to use these for real.

So now these hold both my Keylight Airs, my Overhead camera for the painting table and my FaceCam for use when painting

Other

We also got an Ultrasonic Cleaner to put in the studio to do a mix of things, partly for cleaning my airbrush, Megan & Lindsay’s jewellery, our glasses and resin models etc

In order to accommodate the 3D Printer, we wall mounted the PS5 with this

It allows me to take the PS5 off the desk, and also charges two of the controllers too, meaning I no longer need the controller charging station sat on the desk

What Next

So what’s the plan for the future, well I need a new Besta unit to store more board games as a good chunk of those have now moved to the studio where Lindsay’s desk used to be.

And I need to sort out a lot of cable management, for my PC setup and Megan’s, but that’s probably a job for the winter.

The rest of it is just gonna be sorting out what’s in the room and how I can better organise the storage.

What I Am Modelling

I started off with a couple of squads of Assault Intercessors for the Dark Angels.

And followed that up with the gangs from The Carnevale, Escape from San Canciano mini starter box, starting with the Rashaar.

Then followed up with the Guild

After that I painted a Domicile Shell for Age of Sigmar


So whats next up on the desk?

  1. Genestealers x 20 & Broodlord
  2. Ultramarines Infernus Squad x 5
  3. Squig Hoppers x 10
  4. Guilliman x 2
  5. Barbgaunts x 5
  6. Blood Angels Land Speeders
  7. Calgar x 2
  8. Mega Boss on Maw-Krusha
  9. Paragon Warsuits with Mult-Meltas x 3
  10. Domicile Shell x 2

What Tabletop Games I Am Playing

Played a board game after a long gap, with Ticket to Ride: Berlin with Lindsay and Megan

I love the mini Ticket to Ride games and this one is a really good one, the subway mechanic is really fun!

I had a game of Warhammer 40K with my Necrons vs a combined force of Space Wolves which won!

And a game of Heresy against Graham to try out a new mission he wrote for an event we were running

What Video Games I Am Playing

Continued playing Assassin’s Creed: Rogue Remastered on Stream

What I Am Winning

A few weeks ago I won a bottle of resin from Elegoo on Twitter and that got delivered this week, a nice bottle of 8k water washable space grey, perfect for the Saturn 4 Ultra when it arrives in a few weeks hopefully!

I also won a copy of Chorlton and the Wheelies on DVD from HeyYouGuys

And a book, but no idea from whom this is from

What I Am Spending

Grabbed a couple of issues of Stormbringer 73 to add two units of Ardboyz to my Ironjawz, and along with the issue coming with my Subscription will give me an awesome three units of them to form a nice core of the Orruk Warclans army.

I won a voucher from a competition for Amazon, which allowed me to purchase a Wi-Fi/Bluetooth PCIe card for Megans PC, mostly for the Bluetooth for her to be able to use a wireless controller.

Yes I know I could have gotten a cheap USB dongle, but I think the extra reliability of the card is better, plus Wi-Fi is a nice backup to have.

Initially we bought a cheap Chinese one, but the card was a dud, the chipset wasn’t the MediaTek one described and was a far inferior RealTek one, plus the driver site appeared to be filled with malware, so that got sent back to Amazon.

And yeah replaced it with the far more trusted TP-Link!

And we got the next paint rack from TTCombat, this time for my dropper bottle paints, which consist of some Vallejo, TTCombat, Turbo Dork and Army Painter, plus a single Two Thin Coats bottle

The reason we have gone for this, despite only having around 30 dropper bottles, is that I have decided for many basic colours, I am shifting to Army Painter Fanatics, with some select Two Thin Coats plus a few others from various other ranges.

Also got myself a couple more Elgato Wall Mounts, which will be used to mount my Keylight Airs, given the desk space currently used for the stands will be taken up by the paint racks, and the new 3D printer.

Then came the last paint rack and some ships for Dropfleet Commander

And another Stormbringer issue, this time 76 for some extra Stormdrake Guard!


Not Much Going On

This week has been much of a muchness, there isn’t much going on at all

Just waiting for WorldCon I guess and a the Heresy event

Got to get a shift on with a few things, but this week has just been meh

My depression is getting kinda bad, but I have a project of refurbing the studio to get on with

What I Am Modelling

I started out with the Blade Champion for the Custodes, who will do double duty, being in both the 40K Combat Patrol and being a Shield Captain in Heresy.

I then painted an Apothecary Biologis for the Dark Angels.

I also painted a Bladeguard Lieutenant for the Dark Angels

Plus a Deathwing Ancient

And a squad of Deathwing Terminators

Also a couple of Watchers in the Dark to join the Terminators

And then it was some Paragon Warsuits for the Sisters of Battle, all armed with Heavy Bolters.

After which I turned my attention to these Havocs for the True Sons, completing the old Chaos Space Marines Combat Patrol


So what’s next

  1. Spirit of Durthu
  2. Sisters of Silence x 10
  3. T’au Enforcer Comanger
  4. Escape from San Canciano Gangs
  5. Dark Angels Assault Intercessors x 10
  6. Genestealers x 20 & Broodlord
  7. Squig Hoppers x 10
  8. Ultramarines Infernus Squad x 5
  9. Treelord
  10. Gulliman x 2

What I Am Reading

I listened to Longshot by Rob Young which has been kinda amazing

What Video Games I Am Playing

Playing Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag again on stream and completed it late Friday night/early Saturday Morning!

What I Am Creating

A new episode of Edge of Empire dropped on Sunday!

What I Am Winning

We won a Polaroid instant camera from a competition with Heart Radio

What I Am Spending

I grabbed a new painting handle, I knows it’s mad, but I am trying to build these up to 21 owned in total

That would allow me to paint full units of 20, of which I do more often than I’d like, plus a HQ

I also bought a box of Allarus Custodians to complete the new Custodes Combat Patrol

To start a long awaited studio refurbishment project, I bought the first of a few paint racks we are going to need from TT Combat, this is a rack to hold 72 Citadel pots.

The plan is to have 3 of these plus a rack for 72 dropper bottles.

I also bought a 20m Cat 8 cable to route data to the server and Lindsay’s desk without creating a trip hazard!

And a MagSafe charger for my desk, to make charging my phone a lot easier

Now because this was delayed by 24 hours, Amazon gave me a £10 gift card to compensate me, it was like £8.

So I used this to buy a network switch for the studio, this will go on the end of the 20m cable and then be split into Lindsay work laptop and the server.

Hers is being fitted now, mine will be after the painting work and along side the cable management improvements.

I bought the IGN Live At Home Humble Bundle which netted me

I also bought the Tiny Build Himble Bundle which got me


Off To UK Games Expo

Posting this weeks post early because today I am off to the UK Games Expo, an event I love to do.

This year, as my Asmodee contract ended, I am volunteering directly with the Expo itself, my job is being split between IT and the Bring and Buy.

Most of my time will be spent setting up the IT equipment to run the expo and a few hours spent helping in the Bring and Buy.

I am going by Megabus from Middlesbrough to Birmingham via Manchester!

Firstly Lindsay took me to ASDA for lunch, would have preferred Tesco, but they don’t go back to normal hours until Monday, but I grabbed a wrap and energy drink, plus a bottle of coke for the coach, and then we drove to Boro where I hopped on to the bus and here we are.

The Megabus is certainly better than I remember, more legroom and even a plug socket for my Steam Deck, not that it worked, but the thought counts right!

What I Am Modelling

I started out with some Blood Angels, painting first a Terminator Captain

Here is a Drop Pod for the scions of Baal

And as a diversion a Dark Angels Lieutenant

A Captain in Gravis Armour

As well as a Lieutenant with Auto Bolt Rifle and one with a Power Sword

And a Captain in Catapractii Terminator Armour

The I painted two sets of Easy to Build Reviers, which gave us a full squads worth of them

And finally a pair of Primaris Captains as well

I still have Captain Karlaen on the desk, but he is about 50% done


So once back from Expo, what awaits me?

  1. Captain Karlaen
  2. Tree Revenants x 10 & Branchwych
  3. Chaos Space Marines x 10 & Dark Apostle
  4. Imperial Fists Vindicator
  5. Von Ryan’s Leapers x 3
  6. Krondys
  7. Dark Angles Terminators x 5 & Terminator Ancient
  8. Sporesplatta Fanatics x 10
  9. Chaos Havocs x 5
  10. Paragon Waitsuits with Heavy Bolters x 3

What I am Reading

I finished The Infinite and the Divine by Robert Rath and it was so much fun, really awesome story that also shows off the horror of the C’Tan!

I also listened to Arrangements for War by Paul Sutton, but I will have to finish it on the bus.

What Video Games I Am Playing

Not a lot really, been busy getting sorted to go to Expo, and finishing these Blood Angels.

But I had a bit of time in God of War and been doing the fleet stuff in Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag

What I Am Creating

The latest episode of Edge of Empire has dropped!

And the latest Battle Report is out, this time with Dark Angels (as played by Megan vs the Deamons of Khorne!

What I Am Spending

I bought myself a new battery bank, this one will work brilliantly for the Steam Deck and allows me to only use USB-C for all my charging needs now

And I also got myself a few things from Elements games, some paints, brushes and a T’au Commander and a Custodes Blade Champion for the Combat Patrols

With the Ghost of Tsushima win last week, I was able to trade in my PS5 copy to CEX for £26 and pay £9 to get a copy of God of War Ragnarok for PS5

And Lindsay, the minx plus Megan the badger, were able to grab me a copy of Stormbringer 67 with Vanquihers in it!

I also bought Dave The Diver for Steam and was given a key for Crash Time III.


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