Tag: Orruk Warclans Page 1 of 2

Space Marines Are Not A Good Starter Army

I said what I said!

But back in the day, Space Marines were the default starter army, S4, T4 and hitting on 3s with a 3+ armour save, they were decently tough, and didn’t need a lot to make them work well.

Plus they were really easy to paint and make your own.

But these days, they are not a good starter set, they have a bloated list that half the time makes little sense.

Here is the thing, how would you recommend starting a Space Marine army, its always been to recommend the Battleforce/Start Collecting/Combat patrol as they always included a Troops/Battleline, that you could build your army around.

But today, the Combat Patrol doesn’t contain a Battleline unit, the Infernus Marines aren’t one, and its a pretty elite force, simply not one that its easy to build an army around.

And even then, look at what is available, its so many units that its hard to actually look at the list as a beginner and figure out how to start an army.

A kid I know who wants to play Ultramarines was genuinely confused, because, they simply couldn’t figure out how to build an army, what they absolutely needed and how to synergise the army.

Look I am not saying Space Marines are now crap, its just really difficult to build a list as a beginner, and there is no starter box that represents the army as the very basic units which can form a decent core.

How would I fix it, well I would love to see a Combat Patrol with Intercessors at its core, the ETB Redemptor Dreadnought, and a Lieutenant.

Heck, why not release the sprue from Dark Imperium which had the Intercessors, Ancient, and two Lieutenants, then throw in an ETB kit, perhaps the Invader ATV, or as I suggested the ETB Redemptor Dreadnought.

Here is the crack, I ended up recommending the Dark Angels Combat Patrol, or the Blood Angels Combat Patrol, as these have generic units, one of which is an Intercessor Squad, a HQ and a couple of other interesting units. Actually, if you can, get both, they synergise well together, and just sell the upgrade sprues!

What I Am Modelling

I started the week by painting a unit of 10 Gutrippas for my Orruk Warclans

Followed by Snazzgar Stinkmullett the Fungoid Cave Shaman for the Gloomspite Gitz, which means I have now painted all four of the Harbingers of the Malign Portents!

Then a unit of Suppressors for the Space Wolves

After which I painted a Warlock Bombardier from the Skaven range

And then an Arch Revenant for a new Sylvaneth army

As well as Ylthari’s Guardians.

Then it was time to deal with some Tyranids, and I got the Tyranid Prime with Wings completed

And finally a Screamer-Killer.


So what’s up next week?

  1. Termagants x 20
  2. Gitz Stabbas x 40
  3. Ork Warbikers x 3
  4. Knight Judicator
  5. Khagra’s Ravagers
  6. Dark Angels Intercessors x 5
  7. Imperial Fists Heavy Bolter Squad x 10
  8. Spite Revenants
  9. Penitent Engine
  10. Vigilors x 10

What I Am Reading

I started to listed to The Talon of Horus by Aaron Dembski-Bowden, it’s a book I have started a couple of times, but never gotten past the first 30 minutes cause I get disturbed then forget about it.

But this time I am determined to listen it all!

I am also plodding on with The Tower of Nerek by David Guymer.

What Tabletop Games I am Playing

I played Matthew in the Hartlepool 40K league, and won 50-41, but that was only secured due to painting points!

I also played Edward, and I lost that game very badly to an Aeldari alpha strike, a wonderful game, even if I was hammered!

What Video Games I am Playing

I have started on Yakuza 0 and so far its interesting but werid!

I was horribly ill on Sunday, so played through Portal on my Steam Deck for the first time since 2007, I want to play Portal RTX but my 3070 struggles with it!

I did get a bit of streaming in, but its been difficult of late with Lindsay changing her work schedule.

What I Am Spending

I bought the Bloodletters I needed to complete the Chaos Daemons Combat Patrol from eBay

Along with some Genestealers, I only need four to top up my two existing units to full 10 grubby units, so if anyone wants four more to do the same…

And I got the Datacards for the Adeptus Mechanicus

We needed a KVM for the studio to allow easy switching between the media server and Lindsay’s laptop. This Ugreen one was on special offer on Amazon, so we grabbed it and it does what we need.

I also bought a few games

I also bough the Twin Sails Bundle on Humble Bundle, which got me:-

The rest of the games were given to Lindsay and Karen as I already had them.

I got some books too, The End and the Death: Volume III by Dan Abnett, both as an ePub and MP3 audio book, plus Sons of the Emperor as a MP3 audio book.

Of course I got Lords of the Lance by Graham McNeill, as a ePub and MP3 audiobook, and the Shamanslayer MP3 audio book by Nathan Long.

From Big Finish I got Dad’s Army: The Radio Series by Jimmy Perry & David Croft, Poppet by Lauren Mooney & Stewart Pringle, Danger and Deception by Alan Fennell, Fugitive of the Daleks by Jonathan Morris.

From Marvel, I got Moon Knight: Age of Anubis by Jonathan Green, and Doomgate by Jeffrey Lang as an MP3 audiobook.


Trying to be Better with Breakfast

Just as the title says, I am trying to be better with breakfast, because I am usually awful at the most important meal of the day.

So I have been trying to have something warm for the meal, whilst I am struggling to kick this winter cold, that has stuck around since Christmas.

Most days I am having knock off Ready Brek, because porridge is really good for me, and this is really easy to make.

We are keeping in some frozen sausages so the odd sausage breakfast is happening.

So far this year I have been ok, other than a morning in which breakfast was custard doughnuts, but I was feeling super crap.

Other options are bagels, set honey on toast and how can we forget about beans on toast!

What I Am Modelling

I started the new year with an Apothecary Biologis for my Blood Ravens.

Followed by the first lot of Hobgrot Slittaz from Stormbringer

After which I painted some Sternguard Veterans for the Blood Ravens

Along with a Phobos Lieutenant, which completed all the models from Leviathan for the Space Marines.

And then it was the last unit for Shadows Over Hammerhal, some Bloodreavers!

And I also painted this Rhino for my Sisters of Battle which completes that Combat Patrol!

I decided to crack on with the Dark Angels Chaplain, just cause I wanted him done

And because I need him for a Battle Report, here is the Phobos Librarian for the Ultramarines!


So whats up next?

  1. Termagants x 20 & Rippers x 2
  2. Gutrippas x 10
  3. Fungoid Cave Shaman
  4. Arch-Revenant & Ylthari’s Guardians
  5. Space Wolves Suppressors x 3
  6. Screamer Killer
  7. Stabbas x 40
  8. Ork Warbikers x 3
  9. Knight Judicator
  10. Khagra’s Ravagers

What I Am Reading

I have been listening to Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales – Wings of Fury by Brittney Morris, and I finished that, not a bad story at all, and I cannot wait to play the game!

I have been listening to Steel Tread by Andy Clark, which has been a fun story, but the accents are wrong 🙁

And to continue the Doctor Who Monthly Adventures by Big Finish I am now listening to Project: Lazarus by Cavan Scott & Mark Wright.

And I have been reading The Tower of Nerek by David Guymer, which is ok so far, moving along very nicely,

What Tabletop Games I Am Playing

I have been playing a bit of D&D with Lindsay and Megan, using the Dungeon and Dragons Adventurer magazine

I also played my first game of the Hartlepool 1000pts 40K league on Friday and lost, by a lot!

I am using this list for it

Necrons (980 Points)
Awakened Dynasty
Incursion (1000 Points)
CHARACTERS
Overlord (85 Points)
    • Warlord
    • 1x Overlord’s blade
      1x Tachyon arrow
Royal Warden (40 Points)
    • 1x Close combat weapon
      1x Relic gauss blaster
BATTLELINE
Necron Warriors (100 Points)
    • 10x Necron Warrior
        • 10x Close combat weapon
          10x Gauss flayer
Necron Warriors (100 Points)
    • 10x Necron Warrior
        • 10x Close combat weapon
          10x Gauss reaper
Necron Warriors (100 Points)
    • 10x Necron Warrior
        • 10x Close combat weapon
          10x Gauss flayer
OTHER DATASHEETS
Canoptek Doomstalker (135 Points)
    • 1x Doomsday blaster
      1x Doomstalker limbs
      1x Twin gauss flayer
Lokhust Heavy Destroyers (50 Points)
    • 1x Close combat weapon
      1x Gauss destructor
Night Scythe (145 Points)
    • 1x Armoured bulk
      1x Twin tesla destructor
Skorpekh Destroyers (100 Points)
    • 3x Skorpekh Destroyer
        • 3x Skorpekh hyperphase weapons
Triarch Stalker (125 Points)
    • 1x Heat ray
      1x Stalker’s forelimbs

What Video Games I Am Playing

I started playing Stray on New Years Day and I managed to finish it and it was a really good game, and I was not prepared for that ending emotionally.

I then started on Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster, I have never played any of the first 6 games in the series as they were never released in Europe when I was a nipper, and even then they were on Nintendo consoles, which weren’t that common in the UK.

And I managed to complete the game in about 16 hours, but missed out a few achievements thanks to a missing 3 treasure chests!

I justr finished playing Rise of the Tomb Raider, great game and great story and worked so well on the Steam Deck!

I returned to Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun, its a great game and I want to finish it, then play it again!!!

What I Am Creating

The first Warhammer 40k Combat Patrol Battle Report has been published, this one was between the Blood Ravens Space Marines Chapter and the Necrons of the Sautekh Dynasty.

We also got the final episode of Edge of Empire of 2023 out (I know)!

What I Am Cooking

We are brining back the tradition of having breakfast together on a Sunday morning, and I cooked the first one, which was croissants with ham, cheese and egg!

What I Am Spending

I bought a few little games for my Steam Deck from a Fanatical bundle, these were:-

Also it was Humble Choice, which bagged me:-

And from the Steam winter sale, I bought Star Wars: Jedi Fallen Order

I have gotten a new headset, but not by buying it, my friend gave me a broken headset and said it was mine if I could fix it, turned out the dongle was borked, so after asking Logitech if I can buy replacement, they told me it was still in warranty and replaced the whole thing, which my friend was cool with as theirs had already been replaced.

And for Battle Report reasons, I now have a Dark Angels Combat Patrol box!

And in the Games-At-Hart reverse auction sale I bought Ticket to Ride Berlin and Ticket to Ride Poland cause I am a big fan of Ticket to Ride!


Christmas & New Year 2023

Hope you all had a good Christmas, mine was fine, but I was ill for most of it and for one point over 72 hours was awake for less than 10 of them!

But other than that, it was good, we went to my sister in laws for the dinner, which was nice, and we had a great time with Megan’s family.

Me and Lindsay kept up our tradition of a Chinese takeaway for Christmas Eve and a movie, this year it was Super Mario Bros. And Christmas morning it was turkey bacon stotties with mushrooms, and the egg that Lindsay has been adding recently and Tymbark Apple & Cherry juice.

We didn’t do much in the way of gifts, we limited ourselves to £25 each, so I got Megan a book and a rainbow Stich controller holder. Lindsay got a book as well, plus a bunch of Steam games, as she has decided that she wants a Steam Deck in 2024.

My favourite present was a Moopsy toy that Karen made for me, its adorable, I just need to find a place to put it in the studio!

New Years was quiet, me and the otters went to Pauls for a few hours, then returned home and they went to bed, whilst I had a chicken wrap and chips and played the last of Marvel’s Spider-Man Remastered.

Hopefully 2024 is gonna be a better year, because 2023 has been challenging.

What I Am Modelling

I started off with a big batch of Ultramarines, starting with a squad of Aggressors

Followed by some Inceptors

And Finally a squad of Infiltrators

After this I turned my attention to a squad of Battle Sisters

Alongside a Repentia Superior

As well as Sister Superior Tariana Palos

And then some Shootas for my Gloomspite Gitz

I also painted some Grot Scuttlings for Warhammer Quest: Silver Tower at the same time

I then painted up Gordrakk, the Fist of Gork over Christmas as a main centrepiece for the Orruk army!

And painted up the Gaunt Summoner for Silver Tower which completed that boxset.

Plus Mollogs Mob

And finally I painted a Whirlwind Scorpius for my Imperial Fists!


So what’s coming up next?

  1. Blood Ravens Sternguard Veterans & Phobos Lt
  2. Hobgrot Slittaz x 10
  3. Termagants x 20
  4. Gutrippas x 10
  5. Fungoid Cave Shaman
  6. Arch-Revenant & Ylthari’s Guardians
  7. Space Wolves Supressors x 3
  8. Bloodreavers x 10
  9. Screamer Killer
  10. Stabbas x 40

What I Am Reading

I finished Krieg by Steve Lyons, and that was a very very good audio book!

After that I moved on to Witchbringer by Steven B Fischer, which was ok, but the lack of Cadian accents threw me. Doctor Who and the Pirates was a lot of fun from Jacqueline Rayner and Creatures of Beauty by Nicholas Briggs was a great mind trip of a story.

And finally I listened to Gloomspite by Andy Clark, which was grim as fuck!

I have now started listening to Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales – Wings of Fury by Brittney Morris, before I play the game.

I read Sammael: Lord of the Eternal Hunt by Ben Counter, which was ok, followed by Astorath the Grim: Redeemer of the Lost by Andy Smille which was really good. Then I read The Sanguinor: Exemplar of the Host by James Swallow which was actually pretty good.

I also read The Nine by Justin D Hill which was pretty good, nice look at a character we have had a lot of time with but not much background on. The Last Loyalist by David Guymer was also excellent.

Then I picked up a few more shorts, Bjorn: The Fell-Handed by Chris Wraight, Marneus Calgar: Lord of Ultramar by Graham McNeill, Abaddon: Chosen of Chaos by Aaron Dembski-Bowden, Cato Sicarius: Master of the Watch by Nick Kyme, Pedro Kantor: The Vengeful Fist by Steve Parker, Gabriel Seth: The Flesh Tearer by Andy Smillie, Dante: Lord of the Host by James Swallow, Helbrecht: The Crusader by Guy Haley, Vulkan He’stan: Forgefather by Nick Kyme, Lysander: The Fist of Dorn by Anthony Reynolds, Typhus: Herald of the Plague God by David Annadale, Logan Grimnar: Defender of Honour by Cavan Scott, Kaldor Draigo: Knight of Titan by L.J. Goulding, Kayvaan Shrike: Shadow Stalker by Gav Thorpe, Azrael: Protector of Secrets by C.Z. Dunn, Kor’sarro Khan: Huntmaster by Graeme Lyon, Torias Telion: The Eye of Vengeance by Graham McNeil and Ahriman: Hand of Dust by John French.

I also read The Staff of Asclepius by Graham McNeill which was pretty class.

What Video Games I Am Playing

I got my VideoGameGeek.com Secret Santa gift, and my super generous Santa gifted me, Stray, Yakuza: Like A Dragon and Crysis: Remastered, all games that have been high on my wish list!

Continued on with Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag.

I also completed Marvel’s Spider-Man: Remastered, total of 33 hours played and it was a lot of fun.

I have started to play The City That Never Sleeps DLC also on the Steam Deck and intend to finish it over Christmas.

Its one of those annoying episodic DLCs, which I hate, so obviously I started with The Heist, which was finished late on Christmas Day.

And yesterday I finished Turf War, which was ok, but felt less that The Heist.

And then I finished off Silver Linings just as the bell struck midnight, which I was happy with, great game, but the DLC felt disjointed because of the episodic nature.

What I Am Winning

I won a voucher from Maltesers which I combined with a voucher from some market research I did for KFC in order to buy a copy of Assassin’s Creed: Mirage, which made me very happy, as everyone knows I am a massive fan of the series.

What I Am Spending

I grabbed myself a few bits on payday, as a treat.

I got myself a Chaos Space Marines Combat Patrol, Necron Datacards, a brush and a few paints.

I also bought a few video games


Some Minor Studio Upgrades

Following the insulation work I have made a few small changes to the studio, mostly cosmetic, but they do make it far more comfortable.

First up, I have moved my collection of badges to a set of banners that Megan made for me in the polycule sewing room.

Really happy with how these turned out, and they fill a bit of a hole in the room.

I also hung a Man Cave sign that Mary got me before she passed away, and it looks pretty nice.

And I took the fabric Avatar world map we got with the Avatar Legends Kickstarter, and put that into a frame and hung it on the staircase

I also ordered a 3D printed stand for my Echo Dot to hang on my pegboard, its been a bit of a chew on to get it, and when I eventually did two weeks after it should have come, it was in entirely the wrong colour!

Next steps are going to be something to store the hot chocolate pods in, and a couple more Ikea controller holders for the pegboard.

And of course I do need to do some painting still!

What I Am Modelling

I started off my finishing the Ork Boyz

Plus a Runtherd for some Grots

And then followed up that with a pair of Marshcrawlla Sloghoths

Then some more greenskins, this time in the shape of 10 Grots!

I finally painted the Lord Inquisitor of the Ordo Xenos, good old Kyria Draxus!

And then a Sister Dialogues for my Sisters of Battle


So what’s up next?

  1. Imperial Fists Rotor Cannon Squad x 10
  2. Death Guard Spartan
  3. Termagants with Devourers x 20
  4. Chaos Familiar’s x 8
  5. Loonboss & Zatbags Gitz
  6. Ultramarines Infiltrators x 10
  7. Battle Sisters Squad x 10
  8. Baal Predator
  9. Lilith
  10. Trukks x 2

What I Am Reading

I read a few short stories to try and get me reading again, starting with The Long and Hungry Road by Adrian Tchaikovsky, then Devilhunter by Nicholas Wolf and finally Blood Harvest by Richard Swan.

I have now started on The End and The Death Volume II by Dan Abnett.

What Video Games I Am Playing

Continued to play some more Assassin’s Creed III Remastered, and I am getting to grips with the ways its different to the previous 3 games.

What I Am Creating

I published the latest episode of Edge of Empire!

What I Am Backing

My first project in a while, but I am backing the Car Wars Companion for Sixth Edition, cause, you know, Car Wars!

What I Am Spending

Not much, but I did buy The Ancestor’s Wrath, cause why not, new Votann models are gonna be cool!

We also upgrade our broadband, from 350mbps to 1130mbps, for only a few quid a month more!


Resolutions Update July/August/September 2023

So I am once again a massive failure and haven’t been updating my resolutions so let’s go!

Build & Paint a 2000 Points Army of Drukhari – 63% Complete

We added the Kabalite Combat Patrol box and that means we now have 1220 points along with Drazhar!

And I also added some Mandrakes too!

Build & Paint a 500 Points Combat Patrol of Genestealer Cultists – o% Complete

No progress

Build & Paint a 2000 Points Combat Patrol of Tyranids – 29% Complete

We added some Spinegaunts to the army plus a swarm of Rippers

Bring my Primaris Ultramarines to 2000 Points – 93.25% Complete

This month we added the Bladeguard Veterans and the Bladeguard Anicent to the list, along with a Ballistus Dreadnought, Firestrike Servo Turret, the Apothecaries and a squad of Sternguard Veterans!

Bring my Orruk Warclans to 2000 Points – Completed

This resolution is now complete with the addition of a unit of Gutrippaz and some Man-Skewer Boltboyz or Da Kunnin’ Krew!

Build & Paint Two Gangs for Carnivale – Completed

The Rashaar were painted this month, so this pledge is complete!

Get My Weight to Under 100KG and Sustain It Below That

Yeah medication changes means that this isn’t going to happen

Publish One Battle Report a Month

Lets try and do this in the last three months eh!

Stream Twice A Week

Managing to get this done

Complete My 2023 VideoGameGeek Challenge – 25% Complete

I finished The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, so thats done!

I also started and finished Tomb Raider, so thats 2 down, 8 to go!

I also finished Control and Assassin’s Creed: The Ezio Collection.

I am now onto Assassin’s Creed III and making my way though Bayonetta

Completed Resolutions

  • Bring my Orruk Warclans to 2000 Points
  • Build & Paint Two Gangs for Carnivale

I Wish the Weather Would Make Its Mind Up

Its consistently hot, I am spending most of my time sweating hard!

In my studio its really hard due to being in an attic with a ton of tech and the weather keeps raining hard, so I can’t even have the window open to relive myself with some fresh air and have to have two fans on all the time!

I can’t wait for the coolness of autumn!

What I Am Modelling

I started off with a Big Mek with Shokk Attack Gun for my Ork, really lovely model to stand beside my resin one.

And I also painted up a Deffkilla Wartrike for the Orks as well, a really really fun model!

Followed by a trip of Canoptek Wraiths for the Necrons

And a Hexmark Destroyer for them too

After that I moved onto a T’au Stealth Team for my Tau Sept army

After that I finished off some Firestrike Servo Turrets for the Ultramarines which have been sitting on my desk for a while.

And finally I finished some more Gutrippas for the Oruuks!


So whats coming up next?

  1. Illuminor Sezras
  2. Elathain’s Soulraid
  3. Tzaangors x 6
  4. Ultramarines Sternguard Veterans x 5 & Victrix Honour Guard x 4
  5. T’au Fire Warriors x 10
  6. Termagants with Spine Fists x 20
  7. Stormstrike Charriot
  8. Blood Ravens Terminators x 5 & Terminator Captain
  9. Mandrakes x 5
  10. Ultramarines Ballistus Dreadnought

What I Am Reading

I finished The Martyrs Tomb by Marc Collins, which was a fun story, felt a bit disconnected from the rest of the series, but still good.

I then listened to Spare Parts by Marc Platt, a fantastic Doctor Who audio drama about the genesis of the Cybermen, and is one the best stories that Big Finish have done.

I am slowly making my way through Secrets in Scarlet, slowly but surely.

What Tabletop Games I Am Playing

I played Blood Bowl on Saturday, against Black Orcs, and yeah, I lost, and lost a couple of players 🙁

What Video Games I Am Playing

Back to Control Ultimate, and I started on The Foundation!

But this is the last gameplay I will have as a crash corrupted my save and there is no way to recover it 🙁

So I am done with it for the foreseeable future.

I Did as a result start on Assassin’s Creed Revelations on Monday.

I also finished Disney’s Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse, the last boss was fiendishly difficult, but it was a fun little game overall.

What I Am Creating

The latest episode of Edge of Empire is out, and on YouTube and iTunes now!

What I Am Spending

A few more games were added to the library, starting with Bully, cause it was 99p, plus I got Quake Live and Crumble in a £1 mystery bundle on Fanatical!

I got a couple of bundles, first off Humble Choice, which got me

I also got a Train Simulator Classic Bundle from Fanatical which got me the base game and 17 pieces of DLC!

I also picked up in the QuakeCon sale

And a I picked up very cheaply, Kerbal Space Program, Lamentum, Dust to the End, Steamworld Dig and American Truck Simulator


I Did It!!!!

I actually managed to get all 19 models painted up on the day, and I am so happy about that!

Although I was absolutely shattered afterwards, but I raised £195 for The Willow Foundation, and if you want to add to that, you can here.

So I am very very happy, more details about the models in the next section.

But a special shoutout to Megan and Lindsay who really helped get me through it, particularly Megan given that it was a sad anniversary, but you guys are amazing!

And Paul helped too with his micky taking in the first couple of hours!

So next years challenge will be happening and I am gonna have a good think on what to paint for that closer to the time!

What I Am Modelling

Most of the week was dominated by the 24 hour charity stream and I painted the Drukhari Combat Patrol.

I managed to get it all done which I was super happy with, and even had 25 minutes to spare!

So we painted an Archon

Drahzar and his Inclubi

A unit of Kabalite Warriors

A Raider to carry the Warriors

And a Ravager!

After that I was working on the Kruleboyz that have haunted my desk for a couple of weeks now, and finished a pair of Swampcalla Shamans & Pot Grots

Plus Mugruk Da Watcha the event only Swampcalla Shaman

And finally a pair of Beast-Skewer Killbows


So whats up for next week!

  1. The Rashaar
  2. Gutrippas x 10
  3. Imperial Fists Tactical Squad x 10
  4. Palatine
  5. Pink Horrors x 2, Blue Horrors x 4 & Brimstone Horrors x 4
  6. Deffkilla Wartrike
  7. Ultramarines Bladeguard Veterans x 3, Bladeguard Ancient and Ancient
  8. Big Mek with Shokk Attack Gun
  9. Stealth Team x 3
  10. Canoptek Wraiths x 3

What I Am Reading

Not enough 🙁

But I am listening to Leviathan by Darius Hinks which is ok, but the narrator isn’t brilliant for 40k.

What Video Games I Am Playing

Still working through The Witcher 3 and I am aiming to finish it in July!

I have played a bit of Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun, two sessions are on YouTube!

What I Am Backing

The Firefly: The Game – 10th Anniversary Collectors Edition Gamefound project is almost over, and its unlocked all of its stretch goals, so I am happy with that!

What I Am Spending

It’s the Steam summer sale, and I had set a little money aside for it, and I was able to purchase the following games

Its also Humble Choice week, which got me:-

Oh and I bought a Steam Deck!!!

Hopefully it will be here by the weekend, its already been dispatched and is in the hands of GLS right now!

In the meantime, I grabbed a 1TB Corsair MP600 Mini, a 256GB Micro SD Card and a JSAUX Screen Protector to upgrade the deck a little bit from its 64GB of storage and protect it a little bit.

Thinking of running Windows off the Micro SD card so I can play, Ubisoft, Epic, GOG and Xbox games.


UK Games Expo 2023

Ok this has been a long update, my health and metal capabilities have been in the damn toilet, but better later thane never!

It was a really fun weekend and I spent it demoing games on the Star Wars games, moving between being a stand greeter, Shatterpoint, Legion, X-Wing and the Deck Building game, all of which are a hell of a lot of fun.

Myself, Lindsay and Sean came down by car on the Thursday night, and got to Birmingham, around 9:30ish and we got a Dominos and hung out.

The hotel is fine, its not the best hotel, but it was okay, the biggest gripe was breakfast which had zero diabetes friendly option, but I was able to remedy that by buying some Wheetbix of my own.

It was a really fun if exhausting weekend, and once I get paid at the end of July, I am hoping to buy a Steam Deck, depending if its even in stock, cause that’s been a huge issue in the past few months 4.

I actually came away with the belief that this was the best UK Games Expo I have been to since before the plague, yes a few minor niggles, but actually really positive, probably helped by having an awesome stand manager and an absolutely brilliant team to work with.

Cannot wait for next year!

What I Am Modelling

I started off by finishing my scenery for the Imperium table, first up was the Haemotrope Reactor.

I then painted up three Ruined Factorum buildings

I then painted Tech-Priest Grombrindal who has been sitting in the pile of potential for a while now!

And then a squad of Ultramarines Outriders!

After that came Hedkrakka’s Madmob for Underworlds.

And finally I painted the Parasite of Mortrex for the Tyranids!

After that it was some Deathrunners for Silver Tower

And cause I thought I needed it for a game, I then completed a Rat Ogre for Blood Bowl!

After that I finally painted the Kairic Acolytes for Silver Tower

Followed by the ones for Shadows Over Hammerhal


So whats coming up next?

  1. Catacomb Command Barge & Overlord
  2. Swampcalla Shaman x 3 & Pot-Grot x 2
  3. The Rashaar
  4. Gutrippas x 10
  5. Beast-Skewer Killbow x 2
  6. Imperial Fists Tactical Squad x 10
  7. Soriaitas Palatine
  8. Pink Horrors x 2, Blue Horrors x 4 & Brimstone Horrors x 4
  9. Deffkilla Wartrike
  10. Ultramarines Bladguard Veterans x 3 & Ancients x 2

What I Am Reading

You can read my review of David Annadales In the Coils of the Labyrinth here!

I finished up Necropolis from The Founding Omnibus by Dan Abnett, and it was extremely good!

And I have now started on Sisters of Sorcery by Marsheila Rockwell and so far its quite canny!

I finished listening to The Lion: Son of the Forest by Mike Brooks, and thats an issue, cause now I want to start an army of Risen!

I also listened to Blightslayer by Richard Strachan, which is rather good, I had feared the loss of Maleneth but Amara isn’t a bad character, but I am still sad at losing the Witch Aelf.

I also listened to The Time of the Daleks by Justin Richards, which was ok, but not the best 8th audio so far.

And I just finished listening to Stormcaller by Chris Wraight which was great but at times a bit hard to follow

What Tabletop Games I Am Playing

Not much, but I did manage to get started with the local Blood Bowl league, and I lost my first match!

I lost 5-0 but it was a very very good match, and a lot of fun!

My team roster is as follows:-

Blitzer x 2
Gutter Runner  x 2
Rat Ogre
Skaven Clanrat Linemanx 5
Thrower
Re-Roll x 3

What Video Games I Am Playing

Bit more time on The Witcher 3 as I start on the DLC.

I also started playing Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun on stream, and that’s a lot of fun!

Also played a bit of Control on Stream too.

What I Am Creating

The second battle report of 2023 is out, and its Dropfleet Commander!!!

The new 40K podcast from the Edge of Empire team is here, its currently lacking a title, but here is our first episode!

What I Am Winning

Its been a minute, but I won these Govee gaming lights back in March, and they arrived this week, and will be getting installed on Megan’s desk in the next few days!

What I Am Spending

I bought Warhammer 40,000 Boltgun, cause hell yeah!!!

And as it’s Skulls, I got, Warhammer 40,000: Dakka Squadron, Blood Bowl: Chaos Edition and Space Hulk Tactics alongside some DLC.

I got Winds of Magic, Shadows Over Bögenhafen, Back to Ubersreik, Grail Knight Career, Outcast Engineer Career, Warrior Priest Career, Sister of the Thorn Career and Forgotten Relics for Vermintide 2.

I also got Sons of Cadia, Legacy of the Weirdboy and Horrors of the Warp for Sanctus Reach, and the Chaos Campaign for Battlefleet Gothic 2.

And I decided to treat myself to a few bargains from my wishlist!

So I bought Euro Trick Simulator 2: Road to the Black Sea, Lost Planet 2, Sleeping Dogs Definitive Edition, Metro 2033 Redux, Metro: Last Light Redux, Resident Evil 2, Resident Evil 3, Resident Evil 7: Biohazard, Wolfenstien 3D, Wolfenstein: The New Order, Wolfenstein: The Old Blood and Resident Evil Revelations 2.

Grey Goo and Kingdom Rush came in a mini mystery bundle.

And Junes Humble Choice came out and I got the following:-

I got a mini haul at UK Games Expo, the only games were Elector Counts and Catan: Soccer Fever.

And I got myself a set of bases for Carinvale and some Monitors for the UCM.

I was silly enough to buy the Warhammer stamps from Royal Mail!

I finally got my hands on Kâhl Yôht Grendok, he took a bit to get made, but he is here now and I quite like him, cannot wait to get him built and painted!

And some Word Bearers objective tokens arrived, the person who makes them is slow, but they are worth it!

Resolutions Update – April 2023

Build & Paint a 2000 Points Army of Drukhari – 18.5% Complete

I added the Reavers and Helions to the army this month, which almost competes the Wyches detachment for now.

Just a Raider to go and that’s almost finished!

The next detachment will be a Kabal, and for that I have bought the Combat Patrol!

Build & Paint a 500 Points Combat Patrol of Genestealer Cultists – o% Complete

No progress here 🙁

Build & Paint a 500 Points Combat Patrol of Tyranids – 38% Complete

This is still on pause until Leviathan comes out, but I have bought some 28mm bases as I think my Guants will need them.

Bring my Primaris Ultramarines to 2000 Points – 50% Complete

This month I added the Assault Intercessors to the army!

This means I still need to add

  • Repulsor
  • Bladeguard Ancient
  • Bladeguard Veterans x 3
  • Outriders x 3

The Repulsor is next getting painted for this list!

Bring my Orruk Warclans to 2000 Points – 53.05

I added some Manskewer Boltboyz to this list this month, two units of them, and I purchased a Beastskewer Killbow.

I need to make a proper list for this and at the minute this is gonna be it!

+ Leader +

Killaboss on Great Gnashtoof

Orruk Megaboss

Orruk Weirdnob Shaman

Swampcalla Shaman and Pot-grot

+ Battleline +

Gutrippaz: 10 Gutrippaz, Musician, Standard Bearer, Wicked Hakka

Gutrippaz: 10 Gutrippaz, Wicked Stikka

Gutrippaz: 10 Gutrippaz, Wicked Stikka

Hobgrot Slittaz: 10 Hobgrot Slittaz, Musician, Standard Bearer

Hobgrot Slittaz: 10 Hobgrot Slittaz, Musician, Standard Bearer

Orruk Brutes: 5 Brutes, Boss Choppa, Gore-choppa, Jagged Gore-hacka

+ Other +

Man-skewer Boltboyz: 3 Man-skewer Boltboyz

Man-skewer Boltboyz: 3 Man-skewer Boltboyz

Man-skewer Boltboyz: 3 Man-skewer Boltboyz

Orruk Gore-Gruntas: 3 Gore-Gruntas, Pig-iron Choppa

+ Artillery +

Beast-skewer Killbow

Beast-skewer Killbow

Build & Paint two Gangs for Carnivale

The Guild are now build they are getting painted this month.

Need to buy some more bases before I can build the Rashaar!

Get My Weight to Under 100kg & Sustain it Below That

I am currently 115kg so gone a little backwards

Publish One Battle Report a Month

My aim to get caught up in April was spoiled by April being super busy!

Stream Twice a Week

Failed due to a busy April

Complete my 2023 VideoGameGeek Video Game Challenge

None finished yet, but I hope this is the month I get some added to the complete list!

Read 40 Books – 25% Complete

Currently at a total of 10 books read!

Get Edge of Empire Running Like a Well Oiled Machine

Yeah this is going well, no real issues here

A Bimonthly RPG Night With the Polycule

Every time I mention it, the subject is changed so it ain’t happening

Star Wars Celebration

I spent the other weekend in London at Star Wars Celebration, where I demoed Star Wars Legion, and the upcoming Star Wars Shatterpoint!

I didn’t get to see all that much as I was busy working, but I have uploaded a few photos to Instagram you can see.

The hall did go kinda mental when the Ashoka trailer dropped with a lot of cheers when Chopper appeared on screen.

The weekend was utterly exhausting and the autistic train geek in me was super happy as I got to ride on the Elizabeth Line!

Shatterpoint is an amazing game and the only thing holding me back is the price tag, because its very very high!

What I Am Modelling

Whilst away in the hotel I built a couple of Warhammer Underworld’s warbands.

When I got home, I painted some Assault Intercessors for my Ultramarines

And then I painted the Man-Skewer Bolt-Boyz for my Kruleboyz!


So what’s up next?

  1. Triarch Stalker x 3 & Triarch Praetorians x 5
  2. Kairic Acolytes x 18
  3. Helions x 10
  4. Imagifier
  5. The Guild x 8
  6. Ultramarines Repulsor
  7. Hedkrakka’s Mob
  8. Drukhari Raider
  9. Skaven Deathrunners x 2
  10. Blood Ravens Invader ATV x 2

What I Am Reading

Slowly making my way through Squirrel Girl: Universe by Tristan Palmgren, need to make sure I pick up the Kindle over my phone when in bed!

I listened to The Chimes of Midnight by Robert Shearman and Seasons of Fear by Paul Cornell and Caroline Symcox as part of my Doctor Who Monthly Adventures relisten.

They are two particularly good 8th Doctor audio dramas.

I am now listening to Lukas the Trickster by Josh Reynolds!

What Video Games I Am Playing

Played a lot of The Witcher 3, really want to try and get that done.

Got a couple of hours in on Control, and I am gonna try and get a few more in before we go so I can start on Assassins Creed Revelations.

I was having a few issues with OBS, seems to have been the last version update that was the issue, so I rolled back to 29.0.2 and that resolved the issues I was having.

What I Am Winning

Won a competition on Twitter for a copy of Star Wars Rouge Squadron 3D and Shadows of the Empire on Steam to celebrate the Star Wars Celebrationz

Played these games a lot as a nipper so will be nice to play it as an adult on a much better system!

What I Am Spending

I bought myself the Star Wars Deckbuilding Game at Star Wars Celebration, and got with it Star Wars Storycubes, the GameGenic sleeves, and a pin for Fennec Shand.

I also had a second Fennec Shand pin, that I swapped with Forbidden Planet for Chopper!

And although I didn’t spend the money, I did get a poster for the “Strike Me Down” promo along with a shiny promo card for Shatterpoint from Atomic Mass Games.

Also the Nvidia Shield Controller I was potentially getting was sorted and arrived, all I had to do was pay postage!

So all that’s left on my to buy list of controllers is a Luna and the Hyperkin Xeneon and the collection I am after is completed for now, although I must say a DualShock 4 is tempting!

My copies of issue 83 of Imperium turned up, which is great as that now gives me two full squads of Paragon Warsuits!

Now this is a funny one as I didn’t actually spend anything!

I have a Dwarf fleet for Mantic Armada game, it’s part of a project for the Tall Ships coming to Hartlepool in the summer.

Given that most of the ships, are in face tall sailing ships, the plan is to build a community of players and paint up our ships, displaying them in June publicly!

The T’au Objective markers I ordered also finally arrived, and will look great when used with that army!


Page 1 of 2

Powered by WordPress & Theme by Anders Norén