Qrab's Chaos: The Warband Wrap-up

After many months it's time for my final post for the inaugural Old World Army Challenge. Leading up to this, each month brought the dual pressure of painting the models and blogging about which actually served as inspiration for writing the blog. Whether it was reminiscing about the models selected for the month, my success (or failure) with painting those models, and/or plans for the following month, there was always something to say. Now that the challenge is over, I find myself somewhat at a loss for words. However, I suspect most folks don't care about my ramblings and would rather just see pictures of classic miniatures from the golden age of Citadel. So, let me start with a shot of the entire army painted for the challenge:

Lord Duherst the Master Butcher's Warband

The army itself breaks down as follows:

Lord Duherst the Master Butcher
Level 15 Deathsteer                                                                     190 points

Dungfang

Troll                                                                                                65 points

Eric Umbrand's Earthshakers

10 Chaos Marauders with great weapons and standard              410 points

Hakkon's Reavers

10 Chaos Thugs with longbows, standard, and musician            132 points

Iyan and Nyk - The Dog Brothers

2 Beastmasters with 8 Chaos Hounds                                         218 points

Which is joined by a Chaos Allies Contingent consisting of:

Amon Duul

Level 20 Soulflayer                                                                      240 points

Chaos Dwarf Mortar                                                                      42 points

Chaos Dwarf Bazuka                                                                     70 points

Combined, the total point value of the army I painted for the challenge is 1367 points, which is pretty effin' awesome. 

Here are the close ups of each unit:

Duherst the Master Butcher

Dungfang the Troll

Eric Umbrand's Earthshakers

Hakkon's Reavers

Dog-brother Iyan

Dog-brother Nyk

Amon Duul's Chaos Ally Contingent

As I mentioned my introductory blog entry, the models painted for this challenge will join a Chaos Sorcerer and unit of Marauders I painted back in 2014-2015. Unfortunately, I didn't think to take a photo of them all together, so you'll just have to settle for one of the sorcerer and the unit.

Hutk-Nke Plague Priest and Khane the Mighty's Marauders

Now that the pictures are over, some final thoughts. As intended, I found the challenge to be great motivation to put a dent in my collection of unpainted lead models. I've owned some of the models for more than 30 years, so it feels pretty good to finally get some paint on them. My job sporadically requires me to travel out of town for up to four nights out of the week, so going into the challenge I had a real concern that it would affect my ability to meet the monthly goal. I'm happy to say that not only was I able to make it through the challenge without using my mulligan, I was able to paint models for a bonus blog entry.

The challenge has also got me thinking about starting a painting blog of my own.

There was a downside to the challenge, though. Spending month after month handling and painting these old models just made me want more. I'm afraid to do the math, but between the Oldhammer Trading Company and eBay, I have no doubt I acquired more miniatures than I painted. Wait, who am I kidding, that's not a downside at all!

Going forward, these models will pull double duty. If I can find a local Oldhammer enthusiast, then they'll be used to fight some battles using the 3rd edition rules. Until that time, however, they will form the beginning of an army for a project a buddy and I are calling 6th Age, which is basically 6th edition WFB with some rules tweaks (like push back from 3rd ed.). So as I add to the army, the models selected will need to be useful in both editions. I haven't decided for sure, but I think the next model I want to add is a Chaos Dwarf Whirlwind (which will proxy as a Chaos Chariot in 6th ed.).

I'm not sure what I'll do for the next challenge (assuming there is one). I'd like to use it as a motivator to paint an Empire army, but with the way I paint and the low point cost per model, I'm just not sure I'd be able to finish 200 points a month. My hat is off to those folks who elected to paint low point cost armies this time.

In closing, thanks to the people who organized and managed the challenge - despite the pressure it was a lot of fun and has created some outstanding armies. Congratulations to the others who completed the challenge - doing so was quite an accomplishment. Condolences those who ended up in the field of bones - it could have happened to any one of us.

I'll end this post with the obligatory Warhammer Armies style photo:

Contemplating what to do with my life now that the challenge is over