AdamH’s Skaven - February's Rank and File – Stinky slaves suck (65 Points)

Slaves, has there ever been a unit that inspires less desire to paint? Knowing that they are (I think) the lowest point models in 5^th edition, plus they suck in game and are generally boring to paint. Well despite all that you kind of need them in a Skaven army so here we are:

And some of the more ‘interesting’ models, which are still pretty boring:

All I can say is thank goodness for our Overlord removing the point requirement for monthly submissions. Next month will be more interesting I promise.

My submission for February is as follows:

UNIT	EXTRAS	#	TOTAL
REGIMENTS
Slaves (2.5)	Musician (2.5)	25	65
TOTAL			65

 Sorry you had to read this boring post, still at least they are not elves right?

Stephen's Songs of the Damned - Wild Card (85 points) - "Snake Dance"

Take my hand said Cleopatra
Take me to the fires to burn
Save your passion and your kinship
Take me to the flames the flames
The flames the flames

The March Violets

"Snake Dance"

Natural History

Rebirth

1984

Back again, in this short month of February, with a project I felt I could accomplish given an insane workload and, well, you know...:: gestures around wildly ::

The Vyper holds a special place in my heart, as it is the first plastic kit that I purchased from the Citadel range, right when it came out - until that point the unit was only something I would see as  conversions of metal or plastic Eldar Jetbikes chopped up and fused together with epoxy and good wishes, to mixed results.  

I think "mixed results" is also a good description of the unit's tabletop performance over its checkered history - in 3rd Edition, when the mission was to get as many starcannons on the board as you could, they were everywhere, slagging power armor with ease and panache.  

They kind of languished after that, having a minor resurgence for me in 5th when the lethality of the game meant it didn't matter what I fielded, so I found some success in using them at extreme range to harass my opponents with missiles and give them slightly less good choices in what to kill that turn.  

Since then, their fragility has meant they've only shown up in my themed lists, and rarely even then.  The imminent Codex:  Aeldari (😏) has me looking at them again, as they may be more fun to use than in recent years - not having the option for a second shuriken cannon is a little upsetting, as I'll have to remove them at some point.  Ah, well - fingers crossed!

Pretty happy with how the eyes/waystones came out

Couldn't decide which 'glamour shot' angle I liked best

Close up on the crew details

The original Vyper I bought in 1997 is still in my collection, but it's already painted up, this particular Vyper finishes out a squad of three for my overall Ulthwe' army.  In working on this unit, I've been experimenting with darker skin tones as well, which is something I haven't done a lot of with my Eldar to-date, it's technique I'm looking forward to learning/improving.

1 Vyper Jetbike with Lascannon and upgraded Shuriken Cannon - 85 points

85 points for February 2022 (238 points painted so far)

February Playlist (some of the music from my painting sessions this month):

The March Violets, "Snake Dance"

Stoneburner - "Lisan Al Gaib"

Concrete Blonde - "Sky Is A Poisonous Garden"

Stromkern - "Stand Up"

The Prodigy - "Poison"

Soundgarden - "Get On The Snake"

The Jesus and Mary Chain - "Snakedriver"

Skinny Puppy - "Tin Omen"

Bassnectar and Kraddy - "Snakecharmer"

Stabbing Westward - "Falls Apart"

Adrian's dwarfs - February wildcard month (115 points)

Wildcard month 

Get off my lawn yer pesky greenskins.

The orc scouts were repelled without too much trouble. However, the column down the valley was visible from the mine. Even "Dopey" in his berserker rage won't stop that wave and everyone started to get worried.

An entire troop of orcs was coming for our treasures! 

“Doc”: Hey, listen up. I had an idea, remember the old boiler that Oin was going to fix years ago but was procrastinating? 

Oin “Sleepy”: I was working on it again! Just, not getting in the mood as of late… 

“Doc”: Well, fortunately those old pipes can be handy with a bit of oil. We also had some extra guns from that time that Harald got into the entrepreneurship trend thing and his failed gun company.. 

“Angry”: Not my bad, it is pretty easy to hand the order paper in the wrong way and read a 9 instead of a 6. Everyone can end forging 99 cannons instead of 6!... And remember that the company bankrupted only after that visit to the gunpowder warehouse with Sneezy responsible of the lamp! 

Bronn: It seems that we will be saved by cannibalizing on the left overs of the most iconic and shameful group of roomates. 

“Angry”: Hey, you should be called “mr. smartpants” rather than “happy”. 

“Doc”: Calm down guys. No problem at all! The more the guns, the merrier. The idea I had in mind can benefit pretty well of handling the fire to Sneezy as well. Come here, let me show you… 

----- 

The orc company approached the mineshaft from all the sides. The main group from the front, and a second group of arrer boys getting to the flanks in a display of cunnin’ ad sneaky planning. 

Boss: Oi! Boys, prepare to charge now! They are few and they’re just ahead! They’ll be no match to us this time! 

*KABOOM* 

Orc: Boss! I think that our offensive is having some trouples advancing! The stunties are fortified and ‘ve sum pretty loud contraption in the gate. 

Boss: WHERE ARE MY ARRER COMMANDOS! Shoot’em from the flank! 

*FWOOOSH* 

Orc: Boss! I.. Ithink that the arrer boys have some situation ongoing and won’t be supporting the main assault! 

Boss: Then press harder, how many times do you think that they can shoot with a single cannon until we smack ‘em in the ‘ead! 

*sneeze* 

 

*KA-KA-KABOOM* 

Boss: Urk, come’re. You’re now provisionally in command. I will be checking the rear! Keep attacking ma boyz! 

This month I didn’t had much time, so I played safe. 

I made the mineshaft for the seven dwarves. Initially it has going to be much more detailed, with an ornated stone in the arch. But I didn’t cover the foam properly and accidentally dissolved the details (and the interior) with the primer. Ouch! 

 

Finally, I painted my organ gun. For a long time, I have been making proxies and procrastinating or passing something else in the queue despite wanting to have it painted. It was about time.

 

“Sneezy” controls the trigger. 

While “Happy” marks the enemies that shall be doomed. 

I was going to make the trigger-happy joke with the previous dwarf but I think that this guy embodies him better. Look at his face, that grin, he’s having a fun time. 

“Angry” comes from a newer era, but I do not have the original crew and the one that was in the loot is from the goblobber so he fits better in a cannon or the catapult. 

Maybe in the future I’ll change this guy with the original crew mate in heavy armour. I claim the organ gun – 65 points 

See you in the next post. 

Adrian’s out.

Overlord's note : Adrian gets an extra 50 points for terrain submitted during the wildcard month

Paul's High Elf Light Cavalry - Rank and File Month Two (165 pts)

February is my second 'Rank and File' month and also my second cavalry month. This time it is the light cavalry of the Ellyrian Reavers.

"In the time of Caledor, the Phoenix King called for brave young horsemen t ride the troubled land, for in those days all Ulthuan was in turmoil and the armies of Malekith roamed freely, destroying and slaying at will. Many answered his call, but the greatest in number by far came from Ellyrion, a land renowned for its fine horses and skilled riders. During the long and bitter war that ended in the Sundering these riders served Caledor well, travelling quickly and secretly across the land, taking messages and soliciting support from amongst the Elven lands, shadowing the enemy's forces, ambushing patrols, and intercepting raiders." 
High Elf Bestiary - Games Workshop

The first thing to say is how much I enjoyed painting these minis. I love the sculpts of these older versions of the Reavers but didn't expect to enjoy painting them as much as I did - that might be partly down to an ongoing choice about 'gems' on High Elf minis that I may discuss in a later post. I opted for a golden yellow and a bright blue, deliberately lighter than I've used in some of my existing units. 

The 'eagle eyed' among you (not even sorry :p ) will have noticed all five of these are actually the standard bearer sculpt. I'm not entirely sure how or why I ended up with 5 standard bearers, but the eagle topped banner poles add great character to the unit and I've taken the opportunity to add more foil streamers after being happy with how they looked on the Dragon Princes from last month.

I realised that, as with many High Elf sculpts, I'd painted a lot of detail that was going to end up covered by their shields, so I took a few pictures before adding the shields, and was in two minds as to whether I would, as I was quite happy with the paint jobs.

As with the Dragon Princes though, I really wanted to use some of the 4th Edition plastic HE shield designs to tie in with the character of the unit, and I'm glad I did.

So here's my output in points for month two:

5 x Ellyrian Reavers, with Bows, Spears, and Shields (33 pts each) - 165 pts

Total for the month: 165 pts
(a little under target of 200 pts per month, but on course in terms of numbers of minis, and still ahead on points on average over the two months)

I also rebased and touched up an existing unit of Sword Masters of Hoeth this month, finally getting round to adding a simple banner.

According to the High Elf Army book, the 'P' rune is named Ceyl and stands for 'Law, order, justice, passion, sword that draws blood.' The 'h' rune is named Lacoi and stands for 'Might, glory, fear of death.' Taken together I'm intending them to mean something along the lines of 'mighty swords of justice' which seems apt for a unit of Sword Masters.

I was just admiring my completed unit and going to put them back on the shelf when I realised I was one short...

The sneaky bastard musician had ended up lumped in with a unit of archers so cost me another few days of waiting for PVA and sand mix to dry in the middle of three back to back storms before I could get him finished. 

There always bloody one, isn't there!

Even that's not the unit completed as I've decided I want four more to make a unit of 20. Not sure I'll get those done before the end of the challenge, but we'll see. Anyway, here are the Reavers and Sword Masters together, getting ready to repel Dark Elf raiders in the late winter sun :) 

February was also the month I decided I was going to bite the bullet and try and build, paint or update my entire High Elf army this year. Yikes! So more second hand minis went in the dip and more hideous primary colour monopose spearmen got the flocking they've been so badly in need of since 1994.

Next month promises a big unit of Lion Warriors of Chrace and possibly some other stuff too. Bon courage to my fellow OWAC challengers, and thanks for reading! :)

Andrea's Space Wolves - It's tank time! - (201 points)

Rank & File month 2 

Hi everybody,

this month it was an easy business... about painting! February has always been a difficult month because of family affairs, job, ski holiday, locust invasions, etc. So this time I took countermeasures and instead of running for finishing my monthly quota, a nice tank was the selected option!

Therefore, here is the Predator Annihilator in full Space Wolf style (and it seems I do not even messed up company badges!): the basic tank 120 pts + lascannon sponsons 90 pts.

 

The final result was quite satisfying, also considering that I was pessimistic about the outcome of a three-day bath-&-rubbing for decoloring! Honestly, if you look very close at the model, there are still evident signs of the process but this eventually add to the charm of a long-used and repaired war engine. Moreover,  it was also necessary the restoration of a couple of exhaust pipes (as far as I remember those were the first bits of the model to snap off, usually shortly after the painting and before the first battle!). Another great success: decals attached without even the smaller problem! In conclusion, I really had fun in doing it!

Now, hoping to have next months free enough to dedicate to Grey Hunter, the remaining Blood Claws and terminators, to not forget the boss, I will proceed in the challenge (well... there is always a Rhino in waiting, just in case... ;-))

Ciao, A

Chris H - Reikland Army Units 2, 3 & 4 (1177 points)

 Rank and File Month 2

It's been a busy month, I wanted to take the biggest unit next and pleased I was able to complete them and still leave time for a further two units of Helblitzen and Reiksguard.  100 miniatures in total - 1177 points.  Never to be repeated!

60 Ersatzsolder armed with pikes and breastplates lead by Burgomeister Reinhard (Lvl 20), with Siffridus the Sword (Lvl 10) champion, standard bearer and musician - 709 points

Also completed are the second unit of Helblitzen - 20 men with Halbards and breastplates also, standard bearer & musician - 198 points

Finally in February are the Reiksguard themselves, 20 +2 elites in heavy armour, shields, two handed swords and and standard, lead by Locotenant Volkmar (lvl 10) - 270 points.

Month 2 - all units.... 

And all units months 1 and 2 together during a muster on the banks of the Reik....

I finished month 1's unit on Jan 16th so had time to get ahead.  but was worried that the unit of pikes would defeat me so wanted to have plenty of time at it.  The painting technique is a zenithal highlight with a dry brush white that also works as an undercoat for the black armour, making it very quick...

"Honk Honk! We are here!" Byron's Helblitzen of Gusseldorf - Rank and File Month (235 pts)

This month's entry is the start to my regiment of halberdiers: the Helblitzen of Güsseldorf. So far they are only 12 strong, but I plan to expand them a bit as the competition goes on. I painted them in the Güsseldorf colors of Blue and Yellow. Their feathers are painted whitish grey to look like goose feathers. 

This regiment's standard bears the Goose of Güsseldorf vigilant, gripping a halberd, and on a blue field. On the reverse the banner has the regimental motto/battlecry "Gack Gack! Wir sind hier!" Translated to English it means "Honk honk! We are here!" embodying the vociferous, aggressive, and sudden presence of Geese on the attack. I had to look up what sounds geese make in German. As we all know animals sound different in each language. Apparently, Bretonnian geese say "Ca car."

This regiment stands out from the other infantry I have sculpted in terms of their poses. The spearmen and bowmen I sculpted have very timid poses. These halberdiers are meant to represent more enthusiastic troops - perhaps mercenaries or a standing army - so they have armor and all have aggressive poses to suggest the unit has an air of élan. Like the other fairytale German models their aesthetic borrows (by which I mean it is an anachronistic mess) primarily from historical illustrations and 19th century children's books.

Finally, there is the wizard, Olbrecht the wanderer. I wanted him to have a sort of Gandalf vibe while also matching the material culture of the other Germans. I painted him in shadowy colors so perhaps he uses some sort of shadow magic? I have a handful of this model from the casters perhaps I should paint up a few in case I want to represent wizards from different disciplines. 

Point totals for February

Halberdiers x12 (9 points each + standard)         117 pts

Wizard Champion                                                 118 pts

Total                                                                      235 pts