AdamH’s OWAC VI June Post – The Grey Mountain Vermin

Month six, my “WildCard” month.

Boom! Challenge complete!

I have saved the best (figures at least) for last, I don’t think anyone really expected me to do Blood Bowl without Skaven, well here they are. I picked up at least one model of each sculpt, as well as enough models to fill every potential spot in the team:

These were painted in the same scheme as my Skaven army featured in previous OWACs, so feel free to check back if you haven’t seen that already. 😊

First up here are the Linerats, nothing too special here.

Gutterrunners, I like that the darker blues on these guys break up the brown over the whole team.

The only rats that are smart enough to take care of their armour.

He has a ball!

Various mutants, I think I like the crab claw guy the best myself, although the leggie boi is pretty funny.

Finally, we have Hakflem Skuttlespike, the Skaven Star Player.

Overall there are a few bits I will probably go back over with these lot as I ran out of time to finish them quite to the standard I would have liked but I am happy to have them to a playable state at least.

Well, that concludes the challenge for me this year, I will save my final thoughts for the wrap-up post but I am looking forward to seeing everyone’s final posts over the coming weeks.

AdamH’s OWAC VI Jan Post – The Hag Graef Griefers

Month one, my first “troop” month and I almost failed right out of the challenge. I was away for most of December and half of January so my preparation time was zero, I did manage to undercoat my models before I left but that was it. 

I started painting on the 16th of January and unfortunately I think it shows in the final products. I am normally quite a slow painter, even more so when I don’t know the scheme so I had to really push myself hard to get these done in time, and as I am writing this post on the evening of the 31st I don’t think I could have cut it much closer.

There are a few details I had to just admit to having to come back later to complete, and some highlights that weren’t as smooth as I would like. The worst part though is I feel the scheme isn’t that great but I didn’t have time to do much about it.

Anyway enough talk, time for pictures:

I don’t think it helped that I am generally not that jazzed about elves in general.

I like the Witch Elf models but the rest of these were pretty meh to paint.

However that just means it is all uphill from here! I have some great teams coming up that I do love the models of, and with a couple of exceptions have some ideas for schemes.

Anyway one more thing from me before I sign off for the month, I owe our glorious leader a tribute, so here is the 13th member of the currently unnamed Skaven team who will be sneaking their way over the pond soon enough:

Here is to next month’s contribution (which I am also a little worried about since I have another week away from tomorrow and it is a short month), something both a little darker and more colourful with a chonky boi addition!

Graeme's OWAC3 Skaven wrap-up

My first OWAC is done! My lead pile is dented (if you look really closely)! My purveyors of pestilence may have got a little carried away though... sorry 'bout that!

Thanks to Iannick for organizing a great challenge and congratulations to all the challengers who overcame some serious adversity to deliver some truly impressive armies! This has been a weird year so far and it's been great to be part of a little community that share the same passion and have provided support, encouragement and the threat of shaming to keep everyone going. Special mention goes to the other members of #teamskaven, Adam and Brendan - together we managed to delivery the vermin triple whammy in the year of the rat. No mean feat.

Okay, on to the final muster...

- Gnawdoom (level 15 wizard), with hand weapon: 144 points

- Clan Chieftain (Level 5 Hero ), with spear and light armour: 31 points

- 1 Clan Chieftain (level 5 hero), with hand weapon, shield and light armour: 31 points

- 1 Clan Skyre Poisoned Wind Globadier, with hand weapon: 25 points

- Warpfire-thrower team: 81 points - Jezzailachis Team: 39 points

- 3 Plague Censer Bearers: 120 points

- 3 Clan Moulder Beastmasters, with hand weapon, and light armour: 31.5 points

- 16 Giant Rats: 32 points

- 8 Black Skaven, with halberds, and light armour: 60 points

- Clan Chieftain (Level 5 Hero ), with halberd, and light armour: 32 points

- 14 Plague Monks, with hand weapons, and light armour: 82.5 points (including extra 5.5 points for the standard-bearer)

- 10 Clan Eshin Gutter Runners, with hand weapons, light armour, and slings: 140 points

- 2 Clan Moulder Beastmasters, with hand weapon, and light armour: 21 points

- 5 Clan Moulder Rat Ogres, with hand weapon: 190 points

And of course the Offering to the Overlord (25 points) isn't shown, as it's already found its way to Iannick.

So here's what my 1060 points of Skaven look like:

I had been planning to paint more in the last couple of months of the challenge, but I lost my focus. I've got about 40 models in progress on my painting desk and a bunch of scenery sitting not far away. I made a start on some banners too. All these mini-projects vying for my attention meant that none got finished... Still, it leaves me something to do in the months before the next OWAC... :-)

Right, I'm off to feast my eyes on the other submitted armies. See you next time!

AdamH’s Month of rest – (239.5 Points)

“Our time together grows short, it seems like just yesterday you stumbled drunkenly into my warren looking to make a name for yourself, now you barely cling to life; I expect to see the last of my brood come forth.

Well I have a treat for you this day, you will get to meet my chief gnasher, the claws and teeth of my army as well as a few more familiar friends, and who knows, if you manage to live long enough you might just get to see one of my crowning jewels.”

So this was the month I thought I would take a bit of a break, I decided to paint a couple of high cost models (three of them in fact that compromise ¾ of the monthly total) however half way through the month I thought I should also probably get started on the pile of Slaves that were waiting for me. So in the end what was supposed to be a low model count month ended up being just as high as all of the others.

We start once again with a few more Gutter Runners, taking my total to ten and a decent unit size to harass warmachines and lone characters on the battlefield:

Also, this month sees another Warpfire thrower, the first of my high point cost models designed to give me a bit of a rest. Although after taking this picture I saw a few areas I missed so I will have to go back and tidy them up before I varnish this one:

Next for the units is again more Slaves, 15 of the blighters making a dishevelled 37.5 points… I have the scheme somewhat down after last month which meant that actually these didn’t take me as long as I thought they would, although I do find their lack of details or colours, part of what makes them slaves, also makes them quite dull to paint. In a 2,000 point army I would probably want to field at least two units of 20 of these so I still have a few more to paint if I expand this army:

And finally, only the second Character choice to appear in the army, a Warlord General. He is technically the lord choice/leader of this force although I believe his strings are being pulled behind the scenes by someone else. Unfortunately, I don’t think we are going to get to meet that particular puppeteer during the challenge but who knows what next year will bring. Anyway, onto the model, classic Skaven sculpt this that I tried to bring a bit of extra colour with some poisoned wind globes, which were also practice for something a little…. larger that may just roll onto the scene soon:

To summarise, this month’s entry is:

Gutter Runners x3, Additional Hand Weapons, Throwing Stars [42]

Warpfire Thrower [70]

Skvenslaves x15 (Inc. Musician) [37.5]

Warlord [90]

  

Total – 239.5 points

After taking these pictures I put the models away in my small carry case and discovered I have actually now almost completely filled it with painted rats. A great feeling indeed but also means I need to buy more storage.

We are in the final stretch now, just one more to go (technically I have now passed the challenge goal however I like to try and make a big splash in the final month so I am not going to rest until the brood mother sings!

Best of luck to everyone in these last few weeks and I hope all you following along at home are still safe and sound.

AdamH’s fine upstanding rat-warriors – [213.5 Points]

“How are you liking your new home-box? Are your cells mates keeping you up at night? Oh that smelly green one? I don’t know his name, he doesn’t speak-speak much, I only know that he used to lead some smelly group of brutish Orcs, called the winter tribe or something, I think…

It doesn’t really matter though, just like them your furless race is soon to be gone bye-bye.”

A few more Gutter Runners make an appearance this month, they are the unit I am using to bulk out the points and I think you will see why I needed to do that at the end of the post.

So next up we have a new unit! The only unit in the army to feature non-rusted armour in fact. My force’s leader’s own bodyguards, the Stormvermin!

So, there is quite a lot different on these guys than the rest of the army. As I said above they have non-rusted armour and weapons which is mostly unique in my army (the Gutter Runners don’t really have armour but their weapons are clean). On top they have white (but a dirty-white) cloth. Finally their skin and fur are black/grey. Altogether I was going for a distinct but still unified look that doesn’t look out of place among the other units. I would be keen to hear if you think I succeeded?

Finally, we have the unit that I have been dreading the most, Skaven Slaves… why might you ask? Well mainly because the ten models you see below weigh in at a mighty 27.5 points! Considering that they are a useful re-directer unit and a very flavourful one for Skaven, you normally want at least a few units of them in an army. However the thought of painting 40+ models for less than 100 points wasn’t one I was looking forward to. Therefore, I am targeting a more reasonable single unit of 25 over the challenge and have started with the ten you see below:

To summarise, this month’s entry is:

Stormvermin x10, Halberds, Shields (Inc. Standard and Musician) [144]

Skvenslaves x10 (Inc. Musician) [27.5]

Gutter Runners x3, Additional Hand Weapons, Throwing Stars [42]

Total – 213.5 points

I’m pretty happy with managing to paint 23 models in a month, certainly a record for me. I think I will take a bit of a break next month and paint some high point models and maybe a few slaves. Hope everyone in the challenge and watching along at home is staying safe and healthy.

All hail the horned rat!

AdamH’s sneaky, skulking, smelly Skaven – (211 Points)

“I bet you wish-wish you had run when you had the chance? Now you are stuck in my den-warren without escape.

Perhaps you think you see eyes following you in the dark? Do you feel the weight of danger when you try to shut eyes? Then maybe you are not completely see-blind like most furless ones. My secret guards follow all who enter here and they have look-watched you for a while now, let me introduce you before they introduce you to a long, painful sleep.”

We have a new unit this month! Wooo I hear you say and you are right to woo because it is in my opinion some of the most characterful models in the old Skaven line, the Gutter/Night Runners:

In contrast to everything else in my army I imagine that the forces of clan Eshin have both the means and desire to keep their equipment in decent (for a Skaven) condition. Thus there is no rust in sight here, however you may be able to see some green hue to their weapons.

Yay more monks, this brings me up to 21 in total, or three ranks of seven. I will probably do at least one more rank of seven during the challenge but I think next month I will be taking a break from egg shell green:

Next up more clanrats! Woo again. This takes me up to 19 in total, why 19 you ask? Well that is because as I was painting the 10 for this month I realised that one of the models was in fact a slave and I didn’t think to build any more clanrats… so I will fix this when I start painting up more clanrats in a future month but for now they are a rat short:

Finally in my monthly tradition of painting something high value this month we have Lord Skrolk who is moonlighting as a regular Plague Priest:

I think I will be including at least one other Plague Priest in this force, one who will be a mage (this one) and another who will be a combat character.

To summarise, this month’s entry is:

Plague Monks x4, Additional Hand Weapons [28]

Clanrats x9 [54]

Gutter Runners, Additional Hand Weapons, Throwing Stars [56]

Plague Priest [73]

Total – 211 points

As is customary at the mid-point of the challenge here is a picture of what I have tackled so far:

So half-way and I am still going, honestly I am surprised as I thought if any army would kill the challenge for me it would be my Skaven. I think I have managed to keep the pace because as I think I said in my intro post, Skaven were my first Warhammer love and I genuinely love the figures. Normally I try and get an hour a night in painting then spend some time elsewhere but when painting my Skaven I have found myself painting pretty much in all my free time. If I can keep this pace I should hopefully have an impressively large numbered force by the end!

As always, I wish the rest of the challengers the best of luck, be safe in these virus ridden times (nothing to do with my monks, I promise) and stay inside painting!

Graeme's Skaven reinforcements for February (224 points)

The plan for February was as simple as it was cunning: pick out a small group of high points cost models, get them painted by the middle of February and get a head start on the contribution for March. Easy. What could go wrong?

The best-laid schemes of rats and men...

Screech to a halt. Back in the real world, a busy work schedule and other commitments meant I was struggling to even get this small group painted in time. I got there in the end, though. Just.

I experimented with some different basing techniques this month, which I plan to do for the major character models - taking some inspiration from Nico's Realms of Chaos Skaven (http://nico-realmsofchaos.blogspot.com/).

So here's my small contribution for February:

Gnawdoom

One of the most iconic Skaven models, as far as I'm concerned. Unfortunately, the quality of this model wasn't great - there were a lot of mold lines - some of which I didn't spot until I was in the middle of painting it...  😒.
For the paint scheme I wanted to use muted colours for the clothing (Wargames Foundry's Soviet Summer Tan and Rawhide), to bring out the lighter fur and skin, suggesting an albino rat, and to make the warpstone key and crystal ball stand out. This colour scheme was inspired by Stone Cold Lead's Gnawdoom masterpiece: https://stonecoldlead.webs.com/apps/photos/photo?photoid=191884252. For the same reason, I decided to model the base as a piece of rock, with very little colour, to keep the attention on the figure.

Gutter Runners

Finishing off the remaining three Gutter Runners from the group of ten. I continued these in the same style as the previous group. One in my trademark pink, the others in slightly more modest colours.
I may switch out the model with the shield for one without, to make the group more consistent. It'll do for now, though.

Rat Ogre

A second Rat Ogre to strengthen the Clan Molder contingent. Painting one of these a month seems to be a big help reaching my totals, so you can expect a few more to come...

Here's the full group and their points:

- Gnawdoom (level 15 wizard), with hand weapon: 144 points
- 1 Clan Moulder Rat Ogre, with hand weapon: 38 points
- 3 Clan Eshin Gutter Runners, with hand weapons, light armour, and slings: 42 points

Total for February: 224 points

Total for the army so far: 426.5 points

Next month I'm determined to work on building up my rank-and-file troops - starting with some Clan Pestilens Plague Monks with Plague Censer Bearer support. Wish me luck - I'll need it!

Graeme's Skaven scouting party for January (202.5 points)

Yeah, you smell a rat. A few of them, in fact...

Some inspiration from WD 137.

I've squeaked in with my first month's contribution, a whisker before the end-of-month deadline. Already, it's been a real challenge for me. I've learned a few valuable lessons about planning, avoiding distractions, setting realistic targets and focussing on getting models completed. Hopefully, I'll be able to put those lessons to good use in the following months...

You don't give a rat's ass! Do you?

Okay, on to the stuff you're here for... with fewer rat puns...

I tried to focus on rank-and-file models rather than characters. Okay, they were among the most expensive rank-and-file models available, but let's call that a compromise...

So, the bulk of January's contribution is made up of Gutter Runners. One of the reasons I love these models so much is the amount of detail packed into them. This definitely slowed the painting down, though.

Skaven armies generally have a very dark palette, and I tried to stick with predominantly browns and muted greens, but added quite a few splashes of colour with these guys, as I can see these scouts looting anything they can get their grubby little claws on.

Seven done, out of the ten planned for the army.

One Clan Chieftain (level 5 hero) to lead this ragged little mischief, with a Clan Skyre Poisoned Wind Globadier to add a little warpstone to the recipe.

Next up is the muscle: a Rat Ogre and accompanying Beastmaster. The original Rat Ogres must be some of my favourite Skaven models - not a lot of variety, but loads of menacing character. I may try a conversion of two if I've getting brave near the end of the challenge. Getting some texture and shade over such a large amount of fur was a challenge, but it seemed to work out quite well with the lighter brown shades I used here. I've already found out darker fur is more challenging.

And finally a group shot of the furry little advance party.

I've got a few more finishing touches to make and some more work to do on the bases, as these didn't quite turn out how I wanted. I've got static grass and grass clumps to add, but I want to get the base colour sorted out before I do that. That should be sorted out for next month, as I want to make them nice and consistent across the whole army.

In terms of points, we have:

- 1 Clan Chieftain (level 5 hero), with hand weapon, shield and light armour: 31 points

- 1 Clan Moulder Beastmaster, with hand weapon, and light armour: 10.5 points

- 1 Clan Moulder Rat Ogre, with hand weapon: 38 points

- 1 Clan Skyre Poisoned Wind Globadier, with hand weapon: 25 points

- 7 Clan Eshin Gutter Runners, with hand weapons, light armour, and slings: 98 points

- Total for January: 202.5 points