Predator conversion and magnetization [The Rogue Trader]

Originally this was just going to be my take on magnetizing a predator.  After I saw how cool the forward mounted turret on Redscorps predator looked I figured I had to do a version of that too.  All of this was pretty easy, the magnets really easy.  Actually the only problem was when I discovered I'd got the polarity wrong on one and the superglue was doing a phenomenal job.  Anyway, the full story is below the fold.

Warhammer 40,006. Or something like that.

Information about the new updates are starting to show up everywhere, but in case you have missed them, we have...

A price list with release dates - They want how much?
Scans from the next White Dwarf - My Precious
And of course lots of comments on rumors - That's what she said

Most importantly, the base rules are $75 and come out on the 30th.  First posts of people rage-quitting 40K are expected around 12:15 UTC

I wonder what new models the new edition will bring for us to bastardize into some far improved deviant of G dubs original intent?

Citizensmith

Hornet Class Storm Talon Conversion [Rogue Trader]

Redscorps named his Storm Talon, figured I'd do the same with mine.  With the fact I went with a Skyhammer Missile option and this looks like some kind of insect I went for 'Hornet Class'.

Inspiration from Books

People really love the frequently cheesy (cough, Draigo wing, cough) but always fun army that the Grey Knights are.  Well fun unless you are playing against them and have an issue with the Psychobroke grenades that are pretty much standard issue for inquisitors (they come in a gift box also including Rad grenades).  I too play Grey Knights, I just ended up getting into them before the codex rumors hit and thanks to the Black Library.

There is a used book store near where I work that had (until I bought most of them) a great selection of cheap Black Library stuff.  Grey Knights was one of the first I read, with its descriptions of them as regular marines that have taken an extra dose of bad ass and awesome.  And they were cheap on ebay as their codex stunk up the room.  This made them a must have so I started collecting and painting.  Oh yeah and painting them grey, not metallic spray primer.  The fact that then new codex rumors surfaced just made me even happier particularly when it was released and made them into tiny gods.

Competition - Last chance for entries

Yeah we said 30th.  Guess we should look at a calendar or something and notice there are 31 days in March.  Oops.  Soz.

The still means though you have about 27 hours to get your entries in.  Plenty of time to glue that last bit of plasitcard on, watch as it falls off, swear loudly and throw the model against the wall.  Good thing you were doing an Ork conversion, nobody will ever know.  Just stop crying, it doesn't look good.

We've had some great entries in the last few days and look forward to a few more on the last day.  Midnight, Central time, tomorrow, Saturday March 31st  (that's next week sometime in Australia according to Red's corps) and we are done.  It'll take a few days to get the entries organized and then we'll get the voting under way.  Been some good entries, it'll be a decent fight.

See, even Forgeworld wanted in so they submitted their Storm Eagle.  Unfortunately they only gave us a painted shot so no win for them.  :)

Thanks

The Rogue Trader

[The Rogue Trader] Leveling up at Painting part 2 – Get 'em wet

If you are going to get serious about painting you will need more colors than those available in the P3 or GW paint ranges.  Sure, those are great for table top units.  What we are looking for is a truly stellar mini for a competition, display, or just to have a character that makes your opponent go ‘wow, did you paint that yourself?’   to which you can reply ‘yeah bitches and now it gonna wreck your face.’  To get those extra colors we need to blend so we need a palette.  Unlike oil paints, acrylic paints dry fast so that means a wet palette.

[The Rogue Trader] Leveling up at painting Part 1 - Skool

You’ve been painting for a while, long enough to have graduated beyond techniques that involve dipping.  You have seen some phenomenal work on various websites and wonder why your stuff doesn’t look anything like that.  Well, what you need is some learnin’.  Hopefully that is something we can provide.  Sure, these posts aren’t going to magically turn you into a Golden Daemon winner.  (For more on that GO HERE).  Hopefully they will help you become a better painter by pointing out some of the things we commonly do wrong, and give ideas as to some new things you can try.

Old School Modelling [The Rogue Trader]

On a recent trip with the family I ended up being reintroduced to what got me started on this hobby.  Way back before Games Workshop were trips to the Eltham Model Shop or Welling Models to pick up Airfix kits.  Every flat surface in my bedroom was adorned with plastic kits and numerous aircraft hung from the ceiling.  A friend and I even came up with some rules to control our 15mm scale Airfix WW2 Battles.  I don’t really remember them but let’s just pretend it was like 40K but better balanced.

[Rogue Trader] Space Marine the review

What, you hadn't noticed this game was coming out?  You live in a cave with no internet access?

I've really enjoyed the Dawn of War series of games and even a few of the others like Fire Warrior and Squad Command so when I saw this one was being offered I couldn't resist.  A quick trip to Steam and a preorder had me playing the two demo levels and eagerly awaiting the full game to unlock.  Was I happy with it?  Just click below to find out.

And in case you don't like suspense, or have a weak heart, yes I liked it.  My painting table will sadly gather dust for a while.

[The Rogue Trader] Toy Soldiers Depot Review

Toy Soldiers Depot is another of the miniatures sources that are worth being aware of.  Their stuff is not targeted at 40K, is cheaply made and is of course, cheap.  I'd seen a post about their stuff over at Dakka and had been meaning to order a couple of bits for a while. The Dakka post had suggested an APC as a Chimera alternate and then I also found a great looking artillery piece.  After making probably the cheapest order ever I had a couple of bits on the way.

[The Rogue Trader] Chapterhouse Studios Vehicle Kit Reviews

I've had my eye on some of the Chapterhouse Studios stuff for a while and decided it was time to place an order with them. Specifically I ordered the "Armored door and armor kit for Rhino tank" and "Death Angel doors for Space Marine Land Raider" kits.  Price wise, I think the Raider kit is very good for what you get.  The Rhino kit I'm not so sure on, it'd need to be a little cheaper for me to order another.  Not much, but comparing the two, the Raider kit is definitely the better deal.

Having ordered them I discovered shipping would be delayed due to a hold up in production.  Not a big deal as their communication about it was decent. When the package arrived it was well protected and undamaged.  They do a decent job on shipping.  So now, on to the specifics of the pieces.

[The Rogue Trader] Outwitting the paint pots.

Well probably the shortest post ever, but I was so happy with myself I thought it was worth sharing.  You know how the new GW pots have lost the little tab to keep the lids open so they are always closing on you and making it hard to paint.  You know the little tubes the protect the bristles on your brushes.  Unite the two and problem solved.  If its one of the tubes from a smaller brush it also keeps the tongue of the lid perfectly over the body of the paint pot.

Hopefully I've saved some people some frustration.  And if everyone else had figures this out already how come nobody told me.  :)

Now back to painting my Grey Knights.  Stupid NMM painting choice.

Marcus.

[Interview] Mathieu Fontaine - Studio Akaranseth

The next addition to our interview series is Mathieu Fontaine, an artist with several Golden Daemons on his shelf.  Having his talent for painting is one thing, but Mathieu is another person working to share what he has learned with a series of classes.  Once you've seen his work you'll know why you need to be asking your FLGS to bring him in to teach on of his Masterclass classes.

[Interview] Misterjustin - Secret Weapon Miniatures

For the next in our game industry interviews we talked to Misterjustin of Secret Weapon Miniatures.  From their site, SWM sell a large range of bases in addition to weathering pigments, washes, scenery kits and other conversion parts.  Justin though has made sure SWM is more than just a store and is a real part of the gaming community, including things like various painting classes and involvement in the Storm Wardens/Heroes of Armageddon projects.

[Collaboration] Codex: Grey Knights Review - Elites Part Two

We've saved the best for last.  Here we are closing out the Grey Knights force review with the rest of the elites.  The part that includes the Paladins and Purifiers that are forming the theme around which a lot of armies are based.

[Collaboration] Grey Knight Psychic Powers

Marcus here with some more thoughts on the codex de jour, Grey Knights, with both excellent and herbal commentary provided by David.  This time we will look at how the knights mess with your mind.

[The Rogue Trader] Bone Field Bases from Secret Weapon

I'd always thought Grey Knights were one of the cooler/fluffier chapters, and was really happy when the new codex was confirmed.  I'd been working my way through various Black Library offerings and picked up the Grey Knights book at this huge used book store near where I work.  It was a good read, but that is for another post.  The main thing was the memorable start where the Knights are attacking across barrow mounds, the dirt churning as the bones of the dead and undead come back to the surface.  Possessed and now trying, sometimes successfully, to drag the attacking Grey Knights beneath the blood soaked surface.

[The Rogue Trader] - Cheap Knights Part 2 - Purifiers

I've been building out a Grey Knight army and looking for ways to not sink a bajillion dollars into doing so.  I'd made a previous post about cheap knights.  Basically a quick demonstration about how easy it is to build a second set of 5 Grey Knights for 1/3 the price of a new box.  One of the comments I received on that post was about Dark Angel Veteran sprues, and that suggestion was one I wanted to try.

[Collaboration] Codex: Grey Knights Review: Elites - Part 1

The Grey Knight Elites was another section we decided to break in two because of the range of choices provided. This part of the review will cover the Assassins and Inquisitorial Henchmen.  You have a huge range of options here as well as a lot of low cost choices that will help to fill in gaps in your lists.  Like the HQ and Heavy sections, Elites are going to fill out fast for Grey Knights.

[Collaboration] Codex Grey Knights Review: Heavy Support

Heavy support is a section where the Grey Knights have a lot of good options. Enough that rifle dreads will probably often show up as Venerable rifle dreads, and the rock that is the Land Raider will have to fight for space.