Archive for October, 2009

Advance Scout Report

Pic: Golden Daemon Winner

Shawn,

Dark Angel fortress going to plastic, should cost 78 bucks.
http://twitpic.com/kafus

Armorcast has put all their Halloween flavored bits on sale, including terrain, basing materials, bits, etc.
http://www.tabletopgamingnews.com/2009/10/04/30334

GW Release dates:
http://magiler.blogspot.com/2009/10/new-large-boxes-in-late-november.html
EMPIRE BRIGADE
Released 28-November 2009, 84 Fig Box, Retail price £100.00

ORC & GOBLIN BRIGADE
Released 28-November 2009, 109 Fig Box, £100.00

ORK MEGAFORCE
Released 28-November 2009, 55 Fig Box, £100.00

SPACE MARINE MEGAFORCE
Released 28-November 2009, 33 Fig Box, £100.00

Additionally, expected Dark Angels bastion will be released:
FORTRESS OF REDEMPTION
Released 28-November 2009, 1 Fig Box, £60.00

Potential new blood angels codex info. It looks like this release will be something like a 2 army in 1 codex book. These are worth a read.
http://game-headz.blogspot.com/2009/10/breaking-codex-newsblood-angels-after.html
http://www.thehogsofwar.com/2009/10/rumor-m.html

Shawn’s comments: I really doubt they will do a 2 in 1. The trend has been to compartmentalize the armies and the Dark Angels has only relatively recently come out.

Thanks to Advance Scout Paul for these advance reports.

Reversals

This last 48 hours has been a succession of reversals.

While I was at the dentist, when the Doctor just came in to start work, my lovely wife appeared overhead. We had the following friendly exchange (friendly):

I need your car, my engine light is on and I have to take the kids on a field trip.
Did you check the transmission two weeks ago like I asked?
Nope, I’ve had other things going on.
What do you want me to do about it?
I want you to be a man and take care of it.

We’re waiting to hear back from the mechanics. Best case: $400. Worst case: $2400. Transmission problems suck. I’ve been checking out cars in the area. I’ll never buy a car with a loan ever again. Show up with hundreds and you can get something at half blue-book.

Today we picked up a junker car, just to get me gimped to and from work. It’s a 1995 chevy Lumina. $400. That was a punch in the junk. I hate that car already. It burns oil. It’s like driving around in a hot tub with eight blind spots. But at least I’ve got wheels to and from work.

Deals falling through. Money in the mail not showing up.

I’m not complaining, in fact I’m smiling. This is fun. I just know there’s three good things for every bad one in life. I like life. I am very optimistic. Supernaturally optimistic.

Salamanders on the block- 3000 pts

Got this army up for sale.

Full information here

This is the “no fuss” price, just to give it a good home in good time.

Just the materials retail for over $950. Also comes with all the custom-fitted foam. Ready to ship out.

Extensive conversions and magnetization.

Forge World doors.

Easily in excess of 3000 points.

Salamanders Army
1x Librarian
1x Chaplain
1x Vulkan
64x Infantry (10x sternguard conversions with salamander cloaks included) Approx. 40x magnetized arms
5x Terminators CC
3x Rhinos
3x Drop pods
2x Razorbacks
2x Vindicators
2x Predators
1x Land Raider (magnetized options for 2-3 variants)
3x Quad-style Attack bikes (magnetized weapon options)
1x Thunderfire Cannon and Techmarine
2x Dreadnoughts

= $1790 plus $9 ship in US

Pics (note that some rework has subsequently been done– but this gives the general idea)
http://www.bluetablepainting.com/view_gallery.php?galleryID=2973
http://www.bluetablepainting.com/view_gallery.php?galleryID=2951
http://www.bluetablepainting.com/view_gallery.php?galleryID=2926
http://www.bluetablepainting.com/view_gallery.php?galleryID=2839

MORE INFO:
Sternguard Bolters x10
Close Combat Weapons x2
Jump Packs x1
Power Fists x1
Meltagun x8
Power Weapon x3
Plasma Pistol x3
Combi Flamer x4
Combi Melta x1
Bolt Pistol x1

This is approximately what is in there. There are about 38 extras, all magnetized.

There are about ten heavy weapons, mostly multi-meltas, just fixed pose. Predators not magnetized; they can later have sponsons magnetized if you want. Razorbacks switch between HB and TLLC. Dreads are not magnetized at all, except to the base for transport. Those could be magnetized if you wanted to do that as a separate project.

Sabol is the case you’d need. I have one on hand for $120 that it will all fit in. If you pick up the army by Friday I’ll just include that no charge.

Infantry includes:
2x heavy flamers
2x heavy bolters
4x plasma cannons
2x multi melta
4x meltas
1x plasma rifle
3x missile launcher

3x sergeants with no arms (for the magnetized parts)
2x sergeants with power fists
11x Sternguard with one magnetized arm (for a rifle-type weapon) These could also be sgts.
23x with just regular bolters

The quad attack bikes have two options each.

Pots and Pans

The Fateweavers second incarnation is well underway. The models need to be plated (for magnetized trays) and textured. I made some really demented freak-jobs, even more outlandish than the last set.

The vulture demon from ultraforge showed up.

Brigh was working on a concept piece for Kairos Fate Weaver. But it didn’t turn out so well. So, we’re taking another shot at it tomorrow.

The Blue Scribes are going to find themselves in a different incarnation as well.

Let’s talk about the studio Vampire Counts. I wasn’t successful in selling it off at the “no fuss” price so I’m going to really take it up a notch. Here’s what’s up with that:
1) I sold the Lich Dragon, almost by accident, but I have parts on hand to make another one. It is really an imposing figure in the background. However, I don’t like those huge-normous figures because they unbalance any army of less than 3000 points.
2) Adding ten Dire Wolves.
3) Adding six Black Knights converted from Tomb Guard.
4) Adding six Cairn Wraith conversions (we did a little test run about a year back, now it’s time to make some more).
5) Adding a LOAD of zombies mixed and matched with other kits (like empire infantry) to make each one unique. I’m thinking at least sixty.
6) Adding one Wight King conversion, mounted.

Pretty sure that pushes is up above 3000 pts. All the materials are in, the assembly is about half done. The zombies is the big thing that’s left. I might just take it on myself.

For 40K I’ve got some Death Korps in trade. They’re too good and too cool not to do up as a studio army. It’s about seventy infantry, six of those quad guns, a huge tractor gun (?), some heavy weapons. It just needs some tanks. Yes, oh, yes, some tanks.

There’s more. The Oceanic Eldar are coming back!

The Vampire Counts are being done with the intention of selling them, so look for that later.

Chittering in Dark Tunnels

Skaven are up on the GW main site.

These are pre-order at this time.

First off, note that the clanrats are 20 per box for $33 which is a comparatively good price. I predict that clanrats will be cheaper or be better in very, very huge masses. Over the years, GW has increased the complexity of the figures. They are covered in detail now, nearly 1.5x harder to paint. Which is great, no complaints.

On the other hand, Storm Vermin are $49.50 for 20 per box. Still not bad. And surely they will cost more points. I predict that they will be in Core now. That’s what is generally happening with the re-write of every army book (eg Dire Avengers in Eldar, Berserkers in Chaos).

Plague Monks are another strong kit, also 20 per box and currently for $35. That kit is solid, very detailed, evocative, and with a lot of cool extras. My favorite Plague Monk accountrements are the book and the scroll that they are holding.

I also predict that the Doom Wheel will be in multiple unit types. It will be a hero mount (like the cauldron of blood) and maybe a Special. Maybe like a Stegadon. Just making predictions.

Testimonial- Bonesinger

Hey,

Just thought I’d write to say that the Bonesinger model just came in. It looks fantastic in person! It looked great in picture form too but nothing beats in person. I am glad the model got the attention it deserves. Just wanted to say Thank You to you and your crew.

One question if I may. I run a little youtube channel called Fortress Monastery (run by Keeper of the Fortress) and I was wonder if I could do a little positive review type thing on the model which would be pretty much showing the model and saying what level it was painted at and going over my overall experience.

Here is the link.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZtvHOQKSisU
Its not a great video as I dunno how to video edit or anything but I hope it does the intended job.

Take care,
James

Space Wolves

Just got in the new Space Wolf stuff, and it’s really sweet. These are very detailed figures. They are just as good as the Forge World upgrade stuff.

I just got up the spreadsheet up if you want to play around with that:
http://www.bluetablepainting.com/downloads.php

A lot of the model entries in the new codex are not available, but can be made from the newly released plastics. This is noted on the sheet. For example: we make swiftclaw bikers out of scout bikes and new “wolf pack” plastics.

Thunderbeast: this is meant to be a cosmetic alternative to the thunderwolf entry. I think that Forge World Rhinoxen fit the bill. Decide for yourself.

We “space-wolf-ify” models standard. So, if you order a Land Speeder you will get crew made from new plastics. Save for Skyclaws (jump packers) and for Swiftclaws (bikers) off the top of my head. And exposed crew.

Artistic License
Where we have artistic license we have to stay within the genre. You might end up with wolves in the following general colors:

• Space Wolf “grey” (pale blue like in codex)
• Grey
• Black
• Dark Red
• Red
• White

If you find one of these particularly objectionable, I don’t mind ruling it out. Personally, I already have a Blood Wolves force (red armor!) in the works. It’s already going to happen.

TURBO! Wolves
1500 pt Space Wolf army = $900
2000 pt Space Wolf army = $1200
2500 pt Space Wolf army = $1450

A turbo army means we pick composition and color scheme. You get a break on price.

We have decided that unless you request it, we won’t do a Logan Grimnar/Terminator list. It’s too easy to eat up the points.

General Notes on Spreadsheets
There is a shipping charge listed for Forge World orders through BTP. We rarely charge this. The vast majority of the time you pay nothing for shipping from FW since we make bulk orders.

Reaver Titan

A good friend of mine is selling his Reaver Titan. Here’s the info:

Bella Luna

The joy of our lives is Willow. Today she spilled a few tablespoons of water from a cup on to my desk. She reaches up there over the back of the couch in our family room. She was patting that water and sputtering and coo-ing with delight.

We also caught her trying to get up the steps. With mommy close at hand, we let her try and climb the whole flight up by herself and we were astounded when she accomplished the feat. There’s no stopping that girl. At ten months she is really getting around. We keep a close eye on her.

Her nickname is no longer “Nugget”. Her new nickname is “Willow-berto Rodriguez”.

It’s the weekend of General Conference, which means no church. We just hung out at home. My wife made brown rice and pumpkin curry. Just right.

I have an enormous day ahead of me tomorrow. It’s going to be insane.

Over the weekend, I got a lot of the conversion work done on the second incarnation of the Fateweavers (daemons of tzeentch). It’s about 80% put together.

I also got the Space Wolves codex in. I read that over. Pretty incredible. Everything is really cool. We got in a copy of the Grey Hunters box set (ten models, makes Blood Claws, too– both the Troops choices of the codex. I didn’t see two melta-guns in there, just two plasmas. If there are no meltas I’m going to cry my eyes out. Everyone will want two of them and they are really hard to come by.

My wife and I have been married for fifteen years. We like to be around each other. Back when I was a bachelor, I heard that marriage was ever so difficult. I always imagined that it would be constant bickering and drama. But it didn’t turn out that way at all. Tamie and I get along famously, and we are still very much in love. We enjoy dating.

Secret to our success: we are independent of our extended families; we formed our own bond. We are independent. We forgive readily and easily. No grudges, no punishment. Lots of physical contact– warm, meaningfully and kind.

My advice to young men contemplating marriage would be:
1) do not engage in physical intimacy during the courtship. If anything, tone it way down to hand-holding and a kiss hello and another one goodbye. There is a reason for this. It keeps your head clear. It also sets the stage psychologically (for the woman mostly) to properly bond after marriage.
2) Take a serious look at the practical aspects: health, money, skill-sets, extended family and what neurosis you’re going to be dealing with. Things that seem important during courtship are not really the things that pragmatically are important afterwards.
3) After that, make up your mind and take the dive.

A man is never really ready for marriage, or children. He’s only going to be as ready as he’s ever going to be. I was 25. That seemed about right for me.

One size does NOT fit all. Everyone is different. I’m only saying my opinion here.

Start Your Day Off Right (with a little mule comedy)

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