Battle Force Challenge Update #2: Orks Finished

First things first. The new Ork Flyer is easily one of my all time favorite Games Workshop models to build and paint. Easy to build with a ton of different options, no Ork Flyer should ever look the same.

With that out of the way, I can get back to the point of this post. I have finished my 1000 point Ork Battle Force Challenge army. For those of you that are just joining us, I have decided to challenge myself to build a 1000 point army for every Warhammer 40K Codex using the contents of that armies battle force. For the Codexs without a battle force I will either use the next closest equivalent (Space Marine battle force for Dark Angels, etc.) or buy an approximate equivalent in miniatures.

I started with Orks because I already have around 5000 points of these guys, but not all of it is painted. I also wanted to get one of those new flyers. In the end I actually put two of them in my army list. The thoughts behind these army lists are not to make tournament win at all costs armies. Instead, I want to make lists that become the core of the army. With the Orks finished, I am going to start going through the rest of the Codexs in alphabetical order. The next army, Black Templars. I already have an army list ready, and yesterday I purchased the Space Marine battle force, a Black Templar upgrade kit, a Dreadnought, and I have an Emperors Champion figure on order. Well, enough talking about the armies, and on to the photos and the army list for the Orks.

1000 Points Orks Battle Force Challenge List Finished

HQ: Warboss (1#, 85 pts)
   1 Bad Moonz Warboss Yella Jaw, 85 pts ('Eavy Armour; Bosspole; Cybork Body; Big Choppa)

Troops: Nob Bikers (3#, 210 pts)
   1 Da' Evil Sunz Fastest, 210 pts (Count as Troop Troops; Cybork Body; Warbike)
      1 Painboy (Cybork Body; Warbike)
      1 Nobz (Warbike; Cybork Body; Big Choppa)
      1 Nobz (Warbike; Cybork Body; Power Klaw)

Troops: Boyz (13#, 167 pts)
   11 Evil Suns Shoota Boyz, 167 pts (Shootas; Rokkit Launcha x1)
      1 Boyz Nob ('Eavy Armour; Bosspole; Power Klaw)
      1 Trukk (Reinforced Ram)

Troops: Boyz (12#, 156 pts)
   10 Bad Moonz Shoota Boyz, 156 pts (Shootas; Big Shoota x1)
      1 Boyz Nob ('Eavy Armour; Bosspole; Power Klaw)
      1 Trukk (Reinforced Ram)

Fast Attack: Dakkajet (1#, 130 pts)
   1 Da Blakk Gobbo, 130 pts (Fighta Ace; TL Supa Shoota)

Fast Attack: Burna-bommer (1#, 125 pts)
   1 Burna-bommer, 125 pts

Fast Attack: Deffkoptas (3#, 125 pts)
   3 Deffkoptas, 125 pts (TL Rokkit Launcha x2)

Total Roster Cost: 998

Dark Vengeance Librarian Conversion and More!

Well, my new photo booth came in this afternoon and I finally got a chance to sit down and try it out. I've still got some more playing around to do with the lights, but already my photos are 1000 times better than before. Here are a few random miniatures, including some from my Iron Hands Commission and my Battle Force Challenge Orks.

Easy Conversion From The Dark Vengeance Librarian

Ork Trukk Conversion

Big Mek Conversion

Mad Dok Grotsnik

A Few W.I.P. Shots From My Iron Hands Commission

Battle Force Challenge Update #1

Since my previous post I have been busy with several different projects. My commission work has picked up, and I've had to build up two MERC's battle groups, several Necron Warriors, around 60 Tyranid Genestealers and Gaunts. I've also been busy with a Iron Hands army that will hopefully be finished soon and sent off to the painter so he can add his magical touch. That army has been a constant struggle as I am always trying to make sure that everything is perfect. I've also built myself a 1000 point force for a little game called Flames of War, but I haven't forgotten about my Battle Force Challenge. Last post I thought I had a list settled on, but in the end I decided to go a different route with my Orks.

When I was at the FLGS last week, I was going to get 2 boxes of Lootas and a Ork Flyer to finish up my original 1000 point list from my last post. As I stood there looking at the other GW figures thinking of future armies that I will probably never get to, I kept going back to that Ork flyer. I thought about for a while, and decided to go for two flyers instead of the the flyers and lootas! With that in mind, I revisited my original list and made a few changes to incorporate these two new flyers. Basically I dropped the lootas, and looted wagon and added in the second flyer, a burna-bomba, and 3 deff-coptas. I tried taking a few photos, but none of them turned out right. As of now, I have the Warboss, bikers, the Bad Moonz truk, and the two flyers left to paint. Now I'm off to eBay to search for a good deal on a light box!

Orks Battleforce Challenge List

HQ: Warboss (1#, 85 pts)
   1 Bad Moonz Warboss Yella Jaw, 85 pts ('Eavy Armour; Bosspole; Cybork Body; Big Choppa)

Troops: Nob Bikers (3#, 210 pts)
   1 Da' Evil Sunz Fastest, 210 pts (Count as Troop Troops; Cybork Body; Warbike)
      1 Painboy (Cybork Body; Warbike)
      1 Nobz (Warbike; Cybork Body; Big Choppa)
      1 Nobz (Warbike; Cybork Body; Power Klaw)

Troops: Boyz (13#, 167 pts)
   11 Evil Suns Shoota Boyz, 167 pts (Shootas; Rokkit Launcha x1)
      1 Boyz Nob ('Eavy Armour; Bosspole; Power Klaw)
      1 Trukk (Reinforced Ram)

Troops: Boyz (12#, 156 pts)
   10 Bad Moonz Shoota Boyz, 156 pts (Shootas; Big Shoota x1)
      1 Boyz Nob ('Eavy Armour; Bosspole; Power Klaw)
      1 Trukk (Reinforced Ram)

Fast Attack: Dakkajet (1#, 130 pts)
   1 Da Blakk Gobbo, 130 pts (Fighta Ace; TL Supa Shoota)

Fast Attack: Burna-bommer (1#, 125 pts)
   1 Burna-bommer, 125 pts

Fast Attack: Deffkoptas (3#, 125 pts)
   3 Deffkoptas, 125 pts (TL Rokkit Launcha x2)

Total Roster Cost: 998

Introducing the Warhammer 40K Battleforce Challenge

In my last post, I talked about a lack of motivation for 6th edition and 40K in general. Since then I have been thinking about what I like the most about this hobby and what is making Flames of War look so interesting. It occurred to me that I really enjoy the army building and painting process more than I do the actual game. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy rolling dice and watching all those "ones" come up, but for me there is just something about putting together models and seeing what I can come up with. With that in mind, I have decided to revisit an idea I had back around the first of the year. I have long had the idea to make an army for every current race in 40K. Now with the new rules for allies, I think this idea finally has some merit to it. And that might be enough to pull me out of this funk.

I am calling this idea, the "Battleforce Challenge". The goal will be to make a 1000 pt army for each race. With the allies rules, I should be able to combine armies to make a variety of lists from 1500 to 2000 points. For Tyranids, I plan on still making two separate 1000 point armies. I figure between the two lists I should be able to easily make a 2000 point list.

To start this off I am going to go with Orks. I already have about 5000 points of Orks in various stages of completion that I can use. I came up with the list below based on the models from the battleforce and what models I like. I don't play competitively, so I don't try to build lists with that in mind. I'll need to get one of the new flyers, and I'll also need to finally get some Lootas. Up until now I have never even used Lootas! I already have two Trukks painted, but neither of them are in Bad Moonz colors. I am going to give myself 8 weeks, September 30th, to finish this army. Should be do able if I can get everything I currently have built completely finished by the end of August. Then that would give me September to build and paint everything new.

Orks Battleforce Challenge List

HQ: Warboss (1#, 105 pts)
. . Bad Moonz Warboss Yella Jaw, 105 pts ('Eavy Armour; Attack Squig; Bosspole; Cybork Body; Big Choppa; TL Shoota)

Troops: Nob Bikers (3#, 220 pts)
. . Da' Goff Boyz Fastest, 220 pts (Count as Troop Troops; Cybork Body; Warbike)
. . . . Painboy (Cybork Body; Warbike; Grot Orderly)
. . . . Nobz (Warbike; Bosspole; Cybork Body; Big Choppa)
. . . . Nobz (Warbike; Cybork Body; Power Klaw)

Elite: Lootas (10#, 150 pts)
. . 10 of Da Mad Dok'z Bezt Shoota's, 150 pts

Troops: Boyz (13#, 172 pts)
. . 11 Evil Suns Shoota Boyz, 172 pts (Shootas; Rokkit Launcha x1)
. . . . Boyz Nob ('Eavy Armour; Bosspole; Power Klaw)
. . . . Trukk (Armour Plates)

Troops: Boyz (12#, 161 pts)
. . 10 Bad Moonz Shoota Boyz, 161 pts (Shootas; Big Shoota x1)
. . . . Boyz Nob ('Eavy Armour; Bosspole; Power Klaw)
. . . . Trukk (Armour Plates)

Fast Attack: Dakkajet (1#, 130 pts)
. . Da Blakk Gobbo, 130 pts (Fighta Ace; TL Supa Shoota)

Heavy Support: Looted Wagon (1#, 60 pts)
. . Looted Wagon, 60 pts (Skorcha; Armour Plates)

Total Roster Cost: 998

A Tale of 6 Gamers - The Long Road Ahead

Well, it's been two weeks since we started our "A Tale of 6 Gamers" event, and everyone seems to be in it for the long haul! I don't think any of us got as much finished as we would have liked, but we did a Thanksgiving holiday in the middle of our two weeks. So, a little bad timing on my part. Anyway, for those of you keeping track at home, here are the next set of challenges as we start to add 250 points every two weeks! Tonight or tomorrow I will post up everyone's results from the first two weeks.

A Tale of Gamers - The Long Road Ahead - 12/01/2011

Hopefully this week everyone will start with a fully painted and based 1250 point “Core Army”. If not, getting them finished should be your top priority! Over the next two weeks, we’re adding another 250 points worth of models to your list. Remember, you can also change the wargear and unit size to your existing “Core Army” as well. You will have until December 15th, 2011 to complete the first additional 250 points to your “Core Army”. Choose your models wisely!

The Long Road Ahead

1. Add an additional 250 points to your “Core Army” and email or give your updated army list to Danny.
2. The additional 250 points can be what ever you want, and all models need to be WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get).
3. The models in your “Core Army” will not change through out the challenge, but you are allowed to change the unit size and wargear as long as the models are WYSIWYG.
4. Models can be in any condition for this challenge, but try to have at least one new or unfinished unit to work on.
5. To count towards your results, all models must have at minimum 3 colors on the figures and 1 color on the base.

Scoring

• 3 points for completing your additional 250 pts with at least 3 colors on all models
• 3 points for completing your additional 250 pts with at least 1 color on the bases

Extra Challenge(s)

Only 3 Colors? - 1 point Why stop at just three colors on your models? Take the time to get a shade and highlight on each of your colors where you can. Your models (and your points) will thank you.

The Best of the Best or The Quick and the Dead! - 1 point While you can chose any models in your codex for you next 250 pts, you might want to think about making it an elite or fast attack choice. If you do, you’ll get 1 point!


Insane Challenge!

Part Two of “The Devil is in the Details” - 2 points How did you do last time? Did you get everything done on all of your models? Keep it up with all of your new additions. While you’re at it, let’s spice up those bases some more. Add flock, static grass, etc. to your bases and paint them with as much attention as your models. If you got all the Challenges done last time, then your almost done!

A Tale of 6 Gamers - The Beginning Army Lists

Now that we've officially gotten things started here at our FLGS, I wanted to keep up with everyone's army as we progressed. If you remember from a few days ago, we went from 5 to 6 people that have decided they are manly enough for the challenges ahead! Here's a closer look at our armies. Since we're doing this for fun, none of us are going to get upset if the other is a little over or under the 1250 points to start with!


AirmanG - Necrons

Anrakyr the Traveller = 165

Command Barge = 165
Praetorians (x5) = 200
Warriors (x13) = 169
Warriors (x13) = 169
Immortals with Tesla Carbines (x5) = 85
Scarabs (x6) = 90
Doomsday Ark = 185
Tomb Spyder (x2) Gloom Prism (15) = 115

Total = 1243



 Pad Guy - Iron Hands (Codex: Space Marines)

Master of the Forge w/ Conversion Beamer = 120
Tactical Squad (x10) w/ flamer, combi-flamer, missile launcher, rhino, dozer blades = 220
Tactical Squad (x10) w/ flamer, combi-flamer, missile launcher, rhino, dozer blades = 220
Dreadnought w/ TLLascannon, Heavy Flamer = 145
Dreadnought w/ TLLascannon, Heavy Flamer = 145

Iron Clad Dreadnought (Heavy Support) w/ Heavy Flamer, Hunter Killer Missile x 2, Drop Pod = 200

Iron Clad Dreadnought (Elites) w/ Heavy Flamer, Hunter Killer Missile x 2, Drop Pod = 200

Total = 1250

Spacewolfcmd - Necrons

Necron Lord = ???
C'Tan = ???
C'Tan = ???
Immortals (x5) = ???
Immortals (x5) = ???
Warriors (x16) = ???
Warriors (x16) = ???

Total = 1250




Asmodai - Orks

Big Mek = 120
Mad Dok Grotsnik = 160
Ork Nobz (x5) Painboy (61) Battlewagon (140) = 441
Ork Boyz (x11) with Nob (56) in a Truk (55) = 242
Ork Boyz (x11) with Nob (56) in a Truk (50) = 237
Deffcopta (x1) = 50

Total = 1250

Bossman - Necrons

Overlord (90) Warscythe (10) Resurrection Orb (30) Phase Shifter (45) = 175
Warriors (x15) = 195
Warriors (x15) = 195
Immortals (x5) = 85
Flayed Ones (x9) = 117
Destroyers (x5) = 200
Scarabs (x5) = 75
Monolith = 200

Total = 1242




Boltergeist - White Scars (Codex: Space Marines)

Kor'sarro Khan = 205
Space Marine Bike Squad (x4) Attack Bike (50) = 190
Space Marine Bike Squad (x4) Attack Bike (50) = 190
Space Marine Bike Squad (x8) Attack Bike (50) = 310
Space Marine Bike Squad (x8) Attack Bike (50) = 310

Space Marine Attack Bike Squad (x1) = 50

Total = 1255

Project Update: Freebooterz Deff Coptaz

I decided to go ahead and knock these guys out. I had a rough time getting all the flash off of them. Everything else in both of my Assault on Black Reach sets had very little flash. Anyway, once I got the basic bodies built I wanted to add the options for a buzz saw and convert a few to make them stand out as rokkit launchers.

This Copta actually has both of those conversions on the same model. I used one of the close combat arms from the Deff Dred kit to make the buzz saw. With just a little trimming, this thing fit perfectly and looks like it came with the model! I then cut off the two top rokkits and replaced them with a boyz slugga and a big shoota from the same Deff Dred kit.

And here is the other Deff Copta with the converted big shootas. I could have cut the barrels shorter but every Ork knows bigger is better!

This is my favorite one, da big bomb. This conversion was simple as well. I used one of the jet packs from the storm boyz I'm building and glued it on. Easy as that. I used the one with the tail fin so it looked like it belonged with the Copta.

And the last two Rokkit Coptaz. By converting the others, these two now stand out as the Rokkit guys. Sometimes straight off of the sprue is the way to go!

Now I got to start getting an army ready for the Cities of Death League.....

Project Update: Freebooterz Snakebites Boyz

I've had these guys done for a few days now, but I haven't been able to get the photos off of my camera and onto the computer. I decided to go with Snakebites for something different. For the weapons I wanted to keep them simple with little decoration to show there more primal nature. I'm particually happy with the squig on the Nobz bosspole. I also went for a lighter almost orange shade with the red to help separate them the Speed Freaks squad I plan on painting. One thing about painting Orks, there are a lot of little details. A lot. I never noticed them, and I'm not sure that most people even paint them and I understand why. It's so easy to miss things and think that you have a figure done only to realize there's another pouch or tooth to paint and highlight. But in the end it's worth it even if I'll be picking these guys off the table by the handfulls. Here are the photos. The last Boy on the page is the driver for the Trukk that I still need to finish. I figured I might as well go ahead and paint him at the same time as the squad.

Project Update: Freebooterz and No Motivation....

Well, I tried to get the first Boyz squad completely finished this past weekend. And it just didn't happen. There's just been a lot going on here at home, and I haven't been in the mood. I have to be in the mood to paint, otherwise I just can't get into it. If I can't get into it, then I feel myself just going through the paces and the quality drops. With this army, I want each figure from Big Mek Badruk to the smallest squig to look the best I can make them. Unfortunately this weekend it didn't happen. The sad thing is all I had to finish on them is the squad markings to make them Snakebites and they're done.

The best stripper miniature's and resin , EVER!

On the upside, I did manage to get my old Ultrawing army out of its Simple Green bath and scrubbed clean. I had to clean these guys twice due to the clear varnish I used to protect them. Apparently the Simple Green only worked its way through the varnish and then I had to scrub them all and let them soak again to let it work through the paint! Once I got everything nice and clean, I rinsed them all of with warm water and let them sit in front of one of my air conditioner vents to dry for a day. I've got a new Belial conversion finished on Sunday from the figures I stripped, so at least the weekend wasn't a complete loss. Maybe this week I can get some stuff done and posted. Sorry for the delay.

Project Update: Freebooterz Boyz Squad & Pirate Trukk

Instead of being able to get out and enjoy the Memorial Day holiday weekend, I've had to stay home and watch after my sick puppy Bailey. So, while he was recovering from surgery, I sat down and assembled my first Boyz squad and their pirate ship trukk. When I first bought all the items I thought I would need for this army, I decided the most economical way to go was the Assault on Black Reach set. I know a lot of folks don't like the static poses in the box but these guys are easy to convert. Half of my Nobz were made from the ones in that box, and half of all of my Boyz squads will be too. With the extra bits from Max Mini and a little cutting here and there it's hard to tell which Boyz came from the AoBR set. I know the bits are hard to make out, but hopefully you can get the idea. Next squad I do I'll get photos before I prime them!

And here is there ride, the first of two or three Freebooterz Pirate Trukks.