COLOSSALS: STORMWALL

This June get something big for the battlefield.

From the PP release: “Perhaps Nemo’s greatest creation, the Stormwall towers over Cygnar’s enemies with all the majesty and menace of a looming cloudburst. From the thunder of its guns to the blinding cracks of arcing electricity from its lightning pods, the Stormwall is the mechanikal embodiment of the tempest. Powered by both steam and surging voltaic energy, it riddles the enemy lines with cannon shells and hails of bullets before smashing survivors with its electrified fists. The Stormwall Colossal comes in a box (PIP 31050) and includes three Lightning Pods and a colossal wreck marker. A player may field up to two Stormwalls for each warcaster in a Cygnar army.”

STEELHEAD RIFLEMAN CONVERSIONS

I was reading through the section of the Forces book detailing the Riflemen, and saw that their group is made up of disgruntled soldiers hailing from Long Gunners, Winter Guard, and the like. I started to look through my collection, eyeing up Trenchers and Long Gunners. I didn’t like what I saw in that area. Then I checked out a box of Widowmakers that had ben sitting around collecting dust, and I got to work.

I already have a full unit of Riflemen. So I placed an order with Privateer Press for two sprues of Steelhead Halberdier heads, and two of the one piece Riflemen models. With minimal effort, I have swapped out heads on the Widowmakers, and am pleased with the results. I had considered converting the Widowmaker guns too to make them smaller but dammit I like those sniper rifles!

I probably will not use these models in a tournament because it might confuse those of little brain even if they are told that my Mercenary army does not actually contain Widowmakers and that the models are conversions for Riflemen. However, I am damn sure going to use them in friendly games on G.O.D. club night.

Stormsmith Conversion

Awhile back, I was given a frame of the Empire Wizards parts made by Games Workshop.

When I was looking through the various bits on the sprue, I noticed this wacky head with a long beard and crazy hair. I thought to myself, “Wow, that looks like the head of a Cygnar Stormsmith … at least in the hair!” But at the time, Privateer Press had a strict rule that models could only contain their parts. Well, since now it is that they must contain mostly their parts … I had to do it.

I have six Stormsmith models. Three are painted, and not shown here. These are an additional three that I got for a very good price on eBay. I figure that I might be able to use a butt load of Stormsmiths if I ever get around to fielding a Theme List with Nemo. Anyway, here’s the conversion … a simple head swap.

I like the way he turned out!

A simple conversion using a head swap.

Three Stormsmiths. Center one is conversion.

GUN MAGE CAPTAIN ADEPT

Finally finished this guy off for my Arcane Tempest Army Lists.

Gun Mage Captain Adept - ready for the assassination run!

CYGNAR PAINT LIST

So I went through my Battlefoam and Sabol bags and wrote down all the Cygnar models I need to paint.

• Storm Gunner
• Stormsmith x3
• Epic Caine
• Lt. Caine (newest one)
• Darius
• Sentinel
• Grenadier x2
• Charger x2
• Kraye
• Cyclone x2
• Maxwell Finn
• Jonas Murdoch ( plus a max unit of Ogrun Gun Corps)
• Haley (alt)
• Stryker (alt)
• Nemo
• Trencher Officer and Sniper
• Sword Knights (max unit)
• Professor Pendrake
• Master Gunner
• Strangewyas
• Trencher Commandos (max unit)
• Scattergunner x3
• Long Gunners x6
• Thorn
• Centurion
• Chaingun crew x2
• Trencher Cannon Crew
• Triumph

 

Wilford Brimley Was Right

Lazy

Hey, it’s MINIATURE MONDAY again.

I have worked at pulling out all my miniatures and marking their front arcs for playing WARMACHINE. I am slowly making progress in marking these bases using a Silver Sharpie. I seldom run into a problem during games, but MKII kind of requires it at this point. I’m not the most popular or active Press Ganger, but I figure I should do what I can to be a good example by having my front arcs marked for games. Especially since my Local Store finally shut down and travel to other locations to take part in tournaments and events when I can. Many times my work prevents me from doing this due to its unique nature.

I have a lot of irons in the fire on my painting table. Problem is that I just don’t seem to have the energy to get anything done. I could easily blame this on being overwhelmed because generally I get bogged down easily and frustrated fast. However, the truth of the matter is simply that I sit down at my table to paint and just end up staring with a frown. The main reason for this is that my blood sugar has run between 500 and 600 every single day … and that’s at my fasting check in the morning. Wilford Brimley was right, diabetes can suck at times when it gets out of whack. The crazy thing is that there’s no clear reason it’s going out of control as of now. In May, I guess my blood tests will explain what’s going on with me.

When I finally do manage to get things back in order, I have the following things finished and ready to post up on Wreck Marker:

• 2 minimum units of Field Mechaniks
• Epic Haley and Variant Haley
• Max unit of Devil Dogs

And I am working on the following:

• Jeremiah Kraye
• 2 Grenadier Warjacks
• Trencher Infantry UA
• A minimum unit of Long Gunners
• Kara Sloan
• 2 Cyclone Warjacks

And I’m happy to announce that I am finally stepping into the Battle Foam age. I’ve been saving a little money here and there and finally got the nerve up to place an order for a WARMACHINE Battle Foam bag from Miniature Market.

I hope everyone had an excellent Miniature Monday.

Keep rollin’ sixes!

 

Rollin' Sixes

Trencher Reference

Trenchers & Siege

 

As some of you know, I am a fan of Trenchers. I recently painted a bunch of them and used some images I found on the White Moon Dreams forum for reference. I’m sure that many of you have already seen these images, but I include them for those of us who live under a rock when it comes to the WARMACHINE video game. The main page is here, and the one I used the most is right here. The pictures were posted by uglymuffin.

Enjoy.

Keep Rollin’ Sixes!

WARMACHINE AWESOME

Image by Patrick Hoesly via Flickr

Privateer Press has some awesome stuff coming out in June. Most of it we already knew about, but there are a few little surprises.

WARMACHINE: Wrath MSRP $34.99 Softcover $44.99 Hardcover
As the fury of war shatters the fragile peace following the events of WARMACHINE: Legends, the nations of the Iron Kingdoms prepare to unleash new weapons against their foes. While old grudges bring about new hostilities, a sinister force prepares to cast its shadow across all of Immoren as events unfold that will change the Iron Kingdoms forever!
WARMACHINE: Wrath heralds the next exciting chapter of the WARMACHINE saga. Lead the charge to war with:

• New troops to bring to the fight, including six new warcasters and the debut of the mighty battle engines.
• New narrative fiction, including compelling stories for each WARMACHINE faction.
• A painting and modeling guide to help you ready your forces for battle.
• New Theme Force lists for each new warcaster, which allow you to create armies based on specialized forces found in the WARMACHINE world.

Harness the Power of Wrath and Let None Stand Against You!
Available in softcover (PIP 1045) and hardcover (PIP 1046).

Cygnar Long Gunner Infantry (new packaging, white metal) MSRP $49.99 PIP 31087
Armed with the latest innovations in modern firearms, long gunners make up the majority of the rank-and-file soldiers in Cygnar’s armies. Unleashing withering volleys of rifle fire without having to reload after each shot, the long gunner infantry can tear enemy ranks to pieces with an unceasing hail of lead.

The Long Gunner Infantry unit comes in a box (PIP 31087). A player may field up to two Long Gunner Infantry units for each warcaster in a Cygnar army.

Special Note: PIP 31087 contains the same Mk II stat card as PIP 31018. The models in PIP 31087 are the same models as are in PIP 31010 and PIP 31018 and replace those older PIPs by offering their contents in a complete unit. PIP 31010 and PIP 31018 will no longer be available from Privateer Press beginning June 1st, 2011.

Cygnar Warcaster Constance Blaize, Knight of the Prophet (white metal) MSRP 14.99 PIP 31090
Constance Blaize is a resolute champion of Morrow who leads her Precursor Knights into battle against the unholy terrors that threaten all of mankind. Her greatest foes are the sprawling nightmare empire of Cryx and the vile servants of the dark god Thamar. Empowered by her faith, Blaize fights for her god and her nation with fervor inspired by the holy ascendants she reveres.

The warcaster Constance Blaize, Knight of the Prophet comes in a blister (PIP 31090). A player may field one Constance Blaize, Knight of the Prophet in a Cygnar army.

Protectorate of Menoth Warcaster Thyra, Flame of Sorrow (white metal) MSRP $14.99 PIP 32086
A fanatic assassin able to move between the bounds of life and death, Thyra, Flame of Sorrow is the peerless commander of the Daughters of the Flame. Her twin swords, Grief and Lament, weave a path of razor-edged destruction through the enemy ranks as she leads her sisters into battle. Thyra has become a living weapon of the Menite cause, her body and soul devoted to avenging the injustices carried out by those who oppose the Creator.
The warcaster Thyra, Flame of Sorrow comes in a blister (PIP 32086). A player may field one Thyra, Flame of Sorrow in a Protectorate of Menoth army.

Khador Warcaster Kommander Harkevich, the Iron Wolf (white metal) MSRP $15.99 PIP 33088
Khador’s Iron Wolf has earned a reputation as a peerless master of heavy armor on the battlefield, a war hero beloved by his men and respected even by the enemies of the Motherland. He is famous for his ability to move large numbers of warjacks at an unprecedented pace to arrive where the enemy least expects him. Where Harkevich and his iron army stride, the enemy finds itself hounded, outmaneuvered, cornered, and eventually obliterated by overwhelming firepower.

The warcaster Kommander Harkevich, the Iron Wolf comes in a blister (PIP 33088). A player may field one Kommander Harkevich, the Iron Wolf in a Khador army.

Cryx Wraith Engine Battle Engine (resin and white metal) MSRP $84.99 PIP 34080
The Wraith Engine stalks the battlefields of western Immoren shrouded in the impenetrable shadow of death and pain. Ephemeral and elusive, it can become incorporeal at will or hide its presence in a cloud of ectoplasmic smoke. Like a great, necromechanikal specter, the Wraith Engine appears suddenly among its victims, slashing them to ribbons with its scything talons and drawing their souls into the glowing, green furnace of its innards.

The Wraith Engine battle engine comes in a box (PIP 34080). A player may field up to two Wraith Engines for each warcaster in a Cryx army.

Cryx Warcaster Lord Exhumator Scaverous (white metal) MSRP $36.99 PIP 34094
A specialist in the acquisition of lore from the dead, Lord Exhumator Scaverous is one of the most potent and intelligent servants of the Nightmare Empire. Souls are both ammunition and fuel for Scaverous. Those he slays and casts aside are fortunate compared to any possessed of special lore, whose skulls and souls he preserves for horrific necromantic interrogation.

The warcaster Lord Exhumator Scaverous comes in a blister (PIP 34094). A player may field one Lord Exhumator Scaverous in a Cryx army.

Retribution of Scryah Warcaster Lord Arcanist Ossyan (white metal) MSRP $14.99 PIP 35046
The fundamental laws of reality twist and shatter beneath the will of Ossyan, Lord Arcanist of House Vyre. Time bends with but a gesture from him, and he can alter his perception to see the convergence of fate. Armed with perfect foresight he is a deadly combatant and battlefield general. Ossyan’s myrmidons and soldiers move with the assurance of destiny as he unleashes House Vyre’s sophisticated armaments upon the enemies of the Retribution.

The warcaster Lord Arcanist Ossyan comes in a blister (PIP 35046). A player may field one Lord Arcanist Ossyan in a Retribution of Scyrah army.

Mercenary Alexia, Mistress of the Witchfire Character Solo (white metal) MSRP $TBD PIP 41091
Astride her horrifying skeletal steed, the infamous Alexia Ciannor reaps the souls of her enemies with the hell-forged blade Witchfire. The dark sorceress uses the souls she harvests to raise armies of terrifying thrall warriors from the grave and rides alongside them as she lays about her with her sword, leaving nothing but ashes in her wake.

The Alexia, Mistress of the Witchfire character solo comes in a blister (PIP 41091). A player may field one Alexia, Mistress of the Witchfire in a Mercenary army

 

Blue … So Much Blue

Image provided by WordPress

I’ve been working on some of my Cygnar models. I realized that I still have a lot of models to paint. So the ones that are on my short list are the following:

1. Jeremiah Kraye
2. Alternate Haley
3. Epic Haley
4. 2 Units of Field Mechaniks
5. 2 sets of Stormblade Unit Attachments
6. Kara Sloan

 

Epic Haley WIP

 

Kara Sloan WIP

Riding with Kraye

I’ve been using Jeremiah Kraye and his Themed Forces list lately during our local club games on Thursday nights. I decided on Kraye for two reasons: (1) He’s seldom seen in the local meta, and (2) I figure that we will see fancy new Ranger Solos and Light Cav models in the near future.

Kraye is pretty fun to play. He’s fast, doesn’t take free strikes (Parry) and can’t be Knocked Down (Steady.) And the fact that he’s a Cav model is interesting because he gets to utilize these extra rules, especially the +2 on charge attack rolls. Although his DEF is not great at a 14, he can usually take advantage of walls or structures to get Cover from his enemies. Although I haven’t done it yet, using a Sentinel with him might help a bit. However, the two times that I played him he was put down by melee attacks not ranged.

Kraye’s Themed Forces list is as follows:

Warjacks: Cygnar non-character warjacks
Units: Field Mechaniks, Rangers, Cygnar Light Cavalry units, Black 13th Gun Mage Strike Force
Solos: Gun Mage Captain Adept, Cygnar Light Cavalry solos, Ranger solos

Tier 1 of the Themed Forces list limits my choices a lot. This isn’t a terrible thing because I usually have too many choices when I am making my army. Doing this, Ranger units become FA: U and have their point cost reduced by 1. That means Rangers cost 4 points. Not bad.

Tier 2 requires that I take two Hunter Warjacks to gain a +1 to my starting roll. I’ve always liked using Hunters, and I have three of them painted … so … YES PLEASE.

Hunter 812

Tier 3 calls for two Ranger units. I was unsure about this at first. But in recent games, I have decided that they are worth all 4 points that they cost to put on the table. They are delicate when under fire, but brutal when they are dishing out actions. Putting two of these units on the table allows me to place a wall or forest for each unit. This provides cover or concealment for both the Rangers and Kraye.

And lastly, Tier 4 allows me to Advance Deploy Heavy Warjacks as long as Kraye’s battlegroup includes two of them. It’s hard to decide which Heavy ‘Jacks to include. My favorites are the Centurion, Cyclone, and Defender. I can also see the merit of taking an Ironclad. I have to keep experimenting with these ‘Jacks to get the right combination.

My first games was against Charbok and his Trollbloods. He was using Borka, I believe. The game was a lot of fun, although it was a little slow because I was still getting the feel for Kraye. I should have won this game, but I made a rookie mistake. Borka had no Fury on him, but I decided to have one of the Heavies attack a wounded Winter Troll. I didn’t realize that the Troll had two Fury on it. Killing the Winter Troll allowed Borka to claim two fury. Although Kraye dished out a lot of damage to Borka that turn, the damage obviously got transferred twice to a nearby Mauler. I believe that Mauler smashed Kraye into a pulp the next turn.

My second game saw me battling Khador247. He was using storm flavored Krueger. This game was a good one too. However, I made another very rookie mistake. I had managed to get two Hunters behind Krueger (who was pumped up to like Def 21 due to standing on a Wreck Marker, and using Skyborne.) When I moved the Hunters, I failed to pay close attention to their front arcs. I got off the first charge with one Hunter, but the other was faced poorly and could not charge due to LOS. I wouldn’t have won the game from these two charges, but it would helped. My rookie mistake was moving Kraye out of cover (from behind a wall) and into a Crater. This allowed Khador247 to drag Kraye forward with a Druid’s Force Bolt. Then, a Lightning Tendril-ed Feral Warpwolf danced on over and smacked Kraye around with his big hippe claws.

Needless to say, I was busy marking front arcs today.

So that’s my Dead Man’s Tale for the day. I’m 0-2 with Kraye for the moment. I need to turn that around quickly.

Until next time: Keep Rollin’ Sixes.