Dante, Lord of the Angelic Host

Well, I have been anxious to see what I could do using my new alternate paint scheme for my Sanguinary Guard. The next model I decided to do was my Dante model.  I have to say, I am liking the black armor, though I am not sure about the face mask.  I'm thinking I may need to just paint it gold which wouldn't be too hard at this point.  Let me know what you think.

One thing I am totally pleased with is how the wings are coming out.  They are really striking and they look great on the tabletop.  I commented in my last painting post about how I did them, but I thought I would repeat those steps.  First, I color the feathers using the GW foundation Fenris Grey.  I covered them all the way.  Next, I used the GW foundation color Astronomican Grey leaving a bit of the Fenris Grey showing.  Finally, I added consecutive layers of pure white, adding additional layers as I got closer to the tips of the feathers.  This has yielded a blue to white highlighting scheme that looks amazing, much to my surprise. 

 Side view.  Another great rock base!

Those beautiful wings and a back view of the work I did on his axe blade. 

So, there it is.  What do you think about the white face?  Should I go with all gold for the mask?  I am on the fence.

Other articles you might find interesting:
On the Work Table: Blood Angel Sanguinary Guard Army
Sanguinary Guard- A Different Look



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More Site Updates

As most of you have noticed, I have made a change or two to the site.  One of which is the background color, though it would seem from my short survey that black is perhaps the way to go.  I will probably change it back in the near future.  For now, we will try out the white. 

Another change to check out is the addition of an "archives" page at the top of the page under the title.  I will constantly update it to include new posts and articles of note that I write. Check it out now.

Hopefully as more time goes by, I will add more spiffy updates to the site.  Keep checking the Archives for additions and updates which will hopefully make it easier to find things in the future. 

Warhammer Mythology: One Meta to Rule them All

Let me preface this article with saying that the following is purely my opinion and you don't have to agree because I am sure that the statistics are against me in this, but oh well.  I can't win them all based on logical reasoning, so here is my sneaky sucker punch to the gonads on the subject. 

I have talked about this briefly before here, but the idea of what is and is not competitive is quickly becoming my soapbox.  If I were to describe myself as a gamer, I would have to say that I am a fluffy competitor.  I love Warhammer 40k for its expansive story and character, but I also like to play and win the game.  Besides, this is MY army and it should be able to crush all before it.  It's my opinion that if a person gets into Warhammer 40k, they aren't doing it simply because they saw the ruleset and like it.  Generally, it's the fluff element that draws in players.  As such, most players also play and customize their armies based around their ideas and preferences as to what their personal army should be like. 

That leads us to the variety of lists built daily by thousands of players worldwide.  Enter "the internet".  The internet is a great way for players from all kinds of places to talk about the hobby and the game of Warhammer 40k.  Eventually, popular opinion and playtesting has distilled each army into what makes the most successful army on the board.  This has become universally accepted around the world as the end-all-be-all of what is and is not competitive. 

Phew....still with me?

So is the general opinion of the internet and overall community the definition of what is competitive and worth playing (i.e. necrons and tau suck. BA, GK, and IG rock.  Blah, blah, blah.)?  I don't think so.  We are getting into the realm of the metagame here.  For those not hip to the meaning of metgame, you can see a good definition here. 

We have to ask ourselves then, is there an overarching metagame for 40k?  Are Necrons always going to lose to Space Wolves or Imperial Guard?  Does MSU trump large units the majority of the time?  The defined metagame of 40k seeks to answer these questions and consequently forces players, new and old, to make decisions about which armies they choose to play and how they field those armies.  And this is where I get a little annoyed.  For a couple reasons really.  #1 is that GW makes an unbalanced game where not every army can compete on a level playing field. #2 is that the general population of gamers come to the realization thanks to #1 that there are only a few ways to competitively play (I'm using the term competitive losely here to mean win regularly.) with any army and so we have decreased creativity in army design and thus the game itself becomes a bit like the back of a shampoo bottle: lather, rinse, repeat. 

I, however, think that the community can influence gamers to branch out and be more creative with their army lists based on a few variables that make it possible to say that there is no set metagame. 

1) Army sampling, rules interpretation, and competitive level is regional.  What I mean by this is the fact that in one area of the world or country, players could vary in the armies they regularly play, the way they, as a group, interpret the rules, and how many players are truly "competitive gamers".  For instance, in the northeast United States, there appears to be quite a robust competitive gaming scene with many large tournaments offered yearly.  However, gaming in Montana and the Dakotas probably is a bit more casual (there are more head of livestock in the mentioned states than people). 

I have also heard many accounts of different rules interpretation from state to state, region to region, or even country to country.  One of the big things that Team USA mentioned after last year's ETC was that understandings about things such as terrain were a bit different to how they are generally interpretted here in the US.

Army sampling can also change.  For instance, one club might have a strong sampling of Tau and Tyranid players with relatively few Space Marine players while another my be exclusively Marines and their variants. 

2) Experience plays a huge part in what you can do with an army.  Again, an experienced player can play far more competitively with a sub-optimal list that they know inside and out than an inexperienced player can do with a fresh-off-the-line, optimized list.  Experience and tight gameplay trump lists.  Check out my post on that here. 

3) Imposed norms and comp can play a huge part in what an army can do.  If it is understood in a local club that MSU razorspamming is cheesy and powergame-ish, then fluffier armies might abound and do well.  Comp at larger tournaments does this as well. Points size at tournaments can do so as well.

So, the point here is that there are simply too many variables to consider in order to make one overarching metagame for 40k.  You can try to base your army preference and list building on the general consensus, but that doesn't mean that your local metagame or the metagame of tournament won't make all of your prep work for naught. 

That is where I just say, play the army you want to play.  If you really want to get to a point where you win games regularly, know the rules, play tight, and build lists that you like that have some competitive elements to them so that they are as balanced as possible.  You don't have to go out and get a hot of the presses netlist to enjoy the game and win. Play the way you want to.  Don't be intimidating into thinking that an army design or strategy won't work until you have tried it and proven that it does or doesn't.  Play on your own terms.

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Sanguinary Guard- A Different Look

So, if you have read my stuff, especially here, you know that I like to do things alternate to the norm.  The same holds true with my current army.  I don't like the idea of golden Sanguinary Guard. The problem was, it seemed like it was the only color scheme that worked.  Well, I alluded to the fact that I was going to experiment with something different in my last post, here. 

That "something different" worked, in my opinion, and I wanted to share it here with you good folks.  Also, at the end, I will share with you all my ideas on overall army color scheme.  So, it should be fun. 

Without further ado, my black Sanguinary Guard.

Here he is in all of his glory.  I have to admit that when I first started, I didn't think the black armor would work, but when I began to add details, it really started to come together.  There is also just enough red in the model to make him cover together with the rest of the army.  Take a look below for a side by side comparison with my Sanguinary Priest model. 

This is my first true attempt at the coruscating energy power weapon look.  While not totally smooth, I think it looks great at arm's length (i.e. on the tabletop) and will really make my Sanguinary Guard stand out.  You can also see how the red in the model really balances out the blue of the blade and warms up the black armor.

Speaking of which, do you like that awesome rock back that he is jumping off of?  You do?!  Use my simple tutorial for Rock Bases on the Cheap to achieve the same result! (shameless plug, I know.)

Another cool, dramatic pose as he launches from the rock into the enemy.

Here is a comparison picture of how this model looks with a model sporting the Angels Sanguine color scheme.  I think they really blend well.  There is enough black in the Angels Sanguine scheme to allow the Sanguinary Guard to be all black and look good as part of the army.  (Yes, I know that Angels Sanguine paint their SG armor white, but I don't care.) 

So, as far as army color goes, it will be Angels Sanguine colors meaning half red (on the right) and half black (on the left).  Helmets will be colored various colors to differentiate squads.  Any members of the Sanguinary orders will have white helmets as pictured above.  Normal grunts like devs and assault marines will have yellow helmets.  My Vanguard Vets will have gold helmets. 

I am leaning towards painting Dante in the black color scheme as well. I think that would look really cool.  I was thinking about make the face of his deathmask white with veins of green or blue through it like it was made of marble.  We will have to experiment.  My libby is going to be more traditional with blue armor and blood angels accents.  The jump chaplain will be a normal chaplain in black armor as well. 

So there's the scheme.  It took a long time in coming, but I think it is going to look pretty slick.  As a matter of fact, it has really got my excited about painting this army now.  I am also thinking about how I could make a nice looking display board for the army, but that is months off.  Heck, Blood Angels might have a new codex by the time that happens. 

I am keen to see what people think about the color scheme.  Please leave comments and criticism.  I don't mind either as long as you are nice. 

Other articles you might find useful:
On the Work Table: Blood Angel Sanguinary Guard Army
Painting Halfway Decent Power Weapons

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First Model for Sanguinary Guard

I have found a day or two in between some commission work that i have to work on a few models of my own, so I thought it would be prudent to start nailing down a color scheme for my Blood Angels Sanguinary Guard army. I finally decided on an Angels Sanguine color scheme.  I really like the halved color scheme with red and black.  So, I decided to start with a Sanguinary Priest.  Here is my first model. 

As you can see, I kitbashed the model using a Black Templar tabard front, with a regular marine, a Sanguinary Guard jump pack, and the Apothecary arm.  All in all, I think he turned out well. 

You can see him standing on one of my Rock Bases on the Cheap.  This basing scheme is really going to give my models some "height", making them feel like they just hit the ground from a jump.

I decided to make the jump pack's engines ignite with blue heating.  I think it helps balance out the red in the model. 

I also took shoulder pads from the Sanguinary Guard sprue to finish this guy out.  He is suitably blinged, I believe.

Next up is my first Sanguinary Guard model.  I am running him as a tester.  I am actually thinking about doing black Sanguinary Guard.  Instead of gold armor, they will have black armor with white helmets.  In my head it looks cool.  I will hopefully get the model done tonight and tomorrow and be able to report on whether or not this particular scheme works.  Stay tuned for that.

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Who Says What's Competitive?

So, I really hate it when I see an army bashed because it doesn't have the textbook competitive elements.  Awhile back, I wrote an article that got some notice from House of Paincakes called, Guns to Kill People, People Kill People.  The premise of the article is that an army list alone doesn't win a game.  It requires a player, rules knowledge, startegy, and yes, a little luck with the dice.  I hate it when I see a post or comment on a forum that bashes an army list simply because it doesn't fit a set criteria for a competitive list. 

So what needs to happen when list advice is asked for?  I'm glad you asked! 

1) When a person proposes a list, they should also supply some kind of overall strategy for the army.  What do you hope to accomplish with the army?  How do you propose to win the three main BRB missions with the army?  What weaknesses do you see in the army?  How do you plan on protecting them?  Give me an idea of how you want the army to run.  This gives me some ammunition for helping you refine the idea.  You want to run an army of elite Blood Angel jumpers.  Let's talk about how you plan to do so.  You want to spam razorbacks in a Space Wolf list.  Tell me how you plan to cross the board. 

2) Tell what units you have to unconditionally keep.  In my Sanguinary Guard army I must have Dante and Sanguinary Guard.  Done.  If you want hordes of Thunderwolves for your Space Wolf army, tell me so. 

3) Tell why you are seeking advice.  Are you wanting to know if it can go 5-6 rounds undefeated in a competitive event?  That's a toughie.  Do you want to it for a local 3 game, 1 day event at your FLGS?  Do you want to run a theme-y army that can put up a bit of a fight?  That's a lot easier. 

4) Be prepared to hear criticism.  Then take it with a grain of salt.  You may hear some things you don't like.  That's cool.  If you think something will work in the army, try them out even if you are told they won't.  If you don't feel particularly attached to a unit and are told to drop it, do so.  Go with your gut.

For those giving advice:

1) Try to get an idea of what the person asking for advice is trying to do with the army.  Get a feel for the strategy they want to use.  Put yourself in their place. 

2) Try to stay true to the original vision.  If it just can't be done, fine, but if it can, don't squash the idea.

3) Give advice for where the person is.  If the asker isn't a tournament goer, but wants to win games, don't tell them their army won't work competitively.  Help them understand how it can put up a fight. 

4) Be kind.  Understand that different people have different playstyles and that they may actually be able to win with a list that doesn't look all that great to you. 

Here's the deal.  There is no overarching metagame for 40k.  Sure.  Some armies are grossly underpowered, but they can be made to play well in the right hands.  Various areas and gaming groups have different dynamics.  Whose to say a Necron army can't be the best army in a group.  Whose to say an Imperial Guard leafblower army won't lose with regularity in a local area of gamers.  Lists aren't made in isolation.  They are made within the premise of their authors' understanding, experience, and preferences.  When giving advice, try to help a person achieve their goal.  That is what most people want.  They want their ideas validated, not to be crushed into the interweb netlist machine.  Allow some creativity and individuality for crying out loud.

End rant. 

What are You Working On?

So, I decided to take a few pictures of things I am currently working on.  I have a Slaanesh daemon army that I am currently doing as a commission.  You can see some of those models on my overly crowded painting table. 

I am currently working on 6 fiends of slaanesh.  They are coming along well and I hope to be done with them today.

This scandalous little model is a Gamezone Fiendish Offspring Banner.  Check out some of their other very high detailed minis. 

Finally, I recently got a box of Death Company with some birthday money.  I am going to use these sweet looking models for my Vanguard Veteran squad.  I figure the Sanguinary Guard generally cross over better to Honor Guard, so Death Company would be a good fit for Vanguard. 

That's it from my workstation.  Post a comment and either post a link to pictures or just tell me what you are working on.  I would love to hear.