Colonial 2012 Wrapup: How to not repeat a GT win.

Hands down this was the event I was most excited to attend  this year, not just because I wonlast year, but because it was exceptionally well run event. Exceptional location, the best portable tables (Mechanicon), some of the best terrain I have seen in both quantity and quality (Brothers Grim, Mechanicon, and I think Showcase Comics), all in all it was the best event two day GT I did in 2011.

Due to a rumored falling out this year 40k was not run by Grimm group, and the previous location raised the rates resulting in us being the basement of a VFW. Expectations were high and overall Chris Nanry did not disappoint.  The location was dark; it was a basement of a VFW but…. There was a bar 10 feet from the 40k area (reasonable prices I heard), catered free lunch on Saturday and breakfast on Sunday was included!

Micro Art Studio Status Markers #1 Review

Status Markers #1(5)

Another day, another review!

Playing competitively I am finding not having status markers in games a bit of a problem at times, more for my opponent then myself. A stunned vehicle shoots, a immobilized vehicle moves, and to be clear it’s all due to the frenetic pace of the game.

Looking for a paintable objective marker I quickly found the Micro Art Studio objective marker, unpainted resin, which allows me color match my armies. At $6.45 for 5 they were a bit pricy but looked amazing. I lucked out at my last event with a Warstore booth having stock and was able to purchase 4 sets of them avoiding international shipping delays and time.

AdMech Factory Ruins: First batch in Part II, WIP Trooper

eBay Store found here

Overall pleased with how the second series of bases came out. I learned a lot about the mold making material we use (aka how much detail is can reproduce), most importantly every imperfection needs to be cleaned up before we cast.

Honestly I thought it would only take an hour or two to paint up all of the bases, between airbrushing the base coats on and a “simple” drybrush or two, but the more I worked with them the more fun I had! I spent 7 hours start to finish painting all of the bases yesterday while sitting at the bunker. I still need a better photo booth or post production program.

Basecoat:

Duplicolor Black auto primer
Vallejo Model Air Steel (1:1 mix with airbrush medium)
Games Workshop Badab Black wash (1:1 mix with airbrush medium)
Games Workshop Chainmail drybrush.
Details:
Greens: Games Workshop Dark Angels, Goblin, Snot
Blacks: Games Workshop Chaos Black, Codex Grey
Rust Effect: Game Workshop Scorched Brown, Vallejo Copper, water (4:1:3)
Oil Effect: Games Workshop Gryphon Sepia, Dublin Mud
Verdigris: Games Workshop Hawk Turquoise, Dark Angels Green, water (4:1:10)
Base Rim: Games Workshop Dark Flesh.

And my AdMech trooper

I would love feedback, both on this line and suggestions on what you would like to see next. Last how do you think my AdMech trooper looks on the base.

MaxMini Large Shoulder pads (10) Review

Without wasting too much time on the reasons (found here) I am looking for a good shoulder pads to save time with upcoming conversion projects.

After a disappointing first dip into the market, I looked forward to the MaxMini shoulderpads. First the 10 pack includes x5 sets, and it appears to ship with one of each of their five styles.  You can however specially request one or more styles per pack per purchase which is a nice option. 

I again went to eBay, mainly to avoid international shipping times. Also I picked up two sets, just in case, at $8.50 per. The seller repacked the bits to cut down on space, but I hear MaxMini has great packaging.

As listed there were 5 different sets. No mold release (unlike most Forge World I have purchased!) The detail work is nice, but as the photos reveal they lack crispness. Additionally unlike the Micro Art Studios I found many defects in both packages. Almost all of them could be cleaned up pretty quickly.

Of the five styles only two fit well, with a breakdown from left to right.

1) Would not fit at all, would need a decent amount of material removed.

2) Really tight fit, even heated the crown of the pad cracked when I attempted to spread it.

3) Fit perfectly, a little thin on material. (First picture)

4) Would not fit, rides a little high (Second picture), a good look however.

5) Good fit, seems a bit small.

Great second foray into market, but I think I will have to keep looking for the perfect bit.

3 out of 5 stars.

AdMech Factory Ruins (First Batch in!)

Quick Update while at SVDM,

First Batch of the Adeptus Mechanicus bases are in.. Time to paint them up and pre-sales should be up in the next couple days.

As always feedback welcome!



Micro Art Studio Shoulder Pad T.R. Review

Micro Art Studio Shoulder Pad T.R



Let me start by saying I have been trying to find a good set of Pre to Mid Heresy shoulder pads to help me short cut the conversion process for second and third wave of my “Tech-Terminators”. Originally scratch built from plasticard, attached to the torso instead of the arms, they are larger then anything else I have seen so I knew this was going to be a challenge.

Purchasing the MicroArt Terminator Scale shoulder pads through eBay for $9.50 from a popular seller I was pleased to get them in just 2 days... 

Excellent packaging, great looking blister, so I was pretty excited.

Once opened a I noticed yhey were well cast, clean without mold lines. No mold release. However a huge problem became apparent..

Take a second to look at the photos and let me know if you see the issue…

Basically Micro-Art Studios released a terminator shoulder pad that not only was cast completely solid, requiring a lot of additional work to prepare for your army, they appear way too small!

Also if I grind out all the needed material, it would force me to remove almost 50% of the material to make a standard terminator arm fit, making the base bit very thin. Clipping the arm is a possibility, but the risk there is you have to be sure on the pose and positioning.

Rating systems are subjective, I understand that..

Looking at it as a whole Micro Art Studios gain points for a excellent looking bit, but loose so much for giving me something that is incomplete and most likely too small for a unconverted terminator, let alone use for my projects.

I’m going to give this 2 out of 5 stars.

Battle Report: 3rd Annual Inner Circle High Stakes Jamboree

Inner Circle Gaming Club

A week after my wedding I was given the nod by my new wife (I guess I did a good enough job to warrant a day pass).

The Details!!!
2000 point 3 round tournament, random missions and game length. No painting but WYSIWYG
$25 Gate Fee, includes lunch (surprisingly good in the past!)
Each win gets you $10 in store credit, additional prized for Most VP killed and Least VP given up.

The Prep:

Breaking from my 1850 list I normally field, I chatted with Brandon about ideas about what to do with the extra 150 points. Being very underwhelmed by a Librarian on Bike (too expensive and weak psychic powers) Dropping the Typhoon I gained another 90 points and decided to add 9 scout bikers with a power fist… So pulling from the junkyard of broken toys I stayed up late and repaired and based 9 “scout” bikers…

I promptly forgot them that morning…