WIP: Chaos Bikers of Tzeentch

What's fast, deadly and scary to fight? Battle-unicorns, obviously. Today, I am not sharing any armour plated fairytale killers, but another type of steed; the bike.

Having completed three Chaos Bikers, I could tell that three wasn't going to be enough to do some damage or protect my jet-bike lord. So, I am in the process of building four more, including two extra Plasma-gunners, to add a very nice anti-2+ kick to the unit.

The basic models are the non-chaos Space Marine bikes (I bought one of the three-packs to save some coin!). I chose this variety because it closer ties in to my conversions based on the Dark Angel bikes. Also, I prefer the more enclosed, armoured and less spiky look.

A few modifications have been made though. The main one of course is the helmets, which are metal Thousand Sons ones. I've also changed the chest pieces and shoulder pads to chaos space marine bits. I had to trim the belt buckles on the chests, since they were preventing me from placing them at the right angle. If the bodies are to up-straight, I cannot fit the larger chaos backpacks on.

The hardest part was making the Plasma Guns for the bikes. In the end, I went with a different style to my first one, and simply added the plasma weapon on top of the bolter. I trimmed down a Plasma Pistol (and the plasma cutter from a Techmarine on one bike) and flattened the top of one bolter. The two were introduced, and now I have a simple yet representative conversion, without the rider having to balance and enormous energy rifle in one hand.

Next up it's painting, and then the unit will be a nice 7 strong squad of speedy death. I'll probably take advantage of GWs three-pack of bikes again to save more money, and I can then have a full-sized unit, and make the final speciality model; the icon bearer. Comments and criticisms welcome.

Review: Warlord Games Macedonian Phalangites Box Set

Macedonian Phalangites were a key part of the well-trained force that formed the Macedonian army, and helped lead Philip II and Alexander to many victories. Warlord Games has produced a plastic box-set of these spear armed elite troopers for their Hail Caesar war-game.

The box comes with enough bodies and parts to create 40 Macedonian troops armed with spears and shields. That's right, forty models. Four-zero. This is an incredible amount of plastic for £20. In other box sets you usually expect around ten models for around £20, and in some skirmish games, this can often be only five models. So right off the bat, you're getting a lot for your money.

The price you pay though is a lot of repetition. The box comes with ten sprues, all identical, as well as a transfer sheet. Having so many sprues be the same does limit customisability, but remember that this is a box of uniform troopers, so expect them to match in style and posing (as they are moving as a unit). Also, it is a very large squad, so it will be hard to focus on the individuals. instead, you will be awe at the size of this block of troops, which if my guesses are correct, you can make even bigger with more box-sets. That is one large block of men to fear in battle.

Now onto the models themselves. Each sprue comes with parts to make four soldiers, and comes with six heads, six spear arms and a pair of helmet crests, meaning there is some degree of customisability to the squad. The arms are part-moulded onto the model, which gives the impression of ease of assembly. That impression is correct. There are no instructions, but the arms are for the most part attached to the spears, so instructions really aren't warranted. There are only around four to five parts per model so there is very little to get wrong. Also, you want the unit to rank up together. Customisability brings such problems, I remember building a very beautiful unit of Warhammer Forsaken, but always struggled to get them to form up neatly. As with the T-34/85 I reviewed last week, the details are very crisp and a good indicator of the quality.

Warhammer 40,000 and Malifaux models shown for scale
purposes only. 

When put together, the models look very imposing with their spears and heavy-looking round shields. I worry that the spears are too flimsy to hold up to repeated use. I recommend extreme care, or for those who are keen modellers, replacing the spear shaft with brass rod. Mould lines were limited and easy to clear.

You'll notice that the models are not on a base. the box-set does not come with any sort of bases. Based on the box-art on the back, the models are meant to be set up on a large base, each one containing eight models in a two wide by four deep block. Theses big bases seem very simple to make though. You could easily cut a 2" by 4" rectangle from plasticard, wood, or even cardboard.

To finish up, this is a box set where you get a lot for your money. You may have to sacrifice things like bases, but the things that are missing are easily made. I'm going to score this kit with an 8.5/10. My main points are as follows:

Pros
-A lot of plastic for £20
-Details are clear
-Models are easy to assembly
-Fear factor! Big units will scare the opponent


Cons
-No bases
-Not much customisability
-Flimsy spear shafts, might break if not careful

Showcase: Thousand Sons Heldrake

The second showcase in a row, not bad if I do say so myself. I've been very busy trying to get a number of projects done before Wartorn, both for tournament reasons, and so it looks more acceptable to get something new (helps not having 12+ existing projects!). The latest item to be completed is my Heldrake, a model which is both deadly and divisive in looks.

The gold trim was my biggest fear when painting this, simply because there is so much of the stuff. Following my six stage scheme for gold, you can imagine how much work had to go into it. In between the gold lining, some panels got scripture painted on with Vallejo White and am ultra-thin brush.

The eyes and parts of the underbelly were painted in a green glow to showcase the daemonic energies barely contained inside this deadly sky-beast. I used my glow technique, but also added a layer of Tamiya Clear Green to suggest the glow is coming from behind glass.

To add a bit more character to the model, I added a tiny amount of blood-effect around the mouth, using Agrax Earthshade and Tamiya Clear Red.

The base was built up to a cliff edge using Milliput and foam. After sanding the base was topped with a spare dreadnought shoulder and broken mechanics, before being painted. The dreadnought arm has been painted in the colours of the Blood Ravens chapter (cookies for getting the reference!).

Sorcerer Ramshek directs the machine into battle...

With this model now complete, I only have a few more squads to finish up before my tournament Thousand sons force is ready for the battlefield.

Showcase: Panzerkompanie HQ (Stugs with Bergepanzer)

My first unit of completed Flames of War vehicles. Whilst the Puma cars I showed last time are the first completed models, this command unit if the first fully built and painted squad to soon take to the miniature fields of battle.

The models are mostly straight from the box, apart from the Bergepanzer III. The recovery vehicle started life as a normal Zvezda Panzer III, which was designated as a test-vehicle, a platform to try out my colour schemes. Even though it was a test model, I hate seeing models go to waste, never to be played. So I decided to make use from it. Whilst I couldn't form a unit with one tank, there was one option I could do, covert it! I was in need of a recovery vehicle, and rather than spend £8 on a new one, I customised this old tank into one. The hull is mostly stock.

The turret and locator peg were removed, and a 'box' was added to the top, made from plasticard. Thin strips were then added on top to form the planks making up the section. The compartment was filled and decorated with various spares, taken from the Stug and Panther kits made by The Plastic Soldier Company. The winch arm is made from a paper clip and plasticard rod.

The Stugs weren't left unmodified either. Both tanks have had zimmerit added, a feature common to German tanks of this era. It was make by applying a thin sheet of greenstuff to sections, mainly the front, the turret housing and the rear, and then patterning it with the tip of a hobby knife. considering the scale these tanks are, I think I've pulled off the effect well.

All three vehicles have been painted in my mid/late war scheme. It starts off as Middlestone, and after a was of GW Agrax Earthshade and more Middlestone, patches of Reflective Green and German Camo Dark Brown were added to finish off the look.

Little details include the machine guns, painted in Boltgun, and the tools picked out in dark brown. I've also freehanded the German cross on both Stugs, to break up the camouflage a little more.

Overall, I feel this unit is ready to take the fight to the enemy, and in style.

Review: Warlord Games T-34/85 Medium Tank (Plastic)

Warlord Games is fast becoming a popular creator and supplier of historical war-games, from the Roman conflicts to the ever-popular World Wars. Bolt Action is one of their key ranges, and one which I have seen many of my friends and followers have a go at. So it only makes sense for me to start with Bolt Action too.

The kit I am reviewing today is a T-34/85, one of the Soviet's most successful tanks, and one which helped  change tank designs during World War Two. Warlord Games has recently recreated this tank in plastic for Bolt Action, for use by the Soviet forces.  I have never made a Warlord Games model, so I cannot compare the tank to their metal/resin range of tanks, so for now this is just a simple review of this tank, not a comparison between plastic and resin.

It currently retails for £18 on the Warlord Games website. The price is fairly low for a 'medium tank', similar tanks from other games can cost much more than this. It is, however, much smaller than those other products. Having said that, this tank is the correct scale for the range it has been added to, and it is only fair to expect a smaller product for a much lower price.

My first impressions are very good. The kit comes on two sprues, with instructions and a small sheet of water transfers. The instructions are simple to follow and easy to read. They do not show how to add the optional tank commander, but it is a kit that comes with pain-free assembly, so it isn't really an issue. If it were a massively complex kit, then I could imagine issues, but I digress. There are a few options, but less than I'm used to: although the options I'm used to are choices between laser-cannons and plasma blasters (Warlord, if you're reading this, a T-34/85 with a laser cannon would be pretty cool!).

In terms of detail, the tank is covered in everything you expect from a kit in this price bracket. Details are very crisp and intricate, down to the fine pattern on the tank's track links. The wheels do lack a groove (where the track teeth would pass between), but that is kind of nit-picking, as I doubt you will notice during game-play when you're trying to hide from a King Tiger.

Having built the tank over an afternoon, I can say that I encountered no serious issues, if any at all. Pretty much all parts slotted together neatly, there was no warping to deal with, and the mould-lines were relatively simple to clear. Parts like the tracks aren't numbered on the instructions, but there is only one way for them to be attached to the model, so there is no issue here. It is a beautifully simple kit: the kind of kit you can lazily build on a sunny afternoon in an hour or two, with the very minimal of rage-quitting and a smile on your face.

GW Rhino and space Marine shown for scale purposes only

In conclusion, this is a fantastic kit from Warlord Games, and as it is my very first kit from them, it has portrayed them in a very good light, scoring a very good 9.5/10 for those of you who like a number. I cannot wait to review more products from them in the future. As usual, here are my main points summarised:

Pros
-Cheap for a medium-tank
-Incredibly detailed for this price range and scale
-Very easy assembly
-0 defects

Cons
-More options would have been nice
-Instructions do not show how to assemble the commander

Showcase: Chaos Cultists With Autoguns

A horde of cultists march under the banner of the Thousand Sons this day. Today, I'm showing off my recently finished 'shooty' Cultist unit.

I wanted to make this unit appear to be a mix of soldier, renegades, civilians and the faithful. In order to do this, I've mixed in a number of models from sources other than the Dark Vengeance box set. All have been painted differently; no two are alike. But they all follow a general theme. They are mostly painted in light sandy colours, khakis, with patches of blue, and in the case of the ex-soldiers, patches of their former armour colours.

A few are based on the current palstic cadians. These models have had their armour part-removed and damaged, and have had a few added parts. Some have had head-swaps, the new heads coming from Maxmini (WWII German variety). The Cultist champion is based on a Cadian, with a Forge World Renegade Enforcer's body, a renegade's autopistol, and a punching arm from an Empire model. Seeing as he has a skull-helmet and is the only one armed with an autopistol, he shouldn't be too hard to pick out as the ring-leader.

Some are even older models, but are still a recent addition. These models are the classic metal Cadians. These were harder to work with, and so have only really had green-stuff additions, such as face-masks and bandages, a few spikes glued on, and have had all insignia and icons filed off.

I wanted to have two heavy stubbers in this unit, but Dark Vengeance only comes with one. The second is a conversion based on the flamer carrier. The cables, flamer barrel and tanks were cut off. An ammo belt left over from my Anvil Industries rifles as added in place of the cable, and the barrel of a bolter was added to the tip of the gun. The back was covered with a parchement/wood panel from the Empire Flaggelants kit.

So that's one mob done, now it is time to move onto the combat cultists...

Battle Report: Thousand Sons Vs. Rockband of Chaos (500 pts)

Two chaotic armies clashed in the ruins of the mining outpost 44-KZ1. A warband of slaaneshi followers planned to fight with the autonomous soldiers of the Thousand Sons for ancient archaeotech. The slaanesh followers wanted it to sell for material wealth, extremely valuable and rare hell-crystals, in honour of their god, whilst the Tzeentchians wished to collect it for their maddened tech-savants to study; to add to a never-ending collection of knowledge, sorcerous or otherwise.

The match has "relic" for this game, the relic was represented by my converted Rapier laser gun in the centre.

Thousand Sons list:

HQ-Sorcerer, Mark of Tzeentch, mastery two, disc of tzeentch, spell familiar, gift of mutation (hatred)
TROOPS-20 cultists, 17 autoguns, 2 heavy stubbers
TROOPS-10 chaos marines, autocannon
FAST ATTACK-3 bikes, plasma gun

Rockband of Chaos
HQ-Lord, Mark of Slaanesh, plasma pistol, power sword
TROOPS-5 noise marines, 4 sonic blasters, power maul
TROOPS-10 chaos marines, missile launcher, flamer, power fist
FASt ATTACK-3 bikes

The Thousand Sons rolled to go first, and deployed the bikes to the left, with their lord. The cultists took the middle, whilst the marines went for the right flank. The enemy deployed their bikes opposite mine, with the marines next along, and the noise marines holding out in the ruined building. The rock band stole the initiative and went first.

Turn one

The Rockband of Chaos moves everything forward, ready to bring the right to the Thousand sons. However, shooting is very ineffectual, as the marines kill two cultists overall.

The Thousand sons start just as badly. The sorcerer attempts to boon the biker champion, but ends up turning him into a mindless spawn! (represented by the mutilator). Luck  is fairly limited after the movement phase. The bikes charge forward with their mutated former champion, their leading sorcerer casting sunburst to no effect, but with the plasma gunner killing a biker. The cultists fail to kill, as do the marines.

someone's a mad lord because they're not finished yet...

It is the combat phase where things heat up. The sorcerer  challenges the biker champion, who fails to wound the Tzeentch sorcerer. The sorcerer then cuts down the champion, and is gifted with the Crusader ability. The bikes fail to hurt one another, but the newly formed spawn kills off the final biker, and the group moves towards the marines.


Turn Two

Hoping for some easy kills, the marines and lord move forward hoping to kill more cultists, only managing to take down three more. The noise marines also take down one of the tzeentch bikers, but they pass their leadership test.

The Thousand sons continue to move ahead. The sorcerer casts sunburst again, this time killing two and blinding the unit. The plasma gun biker kills once more and overheats, but makes his save. The cultists kill two of the blinded marines, and the marines take two wounds off the lord, who is worryingly in the open.

The Thousand Sons charge. The marines take two wounds off the spawn, who charged first to soak up the fire. My sorcerer challenges and both models are attacking last (force axe and power fist). The power fist manages to strike lucky and takes a wound off the sorcerer, but the sorcerer has the last laugh and decapitates another hero (five times over thanks to hatred re-rolls), and gets gifted with Hatred...again. The marines kill the spawn, and win combat, though the sorcerer and bike pass their leadership test.

Turn Three

A final stand from the noise marines...

Slaanesh's followers are taking a beating, so a dash for the objective is made by the lord and noise marines. The noise marines fire on the marines to no effect, and the lord blasts a cultist with his plasma pistol. In the combat, the sorcerer and biker mop up the marines and make their way to the lord.

The sorcerer flies further into enemy lines, casting off another dazzling pyrotechnic display. The sunburst finishes off the lord (granting Cosmic Fate to the favoured sorcerer) and kills two noise marines in the area of effect. The marines kill two more, leaving just the noise champion, who is then charged. In this final duel, the fast champion strikes the sorcerer with a power maul, hitting, but the hit is saved by power amour. In one fell swoop, the noise marine is decapitated , ending the game. Had it carried on, the sorcerer would have added Icy Aura to his tally of gifts.

Scores:

Rockband of chaos: 0

Thousand Sons: First blood (1) slay the warlord (1) =2 points

Tzentch victory!

I do feel bad for tabling my girlfriend on turn three (I made appology tea and helped her make a Necron Overlord, who will probably kick my butt in the future) but it was fun seeing my tzeentch jetbike sorcerer slice up every champion on the field. Never had so many gifts without rolling the multiple gifts-gift. It was down to a lot of luck though, and we look forward to the next game, with better luck!