The inevitable has struck…

Mixed blessings really. Firstly and happily, the Lad has discovered his own gaming buddies at his new school. I felt a bit left out actually, when he advised he was going to to play games with his mates! But great news for him, particularly with me being away so much now. The bad news: yep, you probably guessed it: its 40k.

I suppose its siren song was inevitable really. Fortunately for my wallet, I was able to unearth an old but unfinished project and not only give him the rulebook, but also present him with all the figs he needs for a SM force too. So its back to the future with our Salamander Army. 

Not quite 100 points of painted figs finished yet...

 Much of it needs painting, so I see it as an opportunity to show him the other half of the hobby – and after under and base coating a tactical squad of 10  figs I think he is starting to appreciate the work that has gone into all his Blood Bowl teams!

So we are now working towards a 1000 point force consisting of the following, but I’d appreciate any suggestions for those who know the game better than us!

HQ: 1 Librarian in Terminator Armour (tda, gate, null) 125
ELITES: 

Terminator Squad (5 termies, assault cannon) 230
Dreadnought with Multi-melta and CCW 105
TROOPS: 

Tactical Squad (10SM, flamer, multi-melta) 205, 1 rhino
Tactical Squad (10SM, plasma, lascannon) 190
FAST ATTACK: Land Speeder (multi-melta) 60
HEAVY: Predator (autocannon, 2hvy bolter) 85

Salamander Command Squad

Tick Tock, time is running out for the Man Cave so I did something very un-gamerlike today: I actually used my day off to go do some painting! It'll never catch on you know...

Anyhow, here is the Command Squad for the Salamander Army. I want to add a banner bearer and company champion in due course but the priority right now is in finishng off models before the move!

Here is the Captain - I kept him in subdued browns and greens with lots of metalic bling. I'm really pleased with how well the 'magma' effects on his power-sword came out:

Brother Apothecary - an older metal fig, with plamsa gun


The boys pack some serious firepower to bring forth the Emperor's vengeance!


The Veteran Lads of the Command Squad:


Comments welcome as always!

Busy Busy Busy

Funny how you forget how hectic this time of year can be - especially when you are moving your place of work at the same time!

Anyhow, lots of social stuff this week has precluded too much progress with the Salamanders, though I have been continuing to do some detailing on the Commander ad his Squad whcih are comingup nicely. I have a few extra Heavy Weapon Troopers on the way now, and a Command Squad Sprue which will add a Company Champion and Banner Bearer.

Away camping this weekend and away next week with work, but hopefully I'll get to finish up the in-progress figs before I have to pack up the Man Cave for the move south.

2000pt Salamander List

OK, here is my draft list for the Salamander Army based on the figs I have currently available. Note that I havent played this list so while it is legal, it will need some tweaking and I'd appreciate comments on that.

HQ
Captain, with Power Sword and Iron halo
Command Squad, Flamer, Plasma Gun & Plasma Pistol, Apothecary
Chaplain in Terminator Armour

Elite
Terminator Squad (9 Figs), Heavy Flamer, Assault Cannon
Dreadnought, Multi-Melta, CCW, Storm Bolter
Dreadnought, Twin Lascannon, Missile Launcher

Troops
Tactical Squad, Flamer, Missile Launcher, Razorback (twin plasma guns, extra armour)
Tactical Squad, Flamer, Missile Launcher, Rhino (extra Armour)
Tactical Squad, Flamer, Missile Launcher

Fast
Land Speeder, Multi-Melta, Heavy Bolter

Heavy
Predator, Heavy Bolter sponsons, extra armour

Total points: 1940 (so a little to play with yet)
Also have a Librarian Option available, though would have to drop the Chaplain to take him. I probably have too many elites too and need to downsize the Termie Squad to get some extra transport elements in there.

Big hoots to Lone Wolf Development's awesome Army Builder program - dont know what I did without it! (www.wolflair.com)

Some Salamander progress

Kept at it today focusing on the Command Squad (as it is right now) - got the Captain, Vet Sgt, Apothecary and plama Gunner all basecoated and most of the detailing done. The white sections (helmet, shoulderpads, geneseed extractor and kneepad) on the Apothecary, a great old edition metal version, was a particular challenge.

No, no pics yet - sorry!

On the lookout for a Company Champion figure and a banner bearer to round out the Command Squad

More reinforcements and the Hulk Expands...

More postal Drop pods arrive! (Though while I was away for a few days so I am so busted!)

New arrivals include:
Metal Dreadnought with twin Lascannon and rocket launcher
Termie Squad
Tac Marines
A few special marines which will go toward the Captain's Command Squad (still need a banner bearer and a champion though)

Also, I found a guy who had bought Space Hulk and was offloading it all split up. I was able to grab a full set of tile, doors and counter for a very reasonable $40+postage. So now we can play most of the Deathwing and Genestealer scenarios and between Owen and I we have 4 sets of tiles!

That may be sufficient....for now....

1st Tactical Squad almost done

Some minor progress, amongst the brewing and domestic slavery (!)

1st Squad complete except for the basing and decals. Actually, some of the decals are on, but unfortunately they arrived in the mail soaked through because of the rain. And now some are peeling off. I'll try putting some gloss varnish on as a glue then placing the decals back on top of that. Hopefully, I can get some pics up shortly.

Some more deliveries of trade items have arrived (as you can see form the status bar) and I have based and primed a Dreadnought (AoBR style with multi-melta and CCW) for some work hopefully this weekend. Also negotiated some transport for the lads - they will soon be backed up by a Rhino, a Razorback and a Predator which will take the army to a respectable 1750 points.

Reinforcements Arrive

The cardboard drop pod was delivered by post today. Our burgeoning force gained 2 full tactical squads, a terminator squad and the Company's honoured Captain. In the meantime, 5 more marines were base coated.

The battle-brothers born of flame continue to expand...

Tuesday Update

Today's various progress include

* Salamander Army:
5 troops fully painted (of the 1st Tac Squad), just the bases to go. Spent more time on the detailing than I meant to, but they came out very nicely.
Started stripping the Land Speeder (BIG Simple Green bath, now on the third dip)
Started a progress status section on the sidebar to keep me inspired (time running out before the house move)

* 3 way tie in Invanhoe tonight. 4 trophies apiece and all fighting for the fifth when time was called.
Sir Lad and the Black Princess showed me no mercy and I was lucky to hold my own!

* 13 days to the Man Cave Lager tasting!

Salamander Update

Amongst all the other domestic and official duties this weekend (grr...) I managed to find time with the Lad to assemble and prime the first Tactical Fireteam of 5 guys for the Salamanders Army.

[EDIT: Scammed some time after dinner to get the base coats and washes on!]

I've made a few purchases recently to built at 1250 pt force to start with. So far it will consist of:
Captain
Terminator Squad
3 Tactical Squads
Dreadnought
Land Speeder

Still playing about with Army Builder (awesome program!) to flesh it out but thats the plastic and lead I have here or already on the way. A few vehicles will be nice too so I'll scour Ebay a bit I think.

Salamander Test

Started the Lad on his proper painting project ovetr the weekend - a Salamander SM. A figure I found kicking about that I didnt know I had (sans backpack unfortunately), he chose the colour scheme from the SM Codex himself.

I'd like to say this was all his own work, but truthfully it was a combined project and more a tutorial figure. Essentially, he did the main colours and I did the detailing. Lucky it was a hot day so we could proceed quickly before his interest waned.
Undercoat - Grey spray
Basecoat - Salamander Green heavy drybrush, Flamer Black
Wash with Thrakka Green
Highlight: 50/50 Salamander Green / Striking Scorpian Green
Flamer Bolt Gun metal Drybrush
Final Highlight - Striking Scorpian Green
Eyes - white then blood red
Gold bits - Dwarven Bronze, Red Ink, Burnished Gold Highlights.



Now looking for some Salamander decals to finish him off....and another 30 buddies to keep him company !

In the meantime, the home brew continues to bubble along happily...