Happy Halloween

Just want to wish everyone out there a safe and Happy Halloween!!!

Storm Friday

The Hottest X-Man!

Space Wolf Update #4

I've made a couple of alterations on the list, deciding to drop the Lone Wolf in place of a Dreadnought, deciding (for this phase to drop the Vindicator), and go with a 5 WG in Terminator armour instead of 4 and expanding the Blood Claws to 10 instead of 9.

The main reason that I've dropped the Vindicator for the time being is that nearly every Space Wolf item from FW is backordered, and I wanted the Rhino doors for the tanks (let me know if anyone out there wants to unload any FW Space Wolf stuff - it would be faster than FW).

Anyway, I finished the two Grey Hunters packs, my Blood Claws, Njal, the Rhino and the Dreadnought. I only have the Long Fangs, Wolf Guard and Swift Claws to go. I'm working on painting a test model right now. My first go around will be to use White Primer, and maybe a 50/50 mix of Shadow Grey and Space Wolves Grey as a basecoat and then go from there. I'm curious as to what everyone else is doing.

Stargate Universe

I've been tuning into the new Stargate Universe show on Syfy. It's definitely different than it's predecessors. Much darker and more serious than the others. While it's taking some getting used to, I do like what I've seen so far. Although, they can use a little more action. Anybody else see the show yet? I did find tonight's episode, 'Light' pretty intense. Well written.

Vampire Friday

One of he hottest vampires around (not THE hottest - that spot's reserved for Kate Beckinsale), but Julie Benz is certainly free to bite me.

Happy Birthday!

Had a birthday a couple of days ago and my sister-in-law and brother-in-law got me the perfect gift: a GW gift card! My only dilemma is how to spend it. Do I add another Wolf Pack, more Wolf Guard? Canis Wolfborn? or do I pick up a Predator? Any thoughts?

Space Wolf Update #3

So the work continues on my Space Wolves and I'm still having a blast assembling every model. Sound wierd, I know. But to help with my inspiration, I surf the web daily looking for new ideas for different poses and conversions. Thanks to all of those gamers out there that post your work. It truly helps - but that's what this community is all about.

I ordered a few accessories from FW, but it's been three weeks. A prompt reply from their support staff explained that due to the Space Wolves release, they are quickly running out of SW stock. I ordered a set of Land Raider Doors and a set of Brass Etched symbols. I've seen those used to 'wolf up' many a generic models.

Jumper Friday

Rachel Bilson from 'Jumper'

Another Space Wolf Update

I finished building the first Grey Hunters Pack, Njal and the Rhino. For the Grey Hunters I was able to mix generic SM bits along with the new SW stuff with surprising ease. I know GW keeps saying that and so are many of the folks out there building space wolves as well. But experience has taught me is that I’ve got to see it to believe it. Some of the torso or belt bits on the new sprues are awesome and can really dress up a standard SM. I’ll have to post some pics of that experiment. But anyway, back on topic. I was also very successful in giving each model its own look and that’s just at the assembly level. There will of course be more opportunities once the models go under the brush, so I’m looking forward (for once) to actually painting them. I’m already well on my way through the second Grey Hunters Pack.

For the Rhino – again for the first time in a long while, I actually had fun building that too. I have found that I’m starting to look forward to the challenge of making every model unique. I did a couple of things differently than I normally do this time around. I decided to use the ‘gunner-required’ stormbolter instead of the shorter ‘automated’ version. I was going to actually add a gunner, but the hatch cover in the open position would not work. I also angled the smoke launchers to the side just a bit. Nothing major but again, I was looking to change things up a tad. Finally, I added some Space Wolf and fantasy Dwarf bits to make it look a lit more SW-like.

Ape Friday

Estella Warren - Planet of the Apes (2001)

Vampire Counts - Quick Update

Last night, I tore myself away from my Space Wolves and finally broke ground on the Vampire Counts army. I've got the first unit of Skeleton Warriors assembled and I should have Mannfred assembled by tomorrow and I've begun work on the Grave Guard. I still need to take a closer look at the Blood Knights. I usually examine all of the components of a kit to see what I've got to work with so there's no surprises. I also need a couple more boxes of Skeletons, which I'll pick up this weekend.

The skeletons were surprisingly easy to assemble despite their fragile look. There wasn't much in the way of mold lines or flash and there's a vast array of bits left over that can be used for terrain or other models.

Space Wolf - 1500 WiP List

I'm working on putting an army list together, so this is very much a work in progress. The list is more based on the models that I currently have on hand more than anything else. I'll add/expand units as models become available. It's also a modified version of Phil Kelly's list over at GW.

Njal Stormcaller w/ runic Terminator Armour

Lone Wolf in Terminator armour and twin Wolf Claws

Wolf Guard Pack

WG in Terminator armour and twin Wolf Claws

WG in Terminator armour, with assault cannon and chainfist

WG in Terminator armour with Thunder hammer and Storm shield

WG in Terminator armour with Powerfist and stormbolter

WG in power armour with Thunder hammer

8 Grey Hunters with melta gun and plasma pistol

8 Grey Hunters with plasma gun, power fist, and Wolf Standard

9 Blood Claws with power weapon

3 Swiftclaw Bikers with melta gun and power fist

6 Long Fangs with 2 heavy bolters, 2 lascannons, and 1 missile launcher

1 Vindicator

1 Rhino (Blood Claws)

Total Points - 1485

Grey Hunter Elrik Bloodeye

I finally had a minute to sit down and actually mess around with the Wolf Pack kit. I can't get over how much stuff is in there! There are so many options, it's practically impossible to duplicate any single model. The only thing that I'm not happy with is how the backpacks are attached to the sprues - right on the exhaust nozzles. That makes for a trimming nightmare. I screwed up the first one, so I had to go with a plastic wolf's head backpack. I need to be careful on the next one.

Anyway, here's a shot of my first SW Grey Hunter. I present Wolf-Brother Elrik Bloodeye. Elrik has served in Lord Ragnar's Great Company for over five decades and has distinguished himself on the battlefield time and time again. Elrik lost his eye to battling Dark Eldar pirates in the Shadow Nebula (I totally made that up).

The new Space Wolf models are awesome and great fun to build. I only hope that my imagination can keep up with the army as it grows.

Space Wolves - Army List Question

I was working on my list and comparing it to the 2k list in the latest White Dwarf and noticed that the Grey Hunters pack has the wrong point total. At least according to the Codex if I read it right.

According to the GH entry in the Codex, if there are ten models in the pack, the unit made add another special weapon at no extra cost. That said, shouldn't the total point cost for the pack be reduced by 10 points? Just want to make sure that I have it right.

Wolves come to Chicago

I made my early morning trek out to the Bunker this morning. One of the staffers was in very early due to a Bloodbowl tournament, so he was kind enough to let me in to pick up the new Codex.

I headed home with a Codex, a box of Wolfguard Terminators and a Wolfpack kit, which was about all my budget can handle this week (damn mortgage!). I've spent most of my down time reading the background section of the codex today, but I did open the boxes to inspect the sprues and I've got to say, I'm going to have blast building these models. During the course of next week, I'll have a working army list and will begin building the models.

I did glance ahead at the list entries and couldn't find any upgrade for twin wolf claws, yet I've seen pictures of Wolf Guard with a pair. Do you have purchase two Wolf Claws individually?

Space Wolves - Getting Started

A couple of models arrived in the mail the other day, so I decided to get to work on them right away.

The Wolf Guard required a little bit of work to secure the model to the base. The blister includes a metal terrain base with Ork icons that the model would stand on. The model was cast with a peg under it's right foot which is supposed to fit into the hole drilled through the metal base. But the peg was no where near snug enough to support the weight of the model. So I removed the peg, drilled holes in the bottom of the foot and the base (which had glued to a standard infantry base) all the way through and used some brass rod to secure.

I also received Ulrik the Slayer in the maild, which a single piece assembly (except for the backpack). I glued him to the base and gave him a couple coats of primer. I didn't attach the back pack yet as it would make the wolf cape difficult if not impossible to paint.

New Space Wolves

I hate to say it, but this weekend the new Space Wolves are coming out and they are way too cool NOT to collect. I know that's not the first time that I've made that statement, but I've been wanting to start this army for a while now. I'm a big fan of Norse mythology and this Space Marine chapter is right up my alley. I grew up reading Thor and probably read Beowulf a half dozen times. And needless to say, the 13th Warrior and Pathfinder are two of my favorite films. So the way I see it, it's only right that I collect an army of these barbaric, but noble warriors.

What does that mean for my Crimson Fists? I'm not sure. I can't promise that I won't become disenchanted with the new Space Wolves eventually, but from what I've seen and read, they play quite differently from any other non-codex chapter. I like the sound of that. I've never played them before, so I don't have any comparison to make between the old and new. I'll have to play a couple of games and see how I like them. But I'm sure that I'm not the only gamer out there chompin' at the bit, despite the numerous projects sitting on his workbench. But anyway, keep checking back because I'll be throwing up some Vampire Counts and Space Wolves stuff over the next couple of weeks.

SG*U Friday

I love Fridays, especially this week! I had an unusually stressful week with work and I'm looking forward to a weekend of non-work. But I'm also excited because the new Stargate series begins tonight. Speaking of which, the beautiful Ming-Na will be part of the cast. Mmm Mmm good.

Vampire Counts List

It's October which means Halloween. So in the spirit of one of the coolest holidays, I've decided to start a Vampire Counts army. I quickly came up with a list on my lunch hour. I've already got most of the stuff, I just have to build it and play it. Let me know what you think.

Count Mannfred w/ nightmare, Book of Arkhan

Vampire - flying horror, Sword of Might, Black Wrist-bands of Gold

20 Skeletons w/ cmd (x2)

10 Dire Wolves (x2)

1 Bat Swarm (3 bases)

20 Grave Guard w/ cmd, Banner of Barrows

5 Blood Knights w/ cmd, Banner of the Dead Legion

1,995 points, 90 models

Except for the Bat Swarms and a box of skeletons, I've got everything I need, so the investment will be minimal.