The end of an empire...

The great plan has started, and in a grand way. I have started into motion a massive re-aligning of my projects - not just thinking, web surfing, and making notes - but a major change.

Almost three years ago, I was given the core of my Warhammer Empire army, the army box set that Taeklonn won in a raffle at his local GW shop. Add to that more gifts (more raffle prizes!) from my kids - Helblasters, Greatswords, many sprues of 5th edition spearmen and handgunners, and more. I think that I had over 2800pts, of which I had only purchased 6 minis: 1 box of metal Greatswords command, and 1 warrior priest for a total of $30.

Before the Empire project, the Tau had a place at my painting table. Fire Warriors, Crisis suits, a Broadside, a Hammerhead tank, Catachan Imperial Guard converted to gue'vasa, lots of drones.

Out of all of these minis, only the six Tau Stealth suits were completed.

So I made the decision to give these minis away - the Empire troops went back to Taeklonn, as he is the one that won them in the first place. And the Tau were given to Vahll, as in my collection were the remnants of his beginning 40K collection.


Partially painted minis, sprues, bitz, and books - now off to a better home.

I am a little sad that they are gone, but I know that my sons will get them into action.





I have to admit, though, that I did not give away all of my GW minis:


I have a few greenskins hidden about. Maybe someday...


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Huge 40K Ork battle...

This actually happened last month, but it is still nifty (and newsworthy!)... My son Taeklonn was involved in a massive 40K battle, and here are some pics (not taken by me):

Link at the-waaagh

More photobucket pics


Wow, what a battle!

One of the more satisfying notes is that, if you look really closely at the pre-game shots, you will see some Gorka Morka orks that I painted years ago. They are in my son's collection, and still see regular gaming.


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More 40K from Vahll

My son has re-started work on an old project - Tyranids. Now that he can paint very well, he should be able to make much more progress this time around.

Here is a work-in-progress pic of his Brood Lord:



His plan is to have his 'Nids in a black and bone color scheme. The victim is, of course, an Ultramarine.



None other than Taeklonn in the background in this shot - these pics were taken at their local GW shop, in Tacoma WA.

Seeing all of these 40K minis is getting under my skin - Orks or Imperial Guard might be a cool project in the future... but need to get more Empire and Tékumel stuff done first!


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Vahll's 40K minis

My youngest son is continuing to make progress with his projects. Here are some of his Dark Angels, for 40K...


A chaplain




A trio of Marine troopers.


Looking good so far!!


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Amazing 40K vehicle blog

Andy at Little Lead Heroes posted a link to an awesome blog- Ultrawerke

Simply amazing detail and craftmanship... useful scratchbuilding tips even if you are not a treadhead.


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Tau sniper drones part 1

Here is a look at the box...




















and the contents...
















I was a bit surprised by the clam-shell packaging. Maybe it has just been so long since I had bought some new GW merchandise, but I was expecting the styrofoam dividers. Oh well; clam-shells are certainly cleaner and probably less expensive. But I will miss the ability to make ruins from the packaging...

Here is a pic of something I didn't want to find:


















That is going to take some time to clean up, and it is right on some of the engraved detail of the shoulder pad.

(NOTE: That is not a rant against GW. When I start my historical projects, I will be just as quick to point out their flaws as well.)



Here is the rail rifle on the sniper drones:













Beautifully cast, as are the antennas and the drone controller...




































This will be a fun addition to my Tau force; hopefully I will get it assembled and painted before the end of the year!!


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The Tau - victorious!

OK, here is that promised series of photos from my famous victory over the Orks...

The set-up

Orks on the left, Tau on the right. (please forgive the 'unfinished' look of our pieces!) Kroot, in the trees, facing shoota boyz, gretchin, and 2 Zzap guns. Directly behind the Kroot is the Tau HQ and the Hammerhead.

In the Tau center, a gundrone squadron and Gue'vasa (human helpers)

On the far side, the Orks have a trukk (with boyz), HQ, 2 killa kans, a dreadnought, and a mob of slugga boyz. Directly opposite them in the corner are Tau fire warriors.

The scenario - Seek and Destroy (from the 4th ed. 40K rulebook)

The table - 4' by 4'

End of turn one - the horde moves forth, with only the Tau center moving forward in a desperate attempt to grab the ruins... the gundrones were wiped out by the trukk boyz. The Kroot are able to shoot most of the zzap gun crews down.



End of turn two - orks continue to move forward, Kroot, HQ, and Hammerhead shoot up the shoota boyz. The gue'vasa are defeated by the trukk boyz, who then try to visit the fire warriors.

End of turn three - trukk and boyz gunned down by the fire warriors and the timely intervention of deep-striking Stealth suits. Ork HQ closes in on the Hammerhead, but is shot up by tank, kroot, and Tau HQ. The Hammerhead loses its rail gun in the exchange to ork melta bombs.


End of turn four - the ork HQ is destroyed by the Kroot in hand-to-hand, leaving three hounds as the sole survivors. The killa kans are neutralized by the fire warriors and stealth suits, with one being destroyed, the other being immobilized and the big shoota destroyed. The dreadnought and sluggas continue to advance...


End of turn five - Sluggas and the dread move the fire warriors off the hill by fire, but the fire warriors stop at board edge (bonded!). Tau HQ sends off the remaining shoota boyz and moves to finally help the beleagured fire warriors.


End of game - the last remaining burna of the slugga mob being hunted down by Crisis suits, the rest of the mob having been gunned down by the fire warriors and stealth suits.


This was another fun game. It doesn't really matter to me that I win or lose; I just like to push the pieces around. I think that I need to be more aggressive with the Hammerhead though. It usually sits on the battlefield like a giant pillbox.

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