PP's Unexpected Package

When I got home from y part time job today I had a package waiting for me. I received a shipping invoice from PP on April 1st but couldn't remember ordering anything so I kind of disregarded the email. I have also been so preoccupied with the flood in the basement and getting everything taken care of that I completely forgot about the email. Well when I picked up the package I was even more confused by the size of the box and the weight of the package.....I certainly didn't order this much from PP recently. Lets look at what we received shall we?

Completely forgot I pledged War Chest!

Coinage!

 

There you have it my little surprise from PP. OK off tot he store to play some trolls.

The First of Many

Over the next 2-6 week the Cave is expecting multiple packages as many of my Kickstarters are going to start shipping. The include (in expected order) Zombicide season 2, Wild West Exodus, Rivet Wars, and Relic Knights. I cannot decide which I am looking forward to the most but right now I think I am leaning toward WWX seeing as I am thinking about building my own table (more on this later).

While not from a Kickstarter I did received two packages the other while I was napping. Let look at the goodies shall we?

My first box was from Privateer Press and here are the contents:

I haven't unwrapped this beauty yet but as you can tell it is the Butcher3 limited edition box set. I have loved since I picked up black and white copy of Prime a decade ago (good God where does time go). When I saw the new Butcher I had to have him and since I am a sucker for all think "limited edition" or "exclusive" I had to have it.

The rest of the box was a classic mauler, the new Gencon Booze mini (to go with the Kiltlifter and last years minis), and a the web excluse pHaley (more on her at a later date)

My second box was from good Mr Larsen at www.discountgamesinc.com my favorite online retailer. This was part of a pre-order I place about a month back.

Here is a second fell caller, a second thumper crew (for Gunnbjorns theme), and an exemplar errant UA

 

Next up a pretty Menoth battle engine

Last but not least the pre-ordered item: Warmachine: High Command. The only thing that would have been better is Hordes: High Command :) I have been really excited about this game and cannot wait to take it for a test spin. I am trying to line up a game night next week with some buddies to kick the tires and see how she plays. OK that's all for now time to hit the sack. The next few weeks should be really geektastic with all my new toys coming. Updates as they arrive.

It's Back: What's in the Box!

It has been a while since Rob has done a commission for me. This isn't for my lack of desire but due to him being extremely busy at the beginning of this year. If you don't follow his blog he has been making display tables/boards for both Cool Mini or Not (Kings of Wraith) and for Outlaw Miniatures (Wild West Exodus).

I received an email from Rob at the beginning of March saying he had some openings if I had some project I wanted to get done....ha I always have stuff that needs to get done. After a few emails deciding on what would be in this batch I sent of my stuff and anxiously anticipated it's return.Well Friday's mail was delivered and what was in the mail box...just a package from Jersey. I love getting cool stuff in the mail.

 

As I mentioned a few posts back I have been getting more interested in working on my Protectorate of Menoth again as you saw the High Relaimer wips. The first two items I will be showing are for my Menoth army. The first is actually for the FADD army which I failed to finish on time if you recall those posts.

 

Here is a guardian for my PoM but more specifically from Reznik and my NQ theme force. I like the idea of having a node with Reznik for perdition and when it is on a heavy that can do some serious damage with Iron Aggression even better. Since my PoM is all based on the new plastics 'jacks the guardians legs seemed out of place. The correct for this I sent Rob a set of plastic legs and a plastic crusaders head to match the current line better. you can see in the bottom photo he had to add a little plasticard and rod to tie it all together.

 

The banners for the guardians back had their poles removed and replaced with sturdier brass rod. He did this on his own and damn am I happy he did. The banners will be easier to paint this way and have a nicer connection point. I wasn't sure I was going to add the banners but I am leaning more towards including them now.  

 

Next there was just a plain old repenter. Just basic assembly and pinned to the resin bases. In both cases the jacks are not glued on just pinned so I can paint them separate from the bases.

The next part of the shippent is my favorite part. I have been playing with Gunnbjorn theme lists for a long time now. Those of you familiar with the theme for know that for every two units in the army you get a trench to deploy on your side of the board. Having seen all the terrain he has been doing lately it hit me to have ROb build me a trench or two for the theme force. He had a few questions for me so he could match my static grass and ground sections to my based minis and BOOM!

 Two trench section that can fit perfectly together if desired.

 

The interior of the trench is exactly the size of the trench template from the back of Prime/Primal

 

 Nog! Hurry up and finish us so we don't look completely terrible in this awesome trench!

As you can clearly see there is a slope leading up to the trench sections. The plastic jack didn't have too much of an issue staying on it but if it were a heavier metal jack/beast or was more top heavy it may be an issue

 

Not an issue

 

"Hi guys"

 

Rob included four rock sections to use as wedges to prop up any mini approaching the trench..... hopefully the sluggers will mow them down before they get there but just in case :)

 

Well that concludes this episode of "What's in the Box" my favorite of all posts. In my next post I think I will be doing a building a wall tutorial seeing as I need one for Gunnbjorn, one for Janissa, and up to four for the pDoomshaper theme force and I "misplaced" my two at Templecon.

Some WiPs

I didn't get to paint too much last week due to work but got a little time this week to work on a few mini. I didn't really focus on one faction (or game in fact) but bounced a round between a few.

The first mini to show is my enlightened grunt from Wild West Exodus. Once again you can check out the kickstarter here if you are interested. After putting this guy together the other night I primed him with grey Vallejo Surface primer via the airbrush (hindsight being 20:20 I wish I went with black).

My initial inclination was to paint the paints in a denim scheme but I was unsure of the correct timeline for the creation of denim so I elected to go with a grey cloth. On a whim (and after talking with a buddy) I decided I liked the idea of a red shirt so went with it. Here he is with most of the base coating done and the pants and metals washed with GW Badab Black.

The next minis are the sluggers for my unloved challenge army. While I am still not 100% sold these guys are going to be in a ton of the lists I run with the Family Reunion they will be in one of the first few just cause they look good and I want to try them out. I am also holding out hope that there will be a UA in Gargantuans that will make up for some of their issues. I think it is a possibility that the UA is in the book as both Legion and Circle have received UAs for medium based units that are on the newer side of releases.

Here is where they currently stand. I washed the skin and metal sections while the boys were at school today. I typically let this wash sit for a while before going back to the mini but when I get back to it highlighting the skin will be the first order of business.

The last mini I have been working on is the High Reclaimer for my FADD Menoth army. Here is the work I have been doing on the HR:

The model had already been primed and the white metal section laid down months ago. Over the last two days I did some of the yellow metal sections with VMC bronze and the cloth section. I then washed all the metals with my standard armor wash and when that dried I washed the yellow metal sections with GW Sepia wash (whatever the new one is called) While the majority of my PoM to date has had grey cloaks I was in the mood to paint some more red (not sure why as I usually hate red). I started by laying down a few thin layers of VMA fire red. I still need to do a few more layers to get the coverage perfect but I think I like the feel of the red and bronze. I am not sure I love this red and may go back to may more standard red build. I am considering using the airbrush to paint the weapon blades and add some effects but we will see.

I know this came out of left field a little as I have shelved the PoM for a while. The reasons I picked the PoM back are two fold. The first reason is I have just been seeing them on the shelf and been in the mood to paint them a little but the second reason, and most compelling, was Privateer Press previewing this guy:

I love the look of this guy (I also love the regular bastions) and the description is really intriguing to me. It sounds as if this guy is a jack marshal which has some cool potential....I think. It will all depend on his rules but i am thinking of marshaling a sanctifier with him could be pretty sweet and could be a part of an HR army. I would be looking at something along these lines:

The High Reclaimer (*6pts)
* Reckoner (8pts)
* Vanquisher (8pts)
* Hierophant (2pts)
Choir of Menoth (Leader and 3 Grunts) (2pts)
Exemplar Cinerators (Leader and 4 Grunts) (8pts)
Holy Zealots (Leader and 9 Grunts) (6pts)
* Holy Zealot Monolith Bearer (2pts)
Exemplar Bastion Seneschal (?)
* Sanctifier (9pts)
The Wrack (3 wracks) (1pts)
Vassal of Menoth (2pts)
Vassal of Menoth (2pts)

Since I don't know the points for the senny I left a little wiggle room in there for maybe Rhoven or the book or who knows what.

OK that is that for now. Hope to have more updates in the next few days and should have a wrap up of leg one of the Thruway Cup early next week......Let's go Team Spite!!!

Vindictus WiPs

I got a chance to work on the Vindictus. I was able to finish the grey and red cloth sections and started to pick some plate sections to be black. I still have more black to put on his armor and a few other things I am playing with in my head but here is the man at the current time:

I know I talked about bringing a "spiteful" list to tomorrows tourney in honor of my last local even with PG_Z1G1 but I think I am going to break my cherry and play Protectorate for the first time. I have been wanting to get them on the table for a while now and when I was texting with Zack the other day he said he wanted to see some of the Cave Challenge minis before he left so Menoth it is. I am also schedule to receive a package from Rob tomorrow with some reinforcements for Menoth so that did hurt my decision either. I really would like to play Vindictus but I am concerned that not having my zealot in a playable for at this time will seriously hurt his list building. OK I am beat time for bed while the house is quiet.

Hear His Words: By Voice or Blade

The house has been infected with pre-school illness and we have all been feeling like hell. I was able to put this aside and get down to the cave to do a little work on two minis. The first mini and the one getting the most attention is Vindictus. I love would like to say I love Vindictus. I have never played him or against him but I love his story/vibe and I really like the mini. I mentioned when I first said I was starting Menoth there was a thread on the FnF boards about a Vindictus list that sold me on the faction. Here is Vindictus in his current wip state:

So far I have his metals done. He still looks too gold but that will change. I have also basecoated the grey and red sections of robes. The grey robe has also received a wash with Badab black and once that is dry I will highlight it back up with my standard grey color build. After the grey section is finished I will move onto the reds. When I am doing the reds on Vindictus I also plan on banging out the red loin cloth sections on the three heavy jacks from the Cave challenge. Once the reds are finish it will be a simple matter of blacking out a few selected armor plates (forearms, shines, strip on the neck) and he will be ready for matte/gloss varnished. He will be put on a Dragonforge base when all is said and done to match the rest of my Menoth force.

When I washed the metal sections on the Vice Scrutator I also washed the skin and armor on this bad boy.

He was started way back at the start of the Scrum Challenge when I thought I was going to paint up three cabers (only finished one) and a full unit of warriors (only finished the UA). This gentleman will be seeing table time soon but not in a unit of Kriel Warriors.....huh? Let me know if you know what I am saying/thinking. I have to finish this guy and the other partially painted caber but first I need to find the other one. OK off to check up on sick kicks. Have fun watching football today all (go Vikes!) and I hope to have another small update on Vindictus in the next 24-36 hours.

Getting Back on Track

As evident from the lack of blog entries after the cave challenge I haven't been "feelin it" however that seems to be changing. I took two days to do a little work on that Malifaux crew and have put them back on the shelf and I am eyeballing my trolls and PoM once again. I think there are a couple contributing actors but the most compelling is PG_Evicerae is running 25pt Wednesday tourneys again this month. I had to miss the first week due to work but I am all set for weeks two and four.

Next week tourney will have a special place in the spite section of my heart. Next week will be the last local event I get to play with PG_Z1G1 before he departs for new employment in RI. Z1G1 is one of those guys you cannot help but have a great time with. He has been an absolute pleasure to play and travel with (my co-pilot to Templecon 2012 and I was his co-pilot to Conquest Toronto). Even though he is a great guy I want to send him off in true Team Spite fashion with a quality beatin'. This had brought me back to one of my favorite past time......list building. 

I am not going to get into my lists too much right now but I have a few things I need to do with my trolls to  get to fully painted by next Wednesday. I also want to have two fully painted 25pt PoM lists by the end of the mont so I should have some wips and finished photos over the next few weeks. At the current time I anticipate playing trolls next week and PoM the following week but who know I might try and play PoM next Wednesday. I am up in the air on which troll 'lock to break out but it is between pMaddy, eDoomie, Grim, Jarl, and Borka right now. Protectorate is up in the air as well but seeing as I don't even have my zealots cleaned and on bases I think Vindictus will be out. I am looking at High Reclaimer, pSevy, and Reznik right now but pKreoss seems to be pretty forgiving on new players so might take a look at him as well.

I think I mentioned in my last post my obsession with Relic Knights by Soda Pop Miniatures and that I was considering jumping on the Kickstarter.....well my self control is well documented and I broke down. The kickstarter had 2 hours left when my will gave in and I jumped in for more than I should have (surprise surprise Nog went overboard). I entered at the Double Savior level which bagged me four factions and seeing as I can't just stop there I did some add ons. I picked up Black Diamond (I think this will be my primary faction), Noh, Star Nebular Corsairs, and the Doctrine (love the librarian model). I have all the card PDFs printed out and have been building lists already :)

Cave Challenge Wrap-up

The cave challenge has come and gone with 4 of the participants hitting their mark and coming away with 35pts of painted minis. I was one of the two who didn't hit their mark. I mostly finished the three heavy jacks, choir, and steelheads but mostly doesn't cut it. Here are my last few photos:

Lets move on to the guys that are the stars of the challenge and did finish up their goals. The four painters were DieselDM, Evicerae, Oxyguy and Z1G1.

Oxyguy while having miniature acquisition issues near the end of his challenge managed to finish up and actually painted 36pts. While not playable he could drop 2pts and legally play a list at 34pts so he gets a W. Here is a group shot of his finished lot:

Next is DieselDM. He was more than happy to join in on the challenge at the get go but held fast that he didn't think he would accomplish the target.....guess what brotha? You were wrong. Here is his completed 5th Border Legion:

Now all you have to do Diesel is paint up 4 more units of Doom Reavers so you can play the eButcher theme force ;-)

Our next successful challenger was Evicerae and his Appleseed Retribution. Evicerae decided to throw in an extra 'caster for good measure and painted up Ossyan to go with the Rahn force. His overall goal was 100pts by December so even though he has a ways to go pretty go start here:

Last but certainly not least is Z1G1 and his Khador army. The last addition to his challenge force was a full unit of pirates....which is important for later ;-)

There we have it the last set of photos from the cave challenge. I need to finish up my PoM force and then I plan to play a fully painted battle and write up a full battle reports so hopefully by the end of September I can get all that up here. Thanks guys for coming along on the journey with me and showing me up by finishing your lot while I failed. I am working on a prize that will be given to one of the four successful painted but not sure what I am doing yet...no Evicerae it won't be a $500 check.