B is for Black Undercoat

Miniatures. You can't play a miniatures wargame without them. Actually, that's not strictly true; you could use cardboard chits, small glass beads, or chocolate buttons, but let's run with the first assertion. You're going to want to paint your little soldiers so that the dice gods may show favour upon them. Unpainted miniatures (or "minis") just look naff when your opponent  is fielding even the most poorly daubed unfortunates.

To begin with, after you've got rid of mould lines (a thin line around the figure where it has been cast) and flash (rogue bits of metal/resin/plastic), you have to put on an undercoat. On the mini, not yourself. There are several schools of thought on undercoating - brush vs spray vs airbrush, black, white, grey, acrylic, enamel etc etc

Here's my current method: I use car bodywork spray paint from Halfords. It covers really well and is half the price of most hobby brand sprays. For my Dark Eldar army, I have been using a light coat of matt grey to begin with, and when this has dried, I give it a more concentrated coat of matt black. The grey helps the black to adhere and also, when you come to paint the minis, you will find niggly bits the spray missed. You can then go over these with black paint on your brush, which is easier if you have the grey base to work from, rather than bare plastic/metal/resin/sponge cake (one of these may be a lie).

I prefer a black base as it provides easy definition for the separation of different areas of colour and texture. Here's an example:

Already quite a way along, but you get the idea

You can see that the black provides a clear distinction between Amanthas' skin and her... jewellery. Some people dislike black as you either have to use highly pigmented solid layers of paint, or many many thinner layers. I don't mind this as I prefer the high contrast that black provides, and also the discipline of thinning my paints that it necessitates. I may well talk about how white and grey undercoats can provide different effects in a later post.

Here is the finished mini (I painted this way back in 2007):

The finished figure

Her skin took a great deal of time and patience to achieve the luminosity of the highlights and the sheen overall. It probably would have been faster on lighter undercoat but I'm very pleased with the result.

A is for Archon

Of all the alien races that beset mankind in the 41st millenium, the Dark Eldar are perhaps the most cruel, or at least the most overtly so. Lithe elfin humanoids with pale skin and dark eyes, they lair within a conglomeration of cities on another plane of reality, using their almost magical technology to breach into realspace and raid for slaves, technology and their own enjoyment. The last reason is what sustains these decadent wretches, for they literally feed off the pain and fear of other beings, using it to stave off what they refer to as "soul-death", the continuous draining of their very souls by a god of Chaos that they themselves unleashed on the galaxy 10,000 years ago.

Foremost among the Dark Eldar are the Archons, powerful war-leaders amongst their kind. Leaders of the warrior sects known as Kabals, each Archon is a cunning and deadly combatant in his or her own right. They can be thought of as a cross between biker gang leaders, mafia bosses and fey monarchs. Most are either insane or paranoid; both are almost necessary qualities for these vile fiends.

I'm currently painting this miniature, and it is a fun figure, but it's been cast in the Finecast resin that Games Workshop now uses. I is Disappoint, kid. That's for another post.

In game terms, the Archon is an Independent Character (he can act on his own or join any unit) and can act as your army's Warlord (he gets a special trait that can aid your army in battle). You can outfit this evil nutbar with a variety of horrid close combat weaponry including a glowing pyramid that sucks out your opponent's soul, a sword that kills your opponent instantly if it hits, and other such lovelies. You can pop him in a troop-carrying vehicle to get him where he needs to be, and have him surrounded by weirdo flunkies such as ghoulish aliens, 4 armed snake guys, and a courtesan armed with enough poison for everyone.

Games Day 2012

Here's where I am at the moment: I've decided to get back into Games Workshop stuff.

OK, let that sink in for a moment.

Yes, I, who have been championing alternative mini manufacturers for ages, will now be courting the evil empire of Nottamun Town. The release of 6th Ed 40K has created a huge buzz at the games club in town, and I like a lot of what I have heard about this edition (I haven't played since 2nd Ed/Necromunda/Gorkamorka). To this end I have a new obsession (don't we all?) and it's collecting a Dark Eldar army. I've made a small start in buying the Codex and an Archon (generalissimo guy), and I've started making some terrain pieces.

The capstone of this new derangement was going to Games Day for the first time (hey, it's only taken me 20 years...). I had a great time with some of the chaps from the games club, and we oohed and ahhed at the new releases, Eavy Metal paint jobs, and display games just like every other loon there. We enjoyed ourselves but came away with plenty of thoughts on how the layout could have been better in the sales area. I splurged out (in my terms) on the aforementioned Codex, Finecast Autarch (what an interesting medium that is for minis!), some Purity Seal, and Liquid Green Stuff. Fascinating, I know. Oh, and the new White Dwarf.

So, wish me luck on my dark spiral into the grim warfare of the far future etc etc

Herewith pretty pictures:

Decisions, decisions...

It's the time of year when a young man's thoughts turn to a far future in which there is only war. For a while now, I've been contemplating collecting an army for Warhammer. I know, I know... that way lies madness, but it's been something I've wanted to do for years, ever since reading the mighty tome that is the Warhammer Fantasy Battle 3rd Edition rulebook. I already have the basis for a wood elf army with a unit painted up and several characters in various stages of prep, but I'm also drawn to high elves and the knights of Bretonnia. But why the far future? Well, the local games club seems to be all fired up with the release of 40K 6th Ed. Photos of wonderfully painted armies clashing across the coffee shop's tables have been very inspiring. The largest force I've ever collected for 40K was 2 Necromunda gangs, so I'd have a steep learning curve in regards to painting in bulk. Mind you the first and last time I painted a unit of anything was in preparation for Salute, where I took 4 days to paint 20 Wood Elves. A way to go, methinks.

Am I insane? I really want to get back into playing some sort of rpg or wargame regularly, and 40K is the only game in town really. Although, I have garnered a lot of interest in the Dungeons and Dragons board game (the one released by Parker Bros) and Kill Doctor Lucky, so who knows? Maybe I can try out Song of Blades and Heroes or somesuch with the club.

By This Axe I Rule!

Rosey (of Drama, Dice and Damsons) and I are in discussion about play-testing ChrisK (Hill Cantons) wargames rules By This Axe I Rule. And what better way to playtest it than with an elf wielding an axe and a severed orc head?

The last time this chap and his posse of archers saw battle was at Salute '07 in London in a game of Fantasy Warriors. They were slaughtered by barbarians in a corner of the battlefield and saw very little action. It was, however tremendous fun. Winning didn't matter (I was on the 'goodies' team), and the unfolding story was heroic and hilarious.

We who are about to die...

Miniatures for Oriental Adventuring 2

Ming Chinese from Cavalcade

I've been doing some more research into manufacturers as well as looking up US distributors, as so many of the mini companies making the stand-out collections are small companies based in the UK.

Hasslefree Miniatures - Scroll down for US distributors list

West Wind Productions - - their box sets look pretty good value but I haven't seen a US distributor yet, although they do ship to you colonials

Museum Miniatures (another UK company) -  make a fun little range of 28mm samurai and ashigaru, including a taiko drummer and a lord with war fan - again they ship to the US

Cavalcade Wargames - a Seattle based company with several great ranges including samurai goblins, samurai Minotaurs, samurai dwarves, Ming Chinese, Wako, and Kingsford Miniatures' range

Riders of the Black Temple - Warband Rosters

Here are the rosters for the two forces in the Riders of the Black Temple skirmish. Admittedly, if one doesn't know Song of Blade and Heroes, it won't mean much. I'm going to try to make some notes on the setup and scenario. Hopefully, I'll get a chance to play it in the near future!

The Heroes

Ran Tan Kani (Korobokuru Barbarian)
Points 30	Quality 3+	Combat 3
Special Rules	Forester, Short Move

Shinko (Shugenja) - Personality
Points 80	Quality 3+	Combat 2
Special Rules	Cleric, Leader

Uchai (Wu Jen) - Personality
Points 46	Quality 3+	Combat 1
Special Rules	Fearless, Magic-User

Mamoru (Ninja) - Personality
Points 64	Quality 3+	Combat 2
Special Rules	Assassin, Shooter: Medium, Stealth

Daidoji Yorinaga (Samurai) - Personality
Points 106	Quality 3+	Combat 4
Special Rules	Fearless, Hero, Leader

Jiro (Monk)
Points 42	Quality 3+	Combat 3
Special Rules	Free Disengage, Steadfast

Tenko (Shinko's Dog)
Points 11	Quality 4+	Combat 2
Special Rules	Animal

Riders of the Black Temple

Sohei Points 52 Quality 3+ Combat 2 Special Rules Long Move, Mounted

Sohei Points 52 Quality 3+ Combat 2 Special Rules Long Move, Mounted

Sohei Points 52 Quality 3+ Combat 2 Special Rules Long Move, Mounted

Sohei Points 52 Quality 3+ Combat 2 Special Rules Long Move, Mounted

Sohei Points 52 Quality 3+ Combat 2 Special Rules Long Move, Mounted

Sohei Points 52 Quality 3+ Combat 2 Special Rules Long Move, Mounted

Sohei Points 52 Quality 3+ Combat 2 Special Rules Long Move, Mounted

Sohei Points 52 Quality 3+ Combat 2 Special Rules Long Move, Mounted

Sohei Points 52 Quality 3+ Combat 2 Special Rules Long Move, Mounted

Sohei Points 52 Quality 3+ Combat 2 Special Rules Long Move, Mounted

Sohei Points 52 Quality 3+ Combat 2 Special Rules Long Move, Mounted

Sohei Points 52 Quality 3+ Combat 2 Special Rules Long Move, Mounted

Sohei Points 52 Quality 3+ Combat 2 Special Rules Long Move, Mounted

Sohei Points 52 Quality 3+ Combat 2 Special Rules Long Move, Mounted

Sohei Points 52 Quality 3+ Combat 2 Special Rules Long Move, Mounted

Sohei Leader - Personality Points 92 Quality 3+ Combat 3 Special Rules Leader, Long Move, Mounted

Song of Tachi and Samurai

I've been thinking some more about running a skirmish based on Riders of the Black Temple from Swords of the Daimyo using the Song of Blades and Heroes rules, which are very short and straightforward. The set-up will follow directly from where an old PbP of mine left it - the evil sohei have ridden into town and the heroes are about to attack from hiding. The heroes are outnumbered over 2 to 1 (if you count their dog) and the sohei are all mounted. It will be interesting as a battle, and I will perhaps write some special rules into the scenario for time limit or somesuch. The heroes also have some villagers on their team but they may not be much use. The points for each side are really crazy for SOBH (where a typical warband is 300 points to begin with) at nearly 400 for the heroes and nearly 900 for the baddies... Interesting times!

Back to life, back to reality

What a week. Entire heating and hot water system replaced; going back and forth to Mother in law's house to see wife and son (the amour of dust in our building site of a house is not a good idea for baby), sleep problems, accountancy class continues to make me feel a bit dim. But I am enjoying working on the RPG stuff and having a goal in blogging everyday. Coming up:

Kensei (with the correct spelling ;) although that now makes me think I should correct shukenja to shugenja, but anyway...)
Ninja
Sohei
1st Level Spells
Air School
Nature School
Riders of the Black Temple skirmish war-game
Thoughts on how much I like True20
US distributers of UK minis
Playtesting Labyrinth Lord conversions
Etc etc

Real life and not much else

Today has been a busy one with heating system renovation complete, and looking after my son and wife. I haven't done anything or even thought much about gaming today, which is unusual for me. I have been thinking about running a skirmish set in Kozakura using Song of Blades and Heroes. I have loads of Steve Jackson's Cardboard Heroes, which have several Japanese figures, and I can make anything else needed.