Hobby Goals 2017

Well 2016 wasn't a particularly productive year in the hobby for me (being an all-round bad year for many), though in the last few months of it some painting and modelling did get done in the form of some Warmachine miniatures and my Flesh-eaters, respectively. With the start of 2017 (after an incredibly busy January) I have decided to take stock of my current hobby situation and actually write down what I am doing, rather than just having a nebulous idea of what projects I am working on in my head. This is largely for posterity and I look forward to seeing how successful I have been at achieving these things by the end of the year!

Earl Grymtyde of Gravenport
Currently a permanent feature of my desk telling me to get on and do some painting

Current

These are my current main projects which I am working on and should hopefully feature most prominently on the blog if this year goes as planned. These are listed roughly in the order of priority I have given them though is subject to change:

- Flesh-eater Courts - This is my current lead project with loads still to do. The fact that practically everything is WIP right now is why they haven't appeared on the blog yet beyond my Mournghoul. I am hoping to visit them in the next few weeks and get some troops done to put on the blog.

- Witch-Hunters - My old force of Sisters of Battle and Inquisitorial stuff has undergone a few dozen different iterations over the years and with the release of Saint Celestine and rumours of plastic Battle Sisters on the horizon I have decided to re-paint and re-vamp this army. More on this coming soon.

Test scheme for my Battle Sisters

- Lich Warband - My brother and I are working on a skirmish project for which I am building a small force centred around a character who has appeared in several projects of mine. Originally being my first Dungeons and Dragons character: the Sun Elf necromancer Avrilar Amalith, self-proclaimed Lord of Corbalan and Dark-Lich, is finally getting a small army to boss around. This project is very WIP at the moment but is slowly going places.

- Menoth - I am continuing to work on my Menites whom I unfortunately didn't manage to finish before Christmas. In fact I have elected to take a small break from them and focus instead on the three projects listed above as I wont have the opportunity to battle with them until Easter anyway.

Ongoing

I also have a few ongoing projects which I am working on intermittently. These are admittedly projects I have started and not finished due to fatigue or getting sidetracked, mostly being army re-painting and other stuff that keeps getting put on the back burner. These aren't listed in any particular order.

- Tomb Kings - I am in the middle of re-painting this army for display purposes, other things however keep getting in the way of me moving beyond base colours. Painting the whole army in stages as well is exhausting. Painting all the gold on 100+ miniatures takes a long time and is quite an insane thing to undertake now that I think about it. 

- Imperial Guard - I am also in the middle of re-painting this army to sit alongside my Sisters of Battle. They are on hiatus for now while I work on my Witch-Hunters. I am currently entertaining notions of breaking this army up a bit and returning it to its roots as allies to my main Witch-Hunting force. Possibly converting some superfluous miniatures into a Necromunda war band if I ever get around to it. 

- Kingdom Death - I have a backlog of various KD models I have picked up over the past two years. I use these miniatures to experiment with different painting styles so I usually only work on them when I feel like breaking up batch painting. Something that hasn't happened a lot this past year as I haven't really been painting at all!

3 WIP minis I am working on at the moment

- Misc. Age of Sigmar stuff - I have some random Elves and some Sisters of Sigmar I would like to do something with, even if they just end up as small war bands that sit alongside my main Death Alliance stuff. Will just have to wait and see what happens with them.

Possible

These are ideas that I have had, but possess no current plans to pursue. I have written them down in rough order of how likely I am to actually do them though it is unlikely any of them will get done while I still have ongoing projects.

- Tzeentch - I have been thinking of re-basing my chaos army onto round bases and picking up some the new Arcanites. The new Lord of Change in particular is making it really hard not to want to, especially the Kairos Fateweaver configuration. My main problem is that my current AoS army is still in the works with several miniatures I still need to buy bases for.

I need this in my life!

- Adeptus Mechanicus - Always loved the miniatures and I will be getting Belisarius Cawl in the box with Saint Celestine so he may end up with some friends at some point depending on if I decide to re-visit Tzeentch or not.

- Space Marines - I have a small force of Dark Angels Space Marines I am not particularly happy with who might receive some attention. Have been thinking about repainting them as Blood Angels and adding some of the miniatures from that range I really like. Depends on how my other Imperial projects go. 

- Blood bowl - for a long while now I have contemplated putting together a team, most likely of Dark Elves. While this would be a relatively low-cost project I always seem to have other things going on.

- Infinity - I have been considering this for quite some time. I was going to pick up an ALEPH starter box a few years ago but got distracted by Warmachine instead. If my other projects are a success I might start nearer the end of this year.

- Sisters of Silence - I absolutely love the miniatures and I am not sure whether to just add a squad to my Witch Hunters or if I should actually start a small 30k force of them. I suppose it depends on if Forge World announce any plans to expand on them in a meaningful way like they are doing with Custodes.

If Forge World could make these that would be fantastic

- Busts/large scale figures - I have often fancied trying out painting resin busts or larger scale miniatures. Alas, the smaller stuff always seems to win my wallet.

- Historical - As a student of history and a miniature war gamer I probably ought to have done something that combines the two by now, even if it is just a handful of English Civil War regiments.

So those are my current thoughts on what I am doing and thinking of doing in the hobby this year. As ever projects I want to do or have abandoned in favour of shiny new stuff outweighs what I am actually working on at the moment. While this is the final year of my undergraduate degree I am on top of my work (in some places well ahead) and I hope this should free up some time to paint the ever-increasing stack of unpainted miniatures I own. 

Every hobbyist I have met has a habit of stacking up a lot of projects, unpainted miniatures, and unfulfilled ideas. I hope to burn through as many of mine as possible in 2017 which is already shaping up to be an interesting year in the world of miniature wargaming. 

This year I am hoping to try out some new things, improve my painting skills, and have a lot of fun with some unusual modelling projects. I plan on putting much of this on the blog to help motivate me and I hope those of you who are following enjoy what I put out. 

- Doombringer

Army Showcase - Part 8 - The Blackwing

The Brotherhood of the Blackwing Angel; the secretive and mysterious servants of the Hellcarian Inquisitorial Conclave. Rife with internal conflict between Dark Angel loyalists and Inquisitor's lapdogs, they fight in the shadows to fulfil their own secret objectives and establish Hellcarian dominance within the Inquisition. 

I won't put much text with this Army Showcase as all of it can be found elsewhere in the blog simply by searching for 'blackwing' or 'dark angels' tags on posts. Apologies in advance for any blurry pics. 

The Blackwing Part 17 - 1500 points finished!

This year I have endeavoured to finish off all of my ongoing projects, tidy up loose ends and prepare myself for several new projects planned for next year. As usual I have somehow created more projects for myself: The Hobbit, Menoth and the Blackwing. I have successfully finished all of these projects as well as managing to finish off several armies which I have slowly been posting in my Army Showcase series.

This is the last post for my Blackwing I will be doing for the foreseeable future as I have completed the 1500 point army I set out to do. Much as I would like to expand upon this force there are other projects to start and models to paint. Thought the paintjob is fairly simple (perhaps slightly lazy) and the models occasionally mashed together from spare parts; I think I have created a decent fighting force to stand proudly besides my other Imperial armies in so short a time.

Below is a link to all the individual Blackwing posts and soon I shall be posting an Army Showcase with the army together and some group shots. I hope you have enjoyed this series and I have little doubt a similar one will spring up soon enough when I find another big project to work on.

The Brotherhood of the Blackwing Angel Parts 1-17

The Blackwing Part 16 - The Deathwing

The last models to paint for my Blackwing were my terminators and the chapter-master of the Blackwing: Lord-Magister Makarios the Dead. I added more green to these to represent that they were originally Dark Angels sent to help form the successor chapter and I added areas of white as they are Deathwing terminators after all. The chapter-master is the only model other than my chaplain to have gold on him. With Chaplain Anselm I purposely dulled the gold and made it less prominent with the reasoning a chaplain would have suitably grand armour but not overly bright. With Makarios however I wanted him to look every inch a member of the Inner Circle, I reasoned that if he is called personally to a battlefield then stealth is probably not a priority and he can be forgiven for such bright attire. 

The Blackwing Part 15 - Ravenwing

Just returned from my holidays where I have done massive amounts of painting: all my Lord of the Rings stuff is done, all my 40k stuff is done and I have almost finished my fantasy armies. I have consumed seemingly hundreds of paint pots after discovering a shop only six miles away sold them, my black wash problems now over I have lots of things to post on the blog over the next few months.

The Blackwing Part 14 - Chief Apothacarium Nehremiah

Deformed at birth with a clawed and malformed left arm, his parents readily gave him over to the Inquisition suspecting him to be warp-tainted. The inquisitors soon recognised him as a psyker of some power and spared him execution despite his deformity. Inquisitor Loken the Elder took him onto his staff and used the young boy as his squire, during these early years of service to the senior inquisitor Nehremiah showed a talent for surgery and biological sciences. A developing biomancer, Loken transferred him into the service of Inquisitor Tobias where his abilities were further honed. When the Inquisitor Lord of Hellcaris sanctioned the formation of the Blackwing it was Tobias who was put in charge of the founding. Nehremiah was present with his master when the first members of the Blackwing were made full marines and he instantly became fascinated by the process and its mysteries. After several years he finally convinced Tobias to have him made a space marine and was inducted into the Blackwing as Chief Apothecary.

The Blackwing Part 13 - Librarian Lord Arafel

Lord Arafel, often known as 'the Black' for his dark temperament, is the Chief Librarian of the Blackwing. He represents the chapter on the Hellcarian Inquisitorial High Council and aids Castellan Cyrus on the day-to-day running of the chapter. Above the petty politics much of chapter command embroil themselves in, Arafel seeks only to do his duty and perfect his mighty psychic powers.

The Blackwing Part 12 - Castellan Cyrus of the Tower

Castellan Cyrus commands the Black Pinnacle: the Fortress-Monestary of the Blackwing, from here he organises and maintains the chapter as well as leading the local defence forces. Cyrus is a Dark Angel loyalist who fiercely opposes any Inquisitorial meddling in Blackwing affairs, something he has come to blows with Absolom over many times. Spiteful and possessing a long memory, Cyrus waits patiently for the day he can usurp Absolom and begin rooting out Inquisitorial loyalists, making the Blackwing worthy successors of the Dark Angels.

Castellan Cyrus

The Blackwing Part 11 - Brother Zephiel and Inquisitor Tobias

Hero of the Battle of Darcadian IV, Brother Zephiel is one of the most revered and decorated members of the Blackwing. A talented leader of men he is much loved by his fellow brothers-in-arms and admired by the Imperial Guardsmen of Hellcaris. It is expected that he shall be promoted to Company Master upon the creation of the Blackwing's next company.

Inquisitor Tobias is one of the senior leaders of the Hellcarian Inquisitorial Conclave and overseer of the star system's military forces. It was he who suggested the creation of the Blackwing and has watched over their development. A master Biomancer he takes to the field eyes aflame with green light and wielding the mighty force hammer Epicurus. 

Brother Zephiel

Inquisitor Tobias

The Blackwing Part 10 - Armoured Support

I managed to cheaply get hold of some armoured support for my Blackwing, being second hand they had been modelled with some battle damage but I didn't mind. I painted both the Dreadnought and Razorback to look as dirty as possible, as if previously mass produced and irregularly cleaned since. Despite playing Imperial Guard I have only painted a few vehicles and generally prefer infantry which may be part of the reason for the fairly bland colours. 

The Blackwing Part 9 - Dark Vengeance

Finally got hold of Dark Vengeance! I wasted no time in starting to get these painted up and ready to deliver the emperor's wrath. I decided that these tactical marines would lack the helmet modifications and robes of my earlier tactical marines as they are newly created space marines who are yet to earn their right to do so in battle. 

Squad Kant

The Blackwing Part 8 - Sons of the Skull

Young Hellcarian guardsmen who show devotion to the Inquisition and advanced battlefield aptitude are inducted into the Sons of the Skull. This elite military school currently serves to train new Blackwing recruits until a tenth company can be formed. Students are trained to peak physical fitness and regularly taken into battle with the Blackwing where they are taught the art of war, devotion to the Emperor and obedience to the Hellcarian Inquisitorial High Conclave. 

The Blackwing Part 7 - Devastators

I managed to get a battle against Chaos Space Marines the other week in which I killed droves of heretics but ultimately lost due to a seemingly indestructible Hellbrute that carved it's way through half my army in the latter part of the game. I had some very unlucky rolls and committed a few grave tactical errors; things went a bit pear-shaped around Turn 4 and despite killing most of the enemy I had failed to make up enough points to win. I have however learnt from my mistakes and plan on a rematch sometime in the next few months.

Squad Irenaeus

The Blackwing Part 6 - Squad Paley, The Watchmakers

One of my five-man tactical squads for use in smaller games. These were made from some old space marine models I found at the bottom of my bitzbox with helmets remodelled slightly and robes added. Squad Paley is a unit of Dark Angel space marines assigned to be amongst the founding members of the Blackwing, loyal to the Inner Circle above all else they are reliable soldiers assigned to carry out covert missions unknown to their Inquisitorial overlords. 

The Blackwing Part 5 - Captain Absolom

The Mountain, Brother-Captain Absolom was a Hellcarian guardsman whose military prowess and talent for violence made him the Inquisition's chief enforcer. Born with gigantism; once made a space marine and encased in custom power armour Absolom towers head and shoulders above a space marine. His loyalty to the Inquisition overturns any other directive given to him and more then once the Mountain has ignored orders from chapter leadership to further the goals of an inquisitor. Much to the frustration of his superiors inquisitorial influence is slowly worming its way through the Blackwing under Absolom, making the Dark Angels unsure as to the loyalty of their successors.

The Blackwing Part 4 - New Book

The other day I managed to get into town to pick up a few things, amongst them the new Dark Angels book. The book itself is very beautiful and the rules seem decent. I have so far only had a quick look through but I have taken the chance to start writing a new version of my previous army list.

The Blackwing - 1500pts WIP

HQ
Company Master - Power fist, Storm bolter   130
Librarian - Mastery Level 2   100

Troops
Tactical squad - 10 marines, Plasma pistol, Plasma gun, Plasma cannon   210
Tactical squad - 5 marines, Power weapon   100

Elites
Deathwing - 5 terminators, Chainfist, Assault cannon   245

Fast Attack
Assault Marines - 5 marines, 2 Plasma pistols, Power fist, Melta bombs   155
Ravenwing - 3 bikes, Plasma gun   105

Heavy Support
Devastator Squad - 5 marines, Power weapon, Heavy bolter, Multi-melta, Missile launcher, Plasma cannon   145
     -Razorback   55

All squads are upgraded with veteran sergeants. This list doesn't yet reach 1500 points as I have only reworked what was previously in my list and I think some of the addition may be off. I am thinking of adding a scout squad and replacing one of my HQ choices with an Interrogator Chaplain in terminator armour to represent my Chapter Master to up the points a bit; but am unsure as to what else to add. I would like to include some of the cool new stuff that has been bought out recently but I don't have the money to spend on them with the expansion to my Warriors of Chaos army I have planned.

The Blackwing Part 3 - Spiritual Guidance

Here follows briefly a rough outline of my first Blackwing Commanders background and his model. I am yet to base him as I like to base several models at once to save time. Overall I am happy with his paint scheme though the photos have blurred some of the details, I think he sets the tone well for my army of dour and secretive special operations marines fanatically devoted to the Emperor.

Chaplain Anselm of the Rock

Named for an ancient Terran philosopher, Chaplain Anselm is the current chief spiritual advisor of the Blackwing. He was chosen as one of the founding members of the chapter for his loyalty and devotion to the Inner Circle. He is described by those who know him as a generous father figure who enjoys sitting down for deep intellectual discussion over afternoon tea. He is righteous in battle and devout in prayer as any chaplain should be. Anselm is however hiding a secret from his inquisitorial masters.

Slavishly loyal to the Dark Angels he has been carrying out their agendas in the Hellcaris system and ensuring by any means necessary that the Inner Circle's secrets do not come to light. More than one inquisitor has died from a tragic accident in recant years and several low-level prisoners have disappeared in the dead of night. Loose ends need to be tied neatly; a task Anselm is all too ready to carry out.

Unlike many chaplains Anselm does not carry a crozius, for his was stolen by a mysterious Dark Eldar Pirate and Anselm has vowed to take it back. To replace his weapon Anselm went into the chapter forges for ten days and ten nights, emerging with a blood red blade dubbed Gorecleaver whose sole purpose is to slay the one who wronged him.

The Blackwing Part 2 - Army List

This is the first army list I will be using for my Dark Angels, it isn't competitive or in any way specialised as with most of my armies but is a bit of a Jack-of-all-trades. How effective it is I don't know but plan on finding out soon.

The Blackwing - 1500pts

HQ

Company Master - Power fist, Storm bolter   130
Librarian - Melta bombs   125

Troops

Tactical squad - 10 marines, Plasma pistol, Plasma gun, Plasma cannon   210
Tactical squad - 5 marines, Power weapon, Melta bombs   110

Elites

Deathwing - Chainfist, Autocannon   250
Dreadnought -    125

Fast Attack

Assault Marines - 2 Plasma pistols, Power fist, Melta bombs   185
Ravenwing - Plasma gun   135

Heavy Support

Devastator Squad - Power weapon, Heavy bolter, Multi-melta, Missile launcher, Plasma cannon   180
     -Razorback   50

Librarian deployed in one of the two tactical squads and the Company Master with the Devastators in the Razorback. I have serious doubts about the quality of this list but then again most of the armies I field are those composed of whatever I happen to have lying around and some perform reasonably well.
We shall see.

Thats all from me for now as I will be very busy over the next few weeks. I am hoping to have a game of Dungeons and Dragons soon depending on if The Euphemism is busy or not so I might post on that. I have almost finished some more bits of painting so you may see that as well in the near future but until then Doombringer out.

The Blackwing Part 1 - Background

With the dawn of a new edition I have decided to start a new army to serve as allies for my Imperial Guard. Due to the amount of random Space Marines I have seem to have collected over the years and the release of Dark Vengeance; I have decided to do a Dark Angels themed army. This will probably be the last major project I start work on for a long while (really ought to stop kidding myself) so most of my posts will be on this for the next few months. Barely anything has been painted yet so I will add some background to the blog for now.


The Brotherhood of the Blackwing Angel

• Founding Chapter: Dark Angels
• Homeworld: Infernia, Hellcaris System
• Fortress Monastery: The Black Pinnacle
• Speciality: Special Operations
• Strength: 300 Battle Brothers 
• Battle Cry: The White Dawn Rises