Tuesday 31 May 2011

Army Showcase - Straken Hybrid for Blog Wars


Hi Everyone,

Last week I promised you all some pictures, and todays post will hopefully not disappoint on that score.  Below are photos of all the units in the army i will be taking to Blog Wars this coming weekend. 

My final list is as follows:

Company Command Squad - Colonel Straken, Medic, Bodyguard, Flappy Banner, Chimera

Veteran Squad - 3 Meltaguns, Chimera
Veteran Squad - 3 Meltaguns, Chimera

Platoon Command Squad - 4 Meltas, Chimera
Infantry Squad - Commissar (power sword), Sergeant (power sword)
Infantry Squad - Sergeant (power sword), Meltagun, Autocannon
Infantry Squad - Sergeant (power sword), Meltagun, Autocannon

Platoon Command Squad - Autocannon
Infantry Squad - Commissar (power sword), Sergeant (power sword)
Infantry Squad - Sergeant (power sword), Meltagun, Autocannon
Infantry Squad - Sergeant (power sword), Meltagun, Autocannon

Vendetta Gunship
Vendetta Gunship

Hydra Flak Tank
Hydra Flak Tank
Hydra Flak Tank
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1750 points

As expected, very similar to the previous list, but the Platoon Command Squads have been streamlined.  Both now have a distinct purpose, and the army is about as well rounded as I think it can be.  It also suits my play style in that it is very adaptable and can take on most other types of list.


Now, onto some pictures. 

 This is Colonel Straken's command squad.  Straken is represented by the Space Marine from an unspecified legion.  Some of you may recognise the colours, but you can draw your own conclusions there ;)
The first platoon command squad, armed with 4 meltaguns.  It turns out i didn't have enough meltaguns, so i had to use my stormtroopers.  My next project will be the construction of at least 8 more meltaguns so this doesn't happen again. 
 First Squad, First Platoon, with their attached Commissar.
 Second Squad, First Platoon
 Third Squad, First Platoon
 The second Platoon Command Squad, armed with autocannon.  This will probably be an objective holder, using orders to give itself a 2+ cover save on most turns, but it is also a useful threat vector.
 First Squad, Second Platoon, with its attached Commissar, which is one of the better models I have painted. 
 Second Squad, Second Platoon.  Here is the first of the robots.  I believe this is my best work to date, and I'll get some good shots of it in a few weeks.
 Third Squad, Second Platoon, including the second robot.
First Veteran Squad.  I am pleased to have got the last of these guys done for this tournament, as they finally look like a cohesive if eclectically armed unit.  The swords are banshee swords, from back when it was possible to order individual metal components. 
Second Veteran Squad.  All these guys have converted lasguns.  Again, i am happy to have these guys finished since some of them have been on my painting table for almost a decade (yes really).
 A shot of the 4 Chimeras used in this particular army.  The open topped example is Straken's ride.  I wish it really counted as open topped...
 Hydra #2.  I realised i never posted a picture of the completed conversions, so here we are!
 A shot of the three Hydras. 
 The two Vendetta Gunship conversions.  Again, i never posted pics of the completed models, so there are a few more below.




Well I hope you all enjoy the pictures.  I am feeling really enthused about the coming weekend, which is great, since it means I might finally be coming to the end of a period of hobby burnout.  If anyone wants to see anything else, or any of the stuff above in more detail (i.e. better pictures) then please let me know, and I'd be happy to oblige.

13 comments:

  1. Dude I forgot how great your army looks together on the tabletop!!! Great job good luck at blog wars, hope they do you proud ;)

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  2. thanks mate, always means a lot coming from you!

    looking at the photos, i can see i really need yo sort out a few bad cases of yellow skin :) but hey, that is bronzed flesh for you, yay for the 90's...

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  3. Army looks fantastic bro...defeat the hobby burnout! Obliterate even the toughest stains!

    Only criticism? MAWR ROBOTS!

    looking forward to destroying it with my neo/pink/punk/future/space pirates...

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  4. Nice army, I love your conversion work especially on the valks!

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  5. @ Ven, bring it ;)

    @ Dalinair, thanks man. If you check the Hobby section you can see stage by stage guides on how to construct them.

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  6. Looks a good army with a solid list. Really liking those hydra conversions. With the valks what are they like in size comparison to a standard model?

    cupboardofnurgle.blogspot.com

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  7. @O'Shashar - Thanks, you can actually see the step by step on the hydras in the hobby section as well ;)

    as for the size of the Valks, it is quite interesting. they cover roughly the same area, but are more compact within that area. for example, the front does not stick out as far, but it is wider. the tail is thicker overall, but only has a single boom. the only part that is a little smaller is the fans. the wings do stick out further, but since it is still wider than 6" it doesnt give me any significant advantages for setup and movement. basically, if in doubt, they dont get a cove save.

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  8. Not that flyers get all that many cover saves lol.

    Seen this army many a time on the table - looks better in person I think - certainly with the tanks - theres little bits to them that just dont show up in the photo's - especially the way they are painted - when on the table they look a lot more "metal and worn" than a big enlarged photo.

    Back to my stuff ... need to find 3 blank terminator shoulder pads in my bits box. I MUST have some ... surely.

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  9. I checked out the Hydra conversion and have to say the detail you went to making both parts is impressive and will look forward to getting to have a closer look at them in person on Sunday.

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  10. Looking great Artreides, I hope I get the opportunity to give you a game.

    I'm sure I have about a quarter of the models though...

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  11. I love the look of this army, it's very unique and I can't help but think of the film Avatar :)

    Cupboard of Nurgle

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  12. thanks guys! however, you do of course realise i shall have to kill you for that comment Simo... ;) then again, maybe i should just accept that no-one remembers the command and conquer Orca :P

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  13. I have a Squat as Imperial Guard conversion army I'm working on. I love this flyer design as a possible Iron Eagle. Any tips on creating something similar to these? What is scratch built on it and what isn't?

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