Tyranids: Beyond Leviathan

A bit of  roundup of a mixture of models I've painted throughout the 10th edition of Warhammer 40k.

First up is the Norn Emissary. I have to admit I was a bit disappointed with the overall size of this model. I have wanted a plastic super-heavy for Tyranids for many years and had hoped this would fall into that category. Sadly it's another mid-range monster joining an already bloated range.
 

She's pretty though

Having said that, I do like the style of the model, I just wish it filled a different role in the Tyranid range.

I particularly like the large ventral spires.

In game terms, this model has seen the shelf far more than the tabletop. To me, the price point seems prohibitive when compared with other, cheaper monsters. I have found its 'singular purpose' ability rather underwhelming too.

Lots of cool details.

Next up is a group of Zoanthropes. I had these 3d printed and they are an excellent facsimile of the official sculpts.

Good quality prints.

Unlike the Norn Emissary, I can always find a use for Zoanthropes. They have punishing firepower, an oppressive overwatch threat (particularly when combined with a Neurotyrant) and the 4+ invulnerable save can be difficult to break through.

Pretty little brain bugs.

Somewhere down the line I want to paint up three more of these as well as a second Neurotyrant so that I can try fielding two groups. Still I'm working on other projects at the moment so they will have to wait.

Moving back to plastic kits we have the new(ish) pyrovore model. I have lots of Biovores already, so I elected to construct the kit in this format. I really like the latest sculpt and it helps bring the Biovore/Pyrovore model much more in line with the unified look of the Tyranid range.

Big flame bug.

On the tabletop I haven't really found a use for Pyrovores (in any edition!) They are rather ponderous and the mediocre flamer they carry isn't much of a threat to anything. Still I like the concept and the miniature.

Much more insectile than the previous sculpt.

Back to some basic infantry with the humble hormagaunt. I've always loved hormagaunts, from the weirdly terrifying (and poorly balanced) metal sculpts to the long-running 3rd edition plastics. These are the most modern version of the sculpt and they are really delightful.

Looks more like a swarm close-up.

My Tyranid armies have always featured hormagaunts and that continues to this day. These have been regularly fielded alongside the older sculpts and, apart from the different base size, aren't noticeably different at tabletop level.

Just a humble group of ten infantry really.

The Neurolictor is something of a different sculpt. It's gangly, and oddly posed. I did alter the posing of mine slightly by twisting the waist joint. I'm not sure how much of a difference that's really made though.

Just plain weird.

I've fielded the Neurolictor a handful of times, but for my purposes I'm usually better off with a regular Lictor. I understand it's a synergy piece for other Tyranid units and I've never really managed to pull this off in practice. In my hands its just a weaker, more expensive Lictor.

Sorry Neurolictor, better luck next edition.

Finally we have the Parasite of Mortrex. I like this model a lot and it's fun to use on the tabletop. Not especially competitive, but just amusing to create ripper swarms from your opponents models. This has certainly never been a game winner for me, but I take it every so often just for the annoyance factor.

Definitely looks cool.

This was my first time trying something different for the wing membranes on my Tyranids and I liked it so much that I've adopted it going forwards.

"flap flap screech!"

Despite not loving the game as much as I used to, I'm still regularly playing Warhammer 40k. My Tyranid collection has been a big part of keeping me interested in the game. It also helps enormously to be a part of a fun, casual, gaming group.

I am feeling the desire to add more Tyranids to the collection, so hopefully will make a further update post soon.

Infinity - Operation Mazebreaker Corregidor Part 1

The new box set for Infinity - Operation Mazebreaker - was launched recently and I was very excited to have it on pre-order. The box contains forces for two faction sectorials: Corregidor for the Nomads and OSS for the Aleph. I've been working my way through the Corregidor miniatures to add to my Nomads forces.

Alguaciles. Found in every Nomad set.

I'm painting these models in the order that they are presented within the starter missions. First up, the Alguaciles. Everyone who plays Nomads has an excess of these, however, these ones have a slightly different profile and some new weapon options which does at least open up some possibilities for their use in larger games.

Model wise the Alguaciles are basically fantastic. The same goes for all the models in this box. Corvus Belli continue to produce superbly detailed metal miniatures in a variety of dynamic poses. I've chosen to keep the colour scheme simple so that they can be painted quickly and so that they match my other Nomads models.

A bit of an updated photo

To date I've finished the three Alguaciles which come in the set as well as the Territorial, which is designed to be used as the lieutenant model in the intro games. I wasn't much of a fan of the Territorial when I first saw her, but now having the model painted I actually really like it. The extra equipment and baggage really adds something and gives the impression of an operative on a mission far from support. 

Come back soon for a part two article when I will have the full set of Nomads painted.

Infinity - Iguana

 Another TAG painted for my ever growing Nomads forces. This time an Iguana.

One of my favourite TAG models.

This version of the Iguana is now technically out of production as it has been replaced with a more modern thermoplastic version. Personally, I like this model better, the tail and the funny cat head are great features and really scream "Nomads" to me.

As far as the painting goes, it's my standard Nomads scheme. But I'm glad I took the time to add a few more details than I did with my most recent Gecko. I think the model really benefits from breaking up the red with a bit of black and white.

I have been fortunate enough to try the Iguana out on the battlefield. It performed well, right up until the point when it was destroyed by friendly fire from my bandit. I hadn't expected that a TAG would take damage from a light shotgun, but sometimes the dice betray all of us.

The combination of heavy flamethrower and HMG are a murderous pair of weapons on this platform. Additionally, the many special abilities of the TAG itself mean that the Iguana is certainly a competitive piece. I just need to learn to pilot my TAGs with more skill.

Over the weekend I made a start painting the miniatures from the Operation Mazebreaker set. I hope to be able to make a post sharing those soon, so keep your eyes peeled for that in the very near future.

Infinity - Gecko Squadron - Part 2

Just in time for the release of the new Mazebreaker box set, I finished painting the other half of my Gecko squadron.

This time with Mk12 for a bit of added firepower.

I managed to paint the Gecko pilot model as well which was pleasing as it's an amazing sculpt. Back when I started collecting in N3, the pilots were a necessary part of the game and could disembark from their TAGs to fight on foot. Now in N5 they are a separate unit entirely which gives a few bonuses to TAGs fielded within the same group.

The second Gecko is armed with a Mk12 which is sort of a medium ranged support weapon. It's not the most amazing gun in the game, but combined with the bonuses from the TAG itself and then paired with another Gecko in a fireteam it becomes quite formidable.

The painting on this Gecko was a bit more of a rush job as I wanted to get it ready for a game. I'm fairly pleased with the way it turned out though and they do look good as a pair.

Speaking of Mazebreaker, I received delivery of the new box set yesterday and am very excited to get started building and painting it.

Infinity - Gecko Squadron

Geckos! My favourite of the Nomad TAGs and, not coincidentally, also the smallest.

Dual wielding rifles, is there anything cooler?

TAGs are definitely one of the big draws of Infinity for me. There's nothing better than a big armoured robot armed with heavy weapons. It helps that the sculpts are (by and large) fantastic too.

Looks a bit like a Gelgoog.

This particular Gecko is armed with a pair of multi-rifles (which are now treated as a single marksman multi-rifle). It doesn't sound like the most impressive armament for a TAG, but with all the various bonuses from the Gecko itself, it's actually quite decent.

I was lucky enough to take my Geckos out for a game last week and they performed admirably; even if they were reduced to wrecks by the end of the game. A bit more intelligent play on my part would probably have seen them survive to the end.

I've got another one of these to show off, along with the pilot. So come back soon for another slice of Gecko appreciation.

Corvus Belli Infinity - Nomads

Some years back I made a post about starting to play Infinity, the sci-fi skirmish game from Corvus Belli. Since then, I had a few initial test games and then largely dropped it. Not because the game wasn't good, more just that i didn't have time to allocate to another tabletop game.

However, recently I came back to the game and managed to get some more models painted up. A selection of which are shown below.

A small selection of Nomads.

I absolutely adore the Infinity miniatures; they have a phenomenal level of detail and are surprisingly robust as they are mostly cast in metal.

Sorry about the blur

This group of models includes a Mobile Brigada with missile launcher, a wildcat with combi-rifle, a wildcat with heavy rocket launcher, a hellcat with combi-rifle and Senor Massacre. Quite a varied selection which gives me options whether I'm playing basic Nomads, or my preferred sectorial, Corregidor.

Just to prove I do paint the backs of my models.

I'm working on some more Nomads models as the release of the new box set, Operation Mazebreaker, approaches. Come back soon to see how I've got on.

Horus Heresy Night Lords - Painting Showcase

I'm back with some more Night Lords. There's a real mix here, some of these were completed prior to the release of the Age of Darkness box; some are miniatures from the boxed set; and some are new kits that I've since bought and painted.

First up is a unit of Tartaros terminators which I've had ever since the Burning of Prospero set was released. I wanted to get these done before the second edition of the game and I'm pleased to say I did exactly that.

The first three squad members

They've been constructed with a bit of a strange mixed loadout, I think I just went for whatever I thought was cool at the time. Not the most efficient by any means and, as I've yet to try them out in battle, I can't really comment on their tabletop prowess.

And from the side

As with all my Night Lords I added trophies taken from a variety of different sources. I'm particularly pleased with the flayed skin cape on the power sword wielding model.

The unit as a whole

Next up is the Spartan Assault Tank from the Age of Darkness box. Like many Heresy players, this was the model I was most excited to get my hands on and it certainly didn't disappoint.

A big chunky beast

The below shows some more photos of the Spartan.

I've added an apothecary with a jump pack in an effort to keep my assault marines alive.

Then there's this fun little graviton rapier carrier proxy. I got this from Anvil Industry years ago.

I also built a terror squad using the mk6 bodies from the Age of Darkness box. A variety of other parts were used to make these look legion specific.

This rhino was made from a chaos rhino kit which I picked up on the cheap along with some (now OOP) legion specific upgrades from Forgeworld.

The recon squad are another purchase from Anvil Industry which I made on a Black Friday several years ago. I added a beaky helmet from an old marine sprue.

A second apothecary made from a mk6 body with a smattering of other parts.

I love volkite weapons, so a full squad of volkite culverins was a no brainer. These have been absolutely lethal on the tabletop.

I built myself some Contekar using 3d printed parts and plastic Tartaros bodies. I'm pretty happy with how they turned out.

The below is just the current plastic predator kit. This was lovely to build and has been a powerhouse on the battlefield. A source of cheap anti-tank is always useful.

Then we have the Kratos, the not-quite superheavy of the plastic tank range. I love the way this thing looks and it's an absolute menace on the table.

From large to small, next is a sabre strike tank. This was 3d printed by a friend and then I added a couple of plastic bits. A great little tank which I have used frequently.

Continuing with 3d prints, we have a Seeker squad. These have also proven quite effective with their rending bolts and high ballistic skill. Really good for removing key enemy infantry units.

Finally some dreadnoughts. The below is a plastic Leviathan fitted with resin weapons simply because I had them handy.

Very finally is a 3d printed contemptor with double power fists. I'm pleased with the print quality on this one and he's been very useful as a melee threat on the table.

If you made it to the end of this photo-dump, thanks for looking. I hope you enjoyed seeing an update on my Night Lords Legion collection.