Squaduary 2019 - Theta 7 Acquisitus Kill Team

Yes, it's that time of year again. Squaduary is once again being inflicted upon us by the wonderful Stepping Between Games. As is my custom, I'll be piling in, trying to get another squad painted up for my Adeptus Mechanicus forces. As it happens, Games Workshop have decided to release the new Theta-7 Acquisitus kill team box on the second of February. Well, it seems my choice of models is made for me!

It's time to acquire!

The set includes 5 ruststalkers/infiltrators as well as the new Tech-priest Manipulus and a small terrain bundle. I'm very excited by the prospect of a new tech priest and I really like the Manipulus model.

More bounce to the ounce!

The model has proven somewhat divisive online. The styling is somewhat unusual and it's not been helped by the slightly odd angle of the GW photograph. However, I really like the look of the Manipulus; he's creepy and cybernetic in a way that is not really shown by other models in the range. I can't wait to add him to my forces and see what he's capable of on the table.

At any rate; that concludes my Squaduary 2019 pledge. Stay tuned as I try to paint a squad of elites and a new HQ in the month!

A Tale of Four Warlords - Sktarii Rangers complete

As I mentioned in my last post, I'm currently part of 'A Tale of Four Gamers' challenge with a few of my gaming buddies. This month, the goal is to paint up a patrol detachment for your chosen army (1HQ and 1 troops choice). I have chosen to continue building my Adeptus Mechanicus army. Now, I know that traditionally these challenges are used to start a new force from the ground up. However, as my darling wife has forbidden me from starting new armies (with good reason!) I am using this as an excuse to expand my Mechanicus forces. The best part is that I already own most of the models I will be painting, so I'm digging into the grey pile of shame which always feels good.

Anyway, on with the photos.

Skitarii Squad complete!

In the past I have had a bit of anxiety about painting Skitarii Rangers (as opposed to Vanguard). This is because I find their guns and heads more difficult to paint (all those lenses and details). However, I feel like I really hit my stride with these guys. I found a way of painting the rifles that I'm happy with, and I had a lot of fun with the Skitarii Alpha. 

Turn to the left!

As you can see, I've done a couple of guys with Transuranic Arquebus' (Arquebii? Arquebusiers??). On the table, I have mostly found these disappointing, but maybe now they're painted they will start to deliver?

I've also given my Alpha a power sword because apparently I am crazy and enjoy schizophrenic loadouts. Seriously, the Arquebus' can't move and fire, so the chances of him ever using his pretty pink sword are slim to none.

Witness the pinkness!

The sword was painted in a kind of quick and dirty glaze technique. It doesn't look that brilliant up close, but it didn't take too long, and it looks pretty impressive (if I do say so myself) from about a foot away. Which I consider perfectly fine for a 7 point infantryman.

Sniper squad! Charge!!

Anyway, all of this means that I need to paint up and HQ in the next ten days to hit my quota (and avoid being shamed by my peers). Given my glacial painting pace, it's a bit of a tall order! So, wish me luck and tune in at the end of the month to see if I made it.

First Model of 2019 - Dominus Knight Valiant

Ok, so this is a bit of a technicality, but my first completed miniature of the year is this monster!

Hope you like barbeque!

As most of you know, I've been painting her for a while (since September in fact) and was hoping to finish before the end of the year. As it happens, I missed that target by one day and finished up the paint and transfers on New Year's Day!

Now with orange background!

Progress on this one has come in fits and starts. I quick work of the legs and main hull, but the arms and weapons were a real stumbling block. Hardly surprising considering that this is my third 'full sized' knight in 10 months. But it was very frustrating.

Over the Christmas break I managed to get the thundercoil harpoon painted and the rest of the model came together fairly quickly.

Some sort of drunken close-up.

The colour scheme is the usual green/brass/tan of my Mechanicus forces. With the sexy pink accent used for lenses and power coils etc. The only real change is the gold hazard stripes on the front halves of the pauldrons. This was done using some colour change paint from Turbodork, but the photos don't really do it justice.

Facing off with my Questoris Knight Errant.

As you can see from the above, she's a big girl. Not much taller than your standard knight, but significantly bulkier. All 'dat ass' comes at a pretty penny too, 594 points all in. Unfortunately that means that I probably won't get too much tabletop play out of her. Especially considering that most of my games are around the 1000 point mark.

Nonetheless, when she does hit the field I am prepared to be impressed. The conflagration cannon is the star of the show with 3d6 damage 2 auto-hits. The thundercoil harpoon is the crowd pleaser with that big fat 10 damage. I'm not convinced it will achieve much, but it will be awesome if it connects with the right target. She's also packing an array of small arms including four meltaguns and four siegebreaker cannons which should be quite nasty.

All my procrastinating aside, this was a fun project. It's the first knight I've had from new and it was delightful to build. I will undoubtedly do more knights in the future, but I'm feeling pretty burned out with the big stuff right now, so I'm going to paint a few Skitarii for a Tale of Four Warlords that I've started up with some buddies.

Stay tuned for more progress!