Dark Eldar leaders

The Archeon.  Dark Eldar.  Not "Drukarhi" and definately not Ynnari.

This is a Raging Heroes.

All of these were painted by Priate Viking Painting

And two loyal lieutenants.  Because the Dark Eldar are known for their loyalty.

Two people who take quite different approaches to the same challenges.

I did send the rest of the Dark Eldar army to a friend in Kent, but kept these three.

 

The cabal of the Broken Tea Spoon

I'm quite excited about the new DE figures. I havn't been able to get shredders, so GW actually making them again will be nice. Hopefully I'll pursuade someone to get me some for Christmas or something.



Cyrxian Harrower Helljack Thingamyjig o' Doom.

My DE army is bascially an apoc splinter riad force with a few other bits and peices. It is fast, but the new figures will look better than the existing. Plastic warp beasts will be good, but not as good as a plastic Talos. (the Privateer Press Harrower makes a really good Talos - If PP do this in plastic then any new GW Talos will have to be beat it)

This DE army has now gone to Kent, to terrorise the wabbit, probably.

The Imancipation of Taple

Dracite Taple was captured by the Tigers. Her capture by Capt Choo and his reporting of Maj Gen Firth's whereabouts is what got him promoted.

The Kabal of the Broken Teaspoon want Dacite Taple back. If the Kabal of the Broken Teaspoon liberate their unhinged and bloodthirsty Dacite, then for them it is a return to business as normal. The Kabal will persist in harassing anyone who takes their fancy, indulging their predilection for hit and run raids, getting in people’s way and upsetting their carefully laid plans.

The Army of Chaux Na M'rrsee begin anywhere that is more than 12" away from any table edge. The DE come on from any table edge, after the Heretics and/or renegades have set up.

It is night fighting for 1D6 turns.

Dacite Taple must remain in base to base contact with one of the Heretic/renegade HQ choice models. It does not matter which one and it can change from turn to turn. (Dacite Taple is Shackled [which she likes] and can only move as her leash holder moves and may not shoot, assault or use fancy wargear). If the DE player can get a figure (ie an infantry model, rather than a vehicle) in base to base contact with Dacite Taple then she is freed and the DE player has won an idealogical victory. ie the DE have won, even if Dacite Taple is subsequently killed by the mon-keigh, at least snuffed it as a free evil space elf, not as a prisoner. If the DE player gets a figure in base to base contact with Dacite Taple, then she re-enters play under the control of the DE player and may move and shoot normally.

If the Army of Chaux Na M'rrsee keep their prisoner for the entire game, then they have won and the demoralised kabal will have to return to Commorrragh without their favourite Dacite, to face the ridicule and good natured jibes of their fellow evil space elves. Perhaps....

If the Army of Chaux Na M’rrsee manage to retain her, then Chaux Na herself will possibly persuade Dacite Taple that their interests lie together. Which could well see Kabal assets pouncing on the rearward formations of the IG – they were likely to do this anyway, but such an alliance would make this a certainty and remove the possibility of balancing raids being carried out on the Heretic and Renegade forces of Chaux Na M’rrsee.

escalation tactics

Just in case you are paying attention; The three posts of escalation army lists, whilst thrown together based on the available models and what I hope to be able to finish before the weather turns nice again, are built around some tactical principals based on their fluff.

Share and enjoy -

The Bloodcoats list is two firebases; one of nine mortars and one of nine auto cannons. This force is designed to sit still and ensure that by the time their opponent reaches their lines, there is nothing left of them. Additionally, there are enough infantry squads to provide both blubblewrap for the heavy weapons and also a manoeuvre force. The rouge (primaries) psyker is just a bit of fun.

Set the mortar teams up near your own table edge behind cover. Set the auto cannon up somewhere in your own deployment zone with clear fields of fire. The bubble wrap squads (and perhaps one platoon command squad) need to be near to the heavy weapons to get in the way of infiltrators or other assault troops. The majority of the infantry squads, led by their commanders should set off for any distant objectives and hope for the best.

The Tigers have gone for manoeuvre assets; there are two tanks and full squadron of sentinels. If the multilaser sentinel can keep other threats away from the sentinels for long enough, then they should be able to get into flamer range. There are scoring infantry there, but not a huge amount. One idea might be to move the tanks slowly down the middle of the board, with the sentinels hiding behind them as a counter attacking or sudden blow type force.

The Disciples of (Xyphon) Chaux Na Mrr’see infiltrate to near as they can get to an objective. The tanks advance up in support, with the rest of the force making best use of cover (including the tanks themselves) to protect their advance.

The Emperor’s Children, if they get painted in time, can dominate the centre of the board; the lash prince can feed enemy units to the defiler. The Predators and noise marines have enough firepower to keep the daemon price and the defiler safe.

If they do well enough the defiler and daemon prince can just rampage through the enemy lines whilst the predators stand off in support.

The 2nd Regt force is peppered with enough anti tank to take on a mechanised enemy. Their line up also includes a laser destroyer. They are led by a Lord Commissar to make sure that no one runs away (or that anyone who does so does not get very far) and a pskyer battle squad.

Each platoon has a healthy fire base and just enough squads to provide bubble wrap. With the laser destroyer as chief bullet catcher, they should be able to hold a line.

The Kado (Valhallan) force is based around well equipped platoons, one with an anti tank detachment from the Armageddon Steel Legion and the force as a whole is supported by a Legion armoured anti tank sentinel detachment.

Their strength is in platoons of four squads. Possibly enough to press home an assault against the right foe; certainly a lot of firepower at rapid firing range.

The Inquistorial force contains a number of reasonable Close Combat units, a light infantry platoon and of course the inquitrix’s team itself. Witches beware.

The Inquisitorial Storm Troopers could be deployed either to buff up the infantry platoon or to provide a little ranged capability to the Inquisitorial squads. The infantry platoon’s sniper detachment needs to pin enemy assets prior to assault by either the death cult assassins or the Sisters Repentia.

The Bel Tain Sacred Guard force should be deployed as a fire base of reapers and rangers. The rest come on from reserve in a bunch and charge up one flank. As reserves are rolled for one unit at a time they will have to wait until there enough of them are there to make it worth advancing. Get the wraithlords on the table, in cover and start shooting. When the assault force is there, the Avengers are there to shoot anything before the seer council and wraithlords hit it.

The Elui strike force is designed to fly about in their tanks, 24” for the 4+ cover save and deliver the hard hitting contents to bring max pressure to bear on one enemy flank. The scorpions should precede the armour by attacking from their infiltrated position. The whole force should hit one side of the enemy line, leaving the rangers to cover them from a distance.

The Kabal’s HQ Raider is equipped with a torture amp to enable it to tank shock into the enemy. The Dracon, Incubi master and incubi should then be able to tie down one flank on their own. The ravager must stand off and shoot at opposing armour. The other raiders shoot tanks with their dark lances and then deposit 30 DE warriors 5 ½ “ away from the opposition. Shoot and charge.

Escalation Pointy Eared Interlopers

Strike Force Elui reconnaissance in force (Craftworld Eldar) 1003 points

Farseer doom, fortune, mindwar
5 warlocks enhance, conceal, 3x destructor
Wave Serpent tank, skimmer, TL scatter lasers, TL catapults

Dire Avengers (9)
Dire Avengers Exarch power weapon, shimmer shield
Wave Serpent tank skimmer, TL scatter lasers, TL catapults

Rangers (5) infiltrate, move through cover, stealth

Striking Scorpions (8)
Striking Scorpion Exarch shadow strike, stalker

Sacred Guard detachment (Craftworld Eldar) 1007 points

Farseer doom, fortune, guide
4 warlocks 4 spiritseers, conceal, enhance, 2x destructor

Dire Avengers (6)
Dire Avengers Exarch blade storm, twin catapults

Rangers (5) infiltrate, move through cover, stealth

Dark Reapers (4)
Dark Reaper Exarch fast shot, tempest launcher

Wraithlord flamers, wraithsword, scatter laser

Wraithlord flamers, missile launcher

Kabal of the Broken Teaspoon (Dark Eldar) 976 points

Dracon Agoniser, Poisoned blades, Hell mask, Shadow field, Haywire grenades
Incubi (8 & Incubi master)
Raider Dark Lance, torture amp.

Warriors (8 & Sybarite)
Raider Dark Lance
Warriors (8 & Sybarite)
Raider Dark Lance
Warriors (8 & Sybarite)
Raider Dark Lance
Ravager Dark lance & 2x Disintegrators

Progress

Base coated the remaining personnel for the Tigers (too many flamers !). Did more work on the DE Wytches.

When Mrs Z goes climbing in the week, that'll give me a clear evening with Radcliffe and Macaroonie to get a bit further. Always assuming that it isn't the one night of the week that I'm in Kent.

Progress

I've now got most of the Bloodcoats done to a point where they'll be allowed on the table. There's also the 'workers rabble' who need a little time spent on them. And a little inspiration from me.

DE next, I think. Archon and Incubi are OK. Warriors and Raiders need doing.

Then the Tigers. All unbased grey plastic.

Then the other IG (Devos 2nd Regt and Valhallans) Who may or may not be mostly done.

Then Bel Tain. All unbased, in need of base coating.

getting somehere

I bought a subscription to Army Builder 3.2. I've made up 400 point lists for:

Devos IV loyalist PDF
Valhallans
Bel Tain
Dark Eldar
Bloodcoats
Tigers
Emperor's Children

So now all I have to do is base and paint these before 14 Nov 09. Some are already done. More to do, though. At least I now have a goal and am not just faced with a vast pile of work. The only vehicles I have to do are two scout sentinals for the Tigers and three Raiders for the DE. The DKK's eighteen Chimera can wait for another day.

Progress

I finished the Ravagers - I've been negligent in not putting the disintegrator gunners on board. Added seven more DE warriors, a Bloodcoat Heavy Stubber crew and a DKK Grenadier melta gunner.

Hurrah

Big monthly audit today.

KK - the vertical version. I did reply to your email. The vertical one. The horizontal one makes me feel queasy.





As for progress. Four Eldar Rangers for the Bel Tain Sacred Guard, Maugan Ra, not my favourite sculpt, but he is (allegedly) death on the gaming table, four vanilla DE warriors and one with a splinter cannon. I've also begun a WraithSeer. Which in the game is a WraithLord who used to be a Farseer, rather than an exarch (see link of the day). And most of a Ravager as well.

Here is a corner of one of the progress tables. To the left of the obvious Deamon Prince are a unit of Orks lead by the freebie Black Reach Nob. Behind the Deamon Prince are two eight man squads of noise marines and two aspiring champions. Behind them is a row of three Defilers. Behind the defilers are three Predator Anhillators (las cannon) and then three Predator Exterminators (Auto cannon and HB). Down the LHS, you can see the four Land Speeders, with two Spawn of Chaos in front. This whole lot are a chaos spaze muhreen warband. With the obvious exception of the orks, who arn't.

More stuff through the post

These fellows are Devos IV 99th PDF Regt "The Blood Coats". Cadians with FW Heretic and Renegade torsos. I put another Raider together and found some arms for one of the Ravager gunners. I should put together the other Ravager, using the gunners arms from the other Ravager to finish the first one and leaving me where I am now (a Ravager with one armless gunner) but advanced by one completed Ravager. Then when I do get around to the outstanding twenty DE warriors, they'll be enough space armage to finish him off. Hurrah !

Moving on, being a little bored by endless DE warriors, I've going to start on the Chimera pile. There are at least ten to do. So I'll see how long I can stand Chimera production for.

My parcel ? The balance of my Chimera order from Wargames Empire.

Deep Joy. It rained last night so today I am auditing in mud.

This is the refinary/processing plant; water, promethium, whatever. Again there is a 1st edition guardsman to provide an idea of scale. The central isle is big enough to take a Leman Russ (MBT). The original idea was to have some kind of high level gantry as well.














The issue with the gantry idea is that most of the 'sides' I'm preparing have a squad size of ten models for their basic troop types. So the gantry, to be of much use would have to take ten models, which may well make it look not so much like a gantry, more like a landing pad. The squad coherancy rules are 2" between models. To avoid all dying at once to blast and/or template weapons, it pays not to bunch up. So we end up needing a 'gantry' the size of a pizza box. Which is fine, but entirely obscures the carefully constructed terrain masterpiece below.

















The same peice with more pipe, a little more detail and a lick of grey paint.

So at the minute there may well be a gantry, but it will be more like scale gantry size, (urban mammoth platformer set sort of thing,) making it less use to full size squads. No matter. I'm sure we'll cope.

Moving on again: I found another four incubi. So this week I'm up to eight incubi, eleven DE Jetbikes, three Raiders and a Ravager. The gunners on the Ravager came without arms. I telephoned GW and they're sending me another one. And I make ten DE warriors yesterday. Twenty DE warriors and one Ravager to go. (two Ravagers, including the one that they are sending me). And then that'll be the DE ready to undercoat. Woo-Hoo !

Ways to make an excavation safer: Shoring, benching, banking, piling and/or trench boxes. Oh and doing sod all, 'cause it's less effort

This is the major stronghold for one side or other (the defending side - doh!). It is polystyrene walls on hardboard with a coating of wickes filler. There are dragons teeth (same construction) around the base. These keep breaking, so I keep PVAing them back.















Once again, these are old pictures (maybe a year or so). The base has been covered with PVA and sand and the whole thing painted grey.

It doesn't have a roof. I'll do one with aegis walls around the edge or something.

Moving on once more, Last night I went out with AP to "The Kentish Rifleman" for dinner. http://rifleman.ultimatetech.co.uk/ So was limited to eight DE warriors and the pilot and darklance bloke on three (unmanned) Raiders. Looking forward to doing the Ravagers.

Under the Sea. (nothing to do with the post, it's just work)

This picture is hardboard and a couple of peices of sheet expanded polystyrene. Despite lots of terrain building articles saying how common this commodity is, I have not found this to be the case. Neither Do-it-all, Travis Perkins, Wickes, Homesbase, Sheffield Insulations nor Gibbs and Dandy stock it. So I'm not sure where the terrain builders of the world are getting it from. This lot was from Ikea. The figure is a 1st edition guardsman.

The picture below is the same piece with a layer of filler and sand and a lick of grey paint. These were done over a year ago and have had some more work done on them, but like all of my stuff, are still not finished.

Moving on:

Last night I began work on a GW Talos and PP Harrower. I think the Harrower makes for an excellent stand in Talos. It has a huge mean looking claw, pointy legs and that soul cage cannon can eaily pass for twin linked splinter cannons. With a decent paint job it will look sinsiter enough. I actually think it looks more sinsiter than the Talos. Uhu and paper clips will hold it all together, I'm sure.

I also found four GW Incubi in the DE box, so I stuck them together as well. And the free Nob and Termie from WD when Black Reach was launched. The Termie can sub for the Inqusitrix in an Apoc game or something. I've had another look at the Trumpeter 1/35 Piranha. This will be the Inquisition pimped ride. But the undercarriage looks so complex ! I suppose I've been spoilt by the GW tanks, which, lets face it, you can construct wearing mittens. Although I'd not recocmmend it; I do have one very wobbly chimera.

About Blogger: I have now figured out that the way to use this is to upload the photos and then write the words, it'd be a bit easier. Also, when it comes to labelling the blog entries, I have the urge to label every post "scooters, holidays, autumn".