40k CSM, Some Pics

Slowly, I've been adding paint to my, now, 1275 point 40K Chaos Army. When finished, it will be a combination of Black Legionnaires and Death Shadows for Cypher's retinue. The idea is to craft a renegade army, not so much a possessed army. Although, I do enjoy the challenge of painting armored monsters with flesh growing over their armor. So, perhaps a little possession. Anyway, Pictured here, is Cypher, the Fallen and a member of his retinue.







I still have quite a bit of highlighting and other detail work to do on both of these minis. Later on, when they are finished, I'll publish some photos of my Black Legion Chaos Space Marines. I'm hoping to have at least one squad done sometime in the near future.

R

Gaming Table

So, I think I emailed some of you pics to the gaming table I built. But, in case I didn't, I thought I would post them here.

When I first decided that I had both the space and the desire to build a table, I hatched some crazy plan to make the table have a modifiable playing surface with hinges and wings and all kinds of stuff beyond my carpentry level. Luckily, I talked to King of the High Elves down in TX and he pointed me to these guys -- who incidentally were also the inspiration for putting together this blog.

So, with a far more capable plan in action, this is what I produced. The only change I really made from the "plan" was that I added supports and shelving for the bottom ring as well. It is a great place to store terrain. Also, I think their measurements were a little big in places. The end pieces for example are 48" -- if I had to do it over again, I would drop this to 47.5" to remove the slight gap between the lip and the surface. I am going to solve this problem on my table with a little molding. The "plan" also did not include a discussion of the gaming surface.

So, I took a 4x8 sheet of plywood (particle technically) and cut it into 4x4, 4x2, and 4x2 -- I then covered each piece with felt (stapled on the back). Then I can just flip the panels to define the playing surface for a particular game or remove them entirely and replace them.

Now, perhaps you are wondering about the black felt. Well, the plan is to spray paint a couple of shades of gray onto it to give it a textured look. However, given the work that stapling was, I have to this point been reluctant to screw up the painting.

Here is an image with one panel flipped. So far I have been pretty happy. I think I need to upgrade my bolts just a bit (the bit may have been a bit too big), there is a little looseness.

Also it is a "counter-height" table which is new for me but so far enjoyable.

Two 40k questions from our first game. Keep in mind that we only have the starter set, these might be clearer in the big rule book.

1) What size blast template is the rocket launcher for the Space Marines? How do you tell between them?

2) When firing a blast weapon, the "to-hit" roll is (2d6 + scatter die) -BS=location of hit. Then roll for wounds. There are no additional rolls correct?

Terrain: Ruined Building

I finally finished one of the terrain pieces that I started while still in Texas. Most of my terrain as you may remember is definitely fantasy but I think this will function OK in 40k until I get more appropriate terrain.


In fact, a buddy and I have our first game planned for tomorrow; so my fantasy terrain will be in high use. Quite honestly, I am just happy to be getting any gaming in at all -- even it will be space marines in the medieval village.

I am not super happy with this piece. I may have overdone it on the gravel. Also, it feels a little monochromatic but at the same time not really. It is certainly table-top ready and if there are later additions, that's fine. To be honest, I am not too sure what could be added. Vegetation I guess. I need to get some tan/red -- all I have at the moment is bright green (which I know can be dry brushed, though I have had limited success).

Suggestions welcome.