Ravenwing Bikers and friend

This time I have been working on the Ravenwing Bikes from the Dark Vengeance box set. Ravenwing as you probably know are black, and black can be a tricky colour to do right, I prefer to use a light grey highlight and use successive black washes to dull down the paint so it looks black and shiny. these models look really cool and I’m happy with the paint job , I could have spent a bit more time on them but as I have only five models to go I’m keen to get them completed.

 

I had a bit of an issue when I finished the bikes, which is that I have nothing else undercoated and ready to go (they are currently with my friend James waiting for a dry windless night, so they may be there a while). So I painted Vulkan H’stan! I had been gifted him recently pre-undercoated I was really pleased with the cloak; I painted it yellow used a green wash and then used a blue wash to create the gradation at the bottom. I was very pleased with the cloak.

 

Dark Angel Tactical Squad with Anvil Industry Compact Box Mags

 

This is the squad I received at Christmas from the Dark Vengeance box set, and I have to say these are some of nicest models I’ve seen in a 40K starter set. Regular readers will know how I paint Dak Angels by now so I wont repeat myself, have a look at some older articles if you’re curious.

There is so much detail on these models, but not so much they become over crowded with bits (we all know the ‘purity seal overload’ some models  suffer from). These were really fun to paint, and I cant wait to use them in anger.

One interesting note is I had bought some excellent compact box mags from Anvil Industries, for a simple magazine swap to convert them into Sternguard, as I was convinced Dark Angels would have them in their new codex. Well as it turns out  Dark Angels did not get Sternguard but I think they look great with this simple conversion.

http://www.anvilindustry.co.uk/index.php?route=product/product&path=60_103&product_id=148

 

 

Again very happy with these guys, and I can’t wait to use them.

Terminators

So I finally got some pictures taken!

My computer is back, I have my camera sorted and I managed to get some photos together of the stuff I have completed so far from the list.

First up we have the terminators, they are pretty simple really, just Army Painter spray, then a brown wash and Bleached Bone highlight. The red is Scab Red with Mephiston Red highlights and the metal is a simple Lead Belcher with Nuln oil wash.

I will try to get a post up every day this week to make up for my lack lustre bogging.

Thanks

Andrew

Codex Dark Angels: My Thoughts

Ok so I got my filthy little paws on my Codex and sat down and began reading it from cover to cover, and first impressions are it’s good, really good.

I made some quick notes as I went through it on my different thoughts I had, and I thought I would share them with you.

Now I’m sure you can find more detailed reviews elsewhere on the internet but these are just some initial thoughts from me:

1. Great artwork for the cover, and nice bound hardback book so it really feels like you’re getting your moneys worth with this book. just like the Chaos Codex this feels like a really well put together book as soon as you pick it up; no more loose pages dropping out.
2. Great detail in the background, with lots of history on the Chapter, for a first time player this would give you all the information you need to learn about the Dangles; I love the stories and the flavour of the tales in the Codex.
3. Artwork = Amazing! They have really gone to town with the new artwork in this book it is the best so far.
4. Special Rules – Yes we can combat squad still, they have a new rule called Grim resolve, which is in perfect keeping with how Dangles should play on the board, and at last a rule for the Inner Circle to represent their hunt for the Fallen.
5. Yes we have a dedicated warlord table and they are all useful, but a few are outstanding in the right situation.
6. Now your Dreadnoughts and Land Raiders can join the Deathwing, with their own rules for this.
7. Deathwing are now even more flexible, with ten men squad available at last, and Plasma cannons  the new must have option.
8. Ravenwing are now a real option to play as a solo wing. I need to buy about twenty Black Knights for my army, so I had better get painting and finish this project so I can go and get some, because they are awesome. Black Knight = WIN.
9. New Land Speeders I’m not sold on yet, but they probably have their place in a pure Ravenwing force.
10. The new fighters are best for taking out ground troops, and not other flyers; the Nephilim looks better than the Dark Talon to me at the moment.
11. Azrael is a really good choice, and I can see no reason not to take him all the time.
12. Ezekiel is another solid choice strange he has a two-handed weapon, so he can’t benefit from an extra A from his bolt pistol.
13. Asmodai is best avoided, he is a nice model but it would be better to go for an Interrogator Chaplain, who is cheaper and more flexible, or pay five more points for Ezekiel.
14. Belial and Sammael are really good value for those doing a solo wing force.
15. Blades of Caliban worse than a power axe!
16. Standards are amazing!
17. Tactical squads are really flexible.
18. You can take a special or heavy weapon in a five man squad.
19. You can take Flak missiles on Tac’ squads and Scouts
20. Razorbacks can now take full range of turrets.

And many, many more…

Overall this is a massive jump in power and flexibility, and much improved version of the codex, and everyone should be very happy with it.

Dark Angel Codex

 

I get my copy of the Dark Angel Codex tonight, and I’m very excited to find out what’s inside. I have tried to steer clear of too many reviews, or reveals, of what we can expect from the 1st Legion in 6th Ed; I will give you my thoughts on what inside once I get my copy and study it from cover to cover. This is a very exciting time for the army

I’ve been a Dark Angel player since I was 11 (when their armour was black not green!) so I have a ’emotional investment’ in this codex, and given the age of the last codex an update has been long overdue. We have slipped against the other Chapters so a power boost, and some flexibility of options is needed in the army. I don’t think we need to change things much just give a few more options for builds, and sort some of the costing out.

In preparation for this I painted  a single Lightning Claw Terminator model (picture to come) when I had a few moments free, and I base coated 16 Forge Fathers with Heat Guns. Not because they will be used in my Dark Angel army, but because I will be completely distracted by the ‘Lads in Green’ for some time and probably won’t get round to painting them for a while, so thought it best I do a bit now.

I will let you know my thoughts on the new codex shortly 🙂

Asmodai

This guy is Asmodai  the best Interrogator Chaplain ever, so he gets to wear the biggest bathrobe from the Dark Angels ‘sauna wear’ range.

Rumours are that a new Asmodai model will be coming out next year, perhaps in terminator armour, which I hope is true. I feel the model has not aged well as some others, he is still good but there are some really fine sculpts out there these day.

I play Dark Angels, and the rumours are we are going to get a new codex early next year.  I’m already getting excited about a new Asmodai, and all the other rumours flying around, but I will have to wait and see what comes out.

If you read my post on Chaplain Cassius you will know how I painted this guy, so I wont repeat myself here. I feel this is probably the worst paint job I’ve done for this challenge so far, and that’s my fault. I could have done more with the robes, but I was lazy so the figure didn’t reach its full potential.

Still I look forward to using him in some games, and he is finished and off the list.