Redesigning the Crusade

Earlier this week I was in the midst of a conundrum. I was thinking I didnt want to include the Blood Angels or Dark Angels, because I wanted to paint something different then what every other person using those codexes use. That and I dont want to paint more red then I have to. But I did still want those books in my Crusade. However, I decided that in order to not be painting a ton of black armored chapters (seriously, most of their successors are black!), I may as well leave them as is.

Last week I got my copy of the Grey Knights codex, and a box of power armored Grey Knights, with the intention of converting them into Librarians... Well, my Crusade has grown from seven Chapters to eight. I am not counting this as a new army, as Id already included every other Space Marine codex, no reason not to include this one, right?

The post title said redesigning, right? Guess Id better explain that. I had the entire Crusade set up to view earlier, and all the unfinished models were somewhat depressing and daunting. So, they got packed up and I was trying to forget them. Not a good idea when Ive cut down to three-four armies, right? So, in order to make it manageable, each Chapter has a starting point set up, and Ill add units as the entire Crusade gets painted. For now, each has 2 Troops and 1 HQ set up. Once the entire group is painted, Ill add an Elite, Fast Attack, or Heavy Support to each.

So, looking at my existing Crusade, Ill just go down the list on where they stand.

Dark Angels: Two 5-man Tactical Squads, and a Company Master.

Blood Angels: Currently, 5 Death Company, 5 Tactical Marines, and Lemartes. Need to add an HQ, unless I want to use him as a Reclusiarch.

Space Wolves: Currently, one Wolf Priest. Need to add a unit of Grey Hunters and Blood Claws.

Marines Errant: Right now, I have a Librarian, Scout Squad, and a Tactical Squad with Razorback. Think they are all painted, so they are waiting on everyone else to catch up.

Imperial Fists: Captain and two Tactical Squads. One is mostly painted, the other needs to be finished (very close, mostly basing).

Grey Knights: Currently I have a Brotherhood Champion and a 5-man Strike Squad. I want to add either another Strike Squad or a Terminator Squad for this stage.

Red Scorpions: Yeah, these guys are just sitting and waiting for the rest to catch up. Two Tactical Squads and a Captain.

Black Templars: I have an Emperor's Champion and a Chaplain. Need to add a pair of Crusader Squads. However, whispers on the grapevine are that this will be the next Imperial Marine codex, and I could see them putting out a better kit for them. Seriously tempted to let them wait for now.

The stage one goal is going to be two full sized Troops choices (just 10 for the Death Company) with transports, and an HQ choice. I have not decided if I want to take Command Squads for the Chapters that get Captains, but I am not ruling it out at the moment.

The ultimate goal is still a Battle Company (or equivalent) for each.

Looking for advice on my Crusade

Ok, as of right now, my "Crusade" consists of nine Chapters: the Ultramarines, the Silver Skulls, the Red Scorpions, the Imperial Fists, the Space Wolves, the Black Templars, the Blood Angels, the Dark Angels, and the Marines Errant.

In addition, I have two Chapters that I have models for, I just decided to not work on for this project: The Storm Fists, and the Gatecrashers.

However, Ive been thinking that I should thin the number of "active" Chapters that I am working on. Easy way of doing that is clearing the ones that duplicate the army book for another Chapter I play (mainly Codex: Space Marine armies). If I count Imperial Armor 9/10 as something special, that pulls the Red Scorpions and Marines Errant out of C:SM space, leaving just the Imperial Fists, Ultramarines, and Silver Skulls (and to be honest, the RS and ME were not going anywhere anyways). Well, two of those three only have 1-2 units, the remainder is one of my largest forces. The decision should be obvious, right?

What do other people think though? Should I work on nine Chapters, or seven? Should I box the Ultramarines and Silver Skulls, or try to build a company for them, just like I want to do for the other Chapters I am working on?

Resurgence of the Crusade

So, yeah, I apparently got bored, and snapped a few pics of my remaining Space Marine armies. Lets just move down the line, shall we?

First up, my Marines Errant. For a while, I was calling them the Angels of Purity, before I remembered/was reminded that there was a Chapter with this color scheme. I prefer this Chapter anyways, since they were involved in the Badab War, alongside the Red Scorpions.

The Imperial Fists. Working on these guys is why I have such high respect for anyone who actually completes yellow models.

My "other" Chapters. Dark Angels, Black Templars, Silver Skulls, Ultramarines, Blood Angels, and a single Space Wolf. Im not at the point to take a #Warmonger pledge to not buy any new models, but I do want to get them finished before I add much more, after the 30 Day Challenge, that is.

Speaking of, you will notice no pics of the Red Scorpions here. That was because I was too lazy to pull them out of the travel case after last weekends game. Ill get pics of them up, soon enough.

Weekend Fun

Had a short weekend, due to being on swings last week, but it was full of fun stuff.

Went to DT's place for a couple games, played against some Ogres for the first game. Shot them up until they got to my side, then my warrior unit and thane met the survivors and... got chased off the table. But it was ok, the last two survivors came back on and ate a load of grapeshot.

The second game was 1k of my Crusade vs another Space Marine army. He had a pair of ten man tac squads, a five man assault squad, a five man dev squad with missile launchers, and a chaplain led assault termy squad. My list was the Librarian, two tac squads, a scout squad, a dread and a standard termy squad.

He worked on slogging over with the units without heavy weapons, and deepstriked his termies in. I lit up the termies until one and the chaplain were left, then charged in with the dread. The Librarian and my termy squad used Gate of Infinity and popped around and lit stuff up. This was also the first time I used Outflank... why didnt I ever do this before? My scouts popped in on the side and got in with his Devastators... Im definitely going to be using this list a few more times.

After these two games I watched Mikie and DT play a game of Monsterpacalypse, that looked amusing, even if it did set off my "I hate pre-painted" alarm. I had to take off a little early cuz I was expecting to go to a BBQ... that was cancelled. >.<

This, that, and the other thing...

This weekend, Mikie and I (possibly newcomer Chris, and Keith as well) will be joining DT and his crew for some games, officially kicking off the Escalation Thing, and prolly busting out everyones two games in one day. Mikie has decided to play Skaven for this instead of the Wood Elves, since Chris already has the treehuggers as an army.

As I posted earlier, Im working on having a completely painted Crusade force, and this past weekend was a very good start, as I got a tactical squad for both the Marines Errant and Imperial Fists finished. Im now planning on getting the models for that 1k list done up, which means Ive got a unit of scouts that need numbers on their tac badge and chapter symbols, a MkIV Dreadnought that just needs finishing touches, and a squad of Terminators that are sitting in just their blue and white. Not too bad at all.

This weekend was also good for my table, as I picked up paint for the hills, and some plastic trees. Not the horribly overpriced "3 for $30" GW trees, but these trees. I didnt get them online, but at the hobby shop fairly close out here. Little more expensive then online, but not by much. I have now set the bases of these trees onto old scrap CDs, 2-3 trees on each, so they are easy to deal with on the table, but wont keep falling over. Im planning on getting at least three more sets of these, just to make the games more interesting. Once thats done, Ill have a decent "generic" battlefield setup, with hills and forests. From there Ill be looking at getting some buildings, both fantasy and futuristic.

Vigil Games is working on a 40k MMO, but havnt gotten past the "yeah, we are working on it" stage of information. Even so, Im getting fairly excited over it. :)

Think thats all I have for now...

One Thousand Points Of Fun!

I made a couple decisions last week, that I was going to stop playing a single chapter list, and that I NEED to get the models on my desk painted. Oddly enough, those posts I did last week removed all the desire I had to work on my Imperial Guard for now. So, I made a few self imposed rules for when I play a game...

#1: I am not allowed to run a mono-chapter SM list. This means I have to look to my full collection, rather then just my Red Scorpions. Easiest way to get the Crusade flavor across.

#2: If I run a model that is not FINISHED (tactical and chapter badges and all), my ENTIRE ARMY gets -1 Initive. This is the spur to get me to only use painted models. I considered LD, but ATSKNF made that nearly pointless.

So, with those in place, this is my new 1k list. Initials before the entry are the chapter they are from.

1k Crusade Force

(ME) Librarian w/Smite, Gate of Infinity
100

(IF) Tactical Squad (10) w/ Missile Launcher, Meltagun, Combimelta, Power Weapon
200

(RS) Tactical Squad (10) w/ Missile Launcher, Plasma Gun, Power Weapon, Meltabombs
195

(ME) Scouts Squad (8) w/ Power Fist, Heavy Bolter
149

(ME) Terminator Squad (5) w/ Assault Cannon, 1 Chainfist
235

(IF) Dreadnought w/ Assault Cannon
115

We are ganging up on DT's group this weekend... err, I mean joining them for fun! So, Im going to expand this to 1500 and 2k... Ill post those as soon as I figure them out... along with what got painted this weekend and what I did to the table lately...

Crusade Project, defining the Chapters involved...

Im looking at a list right now, a list of what I possess for each of the three battle companies. Not included on this list is all the extra "fun" stuff. This is commanders, chaplains, Tac, Assault, Dev squads, and dreadnoughts. You know what Im noticing by looking at this list? Codex Chapters all look the same on paper. Seeing as my plan is three battle companies from different Chapters, I should work to emphasise the differences in the organization, as well as the color schemes.

Lets start with the one with the most information available: The Imperial Fists. Siege masters, stubborn as me on a cold morning, and a real hatred for the Iron Warriors. So, got some stuff to work with then. Im thinking that the Imperial Fists will be having more Dreadnoughts then the other two, possibly more then them combined. That will help show that these guys have been around for thousands of years longer then the other two chapters. Im also going to keep them loaded for anti-MEQ and anti-tank combat, since they are hunting the Iron Warriors.

The Red Scorpions are fanatical about remaining true to the Codex, and their own genetic purity. Im thinking these guys will be lined up to take on all, in true Codex fashion, being specialised by not being specialised.

Information on the Marines Errant is scarce, most significant is that they served alongside the Red Scorpions during the Badab War, and that most of their gene-seed was stolen by Huron Blackheart recently. From what I remember, he did it by creating many smaller conflicts that scattered their forces far and wide. Not quite sure how I want to set these guys up, but Im seriously thinking of taking biker squads instead of jump pack assault squads. I also think Im going to point their gear choices towards anti-infantry, with an eye towards Orks and IG...

Comments/Suggestions?

Bunch of pics for ya!

Tanks, Devastators, and Assault Marines...

Command for the three chapters, and the Dreadnaughts...


And Tactical Squads, plus the single squad of Scouts I have so far.

Some of my Red Scorpions.


Librarian and tac troops from the Marines Errant. I really need to get around to painting the badges on these guys.



Captain, Tac Marine and Devastator from the Imperial Fists. I decided to use the Black Templar bits on these guys, cuz it seems to fit. Ive been slacking on Chapter badges here, cuz I really hate decals...

Rolling on with the "Crusade"

Well, I boxed up the all my Space Marines except the Red Scorpions, the Marines Errant, and the Imperial Fists. Once that was done I reorganized how I had them set on the shelf. Previously they were set up by Chapter (as seen here), but now they are grouped by troop type. All the Tactical squads are grouped, the Assault and Devastator squads have their own spots, and all the command is together... that and pulling the others off has made the shelf more roomy, so its easier to sort out what Ive got going. Im planning on a pic or three when I get home today, so hopefully Ill upload that before going to bed.

In addition to sorting them out on the shelf, Im working on a few army lists that will use models from all three chapters. This (I hope) will motivate me to paint the models in that list.

At least, thats the plan...

The greatest of projects

To me, there is a difference between an army and a project. An army is usually designed for gaming, but there is often a fluff component. A project is usually fluff based, and isnt always designed to be an army, but can and often is used as one. By this logic, roughly half of my armies are projects.

Projects can be anything, from a single squad that you decide to give a unique paint job and history, up to attempting a full battle company or even a Chapter, for the truely insane.

My current project (the Crusade) is one of the more insane ones Ive heard of, but not one of the most insane that Ive had. Once upon a time, I was planning on making a 2000 point army for each of the Traitor Legions. Ive still got some of the Iron Warriors, Night Lords, and Word Bearers sitting around, but most of the work ended up going into my Black Legion, sitting somewhere around 5k points these days. I was also looking at doing the same with the First Founding.

So, once again, Im looking at my Crusade, still sitting on my shelf (I think this is a record for how long an army has remained set up there), and trying to tell myself that I need to finish this before I start another project, though the idea of adding at least a single squad from each of the First Founding is getting better and better. Really, all Id need is Blood Angels, Space Wolves, Iron Hands, White Scars, and Raven Guard... The other four already have at least a single tactical squad.

So, anyways, what I was trying to get at is what are some of the projects you have done, seen, or heard of? Ever have the great idea for one, but never got around to it?

It didnt happen unless there are pictures!

Gatecrashers and a peek at the Red Scorpion Captain and Chaplain... and a busted Black Legion Predator.



Red Scorpions up front left, Ultramarines behind, Dark Angels right front, Black Templar Terminator squad behind them, and some Angels of Purity.



Angels of Purity and some of the Silver Skulls.



Imperial Fists. I have learned to hate painting yellow.

I also tried to take pictures of individual models, but the camera hates me, and the only one that didnt look like something left in the toilet for a week was the RS chaplain.

Im planning on continuing work on what I have now that the Red Scorpion assault squad is nearly finished, so hopefully those basecoated models will look better soon... And then Ill prolly make the wife take the pictures!

Happy 2009!

10,074. Quite a happy number, isnt it? That is the current point value of the Zeist Crusade. I picked up an assault squad box the other night, and right now am waiting on a wash to dry so I can continue painting them. Red Scorpions are now sitting at 996 points, just enough for me to run to the mall or the bunker on an afternoon before work for a quicky game or two.

The Black Reach marines are halfway allocated, I think. One squad is going to the Ultramarines, one squad is going to the Silver Skulls, the Dreadnaut is going to the Red Scorpions once I get around to getting that brass etch sheet. The terminators and captain are where Im stuck. The captain more so. The only group that doesnt have a commander right now are my Black Templars, but Im not sure I want to send such a pretty model to a group Im not sure Ill make much use of. Im slightly considering painting him as a Chapter Master for either the Angels of Purity or the Imperial Fists. I dunno... maybe Ill sideline him til later.

The terminators are also giving me fits, but nowhere nearly as bad as the captain. If I give them to the Ultramarines, they will be sitting with an HQ, 2 troops, and an elite. Almost useful on their own then. AoP, Dark Angels, and IFs all already have terminator squads, and Im not hand painting the Red Scorpion symbol if I can buy it from FW. I could also give them to the Silver Skulls, that would bump them to HQ 1, troops 3, elite 1. What about the Gatecrashers? They are using the Black Templars book, and Sword Brethern Terminator squads dont have sergeants with power swords. Im mostly thinking Ultramarines, due to them being so promenent in the fluff for the Crusade.

It pays to read all the options...

So, I was playing with ArmyBuilder earlier today, putting in the entire Crusade.... and discovered that there are two models in my Imperial Fists that are not legal after all. Two of my Veteran Sergeants had lightning claws, and needed to be relocated. Unfortunately, the only place they could go was a command squad, since one was carrying a bolter, and the other had a stormbolter. Ive relocated a few veterans to take over as command until I decide what to do.

And, the thing I wanted to know, and am sharing... the total point value for that list (with the LC Sgts moved) is 9177 points. That is NOT including the unpainted Black Reach marines. So, Im within spitting distance of the mythical 10k points....

ALSO!! I took pictures of the whole group.... and then realized that when my wife took her computer with her to visit her parents, she probably took the camera cord with her. So, Ill add the pictures after she gets back this weekend.

The Current Crusade Roster

So, killing time at work has gotten me this, a full list of what I currently possess as far as the space marines Im adding to my Crusade. Unless otherwise noted, all squads are 10 models strong.

Imperial Fists
Captain w/ Terminator Armor, Power Weapon, Combi-plasma
Captain w/ Power Weapon, Storm Shield
Captain w/ Power Weapon, Bolt Pistol
Command Squad w/ Company Champion, Apothecary, Banner Bearer, 3 Power Swords, 1 Power Fist
Razorback w/ Twin Heavy Bolters
Chaplain w/ Terminator Armor, Storm Bolter, Crozius
Chaplain w/ Crozius, Bolt Pistol
Librarian w/ Bolt Pistol, Force Weapon
Tactical Squad w/ Plasma Cannon, Plasmagun, Power Fist, Plasma Pistol
Tactical Squad w/ Heavy Bolter, Plasmagun, Power Fist
Tactical Squad w/ Flamer, Plasma Cannon, Lightning Claw
Tactical Squad w/ Lascannon, Meltagun, Lightning Claw, Storm Bolter
Tactical Squad w/ Meltagun, Heavy Bolter, Power Sword, Combi-Melta
Tactical Squad w/ Lascannon, Plasmagun, Power Weapon
Assault Squad w/ 2 Plasma Pistols, Thunder Hammer
Devastator Squad (5) w/ 4 Missile Launchers
Terminator Squad w/ Cyclone Launcher, 1 Chainfist
Dreadnaught w/ Assault Cannon
Dreadnaught w/ Twin linked Autocannon
Predator w/ Autocannon, Heavy Bolters,
Techmarine w/ Servo-harness, Storm Bolter, Power Weapon
Servitors (4) w/ 2 Heavy Bolters
Vanguard Veterans (8) w/ Bolt Pistols, Chainswords, 1 pair Lightning Claws, 2 Power Weapons

Red Scorpions
Captain w/ Power Weapon, Plasma Pistol
Chaplain w/ Jump Pack, Crozius, Bolt Pistol
Tactical Squad w/ Missile Launcher, Plasmagun, Power Weapon
Tactical Squad w/ Heavy Bolter, Flamer, Power Fist, Storm Bolter
Devastator Squad (6) w/ 2 Missile Launchers, 2 Plasma Cannons

Ultramarines
Captain w/ Lightning Claw, Storm Bolter
Tactical Squad w/ Missile Launcher, Meltagun, Power Fist, Plasma Pistol

Black Templars
Terminator Squad (5) w/ Assault Cannon, 1 Chainfist

Dark Angels
Master w/ Combi-plasma
Tactical Squad (5) w/ Meltagun, Power Fist
Tactical Squad (5) w/ Plasmagun, Power Sword
Deathwing Terminator Squad w/ Assault Cannon, 2 Lightning Claws, 1 Thunder Hammer + Storm Shield

Silver Skulls
Captain w/ Power Sword, Storm Bolter
Tactical Squad w/ Missile Launcher, Flamer
Scout Squad w/ 5 Sniper Rifles, 3 Bolters, 1 Heavy Bolter, 1 Combi-plasma, Camo Cloaks

Angels of Purity
Captain w/ Power Weapon
Command Squad w/ Company Champion, Apothecary, Banner Bearer, 1 Power Fist, 1 Power Weapon, 1 Flamer
Razorback w/ Twin Lascannons
Librarian w/ Force Weapon, Bolt Pistol
Tactical Squad w/ Meltagun, Plasma Cannon, Power Fist
Tactical Squad w/ Heavy Bolter, Plasmagun, Stormbolter
Tactical Squad w/ Missile Launcher, Plasmagun, Power Fist
Tactical Squad w/ Flamer, Heavy Bolter, Power Fist
Terminator Squad (5) w/ Assault Cannon, 1 Chainfist
Land Raider Crusader w/ Storm Bolter
Scout Squad w/ Bolt Pistols, Combat Knives, Heavy Bolter, Power Fist
Predator w/ Twin Lascannons, Heavy Bolters, Storm Bolter
Land Speeder w/ Assault Cannon, Heavy Bolter

Gatecrashers
Captain w/ Power Weapon, Bionics
Command Squad w/ Terminator Honors, Apothecary, Banner Bearer, Company Champion, 1 Meltagun, 1 Thunder Hammer
Crusader Squad w/ Meltagun, Power Fist
Crusader Squad (9) w/ Meltagun
Crusader Squad (9) w/ Meltagun

Undecided...
Captain w/ Power Sword, Bolter
Tactical Squad w/ Flamer, Missile Launcher
Tactical Squad w/ Flamer, Missile Launcher
Terminator Squad w/ Heavy Flamer
Dreadnaught w/ Multimelta

These Undecided are the models I got from the Black Reach box set, or in trade. About half of them are assembled, and Im currently thinking about adding the tactical squads to the Silver Skulls, since they also have the BfM models from 4th edition.

Im not sure how many points this is, and am half afraid to add it all up, but for FO slots, it works out to 15 HQ, 23 Troops, 8 Elites, 3 Fast Attack, and 4 Heavy Support. See what I mean about troops and HQ being fine, but needing the other stuff?

I think my first goal is to finish painting most of this stuff. 95% is base colors at the very least, about 50% is completely painted. The Fists have the most models unfinished, since yellow gets annoying to paint fast. As far as adding models, I think I want to make sure each chapter has an HQ, 2 troops, 1 elite, 1 FA, and 1 HS. That should ease my troubles with those slots.

Once I get those two things done, Ill look into adding units to different chapters as I feel like it, and maybe even adding another chapter to the mix: I want a captain and crew on bikes... and not the White Scars.

Oh, and yes, the Red Scorpion Battle Company project is still on!

Inspiration strikes when least expected

My Red Scorpions are not my first Space Marine army, nor my second or third... Not even in the single digits even.

I was bored of looking at models that were finished, but didnt want to deal with the Dark Elves, and none of my other Fantasy armies were more inciting, so I made more room on the shelf, and set up my Imperial Fists, and then the Blue/White marines that I cant decide between making my own chapter (Angels of Purity) or just calling the Marines Errant. Once they were up, I pulled out the other marine models I had laying around and set them up as well... Dark Angels, Ultramarines, Black Templars, Silver Skulls, even the severly battle damaged Gatecrashers. In the end, not far from 300 models set up. The sizes of my different forces varies dramaticly, from nearly a full battle company of Imperial Fists, to a single terminator squad of the Black Templars. As I was looking at the shelf starting to groan under so many models, it hit.

I should build a Crusade Force!

I know I was already planning on something along those lines, but when I wrote that, I didnt think to use what I have, I was more interested in justifying buying new models (and what good gamer doesnt do that often?).

So, the first question was "Is everything legal?". Yes... Maybe. The one group that was questionable is the Gatecrashers. That collection is a captain, command squad, and three squads of bolt pistol-chainsword psychos, each with a single meltagun. Legal with the old book, with traits... not so much now, unless I take them as foot assault squads and relocate the meltaguns. But that means I need to buy tac squads, and transports. My other option for them is to move them over to using the Black Templars book. Seeing as I also have Dark Angels in my Crusade, thats not too much of a big deal... Hell, Ive got a squad of BTs too! I can go Crusade with two different books!

The second question was "Should I base this off of existing fluff, or make something up?' I was starting to lay out the basics of making something up, when I pulled out the Black Reach space marines, and was considering tossing them in with the single squad of Ultramarines, but since Ive already got a captain, I didnt have much to do with the BR one... THATS the moment inspiration stuck its tongue in my ear. Im looking at two space marine captains, and I think "Wasnt there a big-ass crusade in the new Space Marine codex? Something with the Ultramarines involved?"

Yes, yes there is. The Zeist campaign was spearheaded by Captain Sicarius, involved around 30 chapters. Know how many are specificly named? Nine. Oh, and I already have models for one of those... So, I have about twenty possibilities to play with, and six forces willing to join in.

So, I can add Sicarius (not a bad looking model) as my over all commander, and cherry pick different chapters to paint units for. One part thats a mix of blessing and curse is that I tried to make each of these a viable force individually, so I have an over abundance of tactical squads (between 16-19, depending on what I decide on the Gatecrashers), and a pair of Scout squads, so I have plenty of troop choices for three or four Force Org charts, but specialists tend to be a bit thinner on the ground. Ill probably have to make up for that over time. (See! Justifying buying new models!)