Blood Bowl Chameleon Skinks and Team Markers
With the new edition of Blood Bowl, it seems the Chameleon Skinks, previously not fantastic, are now super good! So I had to have two.
Sadly, they’re hard to find by themselves, and the new models don’t fit the self-built aesthetic of the Konquata Monitors.
So I ebayed up some archive Chameleon Skinks (got a good price) and stripped them, then converted them pretty hard.
Behold, the newest members of the Konquata Monitors!
The old pewter Chameleon Skinks had grenades that needed to be snipped off. Then, I shaved down the arms of some plastic Skinks and rebuilt the fingers to have two conjoined grasping fingers like a chameleon. Then I added putty here and there to cover up scars from the grenade clipping.
Sadly, the two sculpts I got were the same (there used to be two) but that only make my creative juices flow for ways to differentiate them. Ehecatl had a hole drilled in his mouth, and pinned with a paperclip length. To the end, I puttied a sticky tongue, and then sculpted a Blue Morpho butterfly.
Each player of course has Genestealer armor plates for shoulder pads, decorated with their number in Mayan numerals. They also have Nahautl names.
I wasn’t done! With the first season box set I had, there were no card tokens to keep track of turn, re-rolls, and score. So I raided my bitz and found suitable pieces for the Monitors as well as the Grimfang Scrappaz.
Now I’ll be playing in style!
Next: more batreps and some Infiltrators!
Belated Pre-New Year Batrep
After a stunning battle, I lost my camera under a pile of bills, preventing me from sharing it, or the works I’ve done recently. But the wayward camera has been found.
Sadly, being so late, I forget the major details of the battle, so this is going to be a “broad strokes” kind of batrep.
Bozeman – Azure Flames (Salamanders)
- Battalion
- Zeraf Antonius, Captain of the 4th Company, (Primaris Captain from Indominus) Warlord, Exemplar of the Promethean Creed (-1CP) Anvil of Strength, Iron Resolve, The Burning Blade, Relic Shield
- Chief Librarian Ory-Hara (Primaris Librarian), Chief Librarian, The Tome of Vel’Cona (-1CP), Flaming Blast, Fire Shield, Drakeskin, Fury of Nocturne
- Assault Intercessors x10, Thunder Hammer
- Tactical Squad x5, Combi-Melta, Power Fist, Meltagun
- Tactical Squad x5, Combi-Melta, Power Fist, Meltagun
- Tactical Squad x5, Combi-Flamer, Power Fist, Flamer
- Tactical Squad x5, Combi-Flamer, Power Fist, Flamer
- Bladeguard Ancient
- Bladeguard Veterans x3
- Terminator Assault Squad x5, Lightning Claws
- Assault Squad x10, Jump Packs, 2x Flamer, Power Fist
- Assault Squad x10, Jump Packs, 2x Flamer, Power Fist
- Outrider Squad
- Rhino
- Rhino
Thomas – XVI Legion Successors (counts as Imperial Fists)
- Battalion
- Captain, Combi-Melta, The Fist of Dorn, Warlord
- Phobos Librarian
- Primaris Chaplain
- Intercessors x5, Bolt Rifles, Power Fist
- Intercessors x5, Bolt Rifles, Power Fist
- Incursors x10, mine
- Reivers x5, Grapple hooks
- Reivers x5, Grapple hooks
- Gladiator Valiant
- 10x Cataphractii Terminators, Power Sword, 9x Lightning Claws, 2x Reaper Autocannon, 8x Combi Bolter
- Primaris Apothecary
- Invictor Warsuit, Ironhail Autocannon
- Relic Contemptor Dreadnought, 2x Twin Linked Heavy Bolter
Setup
Turn 1 saw the Azure Flames run forward, taking minor casualties
On Turn 2, Objectives were grabbed and the central building was navigated. An Assualt Squad wipes out one of the Intercessor squads in a crater. They are wiped out in return and some Phobos units arrive in my backfield.
My remaining Terminator charged some Incursors. Sadly, I forgot that they get two extra attacks apiece so they end up dueling the Incursors for several turns! Some units get charges off but others fail. The melee is not kind. The Contemptor Dreadnought shoots a unit out of the building.
Turn 3 saw fights raging around the board
By turn 4, my wave had broken. The Sons of Horus marched forward.
On turn 5 I tried to salvage what I could, but I was tabled!
This list isn’t very competitive. It’s slow and relies on charge rolls, which are unreliable. I think that a Company Champion to help charges could work, as could some Impulsors or other fast moving weapons to support the melee wave.
Next: CHAMELEON SKINKS! Time for Blood Bowl!
Big Game VI – The Omega War is complete! Farewell 2020!
2020 is over and as a parting gift, Big Game VI – The Omega War is COMPLETE! This behemoth is as long as most Black Library stand alone novels, at 55,013 words, over 46 chapters plus the Introduction and Epilogue.
For contrast, Big Game V – The Battle of Iperin was 50,267 words with 71 chapters. This was because BGV was a post-by-post continuity on the old Big Game V forums maintained by Brian. There were a lot more authors, and a lot less planning making for some short snippets.
It’s been a hard year, but it goes out with a bang. Farewell 2020. Farewell Omega Station. Farewell pre-Gathering Storm continuity for the Azure Flames.
It’s with this post that I am officially beginning work on Home Fires: an Azure Flames novel, which will detail the fate of the Azure Flames after the Psychic Awakening.
Stay tuned for more updates, including a new Blood Bowl post!
Double Header – Azure Flames vs XVI Legion Primaris @ home!
COVID sucks. You can’t go to places because some people just can’t seem to wear masks. So, here I am with a big empty dining room table, old boards from Studio 40K, but only a handful of craters and no other terrain.
Luckily, long time Fourstrands contributor Thomas has been amassing terrain in hopes someone has boards! So we had some (socially distanced) 40K in my dining room!
Our original plan was for multiple games on one day, but delays forced us to split them between two days. It’s time for a batrep double header!
Bozeman – Azure Flames (Salamanders) 2000 points
- Battalion
- Captain, Warlord, Exemplar of the Promethean Creed, Forge Master, Miraculous Constitution, The Salamander Mantle
- Librarian, Fire Shield, Drakeskin, Fury of Nocturne, The Tome of Vel’cona (-1CP)
- Lieutenant, Chainsword, Combi-Plasma
- Intercessors x10, Thunder Hammer, Bolt Rifles, 1x Grenade Launcher
- Tactical Squad x6, Power Fist, Combi-Flamer, Flamer
- Tactical Squad x5, Power Fist, Combi-Flamer, Flamer
- Agressors x3, Flamestorm Gauntlets
- Apothecary
- Company Ancient, Combi Melta
- Servitors, 2x Heavy Bolter
- Sternguard Veterans x10, Power Fist, 10x Combi-Grav
- Terminators x7, 1x Assault Cannon, 1x Chainfist
- Devastators x5, Armourium Cherub, 4x Grav Cannon
- Devastators x5, Armourium Cherub, 2x Lascannon, 1x Missile Launcher, 1x Heavy Bolter
- Thunderfire Cannon
Thomas – XVI Legion Successors (counts as Imperial Fists)
- Battalion
- Captain, Combi-Melta, The Fist of Dorn, Warlord
- Phobos Librarian
- Primaris Chaplain
- Intercessors x5, Bolt Rifles, Power Fist
- Intercessors x5, Bolt Rifles, Power Fist
- Incursors x10, mine
- Reivers x5, Grapple hooks
- Reivers x5, Grapple hooks
- Gladiator Valiant
- 10x Cataphractii Terminators, Power Sword, 9x Lightning Claws, 2x Reaper Autocannon, 8x Combi Bolter
- Primaris Apothecary
- Invictor Warsuit, Ironhail Autocannon
- Relic Contemptor Dreadnought, 2x Twin Linked Heavy Bolter
Mission – Overrun
Long Board Edges, 6 objectives. Control 2, 3, and more than the opponent for 5VP each, cumulative, cannot be scored on the first turn.
Setup
Not pictured. Thunderfire was to my extreme right. Tactical and Grav Sternguard on my right objective. Agressors, Grav Devastators, and characters on my center objective. Terminators and Tactical on my right objective. Devs and Servitors on my left flank.
Thomas hid most large targets behind a large building. Incursors took up the center big building. Reivers infiltrated.
Turn 1 – Azure Flames
Turn not pictured. Agressors advance and the whole army fires on the Incursors and Warsuit, eliminating them. Intercessors get a lucky charge on the Phobos Librarian but whiff and he cuts a few down in return.
Turn 1 – XVI Legion
Intercessors charge the Azure Flames Intercessors, but can’t save the Librarian. Shots do a bit of damage here and there. Left flank Devs are reduced to one Lascannon.
Turn 2 – Azure Flames
The Azure Flames Intercessors are removed by the XVI Legion Intercessors in the building. Apothecary restores an Aggressor and they take the center crater. Librarian does first of three rituals for VP, but then Perils! Terminators move up and do a small amount of damage.
Turn 2 – XVI Legion
Aggressors get vaped by the Gladiator, and the Terminators take some wounds off the Ancient and the Captain. Reiver squads arrive on the left flank and behind me. Contemptor emerges and blasts a Tactical squad.
Turn 3 – Azure Flames
Terminators Charge, doing surprisingly little damage and taking surprisingly little in return. Lone Tactical Sergeant punches the Contemptor to death after the lone Lascannon pops off a shot. Tactical squad on the right flank captures an objective.
After this, we decided it was getting late and Thomas ceded.
In this mission, getting objectives is the key. For turns 2 and 3 I got 15 VPs for the primary objective while Thomas got 0. This was a bit odd for this list as it was designed to castle up.
Next Batrep!
Bozeman – Azure Flames (Salamanders)\
- Batallion
- Captain, Warlord, Exemplar of the Promethean Creed, Forge Master, Miraculous Constitution, The Salamander Mantle
- Librarian, Might of Heroes, Null Zone
- Tactical Squad x5, Power Fist, Combi-Melta, Meltagun
- Tactical Squad x5, Power Fist, Combi-Melta, Meltagun
- Tactical Squad x5, Power Fist, Combi-Flamer, Flamer
- Tactical Squad x5, Power Fist, Combi-Flamer, Flamer
- Company Champion
- Sternguard x10, Power Fist, 10x Combi-Grav
- Sternguard x10, Power Fist, 10x Combi-Melta
- Assault Squad x5, 2x Flamer
- Land Raider Crusader, Multi-Melta, Hunter-Killer Missile
- Razorback, Twin Linked Heavy Bolter
- Rhino
- Rhino
- Rhino
Thomas – XVI Legion Successors (Imperial Fists)
Note: Thomas’ list was the same as above.
Mission: Vital Intelligence
In this mission, objectives that you capture stay yours until an opponent captures them. Controlling 2, 3 and more than your opponent gives 5VP each.
Setup:
Turn 1 – XVI Legion
Shooting pops a Rhino on the left flank killing 4 Marines as they disembark. Another Rhino is crippled.
Turn 1 – Azure Flames
Both Sternguard squads disembark and shoot up the Incursors. A Rhino blocks the Objective. Assault Squad runs to another Objective. Land Raider puts some decent wounds on the Gladiator.
Turn 2 – XVI Legion
Terminators pop the Rhino on the right and FIVE marines die! As Intercessors charge the Land Raider, Melta Tacticals overwatch with Born Heroes and countercharge! Warsuit charges the Rhino and damages it, while Contemptor charges the Tactical marines and gets punched hard!
Turn 2 – Azure Flames
Rhino falls back and the Melta Sternguard wipe the Invictor and a few Incursors. Tacticals punch the Contemptor again doing a bit of damage. Land Raider shoots the Intercessors to death, freeing the Tactical Marines to shoot the Terminators, and charge a lone Intercessor, killing him and then consolidating into the path of the Terminators so they can’t move forward as easily! Turn not pictured.
Turn 3 – XVI Legion
Terminators annihilate the Tactical Marines and the Assault Marines! Contemptor shoots the Tactical Marines to death in combat!
Turn 3 – Azure Flames
Last Rhino advances to steal the objective on the right. Last Incursor is eliminated which frees up the Melta Sternguard to fire at all four Characters! All four are eliminated! Land Raider finishes off the Gladiator!
Turn 4 – XVI Legion
Ternimators charge the Land Raider and do some wounds. Contemptor charges the Rhino and somehow takes one wound.
Turn 4 – Azure Flames
Contemptor and Rhino stare at each other angrily. Melta fire kills 4/5 of an Intercessor squad in the gray building. Terminators continue to fight the Land Raider.
Turn 5 – XVI Legion
Contemptor whiffs on shooting and the Rhino does another close combat wound! Terminators continue struggle.
Turn 5 – Azure Flames
Boxcars SUPER SMITE wipes TWO Terminators! Shooting kills all but one with one wound. The Rhino kills the Contemptor with a lucky Bolt round. Captain executes the last Intercessor. Finally, in close combat, the Land Raider removes the last wound from the last Terminator. Tabled.
Once again, I was pulling down 15 VP per turn. 9th ed is all about going fast, hanging tough, and dishing out damage, in that order. If you get objectives it doesn’t matter if your models are dying as long as you keep those objectives.
Next: More batreps hopefully and some Infiltrators!
40K 9th Ed Turn Tracker, Firstborn Tank Hatches, and Devastator Decals
Normally, I alternate between Firstborn and Primaris projects, and it’s the Firstborn’s turn. I had a lot of options, but in a recent game, I found myself not able to take Hunter Killer Missiles on some tanks due to lack of appropriate bits. So, I decided on a very short project:
Now I have more missile-y goodness and a blank hatch for a placeholder. However, this update was a bit light, and luckily I’m supplementing it with a Turn Tracker from littlepri_16 on Ebay. It’s 3D printed and awesome!
The dials are separate pieces which I will later magnetize once my order from K&J Magnetics arrives. My only gripe is that this font has a weird upwards serif on the upper left of the capital T, but I can live with it.
Finally, as with every project, a touchup and decal! This is the last of three Devastator Bolter units:
Next: a special feature! Longtime Fourstrands contributor Thomas is coming over to break my dry streak for some (socially distanced and safe) gaming! Expect battle reports galore and some awesome times!
Judicar and Indominus Project Complete!
My Judicar is finally complete after some holiday related delays!
I did a head swap with the helmeted Captain head from Indominus, after filling the cross shaped hole with putty. I also added a flame to the left shoulder pad.
I wasn’t brave enough to do Dynamic Lighting on Antonius, but because i cared less about the Judicar I gave it a shot and it worked quite well!
Finally, the Indominus Project is complete!
Steely eyed veterans of MSU’s Studio 40K circa 2000-2005 will remember these boards!
It took longer than I wanted, but that was mostly because I imposed a strict protocol of Primaris -> Squad touchup and decals -> Firstborn -> Squad touchup and decals, repeat. In the end I’ve made tons of progress and I’m raring for more!
Speaking of more, here’s a touchup to five more Devastator Bolters:
Next: a relatively boring update as I’m making more Hunter Killer missiles and blank hatches for Land Raiders and other sundry tanks. I need more options and what I have doesn’t cut it. Plus more decals!
1000 points Double Header, Azure Flames vs. Knights and AdMech
Misa, a regular at AFK games brought a brand new army: Knights and Admech, and wanted to test them out! I obliged him with two different 1000 point games.
Game 1: Reconnaissance Mission
Primary Objective: Take and Hold (1, 2, and more objectives than enemy = 5VP each @end of command phase, can’t score turn 1)
Bozeman – Azure Flames (Salamanders)
- Battalion
- Khalil, Captain of the 7th Company, on Bike, Warlord, Exemplar of the Promethean Creed (-1CP), Forge Master, Miraculous Constitution, Drake Smiter, Storm Shield
- Librarian, Chief Librarian, Force Sword, The Tome of Vel’cona (-1CP), Fire Shield, Burning Hands, Drakeskin, Fury of Nocturne, Plasma Pistol
- Assault Intercessors x5, Thunder Hammer
- Intercessors x5, Thunder Hammer, Astartes Grenade Launcher
- Tactical Squad x5, Storm Bolter, Chainsword, Lascannon
- Bike Squad x3, Power Fist, 2x Meltagun
- Devastators x5, Armorium Cherub, 2x Lascannon, Missile Launcher, Heavy Bolter
- Thunderfire Cannon
Misa – Imperial Knights and Adeptus Mechanicus
- Super-Heavy Detachment (Imperial Knights)
- Knight Crusader, Warlord, First Knight, Rapid Fire Battle Cannon, Avenger Gatling Cannon, 2x Heavy Stubber, Ironstorm Missile Pod
- Knight Armiger, Heavy Stubber
- Knight Armiger, Heavy Stubber
- Patrol (AdMech)
- Techpriest Engineseer
- Skitari Ranger x5
- Skitari Ranger x5
Setup
Before the game begins, Misa used 1CP to put both squads of Skitarii into reserves.
Turn 1 – Knights and AdMech
Knight Crusader moves up and targets multiple squads. The bikes are eliminated. Transhuman Physiology saves the Assault Intercessors, reducing them to 3 instead of wiping them out. The Knight charges, and the Devastators answer back with Born Heroes, using their Armourium Cherub and getting a lucky Lascannon hit which does 6 damage! However, the Knight fails the charge. Armigers move up to take objectives. Turn not pictured.
Turn 1 – Azure Flames
Tactical and Devastator fire removes the Armiger on the right side. Khalil, Assault Intercessors, and Intercessors charge the Knight and manage to do exactly enough damage to destroy it! Librarian performs the first of three psychic ceremonies.
Turn 2 – Knights and AdMech
Surviving Armiger shoots at the Thunderfire, reducing it to one wound. Techpriest retreats to the objective in the crater. Skitarii arrive and snag objectives.
Turn 2 – Azure Flames
Devastators move and use Relentless Determination to remove the remaining Armiger. Librarian performs 2nd psychic ritual, but then suffers a wound to Perils! Tactical Squad and Intercessors blast the Skitarii on the right. The Assault Intercessors charge and kill the Techpriest. The remaining Skitarii flee because of a failed morale test. Tabled.
Discussion: The Knight, hard as it was, should have stayed back. It has enough range to take out the whole tiny 30×44″ board. Moving it up put it in prime position for being charged by three Thunder Hammers. The Skitarii in reserve were nice, but they weren’t enough. This list needs more bodies to hold objectives and/or lay down some extra fire.
Game 2: Raid
Primary Objective: Domination (2, 3 and more objectives than enemy = 5VP at end of Command Phase)
Bozeman – Azure Flames
- Spearhead Detachment (-3CP)
- Techmarine on Bike (Legends), Master of the Forge, Miraculous Constitution, Drake Smiter, Conversion Beamer
- Land Raider, Storm Bolter
- Land Raider Crusader, Multi-Melta
- Vindicator, Storm Bolter
- Whirlwind, Castellan Launcher
Misa – Imperial Knights and Adeptus Mechanicus (same list, see above)
Setup
Turn 1 – Knights and AdMech
Knight Crusader moves up and reduces the Land Raider Crusader to 5 wounds. Armigers take objectives. Skitarii raise flags on backfield objectives.
Turn 1 – Azure Flames
Land Raider Crusader whiffs its Multi-Melta against the Armiger, but it hits EVERY SINGLE ONE of its Bolter and Assault Cannon hits, doing 7 wounds! This is, ultimately, futile as the Vindicator does 12 wounds all by itself. Land Raider injures the other Armiger, and kills a few Skitarii.
Turn 2 – Knights and AdMech
Knight Crusader removes the Land Raider Crusader, and the Armiger whiffs, but a lucky shot from a Skitarii does one wound to the Land Raider!
Turn 2 – Azure Flames
Land Raider removes the remaining Armiger and one more of the Skitarii.
Turn 3 – Knights and AdMech
Awful shooting this turn does absolutely nothing to the Land Raider.
Turn 3 – Azure Flames
Fire from the remaining tanks damages the Knight, but it stays in its first tier. Whirlwind and Land Raider kill the Skitarii squad on the crater.
Turn 4 – Knights and AdMech
Knight damages the Land Raider down to 3 wounds and then charges to finish the job! Skitarii shoot one wound off the Vindicator.
Turn 4 – Azure Flames
Techmarine charges the Techpriest, but poor rolls leave the priest alive! Knight stomps on the Techmarine, but poor damage rolls leave him with 1 wound.
Turn 5 – Knights and AdMech
Skitarii charge the Vindicator! Knight kills the Techmarine. Turn not pictured.
Turn 5 – Azure Flames
Vindicator falls back from combat and Whirlwind damages the Skitarii squad.
Final Score
Azure Flames: 44
Knights and AdMech: 23
Discussion: For two turns I was able to hold 3 objectives while the enemy held 2, which got me a total of 30 VPs during the course of the game. I also managed to kill more enemy units than they killed of mine and spread out to four board quarters for more VPs. In the end, Misa’s list had the same problems it had last game: It needed to rack up more VPs with more bodies. This list also had a distinct lack of anti-tank which is why the Land Raiders lasted so long. Some Melta would have annihilated me pretty easily.
Next: The last part of my Indominus project: the Judicar!
Razorback Assault Cannon Turrets and Devastator Bolter Touchups
For a while, I’ve had to cannibalize the twin linked Assault Cannon from my Land Raiders when using that option on a Razorback.
No more.
With these Forge World beauties, I can now take another extremely viable weapon option as a support!
For touch ups, I decided to keep it simple. I chose five Devastator bolter marines painted recently, so they shouldn’t need too many touch ups, right?
HA HA. NOPE.
It is amazing how these models that I painted for 7th edition (to better fill out a Demi Company) has so many mistakes, mould lines, and missed details. One was even overprimed and a little stay-puft-y. But they are in much better condition.
That’s not to say great. These are the Assault on Black Reach snap-fit marines. They are actually kind of awful sculpts. The collar on the back of the head is too high and blends into the head. There are a lot of 3D modelling errors such as cables on the arm/shoulder junction that look distorted. The poses leave a bit to be desired.
But they’re good enough for Tabletop Standard!
Next: The Judicar, last of the models in my Indominus Project, and another five Devastator Bolters!
Zeraf Antonius as an Imdominus Primaris Captain (also Assault Squad decals)
Zeraf Antonius, Captain of the 4th Company of the Azure Flames, Scion of Atrus, Hero of Tenkath Hive, the Laurel Crowned.
Bearing a shield made from the Sarcophagus of his fallen gene-father, Atrus, and wielding a custom made sword (as The Burning Blade). Antonius has crossed the Rubicon Primaris following the events of the Omega War, and the subsequent discovery from the Indominus Crusade. Antonius will be the main character of the upcoming web novella Home Fires: An Azure Flames Story.
Additionally, I updated another squad with decals! These Assault Marines without Jump Packs are a cheap and effective addition to several of my lists.
Gotta love that classic pewter sergeant. This squad was originally painted for my first Golden Rhino tournament. However, due to the unfortunate events of the Omega War, they have joined the Third Company.
Next: Razorback Turrets with Assault Cannons!
3rd Company Standard Bearer and final Tactical touch up!
This fine gentleman has featured in a lot of my lists:
An Ancient (Standard Bearer) adds versatility to a gunline and a drop pod storm, and with this Bolter-Melta, now I get an extra Melta shot.
In addition the fourth of my four Tactical Squads are updated and have decals!
Next: Zeraf Antonius, Captain of the 4th Company, Scion of Atrus, Master of the Marches, Hero of Tenkath Hive, The Laurel Crowned. Stay Tuned!