Hobgrots on Squares (Part 1)

 Somehow I found myself thinking "Gee, I could use some hobgoblins," and searching the internet looking for sanely-priced hobgoblins was an exercise in disappointment. But I kept stumbling upon AoS Hobgrots for fairly cheap. Eventually I took a good look at them and decided that these guys could work out just fine. They're not as comical as their ancestors of 30 years ago, but they fit the pseudo-mongolian vibe well enough. I am particularly found of their helms which strike a sort of samurai gestalt with me that I think works very well. 

I found a few sprues of old Warhammer shields that were made for the intention of being plugged onto the arms of whichever old metal model that could take them.  These shields have a big hole in the middle of them as a result which often makes them difficult to use on different miniatures. When I was working on some plastic skeletons recently I took note of the sbield plugs that came on their old sprues. These worked out great on these old shields.  I like the bigger size of these shields as I feel they put off a more archaic vibe.  

The Boss.

Most of these guys have two weapons and I decided to essentially ignore the smaller weapon and put a shield on that arm where applicable. Some of them have their shield going across their back. I just put them on however I thought looked the most pleasing to my eye. I think the chaotic disposition gives the unit that killer rabble vibe 

The Musician.

I accidentally built two musicians for this unit, not realizing what I had done until I had finished the unit's construction. I am already thinking about getting a second unit so that musician will likely go to that unit. (Eventually).

Standard Bearer.

Just for kicks, here is what the hobgrots look like next to one from the early '90s. I could say so much, but this is a good opportunity to just let the picture do the talking. I am sure it says far more than I am capable of articulating!

Compare and contrast.

As soon as I get my hands on a new rattle-can of Chaod Black, I will be able to start painting these lovely  chaps.

The Snottling Wave Restoration Project (Part 1)

 I recently acquired 12 bases of second-hand snotlings.  Which is quite a lot of mini-green meanness to add to my little green wave.

A rambling horde of snotlings.

I almost passed on the deal, as the thought of stripping and cleaning these guys was definitely a turn off. However, upon closer scrutiny, I determined that I could use these existing  paint jobs as a base coat to build more color on top of. I'm still confounded by the  choice made, by whomever painted these models, to use silver as a color for the mushrooms.... but I think I can work past it. 

Can you spot the plastic ones?

I even decided not to repose these guys despite some of the models positioned somewhat randomly on their bases. I figured the more disorganized and haphazard their poses, the more of a rabble they'll appear to be. 

Toot!

The guy blowing the horn is apparently a fragile snotlling because the miniature is broken off of three of these bases, and all of them  at their right leg! 

We said don't break a leg! 

I'm thinking these little guys will work well with the previous group that I painted back in the '90s and hopefully will tie up some of the foes they will end up facing on the battlefield. I recall that I modeled up those ordinal snotlings to use as Shokk Attack gun ammo back in the 2nd edition of 40k,. I also recall my devilish foes would target them in an attempt to deprive my shokk attack gun of it's  precious ammo! 

Wall of snotlings!

This might be a bigger project than I anticipated, but I won't know until I try, right? So let's do this! ...but not today. This post is long enough. Look out for part 2, hopefully soon!

Equis Tyranus

Equis Tyranus charges thru the Orc lines.

As I sorta prefaced in my previous post, The Bob and I played Warhammer Fantasy Battle 8th Edition this past weekend. This was my first game in about a decade, and it has been a long time for Bob also, so we were treating this game as a bit of a refresher. It was a standard 2k pitched battle.  Despite the rusty rules knowledge, I went in with an open mind and a desire to push these greenskins as hard as I could.

I brought 2k points consisting of:

• A Black Orc Warboss
• Orc Shaman (Lvl 2)
• Night Goblin shaman (Lvl 2) AKA Oddgob
• Big Uns
• Arrer Boyz
• Boyz with twin choppas
• Snottlings
• Trolls (7 of them!)
• 2 stands of spear/shield Night Gobos
• Night Gobos with shortbows
• 3 Fanatics, one hidden in each Night Gobo unit 
• Forest Gobos on Giant Spiders
• And a Boar Chariot

Waaagh Neverness assembled.

Bob tinkered on getting a list he thought would work for reintroducing me to certain situations that occur in WFB, and this is what he brought.

• A mounted Prince
• A lvl 1 Mage
• Silver Helms
• Dragon Princes
• Sword Masters
• Seaguard
• Archers
• White Lions

The elves gather.

I place my Warboss with the Big Uns, the Orc Shaman with the other Boyz unit, and the Gobo Shaman with a Night Gobo Unit. Bob put his Prince with the Silver Helms and left the Mage unattached.

The armies deploy.

Orcs Turn 1.

Amazingly, none of my units gave in to animosity. Most of my units moved forward, some faster than others, in an effort to engage the fearsome High Elves before them. The chariot whipped the boars in a full throttle boost towards the High Lines.

"Waaaargh! Fasta!!!"

The only action on my turn that resulted in a fatality was one of the Gobo Shaman's spells (Vindictive Glare) snuffed out an Archer.

High Elves Turn 1

Bob returned that insult and the Archers shot a volley into the Gobo Shaman's unit slaying 6 of the gits.

His Seaguard fired a volley into the Boar Chariot that was rampaging towards them putting a wound on it.

All in all, it was a fairly soft opening of the game...

End of Turn 1 state of the battle.

Orcs Turn 2

More maneuvers performed with the stupid Trolls actually moving where I wanted them to go. The Spider Riders failed their charge on the Silver Helms but the Snottlings that I sent in to support them actually make it in!

Snotings engage the Silver Helms.

Guess who won that enounter? (I hope you didn't say "the Snottlings"...)

Snottlings run away from the Silver Helms.

The Chariot impacts into the Swordmasters wiping out a whole rank from the impact hits. However the speedy elves are quick to bring down their blades, destroying the chariot swiftly and abruptly.

Chariot impacts the Swordmasters! 

High Elves Turn 2

Showing her magic muscles, the High Elf Mage cast Soul Quench at the Trolls with Irresistible Force! Killing a Troll. She detonated as a result but since no one was in base-to-base with her no one died (much to the relief of Bob).

The Silver Helms led by the Prince charged the Spider Riders. The Prince challenged the Spider Riders Champ and slew him. The other Spider Riders were defeated but they ran far enough away to avoid being ran down.

If spiders were really this big,..

 I bet they would be deadlier than they are in this game.

The Dragon Princes moved in on the Night Goblins only to find the first of the Fanatics.  After that frenzied interlude 2 of the Dragon Princes were dead!

"But I'm your biggest fan!"

The three remaining Dragon Princes easily routed the Night Gobos but they elected not to pursue them.

"They clean with soap?! Run away! Run away!"

Orcs Turn 3

Failing their animosity test, the Night Goblin Archers charged the Seaguard. ("Idiots!" I declared in disappointed awe). The other two Fantaics were released, one went toward the Archers while the other, emerging from the charging Night Gobo Archers, towards the White Lions. The one that crashed through the White Lions destroyed a whole rank as it took out 6 of them! The one Night Gobo Archer unit that attempted to charge the Seaguard lost 7 grots to shooting, paniced, and routed!

The Big Uns, led by the Black Orc Warboss, charged the Dragin Princes. The the Princes were defeated by the raging Orcs. The Warboss challenged the Champion and bashed him to death but not without taking two wounds himself!

The Warboss wins the duel! 

High Elves Turn 3

Set up for a perfect side flank charge, the Silver Helms charged the Trolls. The Sword Masters charge the Orc Boyz with twin weapons, and the Lions charge the unit of Gobos who have yet to run away.

Charge of the Elves! 

Magic phase results in another successful Soul Quench killing 4 Arrer Boyz causing them to panic and flee. The White Lions paste the Gobos with ease and over run into the Gobo Shaman killing him also.

In the middle of the table, the Swordmasters and the Orcs have a tied combat!

Big bash in the middle of the table! 

The Silver Helms and Prince engage the Trolls flank. They fail to wound the Trolls thanks to their Regeneration. The Trolls are fairly ineffective in turn. The Silver Helms horses however inflict two wounds killing an already wounded Troll which forces a Break Test. A Break Test against Initiative of 4. Which after modifers would require that I roll 2 ones on 2d6. Of course I botch that and these Trolls bolt it out of there. What do I roll on 2d6 for their flee distance? A two. A frick'n two when I absolutely needed that a moment before! The Silver Helms easily ran the Trolls down.

I was utterly beside myself and my morale was genuinely crushed.

Silver Helms trample over the Trolls and sight their next target.

Orcs Turn 4

It was tough to continue after that, I wanted to fold. Over half of my living army was in route and the High Elves seemed unstoppable. But I pressed on. The Goblins on the table edge failed to rally and bolted off the table. The Arrer Boyz and Spider Riders did rally, which was a refreshing turn.

The Fanatics rampage through the enemy lines again, killing 3 Archers and 6 Seaguard!

The Big Un's charged the White Lions. My Warboss issued a challenge to their unit champion which he accepted. The Warboss slaughtered the White Lion champ with ease however the faster White Lions massacred the Big Uns leaving only one survivor and the Warboss.

Big Uns cherge the White Lions.

The big tussel in the center continues as Sword Masters and Orcs whittle each other down. The Sword Masters actually lose combat but do not Break thanks to the proximity of their army's battle standard ("cor...we need one of doze!" Says the befuddled Orc Shaman..)

They just won't run!

High Elves Turn 4

Having lost way too many elves to the Fanatics, the Archers and the Seaguard shoot the fanatics to death ending their threat once and for all. 

The White Lions finish off the Warboss and the last Big Un.

The tussle in the center continues as the Orcs crush the surviving Swormasters but still take more losses due to the arrival of the Silver Helms crashing into their flank. Again, it was those hits from the steads that were the deciding element The Orcs don't break (by some miracle) but there is simply no way they were going to survive another round. 

The Silver Helms triumphant!

We called the game at this point, despite having rallied some units, I doubted that they could effectively do any more than harass the High Elves. Clearly the Orc battle line was shattered and we were now in the mopping up stages.

Battlefield overview. 

With that epiphany, the High Elves take the day!

All-in-all, we had a good time. My lack of recall on certain rule elements and tactics regarding the Night Goblins and the Trolls (especially the Trolls!) Cost more greenskin lives that could have been otherwise prevented. I say that, but...my dice.

The Fanatics impressed me more than I thought they would and clearly I need more. But only if I stick with the Goblins. It's really Orcs that I need more of as they aren't only a bit tougher and more effective in combat but their Leadership is better. Bob was suggesting that I acquire some Black Orcs, but making additional purchases for this game is something I am hesitant to do at this stage but I shall ponder upon the notion further...

The High Elves were awesome against this army. I was especially impressed with the Silver Helms who were just so tough to kill. And his damned horses...in our post game discussion we named the one that routed the Trolls: Equis Tyranis.

We'll see what happens when we try it again...

Da Lead'a of Da Waaargh! (Part 3)

Grumlock and Gazbag. Finished model. 

Having been snowed in these past few days, it was actually easy to find a bit of hobby time. So much so that I have completed my big bad-ass Black Orc Warboss. I think I like 'Stompface' as a last name, but I am still working on a first name. Anyway, here are the the final steps:

Completion of the metallic parts of this massive axe. 

 This next pic shows the level I painted this up to prior to gluing on his axe. At this point I thought I was pretty much done.

Pre-axe

Post-axe

 As you can see all bone bitz are now done, as are the countless metallic scratches and scuffs.

Rear shot. Gotta love the dwarf berserker trophies. 

Smile for the camera you defeated stunties!

And a close up of the model mostly done. Again, for those interested, the goblin flesh tone was finished by using Applebarrel Kiwi, with a final highlight of Sunburst Yellow. I couldn't tell you what the modern analogs are for these colors in the Citadel paint range.

As you can see, I thought it was done, but it needed...something.

Blood! He needs BLOOD!

 Yup, and I decided he needed it on his punch daggered fist! I like the idea of him wrenching his fist around in some defeated foe's guts. The Axe needed some blood as well, but just a little. After I painted the blood on, I just had to touch up one more thing, and that was the banding on the axe handle.

 And with that, he's done! This pic and the first pic show the completed model, complete with flock but minus the matte finish (it's too cold out to spray). Again, thanks to Edwin for gifting this model to me.

So, with him done, I was feeling inspired, and a tad bit mad with cabin-fever, so I pressed on with the Arrer Boyz for this army. Look for that post soon, but 'ere's a snippet to see what I'm up too!

"I didn't fink we 'ad da ball'istik  skill for dis kinda' fing" 

Da Lead'a of da Waaagh! (Part 2)

I'm still involved with my move to lovely Unicoi County ("Here, 'mud' is a season!") and my hobby projects are in disarray. But I did manage to get a bit of painting done the other night on the Warlord of my Orc & Goblin Warhammer Fantasy army. It's been awhile since I worked on any of these Orcs, having been working on Khorne stuff and Bolt Action, so it was nice to get back to something in it's final stages then working on stuff in it's early or middle stages.

So, progressing from the previous post involved with this chap,


Really it was just a matter of tightening up the yellow and black checker pattern on the right shoulder plate. This was a bit more challenging than I should have allowed it to be, but I am starting to like the results. I will scuff this up soon with dings, chips and scratches, which I hope will 'orc' it up a bit more.

 And lots of metallic painting! Blades, armor, spikes, rings, etc. As you can see, this model is heavy with it! Also I painted up the Evil Sun gut-plate to a level I think I like.

The next steps are to complete the painting on the axe, as well as any bone or tooth bits, and perhaps more highlights to the leather straps that this guy has wrapped all about him.


I know, a short post this time, but progress is being made! Now to get back to that move...

"Mud!"

Da Lead'a of da waaagh!

Work in progress of Da Boss.

This is the leader of my fantasy orcs, who is actually the Grumlok and Gazbag model that game with the Warhammer Online box many years ago. I  had a horrible time trying to get my hands on one of these models last year, even having one I bought on ebay become lost in shipping (long story, but the seller was great to work with). Hearing of my woes, Edwin kindly hooked me up with the model! I am still in awe of his kind gesture! Thanks again Edwin.

The model was tad bit damaged, the goblin shaman's sickle was missing, so I figured I would play up the witch-doctor vibe a bit more and give him a big skull rattle.

Or is it a skull Popsicle? 

The pic at the top of this post is the state that I got the model up too right before that big move I made back in the early Spring of this year. Tonight I did some more work on him. I chose to make him a black ork, and I imagined that the color he was at in that top pic was about as bright or a green as I was going to take the flesh up too, but I just wanted to see more definition, so I went ahead and added some Bilious Green highlights anyway.

Bilious Green highlights on the orc flesh. 

 And I decided to pop his axe off so I could get to more details.

Well, I wanted to darken his flesh back down, so I washed his flesh with some black ink.

Now with black ink. 

 I thought his skin now looked too much like he just finished working on a trukk in a garage or something, and decided to do another wash but with some green ink added to the mix.

And this is where I leave him for now for time reasons but also so I can brood on whether I actually like this look for his skin or not. And brainstorm on what the name for this guy is going to be! I had a name, but I just don't recall it!