A Challenge

Until recently, I was rather wary of hobby podcasts, considering them to probably be far too nerdy and beardy for the likes of me, full of "inside jokes" and other unfunny childishness. How wrong I was! Thanks for Mr Esty for starting me off, I now have four podcasts that I listen to whenever a new episode is released. Mr Esty suggested I try out The Independent Characters podcast that is run out of the Bay Area, a mere hour and a half or so away from where I live.

Carl and Geoff run a pretty well put together production with better than average sound values and a structured show that rarely goes off track, or if it does, they seem professional enough to get over their fits of giggles quickly. Each episode is dedicated to a certain 40K-esque subject and these chaps are pretty darn knowledgeable on their topics and, should the occasion arise where they don't have said knowledge, they have plenty of guests on hand to bring on board to help them out. If you don't listen to podcasts and have perhaps been curious, then these chaps are a good first option.

(I'll list the other three for any interested at the end of this post.)

Anyhoo, the reason I mention the podcast is because they also have a very friendly message board and are currently running a Challenge to paint up 1850 points of Warhammer 40K figs for a list or some such by November 30th, each month pledging to complete a character, unit or vehicle. For each pledge completed, you get an entry into a draw at the end of the challenge to win something cool. (I believe last year's Challenge prizes were KR Multicases or Black Library publications or some such.) Either way, I'm not really doing this for the prizes, more to see if I can't finally, f i n a l l y have myself a fully painted army. (Which I haven't had since I was an early teen with my old Squats.) I decided my much loved and maligned Nurgle Chaos force needed the love it always deserved and so made up a list with the new Chaos Marine Codex and the old daemons one, both including my models painted thus far and those I plan to do up each month. (the list is below the pics for those interested.)

So, seeing as I got into this Challenge a little late, my first month's pledge is a simple one - to paint a herald of Nurgle for my Daemon Allies contingent. The mini is by Darksword and was a lovely Xmas present from my mate Niko in Minnesota. I hacked off the original bannertop (Which was some sort of naff moon and stars design.) and replaced the left hand which formerly held a compass with handy parts from the new-ish plastic Plague Bearers kit. Since this photo was taken, I've since added sand to his base and given the mini a coating in Krylon primer.

If you got this far then my thanks for sticking with it!

Here's the three other podcasts I keep up with:

1. The Overlords - another 40K podcast, these chaps out of London are a game club with a microphone and make me laugh lots. They also have a good bunch of people who have different takes on the game to the US one I hear more regularly.

2. Deepstrike Radio - this 40K podcast is more fluff oriented, which I like lots. These chaps know their stuff VERY thoroughly and it appeals to my oldschool 40K hobbyist self. They are also more adult with their humour, so keep that in mind before you play them around yer young'ns.

3. WhatWouldPattonDo? - lastly, I also listen to a Flames of War podcast by the wwpd crew. They are a fun bunch and go off topic all the time, but if you like to play Flames of War, they can offer lots on the hobby and also talk about new books and releases

I forgot to add that I've also added to my Flames of War British contingent. A platoon of 6-pdr Anti-tank guns to hopefully help me fend off those dirty Nazi heavy tanks all the better. Painting might take a while though....

And here's the 3000point (Or there abouts) list I'm going by for my Challenge for those that are interested. I WILL still be painting other stuff, eg. my WW2 Brits, etc, but hopefully this challenge will see me more productive with my hobby than ever before. Roll on 2013!

CSM

HQ

Chaos Lord: Mark of Nurgle, Black Mace, Palanquin, Veteran of the Long War, Combi Plasma, Aura of Dark Glory

Daemon Prince of Nurgle: Wings, Power armour, Murder Sword, Aura of Dark Glory

TROOPS
7 x Plague Marines: 2 x Flamers, Lightning Claw

7 x Plague Marines: 2 x Melta Guns, Lightning Claw

7 x Plague Marines: 2 x Plasma Guns, Lightning Claw

7 x Plague Marines: 2 x Plasma Guns, Lightning Claw

ELITES
5 x Terminators: Mark of Nurgle, Heavy Flamer, Power Fist, Twin Lightning Claws, Veterans of the Long War, Land Raider Transport with Combi-bolter and Havoc launcher

Hell Brute: Twin-Linked Heavy Bolter, 2x Combi Bolters

FAST ATTACK
3 x Nurgle Spawn

HEAVY SUPPORT
7 x Havocs: 4 x Missile Launchers with Flakk ammo

2 x Vindicators: Siege Shields

DAEMON ALLIES

HQ
Ku’Gath

Herald of Nurgle

TROOPS
7 x Plague Bearers

7 x Plague Bearers

3 x Nurgling Bases

POINTS TOTAL = 2967

That’s the 3000 (ish), the 1850 (ish) that will be my list for this Challenge are:

The Chaos Lord (That I’ve yet to buy)
2 of the Plague Marine Units
2 Terminators from their squad (I already have 3 painted) and their Land Raider
3 Chaos Spawn (That I’ve yet to put together)
Ku’Gath (A mini that is pretty damned amazing, sculpted by a mate in Denmark)
The Herald of Nurgle (Proxied with a cool mini I got for Xmas)
The 2 Plague bearer units (One of the new plastic sculpts, the other old OOP models I've had for years.)
And the Nurglings (New plastic kit that I’ve yet to buy)

I think all this adds up to about 1860 all told with options included.

Interlude 5

This post brought to you by Pabst Blue Ribbon, my American beer of choice and the almost certain hangover it will deliver the day after.

(No kidding here folks, I really do prefer this over much else brewed over here. Not to say that it's better than my 1st choice beers, Stella Artois or Kronenbourg though.)

Yesterday was my birthday. Enough said about that. The reason I bring it up was because of the lovely gifts I received and of the wonderful hobby goodness contained therein.

1. Pegasus Hobbies Gothic church looking scenery boxed set: I am well happy to get this. The quality is fantastic and I fully aim to purchase the other sets they have available for my 2nd planned terrain board. Am thinking my 1st graveyard board needs a place of worship, right?

2. The new plastic Plaguebearers boxed set: as soon as I saw these I was hot for them. So much fun and sweet little details. Now I just need the Nurglings box and my Nurgle urges will be appeased.

3. Dark Vengeance boxed set: I consider myself bloody lucky to have the good friends that hang around my carcass. Dave was up for learning 40K after I convinced him 6th is a big step better than 5th (He had no interest in the last edition at all.) and so got me the starter set so we can try out 6th together. He's a good feller and needs to play more to boot.

4. Airbrush and Compressor: Yup, that's right, I made it into the 21st century. Now I only hope the thing isn't too tricky to learn how to use. No more do I have to anticipate trying to paint my Malcador Defender the hard way! ;)

That's it, a short post. There's (more) beer to drink, a movie watch with my lovely wife and yet another day off to anticipate and plan for. So far, best 3 days off in a long while. :)

(O and I recently hit 10'000 views! thanks to all who take the time out to visit this meagre blog, have a beer for you too!)