Painting Challenge Submission 15 - Loyalist Titans for "Adeptus Titanicus"

Imperial Titans, ready to move out in support of some doomed cause in the name of the so-called "Emperor"...

My next submission to Curt's Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge was a marked change in terms of painting focus.  I left horses and muskets behind and ripped 30,000 years into the grim darkness of the far future with two titans from GW's rebooted game "Adeptus Titanicus." 

"Let's go for a walk!"

These are both plastic kits from the new line of models GW has released to support the re-booted version of the game.

Reaver class titan.

"Adeptus Titanicus" was re-launched by GW last fall - if you want to know more about that, and see how GW handled the whole thing like the pack of s***-eating gnarled c***s that they are, see here.  I painted a few of the new Titans right after the game came out, but haven't really touched any of the kits since last year. That needed to change, as I was helping to run an "Adeptus Titanicus" demonstration game at an event here in Winnipeg this past weekend. I wanted to add some reinforcements - and also try some of the newer weapons which have been released for the Reaver class Titans.

There are two classes of Titan represented here, both in the colours of Legio Gryphonicus, the "War Griffons", a Titan Legio who fought on the side of the loyalists in the Horus Heresy.

Rear detail on the Reaver model...really nice model.

The Reaver model has, as I said, some of the newer weapon sprues GW released in February of this year.  It is sporting a "volcano cannon" on one arm, a "laser blaster" on the other, and another "laser blaster" up on the carapace mounting - overall, this engine is configured to deliver knock-out kills on enemy engines which have already lost, or nearly lost, their void shields.  Other Titans in the maniple will have to focus on knocking out the void shields of the enemy machines so this one can make some engine-kills.

Detail on the carapace plate.

The "volcano cannon" in particular is very powerful, but tricky to manage, as it puts pressure on the Titan's plasma reactor.  The Reaver has less reactor capacity, so the Princeps commanding this Reaver will need to manage that carefully in a game. 

I also used an alternate head that came with the kit...I liked how this version had so many optical lenses in the "eyes".  With a weapon load-out primed for making "kill shots", it seemed to me this crew would want all the targeting assistance it can get...

The Warhound up close.

View of the engine detail.

View from the turbo-laser side...

The smaller Titan is a "Warhound" class "scout" (ROFL) titan. I mean, this thing is still much larger than even the largest Space Marine super-heavy tank, but it's all relative, right? As the smallest Titan, the Warhound does move ahead of its larger companions, and is much more manoeuvrable, with lighter weapons, and so in this sense it is a "scout".  This particular Warhound is equipped with a "vulcan mega-bolter" and a "turbo-laser" - these weapons on their own don't do much damage to other titans, but the "mega-bolter" is very useful for knocking out void shields.  So if this Warhound can take out some shields, his bigger cousin can deliver a kill shot...

Scale creep anyone? You can see how the old Reaver and Warhound castings stack up to the new model kits - a Space Marine Fellblade super heavy tank is also in the photo to give you an idea of the size of the things.

The newer plastic kits from GW are very nice, and as you can see in the photo, they have re-scaled them to a fairly radical extent compared to the old models once used for this game. Because of this, and the eye-watering prices for the models, "Adeptus Titanicus" will certainly remain a niche game - but the rules are excellent, the game itself is a lot of fun.  If you enjoy the 30k/Horus Heresy setting, you will certainly enjoy the game! Given the way GW manages these sorts of products, I suggest you act now to get the rules and models if you are interested...

"Family photo" - the War Griffon maniple, and allied Knights, together on the display shelf.

I'm excited to have these two engines finished, as I now have a complete "Axiom Battle Line" maniple for the Imperial side of my collection - one Warlord, two Reavers and two Warhounds. There is also a small banner of Knights available to provide some additional support.  Five God-Engines and a Knight banner is plenty to occupy the attention of several players - I would not imagine many "Adeptus Titanicus" games where more than this deploys for one side.

Of course, no project for me is ever truly "finished" - I can always "round out" every collection with a few more items! In this case the Knight banner could use some reinforcements, just to help them live a little longer on the table (a full banner of six Knights can be quite the pest!), and longer term I would like to get one more big-ass Warlord sporting some different weapon load-outs involved, but all of that will wait for a bit, as the rebel side of my Titan collection will need some further attention first...

Reavers for "Adeptus Titanicus"

Anyone call for some Titans? Two new Legio Mortis engines report for duty...

More giant walking machines for wars of the future in "Adeptus Titanicus"! Two Reaver class Titans for Legio Mortis received their finishing touches on the painting table this past weekend. These are new plastic kits available from GW, part of the new range for the re-booted game featuring Titans battling it out during the Horus Heresy. 

The Reaver class Titans are not so large as the big Warlord-class engines, but they are still pretty large and heavily-equipped.  They are front-line war engines for the Titan Legions of GW's 30k setting.

WIP shot - drying in the "goop", waiting for the black base coat.

I painted the torsos and heads separately from the legs.  Felt slower for some reason. 

Nearly ready for final assembly in this photo - just waiting for decals  (and heads).

"Family photo" of Legio Mortis - still waiting for Warhounds at this point, but ready to move out. 

While they do not have quite so many parts as the new Warlord Titan models, these new Reaver kits from GW are still quite involved.  As with the Warlords, the plastic Reaver kits will reward patience and offer a lot of flexibility for posing etc.  The models are faithful recreations of the current Reaver design from Forge World.  This is great, but there are a few elements of that design that make this assembly a little more tricky - the exposed hoses/cables on the legs and on the head of the Titan. The Pictionary-style instructions are not super clear on these at first, but with some careful application of glue, and some patience, you will get them done.  Just take some time, don't rush, and all will be well. 

"Something need punching? We're here to help..."

The models are also forgiving - on one of the new Reavers featured in this post, the "hip" sections of the legs are mounted backwards! Oops...a credit to the tech-priests who blessed the Reaver design that the models can handle some stupidity on my part.

The plain carapace is a nice option, but I struggled to fill it up with markings...will have to try harder next time. 

Power fist ready to punch someone/thing - note the cable connecting it to the body. Do NOT use this stupid fiddly part - you don't actually have to, but I was determined to try and follow the directions on this first effort. 

A huge bonus, in my opinion, for these models is that they come with some variety in their weapon mounts! While there is only a single option for the carapace (the ubiquitous "Apocalypse Launcher" - love the names), you can choose between a close combat fist, gatling cannon or turbo-laser for the arm mounts.  Even better, if you model the power fist, you can choose between an open or closed fist - great stuff, and showing GW at its best, and a stark contrast to the very disappointing weapon selection in the Warlord kits. 

Enough laser power to melt just about anything/one...

On the downside, the weapons are not simple to magnetize, unlike the weapon mounts on the Warlord. Kind of a strange inconsistency from GW, but I guess not that surprising, when one considers (as commenter Amy noted) the "strange and mysterious ways" of GW.  I don't fiddle with magnets unless it is simple to do, so these Reavers are not magnetized, but glued together like a traditional model. 

You also have the option of a very elaborate carapace plate in the model kit - the options are great to have, and certainly the detail on the "detailed" option is off the hook - great job by GW.  I figure this engine will have some kind of snooty crew that feels they are worthy of all the flash up top. 

I am trying to get an "Axiom Battle Maniple" painted for both the Rebel and Loyalist factions in my "Adeptus Titanicus" collection.  The Axiom Maniple has a total of five god-engines when fully deployed - one Warlord, two Reavers and two Warhounds. So that means two Reavers per side. Naturally, once the models arrived, of course I started with the Rebel side first.  Funny how that happens with me all the time...Horus for Hope!

Ready for a walk...

One Reaver is sporting a combo of a power fist and a gatling cannon - this engine will keep moving on the battlefield, peppering the void shields of the enemy engines with the cannon until the range can be closed and the fist used to smash recalcitrant followers of the so-called "Emperor" into powder. 

Dual turbo-laser mounts should hopefully dish out punishment to enemy engines who lose their void shields. 

The other Reaver has a pair of turbo-laser mounts on the arms- throwing out enough focused energy that we can nickname it "The Happy Cooker".  This engine will move into a supporting firing position to help the big Warlord bring down targets who have lost their void shields. The two laser mounts should help cook some big holes in the armour of those who foolishly deny the glory of Horus Lupercal.

"Reactors to full power! Horus for hope!"

As newly painted models, what could possibly go wrong on the table?  I'm looking forward to getting these fellows into action.  But I should probably paint a few more Loyalist engines up first - after all, you need targets to practice on, right?  I will try and get started on the Loyalist Reavers this week...and the new Warhounds should arrive soon too.  Painting reactors to full power! 

Thanks for stopping by the blog, hope everyone has a great day!     

Knights for "Adeptus Titanicus"

New Knight models for GW's reboot of "Adeptus Titanicus"

A few more models for "Adeptus Titanicus" in this post - a group of Knights (organized into "banners").  These fellows were finished off over the Thanksgiving long weekend, thankfully before I fell into a turkey-consumption-induced coma. 

As I have mentioned before, I have no particular interest in the barmy back story of the so-called "Knight Houses", so I threw together a colour scheme, picked out decals that I liked, and threw it all together over the space of a few hours' painting.  These fellows will fight for the loyalist side in the games.  As loyalists, they believe in a so-called 'Emperor', and are fated to be crushed into dust by the righteous God-Engines fighting in the name of Horus Lupercal, the beloved Warmaster!

An incredible amount of detail on these small plastic models. 

These little plastic kits are well designed, with quite a lot of detail that will reward you if you take the time.  I didn't do that so much - these were fairly quick paint jobs - but one thing that is just so ace about the new kits is the decals! The decal sheets for the Knights are excellent, and I made liberal use of them with this trio. 

"For the Emperor!" Fools...

With these three fellows painted, I have finished all of the combat units from my box set (two Warlord Titans and six Knights). A "banner" of Knights in the new version of the "Adeptus Titanicus"game contains at least three Knights, but can include more.  I do have a few more of these models, but they will wait as for now I am keener on expanding the Titan part of the collection.  

The decals that come with the kits are a huge bonus - there is no way all that would be do-able by freehand painting, or be worth the time even if I had that skill...

Some new plastic Reaver Titan kits arrived late last week to help that along.  I got started assembling the Reavers during the course of the weekend, and hope to have them finished before too long.  The Reaver models are quite nice, and one thing I appreciate is the greater variety of weapon selection available with the Reaver kits.  And one particularly nice touch is the variability of the power fist - the fist can be open or clenched - very cool!

There are a few challenges too - I'm no fan of all the hoses, particularly the hose connections between the weapons (which, strangely, are specific to one weapon and one arm, acting as a limit to the ways you can configure the Reavers).  My advice - just ignore the hoses all together.

WIP showing the new plastic Reaver Titan kits from GW. 

Curiously, GW even seems to realize the hoses for the weapons are dumb, and the instructions give alternate assembly options where the hoses are not used on the weapons.  Of course, the instructions try to convey this using 3D Pictionary-style depictions rather than any clear communication, but you'll figure it out quickly enough.  I have hoses on these first two models, but they will be the last.

There is also no straightforward approach to magnetizing the weapons on the Reaver kit, which is a bit baffling, considering this was done on the Warlords.  It can still be done if you are any good with magnets (see Curt's brilliant example here), but I don't have time to waste flopping around with magnetic nonsense. If the designers make it easy, so be it, but they did not with the Reavers, so the weapons on these fellows will be fixed in place.  

Thanks very much for stopping by!

Painting Challenge Submission 17 - Epic 30k Titans

Epic 30k Titans from loyalist and rebel factions...the galaxy will burn!

It's been neat diving into new periods (ancient/medieval) and new rules (SAGA and Hail Caesar) during Curt's Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge, but I still have a 30k side duel on my mind as we enter the closing stretch. During this edition of the Challenge I have been particularly pleased to see a number of others participants becoming interested in Epic 30k.  Byron, Iannick and John have all done some great stuff, and it's humbling to be part of their inspiration, even if this inspiration is often referred to as "corruption"...


I haven't painted much Epic 30k myself this Challenge, and that didn't seem right to me, so I approached the vast pending pile here at home last week and present to you some Titans - the penultimate war machines of the 30th Millenium!

Legio Mortis titans, with a some 6mm Space Marines to give a perspective on the size of the models

The concept of Titans launched the whole Epic game set in the first place at GW, when they issued the game "Adeptus Titanicus".  While you can absolutely play a very fun and engaging game without any Titans on the table (we do this often), their presence does add an entirely new dimension to the fun.  I mean, just look at these bonkers things...

Legio Gryphonicus engines with same Space Marines, again for size perspective...

For those who don't follow the setting too closely, the Titans in 30k are, like the Space Marines, organized into Legions. Where the Space Marine Legions are pledged to the Emperor (or, they were initially, at any rate, LOL), the Titan Legions are pledged to the Mechanicum (a sort of parallel empire of technological knowledge based from Mars, an IT department from Hell) and the Forge World planet of their own founding.  Space Marine Legions and Titan Legions fought together as allies through the Great Crusade and built their own connections and sub loyalties. As the Space Marine Legions divided during Horus' rebellion, so it was with the Titan Legions, with many opting to follow the glorious Warmaster, as the Mechanicum split along with the rest of the Imperium.

Warhound class from the War Griffons, sporting Vulcan Mega Bolter and Plasma Blastgun

The specifics of the weapons are boring - bottom line, they wreck sh!t

I have painted Titans from opposing loyalist and rebel Legions so we can have Titan scraps here with the group during our Epic 30k games.  The purple Titans are from the Legio Mortis, the so-called "Death Heads", one of the largest Titan Legions in service, they had been attached to Horus' expeditionary fleet for a long time and had no concerns joining him for his plans to Make Terra Great Again. The Death Heads rolled with Horus all the way to the siege of Terra, and smashed through the gates of the Imperial Palace itself during the great assault.

Reaver class titan of the War Griffons

Sporting a gatling cannon, a volcano cannon and apocalypse launcher (on top)

A bit of weathering on the feet...all that dust from the march, no matter how big you are...

The grey and yellow engines are from Legio Gryphonicus, known as the "War Griffons".  As Horus didn't trust this bunch to go along with his vision, he used his authority as Warmaster to ensure the War Griffons were spread out into smaller detachments throughout the Imperium. The War Griffons remained loyal to the Emperor, and as such their experience of the opening phases of the Horus Heresy tended to be a series Pearl-Harbour type encounters where these smaller detachments fell in glorious final defence of various doomed outposts and positions as Horus advanced on Terra.  Ultimately the remnants of the Legio Gryphonicus would gather together and even many scores once the assault on Terra had been repelled, but it was rough going until then...

Reaver class titan from the Death Heads

So what type of Titans are these? The smaller walkers are "Warhound" class - "scout" (!) titans, an utterly hilarious concept given the size of the things, but they are, relatively speaking, faster and less heavily armed than the larger classes. Of the larger classes, there are several, but the ones you see here are"Reaver" class - "medium" (!!) battle titans.  The Reavers are front line engines of war for the Titan Legions.

The beast is sporting a volcano cannon, turbo lasers and the ubiquitous apocalypse launcher (most common feature of this variant of titan)

There are four Titans shown in this submission, but only three were painted during the Challenge.  The Warhound for Legio Mortis was painted last summer. With the points scored on these models, I passed my goal of 1,000 points worth of painting, which I'm pleased about (although I still won't match the prodigious output Byron has achieved...)

These models will see action during an Epic 30k demonstration game here in Winnipeg at "Legions Maxximus" running from March 17 to 19.  I'm looking forward to taking the Horus Heresy to "epic" levels. If you enjoy Epic or the Horus Heresy I hope you can join us!

Poll Results and New Poll

After a big-time election win here in Canada by Hair Man, Son of Fuddle Duddle, I thought I'd also update the poll here on the blog ;-)

Results of the last poll:

Forge World now sells a Warlord Titan model, retail price over 1,200GBP. Is this insane?

Survey said:

Yes, no amount of lead crack is worth that. 4 votes (44%)
No, if cost were no object I'd have one (or more). 4 votes (44%)
Don't care what it costs - I'm buying it. 1 vote (12%)

Thanks for playing!

THE BIG ONE - Part Two - Horus Heresy 30K Mega Game

This is it - THE BIG ONE - as teased by Greg in his recent post. (I like to think that the guys in the pic above are Heresy vets ;-)

 

As Greg noted, we've been playing a mini-campaign around the Siege of Orask. The campaign background:

 

The machinations of Horus are revealed, and they reach well beyond even the events of the Istvaan System!

Knowing they would not join his cause, Horus dispatched the IXth Legion to “liberate” the worlds of the Signus Cluster - a campaign far from Terra, far from Horus’ plans, and home to a trap.

The Primarch of the Blood Angels has led the bulk his Legion into that distant assault, and Horus now looks to cut them off completely from contact with the rest of the Imperium. He will do that with an attack on the frontier world of Orask, staging area for the IXth Legion’s invasion force.

As news of events on Istvaan reaches Orask, the local Imperial government is stunned - and panics when their sensors detect a task force of ships bearing the signals and markings of the Sons of Horus, the World Eaters and the Death Guard headed for the planet. Things get worse when a number of Horus’ agents take action, disabling defence systems, monitors, docks and other elements, sowing further panic. The traitor Legion elements crash through the scattered resistance among the orbital defences and begin to secure landing areas.

On the planet’s surface, elements of the IXth Legion - the 66th Maniple, the “Blood Drinkers”, reserves which had been planning to follow their brethren toward the Signus Cluster, instead turn to defend the planet, knowing if Orask is overrun, the bulk of the IXth Legion will be trapped in the Signus and unable to defend the Imperium from Horus.
 

Back in August we played the first game and it was a hoot! So on Thanksgiving weekend (on my birthday, no less) we pulled out all the stops for a massive 30K slugfest. 

 

Greg's lads: Sons of Horus, World Eaters, "El Booze" (Imperial Knight) and Ferrum Mortis (Reaver Titan).

The IX Legion "Blood Drinkers" - with Loyalist Imperial Knight and Reaver Titan. Not so many Space Marines though - I'll have to work on that.

Solar Auxilia allies for the IX Legion - infantry painted by Greg, and Stormblade by me.

We're missing a group shot of Byron's Death Guard traitors but you'll see them pop out in due course!

The battlefield. Orask City in the foreground, where the Loyalists will set up, facing an assault by the Traitor Legions across the table.

The Fall colours are lovely on Orask this time of year!

Loyalists deployed. Lots of cover in the ruins of the city, so why deploy anywhere else?

Solar Auxilia to the fore, since "Facecane" (their commander, represented by the "Lord Solar Macharius" model) wouldn't have it any other way!

Looking out towards the Traitor lines.

What could pierce this thin red line??

Turns out these guys will give it a try...

You can see some of Byron's Death Guard in this photo - including "the Compensator" (Sicaran Venator, at left).

Traitors advance. We imagined the gunners rubbing their hands with glee at the prospect of dropping pie plate templates on these targets.

Compensator down! The Venator was a prime target for the IX Legion defenders. Suffer not the phallic to live!!

Blood Drinkers Spartan rolled out of cover to disgorge a giant squad of Marines. Just out of shot: the Contemptor Dreadnought that ruined their day.

IX Legion Assault troops figured that the best defence was a good offence. Tragically, they would prove to be mistaken.

Things are still looking good from back here. The Titans took turns shooting each other with Turbolasers and dropping Apocalypse Missile templates on lesser-priority targets.

Oh, what happened to that squad?

:-(

Sons of Horus assault troops consolidate after wiping out a squad of Auxilia in the wood.

Things are hotting up as the Traitor Reaver lumbers forward.

The Loyalist Knight lines up the Land Raider for a close assault...

Someone else lines up the Imperial Knight...

Byron's scary Fire Raptor flyer appears on Turn 4.

His Death Guard Terminator Squad (with Typhon!!) also beamed in. This did not go well for the defenders.

The Traitor lines are getting a bit out of sorts as templates take their toll.

Smoking crater (centre right) where once stood the Imperial Knight. He failed the charge against the Land Raider and was blown up in the next turn.

Getting close now!

The Blood Drinkers that weren't gassed by chemical weapons, were taken out by Typhon and his DG Terminator buddies with their scythes. Enough remained, though, to wipe out the squad... although it took the remnants of three tactical squads, a Tactical Support squad with Volkite Calivers, and a Heavy Support Squad with five lascannons to do it...

Reaver Titan vs. Stormblade. Not even a contest, although Greg had thought long and hard about trying for a charge against the Loyalist Reaver instead.

"Don't we have some anti-aircraft???"

"Oh great. It's Phil."

There was a reason why we both equipped our Titans with fists...

Left vulnerable in its attack on the Stormblade, the Traitor Reaver was finished off by its Loyalist counterpart.

Not much left except smoking craters.

The Traitor attack still rolled forward.

Chemical smoke/awfulness left by the Death Guard Terminators at lower right.

Wow - what a battle. We actually had to stage it over two days to get the six turns in. The result? Well, we didn't really keep track of VPs or anything, the massive carnage was satisfying enough. However, the Loyalists did kill the Traitor Reaver, Knight, and Land Raider (plus Typhon and his nasty Terminator mates) for the loss of their own Terminators, Knight, and Stormblade... although with the Reaver, Spartan, and Land Raider still functional I'd give the edge to the defending IX Legion. They say that history is written by the victors, or in this case, the writers of history become the victors retroactively ;-)

While I don't foresee another massive battle like this happening soon, I'm sure we'll revisit the 30th millennium in due course for more Heresy battles. After all, escalation continues!