Hordes: Croc Proxy

My 25 pt. Blindwater Congregation force contains no duplicate minis (except for my conversion of the Croak Hunter), but I have a 20 pt. build where I'd like to use a second Bull Snapper, that 3 pt. Light Warbeast that is hell to build and practically impossible to convert into a second pose.

Clearly, I needed a proxy. Enter Impact Miniatures. Their slick range of Sarcos croc models contains some medium sized figures just big enough to work as alternate Bull Snappers. I picked one I liked, ordered him, and when he showed up, I gave him a quick paint job. Here's the results:





And here's a comp shot with the actual Bull Snapper:



Not bad, works for me!

This weekend, more role-play models!

Thanks for looking!

--Scott

Hordes: IronBack Spitter!

I know I said I would swear off painting minis for skirmish or other miniatures battle games for at least a week, but then the Ironback Spitter showed up at Phantom, and I had to work on it!

I've blasted PP in the past for bizarre mold-making decisions that lead to hellish assemblies. The Spitter suffers from no such issues. For a Heavy Warbeast, it goes together quite well. I would even dare say that it's design is ingenious.

Anyway, I went with my version of the studio paint job--I thought about working some green in, but I ended up happy with where the paints took me, and the basing ties him to the rest of the force.













And here are a couple of comp shots for scale ref:





Look for more RPG minis this weekend!

Thanks for checking out the blog!

--Scott

Hordes: A Murder of Croaks!

Well, not quite. But how about a duo?

As I've stated in the past on this blog, I do not like duplicate poses in skirmish games like Hordes. I wanted to use two Croak Hunter solos, so I asked a sculptor associate of mine to make a few minor adjustments on my second Croak Hunter before I painted him. It's not a huge change, but it makes a big difference to me.









And if I might rant for a moment. Hey, PP, sculpt like you've got a pair! You're a big-boy miniatures company, one of the best in the biz, so step up and deliver some alternate poses of these sorts of models. I know how the process works. This could be accomplished for minimal cost and outlay of time. The original becomes a dolly for the new pose. Not hard. Use some of the funds you've saved on pewter from hollowing out all of those miniatures and funnel them back into alternate poses.

Again, I love PP and most all of their stuff, but I just want them to be better in certain areas.

Anyway, thanks for checking out the blog!

--Scott

Gatormen Posse!

At last, here are the long promised shots of the Gatormen Posse for Hordes.











These models were "speed-painted" using Army Painter Army Green spray primer. Once primed all green, I hit them with GW's Thrakka Green ink mixed with some glue. For the back plates I used GW Foundation Ork Hide. The back plates on the leader were done using a Medium Sea Blue from Vallejo.

The belly areas on all the models were done with Gretchin Green, also a Foundation color. I then went back in and did all of the non-green colors: wood, bone, feathers, etc. I am pretty pleased with the results, but for single monsters or solos, I will stick to my 3-step blending techniques.

Happy Christmas for those who celebrate it, and happy holidays to the rest! I am very thankful for everyone who makes checking this blog a regular part of their day!

--Scott

Hordes: Swamp Goblin Bellows Crew

I actually made some more progress on my Hordes force this past weekend. I added a 3-model Gatorman Posse unit, and the Swamp Goblin Bellows Crew. The Gatorman Posse was an interesting experiment in speed painting using one of the Army Painter sprays, and they will be the subject of another post this week. But for now, here are the Swamp Goblins:





At only 1 pt., these guys are not game breakers, but they can give my melee-heavy force a bit of cover by blowing a smokescreen as they advance. And they look cool, so that has to count for something!

Thanks for looking!

--Scott

Hordes: Bull Snapper

Here's the latest addition to my Hordes Blindwater Congregation force. This light warbeast for Hordes will help me complete my 15 pt. raiding party.








Here's a comp shot with the Croak Hunter:



This kit was not a pleasure to build. On some kits, PP has a maddening tendency to over-engineer a model. Too many pieces from unnecessary cuts that defy reasonable explanation. On this kit, the Bull Snapper's upper jaw/head was separated from its lower jaw/head (this same unnecessary cut was done on the Wrastler as well). I have seen plenty of croc models from Reaper and Crocodile games where models are cast with toothy, gaping jaws all in one piece with no loss of detail.

Also, at $18.99, this model is a little on the shrimpy side. I did not shrink when I paid $49.99 for the Blackhide Wrastler because the value was there, but in this case, I was a little taken aback. Had I not had to do the extra work in assembly, I might have been less disappointed.

Anyway, the model is done. I am happy with the final product, and he'll be an important part of the warband. I will, however, not be adding a second one. I don't do duplicate poses in skirmish games, and the manner in which this model is built makes modding him beyond my capabilities.

After a break, I'll tackle some oldies but goodies from PP, the Gatorman Posse.

Later this week, I'll feature another installment of Off The Shelf, and also show off some other stuff I've been plucking away at.

Thanks for checking out the blog!

--Scott

Hordes: Croak Hunter

As promised I have finished the first Croak Hunter! This might be my favorite PP figure among the dozens that I have painted for both myself and others. Who couldn't love a Bullywug with such attitude and style?

Anyway, on with the pics!









And here's a few comp shots with other Blindwater minis:





The pics in this post were taken on a third piece of swamp terrain I made using CD's and aquarium plants. These terrain bases are growing on me as they slowly take over the 2'x2' I have next to my painting area.

Next up, a return to Gamma World as I roll up a backup character and then try to find a model for him!

As always, thanks for checking out the blog!

--Scott

Swamp Terrain Bases (28mm)

I got two swamp bases done over the weekend. I am not entirely happy with their look, but I think they'll do the job, and they are easy to make. I just need to get a hold of some more old CD's and get some more done. I need them to be able to take up about 24" square section of a 4' x 4' board in order to be useful, so I will need to make at least 3 - 4 more.

Here are some pics:













This week I'll tackle a Croak Hunter, and maybe a few other projects.

--Scott

Hordes: Thrullg!

Looking to fill out my 15 pt. Blindwater Congregation force for Hordes, I noticed this guy on the rack at Phantom, so after examining him more closely, I snatched him up. He's a 3 pt. Solo in the game, and has some neat "tech" that will make him pretty useful.











He's a medium model, a lanky bugger--here's a comp shot of him with Barnabas and the Wrastler:



Next up, the Croak Hunter, when he arrives! And swamp terrain, if I can make it work.

--Scott

Hordes: Blackhide Wrastler

Managed to get this guy done in between servings of turkey!

This figure is massive, and at 6 pieces, went together well for a PP kit. I did not have to use any green stuff.














Here's a comp shot of the Wrastler with Barnabas:



Barnabas is no small model (that's a medium, 40mm base he's on), and as you can see, the Wrastler truly lives up to the Large Warbeast billing it gets.

Now I just need to wait to get a hold of the other figures that will comprise my 15 pt. force.

--Scott