Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Ode to my 2/0

I recently retired my 0/2 Raphael detail brush the other day and couldn’t help but reflect on the number and quality of miniatures it helped me paint. This was my first brush from the Raphael manufacturer and I was extremely impressed. Before being introduced to these brushes a year ago, I had been painting with average water color brushes from the local arts and crafts store for over 10 years. This and my other sized Raphael brushes have proven to hold more paint (e.g. longer paint stroke per dip), maintain their point, and last longer than any brush I’ve used before. I wish I had found these much sooner. Although I was good about cleaning them with soap and had to occasionally clip a wayward bristle, I probably used my 2/0 well beyond its intended life span. The picture to the right has my old 2/0 beside the new one and it is obvious it has seen a lot of action. This brush has helped me detail and hardline 6 Eldar Swooping Hawks, 5 Wraith Guard, 5 Striking Scorpions, 1 Avatar, 10 Dire Avengers, 10 Howling Banshees, 6 Mounted Warlocks, 1 Fire Prism, 11 Fire Dragons, 2 Space Marine Dreadnaughts, a Rhino, a Drop Pod, and a LandRaider.

Saturday, May 2, 2009

Tau Commander


The Tau Commander known as a Shas'o or Shas'el is one of the most potent assets in the Tau arsenal. Equipped with a XV8 battle suit and three battle suit weapons or support systems a commander can bring a large amount of fire power to the table. The commander can also take up to two body guards known as Shas'vre. Body guards can carry as much fire power as the commander, making a command squad something the Tau player should not leave home without.

Each XV8 suit (or crisis suit) gives the owner a jet pack making them jump infantry (see special jump pack rules WH40k rule book). In addition Tau jet packs are relentless allowing the user to move and use all weapons as normal. This coupled with a T4, 3+ save, and a BS of 5 make a commander easily worth the 75 baseline points (cost does not include weapon load out).

The above picture is a modified Tau Shadowsun model (wearing an XV22 battle suit) used as a commander for my army. She is equipped with an Airbursting Fragmentation Projector (right hand) and a Missile Pod (left hand). The added space marine lets the Tau's most common enemy know what they can expect during the battle.

Friday, May 1, 2009

Ork Warboss


The Ork Warboss on a war-bike with a power klaw is a bargain for 125 points. Well, it's not a GREAT bargain, but it allows a Nobz or Meganobz squad to be counted as a Troops choice.

Toughness 6, with a 4+ save and 3 wounds usually soaks up a lot of firepower.