My new Wolf Lord is ready for the Las Vegas Open! A Space Marine Captain with sustained hits and Finest Hour make him a nasty problem for my opponents to deal with. Now he just needs a name. #spacemarines40k #spacewolves #vlkafenryka #spacewolves40k

I was playing around with new color schemes, and I wanted to capture the feel of Maschinen Krieger models on a 40k figure. I tried to mimic one of the classic Ma.k schemes on this Intercessor. I like it, but I think the green was too dark and should be a lighter or paler shade of green would be better and maybe more gray patterns.  I'll probably try again on another figure  and add decals on the next test mini.  #spacemarines40k #astartes #homebrewchapter #maschinenkrieger 

I just put on the finishing touches on 10 more Wolf Guard Terminators for my 2024 LVO army. With a terminator chaplain leading these guys, they are darn near unstoppable. Despite only having damage 1 on their lightning claws, they each have 5 attacks (with sustained hits from my saga,) AP 2, and twin linked. The Chaplain gives them +1 to wound. They hit on 2+ on my Oath of Moment target, and don't suffer any penalty to hit.  They sandpaper enemies to death. 

My buddy, Kyle, needed an assassin for a tournament for this weekend, so I slapped a quick coat of paint on this old Callidus in his army's color scheme. I hope she served him well, unless I have to play him.  #warhammercommunity #oldhammer #assassin40k #Warhammer40k

My regular play group has fallen apart at my favorite game store. For years, the Sunday Morning Fight Club met (on Sundays) to mostly play games of Warhammer 40k, but many in the group have wandered away for other games or simply dropped out of the hobby. I was heartbroken. My community had left, or left me behind, but I was determined to keep playing, even if i could only manage a few tournament games. This past summer at a tournament, I decided to not use the SMFC as my team,  and as a gag, I created the Topeka Radio Symphony Orchestra on Best Coast Pairings. Why that name? I love classical music, I worked previously in broadcasting, I love listening to the radio, and it was the least like a Warhammer team name that I could come up with at the time. There are so many teams that have hard core team names that I thought an orchestra is about as counter-culture to a group of miniature wargamers as I could concoct. Since the other geoup fell apart, I've stated getting regular games w...

My Space Wolf Erradicators unit is complete and ready to join the pack! On a whim, I painted the yellow stripe on their helms and I really like how the pop of color works on the mostly flat Grey armor. I may have to add that to more models in my army. The road to the LVO inches closer!

I've written about this before, but I love the Praetorian Guard of the Imperial Guard, nay Astra Militarum. I'm day dreaming about playing them again but they are in various states of stripped paint, waiting for fresh primer and a coat of paint. Annnndddd rebasing. I took a brief break from painting my Wolves for the LVO to do a quick repaint on one of my troopers. I'm hemming and hawing over the perfect color pallet for these guys but i think this is going to be the final paint choice. Hull Red and Heavy Red for the blouse. Heavy Blue + black for the trousers.  Administratum Grey for the helm and gear. WWII Russian Uniform for the Las gun. Heavy Yellow for the eppilets. Man, those guys seem so tiny compared to the new scale of 40k models. #Warhammer40k #miniaturepainting #astramilitarum #praetorianguard #imperialguard

Another Space Wolf Erradicator, ready for the hunt!  #astartes #spacewolves #vlkafenryka #erradicators #warhammercommunity #spacemarines40k #spacewolves40k 

I just finished this Sergeant for my Space Wolf Erradicators unit and I'm pretty happy with how he turned out!  He's one of the new additions to my army for the LVO. #spacemarines40k #astartes #spacewolves #spacewolves40k #vlkafenryka #erradicators #warhammercommunity

Here's a Gladiator Lancer I've nearly finished for my home-brew Space Marine Chapter,  the Rampant Lions.  I don't think I like the green on green port holes. Maybe red? #Warhammer40k #spacemarines #astartes #spacemarines40k #gladiatorlancer 

  The single best unit in every Space Marine army is the Infiltrator squad. The ability to block 12-inches (up to 24") of enemy deep strikes prevents untold amount of points from being scored by your opponent. My Infiltrators typically don't leave my deployment zone and just screen my home objective and backfield. Those pesky units that like to pop up within 3" and steal your home objective can't. Infiltrators have become a little pricey and are currently 100 points. Their guns are almost useless because they are heavy, but they come with a free helix gauntlet for a handy feel-no-pain. I bring at least one unit in every battle. #Warhammer40k #spacemarines #astartes #spacemarines40k #infiltrators

The Tale of Four Gamers and @arbitorian have been talking about my favorite historical war from the future, the Badab War.  My army ADD keeps getting the best of me, but I intend on painting more of my Salamander collection in the Badab War camouflage scheme. The TOFGs are starting off with Kill Team, but I'm going for a fill 2K. #tofg #tofgbadab #Warhammer40k #spacemarines #astartes #salamanders40k #warhammercommunity #oldhammer #roguetrader #badabwar

At the end of September, my buddy Kyle made and I made a quick trip to Wichita, Kansas for the Flying Monkey Warhammer 40k Grand Tournament. I brought my Space Wolves "wolf jail" list and Kyle brought his Custodes. The tourney was held in a massive hall in an even more massive convention center. It was fairly nice and the tables were mostly spread out enough to move around and not bump butts with the chap at the table behind you. There weren't any support tables for your gear but it was much nicer than the LVO end-to-end layout. Day one didn't go well for me... I was thumped hard by a World Eaters player. We only made it through the top of turn 3 in the 2.5 hours and talked out the rest of my turn 3. I hadn't had many problems reaching turn 5 in my games before so I'm not sure who or what was eating the clock. Round 2 I played solid Templars army but I could not make a 4+ save when it counted. It was a big loss for me.  My third game was against an Ultramarine...

This is what passes for Sky Claws these days. You can tell Darren Latham designed these because they are on their tippy-toes. He's a fantastic designer, but I hate the balance issue with these guys and I wish they were more flat footed. I've never liked the phrase, "tech" when talking about miniature games, units, or abilities. One of the reasons I enjoy the hobby is that it's not digital, I can get my hands dirty crafting models and playing games without a digital product and "tech" feels out of place.  However, I do need to tap into some useful units and I've added a squad of Jump Pack Intercessors to my Space Wolf  Great Company, the Storm Breakers. #Warhammer40k #spacewolves40k #vlkafenryka

I recently finished this Space Wolf Librarian, or Rune Priest for you long fangs. He's pretty top-heavy and easily gets knocked over due to the metal eagle. I need to glue some weights under his base.  #miniaturepainting #paintingwarhammer #grimdark #warhammercommunity #spacewolves #spacewolves40k #vlkafenryka

I've recently switched from oil washes to enamel washes for recess shading minis. They are very similar in use, but they are already mixed, just as easy to remove, and look fantastic. The enamels haven't completely replaced oil paint, but they are my go-to method. #miniaturepainting #paintingwarhammer #grimdark #warhammercommunity #spacewolves #spacewolves40k #vlkafenryka 

I normally don't like playing with named characters, but I entered a GT at the end of the month, and Logan Grimnar is a fantastic piece for the Wolves. I just finished painting this version to lead my successor chapter/great company, the Storm Breakers. #miniaturepainting #paintingwarhammer #grimdark #warhammercommunity #spacewolves #spacewolves40k #vlkafenryka #logangrimnar

My birthday to myself this year is a Joytoy Warhammer 40k Space Marine from my favorite chapter, the Salamanders! It is expensive for an action figure, but it is well made and comes with lots of options for hands, weapons, and a head option. There are joints, or points of articulation, all over this battle brother, including his toes. You could position him into tons of poses and even equip him as a tactical marine with all of the extra "bits," or accessories as they call them in Toyland. Now, do I repaint or keep him as a doll? #joytoy #salamanders40k #Warhammer40k

The "Damnedlegion40k" made a YouTube short about Space Wolves and used a picture of my model during the whole thing. I don't know if I'm flattered or pissed.  Needless to say, he didn't ask permission to use my photo or even give me credit.

A couple of weeks ago, I played in a small Warhammer 40k RTT, then a GT at a nearby FLGS. Between both tournaments (a total of 8 games) I won only 3 matchups. I haven’t played Warhammer 10th edition very well and it shows. In my local game store, many of the players have left because they’ve grown frustrated with 40k and my regular circle of friends in my gaming group has gone from about to 10 down to 2. To be honest, it’s heartbreaking. I thought Pariah Nexus would bring some of them back to the game, but so far, no dice. We had a vibrant community but now it’s hard to get a pickup game locally. There’s usually a monthly RTT nearby that I can go grab some games to scratch that itch but I’m still sad that many of my friends have drifted away. I’m lucky that I enjoy the crafting side of the game and that allows me to stay engaged with the hobby via this blog and my Instagram posts though. That’s a long-winded way to say that I’m not playing as often as I’d like, and I suck at the game. ...

Here's my latest Ork Warboss in Mega Armor conversion. I think I'll call him Kaptain Krump. He's made from an old Gahz body, Kaptain Badrukk head, a deff dread claw, a green stuff flag, and some Space Marine odds and ends. The treasure chest is from Mordheim. What do you think?  #orks40k #deathskulls #waaagh #dakka #conversion #miniaturepainting #waaagh #Warhammer40k #28mm #28mag #freebooterz

  A new boy to the mob, probably leading Lootas.

This last weekend I took my Eldar "big boy" list to a Warhammer 40k Rogue Trader Tournament just north of where I live.  The organizers scheduled it long before Pariah Nexus and new FAQs were announced and decided to keep the missions and rules for Leviathan even though they were just released. Because of the hype for Pariah Nexus and the new Balance Data Slate, a lot of players dropped and skipped the whole event. I thought it would be fun to bring my double Wraithknight and Yncarne list to try my luck and see what happens. It needs a little luck when drawing tactical objectives because it struggles scoring primary. Long story short, it's fun but not a great tournament list.  My list:   Eldar (2000 points) Aeldari Strike Force (2000 points) Battle Host CHARACTERS Farseer (80 points)   • 1x Eldritch Storm     1x Shuriken pistol     1x Singing spear Farseer (100 points)   • 1x Eldritch Storm     1x Shuriken pistol     ...

  Nightshift made a 40k model!  Martin is a historical armor modeler and one of the best painters and modlers on YT. I've followed his videos for years and I use many of his techniques on my 40k figures. It's so satisfying to see his approach to a 40k figure. His thoughts on the armor panels and bolts is very insightful. 

I have a handful of the new GW Orks and this is the first one I've painted. The way it was sliced during the molding process made for some difficult seams to fill, sand and remove but it's a more dynamic mono-pose figure. I think I still prefer the arms, torso, legs approach. #40korks #orks40k #deathskulls #orks #waaagh #Warhammer40k #40kapocalypse #miniaturepainting 

I can't remember if this is a Gorkamorka boy or an older Space Ork boy, but I love this sculpt! #Warhammer40k #waaagh #oldhammer #orks #40korks #orks40k #spaceorks #deathskulls #miniaturepainting #armageddon40k #gorkamorka 

I got a little 2000AD in my 40k. Some poor Street Judge has been looted and is missing his uniform! 

 Meta? More dakka! I've always enjoyed pirates and I recently took a vacation in the Bahamas and it was hard not to think about playing and painting a pirate miniature game. I doubt my local gaming group would pick up Firelock or another game system, but as I sat on the sand and watched the waves, I toyed with the idea of painting my Orks as Freebooterz.  I'm repainting my old army already and adding more color would be easy enough to take my Deathskulls in a more swashbuckeling direction. I have some conversation ideas in mind and I'm kind of pumped for this new direction.  Lore wise, there isn't any conflict as most Freebooterz are made up of outcasts from other clans. Mine will just have a heavy Deathskull contingent. To that end, I put a little purple on this lad's shoota to give him some freebooter flair.

 I just finished this surly fellow.

This Wood Elf Wardancer just got a new base and a little touch-up to his paint job. I forgot how metal models chip... #miniaturepainting #paintingwarhammer #warhammerofficial #warhammercommunity #oldhammer #whfb #warhammeroldworld #woodelf #woodelves 

This past weekend I made the short trek to Holton, Kansas to play in the Freestate Gaming Club GT. It was a five round GT with 32 players. I went 2-3 with my Salamanders. I know that my Salamanders/Space Marines aren’t in the greatest spot compared to the meta lists but I gave it my best and kept my chin up in some brutal losses. Also, I was dog tired and I have a serious case of medicine head from my allergy meds that are trying to combat a battle against a spore invasion from my arch nemesis, Spring.   Here’s my list: Vulcan He’stan Apothecary 5 Assault Intercessors 5 Intercessors 3 Flamer Aggressors x 2 3 Bladeguard Veterans x 2 3 Erradicators x 2 Landraider Crusader x 2 Redemptor Dreadnought (Onlsaught loadout) Repulusor Repulsor Executioner with Heavy Laser Destroyer Here’s a quick recap. Day 1: Round 1: 18-100 loss to Orks. Oof. Joe’s ork nob list ate all of my vehicles by the end of round 2 and the Orks went krumpin and I was tabled by round 3. I tried to yeet my Redemptor d...

I rebased my oldhammer Wood Elf Shaman. I need a couple more touch-ups, but I'm fairly happy with it.  #miniaturepainting #paintingwarhammer #oldhammer #oldworld #theoldworld #woodelves #woodelf #warhammerofficial #warhammercommunity

A rebased Oldhammer Wood Elf Standard Bearer ready to rejoin the Old World. I never thought I'd play with these models again! Also, rebasing is a pain, but I do like the extra space it gives the model.  #miniaturepainting #paintingwarhammer #warhammerofficial #warhammercommunity #middlehammer #oldworld #theoldworld #woodelves #woodelf #oldhammer 

I have army ADHD. Send help ... or more models. Either is fine. #miniaturepainting #paintingwarhammer #ageofsigmar #gloomspitegitz #goblinmode #nightgoblins #nightgoblins #squig #warhammerofficial #warhammercommunity #oldhammer #whfb

For Athel Loren! I'm pulling my wood elves out of long-term storage and repainting them to actually play a game with them in the near future and I'm so excited. I never thought they would see a tabletop again! Since I need to rebase them for Old World, I figured I'd start from scratch and give my entire collection a fresh coat of paint and this fellow is the first in line.  The Wood Elves were my first WHFB army and I've got the same thrill now as I did when I first played a game all those years ago and I can't wait to play again.  #miniaturepainting #paintingwarhammer #oldhammer #oldworld #theoldworld #woodelves #woodelf #warhammerofficial 

I think I just received on the of the biggest compliments in my miniature painting career. I posted a recent pic of my Alpha Legion legionnaire on Duncan Rhodes Painting Academy’s Facebook page and much to my surprise, I received this comment!   Needless to say, I’m extremely flattered and it made my day! I don’t know if it was Duncan himself, a staffer, or a bot who made the comment, but it made me feel great. It goes to show how taking a few minutes to say something nice can really boost someone. For my part, I'm going to try to keep that rolling and make similar feedback to the people I follow. I know I'm not Duncan, but I think the positivity is something the community needs.   

I haven't successfully kicked the urge to paint an Alpha Legion army... #miniaturepainting #paintingwarhammer #grimdark #warhammercommunity #horusheresy #alphalegion40k #40kalphalegion #spacemarines40k #adeptusastartes #astartes

This daft git disarms himself by throwing his spear at the start of every battle. He then has to resort to throwing rocks and poorly worded slurs at his enemy.  #miniaturepainting #paintingwarhammer #ageofsigmar #gloomspitegitz #goblinmode #nightgoblins #grimdark 

I've always wanted to do a loyalist Alpha Legion army, and I did this test model to get it out of my system. The urge to repaint my silver and green marines is strong, especially after finding this shade of blue that I really enjoy.  The Alpha Legion Horus Heresy novels are some of my favorites in the series and I love their motivations for joining the side of the Warmaster. Their "wildcard" loyalties, their true mission, and their duplicitous tactics, coupled with their shadowy origins are all great fodder for any author to write real a page-turner beyond the bolter-porn of many 40k novels. You really can never predict how their stories will turn out or what secrets will be uncovered and that unpredictably keeps me hooked. The "Trefoil" background shared with the Salamanders and Space Wolves also keeps fueling my urge for a playable Alpha Legion army. Having three armies with a common thread is desirable, but I can't articulate why I need or want that kind ...