Mad Maegrim of the 'Chosen Axes', the first of my summer random miniatures

So here is Mad Maegrim the first of what I think is going to be a string of painting with no rhyme of reason.

This is a 'Fyre Slayer' from the 'Chosen Axes' Shadespire set.

Another quick and easy paint scheme to help me get my eye in after a 7 month painting break.

I even used . . . . GASP!!  . . . . . some dry brushing!!!!!!

I know the shame. Please don't tell Lano!

In other news Tim and I managed to squeeze in TWO games of Scythe last night in under 3 hours!!

Played the first games as the 'Swedes' and the second games as the 'Japanese'. Some how managed to win with both games!!

Warhammer Underworlds: Shadespire. Sepulchral Guard, Petitioners and Champion.

Only the Sepulchral guard petitioners and Champion to post this week due to it being a barmy couple of weeks at work.

Warhammer Underworlds: Shadespire. Ironskull's Boyz

Finally finished up 'Ironskull's Boyz' this weekend.

'Storm of Sigmar' box set all painted up

I appear to be on a bit of a roll this half term with another complete set of miniatures finished up.

This time it is the 'Storm of Sigmar' box set I bought a couple of weeks ago.

First up the three Liberators

Warhammer Underworlds Shade Spirespire Warbands painted up and completed!

So I have finished up all the miniatures from the Shadespire core set.

First up the 'Steelheart's Champions'

Warhammer Underworlds Shadespire, Khornite Warband, Garrek's Reavers

Had these finished since Sunday but have been waiting ages for a decent stint of sunlight to take some pictures.

Unfortunately it has remained cloudy and grey in London so I have bitten the bullet and tried to take some photos today.

Here they are after the break. . .

5 Reasons the Age of Sigmar, 'Storm of Sigmar' boxset is great!

It's no secret that I am super hyped about 'Shadespire' being released on the 21st of October.

With this is mind I dropped into a GW store Saturday to place and pay for my pre-order.

While there two things happened; one I stopped worrying about the future of our hobby as the place was RAMMED with kids AND two I spotted this on the shelf. . . .

Age of Sigmar, Stormcast Eternal finished . . . and other chips from the lead mountain.

'Natural'

So my Stormcast Eternal is finally based. To be honest it was finished last Sunday but the light has been kack for photos or I have been getting back from work too late to catch the decent light.

'With dramatic light effect' i.e. with flash.

Age of Sigmar. Stormcast Eternal finished. . . . Well painted at least

"Raaaaaahhhh. Look at my dramatic light effect and tremble!"

With the picking up of my copies of White Dwarf Saturday I wanted to get paint on the Stormcast Eternal as soon as possible.

Say what you like about the game, the sculpts are GORGEOUS!!!!!! Just GORGEOUS!!!!!

Age of Sigmar. Slam your body down and wind it all around. Slam your body down Sig a Sig ah

Unlike most people on the web, I decided to wait until I had actually played a game of Sigmar before I passed Judgement.

This resulted in me revisiting Games Workshop Enfield to give my Empire Army a run out against the Sigmarites. 

Like everyone else I was confused by the whole "Just put what you want on the table, and I will do the same" way of balancing the game. Knowing the blokes I do (yes I am looking at you Ed and Russell), I can see this being abused in all sorts of ways. If you are out numbered by a third you can declare a 'Sudden death victory" but this just means your opponent will set up one less figure than you require to be able to claim this. Also how can plonking 3 bloody great Dragons on the table mean you are at a disadvantage if I field ten Spearmen?

Anyway I set up all my painted cavalry, Steve who runs the store and was kind enough to walk me through a game, fielded some Sigmarites from the starter box set.

A misreading of the rules meant we set up as follows,

What we should have done was split the table in two and then set up alternate units, more than 12" from enemy territory.

Steve was kind enough to print out all the Empire war scrolls for me to use. They are very, very simple.

And . . . breath

With the sound of thunder from last nights storms still ringing in my ears (portents of doom the gamers wail!), I waited outside a GW store this morning with a couple of other fellas for the shutters to roll up so I could buy my copy (or maybe two) of this weeks white dwarf. . . . or should that be White Steamhead Duardin!

And all I can say is, Keep calm and carry on.

I have to say my experience at the Games Workshop in Enfield was very positive, so much so I might be popping back tomorrow to give my Empire army (minus my proxies) a run out with the new rules.

My brother has moved to a house (literally a 3 minute drive) near the store and I popped in recently to buy some paints. I knew I would be alright when I spotted a Bloodbowl team in the miniature cabinet!

The fella running the place was sound and although he was running the "THIS IS ALL AWESOME!!!!!!!!" party line this morning, he is obviously a gamer and seemed genuinely interested as my 5 year old told him about his games of Lego Mordheim.

My Empire Army continues to be valid but is sort of considered the ancient version of the future Imperial Guard. Personally I am ok with this. This brings me on to another point. I to had to go through the whole 'oh no my army I spent bloody ages painting in now redundant. HOW BLOODY DARE THEY!!!! AAAARRRRRRRRHHHHHHHHH!!!!!

But the truth is, half the games I play are no longer supported by GW and they no longer produce miniatures for them (anyone for a game of Mordheim or Bloodbowl?), AND they continue to be brilliant games to play! If anything once a game is let go by GW it seems to get a second wind and gets another growth spurt. Also smaller companies and fans are free to produce their own miniatures and rule updates without having to worry about threatening letters about IP infringments dropping through the letter box!!!!

How can we not all be winners?

"But the Dwarves are now called Steamhead Duardin and Orks are called Orruks! Thats just stupid!".

Mate I play Warmahordes where Dwarves are called Rhul and have no beards and Elves are called Ios or the Retribution of Scyrah. Who really gives a shit?

With that I will now climb off my soap box and go and glue together my Stormcast Eternal for painting.