Grailsword Part 6 & Update

Well i have decided to focus on the Grailsword crusade rather than Contqual mainly because little has been said on this compared to Contqual so i can let it progress how i want rather than being constrained by the set ideas, this will also help with any stories and pieces i write for the project. Therefore i will be expanding the ideas from just the Iron Hands into the Eldar, Red Talons and Brazen Claws in the near future.

I have also (just about) decided on a new fantasy army in Nurgle Beasts of Chaos, i will probably start this in anticipation of the new Army Book expected in Q1 2010 starting with some Pestigor as i really like the models. The only things that would change this would be if Tomb Kings were definately a release for next year or if the new Skaven Army Book gives options for themed and Clan focused armies.

Back to the blog

Well after a brief hiatus to move home i finally have decent access to the internet and to my Fantasy/40k. This post is really just a planning post to focus my goals on what i want to achieve over the coming months. Now in no particular order.

1. Work more on the Grailsword/Contqual project
2. Finish painting my Iron Hands
3. Convert a more Bionic 'Lysander'
4. Finally decide on a new Fantasy army
5. Start planning my Ad Mech additions properly (I already have a magos i use as a counts-as Inquisitor, but i want to create another one as well as a tech-priest assassin based from the Horus Heresy: Collected Visions)

WIP Counts-As Lysander

Here is a quick WIP of my counts-as Lysander. He has bionic legs built from plasticard rods. The Terminator body came from the free Terminator from WD, the shoulder pads are the Dark Angel Dreadnought Shin Pads, the cape from the CSM Terminator Lord boxset, the arms are from the CC Terminarot boxset. He's not too bad, but he will suffice until i can convert a better model for 'Lysander', i am planning one with 4 bionic limbs, and the rest of his body will be largely scratch built.

2000 point Army List

This is the latest army list that i have used. Whilst it is based off the old Rhino Rush style it was still very effective , especially as i was against a Marine gunline with 3 Terminatorsquads Deep Striking as support.

Lysander
5 CC Terminators: 3xThunder Hammer and Storm Shield, 2xLightning Claws.
Land Raider Crusader, Multi Melta, Extra Armour.
10 Sternguard, Power Fist, 2 Combi-Melta, 1 Combi-Plasma.
Rhino, Extra Armour.
Tactical Squad. Power Fist, Plasma Pistol, Plasma Gun, Plasma Cannon.
Rhino, Extra Armour.
Tactical Squad. Power Fist, Cobi-Melta, Meltagun, Multi Melta.
Rhino, Extra Armour.
10 CC Scouts, Power Fist.
Ironclad, Heavy Flamer, Melta Gun.
Vindicator, Extra Armour, Siege Shield.
Total=2000pts

Project Grailsword\Contqual Part 5

Sergeant Development

As per the fluff Iron Hands don't have their Terminator Veterans in squads, the veterans lead other squads to inspire their battle brothers.

Terminator Sergeant
0-3 Tactical, Sternguard or Vanguard squads may replace their Sergeant with a Terminator Sergeant.

WS BS S T W I A LD SV
4 4 4 4 1 4 2 9 2+
Unit Type: Infantry
Wargear: Terminator Armour, Storm Bolter, Power Sword
Special Rules: And They Shall Know No Fear, Combat Tactics, Inspiring Presence
Options: He may replace his Power Sword for a Power Fist at no cost. He may replace his Power Sword and Stormbolter with either a Pair of Lightning Claws or a Thunder Hammer & Storm Shield.

Special Rules
Inspiring Presence: Whilst a Terminator Sergeant is alive the unit may re-roll failed Morale Checks.

Project Grailsword\Contqual Part 4

Venerated Bannus development

This is the initial post for another of the HQ choices i am developing for this project. I chose Bannus as he is the most well known, and with the new Ironclad it is easier to legitamise the Chain Fist Bannus is portrayed with as per the Iron Hands novel.

Venerated Dreadnought Bannus 225pts

WS BS S FA SA RA I A
5 5 6 13 13 10 4 3

Unit Composition: One Dreadnought
Unit Type: Vehicle (Walker)
Wargear: Assault Cannon, Dreadnought Chain Fist (with built in Storm Bolter), Smoke Launchers, Searchlight, Extra Armour.
Special Rules: Venerable, Bannus' Heraldry, Chapter Tactics.
Dedicated Transport: May select a Drop Pod (see p135 C:SM)

Special Rules
Dreadnought Chain Fist: Counts as a DCCW which rolls 2D6 for armour penetration.
Bannus' Heraldry: counts as a Company Standard.
Chapter Tactics: If you include Bannus than all units in the Iron Hands army exchange the Combat Tactics special rule for the Stubborn USR. If more than one character in your army has the Chapter Tactics specail rule, you must choose which version will apply.

Project Grailsword\Contqual Part 3

Iron Father Development

Here is the first idea for the Iron Father, i'm going for a blend of MotF and Chaplain, whilst still being a good support character.

Iron Father 180pts

WS BS S T W I A LD SV
4 5 4 4 2 4 2 10 2+

Unit Type: Infantry
Wargear:Master Crafted Power Axe, Boltgun or Bolt Pistol, Artificer Armour, Servo Harness, Frag Grenades, Melta Bombs, Mechanicus Protectiva, Digital Weapons.
Special Rules: And They Shall Show No Fear, Combat Tactics, Independant Character, Chapter Tactics, Honour of the Chapter, Blessing of the Omnissiah, Feel No Pain, Servitors.

Special Rules
Mechanicus Protectiva: Confers a 4+ Invunerable Save
Chapter Tactics: If you include a Iron Father than all units in the Iron Hands army lose the Combat Tactics special rule. Instead, all HQ choices, Techmarines and Sergeants gain the Feel No Pain USR. If more than one character in your army has the Chapter Tactics special rule, you must choose which version will apply.
Servitors: You may include one unit of Servitors as per their rules on p138 of C:SM.
May replace his Boltgun as per the options for the MotF on p 133 of C:SM.

Project Grailsword\Contqual Part 2

I have been mulling over some possible Iron Hands Chapter Tactics, i have thought about 2 possible tactics, one im thinking is for the Iron Father and the other for either the Clan Commander or a Venerated Dreadnought.

Tactic One
If you include (x) than all units in the Iron Hands army lose the Combat Tactics special rule. Instead, all HQ choices, Techmarines and Sergeants gain the Feel No Pain USR. If more than one character in your army has the Chapter Tactics special rule, you must choose which version will apply.

Tactic Two
If you include (x) than all units in the Iron Hands army exchange the Combat Tactics special rule for the Stubborn USR. If more than one character in your army has the Chapter Tactics specail rule, you must choose which version will apply.

Project Grailsword\Contqual

I have always planned to develop a ruleset for the Iron Hands fitting in with the new style of Chapter Tactics as the Iron Hands are the only first founding chapter to not be represented in any of the current codices. I had inspiration firstly in the form of the Bell of Lost Souls recent Badab War campaign pack as well as re-reading part of the novel Iron Hands. I have now decided to develop something similar, a campaign either based upon the Grailsword campaign mentioned in the novel, or one based on the Purging of Contqual from the Index Astartes III book (and more recently in C:SM).

Very little has been mentioned about the Grailsword campaign other than the fact it is against the Eldar, and features the Iron Hands, Brazen Claws and the Red Talons Space Marine Chapters. This gives me good scope to put my own ideas to the campaign. If i choose Grailsword i plan to do three characters for each of the Chapters, some supporting Imperial characters as well as several Xenos characters.

Contqual would give me some other options, firstly being able to focus purely on the Iron Hands (marine wise) as well as adding Inquisition, Guard and Mechanicus elements. It would also give me scope for Traitor Guard, CSM and Daemons on the Chaos side.

This will take some time, but i will post what i can as and when things develop.

Whole Iron Hands Army

I thought it was about time that i would put some photos of my WIP Iron Hands, hopefully this will encourage me to work on them more to get them fully converted, painted and based, especially as close up photos really show what needs doing.

Whole Army Photo

Iron Father Galenium

Epistolary Bucharis

Explorator Magos Castaboras

So far i have available
'Pedro Kantor'
2 Librarians
Iron Father/Master of the Forge
Techmarine
Command Squad
3 Tactical Squads
Scout CCW Squad
Scout Sniper Squad (Not Pictured)
Devastator Squad
Assault Squad
Sternguard
Biker Squad
Ironclad Dreadnought
Magos & Retinue (Counts-As OM Inquisitor Lord)
Arbites Judge & Retinue (Counts-As OH Inquisitor)
OH Inquisitor
Land Raider Crusader
3 Rhinos (1 Not Pictured)
2 Whirlwinds
Vindicator
Land Speeder Typhoon
Predator Annihilator

Evolution of a list

After the recent failings of my counts-as Pedro Kantor I have decided to retire him (for now) and replace him with a converted counts-as Lysander. Both are mainly in for the Stubborn USR which fits the Iron Hands perfectly, and whilst the Sternguard won't be scoring, Lysanders bolter drill will more than make up for that.

'Lysander'=200pts
10 Sternguard: Power Fist, Combi-Melta x 1=280pts
10 Tactical Marines: Power Fist, Combi-Melta, Meltagun, Multi-Melta=210pts
10 Tactical Marines: Power Fist, Plasma Pistol, Plasma Gun, Plasma Cannon=225pts
10 Scouts: Power Fist=165pts
Ironclad: 2xHeavy Flamers=150pts
Vindicator: Siege Shield=125pts
10 Scouts: 9xSniper Rifles=140pts
Total=1495pts

Alt-Swap Ironclad and Vindicator for 10 Devastators: 2x Lascannon, 2xMissile Launcher=270pts for a total of 1490pts

1500pts Iron Hands

This is my regular 1500pt Iron Hands list, it has been fairly effective in a variety of scenarios as well as for Planetstrike (where it has only been let down by my poor rolling). It is fairly balanced aswell which is something i prefer in any army i create, along with a themed or fluff orientated focus.

1500pts
'Pedro Kantor'=175pts
Techmarine, power Weapon=65pts
10 Sternguard, Power Fist, Combi-Melta=280pts
10 Tactical Marines, Power Fist, Combi-Melta, Meltagun, Multi-Melta=210pts
10 Tactical marines, Power Fist, Plasma Pistol, Plasma Gun, Plasma Cannon=225pts
10 Scouts, Power Fist, Bolt Pistol & CCW's=165pts
Land Speeder Typhoon=90pts
Vindicator, Siege Shield, Extra Armour=140pts
Ironclad, 2 Heavy Flamers=150pts