Blood Angels Rapier

Forge World have been relentlessly pumping out marine releases for the past couple of years like they are going out of fashion. Though I can appreciate the disdain from all the xenos players out there, I also love the re-imagining of classic, iconic Space Marine units. One in particular is the Rapier artillery piece. I actually purchased half a dozen of these on release last Summer for another army but never got around to getting them made. With the changes to Warhammer 40k 6th edition and the no-vehicles theme these will make nice additions to my Blood Angels Forces.

I parted with the original crew fairly soon after buying them since the mkII/III armour variants don’t fit too well with my other stuff, and built some new ones using standard plastic marine parts with a few Blood Angels bits mixed in. The artillery piece was superglued together and mounted on a base prior to priming. In hindsight this was a really bad idea, since I actually had to prise the thing apart again later to be able to get at the insides properly. In future I’ll paint the track sections and the main chassis parts separately.

The models I have are all good casts and were therefore fairly easy to paint. It really didn’t take very long at all to get it finished, even including assembling and painting the new crew members. The red of the artillery piece and power armour is simply Citadel Mephiston Red, shaded with Drakenhof Nightshade and then highlighted with Troll Slayer Orange. Mephiston Red is a pretty awesome ingredient for Blood Angels players since it really simplifies the red armour process. I can’t recommend it enough. It’s probably also worth mentioning that I prime using Halfords red car primer and I find that Mephiston Red covers this easily in one coat.

Now, if only Forge World could publish come consistent rules for it…. 😉

These Aren’t The Starfields We’re Looking For

Yesterday Fantasy Flight Games announced a new product for its promising X-Wing Miniatures Game – the Starfield Game Tile Kit. Featuring twelve 1 foot-by-1 foot matt finished, double-sided fibreboard tiles, it enables players to create their own portable and easy to store gaming surface, something which players have cried out for since the release of the game late last Summer.

Its a nice idea, but not one without its issues. Firstly, a common problem with the X-Wing game is that the slightest nudge of the models or even the table can result in the miniatures sliding out of position, and with the starfield kit that problem will likely still be apparent since the tiles have a smooth finish. Secondly the tiles don’t appear to be interlocking, which, in the absence of a frame to keep everything in position, will also likely mean the tiles themselves will be prone to sliding around. One nudged tile could mean having to restart a game.

Finally, at $40 (so I’m expecting around £30 here in the UK) it also seems a little on the expensive side, particularly when you compare that to similarly priced alternatives such as Gale Force Nine’s ‘Space Game Mats’ (and the range of those is going be expanded soon as well). I’ll reserve judgment until better photos are at hand or I’ve seen one in person but I have to say Fantasy Flight Games do appear to have missed a big opportunity here.

The Dead Suns Rise Again

This month will see the return to the tabletop of my Dead Suns Space Marines. They haven’t seen the light of day since the introduction of 6th edition 40k as I’ve been preoccupied with my Blood Angels army, but since the Storm Raven has now been added to the Space Marine codex I feel like using them again. The Storm Raven’s offering of versatility with punchy air support fire power and transport capabilities, coupled with the fact mine never gets used provides the perfect excuse to use it again.

I’m entered in a 1500pt single-day, three round tournament at The Outpost in Sheffield (lovely, friendly place by the way). Though not particularly a tournament-focused gamer I do like to do the odd ones, especially smaller events, and they’re always a good opportunity to meet a few new faces.

This is the list I’ve put together to use at the weekend;

• 1 x librarian in terminator armour with storm shield
• 5 x terminators, cyclone missile launcher, chainfist
• 5 x tactical marines, combi-plasma
• 5 x tactical marines
• 1 x razorback with lascannon and twin-linked plasmagun
• 1 x land speeder with typhoon missile launcher and heavy bolter
• 1 x land speeder with typhoon missile launcher and heavy bolter
• 1 x land raider with twin-linked lascannons, heavy bolter and multi-melta
• 1 x vindicator
• 1 x thunderfire cannon
• 1 x storm raven with twin-linked plasma cannon, stormstrike missiles and multi-melta

It may seem a strange list at first but of the three missions on the day, only the first one contains multiple primary objectives. Mission two is the Emperor’s Will and mission three is a variation on the kill points scenario. After getting pummeled several times with my Blood Angels, who incidentally have very little weaponry that has a range greater than 12″, it will be nice to actually be able to pick a target and shoot something on turn one…….

Iterations And Reiterations

Having recently discharged myself from the hell hotel that was my local gaming club I find myself in an awkward position. I’m sat on three years worth of blog posts in need of a good home. I didn’t want to leave them where they were as they would likely end up disappearing forever at some point so the One Inch Rifles blog has been created as their new home. Kinda like a retirement home for text and old photographs if you will.

In between converting and uploading all the old entries I’ll also be updating with new entries as an ongoing project, detailing my love/hate/mindless slave-like obedience towards miniatures games. Games Workshop’s Warhammer 40,000 (including Space Hulk and Epic as well) has long been my main field of conflict, though I have in the past year started dipping toes into other oceans, most notable Infinity, Dropzone Commander and X-Wing (a game of which is about the closest thing I’ll ever get to being five years old again). I’d also try to get into a LCG, but that’s for another post.

Keep an eye on the blog, subscribe, comment and the content will keep flowing.