Veteran Sniper Conversion Brainstorm

The picture is from an article on Games Workshop's website about kitbashing guard infantry. Available here.

I've been inspired by the gentleman on the left who is kitbashed with bits from a Baneblade crewman and the arms from the WHFB Empire Handgunners kit. I'm thinking that I could use that method with some of these gents to make some snipers for my veteran squads:



It could make for a unique looking unit. Now to get the bits for a test model....

A Brief Guard Update

I've had a couple weeks now to play around with the Guard codex, and so far it's been working out fairly well. I've lost many more games than I've won thus far, but I feel like I am starting to get a handle on the codex. Getting over the "new, shiny" factor which comprises a large portion of the codex is a big part of that.

The answer I've found is....TANKS! And lots of them!

My latest list looks something like this:

HQ:

Company Command Squad
(Vox,Autocannon,Chimera)

Inquisitor Lord
(Psychic Hood, Bolt Pistol/CCW,3 Mystics)

TROOPS:

Veteran Squad
(Lascannon, 3 Sniper Rifles, Forward Sentries, Vox)

Veteran Squad
(Missile Launcher, 3 Sniper Rifles, Forward Sentries, Vox)

Veteran Squad
(Shotguns, 3 Melta guns)

Veteran Squad
(Shotguns, 3 Melta guns, Grenadiers, Chimera)

Veteran Squad
(Shotguns, 3 Melta guns, Grenadiers, Chimera)

FAST ATTACK:

Vendetta

HEAVY SUPPORT:

Leman Russ Battle Tank


Leman Russ Battle Tank


Leman Russ Squadron:

1.)Leman Russ Battle Tank
(Camo Netting)

2.)Leman Russ Executioner
(Plasma Sponsons,Knight Commander Pask, Camo Netting)


I imagine I will eventually drop a Russ to add in a Psyker battle squad mounted in a Chimera (sometime when I'm not facing down Runes of Warding every game.) I will also eventually either buff the Inquisitor Lord's retinue so that he is capable of contributing something other than hiding in the corner waiting for someone to try and use a psychic power or deepstrike nearby. Some heavy bolters perhaps? Either that or drop him in favor of an Elites choice Inquisitor with Mystics and a hood to shave points.

I have also discovered:

-Valkyries, while fragile, make excellent melta-vet delivery devices. (Especially with a 24" scout move.)

-The Leman Russ Executioner is extraordinarily expensive when kitted out properly (Plasma Sponsons, Commander Pask, Camo Netting, and perhaps a vare-bones Russ as an ablative tank to soak up some fire,) but it's worth it. :)

The potential for a 3+ cover save on AV 14 makes this tank, which ordinarily would be #1 on the target priority list, a much less attractive target.

-The Imperial Guard Alpha Strike is amazing. Case in point: a game with Rob that lasted approximately 25 minutes- or one shooting phase.

One of these days I'll get around to trying a Platoon-based list, but for right now...Vets are just too damn cool.


I've been able to get some modeling in as well. My first Forgeworld order finally came in - so I've been able to start on the Chaos Renegades which will serve as my vets in the final list. Haven't had time to snap any decent pictures of them yet, but I will hopefully update with those later.

In the meantime here's one of the objective markers I threw together while waiting for some washes to dry the other day.



More to come eventually!

Valkyrie Base #1

I finally remembered to pick up some batteries for my camera, and managed to take a few shots of my first Valkyrie base. It is currently in the "Good enough for now - one day I will come back and actually finish it" purgatory where 99% of my projects end up.

It was a lot of fun putting this together, and it gave me a chance to go through my over-flowing bitz box (not to mention finally paint at least one of the storm boyz that have been sitting on the shelf for months.)




I'll get some pics of the Valk on the base whenever it's completely finished.


For the second Valk's base I'm thinking of sacrificing a AoBR dread and a couple of the battered land speeders I've got lying around in the bits box.

Hmmm....

INCOMING!

This post is coming a bit late as all my loot actually came in on May 1st, but....The Imperial Guard have arrived!



Not pictured are a Cadian Command Squad, more Cadians, and some assorted Forge World Chaos Renegade bits.

So far I've got one Valk mostly finished and based, and I'm just getting started on the second one. I must say: the kit is awesome. It's got some of the best features I've seen in a GW kit: functional sliding doors, pivoting heavy bolter assemblies,and most importantly....a flying base that actually works!

The batteries of my camera died before I could get any pictures of the built Valk and base, but I will eventually take some and throw them up here.

In the mean time...I have started work on the second Valk, and decided to try a salt mask to weather it. (As detailed in this tutorial.)

I am very happy with the results:





Now to detail the interior and actually put it together!

As far as gaming with the IG - got my first game in Friday with Rob. (He did a write-up on it on his blog if you're interested in how it played out.)
My list needs some tweaking, and it will be a big adjustment after playing Orks for so long - but I like it!