So, I have four classic metal minis (Ophelia LaCroix, Francois LaCroix, Rami LaCroix and Pere Ravage) and I'm still waiting for the final one (Rapheal LaCroix) to show up. The four are getting really close to completion and I'll work hard over the weekend to finish them. This means I'll have four to upload since the fifth will still take time to paint. Being classic metals, I am aware of the plastics and I'll probably get the Gremlin Kin pack as my first set (which a basically plastic versions of the current metal Kin I have).
From there I do plan to get more, though one box set (the Vikorias) seems to be constantly out of stock. It's not surprising that bad-ass female fighters who kick butt would be so popular, but that means having to wait to see if more stock gets in (Even Wyrd mentions that it's a very popular one and they'll try to get more out there soon).
So look out for these ones soon.
Update: Me and my big mouth. Saturdays are usually a bust as I work that day, so I have Sunday off this week. Terrible nights sleep, new neighbours moving in so lots of thumping when I wanted to sleep in and having decided to go for a walk, somehow I pulled (I think?) a mussel between my right shoulder and neck, leaving me in unbelievable pain. Recovered a bit now and am doing my best to get back to the painting. If there is one benefit, is that I got to use the Youtube app on my TV to look at various water base techniques and various tutorials and now I'm full of ideas for the future.
Update 2: So yeah, that pain has ment only three hours sleep, but the Rapheal model showed up and I'm already working on it's base. I'll finish the tidy ups on the others while trying to rush through this last model to complete the collection. I want to start planning on the plastics that I'll order in the next few days.
Saturday, 27 June 2015
If you can't sell Fantasy....
.....make Space Marines and call it Fantasy
I honestly have no idea anymore. This....just seems so wrong. It doesn't scream Fantasy or Warhammer to me. If anything, all I can think of is 40K and my eyes turn away. I don't know.
I guess Chaos for the most part looks the same.....well, more then the Empire does at any rate. I'm very concerned as to what will become of my beloved Skaven. I really don't care that much for the rules, though I suspect that it will closely mirror that of 40K and am more focused on what they'll do to the Lore and to the look of the miniatures. The same rumours that proved this true also said Skaven would take a more Steampunk look and while I do love Steampunk, there is a right way for it to look and there is a wrong way. Given my complete distrust of the company now, I am very worried that they might copy other miniatures style instead of being creative while still keeping it in the Gothic style. which both Fantasy and 40K are supposed to be based.
I can only imagine just how expensive this will cost in Australia, so I hope rulebooks a separate so I can review the game, though I suspect I'll still have to wait awhile for the Skaven releases before I can give a full review and have a final opinion.
Friday, 26 June 2015
Timelaps Video by Capturing The Night
One of the many photographers who inspire me to keep up with my photography. I hope to be this good in the future.
DeviantArt page here.
Searching for Creativity in Wargaming
Agreed. Perhaps I feel sometimes I loose sight of this. I mean, it's one of the main reasons I paint miniatures and is one of the few creative outputs I have. This is a very improtant part of miniature wargaming and I feel I'm not the only one who tends to forget this at times.
My Thoughts On: Malifaux - Crossroads
Wow......so that took a somewhat darker twist. Just to clarify, I really liked the Lucius miniature, but damn is the lore for him twisted. Having read that short story on him, not so keen to paint that one now.
Anyway, Malifaux: Crossroads is the second book for it's 2nd Edition and features more characters, upgrades and scenarios. In fact, each scenario has a short story and that short story is about one of the leaders they have in the book. Each faction has three leaders, so three short stories, each with their attached scenario. This is an excellent way to show off these leaders as in the first book each faction had a single story with all three leaders in it, along with some of the characters who appear in this book. Learning more about each leader and their crews makes picking and playing them much more enjoyable. If anything, this book has cemented my two main faction choices.
As such, my main will be the Gremlins and my second shall be Outcasts. I'll still paint miniatures from other factions, since there are still many great miniatures to paint, but play wise I feel more connected to my chosen two.
Also, it might be just me, but for some reason Nicodem and Mortimer from the Resurrectionists heavily remind me of Hercules Grytpype-Thynne and Count Jim Moriarty from the classic radio series 'The Goon Show'. Just me? Alright then....
Anyway, Malifaux: Crossroads is the second book for it's 2nd Edition and features more characters, upgrades and scenarios. In fact, each scenario has a short story and that short story is about one of the leaders they have in the book. Each faction has three leaders, so three short stories, each with their attached scenario. This is an excellent way to show off these leaders as in the first book each faction had a single story with all three leaders in it, along with some of the characters who appear in this book. Learning more about each leader and their crews makes picking and playing them much more enjoyable. If anything, this book has cemented my two main faction choices.
As such, my main will be the Gremlins and my second shall be Outcasts. I'll still paint miniatures from other factions, since there are still many great miniatures to paint, but play wise I feel more connected to my chosen two.
Also, it might be just me, but for some reason Nicodem and Mortimer from the Resurrectionists heavily remind me of Hercules Grytpype-Thynne and Count Jim Moriarty from the classic radio series 'The Goon Show'. Just me? Alright then....
Sunday, 21 June 2015
My Thoughts On: Malifaux
If there is one thing I can thank Games-Workshop for, is giving me the chance to check out other miniature games. Malifaux is one such game. Produced by Wyrd-Miniatures, Malifaux (as the book describes) is a mixture of Gothic, Steampunk and Victorian Horror, with a dose of Wild West (and a little Comedy thrown into the mix). Games a can be as small as four miniatures to up to 45 soulstones worth (miniatures and upgrades are payed for with soulstones). There's no dice, but instead it uses a Fate card deck, though it can easily be substituted with a normal pack of playing cards. I've gotten a chance to read the 2nd Edition rule book and so here are my thoughts
Fluff wise, the story takes place on an alternate Earth set in the early 1900's. Well, sort of. See, the city of Malifaux actually exists on another world that those from the alternate Earth travelled through thanks to a portal known as 'The Breach'. The story behind all of it is that this alternate Earth had magic, but during the late 1700's it became clear that magic was fading and fear ran ramped that they might loose magic altogether. Many sought a solution and one such lot thought they found it. However, their attempt resulted in a massive explosion and in the resulting crater they found a portal, The Breach. Explorations into the Breach found a city which was similar to their worlds, but not of their world. Translation of the name found it was called Malifaux and the city was empty. Soon they found in the nearby hills a land rich with glowing gems which radiated magic. Calling them Soulstones, they were mined and sent back to Earth. All seemed well, until the blizzards came. Life became increasingly difficult and soon the Breach began to shrink. Those of Malifaux were cut off and as the Breach closed, a single body was tossed out with the words 'Ours' carved on it.
Obviously, with a limited magic source the world leaders began hording what was left and war broke out. In it's aftermath, a new faction emerged, The Guild. So when the Breach re-opened, the Guild took swift action in securing it and when it was clear that there was no invasion, they launched their own to secure the other side. The city of Malifaux, despite looking like conflict was very recent, had not a single body to be found. At this point the Guild sets up base, convinces the worlds governments to supply workers (mostly convicts) and mining resumed. Soon after, new factions emerged and the Guild spends much of it's time trying to destroy them.
The factions themselves consist of the Guild (a group obsessed with Laws and hunting the Guilds enemies), Arcanists (rebels and traitors who have a strong foothold against the Guild. Some see them as heroes, though really they are just as power hungry as the Guild), Resurrectionists (Those who deal with raising and controlling the dead), Neverborn (one of the natives of this world, similar to demons and other horror elements, like creepy children and dolls), Outcasts (mercenaries, seeking fame, fortune or simply achieving personal goals), The Ten Thunders (an oriental themes group who's true goals are unknown) and the Gremlins (small, greenskin creatures who live in the Bayou in an eat or be eaten lifestyle with the large Pigs).
Personally, I really like this fluff, but I do find some parts disturbing. That said, I find games like Bioshock disturbing so what do I know about horror. My favourite faction thus far is the Gremlins, whose mixture of wild west cowboy cross heavy hillbilly theme really appeals to be. They're funny, look good and are enjoyable, with Outcasts a close second.
Game wise it's a skirmish game with missions that can give VP's (Victory Points) for the person who achieves their goal and added objectives that a player can achieve for bonus VPs. Most VP's wins. You don't create characters, but instead you create a crew consisting of a leader and their crew mates who will join them. Each has it's own rules and points and some can be given upgrades at an extra cost. Each turn has one player use a model, then the opposing player uses one and back and forth until all are done, then the next turn occurs. In between all this their are various rules that can affect how it plays out. Most moves involve flipping a card out of your deck and adding into the stat you are using, with your opponent doing the same to counter it. You can cheat by using a card from your hand to replace the one you used, but you do have a limit to cards in your hand so use wisely. Models have defenses and wounds and it does mention that even if you kill all your opponents miniatures, you can still lose if your opponent has more VP's then you, so some strategy is involved.
My only problem is that the rules are a bit all over the place in the book, but I figure after a few games I'll get the hand of it. The fact that you can have a fun game using a few minis, a deck of cards and a few bit's and pieces for scenery is not only great for a miniatures game (take this from someone who had to take a 2000pts+ all over the place on public transport for game....it isn't fun), but that brings me to my final point on this game.
The cost. Even here in Australia the game is much more affordable compared to games like Warhammer 40K. Wyrd Miniatures move from metal to plastic means that they sell their minis in small box sets with one exception. Most leader types come in what are starter sets, with enough miniatures included for both small and medium games and in some cases, even the large games too. If I add postage and handling, these starters can range between $60 to $80. At this price, I can do multiple factions that I can take out of the box and paint & play as a legal crew. This is great as there are a few of these starters packs that I'm very interested in. The problem with GW was that if I wanted to start another army I was looking at at least between $200-$300, a big difference for someone who just wants to play a game.
I'll probably give a more in depth view of the gameplay when I finally get around to playing it. Until then, I'm going to wonder why this game isn't as popular as it should be.
Fluff wise, the story takes place on an alternate Earth set in the early 1900's. Well, sort of. See, the city of Malifaux actually exists on another world that those from the alternate Earth travelled through thanks to a portal known as 'The Breach'. The story behind all of it is that this alternate Earth had magic, but during the late 1700's it became clear that magic was fading and fear ran ramped that they might loose magic altogether. Many sought a solution and one such lot thought they found it. However, their attempt resulted in a massive explosion and in the resulting crater they found a portal, The Breach. Explorations into the Breach found a city which was similar to their worlds, but not of their world. Translation of the name found it was called Malifaux and the city was empty. Soon they found in the nearby hills a land rich with glowing gems which radiated magic. Calling them Soulstones, they were mined and sent back to Earth. All seemed well, until the blizzards came. Life became increasingly difficult and soon the Breach began to shrink. Those of Malifaux were cut off and as the Breach closed, a single body was tossed out with the words 'Ours' carved on it.
Obviously, with a limited magic source the world leaders began hording what was left and war broke out. In it's aftermath, a new faction emerged, The Guild. So when the Breach re-opened, the Guild took swift action in securing it and when it was clear that there was no invasion, they launched their own to secure the other side. The city of Malifaux, despite looking like conflict was very recent, had not a single body to be found. At this point the Guild sets up base, convinces the worlds governments to supply workers (mostly convicts) and mining resumed. Soon after, new factions emerged and the Guild spends much of it's time trying to destroy them.
The factions themselves consist of the Guild (a group obsessed with Laws and hunting the Guilds enemies), Arcanists (rebels and traitors who have a strong foothold against the Guild. Some see them as heroes, though really they are just as power hungry as the Guild), Resurrectionists (Those who deal with raising and controlling the dead), Neverborn (one of the natives of this world, similar to demons and other horror elements, like creepy children and dolls), Outcasts (mercenaries, seeking fame, fortune or simply achieving personal goals), The Ten Thunders (an oriental themes group who's true goals are unknown) and the Gremlins (small, greenskin creatures who live in the Bayou in an eat or be eaten lifestyle with the large Pigs).
Personally, I really like this fluff, but I do find some parts disturbing. That said, I find games like Bioshock disturbing so what do I know about horror. My favourite faction thus far is the Gremlins, whose mixture of wild west cowboy cross heavy hillbilly theme really appeals to be. They're funny, look good and are enjoyable, with Outcasts a close second.
Game wise it's a skirmish game with missions that can give VP's (Victory Points) for the person who achieves their goal and added objectives that a player can achieve for bonus VPs. Most VP's wins. You don't create characters, but instead you create a crew consisting of a leader and their crew mates who will join them. Each has it's own rules and points and some can be given upgrades at an extra cost. Each turn has one player use a model, then the opposing player uses one and back and forth until all are done, then the next turn occurs. In between all this their are various rules that can affect how it plays out. Most moves involve flipping a card out of your deck and adding into the stat you are using, with your opponent doing the same to counter it. You can cheat by using a card from your hand to replace the one you used, but you do have a limit to cards in your hand so use wisely. Models have defenses and wounds and it does mention that even if you kill all your opponents miniatures, you can still lose if your opponent has more VP's then you, so some strategy is involved.
My only problem is that the rules are a bit all over the place in the book, but I figure after a few games I'll get the hand of it. The fact that you can have a fun game using a few minis, a deck of cards and a few bit's and pieces for scenery is not only great for a miniatures game (take this from someone who had to take a 2000pts+ all over the place on public transport for game....it isn't fun), but that brings me to my final point on this game.
The cost. Even here in Australia the game is much more affordable compared to games like Warhammer 40K. Wyrd Miniatures move from metal to plastic means that they sell their minis in small box sets with one exception. Most leader types come in what are starter sets, with enough miniatures included for both small and medium games and in some cases, even the large games too. If I add postage and handling, these starters can range between $60 to $80. At this price, I can do multiple factions that I can take out of the box and paint & play as a legal crew. This is great as there are a few of these starters packs that I'm very interested in. The problem with GW was that if I wanted to start another army I was looking at at least between $200-$300, a big difference for someone who just wants to play a game.
I'll probably give a more in depth view of the gameplay when I finally get around to playing it. Until then, I'm going to wonder why this game isn't as popular as it should be.
Thursday, 18 June 2015
My Opinion: E3 2015
Meh, simply Meh.
Honestly, there was much that was shown or talked about that interested me. Perhaps I've grown tired of gaming or simply the fact I no longer have much hope of playing a game that gives me joy. Even the Star Fox thing shot me down when they announced it was a re-imagining of the franchise, so no continuing or closing of the current characters, just another clean sleight with some disappointed fans (such as no more Krystal, which won't go down well).
That said, Nintendo did put on a good show. Not enough for me to forgive them for their Youtube policy or their disappointing games, but still, their heads are aware that they've become memes and they are making the most of it. Still nothing to convince me to go back to consoles, but then I'll have to discuss this event with my brother and get his opinion on things. Should be interesting.
Honestly, there was much that was shown or talked about that interested me. Perhaps I've grown tired of gaming or simply the fact I no longer have much hope of playing a game that gives me joy. Even the Star Fox thing shot me down when they announced it was a re-imagining of the franchise, so no continuing or closing of the current characters, just another clean sleight with some disappointed fans (such as no more Krystal, which won't go down well).
That said, Nintendo did put on a good show. Not enough for me to forgive them for their Youtube policy or their disappointing games, but still, their heads are aware that they've become memes and they are making the most of it. Still nothing to convince me to go back to consoles, but then I'll have to discuss this event with my brother and get his opinion on things. Should be interesting.
Tuesday, 16 June 2015
Speaking of Malifaux..
Popped on down to the store I got the first two from and grabbed two more: Rami LaCroix and Pere Ravage. I've also ordered Raphael LaCroix as well. Perhaps I might grab some Bayou Gremlins or even Merris LaCroix, possibly a Whiskey Golem further down the track. Who knows?
Edit 17/6/15: Ordered the rulebook for the game.
Edit 18/6/15: I've seen pictures that show the Gremlin Kin plastic box set has their miniatures being taller compared to the metal versions I have. As such, I'll probably get the plastic one later on and given that I've seen the 3D model designs for some of the future plastic releases, I'll probably get them too. I'm also probably going to get the Guild Lucius plastic box set too as that one seems interesting. Then again, so does the Arcanist 'Children of December' and the Outcasts 'Hired Swords' and 'Herald of Obliteration'.
Edit 17/6/15: Ordered the rulebook for the game.
Edit 18/6/15: I've seen pictures that show the Gremlin Kin plastic box set has their miniatures being taller compared to the metal versions I have. As such, I'll probably get the plastic one later on and given that I've seen the 3D model designs for some of the future plastic releases, I'll probably get them too. I'm also probably going to get the Guild Lucius plastic box set too as that one seems interesting. Then again, so does the Arcanist 'Children of December' and the Outcasts 'Hired Swords' and 'Herald of Obliteration'.
Well, Well, Well.
So while trying to see if any stores around Australia sold the appropriate stuff for me to start playing a game of Malifaux, I stumbled across this little article:
Written back in 2013, this article was about the introduced Games-Workshop policy designed to give GW total control of their product in the market, a policy that, upon reflection, bit them hard in the ass. Most miniature stores stopped selling their products and customers in New-Zealand found a way around this thanks to a post office deal with countries like the UK.
But it was a quote that really got me: 'But with regards to online sales, Games Workshop’s retailer policy
justifies its new rules as an attempt to build upon the customer
relationship created by purchasing in brick-and-mortar retail stores.
According to Games Workshop, this move is an attempt to stop online
retailers from “free-riding on the significant investment made by
in-store retailers in promoting the hobby'.
Seriously? Don't know about you, but since then sales have not been good. More so, my local 'Brick-and-Mortar' store, has moved away from the shopping district, decreased in size and every time I go, no one is there compared to last year when people were always there. Instead of being competitive, they drove away there customers, forcing these stores to go smaller, which lead to more customers leaving. Can't get new ones either as they are no longer in the shopping area, so no one who's out to spend money knows you exist. Funny how this tyrant king of miniature gaming has fallen thanks to their inability to accept that competition exists and they should, you know, compete.
My Opinion - MLP: FiM Episode 100
So I don't talk much about My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic on this blog, mostly limiting to anything to do with my characters (such as Commissions, etc) or if something really worth writing up for this blog, and I feel this is. So, was it any good?
Simply put? Yes. This one was definitely for the fans and yet, it also shows you can still do stories without the main six. The story is about Cranky and Matilda (two Donkey's from the Ep 'A friend in deed') who are getting Married, but instead of it being tomorrow, the invitation is set for today and so the panic to get everything ready begins.
Plot characters: Derpy, who is responsible for the mistake and spends the episode trying to fix everything; Time Turner or as he's called by Derpy, Doctor (cause he's a reference to Dr Who and is also known as Dr Hooves) who is obsessed with science tries to help, but ends up getting caught in a plot involving getting his suit ready which leads him to the bowling ponies who represent the main characters from The Big Lebowski; Octavia and Vynal, who's plot revolve around the music for the wedding; and finally, Lyra and Bon Bon, who's plot is the strangest of all, with Bon Bon revealing that she's actually a secret agent ment to capture monsters or something. Seemed a little off, but good fun. Oh yeah, the main six are busy fighting a Bugbear the who time and some of the side characters get a few lines, but not much. That said, Luna and Celestia arguing over who forgot to bring the wedding gift was great, and even Shinning Armors 'crying at weddings' gag was good for a chuckle.
My only problems was why didn't Vynal Scratch have a speaking part? Did they want to keep it a mystery or were they simply avoiding the possibility that the voice might not sound (or sound too much) like those on the Internet (Jessi Nowack a.k.a Nowacking is what comes to my mind). The same could be said about fan favourite Button Mash. He too made another brief appearance in the show, but never spoke. Again, were they worried about fan backlash? Remember that he was only famous thanks to Jan Animation Studios and Blake 'ShadyVox' Swift who voice both Button Mash and Neon Lights (voice Neon in other animators work too) and considering that a C&D was put in by Hasbro legal team to stop the animations (from what I know, the show itself had no problems), one can only wonder, considering the build up to the episode.
Still, this episode was amazing and is now easily in my top three. I rarely watch the show much, but I'm glad I watched that one.
Simply put? Yes. This one was definitely for the fans and yet, it also shows you can still do stories without the main six. The story is about Cranky and Matilda (two Donkey's from the Ep 'A friend in deed') who are getting Married, but instead of it being tomorrow, the invitation is set for today and so the panic to get everything ready begins.
Plot characters: Derpy, who is responsible for the mistake and spends the episode trying to fix everything; Time Turner or as he's called by Derpy, Doctor (cause he's a reference to Dr Who and is also known as Dr Hooves) who is obsessed with science tries to help, but ends up getting caught in a plot involving getting his suit ready which leads him to the bowling ponies who represent the main characters from The Big Lebowski; Octavia and Vynal, who's plot revolve around the music for the wedding; and finally, Lyra and Bon Bon, who's plot is the strangest of all, with Bon Bon revealing that she's actually a secret agent ment to capture monsters or something. Seemed a little off, but good fun. Oh yeah, the main six are busy fighting a Bugbear the who time and some of the side characters get a few lines, but not much. That said, Luna and Celestia arguing over who forgot to bring the wedding gift was great, and even Shinning Armors 'crying at weddings' gag was good for a chuckle.
My only problems was why didn't Vynal Scratch have a speaking part? Did they want to keep it a mystery or were they simply avoiding the possibility that the voice might not sound (or sound too much) like those on the Internet (Jessi Nowack a.k.a Nowacking is what comes to my mind). The same could be said about fan favourite Button Mash. He too made another brief appearance in the show, but never spoke. Again, were they worried about fan backlash? Remember that he was only famous thanks to Jan Animation Studios and Blake 'ShadyVox' Swift who voice both Button Mash and Neon Lights (voice Neon in other animators work too) and considering that a C&D was put in by Hasbro legal team to stop the animations (from what I know, the show itself had no problems), one can only wonder, considering the build up to the episode.
Still, this episode was amazing and is now easily in my top three. I rarely watch the show much, but I'm glad I watched that one.
Monday, 15 June 2015
New set of Miniatures
So when I first purchased Formula P3 paints I found myself going through a number of miniatures from different companies. One such set was from a game called Malifaux. So I decided to go back and grab a few this week. I decided to go for a few simple blisters as most are box sets, so I got these two.
My biggest problem will be the bases as I'm not sure if I should go for the floor board look, dirt-like ground, stone or even swamp. As for the game itself, I don't know too much. It's dark and a little disturbing, but seems like a good skirmish game. As for these two, they are from the Gremlins faction, who are basically Greenskin Hillbillies, which is hilarious (they even have a golem made of barrels called a Whisky Golem). Now I just want to see these guys is a re-make of the Beverly Hillbillies.
Monday, 8 June 2015
Uploads are up
My DeviantArt page now has the latest stuff uploaded. Check it out (will talk about it later).
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