39 - Zatanna

While I was at Adepticon earlier in the year, I played in the DCU tournament.  I batted the cycle (win, loss and draw) and placed 3rd overall.  I got to choose a prize from a pile of donated items.  I went with Zatanna.

She was a model that I have wanted to pick up for a while, but just never got around to it.  She is also a wonderful character in the comics (I am really enjoying the current Justice League Dark title with Wonder Woman). 

I tried out some more shading and glazing that Dai Viet had shown me a few months ago.  Instead of going my usual dark base-coat then highlighting up; I went with a mid-tone base-coat.  I then added shades to the recesses and then added some highlights as well.  This is evident in the white shirt.  I also did some glazing with Incubi Darkness over the black/grey highlighted tuxedo jacket to give it a blue hue.

I also tried highlighting the face more naturally.  I focused my highlights to the forehead, nose, lips and chin.  Then added some red/brown shade to the cheeks for shadows.  I did the same for the legs but then added a few coats of Contrast Skeleton Horde mixed with Lahmian Medium to get the nylon effect. 

In BMG she is pretty amazing.  She is a free agent for Brave and the Bold, and she is a little costly at 108 rep, and $400 funding.  She has Leader level stats with Willpower 8 and endurance 7.  Defense and Special 4 is also very nice.

She has an incredible magical damage output potential.  She has a Magical Power: 6, and can use Elemental, Divination, and Eldritch.  This gives her access to both Magic Bolt and Eldrith Bolt, which could do a combined 6 blood damage in a single turn.  Then in the same turn she could also use her regular shooting attack that has a rate of fire 2, double blood, light, throwing, s-rage, magic, fire!.  If she hits well she could do 10 blood a turn to an unlucky soul.  She is also a Homo Magi, so she gets +1 to her magical power willpower tests.

With her Distort Magic trait, she can also stay safe while casting her spells.  It allows her to pick a spot within 4 inches of her, and she can cast spells as if she was at that point.  It gives her a bit more range to her spells, and she can do it from around corners. 

If the enemies get close, she also has access to Hover.  This would make her hit on 6s in hand to hand, but any knocked down effect or if she was KO will result in her taking double blood.  I know my luck, and it seems very steep price.  Though she does have access to the Magical Healing spell, so maybe it is worth the risk. 

I have not looked at her to in-depth for DCU.  She looks like she has some great abilities and some solid high damage magical attacks.  But she also looks a bit squishy and has a high level cost.  I will have to player her to find out. 

Up next is some stuff for the up coming BMG Megabattle on November 3rd.

Kevin

38 - Monster T

A few weeks ago one of my friends, Ben, from our Batman gaming group surprised me with a little gift.  He was able to track down a Monster T as a thank you for the time and effort I put into our little community.  Ben is one of my favorite people to play against, even when he is kicking your ass he some how convinces you that you are having the time of your life.

Monster T was the only Suicide Squad model that I did not have (I even have a copy of Bombshell Harley, but not painted yet).  It is awesome to have the whole collection  now.

Now a lot of people probably don't even know who Monster T is.  He had a very short part in the movie.  The only reason I remember him is because he was played by Common (the Singer/Actor).  And Common was on one of my all time favorite shows, Hell on Wheels.  However there is little chance of him showing up in the next Suicide Squad movie seeing how Joker kills him for looking at Harley the wrong way. 

In-game Monster T is ok, but nothing really jumps out at you.  He is a free agent for bad guys and has average stats of mostly 3s (except a movement 2 boo).  Endurance 6 and a 4+ strength is nice.  His weapons are basic, just a knife and the worse type of handgun. 

His traits make him a little more viable.  Disturb allows Monster T to choose a model in line of site and that model action counters can not be relocated.  Now this is nice cause you can use it on both your own crew and on your opponents crew.  It can be a very powerful ability but I feel that it very situational. 

Goad is probably his most useful trait (it is really an under appreciated one).  You can choose one enemy model within eight inches, they make a willpower test, if they fail you can move them two inches.  Great for pulling people off objectives at the end of the round or feeding something to your beaters like King Shark. 

His most fun trait is Handson Hunke Hunka.  If at any time this model is within 10cm of both a friendly Joker and Harley you must remove Monster T as a casualty.  Now, I know that it is easy to avoid this by not using Monster T in a crew with both those models...but it is so thematic that I feel that I need too!

Thanks again Ben!

Kevin

37 - Bale-man and a Death Eater

Last Saturday (September 21st) was Batman day, a day to celebrate one of the more recognized heroes in the comic and film world-wide.  I wanted to do something to celebrate.  I decided that I would try to paint a new Batman model from Knight Models in a single day, start to finish.  I had the new Dark Knight Rises starter set sitting by my desk, so I chose to paint up Christian Bale Batman. 

I was looking after my daughter for the afternoon, so as soon as she went down for her nap, I put on The Dark Knight Rises and put paint to model.  I made some good progress with layering the grays and glazing them back down with some black.  The model was coming along nicely and with good time, it does help when he is 90% one colour.

Then the doorbell rang.  By the time I cleaned my brush and ran down the stairs the bell rang again.  It was an amazon delivery.  I signed for it and crept back up the stairs, hoping that the disturbance did not wake the sleeping child.  It was not to be.  I could hear my daughter start to stir.  It was not a bad thing.  She woke up and we cuddled and finished watching Batman defeat Bane and save Gotham together.

After she went to sleep for the night, I started back on the model.  I put on the Dark Knight and by the time the credits started to role, Bale-man was done. 

Bale-man in probably the best Batman in the Knight Models game.  He has one of the highest movement values with a 4 (double Bat-fleck).  He has the softer Bat-armour MKII, but that also gives him an extra inch of movement.  He is also the only Batman with Arrest.  So he can lay down a beating and then finish the job.

He is also very counter  efficient due to his Combo-Unarmed.  His only draw back is no re-roll to hit, and there will always be a Bat-wiff at some point.  However if he can pull off a Sneak Attack then he does gain +1 to hit due to Master of Stealth and with his high movement he should be able to do it more often then not. 

While the glazes were drying on Bale-man, I did a little work on my first Harry Potter model, a generic Death Eater from the starter set.   I was trying out the new contrast paints for this model.  I used the airbrush to do a zenithil highlight of white over a black base.  I then did two coats of Basilicanum Grey.  To add a little colour I then used a bit of Warp Lighting on the sash.  I finished him off with a gold mask (although I think I will probably go with a silver one next time).  It wont win any painting contests, but it was quick and time efficient.  I look forward to playing around with the contrast paints more in the future. 

 Kevin

35 - Back in Black

I have had another long hobby hiatus.  Part of it was a little burn out from preparation for Adepticon.  Another part was hobby ADD after Adepticon.  Another part was trying out different hobbies (I bought a new saw and had to test it out).

I did end up doing a good amount of projects done in August.  We had Sword and Brush at the beginning of September.  The month leading up to an event is always busy.  I wanted to get a new table worth of terrain done for the Batman Tournament.  I started with upgrading the card buildings that come in the Dark Knight Rises set.  I did this roughly the same way as the old Suicide Squad buildings that I did a while ago.

I then painted up some scatter terrain I bought at Adepticon from TTC combat.  Namely the "Junk" pack (old couch, broken TV, sleeping bags etc) and a pack of Porto-potties.  (one of my favorite moments from the tournament at SaB was seeing Batman and Lex Luther fighting over a Porto-potty objective). 

The week before the tournament I had all the terrain ready but then I had an idea to make some table numbers for the tournament.  I built up 5 billboards from some scrap balsa, plastic card and stir sticks.  I then found some Batman themed billboard advertisements and edited a number into them.  A little paint and glue, and I had 5 unique table numbers that also act as functional terrain on the tables.

The tournament was a blast.  We had 8 players come out.  It was really good to see some old friends and some new ones.  Games where close and everyone appeared to have enjoyed themselves.  Of course Brandon won Best Overall with his Teen Titans.  Best General went to Stephen and his Brave and the Bold crew.  Best Appearance went to Alex and his Gordon lead Brave and the Bold crew.  The Best Sportsman award went to our youngest (and one of the most enthusiastic players) Jack.  I am hoping that next year I have the ask the TO for more tables!

After Adepticon I was really pumped to try and improve my painting skills.  I had several cool models to work on, but I had a hard time getting anything started.  I dont know if it was pour time-management or not knowing were to start.  I think it was a little but of intimidation and spiral thinking that stayed my brush.  So I did not get anything painted up specifically for the Sword and Brush.

I still wanted to enter something into the painting contest though.  I decided to enter my Court of Owls into the Unit Category.  I also entered my King Shark and Clayface into the Fantasy Single Category.  Since all the terrain was ready to go for the tournament I thought that I would then spend the last few days before the event to make a diorama base for two of my existing models.

I have had an idea of doing a small display box featuring some of my Discworld Characters to sit on my bookshelf with the series. I had a Tiffany Aching model and a Granny Weatherwax done.  I used some material I had lying around (old cork, reused wire tree, and some flowers).   There is a few things I would improve on next time.  The base was built out of layers of thin cork, which is easily seen.  If I had had more time I would have used plaster or wood chips (or a combo of both).  The grass the was attached to the flowers was also a different shade then the separate grass, which did really hurt the colour unity.  I was happy how it did turn out and it looks great on the shelf.   It however did fail to make the podium (but that was not entirely surprising based on the other outstanding entries).  I did walk away with a Silver for my Owls and a Bronze for Clayface.

Kevin

19 -"Or They'll Send The Talon for Your Head"

It has been a little while since I wrote a post.  The gear up for Adepticon was crazy busy.  I was able to finish the last of the models I needed for the BMG tournament, Lincoln March and the 3 Owl objective markers.  Both where a lot of fun to paint.  It was interesting to research different owls and their markings/colouring.

I also finished making a wooden carrying case with magnetic trays.  It was a very different project from what I have been working on recently.  It was also very nice to be able to build it with my brother (it also means it is much more structurally sound).  It worked great for Adepticon.  Everything (models, objectives, dice, rulebook, tokens, display boards etc) for both BMG and DCU fit inside.  It also gave me a handy table to put my beer while I was playing.

The two tournaments at Adepticon where good.  This was the first time I played in any tournament in about a decade.  I played BMG with my Court of Owls on Friday.  We played 4 rounds, and I almost hit the cycle.  I got a Total Victory in the first game versus a DK Bane.  I got a loss against Penguin in the second game.  The third game was against big Batman with his bat cloak and cops, I got a victory.  By the fourth game I was burned out.  I was playing against Gotham City Sirens.  I put every action counter into movement and attack, then just rushed them...it did not work, I got a Total Defeat.  My opponents where all great sports with nicely painted and themed crews.  In the end I came in around 13/37.

The next day was the DCU tournament.  It was 3 rounds and I had alot of fun playing in this one.  There was only 8 players, and the majority of them where just there to have fun.  I was also playing in this tournament with my buddy Alex.  It was great to have someone you know to joke around with (and buy each other beer) between rounds.  I did not know anyone in the BMG tournament and it felt kinda isolated at times.  Hopefully we can round up a few of our local players to come down next year and play too!  I took 3rd place in the DCU tournament (and won myself a Zantana), while Alex placed 4th.

This was my first time going to Adepticon.  It was intense.  5600 people attended over the 4 days, and I am not typically someone who likes crowds.  It was great to see a lot of new (or new to me) games and products in the vendor hall.  I picked up a few  models for gaming (Wild West Exodus!) and some really nice statues to work on my painting skills.  It nothing else, Adepticon really got me on a hobby high.  I am re-energized to start new projects and get to painting again!

What really made the trip for me though were the people I went with.  I got to know some members of the local hobby community much better.  The best memories from the trip where walking around the vendor hall and talking hobby with some new and old friends.  Or just sitting down and watching my friends play AoS or 40K.  I am definitely looking forward to next year (assuming Jay and Chris are not tired of carrying my ass around). 

Kevin

15 - "Speak Not a Whispered Word of Them"

I finished painting one of the last two members for my Court of Owls crew that I am planning on bringing to Adepticon, Strix.   It was a fun model to paint.  Nice sculpt with well defined musculature.  I was very worried about braking it while I was working on her, although she is not as dainty as Damian.  I went with a simple colour scheme to match the rest of my owls, brown body suit, dark brown gloves and boots, with red sword wraps for a splash of colour.  

The online meta for BMG says that Strix is one of (if not) the best henchman in the game.  She has great stats; both Willpower and Endurance 6, Attack and Defense 4, Movement 3 and a 4+ strength.  She is an expensive henchman, coming it at 60 reputation and $100 funding, but well worth it. 

Most of her traits make her more maneuverable.  She is an Acrobat (+1 move, can jump without spending movement counters and can Dodge ranged attacks).  She also has Climbing Claws (climbing is not impaired movement and can stop part way up a wall).  Stealth means she can only be seen within 8".  I don't envision Strix relying on her Throwing Knives, but when she does the Rapid Fire (1 Special Counter to increase Rate of Fire by 1) makes it more effective.  She also has the Reanimated Owls and Weakness to Cold that all Court of Owl henchmen have.  

Her weapons are where she really stands out.  She is equipped with 2 Throwing Daggers.  They have a range of 8" with a rate of fire of 2 (3 with rapid fire), dealing a single blood damage.  They are also Sharp (re-roll to wound).  Dealing only a single blood and short range, the Throwing Daggers are very situational.  

I think I will see her stabbing people up close with her Paired Katanas more often.  These weapons are similar to every other Katana in the game; they deal double blood damage, Handy (re-rolls to Hit) and Sharp (re-rolls to wound).  However her Katanas are also Overwhelming (opponents are -1 to Block rolls).  So an opponent would need to roll a 5 or a 6 to block a hit from the Paired Katana!

I am looking forward to equipping her with a Bat-claw and have her jump around with Damian as a two man kill squad!

I have started to working on the last member of the crew now, Lincoln March.  After him I have the Owl objective markers to paint, 2 display bases and a carrying case to finish by the end of the month.  Time to buckle down!

Kevin

14 - "They Watch You In Your Bed"

I went from painting the larger Knight Models Batman figures of Clayface and King Shark, to painting one of the smallest, Damian Wayne.  I love this Damian model and had a lot of fun painting it.  I started by blocking out all the colours.  The highlights and shading followed rather quickly.  I used a lot of layering and glazing.

I was very torn between which head to give Damian.  The box comes with two, one with the hood down wearing the traditional domino mask and one with the hood up wearing a Court of Owls mask.  In the end I decided to go with the owl mask, since I was planning on taking Damian to Adepticon in my Court of Owls crew.

Damian Wayne is a beast (if not a bit of a glass cannon) in the game.  He has some good mid-level stats (mostly fours).  The Willpower and Endurance of 5 is not the greatest.  However he is only 60 rep and counts as a henchman.  He is also a tri-affiliate, he can be used in Brave and the Bold, League of Shadows and Court of Owls.

He has alot of the rules most of the Robins before him had; Acrobat, Batclaw, Detective, Martial Artist.  This Robin also has Small (bonus to pings) and True Love: Talia al Ghul.  The Invaluable rule (this model is worth an additional VP is made a casualty) seems bad at first, but then I remember Damian is only a henchman so he is not worth much VP to begin with.  

He also has a new rule, Mentoring.  This limits Damian Wayne to only a single piece of equipment.  It turns all the blood damage that he inflicts into stun if he is used in a Brave and the Bold Crew.  However he then gains Boy Wonder (enemies cant re-roll hits against him) and True Love Bruce Wayne.  If there is a Bruce Wayne in the crew then he also gains True Love Damian.

He wields arguably the best close combat weapon in the game, the Katana.  This is then combined with Combo: Katana (bonus attack dice for every 2 attack counter spent).  So a basic maxed out Damian can use 4 Attack Counters but makes 6 attacks, dealing a potential 12 blood damage!  This can be made even worse in a League of Shadows crew.  If Damian is near the leader for an Inspire (bonus Counter) and Goro for his Kill Them (bonus Attack Counter), Damian could then make 9 attacks, dealing 18 blood damage...

Five more models left for my Adepticon crew; Styx, Lincoln and 3 owls!  

Kevin