Background Work: Updating the Review Summary Page

I have been making some progress to attacking the updates to the Horus Heresy 2e Summary Page as a background task.

Added: 

Mechanicum - Titans - Secutarii - Knights (all flavours) - Cults Abominatio - Siege of Cthonia 

I acknowledge there's more updates to be done from earlier in 2024. These are on my radar, but I will need a bit more time to get everything in place! Keep reminding me folks! Hope that you enjoy these reviews and get things out of them even when you disagree with my assessments.

Forthcoming Plans for Reviews and Hobby

Welcome back!

In terms of plans for the next little while here on Warpstone Flux, these are the relative priorities.

Reviews.
We will be tackling the assassins next for the Horus Heresy second edition reviews. This will be followed by the contents of the Beta-Garmon book. I'll interleave some of the older "legacy" units as and when I can fit them into the schedule - I know a lot of people were keen to see me review those as well. 

Hobby. 
I will be focussing on the World Eaters allied detachment that I have been planning for a long time. This was started before the break, but I want to get them wrapped up well before the year is out. Beyond that, there's some Iron Warriors that need rounding out, and I intend to "dabble" in some Black Shields. 

eBay. 
I'll be getting back to selling some items on eBay as well soon enough. Check them out when I get chance to list them. Selling older miniatures and parts I don't need helps me fund the next exciting projects and purchasing of the new codexes (ahem) Horus Heresy books!

More to come in due course!

Short Break - See you in September

I am taking a short mid-year break from the blog as I usually do. I'll be back in action here in September. Hope you've enjoyed the content from the first half of the year - there's more to come yet!

Last of the Old Slann - on eBay

I think I've located the last of my Old Slann in my bits box and collection. Since I've hardly used them in literally decades, they've gone on to eBay for auction. Each a collectors item in their own right, I'm bundling them up for a single sale. Plenty of rares from the 1980s here (at the risk of showing my age). Hopefully they can find a new home!

eBay new items this week: Eldar Job Lot, and Domains of Dread

Some new items this week on eBay for folks who might be interested. I've got a job lot / bulk purchase set of classic era Eldar that needs a new home. This includes the boxed set for the Eldar Guardians, an Avatar, a Warlock, Walker, and a variety of other bits and bobs - mostly metal, but plastic arms. 

And I'm also selling Domains of Dread from ADnD second edition Ravenloft. I've had this one for decades, but its not even been used more than a couple of times (I can count them on one hand!). I hope this one in particular can find a new home as it is in a really good state overall!

I've also got a bunch of re-listings that need a new home and some tlc - check them out. 

eBay this week: Dire Avengers, Beast of Nurgle, Metal Terminator Librarian, Typhus, Brother Morris

This week on eBay, I have a number of OOP items including but not limited to:

A set of 5x Eldar Dire Avengers cast in metal by citadel miniatures from the early 1990s! Check out the ever-appealing goblin green painted bases - don't judge me - everyone painted their bases in goblin green back in the day. 

A metal beast of Nurgle painted to a table top standard, but needing a new home, and a bit of love and attention for the unfurnished base as well. 

Or how about an ancient metal Librarian in terminator armour?

And Typhus in metal too! Painted to a reasonable table top standard.

And for the hard core collectors among you, I also have located Brother Morris. He's a multi-melta toting space marine from the Rogue Trader era. More specifically, he's had his entire arm replaced with this weapon. 

Plus a bunch of other miniatures from my collection that are in need of a new home so that I can make room for some more Heresy era plastics...

eBay: Ancient Striking Scorpions

Anyone care for some very old Striking Scorpions? 

If so, you're in luck on eBay this week! And they come with the era-defining goblin green painted slotta bases - what more could you want. 

Still got some stuff up from previous weeks including a Zombie Dragon, a Dornian Heresy Iron Hands test model, and a Great Unclean One from Realms of Chaos era!

eBay this week: Slann, Dornian Heresy Iron Hands, Death Guard OOP model and more

Continuing my Spring clear out (which will probably progress relentlessly through the year) I have added a number of different models that I hope someone out there will find tempting enough to place a bid on so that they can find a new home!

Digging deep, I've located a whole lot of Slann! These are designated as Cold One Riders, and date back many decades to the original Warhammer Fantasy Battle. They're really rare these days an an individual one of them sells for over 10 pounds each. This is a job lot for 12 of them. Hope that they can find a home where they don't languish without any play!

I'm also auctioning off my Dornian Heresy Iron Hands test model conversion! The Dornian Heresy is an alternate heresy where Dorn is the main heretic and protagonist. Herein, the Iron Hands went a bit too far with replacing their flash and melded with some necron technology. This miniature is a one of a kind conversion and although I'm loathe to part with it, - its time. The marine has a gauss weapon and is mounted on a resin base. I could see it being used in 40k, but if I'm honest, I think the attraction would be to build a Blackshields force for 30k / Horus Heresy around this kind of concept (think: Xenos weapons coupled with being automata essentially - the Oaths are there to be used!). 

I've also dug out a Death Guard plague marine in metal from the early 2000's which is unpainted an assembled. Starting bid in Nurgle's sacred number, just because. 

Re-listings are also up for items like a Great Unclean One, and a pair of Plague Ogryns in resin. Oh, and the Zombie Dragon. 

eBay this week: 2x Rogue Trader Chaos Dreadnoughts and Zombie Dragon!

Okay everyone, I'm selling off my Rogue Trader era Chaos Space Marine / Renegade Dreadnoughts! These have been languishing in my collection for literally decades (since the 1980s). They have not seen the light of day, nor been played with since the late 1990s and its honestly time to sell them off to a new home. They've got milliput inside, and pins, but I wouldn't expect any problems with postage since they're very blocky and robust. 

I've also got a squad of Eldar Swooping Hawks in metal that need to be sold, as well as a job lot of Fire Dragons. 

And finally, a 1985 Zombie Dragon! I feel old just writing that. 

There's also the re-listings from things that haven't sold from previous weeks. Hopefully they'll find a happy new home as I carry on clearing out the decks to make space for newer projects!

eBay this week: A single lonely Zoat / Rogue Trader Era

This week on eBay, I have a single lonely Zoat dating back to approximately the Rogue Trader era. It is both assembled, and painted (a bit poorly, I'll be the first to admit) and has been in my collection since goodness knows when (certainly the 1990s). The listing is here for anyone interested! Hope I can find a nice new home for him?

I've got a bunch of re-listings still on eBay that folks are also welcome to bid on such as an ancient Great Unclean One from the Realms of Chaos era, and a pair of Plague Ogryns (one of which is well painted). 

eBay Listings this week: Tinboyz, Plague Ogryns, Ral Partha Darksun, Dragonlance, Great Unclean One and more!

I am having a bit of a clean out - not only today, but over recent weeks, and possibly more in future weeks too. This week I have multiple offerings available on eBay. These include the following!:

Tinboyz. Wow, I haven't dug these out in literally years. Possibly a decade or more. The narrative for Orks used to be that their Mekboyz built these robots in the form of other races to mock them. Why don't they exist any more? They are a very cool concept. This is a job lot listing for 8 Tinboyz, including marines, eldar, and squats. Rather rare as well.

Plague Ogryns. A listing for a pair of Plague Ogryns from Forge World. One is well painted to a very good standard and has seen action on the tabletop despite a naked base. The second is assembled, but that's it. Rare these days as they're long since OOP, but can readily be used in 30k and 40k (think: daemons, spawn, etc.). 

Darksun Ral Partha Miniatures. Arguably the highlight for this week is a large set of Ral Partha Darksun miniatures. I'm selling my entire Darksun miniature collection in one job lot. Some used, some a bit knackered, most in good shape and not painted. I've not seen the likes of this on eBay in a long time. And frankly, I need the space, so help me out here!

Ral Partha Cyclops. Continuing on the same theme is a trio of Ral Partha Cyclops. Painted a long time ago, but not used in ages. A bit bent in places. 

Dragonlance Time of the Dragon. Original boxed set complete for advanced dungeons and dragons second edition. Can't lie: the outer box is damaged, but the interior contents are used to excellent condition. 

And a re-listing for a metal Great Unclean One of Nurgle to finish off. 

More to follow in future weeks. Enjoy!

This Week's eBay: Primus Medicae, Great Unclean One, Dragonlance, and Quantum Gothic

This week on eBay, I have several items for sale. As per usual, I am selling older bits and pieces that haven't seen much recent use and I want to turn them into cash to fund the next additions to my collection. Or as my wife says: I have to get rid of things before buying new things. So help your bro out?!

The first one is a Mint Condition Primus Medicae. Now, I suspect my long time readers will wonder why on earth I want to sell this one rather than use it? In truth, I've not quite figured out how to best use it. I originally bought it to slot in with my Alpha Legion Lernaeans - the extra IWND rolls are crazy good in principle, but my use of the elites slot usually counts against me here I have to say. Hence the Primus Medicae has been sat in his box for half an eternity - I basically bought it upon release. This is unopened in its box. 

The second one is one of my treasured possessions. A metal Realms of Chaos / Rogue Trader Era Great Unclean One of Nurgle. Why sell such an item? I actually have two of them, but neither have been used in a decade. I don't intend to use them either. So its time. He has seen many battles and many victories and defeats. He's also a little delicate, so I promise to wrap him carefully for postage. 

 

The third one is a Catalyst Missile Launcher from Quantum Gothic. I've been using it as scenery and terrain on and off for years. But given how I've never painted it, and how I've got plenty of other terrain, it is surplus to requirements. I've seen some interesting conversions for Whirlwinds and similar using this piece, so go wild if you want!

And finally on the roleplaying game front, I am offering up the core of my Classic Dragonlance collection. Classics volumes 1, 2, and 3, as well as Dragonlance Adventures as a single job lot. I haven't so much as opened them up in a decade and my younger family don't show too much interest. Plus I need space on the shelves. I hope these will find a great new home as they have certainly been well loved over many, many years, and over no fewer than three total play-throughs with a variety of RPG groups over the years prior. If you buy this, please play it and give it life once more - I'd love to hear if your group plays them through!

Good luck to anyone bidding! I'll have more up in future weeks as I clear out some older stuff to make way for newer items. 

Hobby Projects in 30k for the months ahead

I've been pondering about my 30k / Horus Heresy projects recently from a hobby point of view. As my readers will know, I've been involved in the game since Rogue Trader, and have absolutely loved the Horus Heresy game in particular. Indeed, 30k is the reason that I'm still into the hobby - no doubt about that at this stage. So, I've been pondering projects and armies that I've been collecting for a while and thinking about what to plan next. The following is a stream of thought about those considerations and a vague road map for the time ahead on the hobby front!

I've decided to order this in terms of army by army. I will freely admit that some factions appeal to me a lot more than others (that, and the games I tend to play are typically lower points levels to ensure a reasonable completion time scale, which in turn means that I can introduce an allied detachment very easily). Heretical members of otherwise loyalist factions. The inverse. Those who have no place. And those whose models are simply cool! In doing all of this, I've been thinking along the lines of "main armies" versus those that I simply want a small detachment of, to those that I want a single model from.

I've put stars next to each faction to arrange them in priority for myself. I've also used square brackets to denote completeness / not going to expand further at this point in time.

Dark Angels. I’ve always been a fan, I will freely confess. This is, of course, known to my hard core long time readers. But in the Horus Heresy, this legion is not a priority for me and I don’t own any appropriate miniatures for it. That’s not to say that I’d never collect them, or a small force. They’re just not top of the list. Love the Primarch model though. Hence I have a low priority (one star out of five) for them. ⭐️

Emperor’s Children. I have secretly coveted collecting a small detachment for a long while. So much so, that this will be my next pet project! Surprise! Top priority! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Iron Warriors. One of my main army collections. Not as extensive as my Alpha Legion by any means, but loving them all the same. Very happy with this legion! Not looking to expand at the moment, but will consider it. I am content with the army as it stands right now, but I do need to paint up what I have assembled. [⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️]

White Scars. I don’t own any and I have no plans to own any either. Not a priority, but not ruling them out in the future either. I also find white a tough colour to paint. Low to zero priority overall.⭐️

Space Wolves. I like the fluff and the miniatures, but once again I don’t own any and have no plans for even an allied detachment. Maybe one day a small detachment to "look after" the loyalty of my Alpha Legion? Zero priority. ⭐️

Imperial Fists. They just don’t speak to me. Sorry folks! Don't hate me! Zero priority. ⭐️

Night Lords. I’m not a big fan. I’m not opposed either. Just can’t see me collecting them right now. Low priority. ⭐️⭐️

Blood Angels. I like their vibe. I like how they play. But they are a low priority for me. ⭐️⭐️

Iron Hands. I own small numbers of these as part of my shattered legions collection. There’s a possibility to expand, but I need to complete the ones I have so it is only a medium priority to expand, but a relatively high priority to complete the ones I have. ⭐️⭐️⭐️

World Eaters. The tragedy of this legion speaks to me and I’d very much like to explore the range. Medium-high priority. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Ultramarines. Far too vanilla for me due to 40k, but I do like the rules. Zero priority. ⭐️

Death Guard. I collected this legion in 40k as a main army. But I haven’t bothered with them in 30k. Maybe one day. Medium to low priority. ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thousand Sons. Now here is an unusual legion that I’d like to know better and would be a good painting challenge. Seriously tempting for an allied detachment somehow. I'd love to blend 40k bits with 30k body parts to create a force on the edge of corruption. Medium-high priority. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Sons of Horus. Lots of traitor players (rightly) love them. But for me I’ve seen them all on the battlefield and internet already. Except maybe for having Horus himself, its a zero priority for me. ⭐️

Word Bearers. I have a bit of a love-hate thing for them. I have a good detachment of Gal Vorbak going that I’d like to round out with Tal one day. High priority for Tal alone. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Salamanders. I have a detachment as part of my shattered legions. I’m complete with them for now. [⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️]

Raven Guard. Same as the Salamanders. Love the shattered legion detachment I own. I also have an unpainted Corax yet to complete. [⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️]

Alpha Legion. My main army that I’ve never stopped expanding since first edition. Always a priority, but I’m largely done unless there’s a cool new release or I see an opportunity for something interesting or a conversion.  [⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️]

Mechanicum. I’ve a small detachment of robots but they’re mainly unpainted. Medium Priority. ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Knights. Who doesn’t love knights?! High priority to complete at least the Lancer and a couple of armigers! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Titans. No more at the present time, but love the ones I own. One day I’d like to at least consider buying more… i.e., a Warlord! Just not right now. Some lame excuse about saving up. ⭐️⭐️

Daemons. One of my main 40k armies. They’ve translated well to 30k, but I don’t feel the need to expand here or do anything with them other than summoning some occasionally?!. [⭐️]

Imperial Army. Not my thing. Unless serving the Alpha Legion? Zero priority. ⭐️

Custodes. I have a few. I might get a few more. But honestly not my play style or favoured paint scheme either. Low priority. ⭐️⭐️

Sisters. I’d actually like to have them! I have zero. So I’m not starting on them. Tough! Unless I win the lottery and retire early. ⭐️

Assassins and Agents. Would seriously consider this. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Black Shields. So very tempting. But not until I see the new rules. Priority pending, but probably high!

So in summary, it is a tiny detachment of Emperor's Children next for me, along with finishing the painting of some miniatures that I already have built in the collection. Maybe Argel Tal at some point. And I want that Lancer assembled soon as well. Time is the enemy as per usual!

Most Popular Posts of 2023

Its the end of year wrap up! I've done some good progress this year with the Iron Warriors and Alpha Legion for 30k in terms of hobby and painting, alongside some blossoming Mechanicum (Dark or otherwise). Regardless, here's the top 10 posts of the year, and its no surprise that my 30k reviews of the second edition of Horus Heresy are exceedingly dominant. Before we begin, I will give an honorable mention to the White Scars Rules - the only legion to be pushing into the top ten at number eleven. 

10. Legion Terminator Tartaros Squad. Everyone likes terminators apparently!

9. Legion Tactical Squad. The humble tactical squad is essential for many legion builds and its no suprise to see it within the top ten. 

8. Legion Command Squad. And alongside the tactical squad, the command squad's presence in the top ten is easy to understand.

7. Legion Seeker Squad. A nice fast attack choice in the top ten. 

6. Legion Despoiler Squad. Slightly surprised perhaps, but I understand how popular they are. 

5. Legion Veteran Squad. Versatile and regularly looked up by people looking for builds I feel. 

4. Legion Tactical Support Squad. Perhaps a surprise, perhaps not? They're one of my favourite units, certainly. 

3. Successor Chapters of Traitor Legions. A post that I created about which 40k chapters might have traitor geneseed takes number 3 slot. Take with a large grain of salt where applicable!

2. Spoiler-free reading order for Horus Heresy books. A link to the Black Librarium folks who produced the spoiler free reading order for the Heresy books takes number two. 

1. Horus Heresy 2e Reviews Summary. In a surprise to no one - not least myself - the summary page takes the number one slot. I will also be the first to admit that I need to update it! Sorry!

And that's all folks! Happy New Year for tomorrow. I will be taking a short break and back with you in the middle of January! 

Games Workshop / Warhammer Preston

It has been a while since I travelled to a new Games Workshop / Warhammer store. But there I was in the North West of England with a few spare minutes on my hands and I wandered to the Warhammer store in Preston (Lancashire). 

By utterly pure coincidence, I visited on the anniversary of the store. In some ways this was very fortunate as there was a lot going on and certainly a number of people in store engaged in all manner of hobby goodness. In other ways, it was slightly hard to wander around and take pictures, so I'm afraid the outside of the store is all you're getting on this post. 

Physically the store is located on Lune Street in Preston city centre. It is very close to the major shopping arcades. Lune Street itself though feels more like a minor street running off the more prominent Fishergate which felt like almost the main shopping street in Preston -- equally I'm not a local so I'm sure someone will correct me here if I'm speaking out of turn. Seems like a very reasonable and accessible location with less than a two min walk from the train station (which was closed due to the strike when I visited). 

Shout out to Siobhan who spoke to me - she had some awesome painted nails feature the logo of many different factions on them (Iron Warriors, Thousand Sons on one hand that I saw, and White Scars and Salamanders on the other along with other loyalist chapters I think?). Jealous! 

Taking a Short Break

Interlude.

Dear Reader, we are taking a short summer break here at Warpstone Flux. Normal service will resume in a couple of weeks! All the best!

A Small Update

A small update on the blog today. With the Dark Angels now reviewed, I have updated the Second Edition summary page for the 30k / Horus Heresy unit reviews with them and rounded out the Astartes reviews. This has been a lot of work to reach this point and from the feedback I've received I know the community has valued this! Wow.

A short note then on where we are going next. I got the new black book release on pre-order and had a good scan of it. Although I'm excited by some parts of it, other parts are less interesting I will freely confess. I think then the next faction that I will be reviewing are the Mechanicum! 

Stay tuned - they're coming!

 

On the Horus Heresy 2023-2024 Road Map

I really enjoyed seeing the sneak peaks coming out of the Warhammer Festival today. Despite doing other things in real life on this long holiday weekend, I kept on checking up on what the gossip was via the Warhammer Community and other places and: I'm impressed.

The news of the PLASTIC lancer knight is just amazing! SIGN ME UP! Hey GW, can I get a free "sample" if I review it?! Only half joking of course. Just take my money regardless. I'm there!

Although I am bit less excited about the new Imperial Fists and Sons of Horus characters, I have to say that they look awesome. I'm more excited about the new black book to be candid! I hope it really does have something for everyone contained within its pages.

The plastic jump infantry is similarly very welcome news! I am not surprised about the mark of the armour and I can understand why they've done it this way, but as an Alpha Legion player, that's fine to me of course. What I don't quite understand is why they don't just put a lot of accessories (back packs and jump packs) along with lots of upgrades (bolter arms, left and right chainswords plus bolt pistols, and the odd power weapon, fists, claws and so in) in the same box and sell that at an increased price. Goodness knows that would go down a treat within the community and allow for plentiful bits box growth that would come in fabulously over the years ahead. Maybe I'm being silly on that point? Oh, and Mark 3 armour - NICE!

I find the road map hugely important news. There's going to be a Primarch for Autumn? Which one? They've done all of them! Perhaps daemonic Fulgrim? Omegon? I don't know, but please let it be one of those two! Khan on a bike? The plastic command squad on the horizon is going to be such a boon as well. 

And finally, EPIC! OR at least I interpret the EPIC announcement as EPIC! Am I wrong?

Large Update to the Horus Heresy 2e Summary Page

It is long overdue, but I have spent the past couple of days updating the Horus Heresy 2e Summary Page which is permanently linked from the top right of the blog for ease of access. To round out this post, I thought I'd also collect together some immediate thoughts and questions that I get asked.

Where are we up to then?
Every legion is done with one exception: Dark Angels. They will be coming soon enough. 
All core units are done, with one category exception: Lords of War. These will also be coming in the weeks ahead. 

Whats after that?
One of either Mechanicum or the new Black Book when it arrives. I haven't decided yet and it depends on timing I guess. 

"I have a question for you..."

Please do feel free to email if you want, and leave comments. Sometimes I make whole posts out of your inquiries to me. I value your feedback too, since I do make mistakes (copy and paste is fairly deadly afterall). Ratings out of 5 are obviously subjective though as are some of my comments about the units I review.

"Which legions do you regularly play with and against?"
I mainly play Alpha Legion. When not playing Alpha Legion, I play Iron Warriors which started with the second edition release. Both of these I happily play as either loyalist or traitor.
I am known to play Shattered Legions as well (Raven Guard, Salamanders, and Iron Hands). If you force me, I will also play daemonic Word Bearers and friends for a laugh once in a while.

I am known for playing at mid- to low-points value games as well, along with extended campaigns. Largely because high points value games take too long to complete on a given day given family and everything else I have to do in real life. Low points value games are something that I feel strongly about - people should play them more often!

I have experienced playing against every legion there is. As well as mechanicum, and all the other factions.

If you were to ask me which legions I play least against then the arguably surprise answer is Sons of Horus and Imperial Fists. I'm not even joking and I know what day it is today!

The Lion Returns

Interrupting the regular pace of things to just take a moment to gush about the new Warhammer 40,000 model for Lion El'Johnson. 

Of course, the rumours about his release have been swirling around for a very long time now. I am highly impressed there haven't been leaks in the same way that Angron was leaked out. 

What I really like about this model is that the Lion is not "over the top" compared to (say) the Heresy era interpretation, arguably as Roboute has shifted in a quite extreme manner. The Lion is both resplendent, dynamic, and retains the grim dark tone without appearing cartoon like. I think part of this impression is the visible aging that has been done to his face. Naturally, being asleep for millennia or ten is bound to do that to a man. Many have already made note of the looks being similar to a certain Lannister of Game of Thrones fame. I get that completely. Yet, he is also demonstrably still the Lion. He has aged gracefully and lacks nothing of his more youthful determination, aggression, and finesse. The watchers in the dark are similarly interesting on his base and I'm looking forward to seeing how his friendly chat with Cypher turns out (please do this Black Library, okay? We really want it!). 

Even I am slightly tempted to buy this model to be completely honest, and its been a long time since I built a Dark Angels force! Congrats GW on such a fantastic sculpt.