French Vehicles

Been a long time since I've posted. It's been a combination of a ridiculous project at work, playing Mechwarrior Online and just not feeling like painting. I'm going to start to get back to my painting as these figures aren't going to get painted just sitting there.

The following three figures have been on my paint table for months and I finally finished them yesterday. All three are French early war vehicles from Warlord Games and are resin with some metal bits. First up is a Panhard 178 armoured car. This might be my favourite French vehicle, I just like how it looks.

Next is an R40 tank

The lastly is a Lorraine 38L armoured carrier

Next up on my paint table is a trio of French trucks and a half dozen of some 28mm bug aliens for my Retro sci-fi stuff.  I've also joined Jonathan and signed up to the Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge http://thepaintingchallenge.blogspot.ca . I've set myself a goal of 750 points so I need to get cracking!

Status Update

So I'm not dead. I haven't updated my blog lately as I haven't done much in the way of painting figures or playing board games. I bought a new computer last month and I've been fanatically playing Mechwarrior Online.

I have played a few new board games in the interim. Couple weeks ago a friend of mine received his Kickstarter copy of In the Name of Odin by NSKN Games.

In this game you're a hero who is trying to become the new Jarl. Through the use of card playing and activating buildings in your village, you raise a small force of guys composed of sailors, traders and warriors. You then use this force to go on various raids. The player with the most fame at the end is the winner.

The quality of the components was good although there was one thing noticeably absent and that's a quick reference sheet. It could really use one as there are a number of actions/abilities a player could do and they're not noted anywhere except in the rulebook. I'll look on BGG to see if someone has come up with one.  The game played quite quickly and a 3-player game could easily get done in an hour if all the players know the rules and are paying attention.

The second new game I played was Defenders of the Last Stand by 8th Summit.

Terry had just received his Kickstarter copy so he brought it over for a run-through. In this post-apocalyptic game, the players are trying to keep their town of Last Stand alive. The players go on missions to retrieve ancient items all the while trying to stem/stop the flow of raiders that are inbound to the town. There is 4 raider groups each led by a big boss. The players win the game by killing all four of the big bosses. We only played till we had killed one of them. As it was getting late we halted the game.

The quality of the components is good with a fair number of cards and plastic figures. The game is pretty simple to play, just very long. We played rather cautiously so maybe it would go faster if we had played more dangerously.  The one odd thing was it only came with two player references, which is odd for a 1-5 player game.

Still on my paint table are a number of French vehicles, although three of them are getting close to being done.

French World War 2 HQ & Teams

Just finished these the other day. They're all metal and are from Warlord Games. First up is the HQ squad.

Next is the 2" mortar team.

Next is the anti-tank rifle team.

And finally there is the sniper team.

On my paint table right now is half a dozen 28mm insect aliens for my retro sci-fi game and half a dozen French vehicles.

Pippin the cat

This post is about my cat Pippin. It's not about miniatures or board games or any sort of gaming. It's about my cat Pippin. I'm going to warn you now that this post has a sad ending, so if you're not interested or don't feel like getting upset then I'll understand if you click off this page. If you read this post, I'll appreciate it.

This is Pippin.

When she was younger, like all cats she'd do her best to go everywhere. Here she is climbing on a fan. Not sure why but it doesn't look comfortable.

My old desk used to have a shelf over it and for some reason she decided that it would be a great place to hangout and watch over me.

And like all cats she'd try and drape herself over my keyboard.

And also like all cats, she'd lie where you could rub her belly. One rub only then the claws come out!

When I'd come home from work, she'd be there to greet me. She'd tilt here head looking for a head scratch then want to get up on my shoulder. And it was always my left shoulder. I didn't let her go outside unless I was right there. She would periodically race out when I opened the door and go down to the sidewalk and roll around. She really liked that.

Here she is with a mechanical spider toy I got for Christmas one year.

Not sure what to make of it.

Pippin was really 'talkative'. Whenever I'd call her name, she'd come to me with little meows or yips. It was almost like carrying out a conversation.  

Recently I noticed Pippin was getting rather thin. As she's almost 14 years old, I figured it was her just getting old. Regardless, I took her to the vet. The vet found a large mass in her lower intestine. It was almost certainly cancer. I took her to a specialist and it was determined to be lymphoma of the lower intestine. Prognosis was bad and the vet prescribed some pills that would at least help her eat better and give her a little bit more energy.

So the past few weeks she was starting to eat better. She seemed to have more energy. Until today. When I got up this morning, she didn't come find me. I called out to her and she didn't come and not a peep. I was hoping she just got herself into a spot and couldn't hear me but realistically I knew what it could be. I searched everywhere and found her behind the freezer in the basement. She was sitting 'sphinx like' and didn't acknowledge me as I called to her. I knew that was it. I quickly grabbed a box and some towels, gently picked her up and raced into the veterinary hospital. 

Pippin hated riding in the car and would usually howl the entire time. This time, not a peep. The vet had a look at her and told me it was time. At 3pm today my little friend of 14 years died in my arms. Worst day of my life.

Pippin the cat, 2002-2016. R.I.P.

Assorted Figures & Games

Been a while since I've posted anything up. I haven't actually done much in the way of painting lately as I've had other things on my mind. Regardless, I finally finished a few figures that have been on my desk for far too long. First up is a set of 5 mechanical spider walkers. These metal figures are from Bombshell Miniatures' Mekkus faction for their Counterblast game. They are called Mekkus Cybots.

Next up is a trio of figures that can be used for Frostgrave. The first two are a Reaper small, metal fire elemental or familiar and a Frostgrave Frostwraith.

Picture is crappy, but they look decent in person.

Next is a Reaper Bones Avatar of Sokar. Not sure why I picked this one up, I think I just wanted to paint it as I like the Egyptian theme.

For board games lately, I've tried a few new ones out. I picked up Agents of Smersh by 8th Summit.

Fun game, not very hard, pretty easy overall. The story aspect of it is pretty interesting and pretty original.

Another one I've played (solo unfortunately) is Guns of Gettysburg by Mercury Games.

I've played one of Simmons' other games: Napoleon's Triumph and I find his boards are a joy to look at. Probably the best looking boards out there, especially for wargames. Excellent high quality components. I'd really like to give this one (or Napoleon's Triumph) another play.

Last weekend, I also got in a game of Mage Knight by Wizkids Games.

I picked this game up for a friend last year at Fallcon. It came with a couple small expansions. We finally got it on to the table and it's a pretty deep game. Not hard, there's just lots you can do. And lots of bits! I look forward to giving this one another try.

Sitting on my paint table right now is some World War II French infantry and a bunch of French vehicles.

Zenithian Soldiers

Finally finished up the last of my figures for my Mayday game. These are the figures I'm using as my Zenithians. The figures are all metal with the exception of the walker which is metal and resin. Figures are all from Bombshell Miniatures http://store.bombshellminis.com. All the figures are from their Counterblast Edofleini faction. First up are the 5 troopers.

Next is the commander

 And lastly is the Walker.

Next up on my paint table is probably a couple Frostgrave figures then some retro sci-fi figures, then I'm going to throw myself into my World War 2 French as I have a ton of vehicles and figures to paint up.

And I need to throw in an obligatory plug: Mayday is this Saturday, so if you want to go here's the site: http://maydayconvention.com

Frostgrave Spellcasters

Tonight I finished up a group of figures for Frostgrave. I did all these figures up for Terry's Mayday game to give him a hand. All these figures are metal figures from Reaper Miniatures. There's 6 sets of wizards and apprentices. Wizards are on the left.

And lastly is the figure I'm using for a Captain. This is the metal Templar figure from the Frostgrave range.

Up next is the remaining figures for my Mayday game. That will be followed by some miscellaneous figures and then I'm throwing myself back into my World War II French infantry and vehicles.

Retro Robots

Today I finished a group of robot figures for my Retro Raygun set. These figures are all metal and are from Bombshell Miniatures http://www.bombshellminis.com . First up is a group of 6 'minion' robots.

Next is a pair of 'conehead' robots.

Next up is a trio of emergency services robots: security bot, fire bot, EMT bot.

And finally are my favourites of the lot: a pair of trashcan bots flanking Dr. Zardov.

I really like the clear domes on all three figures. Not something you see very often.

Sitting on my paint table right now is a pile of wizards and apprentices that I'm painting up for Terry's Mayday game and an alien faction for my Mayday game. After that I have a bunch of terrain I need to assemble for my game.

Speaking of Mayday, we've got lots of spaces open! http://maydayconvention.com

Hoplites and Bow

Yesterday I finished another four bases for my Carthaginian amy. Although these bases could be used in various other ancient armies as they're not specifically Carthaginian units. First up are two bases of hoplites. Figures are from 1st Corps with shield transfers from LBMS.

The LBMS transfers are really nice, but I'm finding that the edges start to peal away from the shields. I've resorted to brushing on Crazy Glue f I notice them starting to peel. Kind of a pain in the ass.

The other two bases are skirmish archers. These figures are from War-games Foundry.

Sitting on my paint table right now is a batch of robot figures that are almost completed. After that I have a pile of figures that I'm using as Xenithians for my Mayday game and a pile of wizards and apprentices that I'm painting up for Terry's Mayday Frostgrave game. Need to get my butt in gear!

French World War II Vehicles

I found this Kickstarter last night and I figured I'd share it with whomever reads my blog. It's the second Kickstarter campaign run by Mad Bob Miniatures. The vehicles are all of the 'less common' vehicles variety that manufacturers probably won't make.  Not all the vehicles are French, some of them are German.  I'm down for a half dozen and with some luck the campaign will unlock the H39 tanks. If you're interested, maybe consider supporting them.

Frostgrave Figures

Been a while. Recently I finished a group of 4 figures to be used for Frostgrave. All figures are from Reaper Miniatures and are all metal. First batch is a group of 4 adventurers. The figure in the middle I'm using as a Knight, the one on the right is a Thief and the left one I don't have a roll for him yet. I thought he was neat so I picked him up. It wasn't till I got him almost finished that I realized I had glued the shield on incorrectly. Oh well.

Next up is a large frost giant. I'm not a big fan of the stance, but I see what they were getting at. The figure was nice to paint up though and came together rather nicely. Pictures are crap like usual.

Four figures for this month is rather dismal. So hopefully I can step my game up as I'm really not doing very well this year.

On my paint table is still a couple units of hoplites (still!), some skirmish archers (completed and just need to be based) and a bunch of figures for my Mayday Sci-fi game.

Valkeeri War Rockets

Been a rather slow month for painting unfortunately. I'll have to up my game. Regardless, this week I finished the last War Rocket fleet: the Valkeeri. These miniatures are from Hydra Miniatures and like their other War Rockets, are a breeze to paint. The Class 1 and 2 rockets are metal and the Class 3 and 4 are resin. Pictures will be in order of Class 1 to 4.

Next up on my paint table are a few figures for Frostgrave, some ancient bow armed skirmishers and some hoplites.