In a Masters event like the UK Nationals, the criteria will be:

• 3 army lists
• Character Restricted
• Play each list once
• No Reinforcements or Specialists

So this presents me with a huge amount of painting to do, as while it isn’t a requirement; having 3 fully painted armies will be great on the table.  To this end, I have still to paint:

• Kraken
• Blood Witches (10)
• Blood Hag
• Seether (2)
• Satyxis Raiders (10)
• Satyxis Raider Capt
• Satyxis Raider Sea Witch
• Ripjaw
• Iron Lich Overseer (2)
• McThralls (4)
• Harrower

So looks like a few late nights are in order.

On 29th – 30th June, the first ever UK Nationals will take place; with 128 player tournament; as well as the Iron Gauntlet qualifier.  For those not familiar with the new Iron Gauntlet, the UK Nationals will be the last place (this year) to be able to qualify for essentially the World Championships of Warmachine/Hordes.

It’s been a tough decision, but I have booked my hotel and bought my ticket and I will be going down to Stockport to play in the UK Nationals.  I don’t expect to do well, but it is more for the experience of it.  As of this time there was still 15 spots left, so if you fancy taking on some of the UK’s best players; head over to this thread on Warhammer Forum.

For now here is the models I have painted: Stitch Thralls, Cataphract Battlemech and a Scrap Thrall.

A year long painting competition with monthly prices from the best miniature companies around! Get painting, prizes aren’t for the most well painted models, they’re for painting your models!

So as the above says, this is about what you paint, no matter how good you are (or bad in my case); or even how many you paint.  It is more a mutual motivation to paint all those models you buy, while enjoying the experience and expertise of hundreds of others doing the same thing.

My Painting Oath for May, has been delayed because of my recent hospitalisation; but I am now raring to go painting the following:

Necrosurgeon, Stitch and Scrap Thralls

Cataphract and Hatchetman

On the plus side, I managed to complete the April Oath; with just 2 hours to spare.  Despite the time constraint, I am really pleased with the models I have done, while not really compromising on the quality of the work too much.  The Oath was to include the secret ingredient; which in April was Battle Damage.

With just Gerlak Slaughterborn left to paint, I figured I could go a little crazy with him.

Weapon slashes, a little corrosion and just to show why Trolls have the Tough ability; a broken spear shaft in the chest.

The other Oath models which I haven’t shown to date, are the last two witches:

And Egregore:

Other than Belgarath97, Second Class Elitist and LXG; I’m not aware of who the other members are; however this shouldn’t detract from the contributions of the other members.  If you haven’t already, check it out at League of Extraordinary Gamers.

The full interview can been seen here, but the reason I mention the blog, is not only because it’s a great informative read; but it also (unwittingly to me) used a number of photos of my models in the interview article.  Those who read my previous post, will remember the Oath models I had already painted.  All three appear in the article, which for me is a great honour; considering some of the other models that could have been used.

On the flip side, things are picking up on the painting side; thanks to a small Facebook group called Painting Oaths.  The aim of the group is to help promote miniature painting, while at the same time rewarding the participants in a friendly monthly prize competition.  Phil Millar the organiser, has with the help of many gaming industry companies got some amazing prizes each month.  It doesn’t matter what skill level you are, it is all about the Oath you make each week; with bonus points for using the Special Ingredient which this month was Battle Damage.

So being an idiot, 12 days ago I signed up to paint some models for the April contest.  On the table:

• Skarre, Queen of the Broken Coast
• Witch Coven of Galghast + Egregore
• Gerlak Slaughterborn
• Necrotech

A total of 7 models in just under 2 weeks, like I said I’m an idiot *grins*.  With just 4 days left, I have just 2 Witches and Gerlak to paint, so it is going to be close; but should have it done before the 30th April.  Here’s Skarre, Selene (that my name for her ok, or I’ll forget) and the Necrotech.

Having painted some of the original metal models from Wyrd, I was looking forward to getting my first look and painting; of the new plastics. Sadly this has been a bit of a disappointment, which I hope is only restricted to this crew.

So what are the problems:

Lots of moulding gaps and seam lines. Thankfully a lot of the cleaning was done before hand by the client, but there is still a lot of large gaps that needed filling. One of the worst was on Mei Feng, around the hairline a gap of about 0.5 – 1mm; made it look like she had a badly fitted wig.

Sculpting is very lacking, with hardly any definition on the bodies and especially the faces. These are supposed to be 32mm ‘heroic’. which is nowhere near what these are. At best they are 28mm true scale. This can be seen clearly in the photo, with Kang, the largest of the models against Privateer Press 28/30mm Bane Lord Tartarus.

The plastic is very flexible, which is great if you want curves and arches. In the handles/shafts of weapons (shovels, mallets in this case), bendy plastics are not a good thing.

I appreciate that this is new to Wyrd, as it is with many of the companies switching from metal to plastics/resins. However, this isn’t endearing me; to take up Malifaux again given these issues. As I said originally, I hope this is only restricted to this particular crew; but we will see.

Progress is coming on with the whole fleet, where I have added the Battle Carrier (not shown) as well.