Thursday 2 December 2021

Paint Duels & Side Challenges

  

The calling out of paint duels, side challenges, and grudge matches extends from the earliest editions of the Challenge, and have become a time-honoured tradition - an established part of Challenge lore. 

These affairs de la brosse are meant to keep participants motivated over the three months of the Challenge, and create a fun atmosphere of smack-talk, brush-baiting and ridiculous paint vendettas.

For those who are new to this silliness, the paint duels allow a pair of individuals or small groups to test one another against a self-defined set of criteria. Maybe it's to see who can paint the most points of a specific type of model over the length of the Challenge (i.e. The Ship Challenge), or who can paint the most figures in the most periods/genres (i.e. The Squirrel Duels); other side challenges might be created to see who can reach a specific points threshold first (Points Race). The sky's the limit - really, it's up to your imagination.

Simply issue your challenge down in the comments and see if other Challengers take up your gauntlet. I suggest that those involved keep close track of their duels themselves, producing updates on the blog to keep the rest of us informed and amused. If there is enough interest, we may assign a minion to help provide periodic updates on the duels (casting my eye over the oar benches...) on our special page dedicated for this! You can find the link to the Duels page on the top navigation bar to see previous year's events.




Okay folks! Let's have some fun with this! We all want to see blood and feathers (and spilled paint) before March 20th. :)

Next up: This year's Challenge roster along with posting day/minion assignments. 

- Curt


120 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. I accept your challenge, sir. Shall we include a bonus for sailing ships given the innate elegance and moral superiority over their cargo-powered cousins - you know, to be environmentally sensitive

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    2. I have a mix of sailing ships and coal burning monstrosities this year

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    3. I will offer myself up as a sacrificial offering on this one. I have a few hulls planned but very much unlikely to come anywhere close to what you two will produce.

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    4. I woukd like to join the boat race.

      i do 1/3000 pre dreadnought is that ok.

      They are all home made.

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    5. Love to have you along Ian :)

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    6. Cool, looking forward to the scratch built predreadnoughts, that takes me back to my teenage years!

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    7. I would suggest that instead of a straight points comparison we paint our fleets track and then post a grand naval review with pictures of our work and the point totals. Then let folks vote for their favorite. Points break any ties.I assume we are just going for prestige.

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    8. Sounds great. As someone who gets his points in pennies rather than pounds I’m in.

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  2. Please Almighty Paint Gods, let there not be another handbag schalacking! ;)

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  3. Squirrel! (maybe - if challengers agree - with the extra twist that each faction from each era can also earn a squirrel point - so if you do dwarves, elves and goblins that would be 3 instead of 1 or napoleonic russians, prussians, french and spanish that would be 4.)

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    1. Not saying it's a bad idea, but it would be entirely possible for some despicable, squirrel obsessed people to paint a veritable rainbow of certain armies. For example, I have 8 different flavours of Space Marine projects on the go at the moment.
      It would simplify things a little in terms of what counts and what doesn't though, and would open the duel up to include people who don't play every period and scale under the sun.

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    2. I'm in for the Squirrel. I have no idea what I will want to paint from week to week and I have prepared dozens of different figures, in at least three scales and multiple games systems. It hard not to Squirrel actually...

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    3. As to things like Space Marines, I would suggest that they as a whole would be a faction, not each individual chapter/legion.

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    4. That would make things a bit fairer.

      I know I said no duels this year, but a Squirrel duel sure is tempting.

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    5. C'mon, we know you'll cave to the temptation, Stuart. Just make it easy on yourself. ;)

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    6. Tempted this year as I plan not to buy any new figures (Stop that giggling!) and reduce my lead pile of many previous years porjects leftovers. A question: 2WW New Zealanders, Australians, Canadians, South Africans and British score as one army or as six???

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    7. Sorry, I can't stop giggling. :)

      Like Space Marines, I wonder if they would all best fit under the umbrella term, 'Commonwealth Forces'. Again, that's just my opinion. I'm not sure if I'll do the Squirrel Duel this year, but I might be tempted. Any opinions from others who have a dog in this race?

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    8. In previous years, if they had been for different periods or theatres, they would have been accepted. Early War BEF troops are visually different from Mid-War ANZACs or Late War Airborne. I think we're going to have to go on an honour system for this one. If the models look similar/fought in the same places, then no Squirrel. That would apply to the variety of German troops in Europe, Wellington's international army at Waterloo, foederati in a Roman force etc.

      And I guess I'm in for the Squirrel duel.

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    9. I'm in if Squirrel duel is still "Paint at least 25 points in as many different genres/scales as possible" or similar.

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    10. My opinion: In Benito's example the aussies, new zealanders etc are all in the same faction so would all count towards the same squirrel point (in each scale). If they were from different theatres/periods - e.g. jungle aussies and desert new zealanders then they would count as separate squirrel points.

      I don't know enough about space marines - but I guess if they were in different factions that would fight each other I'd vote for them being separate squirrel points. Selfishly, I'd like goblins, elves, rats, naiads, skellies to each count as a separate faction in fantasy - it does represent significant distraction from the goal of completing armies - but I'd not want to lose anyone from squirrelling if they'd prefer a strict that's all fantasy ruling.

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    11. @SteveM - Yes, 25 points of models (not including bonus points for the Challenge Sector) of different period and scales. As per the ongoing discussion, different armies and factions within a period are also acceptable this year.

      @Scooba - I agree. Skeletons, Elves and the rest should count as separate entries. But are you going to count Wood Elves, Dark Elves and High Elves as three armies or one? By Games Workshop standards they are, but from another maker, they may not be that different. I think we are just going to have to trust each other for deciding if something is a tried and tested squirrel point or just someone being squirrelly.

      @All - I'd like to propose some guidelines for determining Squirrel Status. Feel free to suggest any ideas you have.

      Compared to previous Squirrel Points
      - Are the models a different scale? Yes = Squirrel.
      - Are the models from a different genre? Yes = Squirrel.
      - Are the models from a different period/theatre? Yes = Squirrel.
      - Are the models visually distinct and not just the same thing in a different colour? Would someone who knew nothing about the period be able to say "those are completely different"? Yes = Squirrel.
      - Are the models for the same army/force/warband etc? No = Squirrel.
      - Are the models from the same armylist/book etc? (supplements don't count) No = Squirrel.

      Any more ideas?

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    12. I'm in for the Squirrel. And about Space Marines and stuff, 40k armies could be categorized Imperium, Chaos and Xenos, one squirrel for each. Because you can (or at least could couple of rule changes ago) to field for example Imperium army with different chapters, Astra Militarum, Sisters, Scitarii etc... Just a thought.

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    13. I spent the weekend going through my hobby room and pulling out minis to prime and paint. And, on my way to work this morning I tallied up all my possible squirrel points (depending on definition) in my head. The number was quite sobering. I could probably reach my challenge target painting nothing but 5 model squirrels.
      However, that would mean I finish the challenge having painted nothing of any immediate use, some projects have been left to languish for a reason. I know that I get kind of obsessively competitive during the challenge (see last year's Skulls duel as an example), and it's really not good for me. I'm already starting to feel a little stressed just trying to work out what I need to paint to get points.
      So I'm afraid that I'm going to have to bow out of the Squirrel Duel. I have armies and projects that I want to focus on, plus the inevitable bits and pieces for the Challenge Sector (which I am going to try and take my time with this year). I'll still be cheering all Squirrellers on from the sidelines, but I won't be taking part.

      Best of luck to all the duellists.

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    14. I applaud your resolve Stuart. I can only imagine how much this must rankle your competitive spirit.

      I'm in for the Squirrel Duel. In honour of our 12th edition I want to see if IZ can touch upon 12 projects I have in various states of 'completion'. Here are my target projectss:

      1. French Indochina
      2. 10mm Fantasy
      3. Moonstone
      4. Malta
      5. Italian Wars
      6. Sisters of Battle
      7. 28mm Napoleonics
      8. Spanish Civil War
      9. 28mm Modern
      10. 20mm WWII
      11. Retreat from Moscow
      12. Dungeon Crawl

      I'm good with both Stuart's and Teemu's suggestions, with the addition that you need at least 25 points of models to score a 'Squirrel Point' (so five 28mm foot figures as a rough baseline).

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    15. I'm in too. If I had any kind of focus I wouldn't have a room full of unfinished or even unstarted projects. Let's get some of them a little less unfinished!

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    16. So the Squirrel challenge is for people who flit from one period to another? Sounds like a challenge for me!! I have so many bits and pieces in my drawers that I need to get cleared out....

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    17. I'm good with the 25 pt minimum per "Squirrel". It will encourage me to do small units. I like painting in groups of 5 so it suits me well.

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    18. Yes, 25 points is a good minimum, it has always been.

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    19. Re the "Squirrel" madness I like Curt's comment and his list of 12 periods to aim for - that is an impressive 300 points worth of figures anyway. So far in my tentative planning have only got the following themes all 25/28mm - Italian Wars / Dark Age / Interwar 1930's/ Samurai ....

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    20. Since I still have no semblance of a plan for this year, and no huge major project, count me in as well!!! Similar to Curt, I probably have at least 12 periods/armies to work on...
      1) 10mm fantasy Undead
      2) 10mm fantasy Wood Elves
      3) 15mm 40k Eldar
      4) 28mm Texas Rangers
      5) 28mm Vikings
      6) 32mm Trolls
      7) 1/600 Napoleonic ships
      8) Arena Rex Greeks
      9) Arena Rex Arena
      10) Kingdom Death something
      11) 28mm Inquisitor vehicles
      12) 15mm 30yw

      yup, ok, at least 12 as there are more I can think of already that were primed up over the past years and then never touched!!!

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    21. Brilliant stuff Byron, welcome aboard the HMS Squirrel. I've asked Stuart to administer this madness (bless his soul). Remember everyone, try to maintain your distraction. Focus is the hated mantra of efficient, achievement seeking tyrants. :)

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    22. This is hilarious guys - I love the idea of at least 12 different entries in honour of the 12th edition of the. Challenge.

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    23. You should kick-in Greg, as I know you have at least as many projects on the go. :) The embarrassing thing is that for each of my 12 stated projects, I have primed figures from previous years waiting in the wings, ready to go - I don't need to buy anything (but of course I will). :P

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    24. As Curt said, I will be administering this scurry of squirrels. I want to see a good clean fight, no painting below the belt.

      If everyone involved could make sure to tag their squirrel related posts with the Squirrel tag, it will make things a lot easier.

      Similarly, if anyone's posting tag is different from the handle they use for comments, please let me know so that your points can be correctly tallied.

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    25. My tag is TeemuL. 12 different Squirrels seems to be the "expectation" or "bare minimum", but with a little bit of focus it should be nice and not too hard. :)

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    26. StuartL - this is PeteF - my target 12 are:
      1. Mutatawia - Age of Crusades Arabs
      2. Stargrave gang
      3. Fantasy horrors - The Nightstalkers
      4. Judge Dredd judges
      5. Normans
      6. Minifigs Napoleonic French
      7. Fantasy frozen types - The Northern Alliance
      8. Something in 54mm - maybe Scots from the '45
      9. Sci Fi lizardmen
      10. Fantasy skellies - spears or bows
      11. Shieldmaidens
      12. 18th century woodland indians

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    27. I'll tackle the squirrel Duel as well

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    28. In honour of Challenge XII, I shall try for 12 squirrels. I think it’ll be a stretch for me, but I have a varied set of things prepped so let’s have a go :-)

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    29. To clarify. Are the following considered the same or different for squirrel points? and if different it is because they are for different sci-fi universes more than different scales?

      32mm Star Trek, Modiphius
      32mm Star Wars, FFG Legion/Imperial Assault
      28mm Stargrave
      30mm Aliens, GF9
      28mm Stargate, Phoenix Icons
      1/4105 Battlestar Galactica, Moebius
      30mm FireFly, GF9
      28mm Hunger Games, River Horse Studio

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    30. As Squirrelfinder General, all of those would be different for squirrel points as they are all for different universes. Stargrave is a bit hazy as it is technically model agnostic, so anything you did for it would have to be clearly different from the others, but there are plenty of models that would fill that criteria.

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    31. Ah-ha. I thought this was paint as many squirrel miniatures as you could. I was somewhat curios as to which game the squirrels pertain to. Now I understand, and yes, I think this sub-challenge is one I could compete at.

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    32. Me too! I wondered what the hack was going on LOL :>)

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    33. Sorry about that. A bunch of old sweats using colloquial terms. Yes, the Squirrel Duel originates from a few years back to encourage those who are easily distracted by a multitude of periods, scales, etc.

      Why Squirrel?

      https://youtu.be/xrAIGLkSMls

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    34. I'm new Ladies & Gents and wonder if I can join in on a squirrel challenge as I like to flit between periods as it helps my productivity. As this is a project I've chosen the letter P aiming for 12 units of variable composition (minimum 25 points) with a connection to P
      plan to do the following, not necessarily in this order
      1 Pike & Shotte
      2 Parliamentarian
      3 Pointy (as in pointy sticks)
      4 Peasants
      5 Pious
      6 Personality
      7 Posh ( as in self important or gaudy posers!)
      8 Polished
      9 Prancing (as on the back of an horse)
      10 Pagan
      11 Perry Miniatures
      12 Plastic

      Looking forward to taking part

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  4. Late Eastern Roman vs Late Western Roman Empire anyone?

    Bagsy Western!

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  5. I will collect skulls for a skull duel. Only for consenting participants, not every singly skull like the madness of AHPC XI...

    So Brunswickers, Prussians, pirates, SS (Booo!), fantasy skellies etc. Oh, and Grimdark.

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    Replies
    1. Not as varied as your lot, but I have a Tomb King army all primed, arrayed and waiting in front of me, so I may take you up on the Skull Duel, Barks. :)

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    2. My skull stockpile is still badly depleted from last year. As reigning champion, I guess I should make an effort to defend my title though. I'm in (so much for 'no duels this year'), but don't expect the same skultitudinous level of output this time.

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    3. Count me in for the Skull duel!I have a lot of Grimdark stuff yet to do!

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    4. Looking forward to the skull duel, but only as a spectator. Being awarded skull of the week was a major highlight of lasts years challenge for me.

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    5. I shall tally the skullz!

      Curt, those tomb kings sound perfect. I look forwards to you tackling a fantasy army with your gifted brushes.

      Stuart, I expected nothing less.

      Sander, sounds like you'll be set. I'm often surprised how many skulls can be squeezed onto a 28mm model.

      Peter, good thinking- I'll reanimate the Skull of the Week.

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    6. Well, I do have a mountain of figures to go through and quite a few are grim dark or just grim...it is a toss up between this fight and the old school as many models could go both ways. 🤔
      But with the piles of marines and orKs/orcs, I think skullz is the place to be.

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    7. I'm in! Thanks for administrating this Barks.

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    8. Curt - Tomb Kings are so much fun to paint! And the Skullz just keep coming!

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    9. @SAS Wargames: Yes, they're great fun. I'm doing this in 10mm so there will be loads of skullz for the Skull Throne. ;)

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    10. I may paint some skullz - count me in

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  6. Nick and I will be running our Bavarian Challenge duel again. The rules are simple who paints the most points in miniatures/terrain wins(Does not include any bonus points). The loser paints a figure, vehicle or terrain piece for the victor. He is having trouble commenting at the moment so just assume he is a yes on this since it was his suggestion to bring it back and all the proper issued challenge of glove/brush smacking across the face has transpired.

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    1. 'Bavarian Challenge'? How very exclusive! :) I look forward to see how this unfolds.

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    2. Is there a way to challenge you guys so I can extort a figure from one or both of you? I've even got some "Bavarian Content" lined up for this year!

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    3. Lol! I'm sure that's exactly what would happen in truth as your output dwarfs ours, but sorry to say the challenge is more or less a personal one that we have officially and unofficially been having through all the challenges. Thanks for asking and maybe you could entice others into a Nap challenge. Looking forward to seeing your Bavarians!

      Christopher

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    4. Sounds good, ount me in. I've got a few Bavarian units in the painting queue -in 6mm natürlich!

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    5. Two Bavarian challenges? One for actual Bavarians, and the other for upstarts, out to crush the 'established class'. ;P

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  7. OK, forget the Late Roman/Early Byzantine idea.

    How about an old school fantasy Miniature/Army duel- nostalgic mi9niatures with bags of character?

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    1. Oh, now you're speaking my language (though I love the idea of a Roman/Byzantine challenge). Can your fantasy duel be in any scale? I ask as I'm planning on working on some 10mm fantasy along with the more common 28mm stuff.

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    2. I might oddly enough be in for this. Hi old skool does the stuff have to be?

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    3. Yeah, any scale at all. I'm looking at the old Grenadier miniatures Orc range with a dangerous level of nostalgia. I recently watched a recent Wargames Illustrated vid with some of John Blanche's old models on which, apart from the nostalgia element, has me craving armies for WHFB Third Edition!!! LOL

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    4. Oh darn, I misinterpreted 'old school' as meaning old school duel. Silly me. My stuff is too modern (i.e. a lot of 3d prints). I may have to regretfully bow out. :(

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    5. They're more then a day old right? LOL

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    6. Haha, you're very generous. Okay, how about we just keep it relatively generic to Fantasy, in any scale, and any vintage?

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    7. Very happy do do that Curt. :)

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    8. Brilliant! You're on. If possible, I'll ask you to do updates on the side challenge from time to time. Oh, and sorry, who is 'Bedford'? :)

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    9. If your using this as a fantasy challenge to do your Warmaster stuff Curt, count me in as well.

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    10. I'm in for a fantasy challenge as long it's OK that the vast majority of my minis are modern and plasticky.

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  8. I'm hoping to get a lot of 28mm Seven Years War stuff painted this year. Anyone fancy a Tricorn Duel? Mike P

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    Replies
    1. Normally I’d be a taker, but I’m not planning to do much in the way of lace wars stuff this year.

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    2. Gosh Mike, I wish I had my Plains of Abraham stuff tee'd up to go, as I'd normally kick in. Maybe next year, mate.

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  9. I shall present a mangled not so clean paintbrush towards the Snow Lord and challenge him to see who can paint 95 points of spectre miniatures first.
    Although I have a tendency to through paint bombs, I will freely admit I have a squad of marines and a pile of D&D minis to paint for Christmas gifts. I also have White Scars, Iron Snakes, and both 40k and fantasy Orcs in my to do list besides necromundia, kill team, and arenautica imperialus to do.
    Ready to duel, Curt?

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    Replies
    1. I'm going to get zapped on this one, but you're on David. How about we set a deadline? 95 points by February 1st? If we both make it, then it's a dead heat. Work for you?

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    2. February 1st works for me. Hopefully I can find my dog handler by then! The duo must've found contraband in the mountain of neglect and are securing it.;)

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    3. Dave, if it's okay with you, can we open this up to modern/post-apoc from any manufacturer? I ask as I may not have enough Spectre Ops stuff in my stocks, but have others kicking their heels, waiting for some attention.

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    4. Entirely fine, just looking for the motivation to complete the few Spectre Miniatures I have lest they go back to the mountain of neglect with the dog handler.;)

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  10. Any takers for a Floppy hat Challenge? 1670-1699?

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    Replies
    1. That’s on my to do list, so you’re on Ray!

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    2. I got humiliated by Ray last year on this one. Too shy for this season. Good luck to you both!

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    3. I am well aware that I am setting myself up as a sacrificial offering.

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    4. I have some stuff to do here - so I'll give it a go!

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    5. would 1702 be admissable too?

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    6. Neither...ok well let's say start of the WSS...

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  11. Hope its not too late to get a slot if they aren't all taken, email sent, fingers and toes crossed

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  12. I hope I've got this right!
    I'd like to challenge my fellow newbie painter, Sarah, to a duel! No intricate rules, just the first to 50 points :)

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    1. Oooh, this could be quite fun to watch.

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    2. Accepted!
      However, I do suggest a Chocolate Cake be the prize …

      … says she who tomorrow has her first-ever painting tutorial

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    3. Oh yes! Chocolate cake sounds like a wonderful incentive!

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    4. Gosh, I see myself enjoying chocolate cake, no matter the outcome. Win!!

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    5. That could definitely work as you are both in my "Tamsin's Tuesday Terrors" crew for posting. :)

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    6. That posting day may have been (ahem) arranged, to encourage some X Chromosome camaraderie/mayhem. :)

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  13. Anyone up for a French Revolutionary Wars/Napoleonic dual?

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    1. I'll take you up on that,lot's primed from last year that never happened, I need an incentive!
      Best Iain

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    2. Excellent, good to have you along Iain.

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    3. I will join this also Ray, but I fear you I will be filling in gaps, so a side challenge for me. Napoleonic Austrian cavalry and infantry I think, so far Not assembled.

      Cheers
      Matt

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    4. I'm sure I can splash some more paint on some Napoleonics with you chaps.

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    5. Count me in Ray, ive got a boatload of gods own scale French and Russians which will make up most of my challenge.

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  14. Anyone up for an ACW challenge? I have the Warlord Epic big box set to work through and thought maybe we could see who can get the most regiments painted? Not restricted to 15mm (12.5mm I know).

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    1. I'll jump into that one. Only got 20 28mm to paint up so, why not?

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    2. Count me in, I'm planning on boosting my 28mm ACW collection this year.

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  15. What say you Bushy Beard Tom?

    I could buy a few more to make it worth your while? LOL

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    1. I welcome you on board! Great work sir.

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    2. Fab. The ones I have were undercoated and primed when the Perry's first brought out there ACW boxed sets and never given a coat of paint!

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    3. Bushy Beard Tom, i'm going to have to bow out of the duel as due to me being (very) CEV. I've made the decision to severely limit the number of packages I order and contact I might have to have despite taking rather extreme precautions. Hope you understand. ***I am still taking part in the challenge!***

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  16. Anyone for Rome and her enemies, planning Republican and Imperials as my main push.

    Character figure to the winner!


    Cheers
    Matt

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  17. Anyone up for Medieval also, planning some HYW Scots, English and War of Breton independence 1480s French.

    Takers ? Painted Character figure as entry as always.

    Cheers
    Matt

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  18. Since I have joined the nuts in the Squirrel Challenge, I think that it appropriate that I re-instate the Alphabet Challenge too. Simply paint miniature(s) that tick of a letter of the alphabet (as in J is for Janissaries, C is for Commando etc) and see if you can hit 26. The fun is in how you stretch the description to fit the letter you need to tick off. Only one figure needed to tick off a letter but a figure can only be used for a single letter. That Fat Imperial Guard Moustache Twirler doesn't tick off five letters..
    No prize other than amusement. And possibly a can of Alphabet Noodles.
    Anyone want to play along at home?

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    Replies
    1. I’ve enjoyed watching you do this before, so I’m in.

      I hear you’ve retired- will you be at CanCon? (Apocalypse notwithstanding)

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