From Barks: Big 'nids (50 points)

My last entry this Challenge. I did these centrepiece Tyranid monsters I've had for a while. The vast majority is Contrast Gryph-hound Orange and Skeleton Horde over a Vallejo Bonewhite spray slapchopped white.

The Neurotyrant is the brains of this part of the hive mind. Floating malevolently above the battlefield, from behind you can see multiple smaller creatures enhancing its psychic abilities.

Neurotyrant

Accessory brains

It is accompanied by two Neuroloids, fun-looking underlings which I see sashaying about cattily.

Neuroloids

The real highlight for me is the Screamer Killer, redux. I had one of the Jes Goodwin metal ones in the nineties. It was the size of a clenched fist and weighed a hefty packet, and I let it go about 15 years ago. These are the only photos I have of it:

1992 Screamer Killer

My 2nd Edition Tyranid army!

I do not regret the time I spent wet blending those claws!

Then thirty years pass (!) and the new plastic Screamer Killer is released in 2023. There was no way I was not going to have this. It is massive, on a 90mm base- already over twice the size of the original, and so light in comparison!

2023 Screamer Killer. Free hugs!

I added some drool with UHU glue and a cocktail stick- easy and effective.

Items for scale

That's it for me this Challenge.

2 x 25mm Neuroloids- 10 points

1 x 50mm based Neurotyrant- 10 points?

1 x 90mm based Screamer Killer-  20 points?

Can Opener Side Duel: +20

From Millsy:

What a wonderfully creepy way to finish your Challenge mate! I'm not sure what's more unnerving, all the exposed brains or the sticky drool which you've managed to conjure up with glue.

I've really enjoyed your 'Nids this year and your choice of hive and the way you've represented them is spot on. I'm sure the chittering horde will be the better for having these brain bugs hovering nearby. No self-respecting swarm would leave the nest without a few neuro-whatsits to guide them.

Thanks for sharing your work this year Barks. Maybe one day my revolting Death Guard can face off against your 'Nids for the title of most disgusting. It would be an honour to fight such a worthy foe.

I think you've under costed these a bit so lets call it 50 points to close out your Challenge.

Cheers,
Millsy

From Barks: More 40K (136 points)

Because of reasons, this may be my last post this Challenge. I've not reached my ambitious target, but it has been good to get paint on figures. Starting with some 'nids:

10 termagants

6 genestealers. I really dislike these particular sculpts.
Full of moldlines and soft detail, and hard to parse what is what.

Next we have some more sneaky specialist marines, to round off the lads I did a few weeks ago:

Medic

Comms dude

Heroic commander

These next troops are Reivers, specialising in behind-the-lines terror with their signature Crocodile Dundee blades, skull helms, and anti-grav backpack vanes that I'm sure will snap off. I used 3D printed pauldrons- and I don't actually like them. They lack the charm of the hand-painted ones.

5 Reivers. I do like their dynamic posing.

Sergeant denoted by helmet stripe

So, 16x 28mm tyranids: 80 points

8 x big marines: 56 points

Can-opener +56 points

Skulls +20 (total 38)

I'll see if I can get a small amount more done before the end.

From Millsy:

More glorious 40K for me to drool over thanks mate!

I totally agree re these genestealer sculpts but unfortunately there's not a huge choice on offer so we have to make do. They look great regardless and will still terrorise your enemies I've no doubt.

I'm not sure how being bright yellow and eight feet tall qualifies as "sneaky", especially given how much electromagnetic radiation these guys must give off! Whatever else they may or may not be they're superbly painted and a reminder I must try your yellow recipe.

136 points added to your score Barks. Can you get to 1000 be Challenge end or will "reasons" prevail?

Cheers,
Millsy

From SanderS: Titus has arrived! ( 55 points)

 Hoi,

A very persistent and nasty stomach flu that pestered all of the family and the security settings of my computer keep interfering with me participating here for real. Both Arthur and myself would like to thank everyone that replied to our posts form last week and we will answer them in time and try to reply to as many posts you guys put up here from now on. 

Last week I told you guys I was working on a post for the Limbo circle of hell, but of course I chose some Bretonnians for this who are a lot more work than I had bargained for. So I am still painting them, they are not yet finished, but I have found a little time to paint up some simple Tyranids and a Space Marine character. 

These miniatures, Space Marine hero Titus (the main character from the hugely popular Online game Space Marine II) and 10 Tyranids are part of the Limited Recruit Edition of the WH40K introduction boxed set. No, I do not play the aforementioned game, but I do play the Tacticus game on my cell with Arthur and Titus does feature there too and I really wanted to try to paint him. 

The Nids are painted in the scheme I use for my Space Hulk Genestealers as well and I like the yellow and black contrast. In between nicer paintjobs I am also painting Tyranids for a demonstration army for the club which are blue and black and I will probably paint some during the Challenge as well. But these are my personal ones.  

11 miniatures in 28mm scale is 55 points unless I am mistaken. See you all next week!

Cheers Sander

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Hi Sander

So sorry you, Arthur and the rest of the family have had a stomach bug ... that can be quite nasty! Hope you are all feeling better.

I really know nothing about Space Marines, or the Nids ... but I do like your colour choices, especially on Titus. What a great shade of blue. :)

11 28mm figures = 55 points for you

See you in Limbo next week??

- Sarah