From JamesM: Necromunda Chaos Helot Cultists and terrain (100 points)

Hi folks,

As I've spent the last few months painting terrain for Necromunda, I thought I should get some gangers painted to play with. I've a few gangs planned out, but wanted to start with my rather uninspired Chaos cultist gang. These are mainly GW figures, with a single 3d printed 'witch' model. Other than a single head swap and a few basic weapon swaps or alterations, I've done very little with these figures. 

One of the reasons for choosing this gang to start with was that I'm relatively unfamiliar with painting larger models, being more used to 15mm figures. I'd also gotten a set of Army Painter Speed Paints specifically for my Necromunda models and wanted to get used to them on a gang which would always be messy 'deliberately'. This would hopefully give me some practice for other models later. 

While painting these figures, I also took the opportunity to clear my desk of a couple of MDF platforms and some scatter terrain barrels. 

My concept for this Helot Cult was of a subversive Tzeentch based organisation. For my planned narrative campaign these will be the bad guys causing trouble, fermenting unrest and setting gangs and the authorities against each other in pursuit of some deeper plot to further the aims of the Changer of Ways. As such, the gang name chosen is 'The Cult of the Tattered Mirror'. 

For those unfamiliar with 40k lore Tzeentch is the Chaos God of change, evolution, mutation, intrigue, ambition, knowledge, sorcery, destiny, lies and trickery - his demons tend to be blue. 

In keeping with that theme, I went for a mainly blue colour scheme. 

The leader, a Demagogue in game terms, has the random and rubbish sword and shotgun combo found on the stock GW plastic model. He's supported by a Witch - a 3D model designed by Imitation of Life Miniatures and purchased from CrisisActorMinis on Etsy. This figure is a bit smaller than GW models, but fits in fine with the gang - she's obviously wasting away from the corrupting power flowing through her. 

I also included a few Disciple (champion) or Specialist options with the inclusion of grenade launcher, sniper and heavy stubber figures. The gang is missing a close combat armed champion, but I've one model with two hand weapons which might fit the bill if needed. The Sniper I painted up in more uniform green colours, with a grey camo shawl. He's an off world specialist traitor guardsman that's been brought in to help the cult cause trouble. 

I actually did some work after these pictures were taken to tidy up messy base edges and re-highlight a few bits I spotted I'd missed in the pictures. The models are all based on Necromunda plastic bases, coloured to suit the terrain I've painted.

The scatter terrain consisted of pile of individual barrels painted primary colours, given a wash and then weathered, while the MDF platforms came from a set I've been steadily butchering to provide levels and height options on my tables. I've stuck to a very simple paint scheme with my MDF terrain, going for a rusted metal effect. Nothing fancy at all, but quick and easy to replicate over all the MDF buildings I've done or have planned. 

Using the Speed Paints was an interesting experience. I'm a pretty slow painter, but I found I could get 5 or 6 models to 'completion' at a sitting. Which is unheard of for me. I used a variation of the 'slap chop' method, starting with a black base and drybrushing grey then highlighting/drybrushing white before applying the paints. I found some of the darker colours didn't work too well, and required additional medium applied to stop them looking too patchy or dark. 

This quick and easy method I considered to be a good thing. Combined with the points for painting 28mm figures, I realised how easy scoring wise you larger scale painters have it in the challenge!

However, it took a little bit of further work to get the models to a point I was 'happy' with them. 

I highlighted flesh and a few other bits, but something still seemed off. I resorted to applying a thinned black wash to 'tie the models together' and some further highlights using my regular vallejo paints. One of the downsides of the Army painter offering is that they do re-activate, and I found that putting the wash on caused some issues (though I had few when painting them). I'm not sure whether my feeling of the models not looking right is a combination of me not being used to the scale or non-uniformity, or whether there is something I've missed - or whether the paint job is falling short of my intent. 

Overall, I'd say I'm only reasonable happy with the models, which is a shame. They do look a lot worse in the photos than they do to the eye, but I made some poor colour choices (some of the models are just too dark) and 

Total then would be:

16 x 28mm models - 80 points

1 x 6" terrain cube - 20 points

Total - 100 points

Minion Miles: Glad to see others using the spped paints - I do agree they are "varied in quality". Very nice submission.