From Curt - School of Magic Heroes for 'Hametsu' (15 Points)

 

Hi All,

As several of you know, I like to have a LOT of things happening on my hobby desk, and this Challenge is no different! 

Last winter my good pal PhilH pointed me towards a new game coming out called 'Hametsu' from Black Site Studios. I looked into it further and thought it might be a good candidate for our group, being as it requires a fairly low figure count, has simple, fast moving rules, and seems chock-full of flashing katana character. 

I duly plunked down for the rulebook and have been very happy with my purchase. The rulebook is gorgeously produced, very high quality stuff and more importantly the rules are excellent as well. So I've been busy ever since, amassing 3d prints and getting things ready to churn out for the Challenge. In fact, I was so keen to try the game that I've hosted several sessions with my primed figures (clutches pearls!), and even have had a few online games with pals from away using Discord. It's been well-received so I'm eager to move forward and get some colour on these figures.

'Hametsu' is essentially a cooperative monster hunting game. It's set in feudal Japan, built around the premise that a cataclysm has created fissures in reality across the country, letting demons (Oni) through into the material world. The population has largely retreated into the relative safety of the cities, while the countryside has been overrun with roving bands of Oni and other nasty creatures. As a result, Japanese society has created bands of 'Hunters' to go out into the wilds and try to stem the tide of evil infesting the country. I know, it sounds very reminiscent to 'Rangers of Shadow' deep, but it has a mannered structure and groovy Boss fights that make it quite unique and compelling.

In the base game the heroes originate from three 'Schools' of martial prowess. They are The School of Magic, The School of Stealth and the School of Strength. Each of the Schools has three 'classes' or archetypes.

Today I have three 'classes' from the School of Magic: A Monk (close combat/healer), a Bunraku (necromancer) and a Onmyoji (mage).

The Monk is a metal figure from Otherworld Miniatures. Surprisingly, I found him to be sort of ropey, which is kind of weird as Otherworld stuff is usually so darn good, but I liked his minimalist pose and so stuck with him (so many of the 3d designs for monks are a little too Marvel for me, if you know what I mean). I'm happy I preserved as I quite like him now.

The Bunraku is a 3d print from Kyoshuneko Miniatures. I was smitten by the effect of her flaming ensorcelled hands (great word: 'ensorcelled'). (Although to be honest, the real character class can't actually cast fire, but don't mess with my jam...).

The Onmyoji is a print designed by Epic Miniatures. I was curious about the whole basket-helm thingy and found that these guys were (and still are) Komuso monks from a specific Zen Buddist sect. Originally descended from samurai, the basket is worn over the head as a symbol shunning one's sense of ego. Interesting. Following this train of logic, I suspect Sarah will suggest that I get my head measured for one...

I know, all this for 15 points. Yeeash...

In the future I plan to post figures from the other two Schools of Magic along with an assortment of the baddies that the heroes have to face and overcome. If I get especially fired up I may even get some terrain completed. Hold my beer.

Happy New Year Folks!!

- Curt

From BrianC - A little of this and that. My rookie debut! [History, Fantasy, & Library Cart] (111pts)

Hello all. This is my first time in this challenge! I'm very excited to be involved! Thank you, AndrewB for letting me know about this challenge! Now, I hope I post this right. Ha! My first entry is a little of the historical minis and some fantasy minis. I have primed a few minis in advance to prepare for this.

Ok. Let's begin with a photo of what I will enter for my 1st post:

I have painted 8 Warlord Games Saxon Archers.

I'm in love with the Army Painter Speedpaints! But, there will be some use of the regular AP colors, too.

One thing that bugged me about the Warlord Games minis is their long necks! I shaved the necks on some of them. All my bases will be done with Geek's Gaming Scenics. I love that stuff!

Say hello to Hans! This is the beginning of painting some Bolt Action Blitzkrieg German Infantry.

No Speedpaint here. 

Hans's friends will catch up to him later in this challenge.

Here we have 3 15mm Vampires from Blue Moon Miniatures. I normally don't paint 15mm minis. But, I really enjoyed how fast and fun it is to paint 15's! There will be more in the future!

I'm hoping I will improve on the speedpaints.

They will have more friends during this challenge. Muhaha! Muhaha!

Say hello to my little library helper, Sarah! She was in a rush to put her make-up on, cause of the zombie rush inside the building(Zombicide mini). Ha Ha!

I heard she is ruthless with the pump action shotgun!

Peach will never leave without her lucky pom poms!

Well, that completes my first entry! I will admit I am nervous uploading my minis on here! The skillful painters on here are AMAZING!!!! Again, I'm very excited about this challenge!

I WISH YOU ALL A SAFE HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

LET'S DO THIS!!!!

SCORING:

9x28mm minis = 45pts.

3x15mm minis = 6pts.

History Topic = 20pts.

Fantasy Topic = 20pts.

Library Cart = 20pts.

Total = 111pts.

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First, welcome to the Challenge, Brian. We're delighted to have you with us.

Great work here! Those Saxon archers look the business all in 'mid-loose'. While a bit dark from the photo, the late war German infantryman is a great start to your planned project. The stars for me are the 15mm vampires. So characterful! I especially like the vampress in blue. Finally the shotgun sporting cheerleader is a daunting lass - love the pom poms at-the-ready!

Well done Brian! I look forward to you beavering through that tableful of minis! Best wishes for the New Year!

- Curt

From FrederickC - Early War Germans [Overdues & Returns] (160 points)

I find myself a bit slow out of the starting gate. It is already New Year's Eve, and I still haven't posted anything yet. No opening salvo to start this year's painting challenge, but perhaps a reconnaissance in force. My force of early war Germans consists of a squad of nine cavalry, nine casualties to act as pin markers and another truck specifically to be used as a weapons tow.

The nine cavalry figures are by Crusader Miniatures. The first three I got at least 25 years ago as a free sample with an order of primarily late war British/Canadian infantry packs. What do you do with three cavalry? In my case, you assemble and prime them, and then put them in a storage box for a quarter century. When I recently put in an order for more minis from Crusader, I decided to get two more packs to flesh out the original three to a total of nine. The Bolt Action rules don't have any provision for Heer cavarly, only SS units. I am not sure if they will see action on the table top, but most German infantry divisions in 1939-40 used cavalry for reconnaissance. They were painted using Vallejo acrylics with a variety of Games Workshop washes.

On an interesting note, the three original figures I received as a free sample had horses that looked more like plow horses than cavalry mounts. The more recently acquired figures had nicer sculpts for the horses, but being somewhat thinner, there was a noticeable gap between the horse's body and the saddle blanket.

 

The three free cavalrymen from Crusader Miniatures

Command group

'Forward at the trot!'

Early war German army cavalry on patrol

The nine casualties figures are by Black Tree Design, although I bought them when that line was still known as Harlequin Miniatures. They came as a pack with three minis of each of the three poses, one with a leg blown off, and another missing an arm. I am not sure what plans I had for them at time. Again, like many miniatures I have purchased, they sat in a storage box for at least 25 years. More recently I had mulled over plans to use them as pin markers for Bolt Action, and I had a few ideas on how I would do it. In the end, by the time I finally got around to doing something, several others had already done something similar. A case of 'great minds think alike'? I cut bases for them out of old plastic gift cards the same size as those I made for my cavalry figures, and then made a small box using a thin 2" strip of card scored every half inch so that it could be folded to form a square. The sides around the box were built up using Spackle, and then the base was coated with sand. The figures were painted as for the cavalry

 

9 pins markers for Bolt Action

A close up of the nasty wounds, and the box to hold the dice

The final element is a Krupp Protze Kfz 69 to act as a weapons tow for my Pak 36. I had painted up three of these trucks during AHPC XII, but did them as troop carriers. While on my re-enacting travels in April I stopped in at a hobby store and found they had one box of the same kit from Rubicon Miniatures that has the necessary parts to do either version of the truck. Just what I was looking for. The truck was painted using AK Interactive Dunkelgrau, and then given a wash of Vallejo European Dust Model Wash.

Rubicon Krupp Protze Kfz 69

A top view of the Protze. The Pak 36 is not part of the submission

While a variety of Library categories could apply to this submission, I am going to claim 'Overdues & Returns' which I definitely think applies to figures that have been sitting in the 'Pending' tray for at least 25 years.

 

The points being claimed are as follows:

5.5 x 28mm foot figures @ 5 points each = 27.5 points

9 x 28mm mounted figures @ 10 points each = 90 points

1 x 28mm vehicle @ 20 points each = 20 points

Library section 'Overdues & Returns' @ 20 points = 20 points

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Welcome back to the Challenge, Frederick! 

Great looking early war Germans! I particularly like the Heer cavalry and the Protze light truck. These are the kind of units you don't often see on the tabletop and a nice change from the ubiquitous later war Big Cats and Splinter Camo. As its the holiday season I'm rounding up on the half figures n' such (I know, how big of me). :)

Lovely stuff! Wishing you and yours a Happy New Year!

- Curt 

PS: Remember to put in your metadata labels for future searches. :)

From PeterB - First post - Back to old school Space Marines - History [70 Points]

Well hello there. It is great to back in the challenge once more. Christmas was super busy but I did finally manage to get some painting finished to sneak in a post before the year came to an end. (If I get this typed up and published in the next four hours, UK time anyway) So, Happy New Year to you all if you are reading this in 2024, well some of you it is already as I type!

So, for a bit of History. My first ever foray into painting toy soldiers was due to a free plastic Space Marine free on the cover of an issue of White Dwarf. This then led me to paint up a Blood Angels Space Marine army as my first full army. I have long since sold on and repainted it all. Recently I started painting up some second edition Orks and Grots to begin a nostalgic 2nd edition army based on the starter box set. I then felt I needed to add some Space Marines to the project to recreate the starter set experience.

I ordered a ten man tactical squad from Ebay described as "tabletop ready" although when they arrived they had only painted the fronts! Luckily I was planning on stripping them anyway and repainting as Blood Angels.

The first time I painted these I did add the transfers but I discovered flat transfers and curved shoulder pads were not a great combination. Over twenty years later and I have discovered the wonder that is Micro Set and Micro Sol and Lahmian Medium. Hopefully they won't go anywhere this time.

It could be a photo from an old White Dwarf!

I have also discovered Mephiston Red. The first time I painted these I used Blood Red which as some of you may know did not paint over black at all, Mephiston Red however has a really nice strong pigment, if black went anywhere it shouldn't, the red covered so well without having to add some white first. (Also I have learnt if you want a nice crisp yellow, pink first. I know right? Try it, trust me.)  

Yep, they have the leg transfer too

I tried to stick to some classic colour schemes and minimised any fancy highlighting to keep an old school look. I even painted the entire base Goblin Green (from Coat D'arms) against all instinct.

And yes, the backs are painted

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Welcome back to the Challenge Peter!

I love these old school Blood Angels, especially with the fancy decals and Goblin Green bases. Take a little turn on the catwalk - they are ready for a nostalgic cover shot for White Dwarf! :)

Well done!

- Curt

From EdwardG - A New Year Napoleonic Opener (New Acquisitions - 25pts)

 Hi all, 

Happy New Year!!!! 

I hope everyone has had a good holidays. It's been impressive the amount of minis people have already painted! 

This year of the Challenge, my main focus will be on the British 3rd Division, in two different guises. But more on that in later submissions. 

To kick off, I've managed to get one of the side projects started, with my first mini for my Silver Bayonet crew. He's a French staff officer, who's role in the crew I'm not totally certain on yet. But he's a nice mini and painted up using mostly contrast paints and a few acrylics. 

I acquired this mini and his colleagues from a fellow wargamer here in Germany, via the Lead Adventure forum. He arrived in November and was the most recent purchase I made. 

The photos are all taken on my phone as currently I'm not able to make my little studio as I did last year! 

I would like to claim the following points:

28mm foot figure = 5pts

Challenge Library location = 20pts

Total = 25pts

Also I'd like to apply this as my first entry into the Napoleonic side duel 😀

Hope you all have a good slide into 2024!

Ed

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Welcome back, Ed! It's great to have you back in the ranks for this year.

I love me a good bicorne, and this is a wonderful example atop a wonderfully colourful Napoleonic officer. I'm sure he will be a ferocious defender of humanity against the Dark Unknown, or will make a very elegant corpse for his efforts. Well done!

- Curt 

From GregB - Sons of Horus Assault Marines (70 Points)

Horus for hope! Let's jump in to the New Year, shall we...? I'll just leave...

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year everyone - sorry to be so late joining the party, but at least I managed to get a first submission completed prior to the arrival of 2024. Here we have a squad of Space Marines kitted out for assault work, with jet-powered jump packs, pistols of various sorts and the trusty chainswords we can look forward to using in the grim and dark future. These fellows are kitted out in Mark VI powered armour painted in the colours of the XVI Legion Astartes, the fine Sons of Horus, the Warmaster's own legion. These are brand new multi-part plastic kits from GW's "Age of Darkness" setting, the Horus Heresy.

Yes!! These guys!! Finally!! Remember the old "Space Marine" rules??

Squad officer on the left, while the fellow on the right is sporting a plasma pistol. They sometimes blow up and kill their user...but...like...only sometimes...still, the officer leaves those to the other fellows...

Look at those whacky jet/jump packs!! Just what one would need to go flying through the sky while wielding a chainsword, right?

I'll be counting these models as "New Acquisitions", as they are brand-spanking new, very recently released by GW. Old salts like myself have been (im)patiently awaiting these models, so very strangely missing from the initial 2022 rollout of the new plastic "Age of Darkness" range. They hit the shelves in early December, and I could not wait to get them. Even as my hobby time has mostly-vanished while we start packing up our house for a move to Toronto, I kept these aside so I could work on them, as they are at once wonderful new kits while also providing a huge hit of nostalgia. With the clock ticking on 2023, I powered through last night and this morning to get them finished.

A second plasma pistol in the squad on the left, and a regular assault trooper on the right.

GW can sure be infuriating, but when they hit a home run, it is amazing, and for me, this kit is a total home run. I love how the "beakie" marines look, they go together nicely, with a decent set of options, and are a real treat to paint. Marines with buzzing around with crazy jump packs is a core part of the original "Space Marine" game for me, so it is a real treat to have new plastic "beakie" Space Marines with the assault kit.

These are beautiful, basic sculpts...none of the stupid/excessive/cartoonish posing seen on so many of the newer "Primaris" marines in the 40k range.

Love those custom legion shoulder plates...

Naturally the first squad of 10 was assigned to the Warmaster's own legion in my collection. I have a second box set that I thought would be painted for the loyalist side...but...the assault squads can include as many as 20 marines, and the Warmaster is not the sort for half-measures, right? We'll see what happens with the next batch..

For scoring, we have 10 different 28mm figures, and one Library Location bonus, which should be good for 70 points for both the overall tally AND the Legions side duel. Also, there are two skullz for the skull duel. Not many, but I need to start somewhere, right?

That's all for now - hope everyone has a great evening, and a great 2024. Cheers! 

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It's great to have you back with us for the Challenge, Greg!

I have to admit I was unaware of the whole Age of Darkness thing (heresy, I know), but I do love these new sculpts of their venerable designs. Like you Greg, I'm generally not impressed with the often overwrought posing and excessive accoutrements of the newer models, so these are a real breath of fresh air in their relative minimalism. 

After One Beeelion 40/30K Sons of Horus under you belt you have their livery pretty much down to a science now, and these fellows definitely don't disappoint. Lovely work dude!

- Curt

Upcoming Handover to the Minions and Commenting

Hi All!

Today is that last day in which anyone can submit at anytime (ie 'Free Fire'). Thank you for letting me ease back into minioning after a year away. There were few bumps, but nothing too disastrous, thank goodness. 

Starting tomorrow I will be handing over the controls to the capable hands of our Minions as we take up our defined posting schedule. This will start with with Sylvain and his Monday crew. If you are unsure of your specific posting day, please refer here to get up to speed.

I also want to take this opportunity to gently ask participants to take a little time to comment on your fellow Challengers' work. I often think that this really should be called 'The Dopamine Challenge' as we all get a nice boost when others make the effort to leave a few supportive remarks on our hobby efforts. So again, if you can, please take a moment to add to the sense of community that the Challenge is known to foster. 

Thanks and a Happy New Year to you all!

Curt

From JamieM - Post apocalyptic Santa and elves (25 Points)

I had hoped to get these posted before Christmas, but as always seems to happen I was distracted by starting other painting projects before finishing the last one….. but as it’s still the festive period, I reckon I’m ok.

Here they are, a post apocalyptic Santa and his little elves

These are from the Eden range, which have some lovely sculpts, but the game is now sadly dead as the company that made it has shut up shop. I take the opportunity to grab figures from eBay to liberate them from other people’s lead mountains.

Having said that, these are resin figures and are a special edition box that came with a special scenario where players try to steal presents. I’ll probably never play Eden as a game, but plan to use them for a miniature agnostic game like a Fistful of Lead.

Is it really Santa? Or just some bloke who stumbled across some fancy dress whilst roaming the wastelands?

But if it’s not Santa, why is he accompanied by diminutive fellows who could be described as “elves”?

These are lovely figures and I was dead chuffed to find someone selling them still in box, untouched as I’d passed on purchasing them a few years ago and regretted it ever since. The bases are cast in resin from the same range and add further interest to the figures.

Whilst Eden figures are 32mm figures, as the elves are a bit smaller I’ll just score them all as 28mm for the challenge for 25 points in total.

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Haha, Santa and his loonatic 'elves' look smashing, Jamie. It's good to think that in the post apocalypse there will still be Santa and his crew, doing their 'good' work. Beautiful brushwork, mate. I also really like the bespoke bases - very in-theme, those. 

- Curt