A new painting blog - OK Army project: Last two Maneaters

[MasterOfNone]

In other news, I finally painted Eltharion, after it sat in a box for nearly five years!
He goes to join Stormwing.
Thanks to Seredain and his griffon BSB for inspiring me to get this done.

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PS Eltharion is not permanently attached; some bluetack is used to keep him more or less in place

[SpellArcher]

I finally painted Eltharion, after it sat in a box for nearly five years!

Bravo sir! The best praise I can give is to confirm that he's up to your usual excellent standards. I especially like the subtle detail on the wings.

Thanks to Seredain and his griffon BSB for inspiring me to get this done.

Also, have you seen this thread? Hopefully real life will permit Rod to add to it soon.

viewtopic.php?f=76&t=95282

[MasterOfNone]

Also, have you seen this thread? Hopefully real life will permit Rod to add to it soon.

viewtopic.php?f=76&t=95282

No I hadn't paid attention to it, but it looks interesting, I am utterly ignorant of the Skaven.
Hopefully Rod will write more soon, what I saw left me wanting to see the rest of the story.

[Aerendar Valandil]

Wow, classic!

[MasterOfNone]

Wow, classic!

Thanks!

[MasterOfNone]

I have been asking myself how far can I push painting a unit using only an airbrush?
So I have decided to try and see what happens. For that an expendable unit was required, and fortunately a unit of 16 arrer boyz was available, which had been waiting primed black for several years.
I gave them a white zenith highlighting and started airbrushing.
At the end of the first session, which was a few hours long, this was the situation:

[MasterOfNone]

The second session brought some significant developments:

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But the third one today, in which I only did the blue tunics, was not worth it. I could have done faster with a paintbrush and (not well visible) I oversprayed a bit the green legs, which will need fixing with a brush.

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Next I'll do some oil washes, which is a very cool technique, then details (bones/teeth/eyes etc) and all metal pieces.

[SpellArcher]

I oversprayed a bit the green legs, which will need fixing with a brush.

This does show but overall things seem to be going well.

[MasterOfNone]

The answer to the question I asked myself is no, I cannot paint a unit only with an airbrush.
There still needs to be a lot of paintbrush work.
Those pesky orc archers have not been fun, but they are nearly done. Will hopefully post the final result in a few days.

[SpellArcher]

Will hopefully post the final result in a few days.

Looking forward to it.

[MasterOfNone]

Looking forward to it.

Painting is finished, basing and pictures tonight.

[MasterOfNone]

And here they are...
Cutting to the chase, no more work in progress pictures, just the final result.
Not the best models by any stretch, but I feel a decent job and while I don't see myself using them, somebody perhaps will buy them.

[MasterOfNone]

As a bonus, I managed to get two more HE archers of the same kind I posted before and a command unit, so that the five new models take my unit to a much more useful 24 with full command:

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[TyrrenAzureblade]

Phenomenal work! Would you say that the airbrush step saved you time in the long run? The results were pretty fantastic once you went in and tidied up edges.

[MasterOfNone]

Yes the airbrushing did save quite a bit of time, plus I like using it.
I think it would be even more worth it with bigger miniatures, like monstrous infantry and big monsters.

[Prince of Spires]

I'm still here I'll get back to my battle report shortly. Sorry for leaving you guys hanging...

The stone trolls a page back look great. They kind of match SA's army as well, with the clear greens and deep shadows. Painting the Wyvern is a must of course. It's such a great model. It deserves paint. Eltharion is lovely (as all your models are...). He's fun to use on the battle field. He might not be the best choice we have, but he's definitely also not the worst, especially since he gives the griffon a ward save (which the regular griffon is sadly missing). I really should paint mine.

And agreed, airbrushes are fun

[SpellArcher]

command unit

Interesting how this features 3rd, 4th and 6th edition models! Especially as the archers themselves seem almost proto-3rd to my eye. Splendid unit MoN.

24 with full command

Facing this unit, I'm finding it's not worth the considerable effort required to kill it so it just sits there plinking wounds off my stuff. Nasty with a spell buff.

gives the griffon a ward save (which the regular griffon is sadly missing

This looks huge, as does Stormwing's much improved profile.

I'll get back to my battle report shortly.

Please do Rod!

[MasterOfNone]

Interesting how this features 3rd, 4th and 6th edition models! Especially as the archers themselves seem almost proto-3rd to my eye. Splendid unit MoN.

That's completely unintended, just grabbed what random command units I had in my hands. The banner and musician came from random lots I bought in the last few years, the champion I have had for over 30, and I have multiple copies of that miniature.

Facing this unit, I'm finding

it's not worth the considerable effort required to kill it so it just sits there plinking wounds off my stuff. Nasty with a spell buff.

That's an interesting observation that I will keep in mind while building army lists...

gives the griffon a ward save (which the regular griffon is sadly missing

This looks huge, as does Stormwing's much improved profile.

I'll look into that as an alternative to Seredain's approach.

I'll get back to my battle report shortly.

Please do Rod!

Seconded!

[SpellArcher]

the champion I have had for over 30, and I have multiple copies of that miniature.

It's a great model. I had two but used the head from one for my Prince!

That's an interesting observation that I will keep in mind while building army lists...

Seredain has had success with this unit almost since the High Elf book came out. He uses High Magic so Hand of Glory is great on them but Enchanted Blades and Flaming Sword would be too. The latter especially helpful given the unit can't select Banner of Eternal Flame. Of course to have a good chance of generating the spell would normally require an Archmage on Fire when this Lore is generally regarded as a Hero level wizard's prerogative. Rod's Dragonmage is an interesting alternative though.

I'll look into that as an alternative to Seredain's approach.

Stormwing's fifth wound is immediately great on a model with no armour save. He also has ASF, though a normal Griffon can too. The latter has WS 5 and Initiative 5 which work well with this. WS 6 and Initiative 7 though mean hitting the vast majority of non-ASF targets on re-rolling 3's. The improved Ld might come in handy now and then too.

[MasterOfNone]

I've looked into Eltharion + Stormwing.
Fighty, but very steep. I see no way of having a good magic phase with him.

[SpellArcher]

I see no way of having a good magic phase with him.

I feel a second Lvl 2 on the same Lore with Dispel Scroll and a magic ring would be respectable. Adding a third Mage could make it quite tasty.

[MasterOfNone]

I see no way of having a good magic phase with him.

I feel a second Lvl 2 on the same Lore with Dispel Scroll and a magic ring would be respectable. Adding a third Mage could make it quite tasty.

How about this? I would give the two wizards Shadow and High, and Eltharion Shadow or Beasts.


++ Standard (High Elves - Army Book (2013-4) -V8.8.0.) [2,496pts] ++

+ Uncategorised +

- Army Size: Army (0-2999 points)

+ Lords +

Eltharion the Grim [490pts]: AB - The Fangsword of Eltharion, AB -Talisman of Hoeth, AB -The Helm of Yvresse, Stormwing and a Lance

+ Heroes +

Mage [145pts]: High Magic, Wizard Level 2
. Magic Items: BRB - Dispel Scroll

Mage [145pts]: Lore of Shadow, Wizard Level 2
. Magic Items: AB - Khaine's Ring of Fury

Noble [336pts]: Heavy Armour, Lance, Lion cloak, Shield
. Battle Standard Bearer: AB - Banner of the World Dragon
. Griffon
. . Griffon: Swooping Strike

+ Core +

Archers [270pts]: 24x Archer, Champion, Musician, Standard Bearer

Spearmen [355pts]: 35x Spearman
. Champion
. Musician
. Standard Bearer: BRB - Banner of Eternal Flame

+ Special +

Phoenix Guard [375pts]: 20x Phoenix Guard
. Champion
. Musician
. Standard Bearer: BRB - Razor Standard

+ Rare +

Eagle Claw Bolt Thrower [70pts]

Eagle Claw Bolt Thrower [70pts]

Frostheart Phoenix [240pts]

++ Total: [2,496pts] ++

Created with BattleScribe

[SpellArcher]

How about this?

It's the Griffon Brothers! That is wild. Compared to Seredain's list you're scaling back the main block and ceding an RBT but that third, powerful, monster must allow you to be more aggressive. It's a bit risky but I'd be tempted to put a 4+ Ward on one Mage and put him in the PG with High Magic. Then take the same Lore (but not HIgh) on Eltharion and the other guy.

[MasterOfNone]

How about this?

It's the Griffon Brothers! That is wild. Compared to Seredain's list you're scaling back the main block and ceding an RBT but that third, powerful, monster must allow you to be more aggressive. It's a bit risky but I'd be tempted to put a 4+ Ward on one Mage and put him in the PG with High Magic. Then take the same Lore (but not HIgh) on Eltharion and the other guy.

Good idea but I have to drop the Razor Standard for that.
That can be compensated by using Wissan's Wild Form. It is excellent on the PG or on either griffon.


++ Standard (High Elves - Army Book (2013-4) -V8.8.0.) [2,496pts] ++

+ Uncategorised +

- Army Size: Army (0-2999 points)

+ Lords +

Eltharion the Grim [490pts]: AB - The Fangsword of Eltharion, AB -Talisman of Hoeth, AB -The Helm of Yvresse, Stormwing and a Lance

+ Heroes +

Mage [170pts]: Lore of Beasts, Wizard Level 2
. Magic Items: AB - Khaine's Ring of Fury, BRB - Dispel Scroll

Mage [165pts]: High Magic, Wizard Level 2
. Magic Items: BRB - Talisman of Preservation

Noble [336pts]: Heavy Armour, Lance, Lion cloak, Shield
. Battle Standard Bearer: AB - Banner of the World Dragon
. Griffon
. . Griffon: Swooping Strike

+ Core +

Archers [270pts]: 24x Archer, Champion, Musician, Standard Bearer

Spearmen [355pts]: 35x Spearman
. Champion
. Musician
. Standard Bearer: BRB - Banner of Eternal Flame

+ Special +

Phoenix Guard [330pts]: Champion, Musician, 20x Phoenix Guard, Standard Bearer

+ Rare +

Eagle Claw Bolt Thrower [70pts]

Eagle Claw Bolt Thrower [70pts]

Frostheart Phoenix [240pts]

++ Total: [2,496pts] ++

Created with BattleScribe

Still toying with the idea of giving Shadow to Eltharion. Both Beasts and Shadow have an excellent signature spell, and they work very well together to boot. So in both cases I can hope to roll a good spell, or a double, ending with the signature and a good spell for both of them.
I think the biggest risk is actually the mage with High. In this army I would prefer getting Hand of Glory and Apotheosis, but both are unlikely.

[SpellArcher]

Good idea but I have to drop the Razor Standard for that.

I feel Razor is more important than Swooping Strike or the Ring (you do generate six spells). Hard to count on getting Wildform off when you need it against good armour.

So in both cases I can hope to roll a good spell, or a double, ending with the signature and a good spell for both of them.

I still favour sticking to a single Lore as this gives you 90% of getting whichever spell you like MoN. Your way looks perfectly viable though. I've used Beasts a lot and it's serviceable, I found it helps to keep an eye on the 24" ranges of Amber Spear and Wildform.

[MasterOfNone]

My orc archers are now on eBay:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/225748252792

If anyone is interested please get in touch on eBay - I am flexible on the price.

[MasterOfNone]

Good idea but I have to drop the Razor Standard for that.

I feel Razor is more important than Swooping Strike or the Ring (you do generate six spells). Hard to count on getting Wildform off when you need it against good armour.

So in both cases I can hope to roll a good spell, or a double, ending with the signature and a good spell for both of them.

I still favour sticking to a single Lore as this gives you 90% of getting whichever spell you like MoN. Your way looks perfectly viable though. I've used Beasts a lot and it's serviceable, I found it helps to keep an eye on the 24" ranges of Amber Spear and Wildform.

All good points.
I should try the list - as usual, I'll have to be myself and my adversary...
By the way, I don't have a second griffon... but I guess that can be sorted

[MasterOfNone]

This week I completed a SO Big Boss.

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Next, I am going to embark in a HUGE new project.
More will be revealed in the next few days.
Stay tuned!

[SpellArcher]

That stone axe though...

[MasterOfNone]

That stone axe though...

Thanks!
and now...