So What’s Next?

Now that I have got a 400 point combat patrol army ready to go, I think I should probably start thinking about how I intend to build up a larger force.

So for starters I need to get a proper 2nd ‘troops’ unit sorted out …and for that I have a few options.

The first option would be to build up 2nd infantry platoon (consisting of at least another 25 men). I currently own enough (unmade) models to build one 10-man squad, and I could use the lascannon I’ve already got painted (from the 1st platoon command squad – replacing that with a mortar team) as the heavy weapon, and have a plasma gun special weapon guardsman (from a pack of 2 cadian special weapons troops I purchased earlier in the week). However this option means I need to purchase a lot more infantry models to fill out the rest of the platoon.

The second option would be to include an armoured fist squad. I could do something similar as above to create the squad out of models I already own (i.e. use the lascannon & plasma combination of weapons) – but then I need to purchase a chimera tank to complete the unit.

The third option would be to buy some proper metal ‘stormtrooper’ miniatures and use the ‘grenadier’ doctrine that would allow me to select them as a ‘troops’ choice. However, according to a number of internet rumours, there are supposed to be some plastic stormtrooper models being released soon (well… sometime this year anyway) and I think that I would like to hold off buying any of the current metal range until I have got a look at the newer (and cheaper) plastic stormtroopers.

The fourth option would be to build a conscripts platoon. These platoons consist of at least 20 men (so I’ll still have to buy some more models) – but I was hoping to eventually build one of these platoons from old plastic imperial guardsmen (just to give them a different look) as I still have a bunch of these lying around unassembled and unpainted (though not enough to make a full platoon – hence why I am keeping a close eye on eBay for a few more).

So… at the moment I’m leaning toward the first or second option, and probably favouring the ‘armoured fist’ solution - as that means I get to try my hand at painting a tank model. In either case I can start assembling and painting the infantry figures already in my possession.

Combat Patrol

If I’m reading various message boards etc. right (and I apologize if I’m getting a few things wrong – as I still don’t own the current rulebook, and only have the codex), there is something called a ‘combat patrol’ game that allows you to field a relatively low number of models without having to adhere too strictly to the force organisation chart.

From what I can gather, these types of game are typically 400 points, and the only real compulsory models you must field are one ‘troops’ choice.

So with that in mind, I have put together a basic army list with the miniatures I have painted thus far:

- command platoon - 96 points -
Command squad with junior officer (bolt pistol) & mortar
Sentinel support squadron (1 sentinel with multi-laser)

- elites - 65 points -
5 man hardened veteran squad with plasma gun & meltagun

- infantry platoon - 225 points -
Command squad with junior officer (bolt pistol) & lascannon
1st infantry squad with heavy bolter & flamer
2nd infantry squad with autocannon & grenade launcher

TOTAL 386 points (35 troops & 1 walker)

As you can see, I’ve still got a few points to spend (maybe on doctrines, or upgrades, or whatever), and it might not be optimised for competitive play …but I at least can play now – assuming I can find a friendly opponent.

And yeah, I know I really need to get a copy of the rulebook – but with all the rumours pointing to a summer release of 5th edition, it seems rather pointless wasting my money on a book that will soon be outdated (especially since money is a little tight right now, and could be better spent on more models).

First Vehicle

I recently got a sentinel walker on eBay for £6.50 (+99p P&P), and so I thought I’d take a break from painting infantry figures and try a similar painting technique on a vehicle.

The model itself was unassembled and still on the sprue, but was missing the original box, the instructions, and one of the alternate heads for the pilot – so, all in all, I think I got a pretty good deal (as the model usually retails for £12).

Anyway, I quickly realised that it would be near impossible to paint the inside of the cockpit once it was all assembled, and so I applied the base coat of paint while the model was in a few separate pieces.

Once these were finished and the model glued together (and touched up in a few places) I then applied the woodstain washes to the vehicle as I did with the infantry figures. Once dry I did notice that it left some of the large flat panels quite dirty looking (which kinda looked OK) but I decided to tidy these up a little bit and also add a simple highlight here and there.

And here’s the end result:

Once again, it’s not great - but I quite like the way it turned out.

Filling Out The Ranks

Here’s a quick pic of what I’ve painted and assembled so far:

It’s a little hard to make out any details on that photograph so here’s a diagram that details each of the units:

As I mentioned in the previous post, I could probably use the hardened veterans squad as stand-ins for stormtrooper models and use the ‘grenadiers’ doctrine to make them my second compulsory troop choice.

The rumour is that the next batch of plastic guardsmen will indeed be stormtrooper models, and so I’m holding off buying any of the (expensive) metal ones, and am instead hoping that this rumour is true.

Hardened Veterans Conversions

So now I’ve actually got an infantry platoon finished, I’ve been busy converting a few more miniatures to create a hardened veterans unit. As before I’ve used cadian bodies and legs, catachan arms, cadian heavy weapon sprue backpacks, and a mix of cadian and catachan heads. The special weapons are from a space marine weapon sprue.

I’ve also only given them 2 special weapons at the moment, so that I can also use these as proxies for stormtroopers (using the grenadier doctrine) - so that they can be used as another ‘troops’ choice if need be.

The reason for this (for anyone like myself just coming back to the game or for someone unfamiliar with how you field an army) is because in standard missions you are required to take 2 troops choice units and 1 HQ choice unit. Normally hardened veterans and stormtroopers are classed as ‘elite’ choices (and thus optional units) – but you can also select up to five ‘doctrines’ to customise your army and give it an individual feel. One of these doctrines allows you to use a number of stormtrooper units as a ‘troops’ selection.

1st Platoon Finished

I’ve finished the command squad that goes with the 2 infantry squads …so now I’ve finally got one platoon (and therefore one ‘troops’ choice) finished.

So here’s a quick rundown of the army so far.

Command squad - 66 points
Junior officer (with bolt pistol upgrade)
2 guardsmen with lasguns
1 lascannon team

Infantry Squad 1 – 76 points
Sergeant with laspistol & close combat weapon
6 guardsmen with lasguns
1 guardsman with flamer
1 heavy bolter team

Infantry Squad 2 – 83 points
Sergeant with laspistol & close combat weapon
6 guardsmen with lasguns
1 guardsman with grenade launcher
1 autocannon team

Total – 225 points

…so still a long way to go yet!

Yet More Plastic

The aforementioned 20 shock troops arrived today (£11.60 + £2.20 P&P) and I’ve also purchased a single catachan sprue of 5 figures (£4.99 free P&P).

The catachan sprue was intended for a few basic conversions, but along with the space marine weapons sprue I received the other day, I think I might be able to make a hardened veterans squad.

So here is my first attempt at a veteran trooper:

I’ve used cadian shock troops body & legs, cadian heavy weapons backpacks, catachan arms & head, and a space marine plasma gun. All in all I’m quite happy with it.