Scrapin' in the Scrapyard

It started with this guy.  He is from Bones Miniatures and is called Keryx the Cyborg Assassin.  While looking for him I came across a miniature that I completely forgot I had.  The figure is a Heresy Miniature called Security Sgt. Dove.  

Keryx (Tyler Dove)

Sgt. Dove (Taylor)

A story started brewing in my head.  These two were brothers; Tyler and Taylor Dove.  They were born on Damascus 12, a manufacturing planet in the Planetary Alliance.  Damascus 12 produced parts for the farming equipment on agricultural planets, the military, and the enormous space fleet of the Alliance.  Their father owned a scrapyard on the planet.  Ty and Tay would play among the junk when they were kids.  One day while they were in the yard, they heard what sounded like lasgun fire.  It came from the building where their father's office was.  They ran towards the office and when they got there, their father was lying on the floor in a pool of blood.

The police investigation never found the murderer.  Both boys vowed that they would do everything they could to solve the case.  Ty was older and joined the police force and quickly rose to the rank of detective.  Tay joined the force two years later and was a rookie when his brother disappeared while investigating a local smuggler.

Reports of a cyborg killing local gangsters began to circulate in the precinct.  When Tay saw and image of the assassin on his com-screen, it looked a lot like his missing brother. He knew he needed to find him and stop the killing spree.  In his gut, he felt that his brother's investigation of the smuggler, his brother's disappearance, the gangster killings, and the cyborg were all connected. Little did he know how right he was.

Taylor's gut told him that he would find his brother at their father's now long abandoned scrapyard. The cyborg, now a killing machine for his boss, the smuggler, who was eliminating all local competition was ordered to take out a young police sergeant who was poking his nose into the recent killings.  For some reason, the cyborg thought the police officer could be found at a nearby scrapyard.  The hunt was on. 

The scrapyard piece I cobbled together with a bunch of bits I had in a box along with some parts I had from old Tamiya kits .  The platform was to put metal scraps on so that a crane could pick them up and load them on to a transport.  It was a favorite spot for Ty and Tay to play on and under when they were kids.

* I gave Security Sgt. Dove (Taylor) a custom base (It was one I didn't use from Kabuki Miniatures.)  I wanted a Blade Runner/Ghost in the Shell feel for him.

Freebies

For many years, I have ordered minis from Reaper Miniatures.  A good number of my posts feature some of the ones I have painted.  I'm a big fan of their products and will continue to purchase more of them down the road.

One of the things that I have enjoyed is that with an order, Reaper will often give you a free miniature (of their choosing).  The two that I am featuring in today's post are examples of what I am writing about.  I received both of these great miniatures for free with past orders.

The one with the staff is Arkus Harn.  He is a dwarf witch hunter.  The other one with the two blades is Naus the Waghalter.  He is described as a Human Rogue.

I like them both. For free, I like them even better.  

Dragon Fire Five

A few posts back I shared a photo of a dragon toy I found at Walmart that I did a repaint on.  I also shared some pics of other dragons that were for sale at Walmart in a different post.  Well boys and girls, I am proud to say that I have bought several more of those dragons and did some repaints on them as well.

There were three more dragons that I missed out on.  They are no longer available.  Here's the whole crew. These five are sure to light up (LOL) any gaming table.  Check 'em out! 

Too Bad

These two are too bad!  The Ogre Clubber on the left is from Reaper Bones Miniatures.  The Efreeti on the right is a D&D Nolzur's Marvelous Miniature by Wizkids.  I started out with a Slap Chop Painting on them, but it wasn't working out (I needed to drybrush the white paint over the black more heavily...live and learn).

I don't think that they turned out too badly (LOL). I hope you feel the same way.  Adios for now.  See you again down the road a bit.

It's Not Just Me

 

I pulled some comments off the internet in support of some of my views of Heroscape Age of Annihilation:

Powers and Abilities

Based on community reviews and early analysis of the Heroscape: Age of Annihilation Master Set, several abilities and unit designs have been criticized as underwhelming, poorly designed, or "dumb" due to power imbalances or lack of synergy.

Design and Thematic "Dumb" Choices

• Poorly Integrated Bonding: The Vorid faction has poor synergy, where special bonding with the Frostclaw Paladins doesn't extend to the Glide Strikers, making them feel clunky in play.
• "Steampunk Animal" Aesthetic: Many players felt the steampunk animal theme, especially for the Vorids, was a jarring and "dumb" aesthetic shift for the Heroscape universe.
• Limited Synergy with Classic Sets: A major complaint is that many new units lack real synergy with classic (pre-2010) sets, acting more like a separate, unbalanced game rather than an expansion.
• Overpowered Squads/Underpowered Heroes: Some units, like the Knaves of the Silver Scimitar, are often seen as too strong for their point cost compared to other, more expensive hero options, leading to imbalance in competitive drafting.
• Unit/Sculpt Mismatch: Some units have a lack of cohesion between their visual model and their abilities.

Scale Creep

Also, the new figures are physically larger, with many standing "head and shoulders" over classic figures, making them appear scaled up.

A Little Crabby

I purchased this very cool looking crab awhile back.  Unfortunately, it got put in a container with a lot of  other items when I moved last year.  Out of sight, out of mind.  I was looking for another figure (which I also forgot I had) and came across Mr. Crab.  

I'm thinking about doing another pirate set in the near future and thought I might add my Crustacean friend to the group.  We shall see.

As always, thanks for taking the time to check out my humble little blog.  I do appreciate it. Enjoy your day and stay safe out there.

 

The Return of the Eisenek

Eisenek
Back Row:  Scavorith, Iron Lich Viscerot, Hellforge Mandukor
Front Row: Necrotech Wraithriders

According to Heroscape Lore, the Eisenek are a long forgotten species that were cybernetically enhanced.  They inhabited a planet called Noxdorma.  The Eisenek were the last remaining species when their world shattered into hundreds of asteroids.  What remained of Eisenek were resurrected and brought to Valhalla by Revna to join the force she was gathering.

At one point, Revna captured Cornelius Breech, the Derelict Prince, and had his mind scanned to reveal the battle plans of the outlaw Pirates of the Crimson Fleet.  It appears that his usefulness ended and he was cast out to survive on his own. 

I got these beauties to grow and enhance my expanding Age of Annihilation Forces.  I think they are amazing, great sculpts, cool paint jobs, nice poses.  Very happy with the purchase!

Cornelius Breech

Eye Candy

Over the past few weeks, I've posted some photos of my nephew's WH40K models.  I am proud to share his fantastic work.  Here are four more models to feast your eyes upon.  Enjoy!

Big and Bad

I have been down for a few weeks after having some surgery. I've not really felt up to any miniature painting.  I did however snag a couple of super cool figures for some great prices on the internet.

The Ice Dragon is by Safari Ltd.  I seen it around for a bit and always thought it looked amazing.  The Mammoth Rider is a D&D miniature. The orc rider on top sealed the deal for me.

I can see these two battling it out on some frozen tundra.  Their clash would be epic.

More Good Stuff

As promised in my previous entry, here are more photos of some of the WH40K models my nephew has painted.  I am truly awed by his work. 

                                                        

                                                                                    

When You Got It...

...You got it...talent that is.  Recently I found out that my nephew and I shared a common interest.  We are both WH40K fans and enjoy collecting and painting their miniatures.  When he showed me pictures of some of the models he painted, I was blown away.  He's only been at the miniatures painting game a few years and he is a gazillion times better at it than I can ever hope to be.  His work is truly impressive.  I love his attention to detail and his fantastic use of color.  

I asked him to send me pics of his work.  Over the next few weeks, I will be sharing them with all of you out there.  I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.