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Lord Revan wrote:all I got assembled and painted atm is 1 Blood Raven tactical marine (due not having money to buy more models/paints)

You don't need to get expensive GW paints for things to turn out fine. A bunch of my models are about half GW, half $.50 craft store acrylics. Buy primer at a home improvement or hardware store, same for varnish for finish, and you're set as far as paints.

As for models, I highly recommend eBay for picking up models cheap.

Yeah, my current supplies include only a couple GW pots (which aren't very good in my opinion; it's like painting with whipped cream even after extensive thinning) with the majority being half $0.50 craft store paints for basecoats & color variety versus Tamiya acrylics for primary and regularly-used colors.

For priming I've done my last 50 or so models with a $4.75 can of Krylon grey primer. It's a nice compromise between black and white, plus I can just give it a quick heavy black wash afterwards to get the same effect as black primer.

I decided to get into 40k. I bought the rulebook and the CSM codex, and bought a squad of CSM and daemonettes.

On top of this, I bought the guides on how to pain Citadel Miniatures, Wargaming tables, some simple tools, and a starter hobby kit.

Now I need to go to Home Depot, buy some tools such as a hobby station, a daylight lamp, and a hobby knife so I can start.

My friends are also experienced with the whole experience, so I'm waiting for their help. I also bought epoxy so I can create bits.

I plan on playing Emperor's Children, or a Slaanesh/Undivided army...

We need a thread of tips for starters, from opening the box to filing to drybrushing, to custom bits...

Xenophobe3691 wrote:I plan on playing Emperor's Children,

Excellent choice. The most metal army in all of 40k.

As for starter tips, I don't see why this thread isn't as good as any (as long as the mods have no objection of course). Personally, I'd recommend not trying to do too much with the epoxy (Green Stuff) until you've got a hang of the basic modeling. Though you may have better luck with it than I do, I'm terrible with the stuff.

Old dental tools are great for sculpting.

Also, I am compelled to suggest online discountretailers whenever I get the chance, as I only find the hobby to be tolerably priced at 25%-35% off:

http://www.maelstromgames.co.uk - Consistent discounts, extra discounts on 5+ 'army bundles', free international shipping, great selection. Used as #1 seller by myself and several other users.

http://www.chaosorc.com - Good discounts (particularly on large items), cheap shipping. patchy selection but carries lots of older products and non-GW stuff. Some items aren't clearly labeled differently from older versions, but they're a good alternative on specific items.

Battlewagon bits is right now pretty good for getting individual pieces and there's good prices on boxes as well, but sometime soon they're removing the online component of their sales and switching to phone-in orders and downloaded PDF catalogs, due to GW's outdated policies on buying online. Which is quite the hassle, but doesn't exactly stop people from buying online, either. So it'll just be a pain in the ass without really changing anything once it happens.

I mostly use Battlewagon bitz and local hobby stores myself. As for the resin, I found a ton of it at the local dollar store, where it is sold in the plumbing section as a sealant or something. Also, keep every last unnecessary bit or sprue piece. You might be able to use them later or trade with someone for something you do want.

Eventually I'll have to post some pics. But I'm lazy. So damned lazy...

Utsanomiko wrote:Also, I am compelled to suggest online discountretailers whenever I get the chance, as I only find the hobby to be tolerably priced at 25%-35% off:

I'd also recommend TheWarstore.com as a good site. It's got a very solid reputation among 40k enthusiasts and good prices.

Also, I'd strongly recommend again hitting eBay Stores. A lot of previously local gaming stores now sell merchandise that way. It's a good way to score a hefty discount with out worrying about the second-hand effect. Well worth looking into if you're willing to wait a bit on the shipping side of things.

Xenophobe3691 wrote:We need a thread of tips for starters, from opening the box to filing to drybrushing, to custom bits...

I agree with the already posted info, plus I suggest bolter and chainsword. Full of 40k marine fanboys, some really good tutorials on painting and converting plus a lot of people that will hand out friendly advise.

Azazal wrote:

Xenophobe3691 wrote:We need a thread of tips for starters, from opening the box to filing to drybrushing, to custom bits...

I agree with the already posted info, plus I suggest bolter and chainsword. Full of 40k marine fanboys, some really good tutorials on painting and converting plus a lot of people that will hand out friendly advise.

I'll recommend Bolter & Chainsword as well, with one caveat. Most of the guys over there are tournament players and/or competition painters. So the reception and advise for some one looking for a more casual approach may find some guys give real dickish or unhelpful advice. However there are, or used to be, some really cool and helpful guys too.

Oh, a site that I've found rather helpful and amusing over the years would be The Jungle, which has a more relaxed and casual attitude. It's not a forum or anything, just a good site for information and a show case for a guy that's put a good deal of time and effort into his own Marine Army. You'd do far worse than reading some of the recommendations and advise off that site.

Did some updates to my green marines, progress yes, but very slow progress.













Stormbringer, who have you had been a dick over at B&C? Just curious, most of the people there that have helped me have been good at constructive criticism. Hell free tips form Vincent Hudson, aka Boltman, are always welcomed by me.

Azazal wrote:Stormbringer, who have you had been a dick over at B&C? Just curious, most of the people there that have helped me have been good at constructive criticism. Hell free tips form Vincent Hudson, aka Boltman, are always welcomed by me.

I can't think of any one in particular that's a dick, at least that wasn't shown the door. It's more that there is a fair number of people that are so keyed in to the tournament scene that they tend to treat outsiders badly. In the army critiques being unduly harsh about pushing min-maxing, exploits of "broken" units, and such. And on the painting, not being very nice if your work wasn't up to Golden Demon standards.

It's by no means an all the time thing, it's more something that you might want to consider as a n00b. I like the place, though I haven't followed it as much since becoming severly disillusioned with GW. It's more that you shouldn't take things too hard or take everything people say as gospel.

Stormbringer wrote:I can't think of any one in particular that's a dick, at least that wasn't shown the door. It's more that there is a fair number of people that are so keyed in to the tournament scene that they tend to treat outsiders badly. In the army critiques being unduly harsh about pushing min-maxing, exploits of "broken" units, and such. And on the painting, not being very nice if your work wasn't up to Golden Demon standards.

It's by no means an all the time thing, it's more something that you might want to consider as a n00b. I like the place, though I haven't followed it as much since becoming severly disillusioned with GW. It's more that you shouldn't take things too hard or take everything people say as gospel.

True, some of the min max people in the army discussion can be pretty asinine, hence why I usually hang out in the painting section.

I've been doing a bit of painting and some picture taking and I thought I'd throw up my latest efforts (aside from the Great Mini Basing).

My World Eaters Defiler, it's still a work of progress as there is a lot of detail to cover. It's turning out well but I think spraying it with boltgun instead of black was a mistake; it makes the work way more demanding.








And a warcaster for Warmachine. It's Skarre, though painted highly atpyically. The whole army theme started out largely as something of a joke I'd make about my friend's Cryx army. I always thought they looked vaguely aquatic in design and theme. So I always threatened to do a tropical fish themed Cryx army, quite odd for a faction of evil Necromancers and their undead minions.

btw questions about the Space Marines.


In the Codex it says that you can attach characters into a command squad, so would that still be 2 HQ choices(or could you have something like command(with chaplain attached to command squad) and Librarian)?

second could some please explain the way Master crafted weapons funtion when selecting wargear.

third am I right that the full force selection chart is 2 HQ, 6 troops, 3 elites, 3 fast attack and 3 heavy support?

You're right about the Force Organisation Chart.

As for the attatched characters, they dont count as an extra HQ choice so you could potentially have 6 characters on the field from the two HQ choices, though it would cost an arm and a leg.

Mastercrafting weapons allows you to reroll misses with them, the codex can be a little confusing, all the stuff about the costs of weapons and so on is just relating to the fact a character can only have 100 points of wargear, so only the mastercrafting cost rather than the weapon and the mastercrafting count against that limit.

Stormbringer, I'm really liking the Defiler there, looking very good.

Azazal wrote:Stormbringer, I'm really liking the Defiler there, looking very good.

Thank you. It's take quite a bit of time and patience to get it where it is and yet I've still got more to do before I call it done. So the kind words are definitely appreciated. I'll be sure to post finished pictures here for review.

Keevan_Colton wrote:Mastercrafting weapons allows you to reroll misses with them, the codex can be a little confusing, all the stuff about the costs of weapons and so on is just relating to the fact a character can only have 100 points of wargear, so only the mastercrafting cost rather than the weapon and the mastercrafting count against that limit.

so an mastercrafted Thunder Hammer would be only 15 point towards the limit rather then 45?

Also the Daemonhammer from DoW is that just an (Mastercrafted) Thunderhammer (funtionally)?

Lord Revan wrote:

Keevan_Colton wrote:Mastercrafting weapons allows you to reroll misses with them, the codex can be a little confusing, all the stuff about the costs of weapons and so on is just relating to the fact a character can only have 100 points of wargear, so only the mastercrafting cost rather than the weapon and the mastercrafting count against that limit.

so an mastercrafted Thunder Hammer would be only 15 point towards the limit rather then 45?

Also the Daemonhammer from DoW is that just an (Mastercrafted) Thunderhammer (funtionally)?

Actually, the Daemonhammer is meant to be an Ordos Malleus (Daemonhunters) wargear item, it's basically a thunderhammer that doesnt strike last against demons.

Though, a master crafter Thunderhammer could be a cool weapon for a character, not much in the min-maxing stakes, but damn cool

Keevan_Colton wrote:

Lord Revan wrote:

Keevan_Colton wrote:Mastercrafting weapons allows you to reroll misses with them, the codex can be a little confusing, all the stuff about the costs of weapons and so on is just relating to the fact a character can only have 100 points of wargear, so only the mastercrafting cost rather than the weapon and the mastercrafting count against that limit.

so an mastercrafted Thunder Hammer would be only 15 point towards the limit rather then 45?

Also the Daemonhammer from DoW is that just an (Mastercrafted) Thunderhammer (funtionally)?

Actually, the Daemonhammer is meant to be an Ordos Malleus (Daemonhunters) wargear item, it's basically a thunderhammer that doesnt strike last against demons.

Though, a master crafter Thunderhammer could be a cool weapon for a character, not much in the min-maxing stakes, but damn cool

it Ordo Malleus weapon but three Blood Raven's captains (Gabriel Angelous, Davian Thule and an unnamed captain in the SM codex) are seen using those (with all the inquitorial hedraldry fully visible) and in the of the 2 named it's known that said hammer was given either to the captain personally or to the chapter (this could also explain the presence of the Gray Knights on Kronos).

My new Librarian, an Empire footman with great-weapon and General in progress. Apologies in advance for any shittiness of the picture; I haven't quite gotten macro mode down and wasn't able to get any real good lighting.

Alaric, of the Emperor's Angels:





Detail of the greenstuffing on the back (and cookie btw if you can identify where the wings came from):



Brother Chaplain Judas Maccabeus and Chief Librarian Alaric together:




A Footman I constructed from the plastic Empire General kit, with the included great-hammer (note the armoured gloves):



Empire general, currently in progress and not sure when it'll be completed-- soon hopefully!

Nice, but wow, they're super glossy, aren't they?

Darwin wrote:Nice, but wow, they're super glossy, aren't they?

That's kinda the fault of the flash, but on the Librarian at least it's because I applied 'ardcoat rather liberally. Didn't want the gold paint to flake off like it has before on a few of my figs. Haven't put it on the footman or the general yet though, so I'm not sure why they seem glossy there.

Elheru Aran wrote:

Darwin wrote:Nice, but wow, they're super glossy, aren't they?

That's kinda the fault of the flash, but on the Librarian at least it's because I applied 'ardcoat rather liberally. Didn't want the gold paint to flake off like it has before on a few of my figs. Haven't put it on the footman or the general yet though, so I'm not sure why they seem glossy there.

A lot of it is probably you've got the camera close and with out setting it up for zone. Try pulling back the camera, using natural light, and making sure you have macro on. That'll improve things a lot.

As for the models themselves, I wouldn't bother with 'ardcoat. I got a simple semi-gloss varnish that's far tougher than the GW stuff, is cheaper, and isn't as shiny even with a very thick coat.