White Scars MkVI Tactical Squad Finished

I finally managed to get this squad finished, with some battle damage and weathering. Now they look like they belong in the desperate and bloody struggle for survival that is Xhorik campaign of the Horus Heresy. I am pretty proud of how they turned out. The sergeant is striding forward purposefully and with just enough ornamentation to imply artificer armor. Since I do not yet have the Forge World Legion heads and shoulder pads, I made a few of my own top knot heads and used some PopGoestheMonkey shoulder pads. The long-bladed bayonets fit the White Scars aesthetic well. And I had a lot of fun adding flavor with the decals and freehand red markings. I am excited to see them on the table soon, even though they will likely be quickly chopped to ribbons by Red Butchers or Deathshroud terminators... 

Next, they will need a Rhino for a level of mobility befitting their Legion. 

White Scars Tactical Squad II

Almost finished with my second White Scars tactical squad and the first in MKVI. Just need to add the battle damage and weathering and give them a spray of dull coat.

New Outpost Terrain

 I finally broke down and bought my first terrain in years while visiting the Citadel in Dallas with my brother on vacation. For ~ $100 you get a very impressive box of terrain that is functional, quite cool looking and can help fill out a game board. I found a video online from Guerrilla Miniature Games that gives step-by-step instructions on how to paint the Nachmund box of terrain in just a few hours, which I tried to follow pretty closely. I'm happy with the results I achieved, and it only took me ~4-5 hours spread over a weekend. Take a look!

Ebon Keshig Contemptor

I decide to paint my first White Scars Contemptor Dreadnought in the colors of the Ebon Keshig. I figured it would fit the lore that says that White Scars see being entombed in a dreadnought as a curse. Fitting for a dishonored warrior seeking to redeem himself. 

I added some studs to one leg and a lightning bolt to the other. I added the large dragon shields as shoulder pads. In the end, I think they look a bit large and I probably won't do it again but it adds to the unique look of this guy. And then a samurai back banner to top it off and really help him fit with the Ebon Keshig motif.

I really want to do an Ebon Keshig Contemptor with two close combat weapons but I only had one available in the Age of Darkness box set. The next dreadnought I make from the standalone kit will be the melee specialist. 

Radar Tower

Back in July I painted up this scratch-built terrain piece, the second made from a lampshades as a base structure (the first being the Antenna Tower last year). Nothing too fancy here, just a lampshade, a CD for a base, a toilet paper roll holder for the mast, and a broken sprinkler piece for the radar dish. Add a Lego wire, a few bolts and bits and it is a passable piece of quick and cheap terrain. I dirtied it up with the usual washes and Typhus Corrosion but I also tried some oil paints to get a feel for them before trying them on the White Scars. 

It is my goal to mix in at least two pieces of terrain every year to ensure we have plenty of variety for our battles. 

White Scars MkVI First Five

 

Five tactical marines done, except for weathering and damage. These models work great with decals because of their large flat spaces. I am having fun painting these guys so far, but taking a little break to work on something else before starting the next batch. 

White Scars in MkVI Progress

 Here is the first of my White Scars in MkVI. I used mostly the same painting process as for my other White Scars with a few slight tweaks to try to make it a bit faster. For the brown leather pouches, I am using Wyldwood Contrast instead of Rhinox and Mournfang browns. And for the black lining, I am trying mixing a black wash with oil paints and thinner rather than trying to draw the lines with black paint or Nuln Oil. The oil paints flow into the recesses a lot better so this step goes a little easier. But the main difference is that the MkVI armor is just much simpler than the MkIII or IV. There are fewer creases and raised areas to highlight and less trim to paint different colors. So these guys should go a bit faster than the older marks of armor. 

First MkVI model for the White Scars. Just needs weathering and damage.

More after the break:

Horus Heresy Phase 7 Battle 1: White Scars vs Death Guard - Onslaught

Welcome to our first battle report of the second edition of Horus Heresy. To draw attention to certain aspects, I've used a few notations:
That's New! to highlight significant changes from the last edition.
Reaction! to highlight interesting uses of the new Reaction mechanic, the key difference in this edition.
Oops! to point out areas where we later realized we got the rules wrong or forgot about special rules.

 

Background:

The Traitors have taken control of Xhorik Prime after a grinding, vicious campaign against the White Scars and the Kozar army. The remnants of the Brotherhood of the Wind are now in hiding in the Eastern Wastes and mountains to the north and east of Kozar, terrain too remote and hostile for the large, mechanized Traitor armies to ever search thoroughly. However, just as the victory parades were wrapping up, Loyalist forces from Xhorik Secundus launched their counterattack with an interplanetary invasion, beginning with Operation Downfall, a series of attacks by Xhorik Drop Troopers, in order to clear the way for the major landings to follow. (See The Xhorik Campaign for a list of the previous battle reports.) 

Although cut off from all communications with these Loyalist allies, Turan Jorma, Khan of the Brotherhood of the Wind, decided to take advantage of the disorder to launch a series of raids to assist the Loyalist attack. He led a highly mobile band of his remaining marines deep behind enemy lines to strike at critical infrastructure and planetary defense systems. After a number of successful attacks against weakly-defended installations, a Traitor force had been sent to eliminate this disruption and to reinforce the armies under attack at the landing sites. Khan Jorma found himself becoming slowly enveloped by heavier forces. He decided he needed to breakout of the trap before it could fully encircle and trap his raiding party. 

At the same time, Praetor Wolfgang decided to bring his own Death Guard Great Company to bear against the Loyalist forces attempting to land on his newly conquered planet. When his intelligence reported that his longtime foe, Khan Jorma, was raiding near the enemy landing zones, he realized this was a unique opportunity to crush the White Scars, breaking their remaining strength while pushing his men through them to the front lines.

Thus, the stage was set for both armies to try to break through the enemy lines and attempt to inflict a shattering loss to their hated enemies while doing so.

Scenario: Onslaught

Game Length: 6 turns

Primary Objective

Control the objective you place in the opponent's deployment zone: 5 VP 

Each unit destroyed in the first turn: 1 VP

Secondary Objectives
Slay the Warlord: 1 VP

Attrition: 1 VP for whoever destroyed the most units

That's New!

The new edition brings a major change to the way objectives are claimed and denied. Only units designated as "Line" can hold an objective. Unless you are employing a special rule or Rite of War, the only Line units are Tactical, Despoiler, Breacher, Assault and Recon squads. Most units qualify as Denial, enabling you to contest an objective, except vehicles have lost the ability to even deny objectives. 

I really like the change to prevent vehicles from denying objectives. It is never fun when an opponent parks a nearly un-killable heavy tank over an objective marker. The big reduction in scoring units is interesting and I will have to see how it plays out. It seems to reduce the value of the troops choices designated as Support, as well as units like Veterans and Terminators that used to benefit from being scoring. Of course it greatly increases the incentive to take the core Troops units as they are the only scoring units, so I think it will be a good thing overall, once we adjust our armies to it. In the short term it means that Scoring units will be at a premium as we each have only a few. 

Strategy and Army Selection:

White Scars: Phil

I am excited to try out the new rules and to get out my old White Scars, who have only seen one battle in the last 18 months, ever since their ignominious defeat in the four-part campaign for Xhorik Prime. We decided to play a 2000-point game on a 6' x 4' table using one of the basic missions from the rulebook as a good, "standard" test of the new rules. Since we just played Blood Feud in our last game, we went with the second mission, Onslaught. This worked well because we wanted to test how the new Line rules would impact a game with objectives.

Reading the new rules for the White Scars Rite of War, Chogorian Brotherhood, I sadly realized they removed the option to take a single Heavy Support choice that was present in the old edition. Since I did not have enough core troops choices to use the standard Force Organization Chart, it meant I could not try out the new rules for my Sicaran Omega. The good news was that my Skyhunters and Outriders would be considered Line troops so they could calim an objective. 

Looking at the models I had available and adding up their costs in the new rules, I realized I had a bit more than I could afford to take, even with leaving out the Sicaran Omega, and I had a few choices to make on how I configured my units. With the changes to the Primaris-Lightning (reduced effectiveness and increased cost), the changes to Reserves rules, and the presence of Pete's Deredeo dreadnought and missile launcher squads with Skyfire, I decided the tank-hunting flier would be the other unit to leave out in order to stay within my points limit. 

The next decision was how to use the transports I had available: the Rhino and the Dreadclaw. Initially, I was thinking a 5-man squad of Ebon Keshig charging out of the Dreadclaw would be great for disrupting Pete's back line of heavy guns (his Deredeo and heavy weapons squads) but then I realized that the Dreadclaw lost the Assault vehicle status, making it unsuited for delivering a melee unit. So, after re-reading the mission rules, I decided to use the Dreadclaw to transport my vulnerable 10-man tactical squad to the objective with a bit more protection. This would leave the Rhino free to ferry the plasma support squad to where they could try to inflict some damage on Pete's hard targets like dreadnoughts or terminators. (Only later did I realize they removed the ability for an embarked unit to shoot from fire points.)

The plan was to use the plasma units (Outriders and Tactical Support) and Sabre Strike Tanks against his heavier units while my Skyhunters and tactical squad headed for my objective. The Ebon Keshig would launch a flanking attack to try to stop his units from reaching his objective. Finally, the scouts would try to disrupt his gun line a bit to help give my other units a chance to survive. That was the plan anyway. Let's see how it works out!

Opposing Forces:

White Scars: Phil

• Khan Turan Jorma: jetbike, paragon blade, cyber hawk
  
• Centurion Champion Subotei: paragon blade, refractor field, bolter, combat shield, artificer armor
• [Line] Skyhunter Squadron Khujaa: 6 jetbikes,  2 x volkite culverin, sergeant with power weapon
• [Line] Outrider Squad Tsujen: 5 Outriders with twin-linked plasma, sergeant with power glaive
• [Line] Tactical Squad Temgar:10 marines with bayonets, sergeant with power glaive and artificer armor
• Tactical Support Squad Khoer: 9 marines with plasma guns, sergeant with power sword
• Rhino with pintle-mounted multimelta
• Recon Squad Chono: 10 marines with recon armor, chainswords and bolt pistols, nuncio vox, sergeant with power fist
• Anvilus Dreadclaw Drop Pod
• Sabre Strike Tank Squadron Ikhruud with snub autocannons, heavy bolters, and sabre missiles
• Ebon Keshig: 10 terminators, 7 power glaives, 3 power fists, 1 combi-melta, 2 combi-bolters

Total: 1995 points

Death Guard: Pete

• Praetor Wolfgang: Catphractii terminator armor, volike charger, paragon blade, rad grenades
• Deathshroud retinue: 4 terminators with hand alchem-flamers, power scythes and rad grenades
• Tactical Support Squad Folterer: 8 marines with flamers and melta bombs, sergeant with artificer armor. 
• Rhino with pintle-mounted heavy alchem-flamer.
• [Line] Tactical Squad A: 14 marines with chainswords, sergeant with power fist and artificer armor and Apothecary Gerhard
• [Line] Tactical Squad B Toddestraffe: 10 marines with chainswords, sergeant with power fist and artificer armor. 
• Tactical Support Squad Blitz Schock: 7 marines with volkite calivers and apothecary
• Heavy Support Squad Feuer Sturm: 7 marines with missile launchers
• Predator Mittel Panzer 021 with Predator Autocannon and lascannon sponsons 
• Contemptor Dreadnought Jürgen:  Gravis melta cannon, melta gun, Gravis power fist
• Deredeo pattern dreadnought with Arachnus heavy lascannon battery, twin-linked heavy bolter, Aiolos missile launcher, and helical targeting array

Total: 1990 points

The Eaters of the Dead

 Before the Blood Angels were reborn, redeemed and enlightened with the discovery of their Primarch Sanguinius, they were a ravenous hord of savagery that literally ate the flesh of their enemies. Over the decades since their legion rose like a phoenix to embody the nobility and wisdom of their great leader, the few unfortunate souls who could not purge their bloodlust were isolated into squads of shock troops and their armour painted black, branding them as unworthy of the glories of the legion. 

Commonly these degenerate "eaters of the dead" were led by a Blood Angels Chaplain into combat to focus their rage and bloodlust into a razor sharp tool of the Emperor's will. And in their dying moments on the battlefield, it was the Chaplain's duty to speak the sacred rights over them and then land the killing blow, relieving them of their cursed condition. 

Brother Chaplain Luchinus leads his latest "recruits" into battle

Brother Luchinus' shoulder pads identify him as a Blood Angels' Chaplain 

Flesh eaters advancing forward toward the enemy

Luchinus arms himself with a volkite combi weapon and his crozius arcanum

White Scars Brotherhood of the Wind

Brotherhood of the Wind, Vth Legion

Initial Thoughts on the New Rules: White Scars

I have looked through the new edition of rules and a few trends stand out to me so far (admittedly, my focus so far has been on units and rules that are relevant for my White Scars):

• Entering from Reserves, including outflanking and deep striking, has been made less effective.
• There is a significant reduction in AP2, with an increase in breaching/rending to partially compensate.
• There is an increase in models with 2 wounds to increase durability of terminators and others.
• Bikes and jetbikes have been toned down.

Here is a breakdown for some of the most impacted units and items:

Sons of Horus vs Blood Angels: Battle for Planetoid Provisa

 Background:

After their initial defeat (Battle for Provisa 1: Take and Hold), Praetor Ezman Vyke was forced to regroup his forces. He now knew the outer dwarf planet of the Xhorik System was defended by more than Planetary Defense Forces of the local Imperial Auxilia. Somehow, a mixed force of Loyalist Legions was present on the isolated hunk of rock at the distant edge of the system. With the primary planet of the system now under Traitor control and the majority of the local White Scars Legion forces defeated, he had expected the rest of the system to quickly succumb to their inevitable fate of slavery to the Traitor cause. Now it seems a force of the IXth Legion, supported by elements of the Vth and VIIth Legions, was defending this distant outpost of the system against the advance elements of Horus' fleet. This was very unexpected because all of their intelligence indicated the Blood Angels to be on a campaign in the Signus Cluster, far away in the Eastern Fringe, where Horus hoped to trap them in a hopeless struggle far from the primary theaters of the Heresy.

After orbital bombardments to destroy planetary defense systems, the Sons of Horus 12th company had made a successful landing with infantry forces and established a small zone of control to bring in heavier support. Praetor Vyke personally led these advance infantry forces in several small battles against the PDF to secure his flanks and buy time for his transports. In one of these routine excursions to take control of a communications relay, he unexpectedly encountered Loyalist Legion forces that inflicted a decisive defeat on his forces and drove him back to his landing zones. Even worse, he had been bested in a duel with the leader of the IXth Legion in the process. Now with heavier support elements being transported down to the surface, Vyke was prepared to launch a counterattack with the intent of eliminating the Loyalist Legion forces on Provisa, on his way to bringing this planetoid and the entire system under the control of the Warmaster. And just as importantly, he looked to get personal revenge on the arrogant and angelic Praetor Garo Arteo.

Scenario: Blood Feud

The objective is simple: destroy the enemy.

Primary Objective
Each infantry unit destroyed: 2 VP
Each other unit destroyed: 1 VP

Secondary Objectives
Slay the Warlord: 1 VP

Last Man Standing: 1 VP for the side with the most surviving units

Opposing Forces:

Blood Angels and White Scars: Pete

• Garo Arteo, Bloody Executioner of the Crimson Gate: Praetor w/ artificer armor, iron halo, digital lasers, jump pack, blade of perdition, bolt pistol
• Crimson Paladins with assault cannon
• The Sanguine Berzerkers:14 assault marines w/ jump packs, bolt pistols, 2 power axes, sergeant with power fist, plasma pistol, artificer armor
• The Golden Shields of Baal: 10 breacher marines, void-hardened armor, 8 bolters, 2 melta guns,
  breacher shields, sergeant with thunder hammer and artificer armor
• The Angel’s Judgement: Vindicator Tank w/ demolisher cannon, armored ceramite and twin-linked bolter
• White Scars Squadron Tsujen: 5 Outriders with twin-linked plasma guns, sergeant with power glaive

Sons of Horus: Phil

• Praetor Ezman Vyke with Cataphractii terminator armor, chain fist, combi-melta, digilasers
• Tactical Squad (6th Squad, 12th Company, the : 20 marines with additional close combat weapons, vexilla, artificer armor, power fist
• Terminator Squad Hammerfall: 5 marines with Cataphractii armor, 3 power fists, 2 chain fists, 5 combi-meltas
• Transport: Land Raider Phobos The Bladed Hand
• Veteran Tactical Squad Exomis ("The Remnants"): 10 marines with 2 power swords, 1 power axe, 1 power fist, vox, 2 meltaguns, 1 combi-melta, and artificer armor
• Transport: Rhino
• Contemptor Dreadnought Konax Silat with multi-melta and chainfist with inbuilt heavy flamer

Twin Tiny Tanks - Legion Sabre Strike Tanks

 I painted the two Legion Sabre Strike Tanks along with one main weapon and ammo pack and one secondary weapon each. I didn't have the energy to paint all the weapon and ammo pack options all at once, but they can at least get on the table now!

The twin tanks side by side. 

3 way batrep re-uploaded!!!

3-Way Heresy Battle Report Video

 https://youtu.be/35olUrgS38o

The Versatile Sabre Strike Tank

 It takes me a long time to paint anything, so I figure if I am only going to ever have a limited number of models, then I may as well make the most of what I have by making them as versatile and multi-purpose as possible. So I spent the last few days building and magnetizing these two Sabres with the full spectrum of three main guns (and associated ammo/energy packs on the hull) as well as the four secondary hull-mounted weapons and the optional Sabre missiles. I mounted 22 magnets so far (I don't really see a need to magnetize the ammo boxes since they sit in a nice slot and won't fall off unless tipped), and I only glued one magnet in upside down (requiring some knife work to dig it out and re-set it in the proper orientation). 

Sons of Horus Contemptor Dreadnought

I had so much fun building and painting this model. My first-ever dreadnought! And after getting stomped by Pete's Contemptors so many times, I am excited to have one of my own now. 

The loadout is a chainfist with in-built heavy flamer (permanently attached) and a magnetized multi-melta on the gun arm so I can swap it out once I get some other weapon options. 

Hunting enemies through the dark corridors of a boarded ship.

Grenade Launchers

 Before I start painting my dreadnought, I had to finish up these Steel Legion troopers with grenade launchers that I started back in February. 

This puts me at about 25 guys done out of the 60 metal models. 

Sons of Horus Contemptor Build

I built a nice base for my Sons of Horus Contemptor. I wanted it to be uneven with an opportunity to create a stepping pose to show off how dynamic the model is compared to the plastic kit. Of course, I also wanted it to match with my infantry bases so I made the main area out of the same "grating" material I've used for the rest of the army. The raised area is a piece of the vent cover from our old, dead Xbox 360 that I salvaged when we pitched it a few years ago. There are strips of wooden coffee stirrers under the Xbox piece to give it some height. Then I just added some random odds and ends from the bits box and a few pieces of picture-hanging wire.

Now on to building the excellent and very posable model after the break:

3-Way Battle: Secure the Orbital Relays

Background:
In the 41st millennium, the Xhorik System is engulfed by war. An ork raiding party known as the Blitzdreg Boyz has attacked Xhorik Prime, in an apparent attempt to acquire the ultra-rare ore known as kleinhaurker, required for the manufacture of the lightest grades of ceramite. Due to the kleinhaurker's criticality to the Imperial military-industrial might, the planetary defense forces (PDF) were bolstered by a small garrison of the Red Brotherhood space marine chapter. As the war ground on and casaulties mounted for both sides, the Imperials called for reinforcements. Luckily the Dauntless-class light cruiser Purifying Flame of the Hydra Legion chapter was in the vicinity and able to come to the aid of their beleaguered brethren. Captain Draco's first objective was to lead a strike force to secure a beachhead in order to establish and fortify his supply lines with orbit. 

Meanwhile, the industrial south of the planet ceased sending their tithe of war machines and men requested by the planetary overlord for the defense of the northern mining regions against the orks. After several weeks of no communications, the PDF and space marines could only assume the south had been attacked and cut off by orks. The reality was far worse. The strain of the war effort combined with all PDF and Adeptus Arbiter forces being called to the front lines left the local populace ripe for the manipulations of Chaos. The kindling was laid and dried and all that remained was to add a spark. 



Scenario: Secure the Orbital Comm Relays

The three forces found themselves converging on the abandoned Imperial outpost at the same time. The orbital comms equipment there was highly valuable and coveted by all sides. 

The traitor militia needed to silence any word of their treachery for as long as possible as they continued to build up forces and use the element of surprise against the surprised planetary defense forces.

The Hydra Legion needed to control one of the rare sites on Xhorik Prime's northern hemisphere where reliable communication with orbiting ships could be continually maintained. 

The Blitzdreg Boyz needed to maintain control of their newly conquered territory and ensure Filgakk could give orders to his widely dispersed forces.

Primary Objective
Each comm relay objective controlled at the end of the game: 3 VP

Secondary Objectives
Slay the Warlord: 1 VP

Army Selection:

The Hydra Legion Planetary Strike Force - Logan

Captain Draco: Power Sword, Storm Shield, Artificer Armor - 140
Dreadnought: twin-linked lascannon, twin-linked autocannon - 130
Terminator Squad: assault cannon, chainfist - 200
Tactical Squad Alpha (7): veteran sergeant, flamer - 99
Tactical Squad Beta (6): missile launcher - 99
Tactical Squad Gamma (6): plasma gun - 113
Razorback: twin-linked lascannon, storm bolter - 80
Devastator Squad (5): two heavy bolters, two lascannons - 130
Land Raider Crusader: multi-melta - 260

Basilisk Wolves (5) - 125

Total: 1376

Traitor Militia - Pete

Force Commander: power sword, plasma pistol, refractor field, Alchem-Jackers, Warrior Elite: 155
Ogryn Squad / Ork mercenaries (5): carapace, power axes - 315
Grenadiers (15): melta gun, flamer - 105
Grenadiers (15): plasma gun, flamer - 105
Militia fire support (10): 3 missile launchers, 2 lascannons - 135
Leman Russ Battle Tank with lascannon - 150
Leman Russ Vanquisher with heavy bolter - 155
Leman Russ Demolisher with heavy bolter - 160

Medicae (3) - 40

Total: 1320

The Blitzdreg Boyz - Phil

Warboss Filgakk Skullsplitta: 'Eavy armor, shoota, power klaw - 99

2 Meks with kustom mega blastas - 30
3 x Meganobz with killsaw and bosspole - 135
19 x Boyz with nob with klaw and boss pole - 154
14 x Boyz with shootas, 1 x rokkit launcha, and nob with boss pole - 118
17 x Grotz with Runtherd with squighound - 61
10 x Kommandos with burna, nob with klaw and boss pole - 145
11 x 'Ard Boyz with nob with klaw and boss pole - 150
Trukk with rokkit launcha - 30
7 x Tankbustas with nob with boss pole - 106
Trukk with rokkit launcha - 30
7 x Warbikes with nob with klaw and boss pole - 148
Warbuggy with twin-linked rokkit launcha - 25
Skorcha Trakk - 35
Killa Kan with rokkit launcha - 50
Total: 1316


Battle:

The battlefield was split into six equal wedges, designated as Zones 1 - 6 in the picture below. Deployment zones would be any three non-adjacent wedges. Once deployment zones were picked, an orbital comms relay objective would be placed equidistant between the deployment zones. The center circle would be no-man's land.

Logan won the roll to select his deployment zone first and he selected Zone 2 for the elevated cover for his Devastator Squad. Pete's traitor militia was next. Now that a zone had been selected, his only options were Zone 4 or Zone 6 and he chose the latter in order to keep the bulk of his infantry out of line of sight of enemy guns early. Phil's orks were left to deploy in Zone 4. The deployment and turn order followed the same sequence.

Battlefield and Deployment

Finishing the Fighting 501st

 After a long hiatus, I picked up the rest of the Stormtroopers and finished the second squad. I painted the six last year and the last three riflemen and the sergeant to finish. 

The sergeant is made by a non-GW company to fit the aesthetics of the now-defunct model range. I found it on eBay and I love that my two sergeants are not identical. I also love that this one is resin so I would not have to cut off another metal head and hip-slung helmet because modifying those old metal models is rough.

This now gives me:
Sergeant with power sword and hotshot laspistol
Sergeant with power sword and plasma pistol
Two troopers with flamers
One trooper with meltagun
One trooper with plasma gun
14 troopers with hotshot lasguns

In all, enough for two full 10-man units of the Fighting 501st to join the Xhorik 87th Drop Troopers in their most critical missions.

Hobby 2021 Recap

I looked back at my hobby output in 2021 to see how I compared to 2020.

In 2020 the final output was: 54 infantry, three vehicles/artillery, and two terrain pieces. 

2021 Tally

Built and Painted Models

• 10 drop trooper recon bikers (counts as 20 models)
• Antenna tower terrain piece
• Armorium terrain piece
• 10 storm troopers
• 3 Tarantulas with heavy bolters
• Bridge terrain piece
• 3 drop trooper missile launcher teams (6 models)
• 6 Sons of Horus heavy weapons marines with lascannons
• 6 storm troopers
• 19 Steel Legion infantry 
• Sons of Horus Praetor 
• 10 Sons of Horus tactical veterans
• Sons of Horus rhino 

Grand total of 81 infantry, 1 vehicle, and 3 terrain pieces.

Games Played: 7

Orks vs World Eaters using alternate unit activation

Night Drop: Drop Troopers vs Traitor Militia

Battle for Alteron Bridge: Drop Troopers vs Traitor Militia and Death Guard
Point of Desperation: World Eaters vs Traitor Militia vs White Scars (three-way battle)

A massive tank battle

War Train Raid: Drop Troopers vs Traitor Militia

Take and Hold: Sons of Horus vs Blood Angels

Battle Reports Generated: 6

Battle for Berat Part 5: The Decisive Moment

Operation Downfall Part 1: Night Drop

Point of Desperation

Operation Downfall Part 2: Battle for Alteron Bridge

Operation Downfall Part 3: War Train Raid (my first slideshow battle report with music)

Xhorik Secundus Part 1: Take and Hold

Other

Commissioned art for my Xhorik 87th

Got new paint racks

Had my painted models and background featured in the new Drop Troops fan codex for 9th edition

Bought an Avenger and touched it up and re-based it
Generated a total of 52 blog posts compared to 18 posts in 2020 (including posts by Pete and Bill)

Result

That equates to either 10 infantry, a terrain piece or a vehicle built and painted each month. Plus, either playing a game or writing a battle report. Plus, one blog post per week on average. Overall, a slight increase in output compared to 2020. At times, it felt very slow but then a few big projects like the ten bikers and 19 Steel Legion infantry boosted the overall numbers. 

It was a great year that saw us reach new levels of awesome in our hobby with cool new models, factions, battle reports and background story. I am looking forward to keeping up the pace in 2022 rather than trying to exceed this year's output. Unless I start a new faction I ca

n paint with speed, I don't think I can get much more done in a year than I did in 2021.

Last Model of 2021 - Veterans Get a Ride

 After a very slow stretch of painting, I buckled down over Christmas and painted this Rhino for my veteran tactical squad. It could use a bit more weathering on the metal areas, but I wanted to get it posted and inlcued in my 2021 model count since my output in the second half of the year was so low.