Undead legionnaires

Warzone stuff rulez! 🤘🏻

The initial plan was to paint another Corporate team for battle report game, but after I found these rotten fellas on the bottom of Warzone-junk-jar, I just couldn't stop myself. These deaders represent the first (blue armour) and the second (red guns) edition of the game. The naked one is kinda mystery model - if I remember correctly is was sold packed by three models (the other one was painted 10 years ago). No idea who sculpted this, but it's just 100% full of oldschool vibe. Brings back lots of memories.

While these minis were being undercoated I just wanted to add them to existing squads, so there's horde of space zombies in the battle report. But after closer examination it turned out, these sculpts were just too cool to deserve tabletop painting only. Each and every one has lots of juicy details making paintwork pure pleasure. Maybe except for the one with red gun and loincloth. This is weirdo even for Warzone standards. It actually look more like some cosmo-goblin, rather then proper animated corpse. But I guess Dark Apostles aren't picky when it comes to gathering forces.

Looking at them now I got that feeling they are RPG characters, rather just undead cannon fodder. Hope to find more of them and cannot wait to see them raging on the battlefield! 💀

So here they are: storming squad led by golem of darkness:

And here - the same squad about to be scorched by Cybertronic Eradicator Deathdroid:

And the fresh corpses...

Fuel dump

I was actually hoping for painting some corporate mercenaries for the coming Warzone game, but somehow decision was made to add some terrain features for battle report purpose. A while back I made scenic backdrop with with some terrain bits on it (like the one behind secret kohorts unit) but it turned out that static terrain doesn't help much. Big models or large units cannot be arranged as easily as I was hoping for, so all in all I could use only the middle part of the base.

To fix that I removed  the terrain pieces and re-sanded the base so it's fully available for models. Spare parts were placed on separate base as some post-apo fuel station or something. The big one is from Ramshackle games set - you can find lots of supercool stuff there, especially for vehicles and terrain building.  

So here it is: fuld dump based on oil drums set defended by Cybertronic chasseurs:

So here's the base with no crap on it:

And objective marker for the coming game!

See you in the field 💂

Nasca Razide (Warzone)

The end of year is coming and Warzone is on a roll!

Funny thing about it, but for some mysterious reason autumn / winter is somehow the best moment for painting oldschool junk. My guess: it's subconscious thing - I remember I got lured into Warzone trap when it was cold, so the terapist might find some connection... 

Crazy or not since do-gooders got some reinforcements, it was fair to paint something for The Evil Side. The beefcake below is nasca razide from Dark Eden line (Warzone on Earth simply speaking). Must admit I wasn't sure about this model and in the middle of painting I was considering washing it off to start again but all in all model turned out to be pretty cool. It's main flaw is too much muscles on the top (it falls easily) but apart of that - it's classic, goofy piece of art from oldie Warzone.  

As for paintwork I decided to keep it "fleshy" instead of violet like on official artwork. Somehow it's totally not my cup of tea. The only violet or blue skin tone in Warzone I can stand is Nepharite of Semai and praetorian stalkers ^^ 

The gun is just chunk of metal. There was a plan to add some color buttons or stickers but that would make it look like Nerf gun, rather then Algeroth's death device. Plus it's pretty dark and that makes nice contrast with rather monotone model.

Bare flesh is kinda plain so I tried to give it "texture" by adding some cuts. Now I can see I should finally invest in some better quality brush for such task but all in all I cannot complain. Neither can mr razide.

So here it is: facing Cybertronic patrol on Luna's outskirts:

And here about to gun down necromutants commando:

And da beefcake itself:

And the last thing. You might have noticed the globe counter on the right panel has been replaced. About 2 weeks ago that thing simply disappeared. Turned out it was shut down and that's just it. Tried to find some replacement so there's brand new, blue globe spinning right now, but it doesn't seem to show any visits. I'll try to look into it 🤔

Small forest 😁

After providing my battlefield with solid patch of forest it turned out there is still enough materials left to be build another terrain piece. Much smaller but still decent piece of dense terrain to hide a tank, squad of men ot even big and nasty Eradicator Deathdroid. 

Exactly like before I used mdf sheet to make bases for trees - they can be removed for transportation or when there's too big crowd inside. Lesson learnt this time: using oven to make terrain piece dry faster is stupid idea - mdf soaked with pva bends (surprisingly...) because of the temperature so it's easy way to ruin your work pretty easily.

So here it is - looking forward to see it in action as soon as possible 😎

See? Ents moved so evil robots can have a battle in tough enviroment!

Alakhai the Cunning

Alakhai is well over seven feet in height. His armor is forged of petrified human souls, it's surface etched with runes telling of the atrocities he commited to acquire such protection. 

His piercing eyes cast a fiery glow across his thin lips and sharp teeth, which are always visible through his maniacal smile. 

Always accompanying Alakhai onto battlefield is the Meat Wolfer, his huge battle sword...

Well that shit freaks me out! 😱
And those tiny guys on the pic below most probably have already fouled their panzer pants after they noticed it's Meat Wolfer's feeding time... 🥶

Anyway I've finally done it - after all those years my Dark Legion got worthy commander!

This model is kinda special (most of Warzone models I have are kinda special): 

official Paul Bonner's artwork was one of my very first Warzone pictures I spotted back and on that very moment I just knew that was it. That second I was sold to the Dark Soul...

No matter how cool the artwork is, model is just... Well - oldschool Warzone style: maybe cool but also kinda goofy. Color choice was based on "official" paintjob I spotted in Mutant Chronicles zine. The plan was to add more red elements (like armor edges) but dropped it - I am more then sure such thing would look just flat. Red cloak is test piece: I want to add unit of acolytes wearing red robes. They should look striking especially on grass green battlefield. The final result is ok, but next time I'll use violet instead of dark brown the shading.

Like most models I have this one is second hand. I got it slightly damaged - the rim on right back shoulder pad. The top of the horn was also broken so I cut it off and replaced with greenstuff prosthesis. I made it bigger then original horn: it makes Alakhai even more badass and besides we all know what do girls say about nepharites with big horrrrrrns...

I'd love to ask the sculptor about the gem on left knee. No idea what was the idea behind it but my guess is round piece of greenstuff was left there by chance. Accident at work. On the other hand - old Warzone sculpts were specific and gem on knee ain't most weird thing...

And since this one is painted it's time to modify army composition for the coming game...

Cybertronic Cuirassier Attilla

After finishing Undead wyvern it was good idea to take a step back from classic fantasy theme to see what's going on in the good old dark space...

Turned out there was actually lots of going on in that matter. 

Last weekend we managed to play another Warzone game. It was probably the 3rd game this year so it was quite an achievement especially given the fact Warzone is supposed to be dead system for quite a long time. Luckly for the game what is dead may never die! 😁

And luckly for us this time instead of sever rules modification we added scenarios from 3rd edition of Warhammer 40000 and must admit it was a blast. It was actually so cool we decided to use these rules during another match - hopefully maybe even next week.

One of most deadly models during that game was my opponent's Cuirassier Attila. That deadly clanker managed to eradicate most of my undead legionnaire squad with a single rocket missle. It was huge pain in the ass until I managed to reach it with my long range weapons. The model my opponent brought to the game was painted with just few base colors so I decided to give it some fresh tones - such a model deserves looking nice.

Must say I've always liked this sculpt - since the time my buddy introduced Warzone to me - at the beginning of high school. It's just damn cool: cold blooded (cold oiled) killing machine, equipped thick armour and big gun. With no skulls, spikes, loincloth and other useless crap models from most popular miniatures company on Earth wear... 🙄

I was asked to paint the model using more less original color scheme. But I was also asked to keep the head (face mask) gold. There's a story behind it:

Back, back days when we were starting the Warzone thing there was group of a few playing but none of us had any painting experience. In mid 90's my city was dark shit hole as for hobby. As for other thing most probably too. We brely had any painting tools and paints - I even remember I was also using those stinky, toxic enamels to paint first models ^^
My opponent (that time collecting Brotherhood) was trying to paint his units but I remember he had only 4-5 colors at the disposal: blue, red, white and brown (probably) aaand gold...
For some mysterious reason he decided to paint bald head of the seregant with gold which was just utterly stupid idea. It you cannot imagine it - check this guy 😋 (the band is pretty good actually). So to give the honors to the old times and bring out some cosy memories of careless times Mr Attilla got some gold to shine in the dark, cold, cosmic abyss.

Below - supporting squad of Chasseurs (some more pics of this unit here):

And here - patrolling dead zone alone:

Thanks for reading!

Raze (Dark Age)

I've just came back from Khemri and because some Cryx models are still getting ready in paint stripper spa, decision was made to rescue something else from the very bottom of paint stripper container.

What you see below is Raze from Dark Age range. From what I can see I got it almost 10 years ago but somehow never managed to make any use of this model. Must say I got Dark Age materials + some models just because of Brom's artworks. These is really coor but also really weird sh!t, so that's probably the reason I painted only 2 minis from the range so far.

The fact game rules aren't anything special also could have something to do...

It's my 3rd attempt to paint this models and I'm really glad I can finally see it painted and sealed. Had some ideas how to paint it but once again I feel just best using natural tones. I am still considering adding some blood on the piece. Not sure is the "pizza cutter" the best place for it - it's rotating blade so my guess is if such a weapon hits the flesh - the blood should cover just like everywhere, and I am rather satisfied of the paintwork... 😁

The model is pretty unique both by design and size - probably that's because I couldn't find any use for it on gaming table. Looking at it compared to other models, it could proxy Chaos Dreadnought with ease. It's makes Skaven rat ogre look like a kid, not even mentiotning human size miniatures (on the pic - Warzone Cybertronic chasseur hero). 

Really happy to see it crossed off the shame list. Time to wash off sth more ordinary...

Cybertronic Chasseurs

Looks like Mr Omicron got me good, so I've been grounded for the past few days. After re-launching trusty Fallout 3 and reading some books decision was made to improve painting statistics, therefore squad of Chasseurs was dragged on the painting desk.

I've never commanded Cybertronic force so these are supposed to join post-apo neo-soviet force I've been building recently. They all look like clones of Ivan Drago from Rocky 4, so:

genetic engeneering + cloning + steroids = Cybertronic.

I really do not like painting whole units at once - no matter how hard I try the final paintjob quality is worse then painting one model at the time. And that's what happened here, but it's much faster way to get the job done and I wanted to see them ready for action yet before the isolation  ends. Trying to make them fit the NBC suit squad pants were painted flanker blue. Looking at the photos this element is pretty dull - adding some tearings could be good idea.

Sculpts are pretty simple so I added some decals (squad marks, trendy vintage tank top and tattoo) and contrast bits like Casio-like organizer screen (or maybe they carry Game Boys to battle) and of couse - red visors. They are neo-soviets, so they sure see the universe red...

Squad supported by assault walker:

And whole warband infantry at this stage. Must find proper commander for them, probably with big, red officer hat. Should still have spare oldie Valhallan commisair somewhere...

In the previous post there was a music piece and while I was varnishing the squad another one came to my mind. I am seriously considering naming the squad leader Russel... 🤔

Cybertronic vs Legion battle report

Shortly after recent unexpected meeting of Cybertronic and Dark Legion patrols, noise of another battle has shaken the surface of Mars. Cybertronic drones have spotted column of flame bursting among rock formations not far in the south of the base, which might be sign of gas or oil deposit the corporation has been looking for. Therefore strong patrol led by one of clones of doctor Diana has been sent immediately to examine and secure the discovery.

A.I. patrol arrived with no delay, but just after cyborgs spotted the burning flame shambling horde of undead legionnaires emerged from behind the hill and rock formations. Apparently also Legion's tekrons found that phenomenon worthy examining...

So we had another Warzone game on dedicated battlefield. 

This time we were supposed to test some more home rules my opponent made up recently, but instead of simple modification of 1st ed. rules, he brought statistics from Ultimate Warzone mixed with old mechanics and "booster" cards you can see on the table. All units got statistics reduced so even once-powerful single models became quite pathetic. 

Because of rules modification the game was nothing like classic Warzone match but it also was breath of fresh, martian air. We will give this project a chance for sure.

Forces of Cybertronic: 

-    Eradicator Deathdroid, 

-    dr Diana,

-    cuirassier Attila,    

-    1 squad of mirrormen, 

-    1 squad of machinators, 

-    2 squads of chasseurs. 

Forces of Legion:

-    nepharite of Algeroth,

-    ezoghul

-    razide, 

-    2 squads of praetorian stalkers,

-    2 squads of necromutants, 

-    2 squads of undead legionairees.

Both sides emerged from the deployment zones trying to catch cenrte of the battlefield. We agreed to play 6 rounds and the winning condition is securing the burning crater after 6th round ends. Crawling undead formed a wide line keeping most of infantry in the middle, while ezoghoul rushed forward to lure out deadly Eradicator Deathdroid from the cover. The cuirassier took careful aim at advancing ezoghoul, but none of bullets managed to penetrate exoskeleton from such a distance.

On eastern side squad of mirrormen supported by chasseurs advanced trying to secure flanking position, but they for under praetorian stalkers' deadly supressing fire. Despite having best armour Cybertronic could provide - two mirrormen were hit and destroyed.

Necromutant commando advanced trying to find some cover against chasseurs' fire and greet Eradicator with a flamethrower. Deathdroid moved forward to get as many deaders as possible within range of gigadeath chainripper and built-in flamethrower. Dry deaders burn better then logs of wood...

Since Eradicator showed it's position, ezoghoul was ordered to move back to capture the objective after situation in the centre is clear. At the same time praetorian stalkers once again opened deadly fire towards advancing cyborgs, gunning down 3 chasseurs.

Cybertronic force advanced to get the positions around the crater. They managed to take down few legionnaires and necromutants but this definitelly wasn't enough to stop or even make slow crawling mass undead. In responce Nepharite ordered to open fire from all guns available. Salvo of 30 or so assault rifles must have taken it's toll: a few more chasseurs and two machinators were taken out of action. Even Eradicator got it's armour plates scratched!

The next turn started with Eradicator: the death device advanced to torch whole squad of necromutants! The first salvo scorched 2 mutants, another salvo took 2 more out of action.
Eradicator was close now, so both units of undead legionnaires were ordered to advance and open fire at closest range possible. Unfortunately about 20 shots managed to cause only a single wound: 

thick armour supported by life-saving mechanisms make deathdroid almost unstoppable!

Seeing what happened to necromutants, the nepharite commander ordered ezoghoul to charge Eradicator, hoping tear it apart or at least engage in close combat for long enough so the remaining forces can open fire once again. Seconds later nepharite also charged deathdroid from behind the smoke screen, but combined attack caused only 2 more wounds - Cybertronic was still deadly!

On eastern flank operator of Tormentor flamethrower has finally reached the target: 2 chasseurs were burnt to death within seconds which caused blind panic to the survivors.
Since the flank has just been secured, the other squad of necromutants advanced to the centre of the battlefield to support core of Dark Legion force.

On the eastern side praetorian stalkers have disengaged mirrormen and advanced opening deadly fire consuming some chasseurs and the last machinator. In exchange one of stalkers has been mortally but it was fair price to pay for Cybertronic losses.

Eradicator recieved one more wound, but it was still standing!
It managed to leave close combat and then spat burning napalm on surrounding zombies. Few survivded only because they were out of range of the scorcher.

In the last turn ezoghoul and centurion charged barely-working Eradicator, hoping to inflict the final wound and take that beast out of action. At the same time Scorpion tried to lay smoke screen to cut off praetorian stalkers, who alrady moved on firing positions:

it missed and shortly after it's been torn apart by concentrated machine guns fire.

In the very last moments of the battle, necromutants fired at remaining squad of chasseurs making them panic, but it couldn't change the game result: 

whole centre of the field has been dominated by Dark Legion's spawn, and there was absolutely nothing barely-active Eradicator could do about it. The battle was over. 

As I wrote it after the previous game - it was great to see old models in action once again. Apart from the fact Warzone game is just fun, we're pretty nostalgic about it here - hobby started for us because of Warzone around 1996/1997. 

Because of severe rules and statistic modifications the battle was nothing like Warzone 1ed - no more overboosted characters and one-man-armies. Instead of initiative rolls we used "booster cards" which could help activate faster but also boost statistics during the game: it wan't the fastest way but it brought some tactical thinking at the beginning of each turn. This element is yet to be tested.

Hope you enjoyed the battle report - especially whole that FX-fung-fu by opponent performed on some the the photos. Can't wait to paint some more Dark Legion's bloodthirsty servants to throw them on Cybertronic once again! 💀