Sunday 16 September 2018

I've been poxed for nine months

Christmas 2017; this when I started to build my Death Guard army.  11th September 2018 is when I finally finished 'phase 3' and, below it is in all it's glory:






Quite controversial but, I decided to base all of my models on clear bases so that, you can see the gaming table below. In order to do this, I stuck them to their normal GW bases (one foot only; just enough to hold them to the base while I paint / game with them) and then, in one go, I cut them away from their GW bases and stuck them carefully onto the clear bases. Two feet were damaged and fifteen models needed a minor touch-up but, all-in-all, it was a success and has saved me a lot of time.

Overall, I have enjoyed painting the army, however, I am glad that I won't have to paint any more Death Guard Green for a while ... and I do mean a while. I have decided that Chaos will be my main faction in 40k, and I plan to extend this army:

- Phase 4: 3 or every battle tank. 4 Rhinos and 2 Land Raiders
- Phase 5: Nurgle Demons
- Phase 6: paint any Death Guard Infantry unit I haven't already got
- Phase 7: paint any Death Guard character I haven't got

After that:

- Phase 8: Tzeench army
- Phase 9: Korne army
- Phase 10: Slaanesh army
- Phase 11: Traitor guard army

I suspect that, all of this lot, will take around twenty years! But for now, Let's have a look at my Death Guard army as it is.

Chaos Lord in terminator armour (Nurgle) - Death Guard
Warlord - Arch-contaminator
Combi-melta
Powerfist
FugarisHelm
Total 136pts





My Warlord supports the entire army with his 'buffs'. He has a 6" bubble where all Death Guard models re-roll 1's to hit. Also, with his Arch-contaminator warlord trait, within 7" all plague weapons re-roll all failed to wound rolls. He has the Fugaris' Helm, which adds an additional 3" on both of these 'buffs'. He really does help the entire army. He also has a melta shot which hits on a 2+.

Sorcerer lord in terminator armour (Nurgle) - Chaos Space Marines
Combi-melta
Force Stave
Total 147pts





I run this guy as a part of a Chaos Detachment because, I think Chaos spells are a lot more powerful than the Nurgle ones. This guy drops in with my Blightlord Terminators and removes any invunerable saves (Deathex) on the unit the Blightlords wish to fire on. He also grants +1 to hit on the Terminators (Prescience).

Chaos Sorcerer (Nurgle) - Chaos Space Marines
Bolt Pistol
Force Sword
Total 98pts





I run this guy as a part of a Chaos Detachment because, I think Chaos spells are a lot more powerful than the Nurgle ones. This guy hangs around with my Demon Prince and grants him additional movement (Warptime) and also takes Deathex. His role is supportive, however, he doesn't grace the battlefield often these days.

Demon Prince of Nurgle with wings - Death Guard 
2x Malefic Talons
The Suppurating Plate
Spell - Miasma of Pestilence
Total 180pts





Now, before you start ... yes I know that he has been painted with a different shade of green to the rest of the army. As a demon, I wanted him to look different though, with the brass, still look a part of the army. At first, I wasn't sure that the change of colour was a good idea (I did think of re-painting him), however, over time, the model has grown on me. He takes the nurgle spell Miasma of Pestilence which gives a -1 to hit him. He also has a 2+ save and 'Disgustingly resilent' and the 'Suppurating plate' causes a mortal wound, on a 4+, on an opponent how caused a wound on the demon in combat. To be honest, this item hasn't been that good and I am not sure it is worth the command point... it maybe dropped! The twin Malefic Talons grants the demon prince a buckfull of attacks.

HQ Grand Total 561pts

7x Plague Marines
Champion - Plasma Gun
2x  Plague Marines with Plasma Guns
Total 158pts





This unit rocks 6 plasma shots within rapid fire range. With the warlord nearby, they get to re-roll one's to hit. Sadly, this is where the good news ends because, even with their toughness 5, 3+ save and disgustingly resilient save, they just aren't worth their points. To be efficient, they need a transport because they are too slow walking around the battlefield and, ironicly, the transport will provide them with some much needed protection. It's a shame because, currently, I only have five Plague Marines in my 1,750pt army ... and I have painted 28 of them!


7x Plague Marines
Champion - Plasma Gun
2x  Plague Marines with Plasma Guns
Total 158pts


This unit rocks 6 plasma shots within rapid fire range. With the warlord nearby, they get to re-roll one's to hit. Sadly, this is where the good news ends because, even with their toughness 5, 3+ save and disgustingly resilient save, they just aren't worth their points. To be efficient, they need a transport because they are too slow walking around the battlefield and, ironicly, the transport will provide them with some much needed protection. It's a shame because, currently, I only have five Plague Marines in my 1,750pt army ... and I have painted 28 of them!

7x Plague Marines
Champion - Plasma Gun
2x  Plague Marines with Plasma Guns
Total 158pts





This unit rocks 6 plasma shots within rapid fire range. With the warlord nearby, they get to re-roll one's to hit. Sadly, this is where the good news ends because, even with their toughness 5, 3+ save and disgustingly resilient save, they just aren't worth their points. To be efficient, they need a transport because they are too slow walking around the battlefield and, ironicly, the transport will provide them with some much needed protection. It's a shame because, currently, I only have five Plague Marines in my 1,750pt army ... and I have painted 28 of them!


7x Plague Marines
Champion - Plasma Gun
2x  Plague Marines with Blight Launchers
Total 152pts







 
This formation has blight launchers because, when I built my units, I had run out of plasma guns. Over the months, as it turns out, I now think blight launchers are better than plasma guns due to their range and, when the warlord allows formations to re-roll all failed to wound hits with plague weapons, blight launchers (a plague weapon) become very reliable. With the warlord nearby, they also get to re-roll one's to hit. Sadly, this is where the good news ends because, even with their toughness 5, 3+ save and disgustingly resilient save, they just aren't worth their points. To be efficient, they need a transport because they are too slow walking around the battlefield and, ironicly, the transport will provide them with some much needed protection. It's a shame because, currently, I only have five Plague Marines in my 1,750pt army ... and I have painted 28 of them!

12x Poxwalkers 72pts




At first, I didn't like Pow walkers because they didn't get a save, toughness 3 and only a 4" move. I thought cultists were cheaper and better because I HADN'T READ THE RULES PROPERLY. These guys get disgustingly resilient which is a massive bonus. They are also unbreakable meaning that they are my standard 'go to' meat shield.

12x Poxwalkers 72pts


At first, I didn't like Pow walkers because they didn't get a save, toughness 3 and only a 4" move. I thought cultists were cheaper and better because I HADN'T READ THE RULES PROPERLY. These guys get disgustingly resilient which is a massive bonus. They are also unbreakable meaning that they are my standard 'go to' meat shield.

10x Cultists - Death Guard
1x Flamer
Total 49pts


Cheap, cheap and ... err ... cheap, these guys objective is to sit on objectives and try not to get themselves killed (or provide a secondard meat shield). If these guys are racking up the 'objective points' while letting the rest of the army get on with killing the foe, then their job is done.

I decided to use Genestealer Cult models for my Death Guard Cultists to (A) add variety, and (B) for my opponent to be able to tell them a part from my Chaos Detachment Cultists. I think that they look pretty cool and will add variety to my traitor guard (if I ever so them).

 10x Cultists (Nurgle) 40pts - Chaos Space Marines


Cheap, cheap and ... err ... cheap, these guys objective is to sit on objectives and try not to get themselves killed (or provide a secondard meat shield). If these guys are racking up the 'objective points' while letting the rest of the army get on with killing the foe, then their job is done.

The Chaos book has a two-point strategem called 'Tide of Traitors' which allows me to bring these guys on from any board edge ... allowing me to grab objectives pretty much anywhere on the table. Death Guard suffer from movement and my Chaos Space Marine detachment helps out a little with this.

10x Cultists (Nurgle) - Chaos Space Marines
1x Flamer
Total 49pts

 

Cheap, cheap and ... err ... cheap, these guys objective is to sit on objectives and try not to get themselves killed (or provide a secondard meat shield). If these guys are racking up the 'objective points' while letting the rest of the army get on with killing the foe, then their job is done.

The Chaos book has a two-point strategem called 'Tide of Traitors' which allows me to bring these guys on from any board edge ... allowing me to grab objectives pretty much anywhere on the table. Death Guard suffer from movement and my Chaos Space Marine detachment helps out a little with this.

Total troops 908pts

6x Blightlord Terminators
5x combi-melta
1x Reaper Autocannon
6x Bubonic axes
Total 368pts





The shock-troops of the army. If the sorcerer gets his spells off, this unit has 5 melta shots hitting on 2+ and, with the 'veterans of the long war' strategm. they are usually wounding on 2+ causing a -4 AP and D6 wounds .... this formation is a beast and will kill any monster / tank in one turn. The reaper autocannon isn't as good as the meltas, however, it does give the unit a bit of range.

They are not bad in combat but, with two attacks at strength of 5, -3 AP and damage 1, don't expect them to perform miracles. They are a shooting unit.

Foul Blight Spawn 77pts





I've had a 'love / hate' relationship with this fella. Originally, I thought his 'revolting stench' ability was brilliant, however, due to its range and his movement, it's hard to get him in the right area at the right time. Currently, he is out of my army. His main weapon - Plague sprayer - though short range, is horrible as it does D6 automatic hits at 2D6 (usually 7) strength with a -3 AP and 3 damage ... this guy is a 'elite infantry / light tank' killer. Oh, and his weapon is a plague weapon therefore, if close to the general, he re-rolls all failed to wound hits; very reliable shooting.

Talleyman 62pts






I love this model, and the idea behind him. I thought that his 'command point farming ability' was pretty sound, however, I don't very often roll 7's on 2D6 (though it is the most common number). Due to this, he currently isn't in my 1,750pt army. His zealot ability could prove very useful, however, again he suffers with movement therefore, getting into the right area at the right time could be problematic.

Total Elites 507pts

2 Foetid  Bloat Drones
1x Heavy blight launcher each
159pts each




Very durable, adding the Bloat Drone to my army was actually a mistake (for my birthday, a family member bought me these 'Bloat Drones' instead of 'Plague Drones'). It has turned out to be a blessing (possibly a 'Grandfather blessing :) ).

Being the clever soul that I am, i have magnatised the weapons so that I can change them as and when required. Currently in favour, is the cheapest of the weapon options; the Fleshmower. In combat, this gives the Bloat Drone and additional 6 attacks at strength 8, -2 AP and 2 Damage. Also, guess what ... it's a plague weapon! The plague spitters are also good but I am not sure about the Blight Launcher ... it's okay.
Total Fast attack 318pts

2 Plague Burst Crawlers
Rothail volley gun
2x Entropy Cannons
Total 152pts each






The above load out, were my 'weapons of choice' for an age. Only within my last two games have I switched to the plague splitters and, I've won both games. Throwing these things forward and pinning down the enemy is such a valid tactic with these as they are so durable. Also, when they explode, they cause a hell of a lot of mortal wounds. Finally, the plague spitters are plague weapons whereas, the Enthropy cannons aren't.

Defiler (Nurgle) - Chaos Space Marines
Defiler scourge
Reaper autocannon
Defiler Claws
Total 167pts


When I first thought of collecting Chaos, I wanted a Defiler. Though not as durable as a Plagueburst Crawler, it's presence of the battlefield is so strong and it adds height to the army. I strongly believe that your army on the fieldshould represent the fluff in the codex. For me, chaos should be terrifying to face for any imperium because, every chaos model is a warped version of an imperium one. It's what a faithful imperium soldier could end up like if they fall into the hands of Chaos ... and nothing is more terrifying that a huge mechanical spider.

This model was an absloute nightmare to build and paint.

Total Heavy Support 471pts

And below is the whole army (2765pts)





So ... what's next?

Well, on the painting table I have two Necromunda gangs of old (Spryers and Redemptionists) which are 'quick wins' to get painted. After that, I bought the brand new Adeptus Titanicus Grand Master box set which, I plan to add 3 more knights, 2 Reavers and 4 warhounds to the legion (I am going Leigo Mortis ... which fought with the Death Guard during the Horus Heresy). This will hopefully take me up to Christmas where I hope to get some Death Guard Rhinos for my Plague Marines.

I also hope to build a small Tau / Eldar army to give me a little variety for my 40k games (which, I may add, I am loving at the moment). These projects will be small though.

Until next time

Toodle Pip!

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