Biggest Game I have ever played

 When I had finished my Warhammer 40,000 Nurgle Marine army, I wanted to get it all out on a beautiful table at Warhammer World, and play a game...

... just once

This weekend, that happened. At 10am I met Al - Demons and Alpha Legion Player - where we took 90 minutes to setup 10,000 points per side, and 5 and half hours to play two turns!

It was still worth it. The visual spectacle ... and all the people who came up for a photo and a chat ... made it a lot of fun and made me realise that 10th isn't too bad...

But it could be a lot better :)

Below are some photos

Almost 6 years to the day, my Death Guard army are finished ... well mostly

6 whole years. I received my first Death Guard models as a 2017 Christmas present, so that I could play Warhammer 40,000 8th edition. Little did I know that I would finally put my brush and 'Death Guard green paint' to one side in January 2024, playing 10th edition.

Well, when I say aside. My aim has always been to have three of each unit. The only reason I don't have three of a below unit is either...

- I don't like the current model

- there is only one current sculpt therefore, I don't want all three (especially characters) looking the same. I have done a few conversions as and where I could.

So here is the whole army. Sorry for the images, I took them inside and the quality of light is poor.

The army list

Characters

Mortarian = 325pts

3x Biologus Putrifers = 150pts

3x Chaos Lords = 195pts

2x Chaos lords in terminator armour = 170pts

1x Demon Prince = 160pts

2x Demon Princes with wings = 390pts

3x Icon bearers = 135pts

1x Sorcerer in Terminator armour = 70pts

2x Foul blightspawns = 100pts

2x Lords of contagion = 160pts

2x Lords of Virulence = 160pts

3x Maligant Plaguecasters = 195pts 

3x Noxious Blight bringers = 150pts

3x Plague Surgeons = 195pts

2x Talleymen = 90pts

1x Typhus = 80pts

Total Characters = 2,725pts

7x Plague marines (champion (plasma), plasma gun, blight launcher, Heavy plague weapon, bubonic weapon, 2 bolters) 125pts

7x Plague marines (champion (plasma), plasma gun, blight launcher, Heavy plague weapon, bubonic weapon, 2 bolters) 125pts

7x Plague marines (champion (plasma), plasma gun, blight launcher, Heavy plague weapon, bubonic weapon, 2 bolters) 125pts

7x Plague marines (champion (plasma), plasma gun, blight launcher, Heavy plague weapon, bubonic weapon, 2 bolters) 125pts

7x Plague marines (champion (bolter), plague belcher, blight launcher, plague spewer, Heavy plague weapon, 2 bolters) 125pts

7x Plague marines (champion (bolter), melta gun, blight launcher, 4 bolters) 125pts

Total 875

4x Rhinos 300pts

10x Blightlord terminators (3 combi weapons, 1 blight launcher, 1 reaper autocannon, 1 plague spewer, 1 flail of corruption, 3 combi bolters) 330pts

10x Blightlord terminators (3 combi weapons, 1 blight launcher, 1 reaper autocannon, 1 plague spewer, 1 flail of corruption, 3 combi bolters) 330pts

10x Blightlord terminators (3 combi weapons, 1 blight launcher, 1 reaper autocannon, 1 plague spewer, 1 flail of corruption, 3 combi bolters) 330pts

2x Chaos spawn 70pts

2x Chaos spawn 70pts

2x Chaos spawn 70pts

2x Chaos spawn 70pts

2x Chaos spawn 70pts

2x Chaos spawn 70pts

2x Chaos spawn 70pts

10x Chaos Cultists 50pts

10x Chaos Cultists 50pts

10x Chaos Cultists 50pts

1x Defiler 190pts

3x Hellbrutes 420pts

3x Land raiders 720pts

3x Predators (can be either annihilators or destructors) 390pts

6x Deathshroud terminators 240pts

6x Deathshroud terminators 240pts

6x Deathshroud terminators 240pts

3x Foetid bloat drones 270pts

3x Miasmic Malignifers 345pts

3x Myphitic Blight-Haulers 300pts

3x Myphitic Blight-Haulers 300pts

3x Myphitic Blight-Haulers 300pts

3x Plagueburst crawlers 540pts

20x poxwalkers 100pts

20x poxwalkers 100pts

20x poxwalkers 100pts

20x poxwalkers 100pts

20x poxwalkers 100pts

20x poxwalkers 100pts

20x poxwalkers 100pts

17x poxwalkers 100pts

Total other stuff 6925

Allies

3x Bases of nurglings 40pts

3x Bases of nurglings 40pts

3x Bases of nurglings 40pts

3x Bases of nurglings 40pts

10x Possessed 280pts

Total allies 440pts

GRAND TOTAL 11,265pts

So where to next? - well I have finished with 40k. I have some Dungeonbowl, Underworlds and Areonautica stuff to finish off. After that it's new games. Legions Imperialis and The Old World.

Will I be doing Death Guard for legions? Well, you'll just have to wait and see.

Toodle Pip!

Death Guard are finished

 Almost 6 years to the day, I have finished my Death Guard army...

... well, as near as any project can be finished. If Games Workshop release a new sculpt for the Defiler; and a different model for the Talleyman and other Death guard characters then, I have some more work to do.

However, as of today, I have no more Death Guard I want to paint. I finished my 12,000pt army with the leader of the Death Guard; Mortarion.

This model is the largest I have ever painted. It took three and a half months to complete. Though I did enjoy tackling something so large, I don't fancy ever painting it again.

I built the main part of the model in full however, I kept the winds, the base and some of the chains off him until painted.

So, for now, the Death Guard are done. I am now back on Dungeonbowl stuff plus, I have started my new Legions Imperialis Word Bearer army ... what not Death Guard? No. I fancied a change 

Final few models

 I am so close to completing my Death Guard army!

I have managed to paint three of every unit, tank and hero in the Death Guard list. The below shows 5 models which I was missing (which of course now, I am not)...

1) One Possessed - Okay so Possessed are no longer in the Death Guard list. Yes I know you can ally them from the Chaos codex however, it's not quite the same. "... so why paint this single model Matt?..." Well...

a) I had already bought it

b) I already had a unit of 9 done.

2) Another Chaos Lord in Power Armour - A few months ago, I purchased the complete Death Guard Hero box from Games Workshop. I was going to leave them all sealed but then, I noticed a unique Chaos Lord in Power Armour. I needed a final one therefore, I painted him up...

3) 3x Icon Bearers - This was the last Death Guard hero model I was missing completely. I purchased two of the blister Icon Bearers and then, I discovered another one in the Death Guard Hero set of models I had purchased.

With these 5 models done, I only have a single Death Guard model left to finish...

no sadly it's not a single Poxwalker.

I have left the Primarch until last.

My next Death Guard update therefore, might be some time.

Toodle Pip!

chim chimney, chim chimney, chim chim cher-ee

 

As I draw closer to the end of my Death Guard army, the models I paint become more unique and, more useless...

Well actually no, not this time. Sure in 8th and 9th, the Miasmic Malignifer was a bit of a joke. In 10th however, I can actually see me taking one or, dare I say it, even two.

The Malignifer's weapons aren't anything to write home about (2D6 6" range auto Str 3 hits, 1D and 0 AP); it's in it's abilities where it's power lies. -1 to hit any Nurgle until within 6" of this AND cover to any model not fully visible gives your predators and Plague Burst Crawlers something to protect them. At 135 points it's a little steep however, I think worth it.

Painting wise, I wasn't so lucky. Believe it or not, but both the tower and the spare bit were painted with the same colours. The only difference is that the Seraphim Sepia used on the small boiler was towards the end of the bottle therefore, the pigment must have been stronger. As you can imagine; it's very annoying due to the amount of time taken (photos don't really do the models justice).

Will I repaint the boiler? Not sure. I'll put them on the field of battle a few times first and decide after. It's a lot of time for something, though I think it's better in 10th than 9th or 8th ... I won't be fielding too often.

Oh a bit of trivial for you ... these models came with modelled bases. These are therefore the first bases I have painted for my Death Guard army. I still bought clear bases so I can chop and change as I feel like it.

Next up I have some AT weapons to do and then it's the final push for my Death Guard army; 3 Standard bearer characters, a lord in marine armour, 1 possessed (I know we can't take them anymore but, I had already painted 9) and of course ... Mortarion.

 

Demon Prince number 3

 In January 2023, Games Workshop released a new Demon Prince model and, of course, I just had to have one...

It took me about a month to paint this fella up which, considering how much detail is on him isn't that bad. It is a wonderful model though, putting him together is a bit of a mission. 

I have given mine wings, with an axe and the shooty weapon thing. This is because I already have a prince with the sword and one with the malefic talons.

I was most worried about the wings however, I think they have come out really well. I am less impressed with the head.

So this is pretty much my final character for now. Next up are three smoky chimneys before painting 21 possessed.

The army is almost complete!

Toodle Pip!

Chaos Spawn

Chaos Spawn; in my opinion are, undoubtedly, one of the most underrated and forgotten units within the Death Guard army. At 21 points each for 4 wounds, toughness 5, 7" move and a 5+ save, these boys are such a great formation to screen out your back line from deep strikers, hold objectives by hiding or, spread diseases by running forward. They can fulfil so many rolls.

Or you can put 5 into a single unit for 105pts. Play the strategm on them which gives them disgustingly resilience (-1 damage) and you have a 10D3 Str 5 -2AP damage 2 WS 4+ unit which cannot be ignored ... for 105pts!

So I know what your thinking...

Why on earth then has it taken you so long to paint a single spawn, let alone 15!

Well here is an extract from the 40k Wiki pages: 

"...A Chaos Spawn is a mindless mutant creature who once belonged to one of the intelligent races of the galaxy and who has become so mutated through their servitude to Chaos that they devolved into a twisted and insane abomination.

Those seeking immortality and power through the ultimate attainment of daemonhood in service to the Runious Powers face the constant possibility of being reduced to Chaos Spawn, either by accumulating too many mutations or being cast aside by their Chaos patrons as unworthy of further advancement because of their consistent failure to serve the will of the Chaos Gods.

More simply, they may lack the inherent qualities required for successful leadership of other Chaos servants and thus be of no further use to their patrons.

Chaos warband members who are transformed into Chaos Spawn will either be abandoned by their former comrades or kept as pets or as cannon fodder, to be herded into battle along with the rest of the Lost and the Damned

Although physically powerful and extremely resilient, Chaos Spawn are insane, mewling creatures with no mental powers or self-awareness. Their former intelligence has been sacrificed to their failed ambition. Many a Chaos Champion of great promise has ended up as a seething mound of bone and blubber, monstrous and screaming with lunatic rage..."

Can you see my point? For those of you who have followed the building of my Chaos Death Guard army over the years, you'll notice that my painting style is very tidy and quiet logical ... I don't do mess and I don't do filth. Yet, to do these Chaos Spawn any justice I felt as though I had to let go of any logic and tidiness in my attempt to build and paint them. I therefore built them very quickly indeed without giving much thought to 'which part goes were' (afterall; they are insane mewling creatures). As for painting, I decided to paint them as different to each other as possible by splitting them into four different colours; green skin, blue skin, purple skin and black skin. The weapons were all painted with little thought to the colours used.

Have I achieved insanity ... only you can answer that. Some of the spawn I am very happy with; others are just 'okay'. I also bought my first non-GW models and acquired 3 plagued toads for £18. These looks pretty cool and, when allowed, I will use these in my army as I feel that they fit in more.

Next up I will be painting my 3rd demon prince using the module Games Workshop has just released ... there is a lot of detail however, once done, it's going to look epic!

Toodle Pip!

Land Raider

The Land Raider

Such an iconic vehicle. I believe the Land Raider has been in 40k since 2nd edition ... and has been absolutely useless since 3rd. Arguably the second worst tank in the Death Guard book after the Predator (see post below for my three painted Predators) due to its tiny bit of resilience, it really is a shame that these aren't better because they look so cool!

I decided to stick with my theme of 30k tanks to make my army look as though it had been in the warp for a millennium. The Rhinos, Predators and Land Raiders are all 30k. I love these models with the tracks exposed. I decided to purchase two armoured Proteus Land Raiders and one unarmoured. I have just finished the unarmoured one and it's supposed to represent my command tank; hosting my force's commander as he plans his next move (maybe it's to ditch the Land Raider and get a decent vehicle). The two armoured ones roll up the battlefield stuffed full of terminators or possessed.

The Land Raider is 245pts. For a T8, 16W 2+ save bullet magnet. It doesn't even hit on 2+ ... and its weapons only do D6 damage making them very swingy indeed. It also doesn't have a invulnerable save and, with a lot of anti-tank weapons being -lots of AP, it dies very quickly. It also doesn't reduce damage by 1! The Forgeworld Proteus is a little better. 10pts cheaper with a 5+ invulnerable save. This is still all clutching at straws as, rules wise, I'd pretty much take anything else.

But I won't always as, when they are on the battlefield, they look epic ... and that's what counts.

Having a break with the green paint for a little while and going back to painting some large robots for a bit.

Toodle Pip!

Predators

 The Predator...

The T7, W11 3+ save, BS3+, M12" Predator is two-of-five heavy support choices for the Death Guard. I say two as there is the Predator Annihilator - with its twin lascannon turret - and the Predator Destructor - with its Predator Autocannon turret. Interestingly, both types of Predators can be armed with either lascannon or heavy bolter sponsons and the Annihilator is cheaper than the Destructor!

It's a tank which is hardly seen and at around 140pts ... it's easy to see why it's not taken. With no disgustingly resilient, these heavy weapon boats can easily be taken down. Sure, you get the Contagions of Nurgle ability but, whenever are you going to want to get one of these boys within contagion range of the enemy? So why on earth have I painted three!

Because look at them! I went for the £70-00 30K Foreworld Predator (The plastic Horus Heresy ones hadn't been released when I purchased these) which comes with enough weapons to build either type of Predator. Being a clever dude, I've not glued the weapons on. Instead, I can 'chop and change' so I can field either three Annihilators or three Destructors ... or a combination of the two!

Not being so clever, I have only magnetised the turret weapons. This means that the sponson weapons are a little ... loose. If not careful they can fall out. I am not planning on using the Predators that often therefore, I am not sure if a magnet is worth it or not ... I'll have to have a think.

Anyway, with three Pedators and two Landraiders now painted, my quest to have every awful Death Guard vehicle painted is almost complete. I just have to finish the 3rd Landraider.

Toodle Pip!

The humble Plague marine

 Another update - I hear you cry!

Well yes ... sort of.

So I've finished painting all of my plague marines and their rhino transports. The eagle eyed among you will have noticed that, within the below photos, most of it was already painted!

Yes okay so All I've done is add another Talleyman and another 7 Plague marines making 43 Plague Marines in total, with at least one of every weapon option available. These final 7 were important as I managed to build a lot more combat weapons.

So without further fluff, let's see the units!

My second Talleyman. I don't really need two however, I am on a quest to have '3 of everything' and so another one is needed. I won't be getting a third until another model is released (or I can think of a wicked conversion).

Unit 1:- Champ (plasma pistol + combat weapon), Great plague clever, flail, Meltagun, blight launcher, bolter = 6 man (Rhino)

Unit 2:- Unit 1:- Champ (plasma gun + combat weapon), 2 plasma guns, 2 blight launchers, 5 bolter = 10 man

Unit 3:- Unit 1:- Champ (plasma pistol + combat weapon), Great plague clever, bubonic axe, flail, plasma gun, blight launcher, 3 bolters = 10 man (Rhino)

Unit 4:- Unit 1:- Champ (plasma pistol + demon weapon), Great plague clever, flail, bubonic axe and mace, plague spewer, plague belcher, bolter = 7 man (Rhino)

Unit 5:-Unit 1:- Champ (plasma gun + combat weapon), 2 plasma guns, 2 blight launchers, 5 bolters = 10 man (Rhino) And that is it! I suppose I better get back to it ... I have my final Landraider and 3 predators on my painting table. After this ... back to Adeptus Titanicus.