The 25mm Warrior

-BEGIN TRANSMISSION-

To: Col Corbane, Nobel Servant of the God-Emperor

From: The Administratum Chambers of His Emperors 147th Imperial Legion Command

Re: Warning to the Emperium and an Addendum to The Parade Ground Blog list

Dearest Col. Corbane

It is our most deepest hope that this communique reaches you in time. Our force is now stranded on an unknown, hostile world after responding to a distress signal which appeared to be Imperial in nature. Upon planetfall our deepest nightmares were realized. The signal had been sent by heretical Chaos agents in order to lure an Imperial presence away from support sectors. Their nefarious plan is to take apart the noble servants of our Emperor one at a time as new units respond to the signals.

We tried sending warning attached to the transmission alerting the Emperors servants to stay away however we discovered in horror that the transmission is not one, but countless others. They differ so much from one another that it is impossible to filter out each and every one of them. Some are calls for help, other for routine assistance, some appear to be legitimate orders from Terra herself. Whoever is doing this has a very intimate knowledge of our most Holy workings

Our Fleets High Astropath senses a traitor.

Please warn the Emperium of any incoming transmissions as they my be heretical and traitorous in nature. Please don't do anything rash and try to mount a rescue for us. The warp is especially dangerous here and we nearly lost the fleet when we entered the system. You must do something quickly Col.Corbane. New Guard units and His Most Holy Marines enter this sector daily and most meet a tragic end. However with all the reinforcements coming in it has sustained us as we fight the unholy cohorts of chaos and the disgusting xenos that appear to populate the planet. Since all of the approaching commands have been broken and in disarray the survivors have banded together to form the 147th Imperial Legion.

Please inform Terra of our designation that it may be added to the most Holy roster of men fighting for The Emperor across the galaxy. May the Administratum be pleased to note that the 147th was chosen from the Cadian force that responded to the 147th transmission summoning them to this hell trap. That Cadian force was able to rally the survivors to fight back.

Our commander formally requests that you add www.the25mmwarrior.blogspot.com to your Parade Ground blog list in hopes that the Emperium may be warned to stay away from this unknown, unholy world. Hopefully from the hub of this blog the rest of the realms of mankind will be able to hear and see what is going on with us. We can only hope that this message reaches you from the warp we find ourselves in.

The Emperium is in your hands Colonel

For the Glory of His Mighty Will!

-END TRANSMISSION-

I've never done it before... and as I do it I'm well aware just WHY I've never done it before.

My Imperial Guard force has well over 30 miniatures in it and I've only just begun the drudgery of scraping off mold lines off my troopers with a razor blade. Luckily I haven't sliced my fingers... yet.

Still with all this time on my hands I figured I might as well do it. When I sold my Blood Angels army Ron himself was interested in buying it until he inquired if I had taken the mold lines off the Marines. Since I hadn't he passed on the buy. Still it was a huge complement for me. It's no mystery that Ron is an accomplished painter and modeler and he thought my work was worth buying? Yeah, my head inflated (thanks Ron!).

Still this whole new aspect to my modeling is boring so I was wondering...

What do you do to pass through the time when aspects of your 40k hobby get boring?

Me?

Well I watch war movies (Saving Private Ryan, Gods and Generals, Glory, Starship Troopers) or listen to talk radio (Coast to Coast AM is always a riot). Lately though as I scrape the evidence of mass production from my figs I've been watching Mystery Science Theater 3000. I find it provides some much needed laughter amid the mind numbing repetition.

Besides, Tom Servo rocks yo!

So what do you do when your scraping, filing, cutting, pinning, gluing, converting (I'm running out ing's here)?

Cheers mates!

Man, I really was blessed by Max's response to my original post of the army list. His direction, insight and introduction to the Tactica Imperium really got my mind focused on just what I was doing and what I wanted from this army.

I hope the rambling below shows I was a good study.

I decided I wanted a static gun line type of army. I've always been fascinated by how wars were fought back when gun powder was new (so to speak). I'm a big fan of the Civil War (I tried to get it's autograph one time but it's bodyguard blocked my attempt) and the fighting back then has always captured my attention. Upon first glance it seems suicidal... just line up and shoot. However on a second glance you see the logic behind it. Have your men get into position, line up and shoot all the while having support elements peppering the enemy into bit size chunks for your troopers to take out more easily.

At least thats the plan and here is my list for it's implementation...

HQ Company Command Squad: 50
Vox-caster: 5
Regimental Standard: 15
Bolt Pistol: 2
Sniper Rifle x 3: 15
Carapace Armor: 20
Total: 107

TROOPS Platoon Command: 30
Bolt Pistol: 2
Vox Caster: 5
Grenade Launcher x 3: 15
Total: 52

TROOPS Infantry Squad: 50
Grenade Launcher: 5
Vox Caster: 5
Auto Cannon 10
Commissar: 35
Total: 105

TROOPS Infantry Squad 50
Grenade Launcher: 5
Vox Caster: 5
Auto Cannon 10
Commissar: 35
Total: 105

TROOPS Veteran Squad 70
Vox Caster: 5
Plasma gun x 3: 45
Grenadiers: 30
Total: 150

FAST ATTACK Valkyrie 100
Lascannon 15
Multiple Rocket Pods 30
Sponson Heavy Bolters 10
Total: 155

FAST ATTACK Armored Sentinel 55
Hunter Killer Missle: 10
Total: 65

FAST ATTACK Armored Sentinel 55
Hunter Killer Missle: 10
Total: 65

HEAVY SUPPORT Leman Russ Battle Tank 150
Lascannon 15
Heavy Bolter Sponsons 20
Hunter Killer Missle 10
Total: 185

Army Total: 989

The army really has a more focused feel to it now. The vehicles act as support and harassers to enemy units. Since the Sentinels and Valkyrie move fast and have a bitchen range on em I hope to draw the enemies attention away from my Guard squads as they slowly advance up or get into position to fire themselves. The Hunter Killer Missiles are just too good to pass up at 10 points a piece. The potential to wipe out threats that my harassers would have to deal with on the first turn is to cool a gamble to pass up.

Speaking of gambling, I threw the Plasma Guns onto the vets and heeded Max's advice to toss em into the Valkyrie. One, I like Plasma Guns and Two, I dig the idea of a vet suicide squad acting as a quick reaction force to my enemies big threats. No Guts, No Glory!

The command squad has snipers. I kinda debated this one for a bit. I didn't want a command squad that just sat back and did nothing but issue orders although I didn't want a CS that got too close to the fray and got smeared quickly. Since snipers can pin that won me over. I can pin the enemy if they try to rush my troops or pin the enemy so my squads can close in.

The squads themselves are pretty straight forward. Grenade Launchers, Lasguns, Commissar just in case morale is broken and the leader needs to be executed for his incompetence of command... you know the usual. The Autocannons give the men some much need range so they aren't just chilling in the rear with the gear.

Now this list does have some tweaks I can do to it. I purposely aimed for approx 10 points under the 1000 point limit to be able to switch out to missile launchers if the AC's don't perform to my liking or I just want to try something different. If range becomes an issue and my enemies get savvy and just try to stay out of tickling reach I can switch out 2 snipers for a mortar team for some serious tickling action. Even the idea of putting the Plasma Guns on the command team and throwing em into a Chimera is possible with only a few changes to the list.

However this is war and my plan can easily be shot all to bloody hell. We used to say in the Army that "you can train all you want but when the bullets start flying you do what you have to." You have to be flexible in war. If I can't get the enemy to commit to my gun line I can still break up the line and assign vehicles to provide covering fire while the Vox Casters keep everyone linked up (we got Verizon. They even gave us a sweet monthly plan and discount since we're an army!) In straight up games I think I'll do ok if I can keep the enemy at a distance (I'm friggin fodder in assault!). In objective based games I may be hurting a bit but I imagine that would take a whole other list entirely. Besides if you can't defeat you enemy... hurt him really, really bad. Make him pay for his victory!

My force needs a name, a number designation and a story. Games Workshop has an extensive product line for the IG and I'd like to have a force that has elements of all of em (eventually). Cadian squads fighting next to Praetorians. Steel Legion being supported by Elysians...

"CATS AND DOGS LIVING TOGETHER... MASS HYSTERIA!!!" (come on, who doesn't like Ghostbusters?)

Hmmm

Well I was the 147th blog to join From The Warp...

!!!

The 147th Imperial Legion is born!!!

Now I just got to figure out how to put Pin-Up Girls on my vehicles...

Hey, the mens morale is top priority!

So I decided on the Imperial Guard for my new army. I just went out and bought an approximate 1000 point force to get me started. After I assembled my troops I put my list together (I know, I know... it's wiser to make a list, then buy the army but thats not nearly as much fun). Here it is for your scrutiny. Now I have no idea what I'm doing so really lay into me... LET ME HAVE IT!!! BE RUTHLESS!!! (it's for me own good:).

HQ Company Command Squad 50
Power fist 15
Heavy flamer 20
Vox-caster 5
Medi-pack 30
Regimental Standard 15
Krak grenades 5
Total: 140

TROOPS Platoon Command 30
Bolt Pistol 2
Vox Caster 5
Medi-pack 30
Autocannon 10
Total: 77

Infantry Squad 50
Grenade Launcher 5
Vox Caster 5
Total: 60

Infantry Squad 50
Grenade Launcher: 5
Vox Caster: 5
Total: 60

Platoon Command 30
Bolt Pistol 2
Medi-pack 30
Vox Caster 5
Missle Launcher 15
Total: 82

Infantry Squad 50
Flamer 5
Vox-caster 5
Total: 60

Infantry Squad 50
Flamer 5
Vox-caster: 5
Total: 60

Heavy Weapons Squad 60
3 x Lascannons 45
Total: 105

FAST ATTACK Valkyrie Assault Carrier 100
Lascannon 15
Multiple Rocket Pods 30
Sponson Heavy Bolters 10
Total: 155

HEAVY SUPPORT Leman Russ Battle Tank 150
Lascannon 15
Heavy Bolter Sponsons 20
Hunter Killer Missle 10
Total: 185

Army Total: 994

Now I just went in the game store and bought the mins, thinking this looked like a good starting force (I had a little bit of experience from buying an IG army for my uncle a number of years back as a gift). However when I sat down to write the Army List I got discouraged. Putting a list together for Imperial Guard forces is daunting to a beginning player (at least it was to me). So I consulted the all wise, all knowing internet to see if there was someone out there who could give me some direction. I became really encouraged when I stumbled across the page below and found that the models I bought were nearly the same ones in his list...

http://www.games-workshop.com/gws/content/printArticle.jsp aId=13900003&_requestid=487957

Now there are some differences. He seemed more top heavy with heavy weapons in the squads and lighter on the vox casters. Is this a good idea? Do all my troop squads need vox casters? I also got 6 Commissars and 2 Sentinels laying about as well. Should I throw them in somewhere? Should I just stop asking questions? Whats the meaning of life? Anyone know how babies are made? Is there truly a wrong way to eat a Reeses?

This army was extremely fun to put together though. I dig the concept of collecting them as a whole force with tons of axillary troops to add on ( a Cadian/ Elysian joint task force would be friggin awesome). In any case it seems an Imperial Guard army is hard to get bored with.

I'll post pics of em soon as well as my plan to paint em... fast!

Can you say Army Painter?

I knew you could!

Yep, the title is a total rip off and if you don't know what from you should really check your credentials as a gamer... (ok, I'll give you a hint... it's the Lord of the Rings).

Still I can't think of anything better.

About six months ago I vanished. No warning other than a few reports that painting had become painful for me. No, I really mean PAINFUL!

Like... ouchy.

I still can't hold a brush for too long without my back and shoulder killing me.

But that wasn't the hard part.

I lost my job. Out of the blue I found myself out of work. With my ass crippled from my military service there really isn't too much work I'm suited too other than what I was doing which amounted to sitting on my ass.

I got fired from sitting on my ass...

go figure.

As money began to dwindle and job prospects looked bleak along with some serious foul ups from unemployment (im still waiting for a check six months later even though I've always done the job looking required for the benefit) I had to sell everything I had ever collected.

Entire armies, test figures,, games, even the bits went up in smoke on ebay. Actually I learned Warhammer 40k mins really are a decent investment. If their painted ok you even make a little bit of a profit (thanks ARMY PAINTER).

Never the less I sank into the blues. I never would have thought my military service would cost me my hobby let alone my professional ambitions (I am a trained Police Officer). Now not only does it hurt to paint I can't paint thanks to the stupid economy.

Imagine if you had to just give up your hobby... wouldn't you get a little blue too?

Even looking on FTW blogs became painful. There everyone was, advancing without me, going along with their hobby while I had to sell mine to keep things stable for me and my wife and son.

I didn't feel much like blogging.

Until now.

As with all things, this bleak time in my life appears to be coming to an end. I got my settlement for being disabled. A doctor looked at me and said "Wow, your crippled."

Needless to say I should be back in a place where I can game once again.

I'm excited. For the first time in a long time I'm excited. What army am I going to do? It's like I'm stepping into 40K for the first time all over again. It will have to be something easy to paint. Still, until a new job comes through (who knows how long thats gonna be) I'll be right on my ass anyway so maybe I should take my time with it.

Nah, still hate painting.

So (hopefully) this is hello again and (hopefully) the first fruits of many other blogs to come.

It's time to rebuild my collection, overcome the pain and find a bit of myself again.

I hope you come along for the ride.

FROM THE WARP always,

The 25mm Warrior

Heh, get it... Bak-U-Gan... Back-A-Gain. HA!

And yes it hurts like a @$#&!

I got hurt a number of years ago in the military and ever since my body is falling apart. The resent back injury is yet another chapter in a slew of back problems. I original just had injured feet which has lead to injured everything. The pisser of this time is that with my back out it has seriously hampered my painting/ gaming life. I walk with a cane now so my right arm feels like mush at the end of the day.

Hard to paint with a mush arm. Can't seem to hold my brush steady lately and it aggravates my already tender back.

Even simple gaming has become extremely painful. Moving around a table, hunching over, taking measurements... these things are not supposed to hurt... but they do. My pride doesn't help any either which keeps me from going to the game store for any pug games and Opiewan tends to vanish during the summer months (his job keeps him busy. I hope to see him again soon... I hope).

Anyway the past month has been real depressing. I never would have thought my service would ever result in my hobby becoming a chore. Painting becoming painful and moving around a game table so tiring that I'd just rather not.

So in the midst of my despair I rediscovered WOW, spent some time with family and met a gaming savior I never would have imagined...

My son.

He spent his allowance on something called Bakugan. My interest was naturally peaked as I watched him roll the Bakugan balls onto the gate cards to have the ball transform into some mythical creature. I read the rules, taught them to my boy had to leave the action cards out... that will come later) and thoroughly enjoyed getting my butt kicked by my five year old. I rushed to Wal Mart to get my own Bakugan to defeat my son.

I still lost.

Sigh.

I didn't care, I was gaming again with the one person I really want to game with. He cheered me up and got me playing a game that doesn't hurt. Your curses can become blessings sometimes.

Still I'm really sore. Not sure when I'll get back to painting, gaming. Just got to give it time I guess.

You guys really do make me feel like I'm part of a community and it was awesome to see that some of you were concerned about where I went to. I'm still here and I'm not going anywhere.

Just because I'm not painting or modeling right now until I get better doesn't mean I stop being an active member of the community. I'm really looking forward to just wandering from page to page, admiring what you all do best and what you all inspire me to do.

So wish me better and if you have kids go get some Bakugan for em. It really is that good.

There is something surreal about painting historical miniatures on the 4th of July. In reality your painting the representation of someones son, husband, friend, dad who went and served in some terrible struggle. It made me thankful that not only is war gaming a great hobby but now it offers an outlet to never forget, to pause and reflect, to stop and say thank you.

On this Independence day I finished my 1000 point Flames of War U.S. Paratrooper force. I wanted to get it done by the 4th so I could do a tribute post to all who served and put their lives on the line for this great country. It is they who have ensured my families and your families independence so we could have cookouts and beer, fireworks and sparklers, independence and freedom. Today is possible and a reality because of their sacrifice and it's important we all pause and remember.

I hope you do as you look over my army

Happy Independence Day and God Bless America!!!

Command Platoon


Paratrooper Platoons





Machine Gunner Team


Sherman Team


"All gave some, some gave all..."
I'll let you decided which is which