Tuesday 4 July 2017

(Lead) Mountain Musings - "Nightmares In Silver" July 2017

Nightmares In Silver WIPS - The Cybermen have all been based and primed
This month's randomly themed attempt to try and reduce my 'mountainous' collection of metal, plastic and resin miniatures has been well and truly side-tracked by some of "Warlord Games" recent releases for their "Doctor Who: Exterminate!" rule-set. In particular, the company's awesome looking "Nightmares In Silver" Cybermen Collector's Set, which contains "ten exquisitely sculpted pewter Cyberman figures - each representing the major changes in appearance as they faced the many incarnations of the Doctor through the years."

Having already based and primed these metal models with "Citadel" Ironbreaker, I have also assembled the final three "highly detailed" plastic Time War Cybermen I have left over from my "Doctor Who: Exterminate!" boxed game, and added their number to my mini-project's aspirational target tally. Indeed, it would actually be quite nice to add some additional "easy-fit" miniatures from the "Missy And The Cybermen" Expansion Set to my swelling Cyber Legion if I can find the time...
Torquemada WIPs - The Grand Master has had all his armour's tiny details washed and highlighted
Stepping into the world of "2000 A.D." comic book characters I have also made some great progress on my "Wargames Foundry" sculpt of  Tomás de Torquemada. This "Nemesis The Warlock" villain has now had all his armour's numerous hydraulic attachments washed, and in some cases, highlighted, so resultantly just needs some additional red highlights before being finished.

Lastly, one of the highlights of this past weekend was meeting up once again with Dave Stone of "Wargames Terrain Workshop" fame at the "Bovington Wargamers Show". Needless to say our conversation became increasingly expensive as Dave plied me with his extensive wares and showed off some of his latest resin creations, such as the Wasteland Overlord.
Soda Machine WIPs - The vending dispensers have do far been primed, washed, dry-brushed and 'rusted'
Foremost of my purchases was undoubtedly his Wild West Scenery Mine Shaft and Cart, which actually comes complete with rails and rolling stock. But it is actually a pair of Soda Machines from Dave's Future City Scenics range, which have made their way to the top of my terrain painting queue.

Wonderfully colourful, with lots of brightly lit buttons and garish advertising when painted normally, I've actually decided to paint both vending dispensers as long-forgotten and heavily-rusted appliances from a bygone era. And hope to therefore use one piece for my "Metamorphosis Alpha" campaign (which will require the rusty wreckage to be flocked with snow) and the other for my grass-based "Gamma World" games...

36 comments:

  1. I really like the cybermen, You Tube has thrown up so many old clips recently, it has been inspiring. The models look great once painted. I wonder if Warlord will do the same for the Daleks?
    The Torquemada figure is very imposing and well done.

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    1. Thanks Phil. I understand that Warlord Games will be doing another Cybermen boxed set soon, so I wanted to get these ones done this month. Some of the older versions have a few bits to pick out etc, so they may take some time to paint.

      Torquemada is now finished and should be posted up soon. He was well worth picking up at Salute this year imho.

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  2. Wow what a lot of cyber men, shall look forward to seeing what you do with these. Torquemada is looking great, for real high point highlighting try using yellow or orange, make sure to keep the application small just points. Love the way you've made the soda machine old and forgotten

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    1. Cheers Dave. A few of the Cybermen are already finished (no surprises there as they're predominantly silver dry-brush over a Black wash), but as I said with Phil, there's a few that'll take some time and patience.

      That yellow/orange highlighting suggestion is a top-tip, but one I've failed miserably at doing before (e.g. Bloood Angel Space Marines), as the application really does need to be small and precise, and I don't have the skill; especially on such a detailed model as Torquemada.

      Glad you like what I've done with your sculpts. They're a bit less rusty now I've dry-brushed them a bit more, but hopefully still look effective. I guess now you've also worked out why I ordered two of all your stuff ;-)

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    2. With the orange/yellow water it down to almost a glaze and build up over a couple of layers making each one smaller. Fully understand the twos of items now so one can have a snow base and one normal grass

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    3. Thanks Dave. I really need to take you up on your kind offer and spend some time with you and a paintbrush :-)

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    4. No problem at all Simon, when you've got the time

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  3. You`ll think I am mad, but I really like the simple way the new Cybermen look right now. They feel clean and 1960`s Flash Gordon style shiny (like men in suits), and the bases really suit the look, like flakes of metal machine shards all about their feet. Its the black and white photo gives me that imagery, but I always did have a vivid imagination hehe.

    I am simply in love with the old rusted vending machine dispenser. For your proposed game, I can think of few things more perfect for the gaming table flotsam and jetsam.. debris and aesthetic scatter which, of course brings any game board to life.

    Hmmmm, can you have too many Cybermen, no I dont think so. I am reminded of the Star Wars miniature skirmish game "Rebel Storm" which the lads play a LOT at the clubs I attend. Its not at all unusual to see 3O plus Stormtrooper miniatures on the table at any one time, and I think the same would/could realistically easily apply with Cybermen, right? (assuming the game allows you to field lots at a time, if not tut tut - bad rule design).

    I have that Tomás de Torquemada figure in my collection, but doubt mine will ever look as good as yours, when I get round to painting him.

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    1. Thanks ever so much Tarot, as I very much enjoy your "mad" ramblings :-) I'm a huge fan of Buster Crabbe's Flash Gordon (and Buck Rogers), so can see what you mean about the clean look to the Cybermen. They'll be plenty of WIP postings on these silver giants coming too, and yes, the "Doctor Who: Exterminate!" rules do indeed cater for large Cyber Legions.

      I'm glad you like the soda machines too, as I plan to paint a lot of Dave's scenery up in this way, simply to use as rusty flotsam on the tabletop. I'm hoping such a limited palette will help make the more colourful minis stand out on the bleak, sombre tabletop - especially for "Metamorphosis Alpha", where they'll be snow and ice too ;-)

      I'm glad you have the Torquemada mini and look forward to seeing yours painted. It is a cracking sculpt imho, and hopefully you can see why I nabbed it at this year's "Salute" rather than stick with my "Indyclix" version.

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    2. Now, um... no wait! My bad: I`m so sorry Simon. its the "Indyclix" one I have (and actually am totally in love with, and looking forward to customising and plushing up a bit). I didnt even realise this is a new version of him, and I just thought "wow he`s customised that so much" hehe.

      old on, you l-i-k-e my mad ramblings? oh dear, does this constitute my first ever fan - woohoo!! **wink**

      And I`m utterly delighted to hear that Exterminate caters for bigger scale games as well as small, good good.

      I can really see Dave`s terrain style working incredibly well for a bleak, snow and rock-scape "Metamorphosis Alpha" game setting (just think Russia of 1943/44 and Stalingrad, and put a science fantasy spin on it, and bingo! yeah)?

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    3. No worries, Tarot. I painted up my "Indyclix" version a couple of months ago : http://fantorical.blogspot.co.uk/2017/04/be-pure-be-vigilant-behave.html and was going to settle with him, but then saw this "Wargames Foundry" version at "Salute" and simply thought he looked better (and bigger). Both are good though imho.

      I think the fact I'm going to be using "Frostgrave" minis for "Metamorphosis Alpha" rather leads into a nuclear winter setting for the deck below somehow, Tarot. But I like the Russian idea too, perhaps something "Metro 2033" ;-)

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    4. hmmmm, your plans to use and combine Frostgrave with Metamorphosis Alpha really appeals to me, deeply so. It inspires me to want to do something similar, but end of the day, I think my version will be to use a Frostgrave winter with added futuristic (post apoc even) elements added in.

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    5. Thanks Tarot. I always like my postings to be inspirational :-) I look forward to seeing your futuristic Frostgrave vision - on the Gamers Cupboard?

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  4. Great stuff, as usual. Love the soda machine. Maybe some logos needed

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    1. Cheers Martin. I did consider printing some logos etc, but then felt that anything plastic etc would have long disappeared... I might pop back and have a look at that as an option though if I spot something appropriate at a show.

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  5. That's quite a cyberman force there = very intimidating!
    I do like the Tomas figure, he's coming along nicely and will great when finished.
    Your vending machine will be a great addititon to your scatter terrain, but I would refrain from 'snowing' it as it wouldbe more useful in many other situations without.

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    1. Thanks Joe. The Nightmares In Silver boxed set is indeed intimidating imho. Torquemada is actually now varnished and flocked, so should be posted soon. I totally agree that a grass-flocked vending machine will indeed be more useful than the snow one, which is why I've painted two ;-)

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  6. Cybermen glory mmmmmmmm!!! I was happy to get "Exterminate" and "Missy and the Cybermen" simply because (a) we both really wanted the Missy miniature, but (b) 24+ Cybermen sounded like an ideal game set up, quite the adverse of too many in fact. Like T says, a good system should allow realistic recreation (like a good set of rules for historical war gaming should allow realistic results to occur to certain prevailing stimulus). However, by simply photocopying additional stat cards (and slipping them into plastic card sleeves), you can indeed field as many Cybermen as you like using the rules that come in "Exterminate." The rules are robust enough to allow this, thankfully. A small action skirmish game (only) would have been very limiting (bit like Heroclix can be at times, for just that reason).

    Oh Man I love those "Nightmares In Silver." Like T says, I actually like them as they are, all silvery and highly shiny, with minimalistic looking bases lol. I know you will add more to them, but just saying, a cool trick angle of the photo maybe, but they do look mighty good, even as is. Incidentally Simon, thematically speaking... how do you use a various generation box set of Cybermen all in one game: I`m curious (still leaning remember)?

    The Soda Machine is looking AWESOME, wow what a nice miniature, and very useful in a game. Strangely enough, it would work really well in Super Dungeon Explore too: there is a certain character in that game called Candy who would really benefit from a machine like that lol.





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    1. QUOTE - "Strangely enough, it would work really well in Super Dungeon Explore too: there is a certain character in that game called Candy who would really benefit from a machine like that lol."

      Steve, I couldn't agree more! I did exactly that with my soda machine. See here - https://vampifansworldoftheundead.blogspot.co.uk/2017/04/wargames-terrain-workshop-future-city.html

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    2. OOOOOH yessssss I see it (very nice too). I had completely forgotten you did that. Ooo so it is a good idea after all, not just a silly aspiration of mine then lol ^^ (talking of SDE when oh WHEN are we going to see Legends grrrrr).

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    3. Cheers Steve. "Warlord Games" have already acknowledged that "Doctor Who: Exterminate!" is geared far more to playing Daleks vs Cybermen than some of the other races, so there's plenty of Recruitment Cards for them in the boxed set. I think the popularity of people wanting to play as others, such as the Zygons, has rather caught them off-guard as a result.

      You're spot on about using extra cards too, as the rules designer has stated that duplicating the stats of the generic cards (so still only one unique allowed etc) is perfectly acceptable. As you and Tarot say, a good rule-set should be scaleable and "Warlord Games" certainly seem open to adapting their rules to accommodate what their followers want.

      Obviously I'll be adding quite a bit more to my Cybermen, as the earlier ones have a lot of detail that will need highlighting, and picking out. But hopefully nothing too fancy, as I need them finished very soon - This Friday the Sea Devils will be up for pre-order for shipping next week, along with Vashta Nerada :-)

      Glad you like the soda machine, and hopefully you can imagine a bemused Barbarian's face as he stumbles through the snow towards one - a surreal take on "2001 - A Space Odyssey" and its monolith ;-)

      I'd entirely forgotten about your tip top Candy Soda Pop paint-job, Bryan. Marvellous stuff!!

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    4. "how do you use a various generation box set of Cybermen all in one game" - Well, I'll be using them to represent a museum dedicated to the Cybermen by a mad archaeologist/collector, who are then 'inadvertently' activated just as soon as the Doctor arrives... or could it be Adam West ;-)

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  7. Simon, what a marvellous post! I shall be ordering my set of the "Nightmares in Silver" very soon, so I'm looking forward to seeing how you paint yours.

    Torquemada looks better each time you show him. He does suit the red armour, doesn't he?

    Great idea to paint the soda machines all rusted and neglected.

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    1. Thanks Bryan. I certainly recommend the "Nightmares In Silver" set, as they seem to contain some very nice detail on each sculpt. Red is definitely Torquemada's colour imho, and its good to see my distressing paint-job on Dave's marvellous sculpts getting plenty of support. I plan to 'rust-up' quite a few of his pieces over the coming weeks...

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  8. More Cybermadness Simon, those are some really nice sculpts of the different incarnations of the Cybermen, and some classic poses too!

    Torquemunda has come out really nice, look forward to seeing the finished version.

    As for the soda machines, have you thought of trying cut out squares from the side of drinks cans to glue across the front? you could sand or paint them with a bit of silver and rust and maybe dent them or kink the edges to look like they are coming away. Just a thought.

    Cheers Roger.

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    1. Cheers Roger. Torquemada should be posted up soon(ish) - I have a bit of a backlog. Great idea about the vending machines, but I have now ordered some spiffing looking decals to rust up!! Doubtless Dave will be happy as it'll invariably result in me ordered more vending machines from him too once they arrive!!

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  9. *sings* "Shiny, happy cybermen..." lol

    That Cybermen boxed set IS rather nice and reminds me of the display at Doctor Who experience in Cardiff, although when I visited, the most recent one was the wooden one. Are you tempted to have a go at that variation, or will all your Cybermen be silver? Actually, I've just remebered that there WAS a black cyberman in one of the old episodes as well...

    I wonder if we'll get earlier versions of the cybermen in plastic too...

    As for the vending machines...

    "I gave the magic box two silver pieces and received a magical healing potion...I know it was a healing potion as it tasted medicinal and was inscribed with the name of the healer, Dr. Pepper..." 😉

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    1. Thanks Jez. All my Cybermen will be silver versions. I have seen someone paint the wooden Cyberman, and it does look good but lacks the wooden grain look the 'proper' wooden Cyberman had. Fingers crossed they'll make one though :-)

      There was indeed a black cyberman, guarding the London sewers in "Attack Of The Cybermen"; a corking story during Colin Baker's tenure!!

      "Warlord Games" have announced that The first classic Cybermen army release will be the Telos Tombs versions, but in pewter, so no sign of a plastic classic army yet I'm afraid.

      Incredibly, one of the decal sets I've bought is for Dr.Pepper, so I'll apply those to one of my machines just as soon as they arrive (from Australia) :-)

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    2. Eureka Miniatures by any chance?

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    3. Not on this occasion, Tarot. I found some great looking decals on EBay instead.

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  10. Nice progress dude. Liking the cybermen. Torquemada is very nice I really like the sculpt. Will look awesome when he is finished.

    Nice start to the vending machines as well.

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    1. Cheers Simon. Torquemada is getting quite a bit of attention, so hopefully the finished version will be worth it. Just waiting on some decals for the vending machines.

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  11. Torquemada is an intimidating bugger for sure. The red armour stands out very nicely.

    The more Cybermen, the better, that's what I think!

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    1. Thanks Dai. The Torquemada mini is a corker imho, and you're quite right about the Cybermen; plenty more of them to come :-)

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  12. Interesting to see all the different Cybermen together. The Torquemada figure looks superb nice job on him.

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    1. Cheers Mark. The "Nightmares In Silver" boxed set is wonderful, and I'm glad Torquemada's mini is going down so well.

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