"Do Not Fail The Empire."

"Operative, I have apportioned some experimental Dark Troopers to Tatooine for evaluation."

This 40mm scale model of a Phase-III Dark Trooper is produced by "Atomic Mass Games", and comes as part of the company's "Star Wars: Shatterpoint You Have Something I Want Squad Pack". Based upon "the last and most powerful dark trooper exoskeleton/droid", the exasperating sixteen-piece plastic miniature was eventually assembled using the instructions found on the Minnesota-based manufacturer's website, and glued to one of the tabletop game's 40mm circular bases.

However, due to one of the halves of the machine's left shoulder-pad tearing into two parts whilst I was cutting it from the sprue, this over-complicated 'nightmare' actually ended up taking just as long to put together as the first of Moff Gideon's minions I recently got tabletop ready. Indeed, I ended up having to (plastic) glue to the two damaged pieces together and subsequently file them down as flat as I could before I could properly continue with the rest of the Dark Trooper, and even then there's a very visible dent in the robot's shoulder if you know where to look.

"Beast In The Broch" WIPs - The three remaining Systemic Units

The Imperial droid was originally primed using "Citadel" Abaddon Black and later base-layered with "Vallejo" Glossy Black - which I hoped would do much of the heavy lifting when it comes to how the shiny black killer would appear. To break the overwhelming all-black palette though, I did 'pick out' all the figure's elbow, wrist, knee and elbow joints using a combination of "Vallejo" Gunmetal and "Citadel" Nuln Oil, as well as it's E-450 "Arc Hammer" heavy blaster rifle. Finally I used a little "Vallejo" Heavy Red, "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson, and "Vallejo" Dark Vermillion for the Dark Trooper's eyes and chest computer.

In addition to this disappointingly time-consuming project, I have continued to plug away at the three remaining Systemic Security models found inside the Systemic Units set by "Beast In The Broch". Due to still being rather taken by Terry Nation's cult "Blake's 7" science fiction television show, I should still be able to get the computer-controlled lackeys completed before the month's end. Albeit, I sadly doubt I'll have the time to pigment the set's Alpha One and Alpha Two as well.

"Wargames Foundry" WIPs - The OOP figure of Venus Bluegenes

Despite recently listening to some of the "2000 AD" full-cast audio of "Rogue Trooper: Welcome to Nu Earth" over on "Audible", I've still been rather struggling to truly get going with my restarted Rogue Trooper project of late - and not even the chance discovery of my previously purchased five Man E-Corp Unit by "Diehard Miniatures" to use as (not) Southerners. Resultantly, I felt it prudent to set aside Tim Prow's dynamically sculpted Krupps Corp unit blister models (which I was planning to use as Norts), and look elsewhere for inspiration.

Funnily enough, such a mojo maker soon presented itself in the guise of the now long OOP (Out Of Production) figure of Venus Bluegenes by "Wargames Foundry". Now ordinarily I don't like to mix my manufacturers for projects. But when I slapped the "so-called G.I. Doll" on a lipped base besides my aforementioned "Diehard Miniatures", the sculpt appeared to be similarly proportioned overall and only a touch taller - which arguably makes sense for a one woman killing machine who was a "genetically-modified warrior". Regardless, I've found my interest in the project reignited and now hope to get the "female clone soldier created by Milli-Com" finished 'toot sweet'...

"Force Level Three."

"Take this prisoner to elimination chamber two."

This 32mm scale pewter cast miniature of Systemic Security 1 is produced by "Beast In The Broch" and can be brought either individually as SKU: ALI03 or as part of the six-figure Systemic Units set SKU: PAK 07. Digitally sculpted by Carl Stoelzel, I've painted the model up to resemble one of the System's guards as seen in the 1979 television episode of "Blake's Seven" entitled "Redemption".

One of the many foot-soldiers utilised by "a computer network which was the controlling authority of a highly advanced alien civilisation", the warden was in "Citadel" Abaddon Black, dry-brushed with "Vallejo" Heavy Charcoal, and later shaded in "Citadel" Nuln Oil. I then picked out the man's visor and computerised chest plate using a combination of "Vallejo" Gunmetal and (more) "Citadel" Nuln Oil.

"Beast In The Broch" WIPs - The System Security figure was painted from the inside out

I also eventually used these colours to pigment the parts of the guard's uniform which were apparently made of transparent plastic. On the small screen these elements made the cruel-hearted custodians of the System appear predominantly black. But I thought this would make the figure look rather odd-looking. In addition, I didn't think applying white to the areas - which is something I do when painting gossamer-wings etc, would work out either.

With the basics completed, I then took some time carefully 'picking out' the much smaller details on the figure - using the likes of "Scale 75" Decayed Metal and "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade for the miniature's communications bracelet, and "Vallejo" Dead White and Pale Grey on his 'cattle prod' hand-weapon. Furthermore, I tried to follow the 'official' broadcast costume by carefully tracing along the villainous minion's front-facing tubing with a little "Two Thin Coats" Ethereal Green and a smidgeon of "Citadel" Biel-Tan Green.

"Crooked Dice Game Design Studio" WIPs - Nautican Warrior B, Heinous Husk, Modern Moriarty & Devil In Disguise

With the first of my Systemic Security models completed, I have finally started work on four new arrivals from "Crooked Dice Game Design Studio". Unfortunately, the Royal Mail took quite a while to finally decide to deliver these chaps, so my enthusiasm for them took a bit of a knock by the time they did eventually turn up through the letter-box. However, having recently played a game of myco-operative homemade rule-set M.I.S.S. I suddenly found myself thinking how I could use them in an 'Adventures Through Time And Television' flavoured adaption largely just using Karl Perrotton's enormous range of miniatures.

For now though, I've simply plonked some basic undercoats and base-colours on the company's Devil In Disguise, Heinous Husk, Modern Moriarty and Nautican Warrior B - with plans to get the quartet finished before the month is out if I can. This'll allow me to figure out what heroes, minions and villains I next need to get tabletop ready in order to play a game (or three) before October is full played out...

"But This Is A Fine Time To Test..."

 "...My newly acquired weapons."

This 140mm tall Inner Core was created using some "Bambu Lab" PLA (Polylactic Acid) on my A1 Mini 3D Printer and can be downloaded for free as part of the Sturmriese Axis Walker by "Warlord Games". Designed to be just one piece of the colossal-sized "Konlikt '47" death machine, I decided it would instead look rather good as an energy pylon on my "Marvel Multiverse Role-Playing Game" tabletop.

However, the original 3D print did look a little too bare for my liking so I thought I'd add some textured details to the scenic piece via some of the many decals gifted to me by “N-FX Game Design Studio” several years ago. These 'stickers' were sporadically placed here and there - most notably around the transmission tower's lower base in an effort to show that the invention had been occasionally updated and required plenty of air vents for its internal cooling mechanism.

"Beast In The Broch" WIPs - A trio of models from inside their Systemic Units set.

The entire ensemble was subsequently undercoated using a couple of layers of "Vallejo" Gunmetal Blue, almost drowned in "Citadel" Nuln Oil and dry-brushed with (more) "Vallejo" Gunmetal Blue. The pylon's dome was then treated to a lick of "Vallejo" Gunmetal, shaded with "Citadel" Nuln Oil and subsequently dry-brushed with (more) "Vallejo" Gunmetal. In fact, I actually ended up giving the entire 3D a very light dry-brush of "Vallejo" Gunmetal to help better highlight all its edges and features.

I next settled down to the task of patiently colouring many of its vents and details using a combination of "Vallejo" Gunmetal and "Citadel" Nuln Oil. I really didn't need everything to contrast as I'm big believer in scenery predominantly sitting in the background of a game, and resultantly I didn't bother varnishing the 'Inner Core' either - so it would hopefully blend in better with some of the other pre-painted pieces I own.

"Atomic Mass Games" WIPs - This Dark Trooper has been assembled, primed and base-coated

With the first of my entries completed for Dave Stone's Season of Scenery over on his "Wargames Terrain Workshop" blog, I have begun pigmenting some of the figures found in the Systemic Units set by "Beast In The Broch". I'm hoping their predominantly black and silver colour scheme will mean they're pretty straightforward to get tabletop ready, so am currently just focusing on three of alien computer network's humanoid minions first.

In addition, after battling to (plastic) glue together another 40mm scale Phase-III Dark Trooper by "Atomic Mass Games", I'm delightfully in a position where I just need to paint the "Star Wars: Shatterpoint" multi-part droid. My difficulties in assembling these monstrosities is really starting to eat away at my enthusiasm for the models. But in an effort to maintain my interest in George Lucas' galaxy (far, far away), I have now dusted off a few "Star Wars: Legion" miniatures to add to my hobby queue...

(Lead) Mountain Musings - "Beast In The Broch" September 2026

Science Fiction figures dominated August's output

Due to something of an upturn in my productivity last month - predominantly due to a week working on a trio of "Blake's Seven" inspired sculpts from "Beast In The Broch", I thought I should probably maintain my focus for the next four weeks upon "the tentacled lovechild of games designer Graeme Dawson" as opposed to 'flitting off' after another range or three. Resultantly, I hope to paint the entire contents of the company's Systemic Units set throughout September and then be in a position to add some additional black-suited Systemic Security models to my next order with them.

In addition, I aim to finally finish off the first of my entries to Dave Stone's Season of Scenery over on his "Wargames Terrain Workshop" blog, and follow that up with a couple of other pieces I've 3D printed from the free Fallout: Wasteland Warfare - Print at Home - STL (Standard Triangle Language) Sampler Set released by "Modiphius Entertainment". These generators aren't anywhere near as large as the "Warlord Games" Sturmriese Axis Walker piece I'm currently working on. But should still be good for my upcoming games of Matt Forbeck's Marvel Multiverse Role-Playing Game.

"Beast In The Broch" WIPs - Three of the models found inside their Systemic Units set.

I also haven't forgotten about 'slogging through' the rest of the 40mm scale multi-piece miniatures found inside the box of "Star Wars: Shatterpoint You Have Something I Want Squad Pack" I recently purchased. Admittedly these "Atomic Mass Games" sculpts are proving a bit of a time-consuming nightmare to assemble. Yet once (plastic) glued together, I believe they should be pretty-quick to polish off due to their largely black-coloured palette - especially the remaining Phase-III Dark Trooper and accompanying Death Trooper Escort.

Lastly, despite already owning a mini-mountain of untouched figures by "Crooked Dice Game Design Studio", I have got some additional 'reinforcements' coming in following their latest release of heinous Temporal Travellers. Rather embarrassingly, I couldn't actually say which of the models from this range I don't own, due to my collection being stored away in a rather haphazard manner. However, as I'm currently watching at least one episode of classic "Doctor Who" daily, I'm hoping my enthusiasm for all things "timey wimey" will spur me on to getting a fair few of this backlog completed before the year is done.

August 2026 - Crooked Dice Game Design Studio extends their lead in my Top Five Manufacturers

As aforementioned, I owe a significant debt to "Beast In The Broch" for helping me shrug off a serious 'funk' before August came to a close. Indeed, without the manufacturer's marvellous FedSec Command 2 Set I'd almost certainly be looking at an output which frighteningly would have been even less than the dismal showing seen in July. Happily though, that situation was soon averted, and along with a couple more Beastmen 3 by "Crooked Dice Game Design Studio" I was able to attain a much more acceptable tally.

Whether my excitement for the six figures found inside Graeme's Systemic Units set will have a similar effect upon my mojo remains to be seen. But I do have a fair few partially-painted projects sat lurking around my hobby desk presently - in which case any one of them may well be 'picked up' upon a whim and finished within the span of a dedicated session or two, including a number of "Star Trek" and "Judge Dredd" miniatures I still need to complete from my momentarily postponed randomly selected plastic drawer challenge...