(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...

Doctor Who: Exterminate! Report: The Daleks Verses The Zygons

"CUBE OF DEATH"

This game was played using the "Doctor Who: Exterminate!" rules by “Warlord Games” and, in essence, followed the parameters established for the "Guide To The Time Vortex" skirmish scenario "Ship Of Death". However, in order to allow both sides to get to grips with the Zygon factions' unique Special Traits, and simply because of the number of painted miniatures available to us, a couple of minor 'House Rules' were also followed concerning Fate Tokens and Adventure Cards. Whilst Battle Cards were not used at all. Lastly, a few last minute 'tweaks' regarding General Deployment and Winning The Game' were necessary so the battle could be accommodated upon a 20" x 20" neoprene gaming mat instead of the recommended 3' x 3' table...

"The story so far... Crafting a stellar converter, which has the power to lay waste to entire solar systems, the Daleks are holding the entire Earth hostage, and planning to turn it into a planet-sized starship. However, after learning of its existence, an incursion force of Zygons has gained access to the location of the device, and plan to stop such a despicable use of their new home world. Aware of the threat to their scheme, the Daleks are trying to expel the raiders and resume the stellar converter's activation..."

THE TABLETOP - A STREET ON EARTH

As the location of the stellar converter was obviously going to be a heavily-guarded zone, the Dalek Faction started with four Recruitment cards: a Patrol Leader (Dalek Sec), two Dalek Patrols (both of which generated three Daleks each) and another Dalek Patrol (which generated two Daleks and a Fate Token). In addition, the Patrol Leader, a special character, also created two Fate tokens to be added to his faction's Fate Pool. Finally, the Dalek's received five Adventure cards "to use during their game." These were randomly dealt from the fifteen generic Adventure cards found within the boxed set. This provided the Daleks with "Regenerate!", "Rapid Response", "Combat Senses", "Shield Of Steel" and "To Arms!"

The Zygons only started with three Recruitment cards: a Zygon Leader, a Zygon (which generated three Zygons) and a Zygon Elite (which generated two Zygons and a Fate Token). The Zygon Leader also generated two Fate tokens for his faction's Fate Pool. However, unlike the Daleks, the Zygons were allowed to select the five "Zygons Only" Adventure cards which come in the "Doctor Who: Exterminate!" boxed set. These cards consisted of "Electrical Discharge", "Friend Or Foe", "Call For Help", "Poison Barbs" and "Conceal Identity".

THE DALEK GARRISON PROTECTS THEIR STELLAR CONVERTER

Following the scenario's general deployment rules, six Vortex Node markers were placed on the battlefield underneath a sewer grate, the stellar converter and a variety of debris. The Dalek garrison guarding the compound were then subsequently set up so as to be in contact with these important pieces of scenery. Finally, the Zygons were deployed on a random table edge and simply had to possess at least three Vortex Nodes and have "at least one character in base-to-base contact with" the stellar converter while the Dalek defenders had none to win the game.

Detecting the presence of several amphibious metamorphic humanoids approaching from the east, the Daleks took the initiative, and immediately ensured the sanctity of the stellar converter by re-positioning one Dalek guarding debris (2) and two Daleks by debris (4) back beside the terror weapon. Dalek Sec also trundled east towards the terrifying device. Further southwest, the Daleks by debris (3) moved southeast towards the fencing in order to cut off the Zygon Leader. All of the other Kaled Mark III travel machines remained stationary so as to use their disruptors at Full Blast...

THE DALEKS CHANGE FORMATION IN ORDER TO MAXIMISE THEIR FIREPOWER

Well aware of the scary amount of firepower about to be unleashed upon them, yet confident in their "Tough" trait's ability to ignore "shocked by Shooting attacks", the Zygon Elite by Tree (1) lumbered west towards debris (2). Close-by, one of the Zygons form the aliens' central group managed to reached debris (4), and activating the site's Spatial Disruption Vortex Node, moved south to put themselves in a gap in the fencing and shield the Zygon Leader. Their two Zygor-born brethren approached debris (4). Lastly, the Zygon Leader travelled west along the grassland using the wooden fencing as cover.

The Dalek by debris (2) raised his disruptor at the Zygon Elite before him. But then, because the Zygons played their "Friend Or Foe?" Adventure Card, it became "unsure whether their target is friend or foe", and was unable to "Shoot or Run this turn." Similarly, the Zygon in the gap in the fencing used "Conceal Identity" to allow it "to appear to be one of the enemy's." This resulted in the Daleks by debris (4) becoming utterly confused. However, the Daleks became even more alarmed when the two Zygons near debris (4) 'Shapeshifted' into two Silents, acquiring the "Hard To hit" trait which caused "all shots against" them to "count as inaccurate."

THE ZYGONS ATTACK AND IMMEDIATELY RECOVER A VORTEX NODE

Bewildered, but still deadly, the Dalek by debris (4) who hadn't moved opened fire upon the Silent-Zygons and shocked the heavily-disguised extraterrestrial. Another Dalek then fired upon the prone form and exterminated it! Sensing blood, the three Daleks by the stellar converter launched a salvo of firepower towards the Zygon Elite in the northeastern corner of the battlefield. All of their attacks were inaccurate on account of their long range, and resultantly, none of the blasts were able to overcome the Zygon's "Toughness".

Similarly, the Zygon Leader proved equally as resilient to the Dalek's firepower on the southern grassland. Whilst Dalek Sec, unable to fire upon any target himself, menacingly glided north of the disorientated Dalek by debris (2) to challenge the two members of the Zygon Elite.

ZYGON INGENUITY BEFUDDLES THE DALEKS AND CONJURES UP SPECIAL REINFORCEMENTS

Disappointingly, despite many of the Daleks overcoming the "Hindering" nature of their disruptors by standing still, and thereby firing their weapons at "Full Blast", the Zygon Faction's nefarious use of Adventure Cards and reliance upon their "Tough" trait, had seen the sucker-covered humanoids withstand the Skaro-based invaders' initial assault. And now, armed with their "Electrical Discharge" and "Poison Barbs", it would be the Zygon's turn to attack...

Dum Da Dum, Diddly Dum, Oo-ee-oos… 

“Okay, Hoagy – Let’s Hit ‘Em Low!”

"Yup! The stogie's right, Sam!"

This 28mm metal model of Hoagy can be bought either from the “Wargames Foundry” “2000 A.D.” character range as Stock Code AD071, or from “Warmonger Miniatures”, and is based upon Sam Slade’s “dozy droid” companion. Created by John Wagner and Ian Gibson for the multi-issue story “Day Of The Droids”, the kit-built “imbecilic robot” would go on to hinder “Robo-Hunter” in many of Slade’s most memorable cases and made his first appearance in Prog 152 [February 16th 1980].

Disappointingly somewhat larger in size than his actual comic book counterpart, I was initially rather undecided as to which colour the robo-sidekick should be. Kevin Dallimore’s wonderfully vibrant green version on the “Wargames Foundry” website appeared a very persuasive palette, especially when I saw the cover illustration of Prog 259, which seemingly rendered Hoagy in a similar hue. However, having done a bit more research, it quickly became clear that the robot was predominantly ‘inked’ on the printed page a metallic blue with large yellow eyes; and I resultantly primed my miniature using some “Vallejo” Gunmetal Blue.

Torquemada WIPs - The Grand Master has had all his armour's tiny details 'picked out'

The figure was then washed with “Citadel” Nuln Oil and dry-brushed with more “Vallejo” Gunmetal Blue. This ultimately was a bit of a time-consuming process, as the acrylic paint tends to turn noticeably silver in colour as it wears thin on the brush, so I had to keep stopping to recharge my “Windsor and Newton” and dab the white synthetic bristles dry.

Once finished, I turned my attention to carefully ‘picking’ out the droid’s two eyes with “Vallejo” Iraqi Sand and shaded them with some watered-down “Citadel” Reikland Fleshshade. As a final touch, I dotted both orbs with Abaddon Black, and then highlighted around these areas with “Vallejo” Iraqi Sand in order to try and draw the casual observer’s eye towards Hoagy’s face. The robot assistant’s nameplate was layered using “Citadel” Abaddon Black and then painted using a combination of “Vallejo” Heavy Red and “Citadel” Carroburg Crimson.

Gang Fighter Leader WIPs - The Boromite has had all his reflex armour finally base-coated

Sticking with the “2000 A.D.” comic book theme, I have finally found the time to focus upon the final figure I currently have planned for my "Nemesis The Warlock" mini-project. Purchased at “Salute” 2016, I had intended to simply ‘pick out’ Tomás de Torquemada’s sword and leave his resplendent red armour alone. However, the “Wargames Foundry” sculpt is so good, it seemed a pity not to try and ‘pick out’ most of the Grand Master’s various hydraulic attachments.

Lastly, I have returned to my Boromites by “Warlord Games”. I’m admittedly playing catch-up with this particular project, but hope to get my first unit of five Gang Fighters posted up soon, and then get cracking on the second so I can finally begin playing some “Beyond The Gates Of Antares”.

"Some Days You Just Can't Get Rid Of A Bomb!"

"Hand me down the shark repellent Bat-spray!"

This 35mm metal model of Batman (Adam West) is made by "Knight Models" and comes from the company's "Batman Miniatures Game" range. Taken "directly from the Sixties Television Show", the sculpt depicts the Caped Crusader as portrayed by American actor, Adam West, during Executive Producer William Dozier's colourfully-camp "live action series."

Sold as a three-piece "white metal kit", the figure's instantly recognisable head was pinned into position upon the torso's shoulders, and its legs (which come with the bat-belt sculpted on top of them) were super-glued in place too. Ordinarily, I'd actually pin the upper and lower halves of my multi-part miniatures together, but because the back of the Bright Knight's underparts rested against the underside of his cape, I was confident that there was enough contact between the two components for my Cyanoacrylate adhesive to do its work.

Batman (Adam West) WIPs - The model was primed, washed, dry-brushed and then layered

Having attached the model upon a 30mm lipped circular base, as opposed to the pre-moulded stand which comes with it in the box, I primed batman with two coats of "Vallejo" Heavy Blue and then liberally washed him with "Citadel" Drakenhof Nightshade. Disconcertingly, I did find that in certain areas this "Games Workshop" Shade somehow 'ate' away at the "Vallejo" paint underneath, and resultantly I had to reapply some more Heavy Blue to these patches of bare metal before giving the entire miniature something of a heavy dry-brush.

With the basics finished, I set about 'picking out' Adam West's grey leotard using "Vallejo" Heavy Bluegrey, and later inked the garment with some "Citadel" Nuln Oil. Frustratingly, despite using a freshly opened bottle of the Shade, the wash somewhat 'glooped' everywhere rather than simply run into the sculpt's nooks and crevices, so I subsequently had to try and desperately dry-brush the tights with more "Vallejo" Heavy Bluegrey in order to lighten the costume's colour and lessen the 'blotchiness'... 

I painted the Caped Crusader's famous utility belt with "Vallejo" Heavy Ochre and Gold; subsequently shading these areas with "Citadel" Reikland Fleshade and Agrax Earthshade. The figure's bat symbol was patiently painted using a combination of "Vallejo" Heavy Ochre and some watered down "Citadel" Reikland Fleshade, before being highlighted around the symbol's edges with more "Vallejo" Heavy Ochre.

Batman (Adam West) WIPs - The model's tights, utility belt and face were then washed and highlighted

To begin with I'm only planning on creating a couple of 150 Reputation point-sized crews for the "Batman Miniatures Games", and this particular version of Bruce Wayne will be my Batman affiliate team's Leader. To be honest I'm not particularly familiar with this rule-set currently, but was immediately won over by this sculpt's wonderfully characteristic sculpt and the model's abilities of "KaPow!!!" and "Shark Repellant Bat-Spray"; a ranged template weapon which may be used twice during the game and causes its intended target to lose 1 Action Counter if successfully affected.

Fortunately, I have additionally managed to lay my hands on the "Knight Models" Commissioner Gordon and SWAT Team blister. Due to Batman (Adam West) costing 75 Reputation points alone, this four miniature set would either allow me to pair the Bright Knight up with James W. Gordon (Sidekick) to create my own version of the 'dynamic duo', or field a couple of law enforcement henchmen alongside the Caped Crusader instead...

For those interested in the "Batman Miniatures Game" I'd highly recommend PulpCitizen's "Eclectic Gentleman Tabletop Gamer" website and Simon Quinton's "Brummie's Wargaming Blog". Both of these bloggers predominantly post about their painted crews and latest tournament accomplishments, plus provide plenty of useful tips and advice as to how to make best use of the many models currently available.

"The Perimeter Isss Clear!"

"It ssseemsss ssssomething has been inssscribed."

This 28mm scale plastic "Wizkids" model of Manphibian was kit-bashed predominantly using the scaly green extra-terrestrial's miniature from their "Heroclix" Amazing Spider-Man range. However, because the pre-painted figure has no feet (on account of the original sculpt depicting "the creature from the deep" stalking through the waters of a lake), I additionally super-glued some boots, grenades and pouches belonging to a "Games Workshop" Cadian soldier onto the miniature.

Created by Marv Wolfman, Tony Isabella, Dave Cockrum and Sam Grainger, the alien first made his comic book appearance in the September 1975 issue of "Legion of Monsters" by "Marvel Comics", and would develop from being a simple monster seemingly seeking revenge upon the murderer of his mate, into a member of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s Special Threat Assessment for Known Extranormalities (S.T.A.K.E.) department and one of Dum Dum Dugan's "Howling Commandos".

Gorgon WIPs - The Brass Bull now requires just a final dry-brush of "Vallejo" Brass

The miniature was initially primed with “Vallejo” Heavy Grey, and then had its boots and numerous large waist-bags painted using a combination of White and Pale Grey. His automatic rifle was undercoated with "Citadel" Abaddon Black, double-layered with Ironbreaker and finally treated to two washes of Nuln Oil.

In order to try and give Manphibian's skin a "shimmer quality" I shaded the entirety of the S.H.I.E.L.D. weaponsmith's scales with both Biel- Tan Green and Agrax Earthshade and subsequently used a little Carroburg Crimson on and around his webbing, and some Druchii Violet in the model's darker recesses. The entire monster was then lightly dry-brushed with more "Vallejo" Heavy Grey. As a final touch I highlighted the extra-terrestrial's eyes with "Vallejo" Heavy Red and "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson.  

Hammerer WIPs - The constructs have been assembled, primed and based

With my latest entry for this month's "Forgotten Heroes" challenge finished, I have spent a little time washing and dry-brushing a Brass Bull by "Reaper Miniatures". This large "Bones" figure will double as both a formidable-looking statue and as a living Gorgon for my forthcoming "Dungeons & Dragons" campaign, and, besides needing it's paved stone-slab base to be painted, simply requires a final dry-brush with "Vallejo" Brass to be tabletop ready. 

In addition, I have assembled, based and primed three metal "Chainmail" Hammerer models. Sculpted by Jim Warner, these large Out Of Production (OOP) constructs will be used as proxy Police Robots for "Metamorphosis Alpha", and may well accompany my small Twig Blight band as extra guards of "the metal doored cave" which is initially encountered by the Grand Duchy of Geoff's adventurers in "Expedition to the Barrier Peaks".

"You Know The Doctor. You Understand Him. You Will Predict His Actions."

"Predict! Predict! Predict!"

These two 28mm scale "easy-fit plastic" models of a Dalek are made by “Warlord Games” and can be found within the company's "Doctor Who: Exterminate!" "fast-paced tabletop miniatures game". Created by Terry Nation and designer Raymond Cusick in 1963, these particular sculpts are based upon the "hostile alien life-forms" revised Time War shell, which appeared in the June 2005 BBC Television series story "The Parting Of Ways".

Having previously painted my force's Patrol Leader, Dalek Sec, as well as several of the 'basic' warrior units which Davros created in order "to fight in the Time War against the Time Lords", I decided to paint these particular miniatures as Imperial Guard Daleks - a Dalek organisation made up of Daleks dedicated to protecting the Emperor Dalek at all costs.

Nemesis the Warlock WIPs - The alien has had his skin washed and dry-brushed, as well as his robe inked

As with my other Kaled Mark III travel machines, the figures were first super-glued onto 40mm lipped circular stands before being undercoated with "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna. I then gave each Dalek a double coat of Brass, liberally washed them with "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade, and gave them a heavy dry-brush of more "Vallejo" Brass. 

With the basics finished, I subsequently picked out their eye stalks, control arms and multi-range variable power destructors with some "Citadel" Ironbreaker and Nuln Oil, and additionally painted the Daleks' audio scanners with "Vallejo" White and Pale Grey. As a final touch, I used some "Citadel" Abaddon Black to coat the pepper pots' fenders and domes.

Despite the recent announcement that "Warlord Games" will be producing models of the Supreme Red Dalek, the Special Weapons Dalek and the Genesis Ark, their "Doctor Who: Exterminate!" rule-set doesn't yet contain any specific rules for these specialist models or the Emperor's Personal Guard. But it does contain a Dalek Patrol recruitment card which, whilst only providing two models on the tabletop, also generates a highly valuable Fate Token; an ability, alongside the traits "Override" and "Tank", which I felt was rather appropriate for a pair of Daleks "who were used to protect the Dalek Emperor" in his throne room...

Manphibian WIPs - The S.H.I.E.L.D. operative has had his flesh layered, and washed with green and brown shades

Focusing on a somewhat older mini-project, I have managed to make some excellent progress on my "Indyclix" figure of "Nemesis The Warlock". This plastic "Wizkids" pre-painted "2000 A.D." comic book character had been sat gathering dust in my painting queue until very recently, but is now close to completion.

Lastly, with this month's "Forgotten Heroes" challenge now two-thirds finished, I have 'unleashed' my paintbrush upon a converted "Heroclix" figure of Manphibian, which I actually assembled twelve months ago. The extra-terrestrial’s white boots and pouches have all now been completed, as has the anti-hero's automatic rifle, and I am currently slowly washing his scaly hide with green and brown inks in preparation of some light dry-brushing.

"No Two Snowflakes Are Exactly Alike."

"Frozen to her core, fragile Crystal became frigid Killer Frost, an ice maiden..."

This 28mm coloured plastic “Wizkids” model of Killer Frost can be bought as miniature number 47 from the DC Comics “Heroclix” Unleashed range. "Formerly... an adversary of the superhero Firestorm", Doctor Crystal Frost's alter-ego was created by Gerry Conway and artist Al Milgrom, and made her first comic book appearance in the June 1978 issue of "Firestorm".

Able "to absorb heat from external sources and transmute it into waves of cold", the miniature was undercoated with “Vallejo” White, washed with "Citadel" Drakenhof Nightshade, and subsequently dry-brushed with more "Vallejo" White. I then carefully 'picked out' some of the details of her face, hands and legs with some watered-down "Citadel" Asurmen Blue.

"We broke one of our spears ...trying to make the thing hiss and let us in the cave."

As well as finishing my affiliate of the Secret Society of Super Villains, I have also completed an anachronistic objective marker/piece of scenery for my “Metamorphosis Alpha" project. This resin (spacecraft) deck hatch can be bought from E-bay Store "Second City Games" and comes as part of their impressive Sci-Fi Scenery Airlocks, Cargo Bay Door, Hatchway auction.

Super-glued upon a thin 40mm circular base, the access door was initially primed with "Citadel "Abaddon Black, layered with two coats of "Vallejo" Gunmetal Grey and washed with "Citadel" Nuln Oil. It was then dry-brushed with "Vallejo" Gunmetal Grey before being treated to a hearty application of "Mig Productions" Extreme Rust Wash.

Dalek WIPs - The Two Imperial Guards and damaged Dalek just need some washes to be applied

In order to help blend this modeller's product in with the rest of the scenic piece, the hatchway was once again dry-brushed with "Vallejo" Gunmetal Grey and then had some of its brighter surfaces toned down with more Extreme Rust Wash; albeit this time the foul-smelling "Mig Productions" solution was applied from a very-well shaken bottle in order to 'water-down' the rust particles on the brush. As a final touch the model's base was flocked using "Citadel" snow, so it would better fit in with the cold wasteland my "Metamorphosis Alpha" campaign will start in.

Finally, I've made some good 'in-roads' on two more plastic Daleks by "Warlord Games", as well as my destroyed Dalek objective marker. Having already painted up six of the extra-terrestrial mutants' "ultimate" Time War casings, I thought I'd try a slightly different colour scheme instead, so I'm painting my latest additions as Imperial Guards.