Pre-Heresy Death Guard Project Log

[StarWarsDoug]

I've started a Betrayal army and chosen to go with Death Guard. I'll be logging progress here.

My initial List:

HQ:
Praetor - Cataphractii, Power Scythe, combi-weapon

Death Shroud - command squad x4

Moritat - plasma pistols

Elites:
Legion Terminators - cataphractii x5, auto cannon, power scythe

Legion Terminators - cataphractii x5, heavy chem flamer, lightning claws, power scythe, thunder hammer

Contemptor Dreadnought - auto cannon

Troops:
Tactical squad, power scythe

Assault Squad, chem flamer, power scythe

Recon squad, sniper rifles

Support squad, chem flamers, rhino

Heavy:
Heavy Support Squad, auto cannons, augury

Medusa artillery squadron

A couple preview shots:

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8057/8248935236_8b329b60f5_b_d.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8200/8247867685_6d16fe0a6f_b_d.jpg

[Bigred]

I've got my lawn chair and beer out - this one's gonna be good...

[StarWarsDoug]

No paint, but how's this?

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8061/8252850165_5ae9bae51b_b_d.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8358/8252850589_3e9caa1532_b_d.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8480/8252851117_ccc3099c4c_b_d.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8341/8253922676_baf3388c2b_b_d.jpg

[StarWarsDoug]

Rhino is done too, but I found one hatch was mis-molded so I'll need to give the FW guys a ring on the morrow.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8074/8253290515_b546ffea36_b_d.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8344/8254364652_f82391bbe1_b_d.jpg

[StarWarsDoug]

Additional project progress:

Cataphractii Close Combat Squad:

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8062/8259106137_2fd49cd2e1_b_d.jpg

Moritat: (need to add a few pouches and grenades yet)

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8363/8259103413_2138e19c58_b_d.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8343/8260174100_d1aceb8d8a_b_d.jpg

[StarWarsDoug]

Details on building the power Scythe:

This was much easier than expected once I came up with it. Requires 3 parts and some pinning.

Parts:
Swarm lord Bone sabre.
Grey Knight terminator warding staff.
Cataphractii Power Axe.

As it turned out I ordered a Power Axe set for Cataphractii armor, and had decided I wasn't going to use it. However, while looking at it I realized it would be a good basis for the Power Scythe. At least better than I was originally planning. Your thoughts?

The parts laid out:

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8501/8260169148_2dcc32cf79_b_d.jpg

Assembled:
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8342/8259100975_a527debddb_b_d.jpg

And in use:
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8344/8260171232_6cb6af94a7_b_d.jpg

[StarWarsDoug]

I also want to give a prop to Dragon Forge for my bases. I've used their resin bases on a few minis now and these are top notch bases. Lots of variety and great details. And prices are great as well for what you get.

Http://www.dragonforge.com

[Johnno]

As it turned out I ordered a Power Axe set for Cataphractii armor, and had decided I wasn't going to use it. However, while looking at it I realized it would be a good basis for the Power Scythe. At least better than I was originally planning. Your thoughts?

Turned out brilliantly in my opinion. Size and balance is good, and most importantly, looks great overall.

Also, I'm jealous of your FW Rhino, been wanting one for ages. Looks awesome.

[DrLove42]

Looking very good!

But being a bit heresy anal here....your Moritat has a double headed aquila on his belt. The double headed didn't exist till after the Heresy, and the one headed one was only allowed on emporers children

[StarWarsDoug]

Well, I don't mean be disagreeable, but my interpetation was only EC could wear the Aquila on their armor, though many pieces of equipment were still stamped with it by the manufactorium. And a belt bult could "reasonable" be one of those items... ;)

"The Aquila is also displayed on Space Marine Power Armour since the end of the Horus Heresy when that honour was given to all Loyalist Space Marines by the Emperor rather than just the Traitor Marines of the Emperor's Children Legion. The Aquila is also stamped on weapons produced for the Imperium at its Adeptus Mechanicus Forge Worlds. Bolters, Lasguns, tanks, and every other piece of Imperial military equipment often displays the Aquila painted or stamped on them. "

As for not existing before the heresy...

"The Imperial Aquila, known in ancient times as the Palatine Aquila, is a two-headed eagle sigil which represents the entirety of the Imperium of Man and was chosen by the Emperor of Mankind at the start of the Great Crusade in circa 800.M30."

You must know that, if anything, fluff is completely mallable in the 40k universe. ;)

But if you must know, the legion MkII armor from FW comes that way, I suppose I could file it off, but it looks cool. And the rule of cool often trumps everything else... :)

You may be the only person who even calls it out... Good catch.

[StarWarsDoug]

Some base coats done to the first batch:

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8064/8259678877_1cd26f099d_b_d.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8071/8260746880_768cf0b88c_b_d.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8211/8259679453_9e591f22fa_b_d.jpg

[Bigred]

Looking very slick Stick!

Extra points if you can magnetize the Cataphractii heads so they can look around :) People have no idea how much fun that is.

I really want to see how those bases paint up. I have decided to upgrade my entire army's bases to something better than astroturf and I've been eyeing some Dragonforge ones.

[StarWarsDoug]

No bonus points for me, the heads are already glued in. ;(

Some more assembly completed.

Apothecary:
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8493/8270877181_1282097ede_b_d.jpg

2nd Cataphractii squad:
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8343/8271950874_f4d6cb21d7_b_d.jpg

2nd Cataphractii Sgt w Power Scythe:
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8338/8271946220_fd7ff358e2_b_d.jpg

[StarWarsDoug]

Been working on assembly of the army:

DG Recon Squad (must drill out barrels yet):
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8484/8278368735_d7c0d15438_b_d.jpg

Start of the DG Tactical Support Squad (flamers):
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8081/8279432474_1a974cf1ee_b_d.jpg\

And Last but not least, DG Contemptor (arms magnetized):
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8218/8279438660_cae23ba9fd_b_d.jpg

[White Tiger88]

Extra points if you can magnetize the Cataphractii heads so they can look around :) People have no idea how much fun that is.
.

....That would be creepy and awesome at the same time!

[jugger]

Looking good! The second sgt mini is sick!

[StarWarsDoug]

The test mini's are coming along.

Recon Marine w Sniper Rifle:
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8497/8314060796_87ffbc3d6f_b_d.jpg

Cataphractii Terminator Sgt w Power Scythe:
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8214/8313011527_8019342ac1_b_d.jpg

White too rough? Not enough?

Cheers

[Fizzybubela]

The white is fine.

[StarWarsDoug]

I haven't had any updates in a while. Spent much of Christmas painting, but not enough to post a worthwhile update. I'll get some new pics up once I finish a unit, which could be a while as I'm prepping for a tourney coming up in a couple weeks. (Sadly without DG)

One thing I did do is change up my HQ plans. Rather than go with the Praetor, I decided to change up some other options and go instead with a Moritat with twin plasma pistols, (Since Big Red seems to love them. :)) and a Second Consul in the form of a Seige Breaker. This guy upgrades my Medusa for free to phosphex shells (Lingering Death anyone?), and grants some nice rules like tank hunter and more to the unit he's with. He also comes with a Nuncio-Vox. As a result I retooled my Auto-Cannon Support Squad Sargeant to be vanilla, and the SB will accompany that unit of 5 AutoCannons...and they have an Augury. So despite the fact they dont have Skyfire, I have 5 AutoCannons that can shoot anything coming in from reserve within 18", with that torrent of fire I expect at least one hit on a flyer if needed. And AC with tank hunters vs just about any flyer in the game currently? Oh, and for their real purpose of mopping up the enemy vehicles and spotting for the medusa...they are going to be a tough nut. It does mean they will draw fire. Which is fine, if it keeps the fire off my Death shroud, flamer squad, termies, assault squad, tacticals, that moritat, and the other nastiness here...well go ahead and focus your efforts on the 5 guys. <insert evil laugh>

[DrLove42]

I feel theresa bit too much white. You look at the marine and his face/chest jkust look devoid of anything. Shadows, highlights, battle damage, they just need that area broken up a bit

[StarWarsDoug]

I feel theresa bit too much white. You look at the marine and his face/chest jkust look devoid of anything. Shadows, highlights, battle damage, they just need that area broken up a bit

Gotcha. That's still just in base colors. The brow line is brass now. The lense is red. The aquila on the belt is brassed. The rivets have been picked out. The weapons are all updated from the base black to metalics and details. I think you'll like the final product better.

[StarWarsDoug]

Short update. Moritat done, recon squad progress.


http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8517/8543241491_e861c4df24_b_d.jpg

Decided to go with a very dark base, I'll add a bit of dryland static grass, but I wanted the base to really contrast the model.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8230/8544340958_1d88fee39f_b_d.jpg

With the Recon squad you can see the iron/steel accents contrasting the Moritat with the brass accents. I wanted to keep the rank and file as minimal as possible, but not bland, so eyes, lenses, etc, all touched out with colors to add more visual interest.

[StarWarsDoug]

Some addition shots of the Moritat. I apologize for the blurry-ness, not sure why I couldn't get a clear shot in the bunch. But there's enough clear to see.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8371/8543241655_cc6f009fbf_b_d.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8244/8544339522_97ebe6baf0_b_d.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8088/8544339740_e01cf1e8fc_b_d.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8226/8543242321_175f78a14a_b_d.jpg

[StarWarsDoug]

Last couple.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8390/8543242467_dcdbff4cd7_b_d.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8526/8544340694_28f3a77204_b_d.jpg

[White Tiger88]

Hmmm not bad good sir however they where grey not white........... (Forgeworld did the colors wrong even GW admits it)

[StarWarsDoug]

Lots of disappointing Dg army's in white out there now. ;) Where was this that GW admitted it as well? Hadnt seen that.

[StarWarsDoug]

Ill be doing my DeathShoud in the grey scheme, btw.

[StarWarsDoug]

Recon squad is complete but for a little base clean up I missed.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8263/8628699964_23e03cafa7_b_d.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8123/8627580937_320a0c1dde_b_d.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8259/8628688638_2a2ed625dc_b_d.jpg

[StarWarsDoug]

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8253/8627583235_5b01469056_b_d.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8542/8627585627_a02ce2589a_b_d.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8545/8628696192_e27d7d10cb_b_d.jpg

[StarWarsDoug]

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8386/8627581361_a8afa6715f_b_d.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8386/8627590853_61d5bda92e_b_d.jpg

Next up...The Medusa

[Kyle Gaddy]

These models turned out so awesome. I am not familiar with the fluff behind them, but props on seeing the project through. My favorite conversion was the scythe for sure! So smart and creative. Love it. Keep up the good work!

[StarWarsDoug]

It's been way too long since I had an update on this project.

I have been focused on painting other armies for the past year. But I've recently ordered a number of additional items to the army.

But to give a little visual, this is something I started last year. A outrider squad w chem flamer bikes.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8254/8667385096_0f13a8d9b7_b_d.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8257/8667385372_bdf90c99ca_b_d.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8261/8667385594_34a9d51fa2_b_d.jpg

So I'm adding a fire raptor, 3 legion medusas, 2 more contemptors, a hq, grave warden squad, a new moritat w jump pack, a destroyer squad, a spartan tank, a sicarin tank, and another 2 tac squads. I have a few more month in a escalation league with Tyranids, then I'll be updating this regularly once again.

So much resin to assemble...