Okay so it’s been a bit since I made a posting. The project was/is ongoing, but various elements of Real Life Drama, my birthday, landing my next gig/show, and the Tyranid codex release (which lead to a general lackluster enthusiasm for the projekt) temporarily negated me from posting an Update.
So what’s been done? Well I started a bit on modifying a couple of broken down Warriors, an incredibly rough unfinished prototype of a Zoanthrope scratchbuild (which I can only assume teleported away in fear of the new dex since its MIA), an incomplete Hormagant prototype, and of course more mindless, aggravating, painstakingly slow work on Termagants (total 18), that frankly I’m thinking about chucking in the bin. Not because I dislike them really, but due to a gaming discussion where I was told I had gone so far overboard that they were no longer game legal.
Personally I don’t see exactly how making a model larger than the stock version is breaking the rules. I mean people base their models on elaborate scenic bases, (which often greatly enlarges their size) practically all the time in store without anyone batting an eye or raising a complaint. I also don’t see how exactly I’d be getting an advantage via the modeling (when it makes them an EASIER target that is less able to hide out of LoS), and while various people chimed in on both sides of the debate, it became one of the Charlie Foxtrot discussions embroiling the whole store. As such the manager of the (not so local) LGS came down on the decision that these conversions were of a Non-Legal in store status, which kinda killed all enthusiasm temporarily for the project.
Interestingly enough the manager (who happens to be a friend) LOVED the models, he still occasionally raves about the old DreadFex conversions I’ve done to any Nid player that comes in store, or at least he does when I’m around. He mentioned to me that he didn’t like that he had to make that executive decision, but he also said that he thought I could do better with less, and that no one should spend over 2 hours on a Termagant, especially when there’s going to be around a 100 of them in an army. So there's that.
The next big set back happened to be the unfortunate delay of my copy of the codex arriving (a rather major bummer since release day was on my birthday), as well as a misboxing of the Tyranid Swarm set I ordered, and general feelings of things best left unsaid about the new Nid codex. Suffice to say, the past couple weeks have me taking a bit of time to really get back into the swing.
As such, especially since I’m basically going to be scraping most to all of the work I’ve already done, I’m going to be resetting my work clock on the projekt. (For anyone interested the Work Clock as it stands including the fresh work posted today would stand at 32 hours, but I really only do the work clock for me).
So finally here’s the actual update with photos which really is the only truly relevant thing.
Projekt Update
3 Hours in…
Not wanting to spend any more time on the Termagants (or fixing up the 2 broken Warriors, Hormas, or Zoanthrope work which I had started and not previously posted), I decided I needed a fresh brand new mini to work on.
So I present to you my first prototype of the OrkNid MegaWarrior!!!
What’s that you may say, “What is a MegaWarrior?” Just take a look at the shiny pictures…
I’m really returning to the heart of the project, which aside from making awesome looking minis, is making models that can double for both a Tyranid army as well as a new army of Orks (cause 1 Ork force simply isn’t enough, especially when I have a small gaming group that uses my models because they’re not interested in the building models part of the hobby)
Stat-wise for Nidz he’s got a Devourer and two sets of Scything Talons (although an argument could be made I suppose for Rending claws), whereas for the Orkz he’s a Nob in MegaArmor with a Powerklaw and a Twinlinked Shoota (although I suppose that the Devourer on there could feasibly be viewed as a Skorcha…ideas?)
Nevertheless this badboy has only minor detail work so far, or at least what I would classify as a minor to moderate amount of conversion. He’s pretty GW gray in my opinion; I know straight away that I should have scratchbuilt the legs, saving those bits for other konversions. Additionally the stock back piece I feel may have been a mistake, as it’s going to be difficult to plop an engine on the stock back bit, which is really a necessity what with the giant dual exhausts.
So if that’s a problem why not shorten or rip out the exhausts? Well I’m glad you asked! As I wasn’t content with this model JUST being a Meganob or a Warrior, I went and built it to have the option to use it as a Shrike too!!
So keep in mind this is a rough prototype still, but I think the idea is fairly solid. Or rather it will be when I plop on some more aerodynamic wings to it so its more than just a fancy Jetpack. The trouble I forsee is how large do I make the wings and how exactly I’m going to mount them, but that is part of the fun of my crazed konversions! So stay tuned, they’ll be at minimum 5 of these. (Sidenote: I tend to avoid using magnets for any swappable stuff, with a personal preference for a more plug in style)
Lastly here’s a shot of all the hard work that is likely going to be scrapped, oh conversion project rejects, how I weep for thee… until I remodel them into something better! (not pictured Zoanthrope or Gargoyle)
Peace
~OD