256th Imperial Battle Group: Kill Team

Showing posts with label Kill Team. Show all posts

Tuesday, 15 October 2024

Scion drop troops

A little late to the party but never mind. The new Tempestus Aquilons are here and they look stunning.

All ten of the models have lots of character and poses are really nice and dynamic.

They have all the classic kill team operatives, from special weapons gunners and sniper (marksman) above, to fighters, gun slingers and demolitions at the bottom.

And in kill team these guys have some very cool.rules and abilities, not least being able to drop in around the board over various turns rather than having to.start in your deployment zone. This gives you options to get in to positions you wouldn't have been able to and to pressure your opponent in all sorts of new ways. However, as much as I love kill team, and I'm genuinely excited to see what the new edition brings (hopefully less complicated cover and obscurity rules!), I'm a 40k player at heart and that's were things start to go a bit wrong for me.

There were three things that jumped out at me about the data sheet when I first read it, those being; movement, assault and special weapons. There were a few other bits that I noticed or were pointed out while watching various YouTube videos but we'll start with those three. Firstly the good point, assault. This means that they can be faster moving and still shoot, with the advance roll being an average of three and a max of six, that can be quite a boost to their movement, plus these are, as far as I know the only assault weapons in the whole of the guard codex. And that's the end of the good news.

Movement is an issue for me, I was hoping that these would be fast moving troops, with a proper fast profile, ie 12 inch movement. Yes, I know they are drop pack \ grab chutes, but I was still hoping for something, as we don't really have many fast infantry options outside of the rough riders. Combine this with the shorter range of the weapons, 18 inch for the lascarbines, and the actual threat range is 24 to 30 inches (average 27 inches), where as the standard scions have a threat range of 30 inches.

Granted you'll have less shots at that range, a max of 20 for the Aquilons compared to just 10 for the scions, however, you could have better firepower as well, in the form of plasma, grenade launchers and volley guns. This is as big an issue as the movement, the lack of special weapons. Being able to take four special weapons in a 10 man squad of scions against just one in the Aquilons is a huge advantage. If you could take more in the Aquilons it would make a huge difference, dropping in three inches away (more on that later) and dropping two melta guns and two krak grenades in to a vehicle would be very useful.

There are some other positive and negatives to.mention as well, firstly the positives.

The servo-sentry is a very useful model and goes some way to making up the lost firepower, with some good weapon profiles and the ability to shoot on the drop. It could make a huge difference on that initial drop, even at BS 4+. Secondly, the three inch drop. This could be huge for snatching objectives or victory points, getting around screening units and such. This could very easily become a major game play tactic. The long-las is another good point, even if it's only one shot at S4. If it does punch through, it's going to do damage. Lastly points, at only 90 points, less than the equivalent Scion unit, they are cheap for what they can do.

However, there are some minor issues still to mention. The biggest here being that they are locked to a 10 man squad. 10 bases is a lot to squeeze in to the enemy deployment zone or to try and crowd out an objective. The second minor issue is the weapon options. Now I've mentioned the lack of special weapons but there is the other options, like taking twin pistols or swapping two lascarbines for pistols and a knife. I get that these are really set with kill team in mind and they have only done 40k rules to (try and) keep people happy but still, why would you drop carbines for pistols? The last negative is no unsurprising, the last of leader options. This is understandable as there are no drop troop characters or command squads but it does dent there utility and versatility so what.

The last bit to mention is that these are still T3, 1W, 4+Sv, 7+LD, as they should be amd so you are going to have to be very careful where you drop them, as even a 10 man unit can disappear very quickly.

Over all I was really excited by these guys, now however I'm not in a hurry to pick up any and will see what happens with the next codex.

Friday, 26 April 2024

Kill teams

Something a little different this week, I say a little as it’s still a bunch of varnished and based models, however, this time they are Kill Team Models. The kill teams in question are the Chaos Legionaries and compendium Sisters of Battle and Grey knights.

While these are Quickshaded the same as the other models, they are based slightly differently. These have been based with sand rather than flock, as the kill team boards are either earthen boards or interior boards. As yet the sand is not painted and I don’t know how soon I will get around to painting and sorting them either. They will eventually be painted grey, initially with a dark grey tinted coat of PVA to seal the sand, and then a couple of dry brushes of lighter greys to add some texture.

A couple of Chaos Legionaries

Grey Knights

Not sure what will happen to the grey knights, as I don’t think they have had a bespoke team release yet. I don’t plan on upping these to a full army or anything, not even a combat patrol.

Sisters of Battle

The sisters on the other hand I do plan on expanding up. I really don’t know how much they will be expanded, probably not to a full 2000 point list but maybe a 1000 point. I’m hoping there might be a new against of the Imperium codex where you can bring forces from one of the three Inquistorial flavours.

Anyway, back to the 40k units next time!

Tuesday, 1 November 2022

Kill team shadow vaults

So it's been a while since Shadow vaults came out but I haven't had an opportunity to look at it and give my thoughts as there has been a shed load of guard leaks to look at. We'll start with the overall box and then look at the new Kasrkins. I'm not looking at the necrons, as I don't have any real thoughts on them and no desire to get them.

The box contains the usual board, terrain and models. The board and terrain is apparently mostly the same, with just some scatter terrain having been changed. I think this is a good idea as it means that you don't need to buy multiple boxset to get everything, just one and then any teams you want. Again, I won't be buying this box set. I do like the look of the Kasrkins but I don't want the necrons and I would like more terrain then this provides. Which is where the other terrain box come in, but more on that later. Overall I do think this box is a good set and a good step in the right direction for GW and kill team. I don't like all the individual boxes with different terrain and rules, having the same terrain in every box mean you can choose what you want and just get the bits you actually want.

As for the teams, the Kasrkins look great, not great enough for me to buy some but I really do like the sculpts.

Again, as with most of the new kits, the detail is amazing, really high quality and it looks like it's a proper multi part kit and not mono pose.

The options available in the squad is good as well, with all the special weapons available plus some kill team specific as well. The grenadier model is probably the worst model out of the lot, the extra armour that it's wearing just looks a little bit silly.

These models are a great update to the original models, as with a lot of the new guard models, they are a faithful revision rather that some reimagining or interpretation of the old models. I think GW have really hit the nail on the head with these recent guard releases.

Friday, 7 October 2022

GSC Wyrmblade proxy kill team

The last of my kill teams that I'll paint up for a while, here is my Genestealer Cult Wyrmblade proxy Kill Team.

I do still have a couple of kill teams paint up, the Tyranids and Vet Guard, I won't be painting either anytime soon. My son said he'll paint up the second half of the vets as he did the first 10 and I'm waiting for a bespoke team for the nids before I start painting. So, what have I actually built for the GSC?

As you can see, these are all Chaos Cultists, with only minor modifications to make them more GSC compatible. Most of them are just standard cultists and I'll run them as a proxy team, saying that they are a cult of existing cultists who have been duped by a patriarch into thinking they are worshipping Tzeentch and the changer of ways, when the actual "change" is the Genestealer DNA doing its thing. Now, being a Wyrmblade team, I haven't had to deal with anything other than neophytes or similar sized models, not aberrants, acolytes or hybrids, which was nice. It also means that the team is actually semi-competitive, as opposed to purely narrative.

Leader and icon bearer

The leader is fairly basic, a standard cultist champion, but for the game he will have to be equipped with a cult knife for 1ep to make up for the rather large blade that he's carrying around with him. If it was a small knife or something, I could have just ignored it but the sword is a bit big to just ignore I think, so the cult knife equipment sorts that out and gives a small buff to combat as well. The icon bearer to his left is technically incomplete, as he doesn't have an icon at the moment, mostly because I don't have a suitable one in my bits box. I've a large chaos icon but I think not would be to much, I need a sort of GSC \ chaos crossed thing that will need to be kit bashed together from bits I don't own!

The gunners

We're actually a gunner down on the roster, as you can take two of each types but I didn't have a model I could use for either the mining laser or seismic cannon. As it stands, there is a Webber, flamer and stubbed. The Webber and flamer are the same model, just with the barrel of one of the flamers chopped down to make the two look different. Apart from this basic change, the models are again, as made.

The neophytes

The main group are just standard cultists, no modifications or changes, just painted as is with their autoguns. Basic, simple and easy.

Now, for some reason, I don't have any pictures of the two models that I actually did do some conversion work on! The last two models in the team are a sanctus sniper and a sanctus talon. For the sniper, I took a model and added a barrel extension, extra sights to look like optical and electronic arrays, plus some extra bits. For the Talon, I switched out the pistol for an extra sword, a short sword, and replaced the original knife with a longer blade, giving him a short stabbing \ blocking blade and a longer dueling blade. These guys are a real meat of the team, taking up 4 roster slots between the two of them. They are just basic kit bashing, nothing fancy but they do the job.

While this now give me several xenos and chaos kill teams to choose from, I don't know how much play these guys will get, as I'm just not getting the time to play at the moment. Maybe that will change in the future, but I honestly would hold my breath on that fact, so I'll just enjoy modelling and painting for the moment.

Tuesday, 4 October 2022

Ork kill team

Back to a kill team for a couple of posts! I haven't posted up about kill team in a few weeks but there has been a bit of work going on getting some more kill teams up and running, probably never to be played with!

This is the Ork Commandos from the Octarius launch box and initially I was going to sell these on, as I'm not a great lover of orks, however, I was persuaded to keep hold of them by my son and I'm glad that I did. Having spent time painting them up, I have found a liking for them that I didn't realise I had. Now, they are not going to become my favourite faction, not even one of top 3 really, but I do think that they have a wealth of character and are fun looking models. I have gone with a very basic paint scheme, mostly dry brush with a few highlights of colour and I think it's worked out quite well.

The whole gang.

Spot colours popping quite nicely on some models.

The boss and his minions.

Now, the observant amongst you have probably spotted that fact that the grot is not the correct grot model, ninja grot has gone full ninja and disappeared. I'm pretty sure my youngest has spirited him away some where but as yet I have no idea where he is, so a stand in model has been acquired from said youngest's collection. I really like the squig model, as it's such a fun looking model but still easy to paint.

The gunz, all da gunz!

Next we have the guns, all the guns! Ok, so maybe not quite but it's the Dakka boy and two normal Boyz. The Dakka boy is as intended and is another great model, all all the commandos are but the Boyz are modified slightly, with both models duel wielding pistols. Although this doesn't actually give you anything in game, I thought it looked a lot cooler and more Orky than holding a knife. One of the things like most about these models is the Dakka boyz hat, very reminiscent of the old WW2 commando hats.

Getting up close and personal

The short range commandos are up next, with the slasha boy, Comms boy and Breacha boy. There's not masses to say about these three, there built as standard for the most part. The only change for some of these are that all the models have a mask or face covering of some description. I've done this to give them a more specialist, sneaky special forces look, similar to the CQB special forces looks you see.

Da special boyz

The last three are the specialists, the Burna boy, Rokkit boy and Snipa boy. All of these three are built as instructed, so very little to say again. I did add some extras here and there, as with all the models, just to add some flavour.

I really like these models and even with the simple paint job they look good. The red spot colours on they symbols and such also really pop nicely and add some colour to the otherwise quite dull colours. When these guys get played or not is another matter, as I haven't had a game of kill team in ages! I've another team that I've painted up to showcase here then it's on to other projects, mainly my Deathwatch but also AdMech.

Friday, 19 August 2022

Kill Team: into the dark

So we have finally seen what Kill Team: Into the dark is all about and to be honest, I really like it. Granted I’m highly unlikely to buy the box set but I may pick up the board and terrain on eBay, depending upon how much it’s going for. The teams themselves are not really of interest to me, I have several guard units and I don’t really need or want a new kill team or 40k unit in the form of the Navy Breachers. It’s ot that I don’t like the models, there very nice but I just don’t have a use or need for them, if the rumours of the new vet guard box are true I may well pick that up and arm them with shotguns and bits from the bits box to create a count as team but for now I’m not interested in the team. The Kroot is also not of interest to me but might be of interest to my son as it will complement his Tau pathfinders kill team and fit into his Tau 40k army.

In addition the box come with all the tokens and core rules that I already have and so that would all be wasted money, the rule book for Into the dark I’ll no doubt turn up cheaply on eBay, well certainly cheaper than buying the whole box.

What I’m really interested in however is the terrain, which looks awesome and I think could be quite quick and easy to paint up and get on the table. I also like the idea that we’re going to see expansions to this terrain over the next few box sets. This could easily result in a full 6x4 board full of terrain like this for some really fun and thematic boards. I do like the idea of having a zone mortalis type of board.

Overall I do really like the idea of this set but I just can't justify buying the full set but I think that I will end up going my own way for both the teams and terrain.

I really do like the way Kill Team is going at the moment and I like the way the future looks, I just wish that they would get around to doing more of the bespoke teams for compendium forces rather than bringing out kill team specific models. I'm hoping we get Deathwatch and marine scout teams soon and hope that the guard Scion \ Kasrkin team is released soon.

Friday, 12 August 2022

WiP

So there hasn't been much in the way of hobby posts recently but there has been quite a bit of work going on in the back ground. There have been several projects and I'll run through a couple of the more prominent ones.

Ork Boyz kill team: these guys have now been built and primed black and some have received a dry brush of grey to bring out the details. I plan on getting these finished of soon-ish, once I've finished a few other bits and pieces. The colour scheme will be fairly simple, with mostly black clothes and gunmetal gear with the classic green flesh, with only a few details in colour. Nice and simple but hopefully still effective on the tabletop.

Vet guard kill team: since I got a second box of these guys for my birthday, I've built all the options and they have been primed ready for paint. The issue is that the original half was painted by my son but he's busy painting up his Tau models, so I don't think he will get around to painting up the rest any time soon. This leaves me with the problem of either waiting until he can get around to painting them or paint them myself and have them look different. I've a few other projects that I want to get done first anyway so I've a bit of time to sort the problem.

Flight stands: a little bit more visually interesting from he on! I've finally got around to building my flight stands for my jump units. At present I've only built 3 but I've got the parts now to built the other 3.

As you can see there middle model is a little bit wobbly on its stand but in the whole they work quite well.

I've drilled holes in the back of the models, on these ones, the hole is between their legs, which I think was a mistake and I should have gone higher at the base of the packs, something I did with the next 3 models.

These were a lot more stable that the first 3 models and they look good as well.

Holes drilled at the base of the packs. I did try one between the legs but it didn't sit well at all, so I re-drilled at the base of the packs. Since taking these pictures I've painted and flocked them and they look very nice indeed. I'll try and get the next 3 built over the next couple of weeks.

Army painter Quickshade: I've finally got around to dipping my marines, after my youngest managed to start rubbing off the transfers! I had a few problems dipping these due to their size and shape but on the whole it was ok. Marneus Calgar (centre right) was one of the worst models, as there are quite a few nooks and crannies for the Quickshade to hide in and them run down when you put the models down to dry. I caught some of them but Calgar was one of the first to be done and I didn't catch it until in was to late and the Quickshade was drying.

This was the first half of the marines, so there was another 2\3 of a box of models that were done after this lot had dried. It was good to get is done, as this means that all my main models are now dipped and protected from playing and my littlest grubby little hands.

Tuesday, 9 August 2022

Sisters of Battle Kill Team

So after a long wait, I've finally got my sister's of battle painted up! It's been nearly two years since I received the sisters as a birthday gift. They have been built for quite some time, probably most of that time and undercoated for at least a year but finally they are here and finished!

They were originally made as a Kill team for the 2018 version, alongside a couple of special characters but with the transfer to the 2021 rules there were some changes and some issues, namely the loss of the special characters and being two models short due to roster restrictions. Then they have sort of been superseded by the sisters Novitiates kill team but I'm hopeful we will get a bespoke team for these sisters at some point.

So that being said, all my kill teams have a little back story to them and these girls are no different;

The sisters of the Golden Orb, A minor subsidiary of the Order of the Valorous Heart, are a crusading force, who often send small forces of sisters off to nearby warzones to assist in cleansing the unclean and unholy and to minister to the populous. Squad Lucinias, is the third squad of the second missionary force and is a veteran of multiple crusades, they have seen almost everything that the galaxy has to show, from daemons to plagues to xenos to the darkest depths of humanity and yet their faith shines brighter than ever and their blades are still as Sharp as the day they were forged. These sisters believe that by enduring these tests of faith and coming out unscathed that thier faith in the emperor is true and pure and that they are chosen to be his sword, his retribution. One of the things that stands these sisters out from many others is their silence on the field of battle, these sisters only break their silence once on holy ground.

Mission: Piety in suffering, Background: crusade veterans, Squad Quirk vow of silence

Piety in Suffering: Prove your unshakeable faith by enduring hardships and dangers that none but the Emperor’s chosen could long survive.

Crusade Veterans: Long years have these Battle sisters been on crusade. They have overcome many horrors, been honed like sharpened blades, and their faith burns hotter than ever.

Vow of Silence: Speech has been forbidden these warriors until they fulfil their duty.

Sister Superior Danica Lucinias and Icon Bearer Amelia Sacristus,

Sister Superior Danica Lucinias is the most experienced of all the sisters, having served for more years than she would like to admit. During this time she has seen the highs and lows of humanity and has come to despair at the state of humanity, for guilt is universal, it is only the depth of that guilt that varies and she delivers the Emperor's justice to all, and let's the Emperor decide their fates.

Trait: Sorrowful: The heresies of Humanity and their foes alike have brought this warrior to a state of perpetual mourning. To her eyes, all are guilty of sin. She discharges her duties with a mournful air, deaf to pleas for mercy, or claims of innocence.

Cherub because everyone needs a Cherub

The Icon bearer or the Simulacrum Imperialis as the sisters know it, Sister Amelia Sacristus, is an solid uncompromising character, unyielding in the face of the enemy and unmerciful in battle. She has stood as a rock against all who have tried to despoil her charge and has found herself at the heart of many battles, steadying the line and rallying all those at her side.

Unmerciful: This warrior channels all her hatred and fury into destroying her heretic foes.

Sisters Eliza Shengg, Danica Dasyrov and Amelia Serenitas

Next up are the battle sisters, some of the newest recruits to the squad, still keen to show their devotion and faith

Sister Eliza Shengg is seen as reckless and headstrong, often seen at the very heart of the battle, trying to deliver the Emperor's justice all on her own. She has be sanctioned many times for loose interpretation of orders but there is no denying her devotion and faith.

Scourge of Heretics: Teetering on the brink of religious lunacy, this zealous warrior seeks to purge all taint of heresy from the stars in as violent a fashion as she can, with no thought at all for her own safety, or that of her sisters.

Sister Danica Dasyrov is very different a warrior than many of her sisters. She takes her duty to the Emperor very seriously, and see's her every action as an act of worship.

Solemn: Battle is a sacred duty to this warrior, who treats every engagement as an opportunity to praise the Emperor with reverence and dignity.

Sister Amelia Serenitas is often hailed as a prime example of a battle suster, for every action is carefully executed to be as precise and perfect as can be, from every step she takes, to every shot she makes, for the Emperor is perfect in everyway and so should every act of worship and devotion.

Precise: The Emperor applauds diligence. Every act is one of worship, and all worship should be perfect in form. So this warrior believes, and she strives always to practise what she preaches.

Sisters Lisbett Bellicos, Helencia Serenitas and Danica Caritas

These sisters have been elevated to the role of Specialist Sisters or Gunners. They have shown themselves to be solid and reliable sisters, capable of acting on their own initiative during battles.

Sister Lisbett Bellicos wields her flamer with confidence and an easy formed over many years. No matter the foe, she stands sure and steady, her faith in her flamer to deal with anything undoubted and her faith in the Emperor to protect her undiminished.

Fierce: No threat, no matter how fearsome, can shake this warrior’s faith, or still her relentless aggression.

Sister Helencia Serenitas has seen many things and been many places. Heretics are all around, hiding in every door way and behind every wall. She hefts her trusty storm bolter and delivers justice and retribution to whoever is brave or stupid enough to show themselves, no matter their claims of mercy or innocence.

Sorrowful: The heresies of Humanity and their foes alike have brought this warrior to a state of perpetual mourning. To her eyes, all are guilty of sin. She discharges her duties with a mournful air, deaf to pleas for mercy, or claims of innocence.

Sister Danica Caritas is one of the most aggressive and fierce warriors amongst the squad, charging forward to bring holy fire forth to the enemy, incinerating foes with her melta gun, trusting her faith and fury to carry her though.

Fierce: No threat, no matter how fearsome, can shake this warrior’s faith, or still her relentless aggression.

Sisters Danica Honourifica and Eliza N'Bata

These two sister have also shown their abilities and reliability on the battlefield as well but have also shown greater physical strength to match their spiritual strength and as such have been gifted even heavier weaponry.

Sister Danica Honourifica reveals in the glory of battle as she delivers swift justice to the enemies of the Emperor. Her heavy bolter delivers death and destruction wherever she points it.

Rapturous: The furore of battle fills this warrior with holy light, and the simple joy of cleansing the galaxy in the Emperor’s name.

Sister Eliza N'Bata holds herself as a shining example of the faithful and despises all those who do not bath themselves in the light of the Emperor, seeing them as unworthy of pity or mercy, barely fit to receive the cleansing flames of her heavy flamer.

Aloof: This warrior has nothing but contempt for all those not of the Imperial faith, looking down upon her foes with disgust.

Next up we have the Frateris Militia! Now remember when I said that the rules changes from 2018 to 2021 meant that I could not field a full team of sisters anymore, well here are my two stand in models, the Frateris Militia. These are members of the population that have listen to the call to arms and have come to fight side by side with the sister in holy war on the unbelievers. Ranging from rag tag bands of peasants to highly trained and well armed veterans, the Frateris Militia come in all shapes and sizes, these two come.in the shape of Imperial Guard Veterans.

Confessor-Sergeant Dekker is a veteran soldier who had thought his soldiering days were done but when a war of faith came calling he could not stand by and watch. Taking his old uniform out for where it lay gathering dust he heeded the call to arms and rejoices in continuing the Emperor's work bring death and destruction to the unfaithful and unworthy.

Unmerciful: This warrior channels all her hatred and fury into destroying her heretic foes.

Confessor-Sergeant Kolson has alway been a true believer in the power of the God Emperor and

Firebrand: Preaching as she fights, this warrior proclaims the magnificence of the God Emperor and bellows out his catechisms as she purges the unclean foe.

WIP

Gottfred De montbard, repentia, pious vorne,

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