Patience is Always Your Best Paintbrush!

At the end of 2018, after a gruelling year of competition, I ended up winning the Frontline Gaming Hobby Track title and bringing home the trophy! I felt this to be a capstone accomplishment in my "hobbying" as I have been doing this for over 25+ years, and there were over 3,500 ranked competitors world-wide!!! It was kind of an emotional time for me as I went up to collect the trophy, and "yes" I did get a little misty.  As I walked up to meet Reece Robbins, CEO of FLG, I was reminded of the many, many, many late nights over the years painting, and hobbying and enjoying this game.  It truly was a sweet moment!  I am so grateful for the opportunity to compete and win!  Below is a pic of the trophy along with some of my characters that brought home the victory. 

I was reminded of a letter I wrote over 25 years ago, to a dear friend of mine, Mr. Ken Rhodes who owned and operated the local gaming store after losing the painting side of a tournament I attended late October of '98 in Cedar City, Utah (I think there were six, or eight of us total).  The tournament was an important turning point for me, because it forced me to realize I was "in fact" a hobbyist!  The letter was written November 1st, 1998, shortly after the 3rd edition release of Warhammer 40k.  Included are all its incorrect grammar mistakes and typos.  I am still friends with Ken to this day, and those stalwart few guys who helped get the hobby going in Southern Utah: Chad Hardin, William Bagnall, Steffan Holmes, Tony Pectol, Mike Kenefick, along with a few others!  Thanks, to all, who helped me along this 25 year journey, to claim the prize!!!  Below, is the reprint of the letter... crazy to see where the game, myself as a hobbyist, and the community have come!!!

November 1, 1998

Dear Ken,

I guess this is sort of a confession of a closet hobbyist that is just coming to the realization of the fact that I am indeed a hobbyist.  I used to view such as geeky-little nerd-oids that wore Spock ears and officer dress to Treki conventions.  I see that this is not the case as I look at myself in present circumstances and realize that, while 40k is a stress reliever for me, I am into the total hobby experience as Games Workshop refers to it.

I’ve been seething this evening about the tournament today and venting with William (my brother) about some things that took place that made us rather unhappy.  I might add, before I continue, that there are no hard feelings directed toward you, and that anytime you want to get a game in just call. Having said that, I wanted to write to you that I might be able to put to bed some things that I have been mulling over in my mind this evening.

I have come to the conclusion that the biggest reason why I play Warhammer 40,000 is because I enjoy the people, barring few exceptions, that are associated with it.  It is fun to talk about imaginary clashes that take place on an imaginary battle field with monolithic war machines and devastating super-soldiers.  I enjoy sharing in each other’s victories and defeats.  I enjoy seeing the latest conversions, and to hear about the frustrations that went into an ultimately triumphant piece of miniature artwork and to see the creativity of the human mind displayed in 25mm scale.  Ultimately, I enjoy the smiles and laughs that come from participating in the hobby.  However, I haven’t witnessed the hobby experience for awhile in the tournaments sponsored by Adventures Unbound.  I would even go so far as saying that, while the title claims it, I have felt anything but “unbound” in participating in events sponsored by your proprietorship.  Let me share with you why...

First of all the tournaments have been terribly stacked against those who have tried to play with the “spirit” of the game instead of trying to go for a strait-up tournament win.  Since the new rules have come out, I have terribly optimistic about the overall fairness of the game.  I have been patiently waiting for the next 40k tournament to be sponsored by Adventures Unbound to see how the new rules were to be reflected.  When I finally got the news about the new rules, I was overjoyed to learn that finally the total hobby experience was going to be promoted. 

Secondly, when I found out that Army painting and Army selection could quite possibly earn you up to 60 points I thought, “finally, four years of hard work and patience have finally paid off!”  I went into a frenzy to finish the many minor changes in my army that I had started to work on two weeks ago in preparation for this tournament.  Reconfiguring squads, adding purity seals, painting on terminator honors, swapping arms, switching weapons, shaving here, trimming there, doing everything to make sure that: 1) The theme of my army maintained its integrity.  2) Every miniature to be used in the tournament was painted in detail. 3) My army was evenly balanced and reflected the spirit of the game. 4) All miniatures were armed as shown. 5) It was a very characterful army that really went right to the heart of the spirit of the Space Marine chapter that I command.  After being given the impression that this was going to be a major part of the tournament, I tried to make sure that I was in compliance with every aspect of the rules, both letter and spirit.  When this did not happen, I was angry to say the least.

Third, I suppose some people would say, “Dude!  Its just a game!” And, to that I would say,”Yes it is.”  But, for those of us that are hobbyists, (Remember, I just cam to the realization that I am one.)  We get slighted when just the commandership is the major factor in scoring.  When Jervis wrote this recent rendition of the rules, he seems to have the hobbyist in mind, not just the gamer.  What does the gamer lose who just wants to play for a good time?  Nothing.  Typically those that show up without painted armies, and haphazardly thrown together army lists care about one thing and one thing only; playing a good, intense game of 40K!  Well, they still get their needs met.  However, for those of us that spend so much more time in conversions and painting, etc.  (And I disagree that there is no such thing as “I don’t have time,” I would gladly match my schedule to anyone’s) we get the proverbial shaft.

Fourth, If you are going to set up some guidelines, please stick to them.  I am stating this at the risk of giving you the impression that you think I am frustrated because I did not win.  This simply is not the case.  I am frustrated because of the time spent by myself, and others, to prepare for this event and have it treated so haphazardly so as to give no value to the time spent preparing for such.  I almost went to the extent of typing up a little booklet and having it bound at Kinko’s to help explain why I chose the army I did and give a little background on my troops, but also to get extra points toward the overall presentation of my army.  I am so glad that I did not have the time to do it because it would have been for naught!

I hope you are not offended by my comments.  You might also know that I am not the only one who feels this way, but will probably only be the one who takes the time to tell you.

Know that I will always value our association and that if I can be of any help in the future, as I have been in the past, I offer my services to you.  I want to preserve the hobby of 40K and continue in associations with those that want to do the same.  It is entertaining and fun.  Maybe painting classes again, get the club up and running, I don’t know.  But one thing I do know is that I do not want to participate in another tournament so haphazardly run.  I suppose in fairness to you, I have no idea what is going on in your life right now, and am maybe being quick to judge.  If I am, I hope that you’ll forgive me.  I would state once again that I hold no malice toward you in anyway.  This is just merely a poor attempt at expressing a frustration in the hopes that maybe it will be of some benefit.

I hope life is going well for you, and that the move to your home has been a blessing for you.  I might add that your association and the chance to game and hobby has pulled me through some low points in my life when I had nothing else to cling to except my wife.  For that I express my sincere appreciation.

Well it’s late and this letter is getting too long.  But I hope it has been of some benefit.  Looking forward to more memories.

Respectfully,

Lou Rollins

Deathwatch Armory Assessment - ITC Hobby Track 2019

Lou Rollins ITC Hobby Track Painting Rubric:

As a hobbyist and painter of 40k miniatures and armies, I have always taken tremendous pride in having a fully painted army.  This year for Frontline Gaming's, Games Workshop Warhammer 40,000 Independent Tournament Circuit Hobby Track Competition, there is a painting rubric that is being used for judging:

Painting:

1) Is the majority of the army painted? Yes, 100% of the army is pro-painted!

2) Is the army Fully Painted (no primer showing)? Yes, 100% of the army painted!

3) Are details such as grenades, buckles, claws etc. painted across the entire army? Yes, 100% of those tiny details are painted, and highlighted!

4) Is the majority of the army shaded and or highlighted? Yes, 100%!

5) Are squad markings or unit identifiers present over the majority of the army? 100%, Yes!

6) Are squad markings or unit identifiers present over the entire army? Yes, and because Deathwatch, Death Company, and Sanuinary Guard are unique I had to get creative with it for you to see it (like put it on the bases!) But it is there!

7) Is the entire army based? Yes, 100%!

8) Are advanced details like eyes, gems, rivets, bone shards/teeth and lenses painted across the entire army? Yes, 100% in phenominal detail!

9) Are advanced techniques like OSL, weathering, camouflage, glowing, NMM or freehand present? Yes, every model has either/or/all OSL, NMM, weathering, camouflage, freehand, etc.

10) Are advanced techniques like OSL, weathering, camouflage, glowing, NMM or freehand over the majority of the army present? Yes, every model has either/or/all OSL, NMM, weathering, camouflage, freehand, etc.

1) Are multiple elements and features visible/painted on the bases for a majority of the army? Yes, every base has multiple elements on the base, as well as free-hand painted squad markings!

2) Are there examples of kitbashing or conversion work present in the army? Yes, everyone of the character models is a kit-bashed conversion!

3) Are there examples kitbashing of conversion work present for the majority of the army? While there is kitbashing present, it is not over the majority of the army.

4) Were all the mold lines removed and gaps filled over the majority of the army? Yes!

5) Are advanced hobby materials used like plasticard and greenstuff? Yes, almost every model has greenstuff somewhere on it to fill gaps, and several advanced hobby techniques were used for the diorama, including foam sculpts, plaster casting, water features, etc.

Display/Theme:

1) Is a display board and/or a printed original story (background) present for the army? Yes, a lot of time and effort went into the display board, and a couple of online stories can be found at the jump: Hjalkar Redmane and Deathwatch Devotion!

2) Is the basing consistent across the entire army and/or match the display or story? Yes, in fact there are subtle little details in each base that tells a story of its own!

3) Is there a distinctive centerpiece model that stands out from the rest (such as the Warlord or a titanic vehicle), or a focal point for the army? Yes, there are two that compliment each other quite well; a) Blood Angel Captain, Antor Delassio with his Angel’s wing, equipped with Thunder Hammer and Storm Shield, and b) my Knight Crusader “Unbowed” piloted by Baron Artimedorous, The Herald of House Terryn!

4) Are all squad leaders, lords, heroes, captains, brain bugs, or nobs etc. distinctive and easily identifiable? Yes, every character is sitting on a raised, platformed base and has a tremendous amount of detail on it… not to mention the iron halo marking!

5) If everything was checked above, then check this box too – This army represents a cohesive force indicative of the Warhammer 40k universe. SWEET!!!

Uriel Ventris: Deathwatch Captain!

This post will be highlighting one of my recent paints: Uriel Ventris of the Ultramarines, a Deathwatch Captain!

Uriel Ventris is a flexible military commander who due to the efforts of his mentor, Captain Idaeus, learned to think outside the confines of the Codex Astartes, the masterpiece of Roboute Guilliman and the manual of war that most Space Marine Chapters base their tactics, strategy and organization upon. Ventris appears to be a tenacious and honorable Space Marine who genuinely cares about the well-being of the average Imperial citizen. A notable example of this can be found when he saved Pavul, a member of the Erebus defense Legion, during the Battle of Tarsis Ultra, after he had previously had his life saved by this particular Imperial soldier.
(copied from: http://warhammer40k.wikia.com/wiki/Uriel_Ventris)

Captain Ventris eventually is assigned a term of service to the Deathwatch for infractions against the Codex Astartes!

Here is Uriel Ventris in his Deathwatch Terminator armor.  He is currently deployed as a sergeant in the first company, which would have been his role prior to his rise as a captain in the first company.

 

The Ventris mini with his name on the back of his base!

Sergeant Ventris, deep striking with his terminator squad against some Chaos Space Marines hiding behind some Aegis defense lines.

 

Cynewolf of the Space Wolves Chapter employs his assault cannon against the foul Chaos Nurgle Space Marines.

Seeing this pic, with the Termies popping in on the Chaos Space Marines (rather unexpectedly), I am sorely tempted to scream, "Hello! My name is Inigo Montoya! You killed my father! Prepare to die!!!"

 

Ventris is a formidable foe, and it played out this way in this friendly game of 40k!

X-Wing: Battle in the Skies!

Well, with the repaint that I had recently completed on the X-Wing, it wasn't hard to get cajoled into a match!  We ended up inviting a couple of pro-gamers (Rick, and Chris) to come down and show some of the local boys, how to play Star Wars X-Wing!  With the promise of cold sodas and some pizza, they graciously accepted!

Here is a pic of everybody getting together to begin; one thing you gotta love about gaming, is that it is not age specific!  Great time for parents, and grandparents, to connect with their kids!

 

Chris is giving some basic instructions on moving, allocating your action, and so forth... young jedi-wanna-be's are perking up!

 

The Asteroids are down, the Ties are now positioned and we are ready to place our academy pilots!

 

Aside from showing off Chris's very cool "stealth" X-Wing, I was able to get in a rear shot of mine as well.... Go Gavin Darklighter!

Getting some instruction from a pro on how to get our ships in line with each other so we can fight with our "wingman" close!

 

Looking good mate! Let those ties come in after us now! "Red Five standing by!!!"

 

"Gulp!" Here comes Vader sneaking around an asteroid!

As you can see by the placement of the ships here, we really got into a pretty messy dog fight!  With some pros piloting the Ties (...and some noobs behind the stick on the X-Wings, B-Wing and Shuttle) it wasn't pretty! But, "hey" we had a good time rolling the dice, eating some pizza and enjoying good company!  Maybe next time I will have the rest of my ships complete... I hear when they are custom painted, they fly better! ;D

Suicide Squad: Deathwatch Kill-Team!

At the beginning of January, I posted some pics of a Deathwatch Kill team that I had pulled out of the closet, and finished painting...

 

Here they are from that post:

 

Since that time, there have been a number of customers coming into the store wanting to do a Kill Team Scenario... so we decided to give it a go!

 

Here are my Deathwatch setup behind an Aegis defense line ready for deployment!

 

John brought in his beloved Sons of Russ...

 

And Chris (who recently finished his Necrons), wanted to lay down his fire power!

 

 

 

With John so close to Chris's deployment area, he was too sweet of a target for Chris's Necrons!  Here is John trying (rather feebly) to use the "jedi dice trick" to get his 3+ saves... with a one, two twos, and a five, we are now trying to put together a fundraiser to send John back to the Jedi Academy for further training! (Sheeeesh!)

 

Here is my Deathwatch, led by Sergeant Kail Vibious skirting the battle area, and coming up the flank!

 

I tried really hard to stick with the Deathwatch iconography (notice Vibious's loin tabard), and painting black armor well is NEVER an easy task!

 

Sergeant Vibious bursts through the door, laying down a hailstorm of bolter fire against the Necrons and Wolves, in order to get his Marines up to the spire to retrieve the Chapter Relic they are after! (3 victory points, baby!)

 

Sergeant Jagatun, of the White Scars, is pointing his Marines down a dark, and dank corridor to surprise the other commanders on the other side of the citadel!

 

(I kept the white scar pattern on Jagatun's loin cloth to add some color to the mini!)

 

Mixximion Voss, with his deadly Heavy Bolter, creeps around the corner to spray the unsuspecting Necrons with a hail of deadly fire!  Librarian Lyandro Karras (otherwise known as the scholar), provides psychic support from behind!

 

(Voss's Imperial Fists Chapter badge is glaringly visible!)

 

Here is the monolithic Deathwatch Citadel under siege!

(Look very closely at the top!)

 

With a tie score between the Necrons and the Space Marines (13 points to 13 points), it was time for a showdown! Lyandro got to go first, and was lucky enough to get a penetrating hit... charging his force made with psychic energy, it was instant death for the Necron Lord!

 

(If you look closely, you can see little lightening arcs on the force mace!)

 

Chris, hanging his head in shame... shaking his fist... asking Nuffle why he couldn't have given him either his 6+ "Feel no pain" save, or his 5+ "It will not die" roll!

 

Hee hee hee! John raising his hands with a chiding grin, celebrating the conquering space marines once again! (okay, so it was a bit overkill with Deathwatch and Space Wolves, but we sure had fun!)

Szobczak: Deathwatch Dreadnaught!

Recently, I pulled out my contingency of Deathwatch Marines which have been sitting in storage for over a decade and decided to finish them up.  That inspired me to finish up a few other pieces that have been sitting in storage 75-80% finished.  This included Szobczak, the ancient and cantankerous Deathwatch Dreadnought formerly of the Imperial Fists Chapter's 5th Company.

 

 

Here he is, ready for battle with his Assault Cannon, Power Fist and Twin-linked Heavy flamer!

 

Extremely gruff and bitter, he has a tendency to relate everything to his past war experiences, and can find even the most tenuous parallels between current events and his actions years before. If and when he becomes attached to a Kill-team, he will, at every opportunity, ramble on about battles long since fought, lost Battle-Brothers, and the particulars of why, in his day, Space Marines were simply better at everything.

 

His left shoulder plating displays purity seals placed there by priests and tech-marines, no doubt containing incantations and prayers that the machine spirits do not fail...

 

At his base I placed numerous expended shells that one would expect to see from such an awesome gauss fired weapon like the formidable Assault Cannon!

 

Szobczak also has a tendency to react with surprising and often inappropriate anger or violence to even the slightest provocation. He can escalate any situation, and excels at making mountains out of molehills.  Perhaps that is why he is equipped with the assault cannon!

 

On his right side plating he displays his Fists Chapter badge just beneath his terminator honors earned while being in service to the Deathwatch.

In all, Brother Szobczak is a very trying, capricious, and frankly dangerous companion, traits that are only just made up for by his unwavering loyalty, his prowess in battle, and his incredible skill and breadth of experience.

 

Here he is supporting a kill-team as they unleash fire from their bolters in an attempt to cleanse the local assigned area of it's denizens!

Information taken from http://warhammer40k.wikia.com/wiki/Deathwatch

A Pretty Mini Cool Thing!

Well, the results are in!  I probably sound like a broken record, but I am very grateful to all of you who have been so supportive of my endeavors... Thanks to all who got the last few votes in!  Here are the results:

I am no longer "unranked" and tossed at the bottom of the preverbal pile at Cool Mini with everyone else!  I am rather ecstatic to have jumped over 7k artists to be at 2268!  It is nice to have a better idea of where I am at, and am content (for now) with the ranking! Besides, it gives me something now to work toward (like making the top 500!) :D

With that being said, I decided to take another piece out of my age old collection of miniature stuff (don't recall where I got this piece from... probably Ebay), and do a celebration piece!

Here is an old pic of the original model, all gummed up, and painted rather horribly (probably by some young-blood who gave up the hobby):

 

After a feeble attempt to strip the paint off (with some success) I decided that the remaining paint that I could NOT get off would lend itself to a "battle-worn" Rhino...

Here are the results:

Left frontal view with the gunner managing the pintel-mounted, twin-linked Storm Bolter, ready to lay down a barrage of fire!

I put a lot of rust, smoke-stack stains, and blast damage on the tank to help hide some of the paint I could not get off, and to add more character to the model! 

 

Here is the veteran Sergeant barking orders to the tank commander letting him know where to disembark his troops at:

 

The Tank Commander has his chainsword clasped tightly in the clutches of his bionic arm, telling the driver to stop so the tactical squad of space marines can get out and join the fray!

 

This frontal shot gives you a better idea of the extra armor placed on the vehicle along with some rusted out dozer blades and the Hunter Killer Missile ready to be put to use... better launch those smokes Commander, and get those Marines out!

Let me know what you think...

Comments are always welcome! :D

Last Professional Push!

I am a bit befuddled by the crazy downpour of snow coming in right now... everything is shut down! (feels like Wisconsin where I moved from!)

 

Can't thank all of you for following my blog and for the kindness shown.  Below are some of my top ranked minis at Cool Mini or Not.  This is my last serious push for the higher ranked posts I have submitted.  If you could take a few minutes and click the links to vote on each (provided you haven't done so already), I would greatly appreciate it!

 

I am needing to get them over "50" votes each to get an "official" ranking (Several are close wtih 45-48 votes).  Thanks a million! (Feel free to share these with anyone you think my give me a boost over the top!)

1) Wood Elf Team, 2) Treeman, 3) Agememnon the Troll, 4) Eldar Harlequin, 

5) Lewdgrip Chaos Star Thrower, 6) Ripper Bolgrot Troll Star Player, 7) Fezglitch Skaven Star Player

 

Thanks for taking the time to vote!

 

(Here is one individual's take on the great storm that hit North Carolina!)

...A Little More Wet Paint on a Wood Elf Treeman!

Here is another mini that I need some help with... a Wood Elf Treeman!  This was (again) one of the originals I posted up on this blog not really expecting much from Cool Mini or Not, and he has remained one of the high scoring minis on the sight!

Here is the link to the original post along with the link to him at Cool Mini or Not!

I really liked this mini when I came across it, and thought it would be a fantastic treeman blocker for Blood Bowl!  So I picked it up, and pieced it together and painted it up!  Really like the overall effect of how it turned out! :D

 

Do go to Cool Mini or Not and vote on him! Thanks!

Wonder, Wit, and a Little Wet Paint!

Wanted to 'pause' for a few moments and say "thanks" to all of you out there who have posted comments, and continue to make blogging such a rewarding experience!  I remember the first time I heard about it (years ago) and thought to myself, "what's the big deal?"  Well... it is a certainly rewarding to have a place where I can share a little tiny sliver of myself with others, and have folks respond in such a kind way, so again, many thanks!

The one thing that I was not expecting, and I suppose has brought a bit of wonder to me, is how many there are out there who thoroughly enjoy the miniature world of collecting, painting, war-gaming and the like!  It has always been a passion of mine ever since I was a kid, and was a little frustrated (and even a bit perturbed) by the negativity surrounding it in the early 80's and even a bit in the early 90's... my, how faaaaar culture as changed!

I don't know that I have anything terribly witty to share other than the fact that I have found this hobby of ours to be "beautifully simple, and simply beautiful!"

Regarding the wet paint; well, all I can say is it has been very rewarding thus far cutting my teeth into a very dynamic and challenging industry, and I am still a bit 'wet behind the ears' so-to-speak working as a pro-painter.  But my brush always has paint on it, and I always have a project I am working on, which is incredibly rewarding!

Having said that, if ya'll (there is my southern! :D) wouldn't mind giving me my last little boost over a small hump, I would greatly appreciate it!  In order to get ranked at:

...which facilitates other professional achievements, I am just shy of getting an official ranking, and I could really use your help!

 

Over the next few days, I will be reposting six posts/pics that I need just a few more votes on; if you would be so kind as to take just a couple of seconds and vote (provided you haven't already) it would be most appreciated!

 

The first, is a post that is dated November 10th (Happy Birthday to my beloved Marine Corps!) regarding a trophy that was brought back from a competition in Virginia...

 

Here is the pic on the post, which is also a picture of the miniatures that I am asking for a vote on at Cool Mini or Not!

 

I am just a few votes shy of getting it officially ranked... thank you so much for your taking the time to look, and vote!

 

(click the pic to enlarge and vote)

Food, Fighting and Fun!!!

When one paints a lot of miniatures, whether they be for commission work or for personal use, it is a needful thing to get them on the table-top (at some point) and put them to good use!

Last night was a venerable free-for-all of Warhammer 40k!  The battle was taken from the rulebook, 6th ed. pg 364, called "Pact of Blood" where any and all armies are welcome, and (upon arrival) are then teamed-up into likely, or unlikely, allies!

We ended up with: 1) Tau, 2) Chaos, 3) Dark Eldar, 4) White Scar Space Marines, 5) Space Wolves, and 6) Inquisition Grey Knights!  We had experienced vets, as well as noobs wanting to learn how to play... great fun had for all!

Everyone showed up with a standard army list of 650 points not knowing really what to expect, or how things were going to go down!

The "good guys" comprised of Zach, John and myself fielded an army comprised of Space wolves, White Scars mounted on bikes, and some deep striking Grey Knights with an Inquisitor Lord.

The "bad guys" were comprised of Hunter, Mitch, and Leon fielding the Tau, Chaos and Dark Eldar (respectively).... here is Hunter's Tau behemoth, which was a rather devastating factor with it's heavy plasma blasters, until my Grey Knights landed! hee hee hee!

Some of Mitch's Chaos cultists and Greater Daemon of Khorne getting ready to fire it up, and take to the air! (Vector striking by Daemon flyers is nasty!)

 

 Leon's Dark Eldar Ravagers roll an insane amount of dice when shooting, turning the opposition (the good guys) into Swiss cheese!  Kor'sarro Kahn and his bikers never get off the front line! Sheesh!

Of course, John had his own venerable collection of dice with which to choose from as well! :D

Mitch's Chaos Hell Drake blowing up the Scar's Rhino troop transport, forcing the tactical squad inside to disembark and get out and stand and fight!

Zach the "noob" whose entire force (save the deep-striking terminators) was wiped out in turn one, is now gleefully getting ready for revenge on Hunter's Tau forces!

Deep striking terminators coming out of a drop pod... an opponent's worst nightmare!

Hunter's reaction after Zach drops in, making short work of what remains of Hunter's Tau forces! Oh the joy of one' first draw of blood on the battlefield! LOL!!!

The pinnacle of the battle was (of course) getting the greater Daemon into a fight with my Inquisitor Ordo Malleus Lord who, tragically, ended up perishing at the hand's of Khorne!  To my defense, the Inquisitor had already taken two wounds from no less than four squads, over 60 dice rolls to shoot, and making MULTIPLE saves leaving the daemon only "1" wound to contend with! (I'll get him next time!!! Grrrr!)

However, to Mitch's surprise, I did manage to turn him into a little-itty-bitty spawn creature upon getting sucked into the warp, turning his 350+ point model into a 45 point model, that the John could now step on like the inconsequential "bug" that he was!!! Sooooo... I still got my revenge!!! Glory for the Emperor!!!!

Here is the lot of us (I am the vertically challenged one in the middle!), talking smack, hamming it up, with Hunter and Zach still throttling each other after a hard-fought battle!  To quote Lord Baden Powell, this is what "boys" love to get together and do: Food, Fighting and Fun!  "That is the world of the boy!  I guess as one grows into manhood... some things still don't go away!