And So The Quest Comes to an End
I did it everyone. Another army project is complete. This is only the second army project finished in… let’s see, one, two, carry the seven… thirty years of playing with miniatures, but it still feels great regardless. On the docket for October was the last fifteen-man Tactical Squad, two Quad Launchers and their crews, and a Kratos Assault Tank. I honestly didn’t think getting all three units completed in October was possible, but I somehow managed to pull it off. Between state vehicle inspections, winter preparation projects, fall clean up, and general life events, October is a notoriously difficult month to get any hobby accomplished. But to my surprise I pulled it off.

For the purposes of brevity, if you’re interested in reading the previous articles, you can find them at the links provided:
The TLDR version of the project was that I purchased the Heresy Army of Darkness starter box, decided to paint Alpha Legion as something completely different, and made both a 1K Zone Mortalis list and a 2.5K standard Heresy game list using at least half the starter box in both armies, all within a year. Alongside painting, I also wanted to get at least one game of Zone Mortalis and one game of regular Heresy in before the end of the year. While I crushed the painting goal, I was only half successful on the gaming front. I only got a chance to try out the ZM list on the table for two games. However, it’s not all bad as in one day of gaming I played the usual amount of games I get in for an entire edition.
The lesson for me is: Take the wins where you can.
I also tallied up the points and came in around 5,400* points of painted models that I can field. That total includes the following:
- Praetor in Power Armor x2
- Praetor in Cataphractii Armor
- Centurion in Cataphractii Armor
- Champion Consul
- Chaplain Consul
- Vigilator Consul
- Praevian Consul
- Fifteen-man Tactical Squad x3
- Ten-man Despoiler Squad x2
- Ten-man Recon Squad
- Ten-man Rotor Cannon Support Squad
- Ten-man Flamer Support Squad
- Contemptor Dreadnought x3
- Apothecary
- Five-man Tartaros Terminator Squad x2
- Five-man Headhunter Squad x2
- Five-man Cataphractii Terminator Squad
- Six-man Cataphractii Terminator Squad
- Five-man Indomitus Terminator Squad
- Seven-man Tyrant Siege Terminator Squad
- Rapier Battery Quad Launcher x2
- Spartan Assault Tank
- Kratos Heavy Assault Tank
- Sky-Hunter Jet Bike x3
- Castellax Robot
*That number includes a few upgrades on models, but mostly not.
I recently added six Sky-Hunters on a whim, and the last three are sitting patiently on my paint bench waiting for some love. I ended up kitting them all with melta to provide some much-needed fast tank hunting capabilities, but I’ve recently seen them zip around a table carrying volkite. My plan is to get another six at some point, so maybe those will get the volkite treatment instead.
And speaking of what’s needed, what are my goals for the future, both short and long term, you ask?
Well, the immediate goal is getting the final three bikes finished. If the prior three bikes were any indicator, painting should go super quick. After that it’s developing a painting rubric for different models in the collection. Ultimately, I want to do the old GW way of having a picture of the model with different sections pointed to and listing the color order and brush technique used. My thought is this way I’ve not only got the list but I have a visual to go off of as a reminder. I’ve always wanted to tackle something like this, and I know it’ll help when coming back to models and units down the road.
In terms of expansion, I’m seriously considering running these guys under the Recon Company rite of war. I think it’s something new and different, and can definitely see the theme of infiltration and subterfuge. That said, I’m already eyeing-up another 20 or 30 MK VI dudes and converting their weapons to Nemesis bolters by adding extra kit and barrel extensions. But the first step is to go back to my handy dandy army book and see what the rules are. Aside from the extra bikes already mentioned, I plan on picking up Exodus soon. I don’t really play with named characters, but the cool background and sweet model make me want to stick him in a list sooner rather than later.
Moving on to long term plans, my goal next year is to focus on my Death Guard. Death Guard was the army that got me into Heresy to begin with, and after languishing on the shelf for years I’ve decided they need an update. Plus, the new MK III models didn’t hurt in the decision-making process. For starters I’ve already got a 1K ZM force listed out** and a 3K list built around the Creeping Death rite of war, with a big focus on lots of bodies. The intent is to provide updates similar to the Alpha Legion one so stay tuned here for more info. I’m also not going to say an Armored Spearhead rite of war will be a secondary goal, but depending on progress there may be a lot of tanks next year as well.
**I’ve cheated a little and already got the 1K portion built, mostly primed, and started painting. Couldn’t wait to start.
The last thing that I really want to do over the next year is play. Sure, I’m more of a hobbyist/collector than a true gamer, but having all my toys sitting on a shelf and not using them is kind of boring at times. I have a hard time getting games in for a multitude of reasons, but I want to make it a point to start playing more. And I know folks will contend that you really need another person on the other side of the table, I would argue that you really don’t. In fact I actually want to do a few articles on the advantages of solo gaming. I’ve got the space, tables, models, and terrain, so why not enjoy them regardless of company?
And that about wraps things up for me, folks. I have to say that it’s been a fantastic hobby year for me, and I’m super excited to keep that energy going into the new year. I know I’ve left out several side projects, actual model and Gundam kits to build, and I haven’t even mentioned models and gaming in the modern and near future vein. Not unlike Frank the Tank in Old School, I don’t know if I’ll have enough time. But for certain I’m trying my best to get it all done.
Until next time, Hydra Dominatus.


Ryan
A New England transplant that originated from parts westward, Ryan is a bit of a nerd that knows a little bit about a lot of things, all while claiming to know nothing about anything. Seemingly part Khajit a logistician by trade, he’s the kind of guy that can get you virtually anything if there’s coin to be had a problem to solve. Ryan began to learn the scrounging arts while serving time in parts east as a Loggie and has been perfecting them steadily over several decades. He has a problem with continually purchasing models, paints, and terrain that he doesn’t really need but his wife doesn’t seem to mind.