I know what you are going to say 'uuurgh, why 28mm' :-X
And to be honest, my answer has to be terrain.
I love playing across multiple stories, and larger tables, and with 54mm there are simply too many restrictions with regard to the size of table you can find, as well as the height of the terrain. Quite aside from that, it is also so much easier to find players for a group.
And so, inspired by Molotov and El Diablo's log of win, I thought I would start putting some bits together for a Mechanicus explorator team myself...
(http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k35/JMaxwell_02/Picture054.jpg)
(http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k35/JMaxwell_02/Picture056.jpg)
What Techpriest leaves home without a couple of menials to do the dirty work?
(http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k35/JMaxwell_02/Picture057.jpg)
(http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k35/JMaxwell_02/Picture059.jpg)
Not sure wether to make this a Techguard Hypaspist or a Bounty Hunter yet.
(http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k35/JMaxwell_02/Picture061.jpg)
I thought I would go down an alternate route with my techpriests, integrating animalistic attributes into their design. This one is going to be centaur-like, and a guardian I am working on will have backward-jointed legs and mechanical wings.
Quote from: Totenkopf on February 04, 2010, 04:44:41 PM
I love playing across multiple stories, and larger tables, and with 54mm there are simply too many restrictions with regard to the size of table you can find, as well as the height of the terrain.
I'm curious - how big a table would you want? A 6x4 table seems plenty big enough to me given the fact that you're not likely to have more than ten models running around it - I've played more than one game on a table that size where characters have found themselves stuck out on a limb unable to affect how the game plays out.
QuoteQuite aside from that, it is also so much easier to find players for a group.
Is it? Obviously I know plenty of 54mm players so have never looked for people playing at 28mm, but are there that many out there? I occasionally pop into my local GW, and when they hear I play
Inquisitor they mention that there are a few other players who come into the store occasionally, but I've never heard mention of any who play at 28mm. Even on the internet I've seen far more people playing at 54mm than 28mm - is that just because 28mm players don't tend to participate as much on forums? The various incarnations of Inquisimunda seem fairly popular on various forums, but 'proper' 28mm Inquisitor doesn't seem to be...
I like the sound of the centaur Tech-Priest - I look forwards to seeing how he turns out.
I see that someone else likes the Sentinel Pilot torso.
(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f330/ratbag23/Tech%20Gang/techgang2.jpg)
I am looking forward to seeing a Centaur techpriest.
QuoteI'm curious - how big a table would you want? A 6x4 table seems plenty big enough to me given the fact that you're not likely to have more than ten models running around it - I've played more than one game on a table that size where characters have found themselves stuck out on a limb unable to affect how the game plays out.
If you like fast and furious shooty-bangs, great!
QuoteEven on the internet I've seen far more people playing at 54mm than 28mm - is that just because 28mm players don't tend to participate as much on forums?
Nope, it's because not many people play it, and less are willing to invest into more models. I wouldn't mind giving it a go, and have seen a number of models and concepts I would like to try, but being stuck out in the middle of nowhere I have enough trouble finding people to play against.
There is no need to be so defensive of 54mm, I'm not against it!
QuoteI see that someone else likes the Sentinel Pilot torso.
lol, well spotted ;)
I really like these - centaur Magos sounds brilliant, and I really like the serrated shovel. German soldier's number one hand weapon on the Western Front... I'd make the helmeted guy a Hypaspist, because as a bounty hunter he might be a bit too... Boba Fett.
Quote from: Totenkopf on February 04, 2010, 08:24:17 PM
If you like fast and furious shooty-bangs, great!
The thing is though, a lot of 54mm games on a 6'x4' start with a fairly slow period where neither side can see the other, never mind attack or interact with the other. Often, one character will end up 'stuck' like this for a large portion of the game. I'd have thought that using a larger board would just expand this period to the detriment of the game. I'm obviously missing something that you see as an advantage but I wouldn't describe any of the games I've played on a table that size as 'fast and furious shooty-bangs'.
QuoteNope, it's because not many people play it, and less are willing to invest into more models. I wouldn't mind giving it a go, and have seen a number of models and concepts I would like to try, but being stuck out in the middle of nowhere I have enough trouble finding people to play against.
There is no need to be so defensive of 54mm, I'm not against it!
I wasn't being particularly defensive - I was genuinely wondering where all the Inq28 players are. I've come across a lot of people who say they're going to start
Inquisitor at 28mm, but as far as I can tell only a fraction of those people actually get around to playing the game - or if they do play, they either give up fairly soon or don't talk much about it once they start.
Quote from: Kaled on February 04, 2010, 10:28:48 PM
I wasn't being particularly defensive - I was genuinely wondering where all the Inq28 players are. I've come across a lot of people who say they're going to start Inquisitor at 28mm, but as far as I can tell only a fraction of those people actually get around to playing the game - or if they do play, they either give up fairly soon or don't talk much about it once they start.
Go me, then!
Totenkopf, I'm a fan of your Mechanicus menials! They're nice models, and I think they could work well with your Skitarii army if you want. I'm currently toying with the Machine Cult and what role the Adeptus Mechanicus will have on Nova Castille, so it's nice to see a different take. I'm curious to see what you get up to in this log!
Quote from: Kaled on February 04, 2010, 10:28:48 PMI'm obviously missing something that you see as an advantage but I wouldn't describe any of the games I've played on a table that size as 'fast and furious shooty-bangs'.
Games can get pretty close-in at times - but I'd call it more of a result of scenario design rather than model scale.
If the scenario calls for players to be fighting it out for possession of item X, you can expect things to get quite hectic around the objective, but that would be expected at either scale. Other objectives can result in very different results - but the same thing will happen, pretty independent of scale.
The only thing you're likely to see at a smaller scale is models stranded half way across the table, rather than much reduction in the flurry of action around an objective.
Quote from: Totenkopf Nope, it's because not many people play it, and less are willing to invest into more models.
You might be surprised. I got my main group together by taking half a dozen or so Inquisitor models around one of their houses and running a game for them.
They were already GW gamers of the right kind of mindset I admit, but it took very little time for them to decide they wanted their own models! People might not be willing to invest if you're asking them to buy the models before they've really tried the game, but you do it the other way around...
Actually, that reminds me - I still need to descend on the local GW to run/play some games and try to dig up more players.
Not trying to be funny guys, but this is supposed to be a blog of my work and not a debate about the superiority of 54mm over 28mm.
Quote from: Totenkopf on February 05, 2010, 06:47:13 PM
Not trying to be funny guys, but this is supposed to be a blog of my work and not a debate about the superiority of 54mm over 28mm.
Fair.
The models look absolutely great. Really nice concepts and selection of parts, not your generic 28mm fare here.
looking forwards to seeing the centaur magos finished and some paint on these guys.
Adam
The models look great, I especially love the menials. Not to thrust us back into a 54 v 28 discussion, but they're a great example of what can be done quickly and effectively given the wider availability of parts at 28mm. The conversation may have devolved in large part because your models show how anyone can spice up a 28mm scale game with minimal effort (that is not to say that minimal effort went into the menials, you obviously took care to greenstuff them and build unique weapons, but they're inspiring pieces in that you can imagine churning out models like that which are simple while highly evocative of the 40K feel). You could easily populate a board with non-combatants and make for a very rewarding and unique gaming experience. Calling those menials non-combatants may be a stretch though, I bet they wield a mean shovel.
Anyway, hope I didn't get too lost in the weeds there, but I'm looking forward to seeing the centaur magos develop and it's great to see characters like the menials popping up that ooze 40K. They really add a lot to the game.
Well, I have decided to split this into two projects, with an explorator and a dark mechanicus warband.
So I will be using these as the menials for the Explorator:
(http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k35/JMaxwell_02/Picture062.jpg)
(http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k35/JMaxwell_02/Picture064.jpg)
And these for the Dark Mechanicus menials:
(http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k35/JMaxwell_02/Picture063.jpg)
It might just be me, but that looks more penal orange than admech red.
Really nice work though.
Well, I guess the lot of a menial isn't a happy one - they could even be actual convicts. Loving the dark mechanicus menials - good mutated sub-species look going on. And their masters wonder why they start worshiping chaos.
QuoteIt might just be me, but that looks more penal orange than admech red.
In all the old 70s movies and the like, if you were a bottom of the genepool indentured work class, you wore a dirty orange boiler suit. I always envisaged menials doing the same ;D
QuoteLoving the dark mechanicus menials - good mutated sub-species look going on. And their masters wonder why they start worshiping chaos.
Thanks! They were actually easier to make than the other menials, I'm curious to see what they look like with paint. Maybe I will make their tatty rags the same orange as the boiler suits :-\ (unsure)
I like the look of the menials in orange, and I think that your Dark Mechanicus menials wearing the same jumpsuits works well. It allows you to use your evil retinue as a "dark reflection" of your good retinue! It'll be nice to see some of the intrigues in the Mechanicus.
It also hints at possibilities that the Dark and Imperial factions are not so far apart, perhaps even taking menials from the same populations...
where are the heads from... I think I have seen them before just cant recall where
Good old Pig Iron.
R.
Well, I knocked this up to go with the menials scheme:
(http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k35/JMaxwell_02/Picture068.jpg)
(http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k35/JMaxwell_02/Picture069.jpg)
(http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k35/JMaxwell_02/Picture070.jpg)
And here is that centaur tech-priest/sagittarius
(http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k35/JMaxwell_02/Picture073.jpg)
(http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k35/JMaxwell_02/Picture075.jpg)
(http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k35/JMaxwell_02/Picture076.jpg)
(http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k35/JMaxwell_02/Picture079.jpg)
I would like to give him some kind of heavy weapon attachment, but am not sure how to do so... Anyone have any ideas? Maybe a lance like lascannon thingy :/
Those aside, here is a pic of the guardian.
(http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k35/JMaxwell_02/Picture066.jpg)
I am just waiting on parts to come back into stock, then I can finish off the arms.
A question to those who know more about 54mm parts, can you still get the imperial guardsman parts set? I mean the one with the extra heads, weapon swaps etc.
Those are some amazing minis, a true testament to what is possible with some care. I'm excited to see where you go with that guardian.
Also, not sure about the lance heavy weapon on the centaur. It looks great but very front loaded at the moment. You could put some sort of rig on the hind-quarters to balance it out. Perhaps some kind of tank. I'm envisioning a set up that looks like it's delivering fluids to his living parts. Either way, an imaginative piece.
I think the centaur dosn't need a lascannon, it looks very nice right now, classically blanchian 40k. A Lascannon would be both on of the flaws of 28mm Inquisitor, being very powerful in game, and I can't see any real reason for the mechanicus adept to have one.
Some Mechandrites coming from his sleeve instead of the other arm.... Now that would be cool.
How about some sort of axe?
Or... A familiar. A Haemoncolyte, sitting on his back, connected through his arm, by tubing...
This is what Inq28 should be all about. That sagittarius is just wonderful. Now, I recognize the horse body, but could you remind me where it's from?
R.
Prolly Gorkamorka.
QuoteI think the centaur dosn't need a lascannon, it looks very nice right now, classically blanchian 40k. A Lascannon would be both on of the flaws of 28mm Inquisitor, being very powerful in game, and I can't see any real reason for the mechanicus adept to have one.
A sagittarius is a four legged heavy support platform (equine in appearance) for the Skitarii legions. They are meant to carry heavy weapons on the front line, combining rapid movement with a solid punch. I could make him a sagittari tribune, but that would only make him of any use in concert with other sagittari to allow for concentrated and more accurate fire.
QuoteNow, I recognize the horse body, but could you remind me where it's from?
It is from a Cryx Soulhunter. I saw the model and thought 'that is the part I need' ;D
for the centaurs other arm may i suggest a shock sword, looks wise something like a long gladius in place of his forearm. rules wise reach 3 sword with the shock ability.
not as powerful as a power weapon or lascannon but enough to hit hard in close combat if needed. some small mechadendrites(sp?) coming out of his chest like nid flesh hooks would look good as well.
to balance out the front heavy model some sort of baggage on the horse parts might be good. possibly some sort of viral code emitter might provide something interesting for games.