Heresy & Heroes

Mortifactors Vanguard Veteran Squad

Hammer of Wrathing (‘wrathing’ should totally be a word!) onto a tabletop near you soon, a host of bronze blades and burning jump packs, the Mortifactors Vanguard Veterans are done and ready to be deployed.

This has been one of those long slog projects that has kind of taken it out of me a bit. I pushed myself to create something I was really proud of but that meant a lot of little details, a fair bit of freehand, lots of layers and a fair few days when I just couldn’t face painting them. In those sort of projects, you have to keep your eyes on the prize and remind yourself that it’ll all be worth it in the end. And it was. I’m really proud of these guys and I can honestly say that they’re probably the best looking unit I ever painted.

Land noisily, and carry a big stick.

The kit is a joy to work with. So many options and any sergeants I do in the future will have very shiny-looking weapons because I have sooo many left over. Claws, hammers, swords – both chain and power. There’s also some cool bits and pieces/finishing touches too, and an axe that looks very fancy pants so might end up on a more important model. It maybe wold have been nice if they’d thrown in an extra jump pack or some backpacks to give you the options in that area but I totally get why they didn’t so that’s not a serious criticism. That kit gets top marks from me. Stunning stuff.

Freddy Kruger? Nowhere.

Although the most daunting part of the painting process (along with the long slog involved in getting the bone painted up) was the freehand on some of the shoulders. It’s not a quick process and it’s very easy to get wrong, so I’m proud that I didn’t screw up. I also think I nailed the Crux Terminatus on every single one of them and that’s a great score. Regarding that bone, that didn’t look at its delicate best on these. I was a bit too cocky with it this time and maybe didn’t give it the care it deserves so some of these cracks look a little ‘unnatural’. Happily the rest of the models’ looks make up for that. Oh, and I’m not too chuffed with my edging on the jump packs, so I might have a little clean up of that later on.

Walk twenty paces, turn and fire. Or stab each other – the swords look long enough.

To further separate the Vets from normal marines, you’ll note the gold ‘mohawk’ up there on their heads. It works quite well as it makes them shiny and special and is a long way from the simple black head adornment of the guys in my tactical squad. That, and the sheer amount of bronze (something else I really think I nailed on each one of these guys) should keep them distinct but still in tune with the overall theme.

Tactically, if I’m smart, use a bit of cover and their speed, these guys should really be able to mess up most troop units with the sheer weight of AP3 attacks they can dish out. I’m really looking forward to landing them in a clutch of fire warriors and watching them rip them to pieces (if I can get them that far – so many guns!!).

And that’s about that. Time for me to get working on the next part of this expanding army. Maybe another part of the 1st Company…? Not sure yet. But, as ever, keep following this blog and you’ll know about it first. And for all the guys in the G+ 40k community and the ‘Eavy Metal group on Facebook, thank you for your encouraging words during this part of the Mortifactors project. Not trying to make this sound like an awards speech (primarily because I’ve not won anything – if I ever do, you can be assured there’ll be plenty of gushing) but your support and encouragement has been really helpful, much appreciated and often quite essential. Ta muchly!

Onwards!!