Big is Beautiful!

With the release of Games Workshop's new Ogre Army Models I decided to take the plunge and build a new army. Few would disagree that the ogres needed a new book and it's one of the few book releases that I was looking forward to getting. Big is beautiful in this new book and the models are true 'eye candy'.


First thing that I noticed is the change in skin colour. Ogres were always known for their khaki skin colour which has changed to a dwarf skin colour. A change I whole heartedly agree with but different none the less. Magic has been brought into line with other magical lores in that they have a signiature spell and six others. The lore attribute allows the slaughtermaster/butcher to heal himself with the occasional mishap causing more damage.

This photo is slightly blurred but does indicate the scale of some of the new ogre models. Shown here is the new 'Thundertusk' next to a Bretonnian Knight. (I Know who my money would be on!)

During the past week since my purchase I've made up some plastic bases, removed and smoothed mould line and under coated a major portion of the army. I have only completed three 'Iron Guts' and made a slaughtermaster/butcher from a standard ogre and some bits. As I intend to keep and play this army for years I am in no rush to get these guys done.

While still a core choice the ironguts are among the hardest hitting units in the game. They have a strength 4 stat line with +2 for great weapons wounding most troops on a 2 up. With three attacks each that makes the eye watering for enemy troops. The main downfall is a relatively low armour save for the cost. Heavy armour with 43 points each irongut, ouch. The dragonhide banner is worth a mention for this unit allowing you to re role 1's on hits, wounds, armour saves and ward saves. You can also use a breadth weapon from it, all for 50 points- bargain!

I used vallejo red ink for the blood because the gloss allows it to look fresh.

These slaughtermaster/butchers are known for their insatiable appetite so a rack of ribs seemed appropriate. 

The constant up and down of the slaughtermaster/butcher's wounds I've represented using spears in the foot. Oh yes that is a full size shield on his shoulder blade!

There will be more to come from ogres in the next few weeks - I think I'm in love ;)

Imperial Guard Project - Commissar Yarrick

I've spent a few days painting up some Imperial Guard that I've had stored away for close to twelve months now. The intention is to sell this starter army, around 1000 points on ebay.


The HQ for this army is Commissar Yarrick.


The miniature is metal rather than the new finecast version. I was keen to paint the miniature in the exact colour scheme for this character but was surprised to see different versions of him even on the official GW site. I decided in the end to use the colour scheme on the front of the Finecast Box as it will be the standard for the next few years.

Commissars are not really the kind of people that you would want to spend any time with. Their main function is to keep the men in their charge in line, executing both commanders and lower ranks should they show 'cowardice'. In the Imperial Guard such cowardice would include the reluctance to throw your life away on hopeless causes. While Yarrick would not hesitate to take such action his leadership inspires his men making such instances rare.

His reputation was enhanced when he single handedly fought an Ork Warboss who severed Yarrick's arm off with a power claw. Yarrick fought on decapitating the Warboss' and crying out the battle charge before allowing himself to pass out. This led the orks to believe that he could not be kill and that he could kill with a mere glance.To encourage this reputation Yarrick had the very power claw he had lost his arm to be fitted in replacement, and later when he lost an eye, to have a laser fitted in the socket so that he could actual kill using his orks.

I've based Yarrick on a plain sand base to match the rest of the battle force.

The line on the cap was very frustrating. Despite taking the usual precautions the line keep reappearing. More noticeable in the photo than in real life.

Close up of the claw. In the Ork style rather than the usual Imperium power fists.

Most of the detail on the model is on the breast plate and cap.