+ inload: Updating models +

+ inload: Profugon Iratus gets a refit +

+ 'Done is better than perfect' is a phrase I trot out every so often – hackneyed or not, I think there's a lot of truth in getting models completed rather than hemming and hawwing about the last touches. Doing your best is definitely admirable, but not if it's getting in the way of a sense of satisfaction in a job well done. This is particularly apposite for miniatures in acrylics, as the medium's perfect to come back and update to update, tweak, improve or fix. +

+ Profugon Iratus back in the workshop +

And that's exactly what I've done here, replacing an old conversion with a 3D printed part. I was in two minds about the conversion – a combination of a Warlord head top with the bottom of a 40-scale Knight:

The new part is a 3D print of a classic Reaver head that GW have clearly lost the STC for. With a new Reaver kit now out, complete with a new plastic head, I was hoping to see their take on the classic long-snouted look, but – alas – it's another minor variant on the existing ones.

Fortunately the community have come to the rescue, with a series of beautiful variants that have been variously available from Cults3D, Battle Bling and currently, Vanguard Miniatures [+noosphericinloadlink embedded+]. This particular version, with the wonderfully over-the-top chainsaw face close combat attachment, is called the 'Champion'.

I've been painting this up while waiting for washes to dry on my Tempestus Maniple – I find the relief of actually completing something really helps when you're stuck into a long slog.

The scheme is that of the Vigilants (Legio Maximal) the pet Legio of the Maximal Fire team. The Titan was painted up as support for my Salamanders at one of their events, which detailed the battle for Nabed-Paleae, their Legio homeworld. I thought it would be a shame for there to be no Titans from the Legio involved, so wanted to paint one up for theme. 

The white and orange scheme with black banners denotes he's (probably) a Loyalist – the Traitor contingent has orange and black armour, with white banners.

Once dry, I simply popped off the old head and glued the new one in place:

... and he's all ready to walk in the service of the Emperor. Little updates like this can make all the difference. While I was pleased with the paintjob on the original, since these conversion bits have become available, I've been tempted to replace my conversion with one. The conversion was my version of the original – but I think the 3D sculpt beats mine into a cocked hat.

+++

Here are some more glamour shots of the finished model. The variant armour is by the multi-talented (and very nice chap) @argo_jasonm, who you can – and should! – follow on Instagram.

+ inload: Legio Tempestus maniple update +

 + Storm warning +

+ A quiet ol' August has seen me beavering away on projects aside from the hobby desk, but I have been sneaking an hour or two here or there to crack on with my Adeptus Titanicus Stormlords (Legio Tempestus) project – so time for an update. +

+++

+ Building and painting +

The last bits and bobs for the foreseeable arrived over the weekend, including this bog-standard Reaver head for Scythian. With a teetering, twisted pile of Titanicus bits and bobs, I was sure I'd have the default head somewhere, but 'twas not to be. Normally I'd have just used another style or pinched one from another Titan to repaint, but turns out I hadn't magnetised any in this style, and it needs to match the 40k-scale one.

You'll notice – hopefully – that the head has received some paint, too. I've been playing about with some various blues, and have landed on a blue that leans ever so slightly green – primarily to distinguish it from my Ultramarines and give it a slightly sinister air. Compare the (painted) blue on the head and missile launcher with the sprayed basecoat on the carapace and shoulder pads.

The palette I'm using is Prussian blue hue from Golden, Prussian Blue from Vallejo Model Color (and you can see why looking at the paint colour, rather than the name on the label is key), and Citadel's Hoeth blue, which I think is a reference to an elf city, but sounds rather like something throwing up.

That all works up to give this effect, which I'm pleased with. The chequers are a mix of Army Painter cold white with a hint of Prussian blue hue and Citadel Rhinox hide. This takes off the brightness and stops them looking too stark. I like the way the chequers fade in slightly to the surface in the shadows – one of my little bugbears is individually highlighted and shaded chequers, which always makes me think of a quilt.

This colour forms the base for the scheme, and I'll be working back to pick out some off-white and off-black panels on each Titan to look a bit more 'Storm Lordsy'.

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+ Urtica Morifolia +

This Warhound is acting as a tester for the scheme, and seems to be working well. The trim is all Runelord brass, my go-to metallic of the moment. It'll be shaded and highlighted up to a silver eventually.

This chap is pretty much ready for the next stage – transfers, varnish and oils. I'm going to get all of them to this stage, which is game-ready (the even is in three weekends time, and I'm going to be busy), and make an assessment on whether I can get the properly polished off in time.

The nameplate (from Battlebuilder, if you fancy one of your own – use the code MournStarfall for 10% off) was sprayed gold (from Colour Forge), then drybrushed a lighter gold before being washed with Seraphim sepia. Once dry, I painted the panel black (well, actually a very dark mix of Prussian blue hue and burnt sienna), then picked out the name in a yellow ochre (Iyanden Darksun, maybe?) before adding white to highlight the top and bottom parts of the words.

Finding a balance for the stripes and chequers is fun – but I do need to make sure I leave space for transfers, too. Lots to bear in mind, which makes Titans require a bit more planning and forethought than my usual approach. 

+++

+ Beachhead 2027 +

... and in related news, I was able to secure a ticket to the Beachhead event run by Maximal Fire. I last went to this in 2025 – you can read more through this noospheric inloadlink [+noosphericinloadlink embedded+] and searching for my Iron Skulls (Legio Metalica) maniple.

Suffice to say that I had a great time, and since serendipity is smiling down and I'll have a new maniple to take along, I couldn't resist taking down the blues. I'll be writing more about plans and preparations on the Warhounds 2 Warmasters noospheric note [+noosphericexloadlink embedded+], as they're running a Road to Beachhead series of articles, so keep an eye out there.

You'll probably get substantially more useful tactical info from the other contributors, but I hope you enjoy!

+++

In the meantime, here are some more WIP shots of my Maniple:

+ inload: Stormlords (Legio Tempestus) Maniple +

+ A Right Handful +

+ The heart of a Reaver Titan is its plasma reactor. Daubed in Martian mud and consecrated with plasma-fire, its first firing – ignitio initialis – is a moment of great tension. Fierce local animals are sacrificed and given as burnt offerings: the greater the predator, then greater the chance of placating the Machine God and investing the God-Engine with a powerful and suitable anima machina, or 'Machine Spirit'. +

+ Such rituals are few and far between, and often end in failure, the plasma reactor running unsteadily for a time before puttering out, or failing to kindle at all. While disappointing, this is not necessarily a cause of dismay for the techpriesthood. A worthy Machine Spirit, the theory goes, will naturally demand more time and effort to coax into occupying a potential God-Engine – and better a slower, more puissant result than a meek or petty Machine Spirit haunting the Engine. +

+ The Reaver Titan dubbed Faultfinder was notable for requiring seven rituals before its plasma heart kindled. Even prior to the Horus Heresy it was known for its arrogant, uncooperative nature – and only the promise of hunting its equals seemed to bring out its more effective qualities...

+++

+ Painting Tempestus +

Ticking along, ticking along...

Last night I worked up the blue and white panels on this Reaver. Originally built as a support Titan for the Legio Sumer-Nikator, I glued the guns onto this Reaver rather than magnetising them). My thinking was that he would only ever be used alongside a load of other Reavers, and would encourage me to try some fun, less 'competitive' armaments.

The actual result? He sat on a shelf in the garage, gathering dust while more flexible magnetised hulls skipped the queue. 

+++

His time, it seems, has come. I'm still in two minds as to whether to free one or both arms to magnetise them, or lean into the pig-headed decision I made and build that into this Reaver's story. The lesson? Theme and background can come from funny places.

The colour is built up from Vallejo Model Color Prussian blue through Macragge blue, Teclis blue and Hoeth blue. It's come out a little chalkier than I would have liked, but hopefully a glaze or two will smooth things out.

I also need to play around with the arrangement of blue and white panels, but figured I'd get everything layered down so I have a clean surface to work on. Chequered and white panels will be added to break up the swathe of blue; I have some transfers on their way to help with this.

The warp missile is a placeholder; the current list has an apocalypse missile launcher in its place – but since I'm painting blue, I thought I may as well use the opportunity to paint some weapons that have languished almost as long as this particular hull.

Always worth paying attention to do your best work on the back – after all, that's what you'll be seeing most of the time you're playing!

+++

+ The naming of Titans +

I've been working up some names for the maniple. As exloaded previously, I really enjoy naming, so it was fun to muse over things for a few days and let things come to mind. They can percolate and you almost inevitably end up bringing in some quite unrelated ideas.

Warlord: Tabella Defixionis

Warbringer Nemesis: Son of Sarum

Reaver: Scythian

Reaver: Faultfinder

Warhound: Urtica Morifolia 

+++

+ We interrupt this inload for a commercial break +

And if you're naming titans and want to have some nameplates of your own, remember that the lovely team at Battle Builder can sort you out. They're now doing both physical prints that they post out, and also STLs if you'd prefer to print them yourself.

... and if you're feeling generous, using this affiliate link will help support both the +Death of a Rubricist+ and Some Things Are Best Left Forgotten blogs by having some pennies from your order come over here.

    https://www.battlebuilder.net/?ref=SomeThingsAreBestLeftForgotten

You can use my discount code, 'MournStarfall' for 10% off, too.

[/END {shameless ad-break}=TRUE]

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+++

+ Big and bigger +

Work also progresses with the big version of Scythian, too.

+ inload: Painting Legio Tempestus Stormlords +

+ Storm brewing +

+ [inloadfeedVAL={plans for a Legio Tempestus maniple, and some painting colour theory}//] +

+++

The PCRC are off to Warhammer World! In a few weeks! And I've decided to paint up a new Titanicus maniple!

...which means, after the initial excitement fades, I need to get planning and painting – gulp! 

+++

+ Theoretical: so why a new Maniple? +

Not that I ever need an excuse to paint more giant robots, but this Tempestus project has been bubbling away at the back of my mentat-unit for a while. In building the 40k-scale Scythian [+noosphericinloadlink embedded+], I've felt that my approach to painting might benefit from a little more planning and experimentation, and what better place to try things out than on a mini version of the Titan? 

Secondly, it'll help dig into the backlog of poor unpainted God-Engines spoiling for war; and thirdly it'll give me some Traitors to face off against my Metalica Titans [+noosphericinloadlink embedded+] for classic 'red vs blue' games – ideal for anyone who wants to try out the game.

+++

+ A change is as good as a rest +

With that in mind, I want this maniple to have a notably different approach to the Metalica one. That was a Fortis maniple: heavy Titans that benefit from sticking together. This Tempestus maniple will be led by the models that are ready to paint, and I'll then work outwards from there to give the maniple an identity.

Because I tend to prefer simple, robust and reliable approaches, at the moment I'm considering either an Axiom or Precept maniple. Both have minor benefits to Command Rolls and/or Orders, which is easy to keep track of. Both also include a variety of Titan types for interest. 

With a fringe benefit of being easy for new players to understand (in case they're used for teaching games), I hope this maniple will also let me play around with some weapon loadouts based purely on 'rule of cool'. My Metalica Titans were an homage to the 90s studio ones featured in various battle reports, and so the weapon choices were dictated by the originals. Here I can just have fun with stuff that's dubiously effective, but awesome and leaning into the fun of Adeptus Titanicus.

With a Warlord, Warbringer Nemesis, Reaver and Warhound to play around with, this is a great opportunity to try fielding more of the newer weapons that weren't around in the initial release. I've had great fun with the graviton guns on my Metalica Engines, and think it'll be fun to try some newer stuff.

+++

+ Practical: Painting the Stormlords of Legio Tempestus +

The first on the blocks are a Warhound, Urtica Morifolia, and a Reaver, Faultfinder. These are testbeds for the Legio Tempestus scheme I'll be using on their bigger-scale brother, Scythian (time allowing there'll be a mini-me Scythian included in this group).

These were already primed black with the metals picked out, and I've established the blue with Prussian blue (I'm using Golden fluid acrylics for this basecoat).

'Proper' Prussian blue is a rich, deep inky blue that – unfortunately – doesn't show up very well on screen. It has the pigment code PB27, and has slightly greenish undertones. It's used in oils and watercolours where it's intensity, transparency and richness makes it great for glazing. 

In acrylics, however, it's usually use a hue (that is, a combination of other pigments that closely match the inspiration) made from phthalocyanine blue, because the pigment doesn't play well with the binder. That's the case with this Golden acrylics version, which uses: PBk9, PB15:0, and PV23 in combination. 

What does this mean? Well, all paints contain impurities – that's why mixing lots of colours together tends to result in mud. If you use paints that start with lots of pigments, there's more going on and it's harder to get clean, vibrant mixes as certain pigments start to overpower others or combine in unexpected ways. That's not normally a problem for everyday painting – particularly if you want a grimy, earthy feel – but I'd quite to to try getting a nice intense blue.

I'd usually add yellow to highlight Prussian blue in oils or watercolours because of its greenish undertone, but because the Golden acrylics version is a hue that contains a violet pigment (PV23), I think adding green will make things murky. 

Adding white will make it chalky and lose the transparency. The combination of pigments in the Golden acrylic Prussian blue means it's semi-transparent, rather than transparent... which means that it's not quite so good for glazing. This combination of things gives us a dilemma!

Fortunately, the nature of acrylics means that we can layer things cleanly, and that's the approach I'm experimenting with here. I'll leave the Prussian blue as a vivid underlayer and build up the blue gradually with 

Faultfinder here has Citadel's Macragge blue layered over the Prussian blue. Annoyingly, Citadel – like most miniature painting ranges – don't publish their pigment codes, so we're forced to rely on our eye. I think that Macragge blue is based on cobalt blue, which is a neutral (neither red-leaning and warm nor yellow-leaning and cool) blue. That means I can add pretty much any lighter-toned colour to tint it without muddying things. White is the safest option, but that will reduce its saturation, making it more of a pastel.

You can see in the pict-capture below the effect of one layer of thinned Macragge blue on the top part of the the rear panel (top left of the picture), and the untouched underlying Prussian blue on the lower part. It's a bit blotchy at the moment, so it'll need another layer or two of highlighting to get a smooth finish.

Once that's done, the plan is to go back over the whole area with glazes of Prussian blue to enrich the colour, knock back the chalkiness and bind the area together.

I can then varnish the area and apply any transfers, before re-varnishing and applying oils for weathering. 

+ Gaming +

Sharing the picture of a Warhound with a turbolaser and inferno gun raised some eyebrows from Omricon, but as these are magnetised, I'll be able to play around. At the moment I'm thinking pairing shield-stripping Swarmer Missiles with a Graviton Destructor would make Urtica Morifolia a versatile hunter. 

Both have a high long range (38in and 40in), meaning the Warhound can hang back to support the other Titans or dart in opportunistically. At closer range, the Swarmer has a negative modifier, but if it's getting that close the plan will be to push forward under the targets' shields and use the graviton to make things awkward. Crucially, neither weapon is draining, meaning the notoriously short Warhound reactor track can used for movement and shields.

I will probably pair Urtica with Faultfinder on the field, as the two Volcano cannon build is probably going to struggle to defend itself!

+ inload: Painting a Stormlords Reaver Titan +

+ The steady march of progress +

+ In which we look at the travails and ooportunities of painting the Scythian. +

It's a Reaver – or the beginnings of one, at least. Painting something this big (it's a 40k-scale Titan) has been fun so far. Building and painting in parts is proving a sensible idea, and the first big subassembly that I'm tackling is the legs. 

+++

To begin, I primed the whole superstructure with the ever-reliable Hyrax Brown from Colourforge (matched to Rhinox Hide from Citadel), then worked over that with Siege Armour, which matches Runelord Brass. The underlayer of Hyrax Brown was to ensure a consistent colour base and work deep into the recesses, while the Siege Armour was applied with a slight zenithal emphasis – that is, I did prime lightly over the whole thing, but more lightly from underneath.

I've never used Runelord Brass, but the resulting colour is a warm metallic – more rose gold than brass to my eye. It's a lovely colour that looks slightly disconcertingly like chocolate!

Why not silver? Well, that was to keep me honest when painting the legs. The mechanical 'skeleton' of the Reaver involves lots of pistons and detail, and it would be very easy to just gloss over the differences and paint it all silver with a quick wash. I thought that would be undeserving of the model, and so worked over it with a selection of metallics: silvers, brasses and bronzes, to pick out detail. 

The basecoat provided guidance on where I had added something and where I hadn't – and pushed me to make decisions on how I was treating various parts. In the end, the rose gold finish is only really evident on the trim of the armour.

Speaking of which, here's a shot of the back, where you can see the trim on the lower legs, particularly  noticeable on the Imperial Eagle:

The other armour will be getting sprayed blue, both for consistency and for a smooth initial basecoat, but as the toes are so integral to the leg superstructure that I've had to get stuck in with a brush. This proved quite a meditative process, as while there's a huge area to cover, the details are thick and clear, making brushwork simple. It's more time-consuming than an AT-scale one, but much more pleasant!

I used a Prussian blue acrylic to lay down a strong base. This colour is very powerful and deep, and will provide a good base for the eventual lighter blue colour of Legio Tempestus:

I'll need to start making some decisions on which plates to spray blue, and which to spray a different colour – as you can see from the plate above, the near-black Prussian blue will work as a base, but I'll need to up the tone considerably.

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All the while I'm painting this, I'm acutely aware that I need to balance a desire for this part to look good... with the fact that a great deal of it will be completely covered up!

This pict-capture from the front shows the armour plates loosely in place. The backs of these have been primed Hyrax brown, and the fronts let unprimed for now, while I work out which will be mainly blue, and which can be primed another colour.

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