Alpha Legion: Models 4 - Details

"Modeling" with regard to miniatures encompasses the building, modification, and detailing of miniatures, and it is a key part of building an army for me. Modeling is how I attempt to convey details (or mystery) about the forces I use and the character of those forces. Modeling is how you make your army stand out from others. 

An early source of modeling inspiration for me were two White Dwarf articles: one about Dave Taylor's Adeptus Mechanicus army (back in 3rd edition, before there was such a thing, or models for them) and one about his Adeptus Custodes army (also back in 3rd edition, before there was such a thing or models for them). The creativity that went into kitbashing each model to not only represent the unit it was actually using rules for but making the units look different and feel right for the rest of the army still inspires me. Pictures below, and a link to Dave's blog.

Adeptus Mechanicus tank (I believe this counted as a Leman Russ).

Custodes (I believe these counted as Grey Knights at the time).

Alpha Legion: Rules X.1 - Deathwatch

Special rules post! The Deathwatch (DW) now have their own codex, and as mentioned in previous posts, they do feel like the right embodiment of the specialists I am searching for. Their troops are veterans, and everyone gets special ammunition, which now applies to more (and better) weapons! I'll go through the parts of the rules that I have covered for Space Marines and Chaos Marines already so that by the next rules installment, the Deathwatch will be caught up and I can add them to the rotation. As a reminder, I am looking at these from the perspective of creating a gun line list, though the DW do have some decent melee potential as well.

Alpha Legion: Rules 4 - Warlord Trait

The idea of singling out one model as the leader of my band of ruthless infiltrators, saboteurs, and assassins makes me slightly uncomfortable. They are supposed to be faceless and nameless, acting as a single unit, with no ability to break the line of command. In 8th edition however, as in editions before it, one model must be nominated to be the warlord since there are objectives opponents can score for such things. Plus, they get extra abilities, so a warlord I will choose.

Alpha Legion: Background 4 - The Conceit of Trojha

Have you heard of the Bellus Trojhus? It is a conflict from a time of far off antiquity, but I believe we are the result of our sire’s inspiration upon hearing the tale of the Equus Trojhus that occurred during that time. The invading Greikans had laid siege against the walls of Trojha, the last fortified city in an otherwise conquered territory. The city was eventually taken when the Greikans found an outcast Trojhan willing to betray his people and told the Griekans how to bring about the fall of Trojha. A large wooden horse was left outside the gates of the city along with a willing Greikan sacrifice. The sacrifice told the Trojhans that he had in actuality escaped death as an offering, and the horse was left as a gift and concession of superiority. The Trojhans took the horse and sacrifice into the city to win favor with their gods, despite warnings from their priests that this sacrifice and the horse were a ruse. In the middle of the night, the Greikan soldiers that had hidden inside the hollow wooden statue killed the sentries and opened the gates of the city from the inside, allowing the rest of the Greikans to burn and pillage the city…

Alpha Legion: Models 3 - Magnets

Modeling can be a somewhat vague term when it comes to miniatures, but part of it for me is the consideration and implementation of practical miniature building techniques, especially when dealing with a game like Warhammer 40k. There are loads of weapons options and wargear options that even basic models can choose from. While at most tournaments the army list must remain static, of course, for casual games and for the sake of not having to buy new models each time I try using a different weapon or wargear option, I have magnetized nearly all of my Alpha Legion models so far. 

Alpha Legion: Painting 3 - Weapon Details

Due to an unfortunate miscalculation, the blend of blues, greens, and metallics I mixed for the base color of my models has dried out. Fortunately I think I have found a suitable replacement. In the meantime, though, I have been finishing up the models that were already painted, and starting on the Destroyers (Devastators) using the Necron Tesla carbines. So, on to weapons details.

Alpha Legion: Background 3 - We Are All One

+++ ACCESS: XX Legion Splinter Database
+++ //: CLEARANCE REQUIREMENT: STYX
+++ <CREDENTIALS ENTERED> - Welcome Alpharius...
+++ File: Harrow 553 // Report: Effrit Cell 1221-Rho-Gamma-Nu-Rho-Kappa
+++ Date: 071.M33
+++ XX Legion analyist [AO-957]
+++ Threat analysis report

Recent information gathered by XX Legion operatives has identified a threat that may lurk within our very own ranks: Effrit Cell 1221-Rho-Gamma-Nu-Rho-Kappa.

The history and origin of Cell 1221 consists , unsurprisingly, as a collection of conflicting reports, accounts, and apocrypha. Some records place the origin of Cell 1221 as early as 830.M30, others as late as 981.M30. Legend within the XX Legion itself posits the latest founding date, 015.M31, claiming Cell 1221 to be a collection of the Primarchs' little-known bodyguards oathed to vengeance upon Guilliman and the XIII Legion after the events on Eskrador. One rumor, told as a source of humor among XX Legionnaires, is that the leader of Cell 1221 is a third, completely unknown triplet of the Twins, or in another variation really, truly is Alpharius. Thanks to the XX Legion talent for deception and misdirection, members of the Inquisition who investigate these rumors, dropped casually by XX Legionnaires to human operatives, often become terminally insane attempting to determine if there is any truth to these rumors and if that truth is even worth knowing.