The Dead Rats Walking
- Thread starter Azahul
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interesting idea, but i think i have more than enough zombies for the moment (80 at the moment, and another 40 being assembled), and i dont really see the ghouls lugging a bell around. however, i am currently assembling some skaven cultists, which will count as spear-armed skeletons, from some plague monks. if i need more, i might consider that.
and thanks for the replies guys. the skaven necromancer wasn't a huge conversion, a head swap and pretty much nothing else, but im very pleased at how it turned out.
and thanks for the replies guys. the skaven necromancer wasn't a huge conversion, a head swap and pretty much nothing else, but im very pleased at how it turned out.
ok, the entire unit of Stormvermin/Grave Guard has been converted, i just need to undercoat and paint them now.
also, i played my first games with them yesterday. a 1500pt match (i lost by a massacre) and a 1250pt match (minor victory in my favour) against high elves. they were only used in the first match, where they mostly got slaughtered after flanking a unit of swordmasters and losing about 3 of their number before they got to strike, and then being flanked themselves by a unit of spearmen. my general died shortly after and what was left of them, and the army, crumbled to dust. however, in both games i was incredibly pleased with my black bells performance. it managed to absorb a staggering number of power dice from my opponent in the first game, though virtually none from me, and succeeded in getting every single bonus from the evocation of death in the second game (flying ethereal black coach with scythed wheels, killing blow, hatred and MR3 = :grin: ). it survived both games (only survivor from the first game) and was the only thing to succeed in inflicting any casualties in the first game, while in the second game it managed to destroy almost all of my opponents army single handed (though i had to sacrifice virtually everything, including my general, to position my opponents corectly. who says vampire counts need their general to survive to pull off a win?
)
also, i played my first games with them yesterday. a 1500pt match (i lost by a massacre) and a 1250pt match (minor victory in my favour) against high elves. they were only used in the first match, where they mostly got slaughtered after flanking a unit of swordmasters and losing about 3 of their number before they got to strike, and then being flanked themselves by a unit of spearmen. my general died shortly after and what was left of them, and the army, crumbled to dust. however, in both games i was incredibly pleased with my black bells performance. it managed to absorb a staggering number of power dice from my opponent in the first game, though virtually none from me, and succeeded in getting every single bonus from the evocation of death in the second game (flying ethereal black coach with scythed wheels, killing blow, hatred and MR3 = :grin: ). it survived both games (only survivor from the first game) and was the only thing to succeed in inflicting any casualties in the first game, while in the second game it managed to destroy almost all of my opponents army single handed (though i had to sacrifice virtually everything, including my general, to position my opponents corectly. who says vampire counts need their general to survive to pull off a win?
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Well I have to say a very different outlook about losing than I would have imagined. I do like the skaven changes once again! The heads just fit so perfectly on our models. Never would have thought it. Keep fighting those battles. It will keep being hard for a while before you finally get the hang of them.
By the way, my first tournament I had 5 games. Only one of the matches, at the end, I had more than 3 models on the board. Two of the matches were called by the fourth turn. That's why I say just keep going. You'll get good after a while
By the way, my first tournament I had 5 games. Only one of the matches, at the end, I had more than 3 models on the board. Two of the matches were called by the fourth turn. That's why I say just keep going. You'll get good after a while
We need more pics Azahul. As for those games, well being your first it is expected not to do that well, however it sounds like you had loads of fun, which is the main thing lol. You'll start winning the more you play.
they were my first :| *counts back* actually, i think it was my 8th match :grin: but comments appreciated. ive made a few changes to my army list, mostly dropping the magic banner on the grave guard in order to replace the nightshroud on the assassin vampire with the bands of black gold. i tried this out during the 1500pt game and the assassin performed far better than normal (in general, when facing a shooting army, i get too scared to move him out from behind any intervening terrain in case he could get shot. with the 3+ ward save against shooting he survived a repeater bolt thrower firing at him from about 3" away, and took out one of the crew members of the bolt thrower, a nearby mage and drew combat with a unit of archers. unfortunately, they had a musician and he crumbled from CR 
). the second game was interesting, with the swordmasters fleeing from the vampire (terror :grin
, then being charged by a unit of zombies, forcing them to flee again, this time through the lion guard, which panicked and fled themselves. both units managed to rally the next turn, but by that point they were virtually back in exactly the same spot they'd been at the start of the game
anyway, im going to try and get in a few more games today. i'll post about how i went when i get back
). the second game was interesting, with the swordmasters fleeing from the vampire (terror :grin, then being charged by a unit of zombies, forcing them to flee again, this time through the lion guard, which panicked and fled themselves. both units managed to rally the next turn, but by that point they were virtually back in exactly the same spot they'd been at the start of the gameanyway, im going to try and get in a few more games today. i'll post about how i went when i get back
played another game earlier today, against the same high elf army at 1500pts. he used basically the same army, just switching lores on his mages, while i made a bit of a change myself, instead of using a scouting, terror causing vampire i kept the talisman of the lycni, but instead gave the vampire forbidden lore and 2 power stones. using the lore of light, i managed to get the vampire into position on the second turn, where he proceeded to use both power stones to bombard the high elves with searing flares (i think its called), killing a mage, 2 swordmasters, 2 archers, and 2 spearmen... not the best rolling ive ever done, but it got a pesky mage out of the way. the vampire then wiped out the bolt thrower crew and the archer regiment, making it probably the single most successful unit in that game. the black coach, in contrast to previous performances, barely did a thing, becoming ethereal in turn 1, which was nice, but then failing to do anything in the entire game except kill 3 white lions. my vampire general and his ghoul retinue managed to kill the swordmasters, on the second flank charge (first time the swordmasters got away, then they rallied, then i managed to get a second flank charge, and ran them down). the game ended in a draw, with only the black bell (on one wound, i kept making just enough 4+ ward saves to keep it alive, before healing it up several wounds, which it would then lose in the following combat phase, but never managing to lose that last wound in that way it kept the white lions tied up in place for the last 2 turns of the game), my vampire general and his ghouls and my necromancer left on my side of the field. my opponent had his white lions, spearmen and a single mage left alive. a fun game, though i was probably far too cautious with my movement. for the first 3 turns my infantry units were shuffling forward at about 3" a turn, before i realized i wasn't getting anywhere and moved a zombie unit into my opponents charge range. unfortunately, though that baited both his units into a perfect position for me to wipe them out, an appalling run of luck, and me forgetting to danse my ghouls into the swordmasters flank the first time i had a chance, meant that i lost combat and then proceeded to lose my grave guard (a second game with them doing nothing but dying) when the swordmasters charged them the following turn still, it was a good game, though a few memory lapses on my part cost me quite a few of my units (note to self, remember that book of arkhan!)
in that way it kept the white lions tied up in place for the last 2 turns of the game), my vampire general and his ghouls and my necromancer left on my side of the field. my opponent had his white lions, spearmen and a single mage left alive. a fun game, though i was probably far too cautious with my movement. for the first 3 turns my infantry units were shuffling forward at about 3" a turn, before i realized i wasn't getting anywhere and moved a zombie unit into my opponents charge range. unfortunately, though that baited both his units into a perfect position for me to wipe them out, an appalling run of luck, and me forgetting to danse my ghouls into the swordmasters flank the first time i had a chance, meant that i lost combat and then proceeded to lose my grave guard (a second game with them doing nothing but dying) when the swordmasters charged them the following turn still, it was a good game, though a few memory lapses on my part cost me quite a few of my units (note to self, remember that book of arkhan!)Well, in the (long) period since I last posted, I've been relatively busy (ie. more busy than I was before the absent period). The Dead Rats Walking have hit the 2250pt mark, with the inclusion of the models below. I also came 6th in a 2250pt tournament a few months back, not bad considering the massive risk I took when selecting some of the units for my army. In any case, for your enjoyment are the following units. Apologies as always for the poor quality paint jobs, although I have improved since I started the army. The main problem is that most of the following units were painted up only a day or two prior to the aforementioned tournament, so I wasn't able to spend as much time on them as I may have hoped. Anyway, hope you all like 'em:
Ghouls
Since the army at the current time originates from the Hell Pit, the Ghouls represent an assortment of failed experiments by the moulders, much like the previous ghouls although these, to my mind, fit the role more easily. There's only about one possible way to rank them, due to squeezing Orc bodies onto 20mm bases. A lot of people say they prefer the previous rat-ghouls, which I found surprising since I put a fair bit more effort into these guys (well, aside from the painting).
Wraiths
Obviously, just unconverted plague censer bearers (and one slightly converted Plague Monk) painted grey
Vampire
Slightly redone, I've basically just tidied up the scythe conversion
Grave Guard
The paint job made them look a little too 'alive' for my tastes, although I think the wounds came out wonderfully.
And last, but most certainly not least, the leader of the army
Rask and the Rat-Dragon
This model is the largest conversion I've done to date, although I regret the lack of time that forced me to rush the job somewhat. Essentially, the Morghur model was used because a) I love the model and b) it's pretty much what I imagine a skaven vampire gone bestial (in the same manner as the current human vampires) would look like. The Rat-Dragon is a colossal creature dredged up from the depths of the Hell Pit, reanimated to serve Rask as his mount. Using some Dire Wolf ribs I managed to give the effect of a chunk being ripped out of its side. Personally, I'm quite proud of the conversion frankly though, the result could have been ten times as stunning if someone half-decent at converting/painting had done it :lol:
At the moment, the only models I have left are about 60 skaven I'm sure I'll turn into zombies eventually. I don't particularly feel a pressing need to expand on this army, although I suppose replacing the dragon with more infantry might be a good idea at a later date.
Anyway, what do you all think?
Ghouls
Since the army at the current time originates from the Hell Pit, the Ghouls represent an assortment of failed experiments by the moulders, much like the previous ghouls although these, to my mind, fit the role more easily. There's only about one possible way to rank them, due to squeezing Orc bodies onto 20mm bases. A lot of people say they prefer the previous rat-ghouls, which I found surprising since I put a fair bit more effort into these guys (well, aside from the painting).
Wraiths
Obviously, just unconverted plague censer bearers (and one slightly converted Plague Monk) painted grey
Vampire
Slightly redone, I've basically just tidied up the scythe conversion
Grave Guard
The paint job made them look a little too 'alive' for my tastes, although I think the wounds came out wonderfully.
And last, but most certainly not least, the leader of the army
Rask and the Rat-Dragon
This model is the largest conversion I've done to date, although I regret the lack of time that forced me to rush the job somewhat. Essentially, the Morghur model was used because a) I love the model and b) it's pretty much what I imagine a skaven vampire gone bestial (in the same manner as the current human vampires) would look like. The Rat-Dragon is a colossal creature dredged up from the depths of the Hell Pit, reanimated to serve Rask as his mount. Using some Dire Wolf ribs I managed to give the effect of a chunk being ripped out of its side. Personally, I'm quite proud of the conversion
frankly though, the result could have been ten times as stunning if someone half-decent at converting/painting had done it :lol: At the moment, the only models I have left are about 60 skaven I'm sure I'll turn into zombies eventually. I don't particularly feel a pressing need to expand on this army, although I suppose replacing the dragon with more infantry might be a good idea at a later date.
Anyway, what do you all think?
I like your models as well as the theme you've got running with them. For their painting, might I suggest that you give the GW washes a go? They really are an easy yet effective way to bring out some definition on your models. Not saying that what you've got now isn't good enough, they certainly are, but a wash or two would likely improve the more intricate areas. Then again I am somewhat of a wash-head. :lol:
That is one cool dragon as well. You've even given it the ears of a rat!
That is one cool dragon as well. You've even given it the ears of a rat!
I know. The ears were the suggestion of the first guy to play against the dragon, after I'd just finished the greenstuffing and undercoat but before I actually got around to painting. I think they took me something like an hour to do 'cos I kept screwing up.
As for the washes, most of those models have used them at certain points
mostly the fur and skin.
Thanks for the comments though
As for the washes, most of those models have used them at certain points
mostly the fur and skin.Thanks for the comments though
Rat dragon... I love it XD.
When you have time you'll have to make another version of it that you don't rush.
When you have time you'll have to make another version of it that you don't rush.
I intend to, but that model cost me a fair bit, so it may take a while. The next additions to the army will likely be more soldiers and another vampire or two, as I'd like the option to run an army without the massive 'hit me' sign that is the dragon although, actually, I'm yet to have it suffer more than 2-3 wounds from shooting, after which it usually makes its way into combat and butchers everything it can touch.
although, actually, I'm yet to have it suffer more than 2-3 wounds from shooting, after which it usually makes its way into combat and butchers everything it can touch.
I thought I smelled a rat! Where have you been? We need Rask back in the TVC - don't make me drag you back over there!
I love your rat dragon. The ears made me laugh a lot - very nice conversion. The rest of your army looks ok as well, but I would suggest giving some of the a brown wash, and nothing else. If you leave it as it is, some more detail should be picked out quite easily.
I love your rat dragon. The ears made me laugh a lot - very nice conversion. The rest of your army looks ok as well, but I would suggest giving some of the a brown wash, and nothing else. If you leave it as it is, some more detail should be picked out quite easily.
I've been fairly busy lately, but I have a lot of free time coming up, so I suppose I'll be able to join the TVC again would you mind dropping me a pm or something covering what's happened since I left? I said I have time... but not that much time
And I could've sworn I used brown washes on just about everything :lol: why does no one seem to believe me?
would you mind dropping me a pm or something covering what's happened since I left? I said I have time... but not that much time And I could've sworn I used brown washes on just about everything :lol: why does no one seem to believe me?
If you just check the summary it has recently been updated, so most of the info you should need would be in there. Also now would be a really good time as its not long until the "Carstein Plot"