Dark Eldar WIP Voidraven - Part One

Hi,

I said previously (here) that I was going to convert a Voidraven from a razorwing with an extra hull I ordered from a bits site (I used Horde of Bitz who were great; loads of stock and only 7 days for bits to arrive from US to UK).

Now converting a Voidraven from a razorwing is nothing new, so a quick google search came up with a couple of good tutorials (click on the titles to go to the original sources):

A Dakka Dakka Tutorial by AzureDeath

A Dark City Tutorial by Gobsmakked

The main choices were whether to use a venom cockpit as the furthest back cockpit or use two razorwing cockpits, and whether to use use the existing razorwing fins on the wings or whether to use large ones made from plastic card.  Because this is my first such conversion and because I think it looks fine I'm taking the easier option of use two razorwing cockpits and keeping the existing tail fins.

Recently I also saw a nice conversion making the voidraven have 4 wings (a bit like an x-wing).  The conversion I saw used falcon wings (see the pic below from  Magc8Ball on Dakka Dakka), however rather than chopping up an entire falcon/wave serpent I could use the who razorwing fin sections I would have spare.  I will decide for sure once I get the rest of the voidraven done.

Looking at the razorwing hulls I was concerned how I would attach the extra engine and wing fin, given that the model was not solid between the engines:

My hope is that once the wing extension if assembled I can put a pin in both the engine thruster rear section and the engine front section.  By pinning in the same place on both sides it  should have the double effect of making the join stronger and making sure both wing extension are at the same angle.

Firstly I purchased a small saw. One of my local gaming/hobby stores had a nice looking Gale Force Nine saw which worked fine.  As with all pinning, sawing or converting I started the sawing slowly to make sure the line was accurate before accelerating to get the cut done.

In the case of the razorwing I advise tilting the saw upwards at the front once the line is made, so that the back is cut through first.  This is because the line between the engines extends forwards into the front of the hull that you don't want to scratch with the saw.  As always being careful and patient will reduce the chance of ruining your nice model.

Below is a pic of the top hull cut:

Next followed doing the same to the bottom half of the hull.  Putting the top and bottom half of the wing extension showed there wasn't that much contact area to hold it onto the main hull, especially when you think the area of contact made not be even.  This is where my idea of pinning the engine front, and back thruster will help strengthen the join:

That's all for now (6 week old daughter doesn't give me much modelling time). Next up is assembling the rest of the wing extension (engine front, rear thruster, weapon mount) and the main razorwing hull which will require the same type of cutting.

A quick Part Two post will follow during the next week, and include my choice of modelling putty..

Rathstar

A Razorwing and a Box of Bits...

Hi,

The Starsmash tournament has been and gone. My view of how 6th edition is changing the tournament scene is much improved (further explaination and how I got on at Starsmash will follow in a later post).  For now I will say that while some things worked, such using haywire grenades to allow me to reduce my dark lances for more anti infantry worked up to a point, my list and tactics need more work.

First things first, and for my Dark Eldar that is anti air. There is really only two options, take more aircraft myself and take a defence line or bastion with an emplaced gun. So I have options my next modelling project is to build both.

While the Razorwing is a great anti infantry tool with 4 missiles, and in many of my games it was the MVP, I believe it's time to bring out it's big brother; the Voidraven. Better armour, higher strength lances, a void mine for the turn you fly off the board, while still being able to take missiles.  I could just take the Voidraven without missiles keeping the same cost as the Razorwing, but I'm going to add 2 Shatterfield missiles.

Converting a Voidraven from a Razorwing is nothing new, and both the Dark City and Dakka Dakka forums have good guides. I will be attempting the 4 engine variety, englaged tail fin, and extended nose incorporating a jetbike canopy. WIP pics will follow as I progress.

My fragile troops could do with some more cover as they advance up the field (no point having loads of haywire grenades if you can never make it accross the field), especially now that vehicle explosions are so lethal (in 5th a pentrating hit that destroyed a raider/venom would sometimes do nothing but force a pinning test, and otherwise only give a str3 hit, now a lascannon needs a 4+ on the pen chart to not only blow the vehicle up, same as before, but now puts a str4 hit on all the squisy occupants).  Therefore my second little addition will be a defense line with a quad gun. My quad gun will be an anti grav platform made from a hellion skyboard with 4 lances, finished off with reaver jetbike blades on the base.

I have about 5 or 6 weeks before my next tournament, which is also a more relaxed tournament, perfect for trying out new stuff. I hoping to both the Voidraven and Quad gun assembled reasonably quickly so I can get some playtesting games with them.

Have you had experiences with the Voidraven ? What's the best set-up ? What problems have you seen Dark Eldar have in the transition to 6th edition, and what's the best way forward ?

Rathstar

5 Hours to First 6th Edition Tournament Game [DE]

Hi,

Well I've got my Baron conversion and 4 Razorwing flocks painted as far as I'm going to get them before the tournament. Lots more to do on the Baron, but the flocks just need a litle work on their bases (a drybrush and static grass added).

I've only had 3 1500+ pts games of 6th edition, and I've had very mixed results.  I got slaughtered by Fateweaver daemons using flamers, screamers and even a landing pad.  I mainly learned that screamer and flamers are nasty with the new WD rules update.  If you haven't played against against daemons make sure you read up on screamers, I knew their rules and still found them extremely nasty.

My next game was against semi drop pod space wolves, and my Dark Eldar slaughtered their bread and butter oppoents (marines of any variety, apart from gun line).  Although my opponent only had 3 drop pods, 2 dreads & a razorback as vehicles it showed me that I was right to put haywire grenades on my trueborn and wyches.  Also moving up from 3 to 4 troops at 1500 pts was much better.

My last game was against Guard, going second, playing sideways, and facing 3 vendettas.  I put up a good fight but got slaughtered :(

My conclusions so far is that my list has only gone through a slight tweak for 6th edition (mainly adding in haywire grenades, and lowering the conventional anti tank to add in the baron to join the beastmasters).  Given that my list performs well against 5th edition type lists, but struggles against Flyers and Flying Monstrous Creatures.  I think DE also took a hit in the vehicle vs vehicle fight.  At first you think DE vehicles are no worse off because it was very unlikely a DE vehicle would take 2/3 hits without dying, however it's harder for the DE to suppress vehicles and if their more shooting at DE vehicles then the die even quicker, plus exploding causes a str 4 hits on the occupants, meaning wyches want to charge turn 2 rather than risk staying on their transport any longer.

Later I may consider trying out a Void Raven Bomber, as I've seen some great conversions on the web, and I've got an 1800 point 1-day tournament coming up in 2 months.

Anyway must dash to try and get some sleep, however I can hear my 4 week old daughter sturring, so I may not get any sleep :(

For giggles, the list I'm using is below

Rathstar

Starsmash Tournament List (1499 pts)

Baron - 105

Haemonculus with Shattershard - 65

3 Trueborn with 3 Blasters & Haywire Grenades - 87
Venom with 2 Splinter Cannons - 65

3 Trueborn with 3 Blasters & Haywire Grenades - 87
Venom with 2 Splinter Cannons - 65

9 Wracks - 90
Raider with Disintegrator Cannon - 60

8 Wyches with Haywire Grenades - 96
Raider with Disintegrator Cannon - 60

5 Wyches with Haywire Grenades - 60
Venom with 2 Splinter Cannons - 65

3 Wracks - 30
Venom with 2 Splinter Cannons - 65

3 Beastmasters - 144
accompanied by 4 Krymerae & 4 Razorwing flocks

Ravager with 3 Dark Lances - 105

Ravager with 3 Dark Lances - 105

Razorwing Jetfighter - 145
with 2 Dark Lances & 4 Monoscythe Missiles

40k Rulebook FAQ, with some rule changes rather than FAQ !!

GW has finally released an FAQ for the 6th edition rulebook.

What I love about the GW FAQs is that sometimes they just rewrite the rules rather than answering an FAQ.

In this case I like it wound allocation abuse through Look Out Sir has been toned down. Now Look Our Sir wounds are transfered to the nearest model to the character rather than anyone within 6".

Another nice change is that units of paladins, nob (bikers), wolf guard are not characters anymore. An odd one is that swooping flying monstrous creatures now gain skyfire - that came out if left field !

Now I'm wondering if GW just let the community be their playtesters for a couple of months. However if that's the case it means GW actually listened to their player base. That would be a nice scenario, and if true I would like it to continue.

Got to go and paint my converted Baron and 4 Razorwing Flocks for a tournament next week.

Rathstar