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

Home Gaming

Sometimes work and social life conspire to stop me from making it to either of my two supposedly regular gaming night's (my local GW and my local club). However to mitigate that, and to fulfil most gamers ideal environment I've purchased a GW gaming table.

Having a table at home means that games can be organised on the fly against anyone that has an army and can get to my house. No more waiting for the next games night.

The board also means you can arrange regular matches easier, such as evert second Tuesday for a campaign night to add an extra dimension to your games.

I already have 2 trestle tables for the gaming board to go on, and terrain to cover most of it. I just need to put together that City Fight terrain box set I boughts years ago :) What I like best about the GW board is that it is better looking than the flat green mat.  The stone and rocky outcrops, plus the in-built hills can be assembled in a number of configurations by switching boards around and can add to the tactical play.

Althought the GW option is very expensive, starting out at £175 unpainted, plus the cost of paint and flock on top of that, it really does look the business, and if you look at the cost over the years of use I think it's worth it. However I would still say getting one of two armies up to a decent size would come first (until then a green mat or playing down the local club/GW would suffice), and I wouldn't consider the gaming board if I didn't already have 3 40k armies and another with all the models bought to get it up to a decent size.

In this current climate it's always worth looking around. Rather than buying my board new and then spending the significant time, energy and further expense to decorate it, I was able to pick my board (pictured) from eBay for £141 (incl postage).

Has anyone gone for any of the GW or other manufacturers gaming boards, and what did you think of them ?

Rathstar

Razorwing Jetfighter Loadout

Hi,

While browsing the Dark City forum I came across a question on the best Razorwing loadout.  After writing an answer including my thoughts on why I'd picked each piece of wargear I'd thought I'd repost it here to see if it could be of use to others and spark some discussion on people's experiences with the Razorwing:

Forum Aswer:

Unless you have loads of anti tank I think the best load out is:

2 Dark Lances
Twin-linked Splinter Rifles
4 Monoscythe Missiles
Flickerfield

My reasoning being:

Lances: You've already given up the slot that is normally filled by a ravager that is on the board turn one, so unless you list is filled with anti tank I'd take the lances.  However 6th edition has given us an improved way to kill vehicles in the form of haywire grenades.  If you have multiple wych squads and multiple trueborn sqyads with haywire you may feel that you can sacrifice the lances for disintegrators (I still wouldn't recommend the splinter cannon upgrade, as I'll explain next).

[Another good point Serin (see comments) raises is that if going after infantry the AP2 of the disintegrators does not mesh well with the missiles preferred target, so AP2 firepower is better left to dedicated units, eg. raiders with disintegratirs, trueborn with blasters etc.]

Splinter Rifles over Cannon:  In 5th edition I would have considered the splinter cannon, particularly if complimented by disintegrators, however zooming flyers can only fire 4 weapons a turn, and can only fire 2 missile a turn.  Therefore if you come on turn 2 you will probably fire the 2 wing mounted weapons and 2 missiles.  If you don't zoom off the board you will probably fire the same weapons again turn 3.  Therefore the earliest that you will fire the splinter cannon is turn 4, however that is unlikely, as you will probably have lost a turn either by not turning up till turn 3 or zooming off the board for a turn.  I think it's likely that you won't fire the splinter cannon till turn 5.  I just don't think the splinter cannon is worth it for how often it will be fired in addition to the wing mounted weapons.  The splinter cannon may be fired earlier, eg. a weapon gets blown off by damage, or you are firing at a target that it would be better than one of the wing mounted weapons, but how often this will happen does not warrarent spending the points when they could be spent better elsewhere.

Monoscythe Missiles:  These cost nothing extra while the tempting shatterfield missiles cost 10 pts each.  Ignoring other upgrades consider a razorwing upgraded with 4 shatterfield missiles is 185 pts, while a Void Raven with 4 shatterfield missiles is also 185 pts.  There is the issue that we don't have a Void Raven model, but I would advise against upgrading the missiles as 10 pts per shot is too much for the small increase in efficiency.  Not to mention the Ap5 of the monoscythe means it's better against a number of non-MEQ targets.  If you have 20 pts spare I can see adding two shatterfield missiles, but once a Void Raven model is available I would never use shatterfields on razorwings - if you can afford the 20 pts to have 2 shatterfield missiles on a razorwing you can probably find 20 more points to have a Void Raven with 4 shatterfield missiles.

[Correction (thanks Serin): A razorwing only pays 5 pts to upgrade the missiles, however I'd advise taking more than 2 as the monoscythe is better against a number of foes due to it's AP5.  With 6th edition there is a case that the str7 is better against vehicles, but unless opponents surround their vehicles with infantry you are wasting alot of anti infantry firepower for a small chance of an extra hull point damage]

Flickerfield:  A nice cheap upgrade that will allow the razorwing to take a 5+ save against hits without diving, and having significantly reduced shooting efficiency the following turn.

As with most DE units keeping it cheap (155 pts or the basic 145 pts if you forgo the flickerfield) is the best way forward.  Well that's my opinion, but everyone's opinion is formed by their own experiences, so let me know what you've found to work.

Rathstar

PS. A link to the original forum post is here, and if you collect Dark Eldar and if you do not visit The Dark City forum I would highly recommend it.

Harlequin Conversion & Artwork I Came Across

Hi,

I mentioned in my previous post that I was thinking of adding some Eldar to my Dark Eldar army, and that I wanted to model these additions as Harlequins.

Browsing the internet for inspirations, and different checkered designed that I thought I'd have a chance of painting without it looking horrible I came accross this wonderful converted Harlequin avatar (from 4 years ago).  There's even a forum post by the painter showing how he converted the model here. Click on the picture to see a larger version.

[Source: Alabaster from Tau On-line]

I also came across this picture of a shadowseer that I want to use as a basis for my Shadowseer (counts as Farseer) conversion.  I think I'll use 2 phatasm grenade launchers as the pipes on his back.

[Source: Wolf Den Games 40k Art Gallery]

Colour scheme wise I'm not fully decided, but I am leaning towards a black undercoat start, with light purple (as in the converted harlequin avatar above) and bleached bone as a contrast colours, on shoulder pads, and small checkered areas.

Hopefully the new units will stand out as different, while still blending into the army with the dark colour scheme, and the shared purple colour.

Trying to find some cheap war walkers from ebay, but I may just have to bite the bullet and get come from GW.  Painting wise I have to finish off the blast bits of my Dark Eldar (Razorwing Flocks, Blasterborn & the Baron) to make way for these Eldar.

Are allies making into your painting table ?  What do you use for inspiration for colour schemes and conversions ?

Rathstar