The New Activation Cards

Here I am introducing how the new activation cards for Gruntz work.

They are available on the Wargames Vault as a print on demand product. They print and ship the cards once ordered. They are in the mini-board game format which makes them handy for the smaller scale 15mm wargame.

Video from the Vallhala

Valhalla in Farnborough was a great show for Gruntz.  It was busy enough for us to get a few games in but not overcrowded like a Salute where at the end of the day I am ragged and have lost my voice!

So I certainly hope to attend again next year.

This is a video of the Gruntz game layout which we played through at the show.  Thanks to those that took the time to participate in a game. As usual the shielded Spider Droids were great fun to play and I also had some fun using the Protolene models from Critical Mass Games.




Here is a Star Wars terrain layout for the X-Wing board game.  This was another game played as a participation like Gruntz at the Valhalla show.  They have built a great little layout,  made various resin pieces to represent the Death Star with a trench system.  It certainly adds some atmosphere to the X-wing game.

6mm Progress on GHQ 6mm

I have been continuing to build a 6mm force with my friend Jonathan Rogers.  Jonathan is building a set of Brigade Pacfed Grav tanks, whilst I am using various modern models from GHQ.

I now realise how lucky Jonathan is with his grav based army because I have started work on the tracks. These take a lot of time and so far I have only completed half a dozen models with a black base coat.  After completing the tracks on about 30 miniatures I will be able to finish off some further weathering, streaking and scratches to the paint work.

You can see in the photo below that the addition of the black base coat to the tracks has already greatly increased the sweetness factor of the models. A nice contrast that I don't want to completely lose when I dry brush metal and weather the tracks.

My advice and plan for future 6mm tracked models would be to paint the tracks before basing.  I usually always base during the early prep process, adding detail, gravel etc and gluing the model down. In fact the metal base means that I can use magnets on stands to help paint and airbrush the model which you can see in the video below, which is a strong reason to base early. However now I reach the track painting stage it is very difficult to get a brush in onto the track, especially where the tracks are resting into the sand base.  I do complete the painting on the bases last though and static grass is added after the dull coat.  In these models the bases are still not finished and will only be painted in desert colours after the rest of the paintwork and weathering is complete.

I am sure it is going to work out well but will take me more time than expected.

In this video below you can see the APC's and vehicles with wheels are aslo improved when the wheels are painted.  I now wish my entire force had wheels because it would be quicker than painting all the tracks!

In this miniature painting tutorial guide video, you can see these models in progress and at the stage where I dry brushed the hulls to bring out the small 6mm details.

Rottenlead 5 Vlog Update

Latest Rottenlead episode5 video is uploaded.

In this episode: http://www.youtube.com/user/trybeinganihilist?feature=mhee#p/u/0/v6PMNwOJwYs

Updated progress on GZG Prawn Mecha
Quick look at the finished GZG NAC Specialist unit (Another video of the full painting process to follow soon).
New Pre-release items on show from Critical Mass Games (15mm SCI-FI)
Saving money by converting Games Workshop Chaos Hounds to Flesh Hounds with green stuff.
Showing off my new HPC airbrush.
A look at the Tamiya Weathering powders and a quick look at using them on a vehicle.

Tonight we are recording another episode and will be starting a "How to build a Gruntz' army in 15mm.

Very rough main camera on this weeks episode because we were experimenting by using the HD camera on the miniatures rather than on our faces.

15mm New Products

In this news update I feature myself on camera, which is both disturbing and bloody difficult to film naturally! 20 takes later and I was able to say "Kaamados Dominion - Dragamaa Heavy". It is another un-boxing overview video with a mix of Critical Mass Games models and Khurasan.

The featured new item is the Chewk Drill Tank which I have filmed in its unpainted state. Along with a couple of the little Chewks, which are nice tiny aliens.

I also picture the Kerr and King bases which are perfect for small artillery or vehicle bases, if you want a urban or rural look.