This is the last of the Valhallan Imperial Guard. Again this is a generic squad with no upgrades or support or heavy weapon upgrades.

Although this one is available on on Netflix I have always like the flexibility of having the DVD’s to use on multiple devices that may not have pay TV options. With the complete series going cheaply I decide to buy it.

I have deliberately not watched it so the couch is likely to get a hammering over the next few weeks as I work through the five seasons.

One of the critics said “Z Nation has everything you want in a zombie show: stiff, shambling creatures who growl and stare with lifeless eyes. Unfortunately, these are the cast members playing survivors.”

I agree the acting has a lot to be desired but after watching three episodes it has the quirkiness and action that i am after in this type of movie.

As far as Zombie titles go, Z Nation was a remarkable hit. The show did well enough to make it five seasons, morphing from something that straddled the line between campy fun and a character study with surprising depth.

“Z Nation begins three years into a zombie apocalypse caused by a virus that has already killed most humans. In the days just before society fell apart, Murphy was one of three inmates at Portsmouth Naval Prison in Kittery, Maine, who were unwilling participants in a government-approved experiment. Each inmate was given a different test vaccine. Murphy was the only one to survive the vaccine injection. He is the only known survivor of a zombie bite who did not turn into a zombie, and his blood contains antibodies that are humankind’s last and best hope for a vaccine. However, he seems to be mutating into some form of hybrid between zombie and human—his skin is shedding and his body turning blue, and he seems to be able to control and even mesmerize certain types of zombies that he encounters; yet he has not turned into a full zombie and still maintains control of himself. The series revolves around his travels with a small group of survivors being led through the apocalypse by Simon “Citizen Z” Cruller, who watches the world from his multiple computers. The group is looking to use him to solve the zombie pandemic.” (Wikepedia)

The group must transport Murphy from New York to the world’s last known functioning Centers for Disease Control research lab in California. However, Murphy harbors a dark secret about his condition that threatens them all.

I have liked what I have seen so far and can suggest if you haven’t seen it already watch it on Netflix.

Warlord Games have a Project Z out on pre-order that is worth a peek if you are interested in the genre. It seems to have nothing in common with the series other than the 26th letter of the Roman alphabet! There are some great models if you just want to pick and choose.

From my viewpoint I think I have enough zombies but………………………………..

Hey there is always room for more, right!!!!

Infantry squads make up the bulk of the Valhalla Ice Warriors force. They are versatile and can be equipped to deal with any task.

Each squad is led by a Sergeant that can have upgraded weapons.

This squad has only the very basic equipment but for game purposes I can add weapons of the command squads and heavy weapon squads if desired.

I have one more similar squad to finish off the Valhallans I have. I would like to purchase a few of the figures that I am missing but we will have to see what is still out there.

These Savage Orcs have been around for eons and it is great to finally have them finished! The plan is to use them with Dan Mersey’s “Strongsword” set of rules.

Savage Orc Boar Boyz are those mobs of Savage Orcs whom have taken into the battlefield ontop of mighty War Boars, fulfilling the role as lightly-armoured shock cavalry for many Greenskin armies.

Unlike other Boar Boyz whom have to tame their mounts before riding them, the Savage Orcs takes an entirely different approach in riding their mounts into battle. Instead of traditionally breaking a Boar as a mount before combat, the Savage Orcs prefer instead to stalk and ambush a wild boar and headbutt the beast into submission. Once captured, many Savage Orcs adorn their malodorous mounts with good lucky charms, use dyes to mark out tribal symbols upon their fur’s, or push bones through the creatures lips, ears and nose.

All of this simply makes the already enraged swine even angrier when it wakes up. When not sought for battle, these Boars are left free to roam and forage upon the Savage Orcs tribal territory. It is for this reason why Savage Orc camps are often surrounded by free-ranging boars, who hung around simply to feast upon the piles of food that their Savage Orc caretakers often leave behind or have thrown away.

When battle looms over the horizon, these Savage Boar Boyz once more subdue their mounts and direct them into combat. See WFB Fandom

I posted on this purchase only two weeks ago and they arrived today. I am very impressed with the quality of the 3D prints, and the size of the models. They are great quality and value and I cannot recommend them highly enough. I have provided some 28mm figures for a size comparison.

The peasant figures are superb quality but like all resin models I expect them to be a bit fragile.

I picked these up sometime last century at a bring and buy but for some reason had never got around to completing them.

I am glad that they are finally finished and can now adorn the shelves to look “pretty” and be admired! Not sure how they play now or even if they will fit in with my Imperial Guard figures anymore, but I really don’t care as I just love the miniatures.

Another Test of Honour game this Friday saw us fighting again over the rugged hills of Japan. This time Steve and I decided to try some of the “different” factions with their variety of different weapons and rules.

Small temple and surrounding quarters (1)

Small temple and surrounding quarters (2)

Small temple and surrounding quarters (3)

Small temple and surrounding quarters (4)

Scenario:

Bandits had heard that the temple was full of “treasure” and decide to “liberate” them. The temple monks had been warned that bandits were moving towards their temple and were returning from their field at the time of the bandits arrival. Each player placed two objective counters (with objective points on their underneath) within six inches of the table centre and no closer than six inches from each other. Suitable model treasure chest were then placed on the objective marker to aid with aesthetics.

The game:

The monks move to protect the closest treasure chests.

Much to my chagrin I tested to secure the chest with a test of wits only to find that whilst the monks could shoot and fight really well they were as dim-witted as the proverbial dogs s@#t and continually failed. In the end I had to send in the Abbot to secure the chests.

The bandits secure one lot of chests and move on to the others.

On the right a lone monk tries to secure a chest and again fails. Seems they are truly not interested in worldly goods! In the centre a monk sergeant moves forward to engage some bandits.

Meanwhile on the other flank a group of monks died valiantly at the hands of the bandit leader in a vain attempt to protect the treasure. I have purchased some Eureka Miniatures wounded samurai to replace these Dark Age casualties but am yet to paint them.

They will look great but am afraid it will be some time before they decorate the table.

The Sohei Superior Saburo and his sergeant move to engage the bandits in front of the temple.

Despite carrying some treasure chests (no impediment) the bandit leader deals with two of the monk archers is quick time.

The bandit leader is quickly becoming MVP

The other monk archers finally secure the treasure chests and turn to shoot at the bandit leader.

The monk archers are as good as a samurai at shooting but were an abysmal failure for most of the game!

The sergeant quickly deals with a bandit “bruiser” and “liberates” the treasure he was carrying.

Normally Samurai are more than a match for a group of warriors but not today! The Sohei Superior Saburo goes down fighting but still goes down!

The Sohei monk sergeant reeks revenge taking down the bandits that cut down the Sohei Superior Saburo. This caused a test on all bandits with six inches. They all failed and scattered one move away from their fallen comrades.

A bandit musketman is finally on target and cuts down a monk with naginata.

The Sohei monk Sergeant surrounded by treasure takes on the bandit leader.

Attacked in the rear by a group of bandits the sergeant is finally cut down defending the temple treasure to his last gasp.

The result was very close with the bandits winning with 37 VP’s to the monks 11!

A really great game full of character with the faction specific rules contributing to the fun. The game highlights were the bandit leaders efforts and the warrior monks armed with a yumis (bow) complete lack of ability to hit anything!

Had us in stitches of laughter. The more Steve and I play this system the more we enjoy it.

This one is a bit late, but for me is important as it helps me keep tabs on how my painting and posting is going.

Someone posted recently discussing if more regular posting increases readership. You can see from above that in March I started trying to post every day. Mainly because I personally find long posts hard to read, but also because I have been painting a lot in lock down and wanted to share this with the broader gaming community. You can see that with the exception of August when my 91 year old mother was extremely ill that views have gone through the roof and followers have increased 25%.

I think the most telling is that with only seven days into December I have already exceeded more views from when this version of the blog started in August 2020 until March when the number of posts increased.

The most important stats for the month are:

• Figures painted 171;
• Book reviews 2;
• Battle Reports 3;
• Posts 35.

Thanks everyone for your continued support.

On this day eighty years ago the United States, Australia’s staunchest ally, came under attack at Pearl Harbour.

In 1994 this day was proclaimed a day of National Remembrance Day, and is observed annually in the United States on December 7, to remember and honor the 2,403 citizens of the United States who were killed in the Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbour in Hawaii on December 7, 1941.

LEST WE FORGET

This one is for Dave Stone! Often these are painted with a metallic look but I wanted something that was befitting of the noble houses and was bright and clean compared to the other gangs. As you would expect these guys are well armoured, well armed and pack a punch in close combat.

Within the industrial underhives of a hive city, where the gangs of the ruling houses compete for the scarce resources, the upper nobility also commit their own groups of “gangs” to the underhive conflicts for a different purpose.

Traditionally Spyrer groups are composed of the unproven youths of the noble houses born in the upper levels of the hive where they have known little want or hardship. These groups then descend into the lower levels to undertake a vow that has been impressed upon them by a sponsor Patriarch or Matriarch, either to survive unaided in the depths of the undercity for a designated length of time, or to obtain a designated number of kills. They are not permitted to return until their task is complete.

In this way the unproven individuals of the decadent noble houses will prove themselves as ruthless and resourceful and thus suited for leadership roles within hive politics.

This is a Spyrer “Yeld”, equipped with chameleonic wings and a Yeld suit that is equipped with laser gauntlets. The suit itself increases movement, protection and shooting abilities. The Yeld is also equipped with a bio-booster, filter plugs, and photovisor.

Another Spyrer Yeld. The bent weapon has now been straightened and touched up!!!!

A third Spyrer Yeld

Spyrer “Yeld” showing rear detail of wings.

A Necromunda Jakara

The Jakara suit is armed with a monomolecular sword and mirror shield, allowing the user to parry in close combat and to save against energy based weapons such as laser, plasma or melta. The suit increases movement and close combat skills.

The Jakara is also equipped with a bio-booster, skull chip, filter plugs, and photovisor.

Spyrer Hunter “Orrus”

The rear of the Spyrer Hunter “Orrus”

The Orrus embodies brute force with the suit armed with two crushing claws, each including a bolt launcher. The suit increases the wearers weapon skill, strength, attacks and provides an armour save.

The Orrus is also equipped with a bio-booster, skull chip, filter plugs, and photovisor.

Since painting these up I finally found some that I knew were missing but just couldn’t find. They include a couple of Malcadons, a Jakara, and another Orrus model. These will not be painted until the first quarter of next year.