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Friday, 19 December 2014

Doctor Who Advent: Day 24

Well, we are finally here! The last day of the Doctor Who Monster Advent Calendar. Can't quite believe I've posted every day for the best part of the month about this, but there you go!

Let's open the final door and see what we've got:


A white Dalek! A perfectly good way to end the 24 days. Let's take a look at the final list!:

Final Results:

Day 1: Blue Dalek
Day 2: Child-bearing Cyberman
Day 3: Shy Weeping Angel
Day 4: Tiny Zygon
Day 5: Red Dalek
Day 6: Skinny Silurian
Day 7: Well-proportioned Ood
Day 8: Unseemly Sontaran
Day 9: Lanky Silence
Day 10: Orange Dalek
Day 11: Diminutive Ice Warrior
Day 12: Twin Sister Angel
Day 13: Unlucky Zygon
Day 14: Second Silurian
Day 15: Duplicate Dalek
Day 16: Dissapointing Cyberman 
Day 17: The sound of Silence 
Day 18: Irritating Sontaran
Day 19: Ood have thought it?
Day 20: Yellow Dalek
Day 21: Another little Ice Warrior
Day 22: Wonky Angel
Day 23: Irritating Cyberman
Day 24: Snowy white Dalek

So there were two of most aliens, with some extras of others. It's a good thing that there were plenty of Daleks! And some interesting additions to my collection that might see some use in the future. 

Just to wrap up, here is a group shot of the whole lot:


This will probably be my last post of the year, so Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all my readers!

Take it easy
Chris

Doctor Who Advent: Day 23

A little late in posting today. I've had a bit of a cold coming on and was travelling home from Bournemouth. Still, here we are, ready for today's model!:


Bah Humbug! Useless Cyberman!

Results so far:

Day 1: Blue Dalek
Day 2: Child-bearing Cyberman
Day 3: Shy Weeping Angel
Day 4: Tiny Zygon
Day 5: Red Dalek
Day 6: Skinny Silurian
Day 7: Well-proportioned Ood
Day 8: Unseemly Sontaran
Day 9: Lanky Silence
Day 10: Orange Dalek
Day 11: Diminutive Ice Warrior
Day 12: Twin Sister Angel
Day 13: Unlucky Zygon
Day 14: Second Silurian
Day 15: Duplicate Dalek
Day 16: Dissapointing Cyberman 
Day 17: The sound of Silence 
Day 18: Irritating Sontaran
Day 19: Ood have thought it?
Day 20: Yellow Dalek
Day 21: Another little Ice Warrior
Day 22: Wonky Angel
Day 23: Irritating Cyberman

Doctor Who Advent: Day 22

Hoping for something better than the Ice Warrior yesterday, but not getting up hope for something as good as the Dalek from the day before. Let's have a look:


A third Weeping Angel. Nice, but this one is a bit wonky!

Results so far:

Day 1: Blue Dalek
Day 2: Child-bearing Cyberman
Day 3: Shy Weeping Angel
Day 4: Tiny Zygon
Day 5: Red Dalek
Day 6: Skinny Silurian
Day 7: Well-proportioned Ood
Day 8: Unseemly Sontaran
Day 9: Lanky Silence
Day 10: Orange Dalek
Day 11: Diminutive Ice Warrior
Day 12: Twin Sister Angel
Day 13: Unlucky Zygon
Day 14: Second Silurian
Day 15: Duplicate Dalek
Day 16: Dissapointing Cyberman 
Day 17: The sound of Silence 
Day 18: Irritating Sontaran
Day 19: Ood have thought it?
Day 20: Yellow Dalek
Day 21: Another little Ice Warrior
Day 22: Wonky Angel

Doctor Who Advent: Day 21

Not many days left now! Let's see what day 21 has:



Another Ice Warrior. Not so bothered about having two of them. Ah well. 

Results so far:

Day 1: Blue Dalek
Day 2: Child-bearing Cyberman
Day 3: Shy Weeping Angel
Day 4: Tiny Zygon
Day 5: Red Dalek
Day 6: Skinny Silurian
Day 7: Well-proportioned Ood
Day 8: Unseemly Sontaran
Day 9: Lanky Silence
Day 10: Orange Dalek
Day 11: Diminutive Ice Warrior
Day 12: Twin Sister Angel
Day 13: Unlucky Zygon
Day 14: Second Silurian
Day 15: Duplicate Dalek
Day 16: Dissapointing Cyberman 
Day 17: The sound of Silence 
Day 18: Irritating Sontaran
Day 19: Ood have thought it?
Day 20: Yellow Dalek
Day 21: Another little Ice Warrior

Doctor Who Advent: Day 20

On a rush this morning, so no time for preamble!:


Yellow Dalek! Great!

Results so far:

Day 1: Blue Dalek
Day 2: Child-bearing Cyberman
Day 3: Shy Weeping Angel
Day 4: Tiny Zygon
Day 5: Red Dalek
Day 6: Skinny Silurian
Day 7: Well-proportioned Ood
Day 8: Unseemly Sontaran
Day 9: Lanky Silence
Day 10: Orange Dalek
Day 11: Diminutive Ice Warrior
Day 12: Twin Sister Angel
Day 13: Unlucky Zygon
Day 14: Second Silurian
Day 15: Duplicate Dalek
Day 16: Dissapointing Cyberman 
Day 17: The sound of Silence 
Day 18: Irritating Sontaran
Day 19: Ood have thought it?
Day 20: Yellow Dalek

Doctor Who Advent: Day 19

It's my last day at work before I have two weeks off over Christmas! Hurrah! Let's see if the calendar has something good to celebrate this fact!:


Well, given I don't have any others, a second Ood is a welcome addition. I'm happy with that!

Results so far:

Day 1: Blue Dalek
Day 2: Child-bearing Cyberman
Day 3: Shy Weeping Angel
Day 4: Tiny Zygon
Day 5: Red Dalek
Day 6: Skinny Silurian
Day 7: Well-proportioned Ood
Day 8: Unseemly Sontaran
Day 9: Lanky Silence
Day 10: Orange Dalek
Day 11: Diminutive Ice Warrior
Day 12: Twin Sister Angel
Day 13: Unlucky Zygon
Day 14: Second Silurian
Day 15: Duplicate Dalek
Day 16: Dissapointing Cyberman 
Day 17: The sound of Silence 
Day 18: Irritating Sontaran
Day 19: Ood have thought it?

Sunday, 14 December 2014

Doctor Who Advent: Day 18

Too tired to write much this morning, so I'm just going to open it up!:


Oh dear. A second useless Sontaran. Very dissapointing!

Results so far:

Day 1: Blue Dalek
Day 2: Child-bearing Cyberman
Day 3: Shy Weeping Angel
Day 4: Tiny Zygon
Day 5: Red Dalek
Day 6: Skinny Silurian
Day 7: Well-proportioned Ood
Day 8: Unseemly Sontaran
Day 9: Lanky Silence
Day 10: Orange Dalek
Day 11: Diminutive Ice Warrior
Day 12: Twin Sister Angel
Day 13: Unlucky Zygon
Day 14: Second Silurian
Day 15: Duplicate Dalek
Day 16: Dissapointing Cyberman 
Day 17: The sound of Silence 
Day 18: Irritating Sontaran

Doctor Who Advent: Day 17

It doesn't seem any time at all since I started opening this calendar, and here we are at day 17 already! It's been pretty good so far, so let's see if we get another good one after yesterday's dissapointing Cyberman!:

 

Another Silence! That's pretty good. I don't quite know how to practically use them in scenarios, but in sure there's a way!

Results so far:

Day 1: Blue Dalek
Day 2: Child-bearing Cyberman
Day 3: Shy Weeping Angel
Day 4: Tiny Zygon
Day 5: Red Dalek
Day 6: Skinny Silurian
Day 7: Well-proportioned Ood
Day 8: Unseemly Sontaran
Day 9: Lanky Silence
Day 10: Orange Dalek
Day 11: Diminutive Ice Warrior
Day 12: Twin Sister Angel
Day 13: Unlucky Zygon
Day 14: Second Silurian
Day 15: Duplicate Dalek
Day 16: Dissapointing Cyberman 
Day 17: The sound of Silence 

Doctor Who Advent: Day 16

Not a lot can follow a Dalek, so I'll cut the preamble and just get on with it:


Oh dear. That's all...

Results so far:

Day 1: Blue Dalek
Day 2: Child-bearing Cyberman
Day 3: Shy Weeping Angel
Day 4: Tiny Zygon
Day 5: Red Dalek
Day 6: Skinny Silurian
Day 7: Well-proportioned Ood
Day 8: Unseemly Sontaran
Day 9: Lanky Silence
Day 10: Orange Dalek
Day 11: Diminutive Ice Warrior
Day 12: Twin Sister Angel
Day 13: Unlucky Zygon
Day 14: Second Silurian
Day 15: Duplicate Dalek
Day 16: Dissapointing Cyberman 

Doctor Who Advent: Day 15

After a couple of somewhat dissapointing repeats over the weekend, I'm hoping the week will kick off with a Dalek or something similarly awesome! I wonder what it'll be.....:


Excellent! Although it is another red one, that doesn't mean anything once it is painted up. So that's a total of 4 Daleks so far!


Results so far:

Day 1: Blue Dalek
Day 2: Child-bearing Cyberman
Day 3: Shy Weeping Angel
Day 4: Tiny Zygon
Day 5: Red Dalek
Day 6: Skinny Silurian
Day 7: Well-proportioned Ood
Day 8: Unseemly Sontaran
Day 9: Lanky Silence
Day 10: Orange Dalek
Day 11: Diminutive Ice Warrior
Day 12: Twin Sister Angel
Day 13: Unlucky Zygon
Day 14: Second Silurian
Day 15: Duplicate Dalek

Doctor Who Advent: Day 14

Hoping for something special today after the second Zygon yesterday... Let's see...:


Well, it's not a Dalek... Still, more reason to see how Silurians paint up I suppose!

Results so far:

Day 1: Blue Dalek
Day 2: Child-bearing Cyberman
Day 3: Shy Weeping Angel
Day 4: Tiny Zygon
Day 5: Red Dalek
Day 6: Skinny Silurian
Day 7: Well-proportioned Ood
Day 8: Unseemly Sontaran
Day 9: Lanky Silence
Day 10: Orange Dalek
Day 11: Diminutive Ice Warrior
Day 12: Twin Sister Angel
Day 13: Unlucky Zygon
Day 14: Second Silurian

Friday, 12 December 2014

Doctor Who Advent: Day 12

Halfway through now! I'm hoping for another Dalek. Let's take a look!



What's this? The same figure as Day 3?! How odd... There are two poses of Angel after all! Never mind, it's another usable figure and that's the main thing!

Results so far:

Day 1: Blue Dalek
Day 2: Child-bearing Cyberman
Day 3: Shy Weeping Angel
Day 4: Tiny Zygon
Day 5: Red Dalek
Day 6: Skinny Silurian
Day 7: Well-proportioned Ood
Day 8: Unseemly Sontaran
Day 9: Lanky Silence
Day 10: Orange Dalek
Day 11: Diminutive Ice Warrior
Day 12: Twin Sister Angel

Tuesday, 9 December 2014

Doctor Who Advent: Day 13

The 13th day! Unlucky for some, but will it be so for me?!:


Alas, yes! Another tiny Zygon of limited use!

Results so far:

Day 1: Blue Dalek
Day 2: Child-bearing Cyberman
Day 3: Shy Weeping Angel
Day 4: Tiny Zygon
Day 5: Red Dalek
Day 6: Skinny Silurian
Day 7: Well-proportioned Ood
Day 8: Unseemly Sontaran
Day 9: Lanky Silence
Day 10: Orange Dalek
Day 11: Diminutive Ice Warrior
Day 12: Twin Sister Angel
Day 13: Unlucky Zygon

Doctor Who Advent: Day 11

So.. Day 11... I'm running out of things to say as preamble to opening the calendar so I'm just going to go ahead and get on with it!


Nice! An Ice Warrior. I don't have any of these. It's suffering slightly from being on the small side. Thinking about it I'm not sure if it will fit in with anything else. Might just have to paint it and see!

Results so far:

Day 1: Blue Dalek
Day 2: Child-bearing Cyberman
Day 3: Shy Weeping Angel
Day 4: Tiny Zygon
Day 5: Red Dalek
Day 6: Skinny Silurian
Day 7: Well-proportioned Ood
Day 8: Unseemly Sontaran
Day 9: Lanky Silence
Day 10: Orange Dalek
Day 11: Diminutive Ice Warrior

Doctor Who Advent: Day 10

Argh! I accidently saw a spoiler list for the advent calendar on TMP yesterday, but luckily I managed to avoid looking at it properly. On the plus side I'm now expecting a few more Daleks!

Let's see what we have today...:


Well, there we have it. Another Dalek, bringing the total to 3. Brilliant!

Results so far:

Day 1: Blue Dalek
Day 2: Child-bearing Cyberman
Day 3: Shy Weeping Angel
Day 4: Tiny Zygon
Day 5: Red Dalek
Day 6: Skinny Silurian
Day 7: Well-proportioned Ood
Day 8: Unseemly Sontaran
Day 9: Lanky Silence
Day 10: Orange Dalek

Friday, 5 December 2014

Doctor Who Advent: Day 9

So far I'd say 5 out of the 8 figures are usable, so if today can shift that statistic to 6 out of 9, that would be a very satisfactory two thirds of what I have for so far. Fingers crossed:


And the calendar comes through for me! A bit on the lanky side, but I've painted one of the Silence before and they look pretty good. So, a very pleasing success rate so far!

Results so far:

Day 1: Blue Dalek
Day 2: Child-bearing Cyberman
Day 3: Shy Weeping Angel
Day 4: Tiny Zygon
Day 5: Red Dalek
Day 6: Skinny Silurian
Day 7: Well-proportioned Ood
Day 8: Unseemly Sontaran
Day 9: Lanky Silence

Doctor Who Advent: Day 8

Okay, I'm fully prepared for a Day 8 dissapointment this morning. Enough of the figures so far have been usable, so I'm expecting a misshapen lump of squishy plastic today. Here goes...:


Close enough! Sontaran's are supposed to be mean and scary in their battle armour. This guy is far too small, carries no weapon and has an unseemly bulge in his trousers. Useless!

Results so far:

Day 1: Blue Dalek
Day 2: Child-bearing Cyberman
Day 3: Shy Weeping Angel
Day 4: Tiny Zygon
Day 5: Red Dalek
Day 6: Skinny Silurian
Day 7: Well-proportioned Ood
Day 8: Unseemly Sontaran

Doctor Who Advent: Day 7

Well, it seems like I'm on a bit of a roll with this at the moment. So I'm fully prepared for something entirely useless today. Let's see what it is...:


Sweet! An Ood! I've not got any of these in my collection and, as cheap plastic figures go, it looks pretty usable to me. 

Things are going very well so far... I wonder what tomorrow will bring?!

Results so far:

Day 1: Blue Dalek
Day 2: Child-bearing Cyberman
Day 3: Shy Weeping Angel
Day 4: Tiny Zygon
Day 5: Red Dalek
Day 6: Skinny Silurian
Day 7: Well-proportioned Ood

Doctor Who Advent: Day 6

After yesterday I'm trying not to get my hopes up for what lies behind door 6... Let's take a peek:


A Silurian! Better than the Zygon, but I'm not 100% convinced. These figures look a little on the skinny side, but I have yet to paint one up. So all things considered, one with potential. 

Results so far:

Day 1: Blue Dalek
Day 2: Child-bearing Cyberman
Day 3: Shy Weeping Angel
Day 4: Tiny Zygon
Day 5: Red Dalek
Day 6: Skinny Silurian

Wednesday, 3 December 2014

Doctor Who Advent: Day 5

A slightly delayed post due to being in a rush for work this morning. But well worth opening the window before I left as it yielded a...:


...Red Dalek! Woohoo! Another useful addition to the collection!

Results so far:

Day 1: Blue Dalek
Day 2: Child-bearing Cyberman
Day 3: Shy Weeping Angel
Day 4: Tiny Zygon
Day 5: Red Dalek

Doctor Who Advent: Day 4

Like the reverse of the old Star Trek movies, is seems odd doors on this calendar are good and even ones are bad, so it is with some trepidation that I open door 4....


Peeling back the thin, perferated layer of card reveals....


A small Zygon! A bit of a mixed bag really! On the plus side, at least it is a classic monster from the fourth doctor era, but on the other hand it is a little on the small side when compared to 28mm figures. Still, who says you can't get little Zygons?!

Results so far:

Day 1: Blue Dalek
Day 2: Child-bearing Cyberman
Day 3: Shy Weeping Angel
Day 4: Tiny Zygon


Doctor Who Advent: Day 3

Roghr, after a disappointing Day 2, let's see what Day 3 has for us:


Excellent' another usable figure. I'm actually hoping figure variants will be covered in this calendar. After all I don't recall 24 types of monster being available. So fingers crossed for the other type of Angel and different coloured Daleks too....

Results so far:

Day 1: Blue Dalek
Day 2: Child-bearing Cyberman
Day 3: Shy Weeping Angel

Tuesday, 2 December 2014

Doctor Who Advent: Day 2


Okay, time to open the second door on the Doctor Who Advent Calendar... Will it be as awesome as yesterday's blue Dalek?! Let's find out....


Alas, it is one of the infamous Cybermen with child-bearing hips. Probably won't get much use out of this figure. 

Results so far:

Day 1: Blue Dalek
Day 2: Child-bearing Cyberman

Monday, 1 December 2014

Doctor Who Advent: Day 1

I picked up a copy of the Doctor Who Monster Army Advent Calendar the other week and happily opened the first window today. What did I find?


It's a Dalek! Result! I'm going to try and post daily updates!

Results so far:

Day 1: Blue Dalek

Sunday, 30 November 2014

The Wargamer Show 2014

The Wargamer Show was held today and I'm pleased to report it was jolly good fun. I didn't manage to make it last year, although I did the year before, and this was the first year at a new venue, which made it much more convenient for me to attend. Hurrah!

I was going to ride over, but I'm a bit groggy with cold at the moment and didn't fancy keeping an eye out for icy patches on 6mph country roads on my motorbike, so opted for the car instead. I only mention this as I arrived at about 11 and was pleasantly surprised by the amount of parking available. The venue itself was large enough to accommodate a show the size of The Wargamer Show and also had a canteen area available, although I didn't sample the food on this occasion.

There were a good selection of games put on by local clubs and plenty of traders. I had to seriously resist starting a few new projects! People were friendly, but I didn't feel well enough to engage too much with them. I was probably a proper grumpy sod!

Alas, I didn't feel up to taking pictures like the last time I attended, but I decided to take a few snaps of my haul, which I was very happy with!


I always find I don't have enough lichen for my table, so I picked up a bag of this, along with some flock as I am running dangerously low.


The always excellent Products for Wargamers were present and I had to seriously resist filling my bag up with goodies. But as I enjoy supporting them, I did at least manage to buy a couple of patches of rocky ground. Suitable for most of my projects and therefore an entirely justifiable purchase!


One of the traders, Magic Geek, I think, had a small selection of boardgames for sale, so I took the opportunity to add a little game to my collection. I've wanted the Space Hulk cardgame for a while now, so clearly it was fate that brought us together today!


Surprisingly, I had to search quite a bit for paints. Not that there weren't plenty available, but the trend these days seems to be for them to come in those pots where you drip them out into a palette. Now, while that is fine in principle, I'm not a big mixer and just like to dip my brush into the pot itself and get on with things! I've not heard of this particular brand before, but needed some browns, greys and a green for my FIW project, so picked up a few.


I've been resisting 4Ground for ages now, but finally succumbed! I took a look at their 15mm range and picked up a block house, some timber buildings and some snake fencing for my FIW project. Upon closer inspection, it appears the timber buildings are intended for Eastern Europe from 1700 onwards, so slightly the wrong continent... But as I don't see myself playing with anyone who will call me out on inaccurate wooden architecture I don't think I'm too bothered. I'm not enjoying the through of assembling the snake fencing, but the chap I bought the set from specifically mentioned they were good and told me they were easier to assemble than they appeared, so we shall see!

Finally, another fortuitous find. Though it has been a while (i.e. years) since I worked on my Starship Troopers project, I was chuffed to find the only two source books I am missing from my collection in a second hand book box, and in almost mint condition! Excellent!

So all in all a great show and a good haul!

Sunday, 9 November 2014

Christmas Werewolves

I'm trying to make the most of my time at the moment, so when I start to plan my Christmas gaming activity I have to get started right away!

I've drafted the scenario I'm going to use and have decided it to make it available for anyone who is interested. Here is the link.

The setting is Colonial America, just before the FIW. There are rumours of werewolves in the woods and you need to lead your group of settlers through 3 linked scenarios, starting with an initial investigation and moving to a defence of your home, before ending with a final showdown against the head werewolf. 

The scenarios have been written for use with the "Long Rifle" rules by Two Hour Wargames. 

Next in the process is painting some settlers and Indians while waiting for the werewolves to arrive!

Wednesday, 5 November 2014

Zomtober 2014 (Week 4)

Well, here we are at the end of Zomtober.  Technically it ended the weekend before last, but I got a little delayed in finishing up and posting on my blog.

I'm quite happy with my output this week, moreso than the previous one. First up are 4 SWAT team members. Easy to paint these, just a black coat, dark grey dry brushing and the hands and faces. Job done as far as I'm concerned!



Second up are the figures I'm most happy with as part of this process. 4 firemen! These will make a fun change from the usual survivors used in zombie games. In fact they have specific firefighting scenarios in Hospital 911. 



I managed to undercoat two reporters, but didn't get to finish them in time. Still, I think Zomtober has been a success and I have added a lot of good stuff to my collection for zombie games. 

Here is my updated spreadsheet for the week. 


Scenario
Models
Quant
Done?
1,2
Hospital Staff
6
Yes
1,2
Hospital Security
2
Yes
1,2
Hospital Patients
3
Yes
1,2
Print and laminate 3rd Floor map
n/a
Yes
3
Police Officers
Min 2
Yes (6!)
3
Gangers
4
Yes
3
Print and laminate Underground level 1
n/a
Yes
4
Police officer (for elevator surprise)
1
Yes
5
SWAT with SMG
4
Yes
7
Print and laminate rest of hospital
n/a
Yes
8,9
Reporter and cameraman
2
No
12
Thief
1
Yes
13,14
Firemen
4
Yes
n/a
Suzie: Zombie hunter
1
Yes


I have removed a few entries which it turns out I already had painted or didn't need. I also removed the 'extras' section as that was just a bonus if I had time. So all in all I think I have done well this month, with only one entry having a  'No' by it at the end of the process.

So what's next? Well, I think it is time to take a break from the painting. I'm working on a Podracing variant for Machinas and am wanting to try out the new dungeon crawl rules from THW. On top of this I have obviously got more zombie games to play. 

Finally Christmas is fast approaching so I need to plan my game for that. But it is all in hand! An order with Rebel Minis has been placed for some figures I've long wanted. That will be combined with some existing rules I have to play a historically themed horror game. Let's just say for now that there are things far worse than the Indians lurking in the woods of Colonial America...

So lots to plan and think about and plenty to fuel blog posts for the rest of the year!