Crimson Minotaur Elite - Warhammer 40k Showcase

Touching Up the Space Marine Elite

I have been going through some of the earlier models and conversion for my Crimson Minotaur custom chapter that I showcased a few months ago on my blog. Mainly I have been working on the jump pack engines and power weapons - areas I didn't have the stamina to complete at the time and was not entirely sure how I wanted to do them anyway.

18:56:00 Read More +

40k Showcase: Crimson Minotaur Tactical Squad & Rhino

2nd Company Tactical Squad

I have at last finished off my other Rhino/Razorback. It's been sitting around for a while mostly painted with base coats, a wash but without any highlights or details. My models often get stuck at that stage for a while. I still find edge highlighting takes a lot of effort (even more so when you have atrocious tennis elbow!).

10:15:00 Read More +

Crimson Minotaur Heroes - Command Squad Assembled

The Best of the Chapter

My command squad of Veteran Minotaurs represent the utmost elite of the chapter, the heroes that other marines look to with respect and for direction in the heat of battle. I wanted this squad to be more than a collection of bodyguards - I wanted each one to feel unique with their own personality and potentially their own backstory. So I treated them as such, individual characters built in isolation and using parts from other kits to give each one their own spin.

13:01:00 Read More +

40k Forgeworld: Space Marine Crimson Minotaur Mortis Contemptor Dreadnought Build

Mortis Contemptor Pattern Dreadnought

Dreadnoughts are great. Unfortunately they don't seem to be hugely competitive in shooty, vehicle hating 6th edition. Still this does not change the fact...dreadnoughts are great. My desire to field one of these classic beasts led me to find the most competitive choice available, which just happens to be one of the prettiest too. The mortis dread is a scary gun platform with the armour of a predator, BS5, a 5+ invulnerable, skyfire when not moving and 2x kheres assault cannons for a total of 12 rending shots! Phew. Dreadnoughts are great.

13:03:00 Read More +

2nd Webstore Exclusive Space Marine Captain

New Website, New Sprues

The new Games Workshop website launched earlier this week and looks lovely. The full size images are spectacular to behold with GW's use of high quality photography and modern website layout. I think that the missing elements such as erratas and downloads are forgiveable (they are coming apparently) - working in design and web myself I know how much of a monumental task this must have been to get everything joined up and running smoothly immediately after pressing the on button.

10:31:00 Read More +

40k: Crimson Minotaur Space Marine Combat Squad

Space Marine Special Weapons Teams

I love the idea of small elite units of space marines armed with special weapons and appointed very specific battlefield tasks that may very well decide the outcome of a battle. The closest you can get to that in a basic troop choice is a combat squad with one special weapon and a sergeant armed with a combi weapon which I have placed in a Razorback (though probably far more effective in a drop pod). The two main flavours of these will of course be plasma and melta though you could argue for flamers if you face a lot of hordes.

13:11:00 Read More +

40k Conversion: Crimson Minotaur Company Champion

Crimson Minotaur 2nd Company Command Squad

I have started working on a converted command set. The command standard command sprue the Games Workshop sells is actually a really nice kit that tends to get forgotten with newer, shinier sets taking the spotlight. The banner is nicely designed and there are quite a few extra details and options. The parts for the company champion are particular;y nice with some great double layered shoulder pads.

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Simple Spray Masking Technique - Space Marine Razorbacks

Space Marine Tank Markings

Having been utterly absorbed recently in the Badab War Forgeworld books I have been very keen to try something more interesting with the Crimson Minotaur colour scheme other than just spraying them red all over. The Badab War books display some wonderful illustrations of various Space Marine task forces used throughout the brutal campaign. The vehicles involved in particular demonstrate some interesting variations upon the usual chapter colour schemes incorporating stripes and split colours across the vehicle hulls.

13:08:00 Read More +

Power Armour in Style - Forgeworld Crimson Minotaur Squad

Fashionable Power Armour

The Forgeworld space marine armour variants still retain the icon shape and silhouette of a 40k era equivalent - in a mixed squad you would be hard pressed to pick them out from a distance. However there is something subtle about the design of the Forgeworld sculpts that puts them on a different level to the standard Games Workshop boxes. No matter which MK you look at, they have sharper lines, are better posed and possess more detailed. They are just far more stylish!

13:03:00 Read More +

Captain Estigon - Forgeworld Crimson Minotaur Conversion

"The Bastion"

Captain Estigon, Commander of the Crimson Minotaurs 2nd Company is now ready for battle. As I alluded to in my earlier post, Estigon is a level headed, reserved tactician. A calm mind to counter the oft daring and reckless actions promoted by Chapter Master Alcaeus. His quiet demeanour off the battlefield can mislead people into thinking he has nothing to contribute. However when he does speak he elocutes with precision and insight. He is rarely wrong. It is unwise to go into battle without first seeking Estigon's opinion on strategy. Where 1st Chaplain Kanaitkos endows a strike force with the reason to fight, Estigon gives them the method. He is rightly known as 'The Bastion'.

13:06:00 Read More +

Warhammer 40k Flying Base - How to Create Simple Urban Ruins

Creating the War Torn Battlefield Effect

My Crimson Minotaur Stormraven Gunship is all nice and shiny but I am actually most happy about the base right now. I have been trying out a number of simple techniques to get effective looking destroyed urban terrain feel. My goal has been to achieve the maximum visual effectiveness whilst not being too time consuming - there is a lot I want to do and time is always an issue!

18:33:00 Read More +

40k Space Marine Stormraven Gunship - Crimson Minotaurs

Stormraven Showcase

This kit has been a pleasure to build and paint. The engines and weapons are movable parts and you have plenty of options to equip the gunship with. The weapons are easy to interchange so it becomes a very flexible heavy choice. When you compare it to it's ground equivalent, the land raider, it's weapon options are far superior.

13:18:00 Read More +

Forgeworld MKIV Command Set - Crimson Minotaurs

The Minotaurs Need a Captain

My first two characters (Alcaeus & Kanatikos) have been quite flamboyant in their style and the role I intend them to play on the battlefield. I very much wanted a more subdued individual to balance these two. A character that would be a cool head in the background, working hard to ensure every logistical need is met. He won't be taking the glory but his presence is a necessity to victory. His tactical prowess is undisputed even if his marshal abilities are not usually tested directly. He will be taking command of the Crimson Minotaurs 2nd company. I'll expand on his back story more later, probably once I have decided upon a name!

18:41:00 Read More +

Magnetised Space Marine Chaplain - Optional Jump Pack

Simple Starting Point With Magnetising Miniatures

Just a quick update on my converted Crimson Minotaur Chaplain. The assault jump pack I ordered finally arrived and originally I did mainly see this character as a jump unit. He did turn out to look great with a normal pack too so I am happy with the way it's worked out. The Jump Pack is just under coated right now, I have not even started painting it yet.

 I have a feeling I will using magnets a lot with my Warhammer 40k units going forward. Games Workshop are always so generous with their weapon and wargear choices....

18:43:00 Read More +

Space Marine Chaplain Conversion Finished! - Crimson Minotaur with Forgeworld & Anvil Industry parts

Master of the Recluisiam

First Chaplain Kanatikos is one of Lord Alcaeus's closest advisers. He originally served in the Raven Guard chapter along side Alcaeus and acts as his spiritual advisor as well his martial arm on the battlefield. Whilst the Crimson Minotaurs possess several highly competent captains, the Chapter Master often entrusts key missions to Kanatikos simply because his zeal and dedication makes him an utterly reliable asset for achieving the success Alcaeus is looking for. On the field of war his words convey the imperial truth of the emperor ascendant, enforcing each marines cause in battle. Every marine would follow him into the eye of terror and back if required.

18:52:00 Read More +

Small Update - Adeptus Astartes Storm Wing Progress

Death From Above!

Sorry, had to use that heading as it's a Games Workshop classic! I have had this quite wonderful Warhammer 40k box set sitting around since christmas and I want to give a quick update on progress. I will do a far meatier blog post in time to cover this but I wanted to give a taster on how it's been going.

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Warhammer 40k 6th Edition Rule Changes

Adjustments to Gameplay

Games Workshop has received a fair bit of criticism for the state of 6th edition. It's very shooty, with a lot of rule bloat and a commitment to flyers that not everyone is happy with. As someone who has rejoined at 6th edition it doesn't seem quite as bad as people make out. Still having been playing for several months now there are certain improvements that would make sense, at least in the kind of games that I tend to play.

13:09:00 Read More +

Crimson Minotaurs Chapter Update

Progress So Far

I thought it would be good time to take a look at what is done so far for this work in progress chapter. It's a small task force right now and not really battle ready. However, I have several units on the workbench including more tactical marines to fill out my troops, a Chaplain with jump pack to compliment my current choices and of course - the Adeptus Astartes Storm Wing.

18:25:00 Read More +

Crimson Minotaur Space Marine Assault Squad Complete

Jump packs: An Iconic Warhammer 40k Unit

I know Jump pack Assault Marines are not especially popular in 6th edition right now. With the difficulties in close combat and the abundance of weapons that ignore power armour they are quite a vulnerable choice to take. However they just look great. The backpack with it's bulbous shape and easily recognisable silhouette makes them an iconic unit that everyone can identify. My decision to go with Raven Guard chapter tactics will alleviate some of the pains but it will definitely be for fluffy reasons that I field this unit rather than competitive requirements.

20:25:00 Read More +

WIP Space Marine Chaplain & Anvil Industry bits - Crimson Minotaurs

Anvil Industry Plumes & Skull Helmets

I like the conversion parts that Anvil Industry make. I bought some of their leather strap loin clothes which I used on my Tactical Marines and they fit well with Games Workshop models. They are probably slightly on the expensive side but it's easy to justify for specific conversions. I have been looking for parts to use in a custom Space Marine Chaplain for a while now. I have seen a few tutorials online for using green stuff to modify a standard skull which I could have tried. There are also a few very specific Games Workshop heads that tend to fit Chaplains quite well. One being the Warhammer Chaos warrior champion head and another being a Khorne Berserker helmet (after cutting off the bunny ears). Both of these options are hard to get hold of cheaply (ebay sellers seem to be savvy to chaplain part woes and price them high).

21:54:00 Read More +