Author Topic: Ghark Ironskin & the Ironskin Tribe!!!! (Read 9529 times)

Belchfist Beastkiller · « **on:** Feb 13, 2008, 09:59:36 PM »

The large tribe is now nearing the 4,500 point benchmark according to my Excel pointsheet, and boy is it starting to pack a punch. Having collected OK from their release, I'd like to think I've steadily honed my skills, however most of the time, it's just luck.

After taking my tribe in the direction of being lead by Belchfist Beastkiller (Limited Ed Ogre Bruiser model) for quite some time, I decided he and his fledgling force of noobs would join the greater horde of Ghark Ironskin.
Yes. Ambitious I hear you say.

Indeed it was. I currently have a FW Rhinox rider and the second is in the post. But the challenge was definitely what to do about Ghark himself. A suitable model was definitely necessary and i HATE the ridiculous incarnation in the Chapter Approved made from a juggernaut. Drawing Board time...

Days later I appeared with a sketch. Just a sketch, but it would be monumental.

After ploughing all the plastic animals available to buy from any child’s store I discovered exactly what I wanted under my nose on the Forge World site. A dainty thing called Chaos Spined Beast. What a fantastic possessed metallic beast to ride. I also had one happily sat in my cupboard. Joy.

We are talking easily 30-40 hours of modelling later (perfectionist) I arrived with a daemon engine with metallic spikes protruding from it’s hide and cables and gunpowder kegs powering it underneath. The rider is ALMOST totally sculpted. It’s greenstuff basically, the head, hands, shoulder guards and gut plate are from the bull sprue as far as I recall. Following the cool artwork on our rulebook cover – he has beast horns attached to his back that only add to his stature.

Now obviously this baby wasn’t going to not have a base…so off to the modelling shop for some thick plasticard…a bit of a twig and a hell of a lot of green stuffmaking a tree stump and a follower of Hashut (Chaos Dwarf for those who don’t know!) dragging a largely sculpted Gnoblar away towards the back as payment for the monstrous beast.

Now this is a beast to lead an army - worthy of the many, many Attacks and Wounds on his profile. It’s a good job I have 10 painted up leadbelchers ready to take up those Ironskin Core choices! (just for a laugh).

Comments appreciated as always.

Pics on in a couple of hours.

Steff

Reg06 · « **Reply #1 on:** Feb 13, 2008, 10:02:31 PM »

I'm looking forward ot this gnoblog, and most especially Ghark. Not get those whips cracking!

Belchfist Beastkiller · « **Reply #2 on:** Feb 13, 2008, 10:14:27 PM »

For those of you who'd like a look at the current tyrant who's been Lording it over the lads Belchfist Beastkiller himself - follow the links bellow. All painting is freehand.

Comments & criticisms welcome as always.

Steff

Belchfist Beastkiller · « **Reply #3 on:** Feb 13, 2008, 11:53:44 PM »

Hey. Pics as promised.

Apologies now for poor quality, and the fact that's it's undercoated black which takes away all the details in pics! Apologies! Will soon get pics of other units from the army up, the fully complete and the sprayed selection!

Here is a teaser pic for the forum, follow the links for the others!

BlughTheIronMaw · « **Reply #4 on:** Feb 14, 2008, 03:23:19 AM »

You have single-handedly convinced me to start Ogres again. Seriously, I will make an Ironskin army someday, low model count,awesome opportunities....excellent work!!!

Reg06 · « **Reply #5 on:** Feb 14, 2008, 09:18:40 AM »

Alright, that's all well and good, but slap some paint on him! Seriously, nice work. The photos are hard to make out because of the angle/closeness/color.

Belchfist Beastkiller · « **Reply #6 on:** Feb 14, 2008, 06:19:38 PM »

Thank you both! Model will be much clearer even with basecoats on everything! Hoping for that soon!

Incredibly busy at the moment with university auditions (performing arts course so monologues and songs to learn!) buuuuut I will get as much doen as possible to keep the blog interesting!

I recently was given a Warhammer Giant as a birthday present from my mate...stay tuned for Slavegiant mischief. This leaves my army of Ogres missing only one option - a scraplauncher.

I will sort out some pics of Bulls, Ironguts and Leadbelchers Units soon. And the Hunter should be at the same time too! I've a lot of painting to do!

Steff

P.s. Is there anyway I can show the pics on this post if they are over 100kbs? Or will photobucket have to suffice?

Wildcard · « **Reply #7 on:** Feb 14, 2008, 06:35:39 PM »

the spiny chaos beast is a favourtite model of mine - I've jsut finished work on having a gorger ride one - and I have another sat in my cupboard intending to try just the idea you mentioned here - take it metallic for a gnark mount

unfortunatly I can't see your pics at the moment - seem to be having some connection problems - so I'll edit this post later with further comment

BigD · « **Reply #8 on:** Feb 14, 2008, 08:58:32 PM »

The chaos dwarf with gnoblar slave is an excellent touch. I'm curious to see Ghark painted. It looks like a real beast!

With the picture of over 100kb, photobucket will probably be fine. I've uploaded pictures of 2mb.

BigD

Belchfist Beastkiller · « **Reply #9 on:** Feb 16, 2008, 09:14:45 PM »

Hey hey! Finally some alone time, and they've yeielded some of those pics I promised!

Still incredibly busy because of everything and so not a minute of painting or modelling has been done and much sleep is still required...but here are pics of my first unit of leadbelchers (both are units of five because I have ten models + it gives me the most options)
This is just one, follow the links for the others.

apologies for rubbish lighting, poor quality pictures and lack of innovation! These are also about a year and a half old now...so painting has improved since.

Belchfist Beastkiller · « **Reply #10 on:** Feb 16, 2008, 09:17:04 PM »

Ok, here is the second leadbelcher unit.
*LB's have been pictured first because in an Ironskin army i can use them as Core!

This unit was about 4 months later on than the previous, and took a heck of a lot of patience to paint all the gnoblars on it...count them! that's a modelling mistake I won't make again!

Again this fellow is an example follow the other links for more pics of the unit.

enjoy
Feel free to comment and criticise as always!

Steff

Belchfist Beastkiller · « **Reply #11 on:** Feb 19, 2008, 11:12:34 PM »

Painting has commenced on the big bad Ghark Ironskin, and I have ventured into the realm of foundation paints! Adeptus battlegrey has proven very useful for this project and fair enough, it has coated a hell of a lot more than a normal paint would! Any comments on foundation paints? Do they mix with the regulars?

Also his base is flocked up, gnoblar finished and tree stump also nearly finished, water effects has been added to make the river bed. it's looking good!

I've got a game with him tommorrow - DON'T criticize it, (I normally am happy with criticism!) but this list was designed for ridiculous fun, not winning power!

1,500 pts including a Lord (house rules)

Ghark Ironskin
Butcher
3 Bulls
5 Ironguts
5 Ironguts
3 Leadbelchers
1 Bull Rhinox Rider w. ironfist.

Used this list for a laugh 3 times before when i just want some fun, and it has absolutely demolished all three ermies it came up against! (Empire, Dark Elves & Dwarfs)

Anybody want work in progress pics of Ghark?...

Reg06 · « **Reply #12 on:** Feb 20, 2008, 07:43:08 PM »

Of course I'd like some WiP photos. The leadbelchers are great, and you've done a wonderful job on the gnoblar skin.

Belchfist Beastkiller · « **Reply #13 on:** Feb 24, 2008, 04:46:38 PM »

Thanks Reg06! I plan to keep this gnoblog for a long while and hope it will be interesting to people! if not I'd also like pointers on what would make it more interesting! more fluff etc! anything.

AS promised, pics of ghark in his current state accompany me...please remember this is not even worthy of a WiP label, it's just basecoats on EVERYTHING on him so far! Painting is just to define the model for you so you can see the sculpting and details. Anybody with knowledge of FW Chaos Spined Beast please pay attention to the beast itsself!

Follow links for more photos of each.

Photos:

Thaaaaaank you for your comments!
Steff

Belchfist Beastkiller · « **Reply #14 on:** Feb 24, 2008, 04:49:20 PM »

Also as previously mentioned my awesomely cool

gnoblar character Weaklip Craphoarder (totally legal, rules can be found here: http://ogrestronghold.com/forum/index.php?topic=8000.0 ) finally has pictures for you to see! He heroically (for a gnoblar) leads the unit sometimes from the front, and sometimes from the back! his palanquin a useful tool to bully his enemies with.

Comments appreciated

apologies for bad lighting on some! What're ya gonna do...

Belchfist Beastkiller · « **Reply #15 on:** Feb 27, 2008, 11:51:06 PM »

Just finished a fantastic game of Warhammer that was part of a tournament I'm organizing and running.
Ogres vs Goblin Horde 2,000pts.
It was possibly the most fun i've had in a game ever!

My army list was as follows:
Bruiser
Butcher
Butcher
Butcher
3 Bulls
3 Bulls
3 Bulls
5 Ironguts
5 Ironguts
30 Gnoblar Fighters
8 Gnoblar Trappers
2 Leadbelchers
2 Leadbelchers
Gorger
Gorger

HIs list included a lord was on a giant cave squig, 3 level 2 wizards, several large units of goblins and night goblins (including many fanatics), two spear chukkas, a giant, 3 trolls, and there was a unit of squigs and herders...otherwise it was misc. goblins.

It was fantastic, trollguts proved incredibly useful once more, as did scouting trappers! taking out a spear chukka early on with their sharp stuff (shocking I know). Being horrifyingly frightened of running away from things as i'm not used to it, I shot the giant to pieces with one of the units of 2 leadbelchers...losing him 5 wounds!

Things looked up for me as the other unit rolled two 10's on the artillery dice to fire on the giant...but MIRACULOUSLY he retained his final wound!! The fanatics were released soon after and caused...not that much damage! Two fell miraculously short, one went straight through the Ironguts with the bruiser and Butcher and killed a single ogre and the others bounced around aimlessly. In the next turn 3 were shot down in their prime by my bruiser, then leadbelcher glory!

Things did not go well for the goblins from here, gorgers appeared behind their lines, and squabble took it's toll. One unit rolled a 6 on animosity, moving it 4" forwards...directly on top of a fanatic it had previously released, killing it and 5 of their number also! Some effective magic caused archers to flee, and panic was caused in the stupid trolls which luckily fled off the table! The goblins were finding it difficult to find the courage to charge in...because those that did, were subsequently mauled to pieces by some hungry ogres!

All in all, a total massacre to Belchfist's Brutes, the only goblin left on the table at the end of the game was a chariot which was effectively held up by a charging unit of bulls (how they survived i'll never know)
There'll be food for the boys tonight!

Thumper · « **Reply #16 on:** Feb 28, 2008, 12:44:07 AM »

Congratulations on the win.

I'm really liking Ghark. Can't wait to see him finished.

I'm also a big fan of the leadbelcher "gnoblar bomb." If I ever need a 3rd belcher unit I'm going to steal the idea. Of course, sadly enough I'll probably never be needing a third unit of leadbelchers....

Belchfist Beastkiller · « **Reply #17 on:** Feb 28, 2008, 02:00:33 AM »

Thanks for your comment Thumper! Everybody needs a third leadbelcher unit ...

Unfortunately Ghark has been sidelined for a few days (maybe a week or so) due to ridiculous amount of work I have to do. Because any kind of coat of paint on such a large model takes so long, i can't fit in short pain sessions that help stress levels! On th eplus side, my Butcher model has had a second coat of pant on his skin, leaving only three to go, and finally has a strong red colour on his trousers! He's coming along nicely!

Also my brand spanking new slavegiant! He is built up and greenstuffed the gaps...with the wall section on a chain right arm and the bent left arm and am wondering about whether or not to add chains, convert him etc. Any comments? Or tips as to how to convert him in not too extensive a manner? Thanks

P.S he doesn't have the millstone around his neck, I felt it covered too much of his precious gut.

Belchfist Beastkiller · « **Reply #18 on:** Feb 29, 2008, 01:26:06 AM »

Could really use your opinions about the ginat guys...I know there's the cooksnatcher giant that looks very cool...how about ideas for an Ironskin giant for me! Anyone?

Anyway...another battle today! very short affair. Round two of tournament...facing Dark Elves.
Similar list to before, in his army he had:
Lord on cold one
A Wizard of some kind
large unit of killing blow people
2 units of 25 spearmen
26 crossbowmen (!)
bolt throwers
cavalry x 10

Well the game went very well as you can imagine with the amount of ogres I was fielding...
Butchers wiped everything they could see...and totally dominated every magic phase, not one single miscast!
Killing blow doesn't work on ogres, so the 'black guard (?)' were rendered ineffective and wiped out. The leadbelchers took offence to 26 crossbows aiming at their mates and decided to do something about it...killing every single last one of them in a single turn!

this unfortunately didn't cause any panic! The cavalry posed the only problem, sorted by +1 T and Stubborn, and they were munched by a unit of 7 ogres (5 ironguts and 2 butchers) before they piled into his lone lord level character (alliteration!). This was an interesting round...coming out as a draw! He killed two ogres! Next turn i challenged him with a Butcher with a useful weapon we all love...he thought he was free suffering only 1 wound this round...which promptly multiplied into 3 and he died a horrible death! How we love elves!

By now he had two blocks of infantry left - the two units of spearmen. Rank bonus! How we hate that as ogre players! fully ranked up, standards, musicians...how to go in at a disadvantage...
How do you combat a disadvantage again? Oooooh yes...Ironguts, Lord and Butcher in the front, Bulls a flank of each unit, and 2 gorgers to munch 1 of the units and trappers in the back of the other. That was a fun combat phase...

Massacre! to the Ogres...we lost a grand total of 3 models! a Bull to shooting, and 2 ironguts to his Lord. And at the end of the game he had nothing left. How to win in 3 turns!

Thank you for your interest.
Steff

Reg06 · « **Reply #19 on:** Feb 29, 2008, 06:53:52 AM »

For an ironskin giant, obviously you need alot of metal. And ironskins aren't big fans of thinlings, so stay away from gnoblar attendants. Give him chains, because it is suitable, and just hammer plates into his flesh.

blackmaw · « **Reply #20 on:** Feb 29, 2008, 09:10:34 AM »

loving the army, and i was wondering if your base for ghark was pre-made. coz its exelent! especially the gnoblar

.

regards

Belchfist Beastkiller · « **Reply #21 on:** Mar 01, 2008, 04:58:54 PM »

@ all: Thank you for your comments!

@ Reg06: Hmm...how to go about metal plates though? any ideas? I have some plasticard...but it would be a bit tricky...and green stuffing flat things is a pain! How would you go about it?
Also the gnoblar attendants is avery good point...but they had no trouble selling off thousands of them to the chaos dwarfs...so perhaps that could come in somehow?

@ Blackmaw: Thank you very much! The base was two pieces of plasticard that I cut to size, using a pre-designed diagram i came up with. The upper piece was then cut along the lines of the river and glued to the second after much filing to get smooth river banks. The tree stump is about an inch of a twig/branch I searched for in a park near me, and a heck of a lot of green stuff work. The cannon ball and quite bit of the gnoblar is greenstuff also. I copied an already existing gnoblar model's clothes to get the right feel. The chaos dwarf was discovered in a bits box! and the chain was just from a hobby store! A good project! Turned out a bit different...but I like it nonetheless.

All giant suggestions are helpful!

BigD · « **Reply #22 on:** Mar 02, 2008, 12:17:47 PM »

As I already said at the Houserules-topic, I really like your gnoblar character. NIce work man! About your poll, I can't really comment, because I don't know how the giant looks, so I can't tell what to add. Do you have some pictures of it?

BigD

Belchfist Beastkiller · « **Reply #23 on:** Mar 02, 2008, 01:59:11 PM »

I will try my best to get some pics up asap, but my camera has a...temperamental streak!
The giant is totally uncovnerted at the moment. It is built EXACTLY as the slavegiant example on the internet and box - except with nothing hanging from his waist, and without the millstone. Hope that helps!

Steff

DonTheDime · « **Reply #24 on:** Mar 02, 2008, 02:22:33 PM »

I voted for chains, and would suggest the option of using cannon barrels as weights. Given the nature of an Ironskin army, cannon barrels should be a more common commodity that could be used in conjunction with chains to slow down the giant and keep him in his place.