Grotesque / Wraithguard Conversion [update]

I have been busy at work since the new Dark Eldar codex release working on some new horrors to inflict upon my opponents.  Here's an update on how my Grotesque / Wraithguard conversions are going.

Quad Machine from the Quake 2 Soundtrack provides a perfect accompaniment to painting Grotesques. 

  

I now have 5 fully assembled, one fully painted and two who are a WIP

The best thing about this photo is the Wicket W Warrick mug in the background...

I have been using some of the tips from the Raiders of Commorragh painting guide that came with my new Archon edition.  The book is well worth the investment if you're interested in the painting side of things and contains some ideas for special characters. 

An Abberation with an agoniser is now a pretty gruesome concept (rerolling to wound at AP3 against most marines). I have also been toying with the idea of fielding a Grotesquerie formation from the Covens supplement. This throws a few nice buffs their way.

Add in a Chronos and you have 4+ FNP Grots who reroll all 1s when making their FNP throws.  If you wanted to be even more disgusting you could throw in a Spiritseer and roll on Runes of Battle. Worse case scenario you get some shrouded Grots; best case perhaps +1 S? This would make them fearsome vehicle smashers.

How are you planning to use Grotesques in the new edition?

If anyone wants details on how to make / paint up these models, drop me a private message. 

VECT LIVES!

Stark

Coven Supplement Formations

[EDIT] I have now placed information on the new Coven formations below.  See comments for questions.  Any queries pop them in the comments. [/EDIT]

Like Ronseal... exactly what is says on the tin.

Post any questions in the comments below and I will get back to you asap.

However I am unable to answer the most obvious question (i.e. why did I spend £150 of my hard earned cash on 3 books...)

Stark

Does Urien get any special detachments?

Coven Coterie Detachment 

Urien

 Haemi

Raider (DT)

Venon (DT)

Wracks

Grots

Talos

Cronos

from the above select a min of 2HQ and 2 Elites

Lets you reroll warlord traits

Enemy units within 12" suffer -1 LD

Below are formations

Grotesquerie

Urien/Haemi

2x Grots

After warlord traits roll on the following table  All units of Grots gain the corresponding result:

1 +1 Strength
2 +1 T
3 Fleet
4 Shred
5 Rage
6 FnP 4+

Scarlet Epicureans
Haemi
Cronos
2x Wracks

All Wracks have precision strike (if within 12" of Haemi)
PfP is one turn higher.  Cumulative with other boosts.

Haemi automatically has master Epicurean warlord trait: (if WL is slain by a AP2/1 weapon gain D3 victory points)

Scalpel Squadron
2x Wracks
2x Venoms

If unit from formation gets first blood - D3 VP
All wracks start on venoms and begin in reserve.  They must DS in turn 1 by Deepstrike.

Corpsethief Claw
1x Talos unit (of 5 models)

Every time a unit from this formation destroys an enemy non-vehicle unit in CC gain 1 VP.  In missions where players earn VP for completely destroying enemy units controlling pkayer gains 1 additional VP every time the above conditions are met.

Talos also gain Scout.

Dark Artisan
1 Haemi
1 Talos
1 Cronos

All units must be fielded as a single unit (although this is not usually allowed).  Models with the IC rule cannot join this unit.

Formation's Talos / Cronos add 1 to their WS

If Haemi is your warlord, his trait is all talos / cronos with 12" reroll FnP rolls of 1.

This is ASKING to have a WWP thrown in...

Coventine Fleshcorp

1 Haemi
3x Wracks
3x Raiders

Master of pain rule (+1 to PfP) affects all units in formation, not just those within 12"

Warlord + wracks he is in unit with have FnP 4+

Carnival of Pain
1x of all the above

As long as Urient / Haemon from Grot formation is alive, PfP +1 turn for all units.
All non-vehicle models reroll to wound rolls of 1 in combat.

Coven Supplement Rumours

Starting to hear some whispers about the new Coven Supplement. The below is taken from thedarkcity.net and should be seen only as a rumour at present.

I will be providing a full update to this on Saturday morning when I pick up my copy of the Supplement.

"From a 100% reliable source wishing to remain anonymous (confirmed by pics):
COVEN Supplement

Power from pain - by turn number.
1 – nothing
2 – Fearless
3 – Fear, Fearless
4 – Fear, Fearless, it will not die
5 – Fear, It will not die, zealot
6+ - Eternal Warrior, fear, it will not die, zealot

This is a straight copy from the book - yes some of the powers are omitted on purpose as they are not listed in the chart every turn

Warlord chart 1 – talos & chronos reroll FNP rolls of 1 within 12”of warlord
2 – warlord plus any grotesques he joins gain it will not die
3 – add or subtract 1 from reserve rolls
4 – If your warlord is slain by an attack/weapon with AP 1 or 2 or with the ID rule, gain D3 VP
5 – Warlord plus wracks he joins gain FNP4+
6 – Warlord gains preferred enemy

Artifacts 10pts – pick one of the following at the start of your turn which lasts until your next turn – IWND, fleet, poisoned 4+, rampage (used each turn)
10pts – fighting in a challenge – opponent suffers -5 to initiative
25pts – 8”range, S1, AP2, assault 1, blast, instant death, no effect on vehicles (used as a grenade in shooting phase)
10pts – Additional D6 attacks at S3, AP- at initiative 10, grant an additional pile in move at this step, no bonus applicable for furious charge, rending etc
20pts – IWND 4+, only wounded by poisons special rule on 6
35pts - +1 to FNP rolls, negate first wound suffered if it has the ID rule but when this happens, the item is lost

Coven Detachment Required – 2HQ, 2 Elite
Optional – 4HQ, 6 Elite, 4 Heavy Support
Units that are available in the detachment – Urien, Haemonculus, Raider (DT only), Venom (DT only), Wracks, grotesques, talos, chronos

Benefits – if this is the primary detachment you can reroll warlord chart from this book. All enemy units within 12”of 1 or more models from this detachment suffer -1LD

7(!!!) formations as well!"

If the above is true I will certainly be taking a primary Coven and combining it with another Combined Arms detachment to benefit from the Archon's leadership penalties too.  Getting enemy units down to low LD levels and then pinning them may even make a Wych charge viable.

If you enjoyed this, why not find out why AP3 Huskblades are nothing to be concerned about? 

http://shitedwarf.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/im-ok-youre-ok-ap-3-huskblades-are-ok.html

Grotesque / Wraithguard Conversion

In anticipation for the new Archon/Succubus models being released I began work today on an escort for them to drop down with the WWP.  I wanted to keep my options open, so I've gone for a Grotesque/Wraithguard unit.

Deepstriking D-Scythes would be lovely, however, I would like the flexibility to use them as Grots as well (especially given the rumours I am seeing about them).  

The head comes from the Talos/Cronos kit, as does his arm and the probes sticking out from his neck. 

I took the end of a Shardcarbine and fitted it on to the D-Cannon he came with to make it look like a more natural one-handed weapon.  

The back of his head I filled in with liquid green stuff and the magazines surrounding his gun come from the Talos' chain flails.  I may well sand them down a bit and paint them up as liquid containers. 

The model has a great powerful / ancient feel to it which should complement the scrawny DE Lord very well (and give him an average toughness of 5/6 depending on how I run them).  Throw in a spiritseer with protect and boom! T6 S5 Terminators with AP2 flamers dropping with precision into enemy lines...

How should I paint these up? Any criticism / comments are welcome!

Stark