Deathwatch Overkill- finished

So, here they all are at last! Killteam Cassius with their 84 Skullz, looking forwards to negotiating a mutually beneficial solution with the xenos.

Deathwatch Killteam Cassius

Here's their chums, the peace loving Genestealer Cult- more pics via the link.

I've played a few games (as the Cult)- it's not the deepest game, but it is quick. Here are some pics:

In the spirit of the age, here are the participation awards:

Most Skullz (12) (also, best garter): Ultramarine

Best pose: Space Wolf

Best hair: Blood Angel (close competition for this award)

Most dakka: Imperial Fist

Best helmet: Raven Guard

Best chapter icon: Blood Raven

Best chin: Dark Angel

Best shopping lists: Chaplain

Best prostheses: Iron Hand

Best facial hair: White Scar

Most burn: Salamander

Honourable mentions to the Servo Skull and Teleport Homer.

Final thoughts:

The models are technically gorgeous, with crisp multipart sculpts and minimal mould lines cleverly hidden. I'm quite taken with the new 32mm bases. I refined my technique for painting black. I saw the benefits of drilling out muzzles.

But they are aesthetically frustrating, with the iconic black armour hidden behind a spectrum of bright colour splashes. I tried to minimise the colours with some success, but not a huge amount. I gave up and just went with it a bit more on the later paintjobs. There is so much extra detail on each one, the group literally took me months. And, well, they just emphasise the grimdaft silliness of the 41st millennium. These sucked up an awful lot of my hobby time this year.

Also, the character art for the board game is a bit crap. They look like pouty tossers.

Pouty tossers.

And that's it for the Deathwatch on this blog!

Deathwatch Chaplain Cassius

This is my last Deathwatch figure! Chaplain Cassius is a pretty cool sculpt. There was much swearing when I dropped him and snapped off the iron halo.

I've just noticed I need to paint the vents on his backpack...

Now, the really 'last' figure is this Servo Skull. Name suggestions welcome!

Skullometer: 8 (+1 for the Servo Skull)
Grand total squad Skullz: 84

Deathwatch coming up:

• Group shot and reflections
• Storage case review

Deathwatch Imperial Fist

I've always had a soft spot for the Imperial Fists ever since reading Ian Watson's Space Marine back in the '90s. Rodricus Grytt doesn't disappoint, with a sensible weapon for the target-rich environment of the grimdark- an automatic grenade launcher. I like the pale blue lanyard. I only wish that he (and his servo-skull) were facing in a firing direction.

Skullometer: 7
Total Squad Skullz: 75

One more to go!

Deathwatch Ultramarine

This is Vael Donatus. He rates unexpectedly high on the Skullometer, due to the weights on his cingulum militare. These miniatures are the first where I've drilled out the muzzles (1mm drill) and now there's no going back, it looks so much better.

Skullometer: 12
Total Squad Skullz: 68

Deathwatch Blood Raven Librarian

The end is in sight- I've really picked up steam with the Deathwatch, so expect a few frequent posts.

This is Blood Raven Librarian Jensus Natorian. I like painting psykers' eyes because I don't have to do the pupils! I did his sword with a green wash and then a coppery bronze for the swirls. I'm not sure about the banding on his loincloth- I did it red to better tie him in with the Blood Ravens, but I think it's a bit bright and maybe I should have gone a librarian blue.

Skullometer: 7
Total Squad Skullz: 56

Deathwatch Iron Hand

This is one of my favourite Deathwatch sculpts. Ennox Sorrlock is as much machine as man, and has a no-nonsense stance. He's actually doing some something sensible, i.e. reloading! His monochrome paint scheme fits in with the overall aesthetic I'm aiming for.

It's time for another group shot:

Skullometer: 6

Total Squad Skullz: 49

Deathwatch White Scar biker

"OK men, we will be fighting on narrow, rusty walkways and gantries suspended hundreds of feet in the air. Any questions?"

"Can I take my motorbike?"

White Scar Jetek Suberei and his bike and his battle budgie. This was a fiddly model to paint, but I got there. I'm happy with the new technique I tried on his power sword- I'll refine that in future. I'm also happy with the chunky tyres- the dark grey helps set off the black armour. I slightly offset the model on the base to accentuate a sense of motion.

The lightning strike on his leg and on the bike were a minor hassle. I've given up on going for a really monochrome scheme, and so there are a few more splashes of colour around the place, including the bike's display. It's a bit hard to see, but I like how the scar on his face matches the damage on his helmet.

I don't know if that's what was intended or if I misread the sculpt, but I love the purity seal on the cyber-eagle. So daft.

This larger model took a bit of effort, but with last week's terminator done as well I feel I've broken the back of this squad and only have five more marines to paint.

Skullometer: 8
Total Squad Skullz: 43

Deathwatch Salamander Terminator

I kind of like this model. Garran Branatar has a subtle twist to his stance where he is just about to cook some heretics. The iconic terminator appearance is nicely done. It wouldn't be GW without some silliness, so here's your flamethrowing asset with canisters of fuel on his back- it's fine for him to balance a blazing brazier on his head.

He has a teleporter homer as well. The beacon is more of a light blue in the flesh.

Skullometer: 5 (+2 on the teleporter)

Cumulative Squad Skullz: 35