As I may have mentioned last time, Client X's friend, Client Y, purchased not one but two Warmachine starter boxed sets for himself, and it was up to yours truly to make them happen. So, this time around we'll cover the Cryx.
Stylistically, I must say, the Cryx have a lot going for them. I rather like the glowy necro-energy bits, and their use of spikes and razors isn't as over the top as, say, chaos marines. The designers are trying to strike a balance between Evil Skully Necromancer and Steampunk, and that sort of thing is rather tough to do well.
I like the design of the Deneghra model a lot, but if I ever got one, I'd trim those ridiculous horns off her helmet. I mean come on, her vision is restricted enough. Now you're going to weigh her poor head down with big metal horns? One fantastic thing about this mini is that the left arm is separate, allowing you to paint her face without the armor sleeve interfering. That's something they didn't do with her Cygnar counterpart, whose head came warped to fit his collar instead of the other way around. Now, what I absolutely love is that the left arm has a nice, deep well of the shoulder peg to sink into securely, which is something NO ONE ELSE DOES ON ANY MINI, EVER. Bravo, Privateer Press, bravo.
I've been using parts of Old Stompy's brethren here for Tyracron parts, so I was delight to get to assemble the actual model. Those big expanses of carapace scream for some kind of heraldry, so it was a bit of a shame to go with Cryx Mottled Slate Grey for the armor plates. I am increasingly a fan of glowy bits, so this big chap and his little subordinates got the treatment. The metal parts receive the same rusty steel I've been using on the Necrons, but with more Tin Bitz than Boltgun metal.
Someone tell me just what the hell these things are supposed to do; run up and for something? I suppose I'd be warmer to the design if it had four legs and looked like an armored boar, instead of a weird chicken thing. If I ever delve into WM and decide to go Cryx, I honestly don't want to have to use them.
No, replacing the lower jaw with a peashooter doesn't help, either. Sorry, death chicken, you'll not make it into my collection that way. Your larger, two legged compatriots might, but you? Not if I have a choice, no.
Unless, that is, one of you Cryx players out there explains to me how they blow through the enemy like little metal cannonballs full of anger. Then I'll model some mechanized death-boars.
Next time, Cygnar.
Maybe.
8 comments:
"Now, what I absolutely love is that the left arm has a nice, deep well of the shoulder peg to sink into securely, which is something NO ONE ELSE DOES ON ANY MINI, EVER. Bravo, Privateer Press, bravo."
Actually, this plastic, and the assembly method was first used by Kraken for their Alkemy line (2008). PP is not the first company to do this. Applauding PP for using this is one thing, giving them credit as the first company to do this with miniatures when another company did it a few years earlier is another.
Never heard of or encountered them before, but I'll take your word for it. If they have deep wells and bloody long pegs on their products, that's wonderful.
GW, RAFM, Rackham, Corvus Belli, Ral Partha, and the other odd mini manufacturers whose wares fill my shelf never did this. They furnished me with little shallow dimple wells and pegs barely larger than a zit.
The plastic is decent, but I still prefer metal.
The chickens have arc nodes, which allow your caster (the woman) to cast spells through them from far away, keeping her safe. If yoir caster dies you lose.
Interesting, so there's a range factor involved, too, eh? The plot thickens....
Indeed. Normally a spell has a range of only 8-10 inches, however your warcaster (in this case Deneghra) can control her Warjacks (& Bonechickens) from 14 inches away. So because they are a magical relay, you can have the bonejack 14" away, then relay another 8-10" to consume your enemy in corrosive acidic melty death. While very fragile, these little blighters are nimbly fast litte f&^kers that are difficult to nail down. In a game where assassination is king (you lose your warcaster - game over) these guys are invaluable.
Played a 3-way game at the client's place using these; the Cryx managed to squash the Menoth (by assassinating Steampunk Lad) but were laid low by Khador's heavy weaponry. Man is that boomgun effective. The little chickenpigs were useful for extending spell range, but awful in combat vs Sorscha.
What technique do you use to create the mottled looking steel? Looks really good!
I paint a base layer of Warplock Bronze, then drybush a 50/50 of Warplock mixed with Leadbelcher, then finally a highlight of 25/75 of the Warplock/Leadbelcher blend. (occasionally I'll add in some silver, but not usually) I also use the sponge foam you get from pluck trays as a sort of mixing palette. It helps when the mini has some kind of texture to mix up the finish a bit. if there's any mistake, I usually fix it with Warplock so some tonal mottling remains.
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