Although I've been mostly focused on fantasy miniatures this year, when starter sets of the Gundam Trading Card Game began shipping earlier in the summer, I couldn't resist the opportunity to give the card game a go and get hold of some of the minis from the forthcoming Gundam Assemble a little bit early as well and I have to say that the miniatures (and the card game) have not disappointed. Like most other plastic miniatures (and full size Gunpla kits), the Gundam Assemble kits come on sprues and are push fit assembly. Clean up of mould lines didn't take very long either and if you were so inclined, you could have them fully built and ready to use for gaming mere minutes after opening the packaging. Although initially I wasn't sure about the design of the Principality of Zeon's mobile suits, they've really grown on me, so of the four Assemble sets available, I went for Zeon's Rush which contains one MS-06F 'commander suit' (distinguished by the ...

Proto-Astartes in k0rdhal pattern powered armour

Though perfectly balanced, the sword feels heavy in his hands. He was told it was an heirloom of a clann of Nord Alba, but it is not the history of the blade that weighs upon him so. He is oathed to this moment. The soft breath of the wind catches the wax sealed parchment afixed to his vambrace but he needs no reminder of the words he spoke not two hours before, for his eidetic memory would not let him forget them even if he tried. Besides, it is not his oath that feels burdensome. His genhanced eyesight allows him to pick out individual warriors among the horde that has assembled upon the Katabatic Plains. Most look to be baseline humans, armed with lasfusils and stubguns, their slight frames encased in carapaces of burnished plate, the edges flaring crimson in the pre-dawn light. A day like this might once have been considered ill-omened for dawning red, but in these enlightened times, such superstitions are frowned upon. There is a commotion among the horde as larger men force ...

Warhammer Underworlds: Painting the Knives of the Crone

Though appearing to be Daughters of Khaine at first glance, closer inspection reveals the Knives of the Crone to be fanatical believers in the creed of the prophetic goddess Morai-Heg. Living only to serve fate’s will, this cadre of killers is led by Kaerna Vix, a powerful haruspex who gleans the desires of her patron deity from the viscera of slain foes. None, save perhaps the Croneseer Krethusa truly knows why the Knives of the Crone are abroad in the underworlds of the Mortal Realms, though speculation has been abound since they were first sighted in the tunnels of Embergard. Perhaps they seek more artefacts which once belonged to Morai-Heg, or maybe the location of the stricken Lord-Arcanum Brena Vennerdreizh who's testimony might help to tear down the veil of deception which Morathi-Khaine cast around her apotheosis, or perhaps they are simply scouting for the material resources with which their master might wage more open war against the followers of the pretender. Whatever ...