In the last article we locked in some key details on theme - that’s looking solid. I’ve got an army list I can build towards and start playing some games when all the models are built. And I’ve started painting. This project is officially on track…
So, I’ve built the first Hearthkyn Warrior unit with Autoch-pattern Bolters And been working on refining the paint scheme with this first unit.
Disclaimer: so in some of these photos you’ll notice the elephant not in the room. If you’ve read the last two articles you’ll remember that my aim is to have a larger proportion of Iron Kin in my army than you might see in standard builds…
Well all I can say in my defense is that the extra heads I was looking to add to the force have been sitting waiting for international dispatch - three weeks so far.
So all the pics have heads that haven’t all been fixed in place. Hopefully they will arrive before too much painting gets done.
The next models to be built are the second unit of Hearthkyn Warriors from the Leagues of Votann Army Box set. I built this unit as it was added to the first draft of the army list. This unit is armed with Ion Blasters and includes a EtaCarn plasma Beamer. I also made sure to use as much of the extra gear as i can add to each model. I’m hoping to get at least 3 more Iron Kin heads into this unit
Skimming over the surface of a resources rich asteroid looking for richer the Hegemony can share in…
My Unit of Hernkyn Pioneers are fitted with Rollbar Searchlight and Pan Spectral Scanner, as well as a Hylas Rotary cannon. I’ve made the gunner and plan to make one of the Pioneers Iron Kin.
Armed with a Volkanite Disintegrator, Mass Gauntlet and Teleport Crest - my Karl is set to be a very versatile component of my army.
I added one of my asteroid bases, resized and 3D printed at 40mm, to extend the pock marked rocks he comes with onto the flat surface of the base.
I’ve also made sure to turn the head of this model to follow the pointing finger of the Mass Gauntlet. Seen a load of models across social media looking left as we view it… but the big finger is pointing to the right - so that’s where my version is looking.
So that’s the Army Box built… (even the Einhyr Champion has been built and I’ll do some testing with him of alternative Exo-Armour colour variactions - thanks to the latest White Dwarf I have a more refined picture of the subtle differences in armourment, as well as the level of weathering and damage that can be applied to Leagues of Votann compared to the less concerned Imperials. Check out WD 482.)
I’d also recently picked up the next two units - despite already having Hearthkyn Warriors being painted and the second unit ready to undercoat. But when I’ve not got the time or inclination to paint then building pushes the project forward.
First up are the Einhyr Hearthguard a good mate wasn’t using any of the Iron Kin heads from their Leagues of Votann set. So that made it super easy to build this unit as I wanted it from the start. Wth the changes to the mechanics to Grudges and the ap and damage of the EtaCarn plasma guns they became the load out for ranged weapons for this unit. Particularly as the Hesyr gets access to the Teleport Crest - I want this unit to deep strike and take out treats ncamped deep in the enemy deployment zone from turn 2 onwards.
If they are shooting at vehicles the extra Strength, AP and damage they will do damage as they prepare to charge in the assault phase. And that lead to the choice of the Concussion Gauntlet with it’s +3 strength and 2 damage over the cooler looking Plasma Blade Gauntlet.
You’ll also notice that I have 3D printed base toppers for this unit - resized to 32 mm and slightly different to other sizes.
Finally, It’s the Brokhyr Thunderkyn and yes they had bases that I redesigned from the two character bases I did earlier as they come on 40mm bases.
I chose to give this unit one of each of the gun load outs available to them. It’s an Arcf40k army… So rather than max out on the best gun, I decided that the best load out was to be as versatile as possible and give them each of the gun options with a different model in the unit.
You’ll also notice 2 Iron Kin heads… Yep after three and a half weeks my Iron Kin heads arrived from Taro Model Maker in the UK. These are fantastic - high quality - loads of detail and easy to fit. Hopefully as I great updated progress shots of the other units you’ll get to see more of the Iron Kin across the army.
So, I’m on track and up to date. All current purchases have been built, I’ve just got one of each of the vehicles to grab to complete what I need for the current list.
Next time I should have that promised first unit dome - we'll see how it goes.
