W40K: Tyranids 'Kronos Termagants x5 (c)'

Well I have these 5 models sitting in various stages of completion for a long time, built, primed, semi painted and now another 5  Kronos 'Termagants' with Fleshborer's are finished.  That makes 15 'Termagants' with Fleshborer's completed and I believe I have another 5 to do before moving onto 40 of them with Devourers.  As I stated when I first started to collect the Tyranids, I am no rush to get them done, they are here to paint a little at a time when I need a change from something else.

Kronos Termagants (c)

Kronos Termagants (c)

Painting Points: 5

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W40K: Tyranids 'Kronos Termagants x5 (b)'

Another 5  Kronos 'Termagants' with Fleshborer's are now completed.  Out of the initial 60 'Termagants' I need completed for my 1000 point list, 20 will be with Fleshborer's and  40 will be with Devourer's, 10 Fleshborer's are now done.

Kronos Termagants (b)

Painting Points: 5

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W40K: Tyranids 'Kronos Ripper Swarms I'

Here I am with only 5 Termagants completed, already changing it up a bit.  With the 'Ripper Swarms' being so small, I knew it would not take long to get them completed so I decided yesterday to complete one of my Units.  In my 1000 point list, I only need one Unit of 3, but for my expanded 1500 point list I will need three Units of 'Ripper Swarms.  Luckily these models come inside the boxes of the Termagant Broods, I just needed to purchase a few more extra 40mm bases.

Kronos Ripper Swarms I

Kronos Ripper Swarms I

Painting Points: 6

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W40K: Tyranids 'Kronos Termagants x5 (a)'

In yesterdays post, I had mentioned on starting my Tyranids Termagants with the newer Citadel Contrast paints.  I was not liking the way they were coming out (watercolor effect) and the time it was taking to paint them and felt my old way of painting may be quicker for me.

I re-primed the first batch of 5 Termagants with my standard black spray and went to work on them.  They probably still took just as long (and a few more colors), but the end result is what I was looking for (more of a black/grey body with red armor shells) to go with the Hive Fleet Kronos color scheme I was wanting.

In my initial 1000 point list of Tyranids and the core of my army I am building/painting, I have 60 Termagants in the list, so it looks I will have 12 batches of 5 to paint (a-l).  Now my problem is I have nothing else already assembled and ready to paint....so it looks like this coming week may be assembly week for me.

 Kronos Termagant

 Kronos Termagants (a)

Kronos Termagants (a)

Painting Points: 5

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W40K: First Wave Of Tyranids Arrived

Last week I had wrote that for 2020 I will be starting a new Tyranids army.  I had received the Tyranid Codex from my son for Orthodox Christmas, and then with gift cards from work, I was able to order the rest of the models I need to start with my 1000 Point list and as of yesterday afternoon, all my models had arrived.

Between working on my Imperial Fists, and my new Tyranids.... I think the year will be pretty busy.

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W40K: Tyranids Inbound...Again

I had mentioned the other day in my "Whats in store for 2020" post that I want to start a Tyranid army for Warhammer 40K in 2020.  As you can see in the title of today's post, "Again".  Back in 2010 I actually collected/painted a Tyranid army that was complete and later sold, in those days I used to use the "dip" method to finish off my models.  Nowadays Games Workshop has a new paint line called Contrast Paints, and these Tyranid models are calling me to be painted with the new paints.  Besides really liking the look of the "bugs", I think the Contrast Paints are perfect for these type of models, I guess I'll find out.

I am in no rush in getting these models completed, more of year long project (AdeptiCon takes priority), but it will be nice to change it up a bit from painting Space Marines all the time.  The plan is to start small with 1000 points (which I purchased all but 3 models today), get them assembled and start to paint a few of them while at the same time occasionally getting in a game with them.

Since it is only 1000 points to begin with and I wanted some 'Termagants' to paint in my list, I opted not to include a 'Hive Tyrant' (yet) to begin with.  Below is the first 1000 points I will begin with.

+ HQ +
Malanthrope
Tervigon

+ Troops +
3x Ripper Swarm
30x Termagants (20x Devourer / 10x Fleshborer)
30x Termagants (20x Devourer / 10x Fleshborer)

+ Elites +
6x Hive Guard

I still need to think of a Hive that I want to play with and after looking over the Codex next week, I'll make a decision, but this will be a good start for the Tyranids, from here I can always expand them easily (6 more Hive Guards and a pair of Carnifexes will get me to 1500).

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W40K: Tyranids Trygon Prime 2 Completed

Games Workshop©

My second Trygon Prime is now completed.  Last Friday night I decided to purchase the Trygon and finish the Tyranids instead of purchasing models for my Blood Angels.  I am happy that I decided to do this.  With the Trygon completed, I can now say that my 1750 points of Tyranids are ALL DONE.

Exactly one month since I started painting them they are completed.  Feels really good to have another painted army to play with.  These Tyranids will be making their maiden voyage this Friday night against some Orks.

Now that the Tyranids are completed, The Ultramarines move up to the top for painting, followed by assembly of the Blood Angels.

Trygon Prime 2

Trygon Prime 2

Trygon Prime 1 & 2

Painting Points: 10

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W40K: Tyranids Zoanthrope Unit 2

Games Workshop©

You see, I told you I was going to get back to my Tyranids.  I was able to finish up my second unit of 2 Zoanthropes last night, and after running to Hobby Lobby for more matte spray, these guys are now done.

So that leaves me with just under 1500 points for my Tyranid army.  With some option add/changes, I have a playable 1500 point list.  My goal with the Tyranids is 1750 (like most of my armies) so all I have to add is my second Trygon Prime.

I was suppose to pick up that model tonight (being payday), but with all the added deposits/hook up fees with all the utility companies for moving still hitting me this month, the Trygon may have to wait a few more weeks.  I may try and squeeze in him tonight, but we'll see.  I may opt for something a little cheaper to start on my Blood Angels army.

Anyways, here is a picture of my second Zoanthrope unit.

Zoanthrope Unit 2

Painting Points: 4

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W40K: Tyranids Mycetic Spores Part 2

Games Workshop©

The "dip" fully dried by the morning and I was able to continue on with the Mycetic Spores.  The Spores looked a bit too brown for me and I've been contemplating on what to do with them.  I decided just to add a little blue in the same fashion the rest of my Tyranid armour is painted.  They look a little better, and they are just "tabletop" quality.  At least I can now game with them until GW does release their own model.

Remaining Steps:

7.  Once the dip fully dried, I then painted on Astronomican Grey near the top of the Spores.

8.  Once that paint was dry, it was followed with a wash of Asurmen Blue.

9.  I glued on some rocks to match what I have been currently using.

10.  I then proceeded to paint up the bases of the Spores in my standard Tyranid fashion.  Basecoat of Bestial Brown followed by a drybrush of Bleached Bone.

11.  It was now time for the matte spray.  This is the step that worries me the most, I shall find out in a few hours if I had enough coating on my Spores.  I made sure to stay 12"-18" away while spraying the matte, and also sprayed in light coats.

Finished Mycetic Spores:

Mycetic Spore 1

Mycetic Spore 2

Mycetic Spore with Zoanthrope

Painting Points: 20

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W40K: Tyranids Mycetic Spores Part 1

Games Workshop©

Since Games Workshop doe not yet make a Mycetic Spore for the Tyranid army, like everyone else who is playing with these, we had to come up with our own ideas for what to use.  I really hope that GW will release a plastic model soon.  I am not one who "converts" and I try to stay away from that option as much as possible, but the only way to really run Zoanthrope's to be effective is to drop them in Mycetic Spores.

Until this morning (a comment from Sean on another post) I had completely forgotten that Armorcast makes a Spore.  If I would have remembered this last week, I would have just purchased two of these for now.  But since I did not remember, I started to make my own.



1.  I started with a standard Styrofoam egg from 'Hobby Lobby' for $3.99 (Hobby Lobby offers 40% coupons online off a single item, the wife and I each paid for one seperatley, I was being cheap), a standard blank DVD (to be used for the base) and a couple of Genestealer bits that were on the sprue that I would use as a topper.

2.  I then sliced the bottom of the egg and the top of the egg and proceeded to glue the egg to the DVD and I also glued on the Genestealer topper.  For now I just used standard white glue.

3.  Once the white glue was dry, I then used a 'low temp' glue gun and placed some glue around the base of the egg where it meets the DVD and I also placed some glue over the egg in various locations just to add some texture.

4.  I then mixed up some water, white glue, various 'Woodland Scenics' flock and some static grass to create a water down paste.  I proceeded to brush on the 'paste' all over the eggs.  The purpose of this paste was to create some texture on the eggs so when I applied my 'dip' the egg would not have 'flat' surfaces.  I was very generous on applying the paste. I wanted to make sure that glue was applied all over to protect the Styrofoam.

5.  I let the paste dry overnight and then proceeded to basecoat the egg.  I was hoping to use my 'Khaki' spray paint on the egg, since I was not sure if there was enough glue covering the egg, I decided to hand brush the paint all over the egg.  Spray Paint will start to 'eat away' at Styrofoam if you do not coat the Styrofoam fully.  I did not have enough GW Khaki so I used "Delta" 'Tan' as my basecoat.  This was the closest color I had to Khaki and once the dip was applied I knew the color would be close.  Once again I was very generous on the basecoat and made sure to fully coat the egg.

6.  I again let the basecoat dry overnight, and this morning I brushed on my "dip".  I will also let this dry all day and then I can work on finishing the base of the model and applying a matte coat.  I hope there is enough paint and dip on the model to protect it from when I spray the matte coat.  We shall see.

Here are a few of my work in progress pictures.  Tomorrow I should have some pictures of the finished Mycetic Spores.

Mycetic Spore with brushed on 'paste'

Mycetic Spore with brushed on 'paste'

Mycetic Spore with brushed on basecoat 'tan'

Mycetic Spore with brushed on basecoat 'tan'

Mycetic Spore with brushed on 'dip'

Mycetic Spore with brushed on 'dip'

Mycetic Spore with Genestealer topper

Mycetic Spore with brushed on 'dip'

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W40K: Tyranids Tyrant Guard

Games Workshop©

Well it was time to continue working on my Tyranid army.  Last Friday night I purchased a Tyrant Guard for the army.  This is actually the last model I have for my army that I can paint until I purchase a couple more Zoanthrope's and another Trygon Prime.

I do have my 2 Mycetic Spore's that I am also working on.  I will have those done before I can purchase the other models I need.  Probably this weekend I'll be able to pick up the Zoanthrope's and the following weekend the Trygon.

Tyrant Guard

Tyrant Guard

Tyrant Guard

Painting Points: 2

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W40K: Tyranids Zoanthrope Unit 1

It was a great start to painting for May.  This morning  I was able to complete my first unit of Zoanthrope's.  I still have to model/paint their Mycetic Spore, but at least the unit is done.

I'll be running two units of 2 Zoanthrope's in my list, so I still have to purchase the other 2 models.  Each unit will also have a Mycetic Spore.  I have purchased the materials I need for the spores today, so we'll see if I can start on them tomorrow.

Zoanthrope Unit 1

Zoanthrope

Painting Points: 4

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W40K: Tyranids Genestealer Unit 2

Well I am now finished with the core Troops of my Tyranid army.  My second unit of 8 Genestealers are now completed.

All that I have left for 1750 is one more Trygon Prime, four Zoanthropes, one Tyrant Guard and two Spores.  Two of the Zoanthropes are already assembled and waiting to be primed.  They should probably be done this weekend barring any set backs.

Genestealer

Genestealer Unit 2

Painting Points: 8

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W40K: Tyranids Trygon Prime Completed

I could not let this big guy stare at me too long in grey plastic, he was calling out to be painted.  So I managed to finish the first of two Trygon Prime's for my Tyranid army.  As I stated earlier these guys are just great to put together, and the painting was not too difficult on them either.  There were some tight spots along the bottom of the base to get too (I could have painted him separately from the base, but I usually like to prime my models and bases together.)  I know I am using the "speed paint" method to get these guys completed, but for me, the Tyranid army is just another tabletop army for me to play with.  Anyways the "dip" method really works out quite well for the bugs, and I really do not see any difference if I was to "wash" the entire model with "Devlan Mud" or use my "dip" method.  The idea is still the same which is to provide a shadow effect in all the creases.

Trygon Prime 1

Trygon Prime 1

Trygon Prime 1

Trygon Prime 1

Painting Points: 10
(I added a new category to "Painting Points" for "Large Monster",  well he is really big)

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W40K: Tyranids Hormagaunt Unit 2

The second unit of 14 Hormagaunts are now completed.  I had finished the bases on them early this morning then during lunch sprayed the Matte coat.  Just one more unit of Genestealers to complete and all my Troop choices will be complete.

Hormagaunt Unit 2 (6 of 14)

Painting Points: 14

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