Category Archives: Hobby Streak

Last Bridge Over the River Don

The opening battle in the Stalingrad Campaign is the Last Bridge Over the River Don. The main objective is for the Soviets to hold the bridge while their force retreats and then blow the bridge. Game is on a 6×4 table with a river running north to south. In the middle of the river is a small bridge. Eastern side of the bridge has a small village. Western side has a few hills and balkas.

Soviets can attempt to blow the bridge. The objectives give 2 pts for each soviet unit to cross the bridge, and the Germans get 1 pt for each destroyed unit and 5 if the bridge is intact.

For terrain, I intend to use my Kallistra grass hexes as a base with assorted hills. I have a river from Tabletop World. It should sit nicely down between hexes. The river is 6″ wide, however, and if that doesn’t work, I have a neoprene river set and a few bridges that should work nicely. I need about 10 small buildings for the town where Dwarven Forge City Builder should also fit in nicely. I have 3 or 4 buildings for variety that are a high quality cardboard including a church that will make good variety.

Here is the Soviet T34 on the bridge. This will work well.

The army lists are below. Both lists are 1167. I don’t have a good reason for picking this number.

Germans1167Gates of Stalingrad
Leutnant50Regular
Here infantry905 Rifles 1 LMG 1 LoaderRegular
Panzgrenadier975 Rifles 1 LMG 1 LoaderRegular
medic30Veteran
artillery forward observer1001 ARRegular
Heer infantry1107 Rifles 1 LMG 1 LoaderRegular
heer pioneer771 Rifle 4 SMGSVeteran
mmg50Regular
medium mortar60add spotterRegular
flammenwerfer50Regular
sniper team50Regular
Anti-tank rifle team (removed)Regular
50mm pak 3875Regular
Sdkfz231100Regular
Panzer iii Ausf E,F1402nd MMGRegular
Sdkfz 7 halftrack44Regular
Sdkfz 7 halftrack44Regular
I based the German list on what an advancing army might look like. Mechanized infantry with early war armor support. Decent equipment. I could have made the squad sizes a little larger which would have brought me up to 1500 pts, as well as a few trucks, but this should make for a decent fight. I think the game plays well at 1250 to 1500.

Soviets Don Volga

Rifle Squad012 RiflesInexpierenced
2nd Lieutenant50SMGRegular
Veteran squad853 Rifle 1 LMG 1 LoaderVeteran
Rifle squad568 RiflesInexpierenced
commissar15SMGInexpierenced
assault engineer squad805 SMGsVeteran
rifle squad817 Rifles 1 FlagInexpierenced
rifle squad497 RiflesInexpierenced
veteran squad1034 Rifles 1 LMG 1 PanzerfustVeteran
Mmg35Inexpierenced
Dshk heavy machine gun team49Inexpierenced
Sniper team50Regular
Dog mines26Inexpierenced
Tank hunters20Inexpierenced
Medium mortar35Inexpierenced
Light mortar24Inexpierenced
45mm antitank46Inexpierenced
Ba20 Armoured Car52Inexpierenced
T-34156Inexpierenced
Truck31Inexpierenced
Truck31Inexpierenced
Truck31Inexpierenced
Truck31Inexpierenced
Truck31Inexpierenced
The soviet list is based on an army in full retreat. Supplies and such were not a huge issue at this point of the war. I was happy to give them full equipment. The soviet army was very experienced at this point as well which I reflected in the list.

Initial Impressions

Reading over the rules, it seems like the Soviets have a real challenge. You have to get as many units over the bridge as possible and still blow the bridge. The initial turn the fuse is lit you have a 1/3 chance of blowing the bridge. The next turn its 50/50 and 2/3 the following turn. You don’t want to blow it early because it costs you points, but you can’t wait till the last turn either. Although the game does continue until the bridge blows or the charges are defused. The way the reinforcements work for the Germans I want the bridge blowing turn 6.

Also I wouldn’t consider this a good introductory scenario for those new to Bolt Action. It is a pretty complicated fight with many rules and deployments.

Hobby Items

First and foremost getting the two forces fully painted. I have about 3 weeks from now util the floors are completed and I have a game room back. That easily should be enough time for 50 odd infantry and a couple vehicles. Right……. right. My Germans are largely complete already. Maybe 10 models. The Soviets need around 40.

I need to paint the river. It shouldn’t take too long. It is nicely textured. I have 10 pieces that are 9″ long and 5″ wide, 8 curves, a large stone bridge that is just wide enough for a t-34. There is also a mill somewhere which would be cool to do eventually. I think there are 4 river battles and it is a terrain feature in 3 more. I may also try the resin thing where I fill the river with resin to create a water effect.

Other hobby items. I will most likely 3d print a building or two. They will need painted. I also need to paint a few hedges that I have 3d printed.

Next time should be some painted models progress, after the weekend.

Hobby Streak 01/17/2023

The hobby streak crashed and burned around Christmas. Coupled with trying to get to level 250 in Call of Duty. I haven’t hobbied much until the last week.

A few things that didn’t get pictures. I finalized a massive structure for the DND Campaign. It was 3d printed, no color has been added yet. I also primed the player models and had our session 0. Crafted most of the story, our first game is set for this upcoming Sunday. I think this is where we will chronicle the party’s efforts. Expect a new page and weekly DND posts.

For the streak, I did hobby on Saturday the 14th and have maintained it since then. My elves are producing models at an alarming rate. I hate building models and have 3 hired hands that assist in their spare time. One is working on my Horus Heresy Collection, one on Star Wars Legion, and one on Flames of War. I will officially own a unit of most Flames of War models across the 5 main European players soon.

I produced a couple random DND monsters. I had an hour or so and sat down with my airbrush, and went to work. I prepared some trees for the terrain. I glued a crap ton of scenery for Marvel Crisis Protocol. I am 100% complete with all MCP except the December and January releases, which felt huge. I can’t wait to begin painting those.

In the next week, you can expect a fully finished dwarven army. I have 45 models left to paint. 25 pikemen, and 20 warriors. The warriors are all primed and will begin being painted this very afternoon. I just printed the pikemen; they need to wash and cure and will be back to work. I also have 10 dnd minis that need to be done. Our 7 PC’s, 2 Velociraptors, and an NPC.

I would upload pictures, but……. fail. Until next week.

Age of Sigmar Battle Report Stormcast vs Seraphon

On December 7th 2022 the Stormcaster Eternals and a ragtag group of angry Seraphon phased off in the epic finally in a battle for guts and everlasting glory.

My opponent was younger maybe 10 and both his parents were in the store as onlookers. Because of his age I did my best to not take any photos of him or to post his name. Here are the opposing army lists. I did garrison my Starseer inside the Realmshaper engine

Seraphon Thunder Lizards2000Stormcast1935
Oldblood on Carnosaur250Krondys550
Skink Starseer145Knght-Vexillor with Banner160
Stegadon with Bolt270Lord-Imperatant175
Stegadon with Bolt270Yndrasta280
Stegadon with Bolt270Vindicators130
Bastiladon with Solar Engine250Annihilators180
Dread Saurian545Evocators230
Realmshaper Engine0Vanguard Raptors with Hurricane230

We rolled for the Burn and Pillage Battleplan. He also won the roll and decided to go first. You can just see our setup below. My third Stegadon is just off-screen on the bottom right. Wow the Dread Saurian is a house.

My opponent started his turn by moving forwards and some light shooting. I don’t even think it did any wounds. I also pushed forwards on my turn, including a charge with the Dread Saurian against Krondys. This was going to be an epic showdown of 2 550 pt models going toe to toe. VPs 5-3

Turn 2 my opponent held the initiative and went first again. I felt that had I had the first turn the game would have finished by turn 3. As it was he cast several spells buffing his Krondys removing wounds and giving him a better save. He also moved to get a few more models into the fight. The other side of the field was tons of shooting going back and forth. I felt that my Stegadons had the advantage here and was content to sit back sending the Carnasaur towards the main fight. I felt that the opponent errored by abandoning and not pillaging the objective behind him. VPs 10-4

Turn 3 was kinda epic. I did win the first turn and proceeded to kill Krondys, my Saurian did not have enough gas in the tank though and ends up falling to his infantry. He also charged with his Yndrasta who died but took a Stegadon with him. He fully abanonded both objectives. I think he realized his path to victory was to table me rather than objective me. VPs 15-6

Turn 4 the table turned again and my opponent took back the first turn. This was big as I planned on burning one objective and putting the game to of reach. Instead he was able to contest both objectives. This would be close. He failed a charge on my bastilidon which would have probably resulted in his victory. The Evocators were able to take down my stegadon on the bottom right. VPs 18-11

I failed to take a picture of the end of turn 5. He was able to charge me and kill my starseer and had the bastilidon down to 2 wounds. I went second and had my bastilidon facing anihilators and the spear guys. I had him withdraw and took the major victory. 18-16

What I learned.

Playing the objective is huge. I don’t know if he would have won had he kept the back objectives, but the game definitely would have been close. I also felt that the game was well balanced. Had he not missed a charge roll, there is no way my models would have survived. I probably should have burned an objective turn three and charged rather than sitting back and waiting. He was able to one shot both stegadons before they had a chance.

Hobby Streak 12/6 to 12/15

Wow a whopping 9 days since my last post. I can say that business has been unusually busy. We plow snow in the winter time and we have plowed 5 straight days. When you start at 2 am I don’t have a ton of energy for posting.

On 12/6 I painted the final model for my escalation AOS campaign. The starseer. Only contrast paints and some gold. He didn’t turn out great but I was out of time.

12/7. Game day, the final for the AOS Escalation campaign. My opponent was very young and struggled to play the objectives. I will have a full battle report up at some point. I did win going to 3-1 finishing a strong 2nd. My only loss was to the winner of the tournament. I lost at the 500 pt level in my first game.

12/8. I finalize a map for my DND campaign. I have started working on their primer and I have always found a map is nearly essential.

wolf-toe-islandDownload

12/9,12/10,12/11

Finished a unit of 20 dwarven longbeards. I only had about 30-45 minutes each day so getting 20 done I was happy with.

12/12 The snow begins. I assembled and inventoried the last of my Marvel Crisis Protocol Models. I was missing 4 kits, already been purchased. And once those are assembled I can start doing paint tutorials.

12/13 Another snow day. I took about 30 minutes and airbrushed some DND furniture and a couple of artillery pieces for the dwarves. The dwarves should be quick to finalize.

12/14 Another snow day. I did have some time in the office and started a map for the starting city for DND. The cities name is Challa. Here are the demographics. I will post the full map when complete. I also need to work out certain leaders and such. Prepare some plot hooks and as a whole get ready for the players to wreak havoc.

The City of Challa Population4760Children793      
Special Locations Government Employees Peasants Skilled Labor Crafstman Soldier Underworld 
Academy0Advisor2Barmaid12Bakers15Alchemist1Archer (guard)9Assasin0
Arena0Bailiff0Barkeep11Bankers10Armorer2Barbarian4Assasin’s Guild0
Aristocrat House1Clerk1Bathkeeper2Barber15Artist1Crossbowman guard12Brigand2
Audience Chamber0Diplomat1BeerSeller5Beekeeper1Astrologer2Fighter2Highwayman2
Bank2Hayward1Begger15Butcher4Blacksmith3Footman (soldier)11Mercenary Leader1
Public Bath0Jailer2Bricklayer5Carpenters6Bleachers3General0Mercenary7
Barracks0Jester0Builder7Clothworker2Bookbinder2Guardsmen32Spy0
Brothel2Judge0Cart Driver11Dyer8Booksellers1Infantryman4Thief2
Church or Temple9Lawyer12Cheese Maker3Groom9Boyer5Longbowman1Aristocracy 
Colusium0Lord1Chicken Butcher5Horse Trainer20Brewer10Swordsmen2Aristocrat3
Courthouse1Minister1Chimeny Sweep16Locksmith2Brickmaker3NavyMan17Guildmaster3
Domina (gladiator house)0Reeve2Clotheswasher11Magic Shop3Buckle Maker2Traveling Salesmen Royalty0
Festiville Square1Steward1Courtesean6Painter4Candlemaker17Caravan Leader1Naval 
Gambling Den1Torturer0Cowherd7Pastrycooks12Cartwright5Peddler7Boatbuilder5
Granary1Scholars Cripple3Potter9Chandlers5Tinkerer2Boatmen20
Guildhouse1Archivist1Dairymaid5Shopkeeper7Cobbler5Medicine Workers Diver6
Hospital0Clergy119Drunk13Shoemaker24Coopers9Apothecary6Ferrymen6
Inns3Copyists2Eunuch1Tailor17Cutlers2Dentist5Fisherman21
Jail0Historian1Farmer366Tavern Keeper13Distiller3Doctor2Fishmonder5
Library0Interpreter2Fruit Seller4Weavers8Fletcher7Healer12Longshormeman21
Market2Librarian1Furriers21Wine-Seller15Glovmarkers2Medicine Men2Navigator2
Mages Lodge1Linguist0Gongfarmer37Exquisite Cafts Goldsmith3Midwife4Pirate4
Menagerie0Monk4Grocer12Architect0Harness Makers2Nurse4Privateer4
Museum1Nun4Hermit1Cartographer2Hatmaker6Physician2Ship Builder0
Noble Household7Philosopher1Herder12Clock Maker1Herbalist3Wet Nurse3Shipcaptain5
Park2Priests3Hunter18Demonologist0Horse Breeder2Servants Dockworker14
Pit Fighting Ring1Printing Press3Jewler15Engineer0Illuminators1Domestic Servant32Entertainers 
Prison0Professor0Laborer190Engraver3Lantern Maker6Gadener9Actor2
Racetrack0Scholar6Lumberjack21Explorer1Leatherworker9Housemaid15Bard1
Slave Market0Scribe3Masons12Falconer2Papermaker4Maidservants32Charioteer0
Stable6Scrivener1Mercers9Geologist1Pawnshop2Man at Arms6Dancer2
Tavern13Tax Collector2Miller29Geomancer0Perfumer1Squire39Docturie1
Theater1Teacher6Miner11Hearthwitch1Plasterrs3Service Gladiator4
Thieves Guild0Monster Salvager3Old-Cloths Sellers10Inventor1Pursemaker5Chef4Jongleur1
Training Hall2  Page18Necromancer0Ranger2Diviner1Minstrel1
Warehouse4  Pigkeeper20Runesmith1Ropemakers2Fortune Teller2Musician2
    Pilgrim7Shaman0Rugmakers2Massues0Playwright1
    Rat Catcher15Slaver1Saddlers4Messenger19Storyteller2
    Salter3Sorcerer0Scabbardmaker6Moneylender2Wrestler2
    Scavenger4Witch/Wizard0Sculptors2Mortician2Writer1
    Shepherd27Merchant Seamstress4    
    Street Seller3Counselor1Silversmith1    
    Street Urchin2Grain Merchant2Surveyor2    
    Town Crier7Hay Merchants3Tanners2    
    Trapper11Matriarch2Toymaker1    
    Watercarrier4Merchant12Vet2    
      Nobles17Wood Carvers2    
      Spice Merchant3Woodsellers1    
      Wine Merchant2Auction House2    

Hobby Streak 11-28-22 To 12-5-22

Hobby streak is still going strong. I didn’t take pics of everything. I doubt you want to see some basic glued grey MCP models.

On November 28 I airbrushed a few dinosaurs and a random piece of terrain I had. I am in an AOS league and our final game is scheduled for 12/7/2022. My list is as follows.

Seraphon Thunder LizardsPoints
Leaders
(General) Saurus Oldblood on Carnasuar250
Skink Starseer145
Battleline
(x3) Steagadon with Skystreak Bow270(ea) 810
Behemoth
Bastiladon with Solar Engine250
Dread Saurian545

I am super stoked for this list and a grand total of 7 models is nice. Battlereport will come

On the 29th I pushed out 10 dwarves with great weapons. My classic zenithal prime. Various contrast paints for the browns and hair. Vallejo Opaque Blue and Yellow. And some Reaper Bones darkened steel.

On the 30th I worked on the Dread Saurian, what a really cool model with so many textures. Worked great with an airbrush, I don’t even have much detail to work on once he is washed.

Primed with Vallejo Forest green primer, it also provided a nice basecoat. From there I mixed in various greens building up highlights and finished with the vallejo golden yellow you see on its side in the second pic. I added some gold fir the fixtures. I honestly think after a wash and some face and mouth detail work this model will be in good shape.

The 1st I was completely exhausted and simply built a handful of MCP models.

On the 2nd I began researching some info for my next DND campaign. The PCs are going to be starting on Wolf Toe Island, in the nation of Asan. I haven’t crafted much of this nation yet, and I want the culture to feel unique. This island has some significant notes in the past as it is where most of the shipwrecked sailers from the frequent storms in the Winsbey Ocean end up. Having a couple of medium fishing villages built from husks of shipwrecks is the start. I think having many different races in the area matters, I am struggling with figuring out how that looks as a culture.

The third I did some minor detail work on the big lizard models and made a couple of washes. Wash recipe is simple, ink, water, and matte medium. The water is about 70%, the medium 25% and ink 5% at most. I didn’t want to use expensive GW washes on a massive dinosaur.

The 4th I based the big models. I still have to paint the Starseer, but he will be mostly contrast paints done tonight. This will conclude what I am doing right now for the Seraphon. I will most likely do an inventory of the total amount of models I have for this collection once we are finished. It is extensive. Probably 100 skinks, 60 warriors, a dozen larger things.

Hobby Steak Update 11/14/2022

Just giving an update on my hobby streak. I am most likely going to just do posts Monday and Thursday from here on out. It seems silly to post everyday.

My goal to start the streak is to finish a singular project. Something I am lacking on. I am hopeful that finishing a project will inspire me to finish others. Currently, I have 10 or so unfinished, half-finished armies and projects that I always have time to start but never finish. I want to finish something. As I grow and hobbying becomes a habit, I will work on enhancing my craft and giving real tutorials on painting the models.

Friday, I had a good time in the afternoon and was able to completely finish a unit of 8 dwarf rangers. They are fully painted using contrast paints. I wanted a little grimy haggard look to the rangers. Saturday, I finished 10 dwarven infantry; these turned out really well. I also constructed at least 14 Marvel Crisis Protocol models, I think it is closer to 20.

Sunday, we chose to decorate our house for Christmas, 16 trips of stuff from the garage later, and 10 back in. We are still not complete. I didn’t have much hobby energy after that, so I just built a few more Marvel Crisis Protocol models. Hobby tip, use Zap Kicker to harden your superglue instantly. It is an absolutely huge bonus to speed up your process.

I was having some issues sleeping, so I went and airbrushed a handful of Star Wars Armada ships. None of these are part of the main game. I purchased them through Shapeways, MelMinatures. He has several hundred fantastic sculpts. I will warn you however that the models are a challenge to paint. They require a solid scrubbing to remove the residue. I also would recommend while painting, you avoid using a wash or shade. The model soaks it right up, and it looks awful. Instead, basecoat and drybrush up rather than down. I will get pics to you at some point. They will be featured in a game as well. I painted 2 Nebulon B-2 (the kind with double bottom fins), a customs corvette, and General Grievous’s pride and joy, the Malevolence.

Hobby Streak 11/10/22

Dwarf warriors completed. I finished painting a unit of 10 dwarven warriors, nothing truly spectacular as they are just grunts infantry. Here is the list I intend to use for the battle when the army is done. (aka this gives me approximately 30 fully painted models)

Unit Name# of ModelsPointsOther
King1325
Engineer1235
Dragon Seeker1355
Clan Warriors20305Champ, Musc, Standard, Great Weapons
Clan Warriors30425Cham, Musc, Standard, Shield
Clan Warriors25390Champ, Musc, Standard, Shield and Spear
Greybeards20370Champ, Musc, Standard
Clan Marskmen15310Handgun
Rangers8182Champ, Musc, Crossbow
Kings Guard20505Champ, Musc, Standard,
Grudge Buster1305Airship
Steam Copters1215Sharpnel Bombs
Field Artillery1255Run Crafter Dwarf Cannon
Field Artillery1325Flaming Shot, Rune Crafted Organ Gun
20% complete1454502

11/09/22 Streak

The streak begins with a few minor models. I cleaned up my hobby space which was littered with 6 months of clutter from no work being done. I filled up my water cup and wet palate put the paints where they belonged, and threw away the accumulated garbage. I am starting with a set of 10 dwarven warriors with great axes on square bases. I do 10 because that is the typical unit size in Age of Sigmar, and I have 3d printed tons of base adapters. You can go from a square base to a round base but not a round to a square, so I use square.

I only had about 30 minutes; I painted all of the exposed skin using contrast, the wood, and the hair. I think I had 3 or 4 different hair colors. I also brook out the reaper darkened steel for metals and the Vallejo extra opaque yellow and blue as the base colors. This way, they match the rest of my Cities of Sigmar. All of the models were previously zenithal highlighted.

Should finish these in the next few days. I also inventoried my death guard, which, given I don’t know much about the army, was an accomplishment.

Yesterday I lost an Election

11/09/2022

Yesterday I lost an election. I campaigned to be the mayor of my hometown. Literally, everyone told me how great I was, I would do a good job, and they voted for me. I did all the things, door-to-door, radio ads, Facebook ads, and direct mailers, it wasn’t enough.

For a while, I have wanted a hobby page and hobby business. I enjoy tabletop games. I enjoy playing, thinking, and creating. I enjoy painting and studying lore. I do not enjoy gluing models together.

So today, after much deliberation, I am going to start a hobby streak. A real hobby streak. I am relying on this blog to keep me accountable. Pictures of what I accomplished the whole kit and caboodle. I want my armies finished and on the table. I want to solo fight beautiful battles.

What Counts as Hobbying

  • Painting Models
  • Building Models
  • Painting/Building Terrain
  • Playing A Game (hobby’d minis only)
  • Creating Rules
  • Creating Scenarios
  • Creating Campaigns
  • Building Army Lists
  • DND Creating
  • Soccer Officiating

Most of those are obvious. I feel like anytime I am building models or terrain or painting them, it counts as hobbying. When I am playing a game with miniatures that I hobby’d it counts. Aka if I play a General D’Armee or Warhammer. What does not count ASOIAF, X-Wing, Armada, where now hobby work takes place.

If I am creating rules, I am working on a ruleset for General D’Armee to add dragons, per the Temeraire book series. If I am creating unique situations or scenarios for games to add objectives or intrigue. How often in war is the objective to stand on this spot for 5 turns. I love doing this for Warhammer, especially because it adds a lot to the game. Ditto creating a campaign, my little brother and I have a Grecco-Persian war campaign close to ending, and it is time for a new one, probably 100 Years War or crusades. Building army lists is also huge; I like thematic lists. That meets the competitive side but is also thematic. A unit of icefall yetis is not going to visit the tomb kings; I am fine with different armies I just want the lists to be thematic.

One thing I really enjoy is DND. I haven’t had a campaign for a few months, the start of the election cycle, but getting back into a campaign would be exciting. I added these more bookwork things, not for ease of use but on days when my wife and I are traveling, I can still hobby. This goal may change in the future, but I look at our upcoming adventures together, and it seems silly to set myself a goal that I know I will fail at instead of setting myself up to succeed.

The same goes for refereeing soccer. I consider that a hobby of mine I enjoy. I also know I will struggle to find time to hobby and painting when I am at a tournament for 12 hours stuck in a hotel with a roommate. So I am going to consider refereeing a hobby at least for now.