I’m new to Warhammer, and miniature war gaming and painting in general. I’m an amateur, I have no idea what I’m doing. I bought my first box of marines about four years ago, a little package of three snap together models and the very basic starter kit of paints from Games Workshop. I painted these three marines so many times that the detail disappeared. They sucked, fiercely.

So how can I say that I’m new to this? Well due to space restrictions and moving I simply had nowhere to paint after that initial box and only recently unpacked things again to find that my brush was ruined, my paints hard and dry, and those three marines in more pieces than when they’d been on the sprue.

While unpacking I discovered two boxes of terminators I had purchased and put together with no knowledge of what was allowed and what wasn’t. This resulted in a handful of models with about two weapons too many, ones they’re not allowed to equip and just plain weird combinations. What guy with a rocket pack doesn’t need a shield? I decided that this time I better make sure the money I’m investing goes to models that are legal to play. Enter the Dark Angels codex. For those of you that are not aware Dark Angels are somewhat unique in that they don’t have to field regular troops with the right HQ choices. Or rather, that they can play other forces as troop choices; Belial, Master of the Deathwing allows for terminators to count as troops or elite choices and Sammael, Master of the Ravenwing allows for Ravenwing attack squadrons to be played as troops or fast attack choices.

This allows for a lot of flexibility in your army’s composition; or in my case, a lot of really bad ass looking terminators marching up and down the field slaughtering everything in their path! Or at least that’s what I envisioned when I picked up the box. Unfortunately because I lacked any knowledge of how the game was played at the time I just ended up using the biggest, meanest looking pieces on the models. This led to two squads I couldn’t use and my current situation- starting from scratch.

The first thing I did was check the rule book for my options. Before long I knew I wanted an Apothecary in one of my terminator squads. For those of you who don’t know a terminator apothecary acts as a regular terminator (he retains all of his standard war gear, in this case Thunder Hammer and Storm Shield) and adds a narthecium and reductor to that list. These provide two distinct advantages, the narthecium allows any unit within 6” to ignore one failed save per turn with only a few limitations. This is the bonus we’re interested in, the reductor prevents casualties within 6” of the apothecary from being counted when deciding if a morale test has to be taken in the event of 25% shooting casualties. Both strong bonuses.

Games Workshop does not produce a terminator apothecary model, or make bits available to easily convert one. In fact, very few kits actually include a narthecium or a reductor model! This is unfortunately a fairly common theme that shows itself frequently once you start getting past the very basic war gear choices and standard armies.

So where would I get these pieces from? I’d make them myself of course! One of the best rules of Warhammer 40K is ‘what you see is what you get’ which basically says if it looks like it, it is it. So while I needed something similar to a narthecium, I didn’t need that exact bit, nor did it have to look exactly the same as long as it’s relatively clear what it is.

My first step was to locate a picture of a reductor to base my conversion on. Every time you do a conversion do a few image searches with different terms to find out what you’re trying to make. Unless your codex provides a clear example this is the best way to find out what you’re aiming for. In this case I needed something that had a needle for extracting the geneseed and a cutting implement for getting into the armor of marines to do so. Fairly simple, right?

The next step was to figure out how I was going to get it. What makes a good base to work from? What extra bits did I have lying around or could easily get my hands on?I had a few Dark Angels upgrade sprues with chain swords (cutting implement) and an attack bike antenna that I sharpened into a somewhat over sized needle. Now all I needed was a base to attach these to. A simple option would have been a power fist, or a chain fist but I decided to go with the chain sword for my cutting implement and I settled on a terminator heavy flamer for the base. I did this because it comes attached to an arm with the right armor type for a terminator and because it gave me the a fluid chamber and tube look I wanted.

Once I knew what I wanted to use to create my reductor I began deciding where I wanted to cut all three pieces to get something that looked ‘natural’ once it was together. The antenna I cut quite a bit shorter than it was, and on an angle to give it that needle look. The chain sword was snipped to be a little longer than the needle and the heavy flamer was cut in two places, just above the barrels to give it a guts go in guts go out look to it once the needle was attached and a bit behind and below that to attach the chain sword so that they came about even.

After deciding where to attach each piece I filed the cuts so I would have nice flat surfaces to ensure a good hold. Unfortunately because of the nature of glue sometimes you have to hold it while it dries or it ends up a little off centre, just be patient! Another problem is that wherever you have glued two small pieces together it’s going to be very fragile, so remember to be careful! I recommend using the stronger plastic glue even though it takes longer to dry. The reason for this is so it can stand up to the filing needed to at the joints to get a smooth finish after the glue has dried. This step can make the difference between an obvious, poor conversion to one that looks professional.

The second piece I had to make was the thunder hammer because I needed it to be left handed and they all come pre-attached to right handed arms which was much easier to do in some ways. All it took was the hammer head from one and the pole from another weapon I wasn’t using that normally I sat in the left hand. Just two quick snips, some filing and then a lot of sitting around holding it while the glue dried. Patience!

Once the glue was dry and I had filed it as much as I felt safe it was time to figure out the pose I wanted. Because I wasn’t using arms and weapons typical to the body things didn’t quite fit right at first. But a bit of filing, such as removing some of the adornments from the weapons, and the removal of a tiny piece of the flamer let everything fit fairly well. I had trouble getting the pole from the hammer out of the face of the terminator without placing it right in front of the reductor and eventually had to settle for a less than perfect, though better position slightly above the head. Modelling clay or green stuff -a two part solid epoxy sold at Games Workshop- can help immensely when trying to get a different pose by propping up the arm a bit.

I added the storm shield to the side of the reductor at this point as well since if it’s not on the model it doesn’t have the save it confers in the rulebook. I placed it on the reductor instead of slung over the back as originally intended because I couldn’t get proper contact to attach it there without more heavy conversions which I simply wasn’t up to trying. it would also have left my apothecary without a place for his narthecium.

The narthecium is essentially a glorified first aid pack. It’s a couple of tubes connected by smaller tubes connect to a box with buttons. I wanted to give mine a bit of a more 21st century look though so I used the backpack from a Ravenwing attack bike and attached the actual narthecium piece to the side. If I hadn’t have the narthecium handy I would have simply used the back pack and made sure my opponents knew what it was before we started each game.

I didn’t attach the narthecium right away as I wanted to prime the model black and it white so it wouldn’t be such a pain to get that white medical look on it later. I placed it on the top/back of the terminator armor to keep the vents open for aesthetic reasons but could have placed it anywhere it would stay put really, even at the feet of the model, as if it had just been used.

With that the only thing left to be done was paint it, and with my procrastination being the best (worst?) it’s ever been it may still not be painted. Doing this conversion really reinforced a few things for me though, such as not being too scared to try. These models are not cheap, the bits can be rare, but if you have a good idea sometimes you just have to try it or your army will never really be as unique as it could be. To me that’s one of the beauties of this hobby; because of my apothecary, no other army will ever look like mine.

Yeah, I’ve been away for longer than I would like. Things… happen.

ANYWAY…

With the release of Deus Ex: Human Revolution today, I’m officially declaring the beginning of the Fall gaming season. Here’s a look at what else I’m looking forward to this year. There’s a lot to like out there. Bold titles are Day 1 purchases.

Aug 30: The Baconing (PC/Mac/XBLA/PSN): The third game in the Deathspank franchise. I loved the first, but have yet to find time to play the second. I’ve got some catching up to do.
Sep 6: Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine (PC/360/PS3): The demo completely sold me on this game. The ONLY reason it’s not a Day 1 purchase is because I’ll probably still be playing Deus Ex.
Sep 13: White Knight Chronicles 2 (PS3): The first game may have been mediocre (I haven’t played it), but I like Level 5. It’s also been a while since I played a proper JRPG, and they’re including the first game for free! Still, it’ll have to wait.
Oct 4: RAGE (PC/360/PS3): It’s a shooter. From id. Buy it.
Oct 4: Spider-Man: Edge of Time (360/PS3): I really enjoyed Shattered Dimensions. This is a solid catch-up game to buy down the road.
Oct 11: The Cursed Crusade (PC/360/PS3): It looks cool. This is definitely one of those games I’ll pick up if it’s on sale at a good price, though it’s even releasing at $39.99.
Oct 18: Batman: Arkham City (360/PS3): This is a Day 1 purchase, assuming I’m done with RAGE.
Nov 1: Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception (PS3): I’m not as enamored with the Uncharted franchise as many others, but I definitely still want to play this game.
Nov 8: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (PC/360/PS3): I liked the first 2 Modern Warfare games a lot. The shakeup at Infinity Ward has me a bit unsure about this one. I’ll buy it when it’s on sale because I at least want to play the Spec Ops co-operative mode.
Nov 11: Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (PC/360/PS3): I want to avoid this game because of the time investment, but it just looks SO. DAMN. GOOD.
Nov 15: Assassin’s Creed: Revelations (PC/360/PS3): Sadly pushed aside by Skyrim. Still, I absolutely adore this franchise and will definitely buy this game ASAP.

Other games definitely releasing this year without solid dates yet:

Torchlight II: Better than Diablo III.
Star Wars: The Old Republic: I’m in the Beta, but that’s all I can say.

Of course, there’s plenty of other big games out there I’m just not that interested in, like Battlefield 3, Gears of War 3 and the usual lineup of sports titles.

What else is everyone buying this year?

Things have been quiet around here lately. I’ve spent the last week sitting on a decision I’ve made, giving myself time to properly weigh it. I’ve also bee trying to figure out exactly how to word things, but whatever.

For the time being, I’m shifting my focus away from Massive Nerd.

Not quitting, but prioritizing my responsibilities differently.

I’ve been burning the candle at both ends these past months, really pushing myself to deliver, and I’ve really been feeling the effects lately. Not only have I been exhausting myself, but I’m not even delivering on my own deadlines because of circumstances both in and out of my control. What troubles me more is that I’m not following through on commitments I’ve made to others.

I take a very methodical approach to writing. It delivers quality content, but it certainly isn’t quick. Trying to consistently provide content, both here and elsewhere, is taking up most of my free time. When I started this writing thing years ago, it was a hobby. It has since become work. Honestly, I’m not enjoying myself as much as I used to, and the lack of motivation is starting to show.

So, I want to get back to doing what I WANT to do instead of what I feel I HAVE to do. I WANT to be able to sit on the couch and watch TV, read a book or actually play a game without making myself feel bad because I should be working. I want my free time back.

So, here’s the changes I’ll be making:

Comic of the Week is done. Sorry, but the amount of time I put into those videos for the amount of content they provide just isn’t working for me. I’ve come to realize that there’s three ways to deliver video content. Put out crap, use up all your free time or make videos as (or instead of) your day job. None of those options are appealing to me right now.

That said, I do still enjoy WRITING about comics, even more than gaming I’ve come to realize. So, first of all, I have some undelivered articles to work on for CBI, and once I’m caught up, that will likely be the place for future content. I’ve had a hard time deciding how to split the content between the two sites, and this is the arrangement I’m most comfortable with.

Gaming coverage will be about the same as it’s been over the past few months: few and far between. There’s not much to write about right now, and the few ideas I have had haven’t really been enough for full articles. However, in the very near future, I’ll likely have a new platform for gaming coverage, and that should be more than enough to scratch the itch.

Gaming videos, I haven’t completely decided yet. Fully-produced videos like the “Reverie” review are likely out. I’m very happy with the results, but not with the time sink. I may put out more gameplay videos with live commentary, though. They’re fun to record and very easy to put out.

I will be finishing Project: Watchmen. I really enjoy studying the comics and writing those articles.

I haven’t forgotten about the last half of my fiction dump, either.

Beyond that, I have no plans. Massive Nerd isn’t going anywhere just yet, and I’m sure motivation will find me at some point. Just, right now, I’ll have no spark until I recharge my batteries.

Ever since I relaunched Massive Nerd, I’ve been constantly pushing my limits, and they’ve finally started pushing back. I hope everyone understands.

However, for those who want to listen to 2 1/2 hour of awesomeness, I’ve edited all the audio together into one MP3.

This version contains the audio-exclusive Finale segment as well as a collection of outtakes. Enjoy.

Download

Music courtesy of OC Remix:

“The Accursed Seal” by Sixto Sounds
“Insurrection” by Krispy
“Minotaur Nightmares” by Mazedude
“Mamacitas in my Valley” by Diggi Dis
“Nova Siberia” by Big Giant Circles
“All Nations Rise” by The Wingless

Microsoft:

Sony:

Nintendo:

There’s plenty more to come, so keep checking here or my YouTube channel for further updates. Additionally, I’ll be releasing the entire recording as an MP3 once it’s all done for those who would prefer that.

Flashpoint: Wonder Woman and the Furies #1

DC Comics

Flashpoint: Deadman and the Flying Graysons #1, Flashpoint: Grodd of War, Flashpoint: Legion of Doom Starring Heatwave #1 & Flashpoint: Wonder Woman and the Furies #1: I have to assume these will all be as great as the previous tie-ins.

Image Comics

Invincible #80
Walking Dead Vol 14: No Way Out TPB: The one where THAT happens.

Marvel Comics

Avengers #14
Avengers Academy #15
Captain America Corps #1: Various Captains from throughout the timestream are brought together.
Generation Hope #8
Hulk #35
Invincible Iron Man #505
Ruse #4
Uncanny X-Men #538
X-Factor #221
X-Men #13
Uncanny X-Force: Deathlok Nation HC

Yep, Mass Effect is still awesome.

In the evolution from Mass Effect to Mass Effect 2, BioWare enhanced he shooter aspects at the expense of the RPG elements. From what I’ve seen of Mass Effect 3, BioWare has improved both sides of the game this time.

Shepard can now quickly and easily move between cover points and also has the new OmniBlade melee weapon, fixing two of the biggest issues with the series’ combat.

Some of the features Mass Effect 2 was sorely lacking have been re-introduced. There are workbenches throughout the game that let you customize your weapons, adding attachments that will affect the way they’re used as well as their appearance. Armor customization is greatly improved over the few options present in the last game.

What I find most interesting in this video, as well as some others I’ve seen, is the major roles some of Shepard’s previous crew members are playing in the game. Mordin, Legion and Wrex have each been seen to have major roles in the mission structure, and each of them could be missing from a player’s game depending on their choices through the first two. It’ll be very interesting to see just how much your previous choices help or hurt you this time around.

It’s going to be a long, agonizing nine months.

Incredible Hulks #630

BOOM! Studios

The Traveler, Vol 1 TPB: The first 4 issues of Stan Lee’s time-traveling hero.

DC Comics

Batman & Robin #24
Booster Gold #45: “Flashpoint” tie-in
Flashpoint: Citizen Cold #1, Flashpoint: Deatshtroke and the Curse of the Ravager #1, Flashpoint: Emperor Aquaman #1 & Flashpoint: Frankenstein and the Creatures of the Unknown: Oh my
Scalped #49

Image Comics

Morning Glories #10

Marvel Comics

Amazing Spider-Man/Ghost Rider: Motorstorm: A reprinting of the hilariously awesome backups from ASM.
Annihilators #4
Fear Itself: Deadpool #1, Fear Itself: Frightful Four #1 & Fear Itself: Spider-Man #2
Ghost Rider 0.1: As stupid as an Issue 0.1 is, I hope this series is awesome.
Incredible Hulks #630: Greg Pak begins his last story line on the title he made great.
New Avengers #13
Ultimate Spider-Man #159
Wolverine #10
X-Men Legacy #250

Honestly, that trailer hardly does the game justice. Earlier today, I watched a live broadcast on EA’s website with a developer Q&A. This game is NUTS. Gameplay is insane, with seemingly endless amounts of customization and mind-blowing abilities. Reckoning jumped several spots up my list of games to play in 2012; I can easily see this competing with Mass Effect 3 for Game of the Year.