Laughing (God) All The Way To The Bank

By now (unless you've been under a rock) the news of Eldar Harlequins will definitely have hit full force. Not only are they being re-released for the first time as a full army in over 20 years, they're going for a multiple week deployment.

Memory Lane...

*The original Harlequin "battleforce"

Previously, we have seen the Harlequins run a number of iterations over the years;

1. A full force in Rogue Trader - it was one of the first full armies available
2. Strong appearance in 2nd Edition - with the option to make a full force ignoring the 50% rule
3. As a chapter approved force (the Solitaire rules 'nuff said)
4. 4th Edition as an Elites choice
5. 6th Edition again as an Elites choice
6. Appearing as allies in both Dark Eldar and Corsair army lists
7. 7th Edition, now as what appears to be a full blown army, once again

 *They see me strollin' they hatin' - Artwork by Rav3nshadow on DeviantArt

As an avid collector of the Space Elve variety, a trip down memory lane is certainly warranted this week - as I believe all those who recall the Rogue Trader era Harlequin armies infinite glory to give a round of warm and fuzzies. So let's take a look at what is currently being released (that we are aware of right now).

1. Harlequin Troupe - These are the mainstay of a Harlequin force (or Masque in the case of multiple Troupes). Happy, back flipping, stabby Elves with a penchant for interpretive dance.

 *The full Troupe, as represented in the current Eldar Codex

2. Harlequin Solitaire - You know that one male kid in school that wanted to become a Ballet dancer? The one that got picked on? This is what they become after years of taking shit a spandex ninja with a chip on their shoulder. This lad has (since the early days) the ability to make Hussain Bolt look like an amateur with a precision *&$k punch that will make your eyes water for days.

 *Rogue Trader era Solitaire by Hendarion

3. Starweaver - Just when you thought "Oh no, will Harlequins suffer the same fate as Tyranids with no transport options?", this puppy pops up in the army list. Once upon a time the Venom or Vyper were the "wheels of choice", well I guess papa got a brand new bag. While we're enthusiastically looking forward to pictures of this to be leaked, i've no doubt imaginations are running absolutely batshit wild right now. Mine certainly is.

So what goodies should we be looking forward to in the near future not yet seen?

1. Shadowseer - This guy began life as a Harlequin Warlock, or High Warlock depending on which models you had back in the day. Hopefully the "you're seeing things, man" trick will come back in full force, shading the Troupe/Masque from view until you're all up in their chops with "kisses".

2. Death Jester - This guy wins both most wicked face and chill pose of the lot. Historically holding a stoic posture with that "I'm the tits", look on his face, almost all of us can recall the party favour "Shrieker Ammo" this guy packs for shits 'n' giggles. Shits because the results is explosive, and this guys face is giggling already as he knows it.

3. Mimes - These lads were tactical advisors and infiltrators, kinda like a bridge between a Ranger and an Exarch. If they do return, I expect their role to be akin to a scout/harasser function, like a Tyranid Lictor. Perhaps even with a passive area of influence.

4. High Avatar - Autarchs of the highest order, out to kick arse and take names. Fingers crossed this guy gets some funky abilities not too unlike a Corsair Prince (Night fighting anyone?). Anyone deifying the Laughing God himself is bound to cause a major underpants check in the enemies ranks.

 *Someone get over there and laugh at him...

5. Harlequin Jetbikes - If Ninja Clowns were not enough, make them even faster. We all know too well how nasty regular Jetbikes can be, and if Corsair Jetbikers were nastier... then these things are just going to be hilarious... just not for your opponent, who may perform the "Table Flip" maneuver in response.

*Jetbike Clowns - The stuff of nightmares

So now we are collectively rejoicing over the following happy images, and how far we've come - the days of static pose metals (which were still quite dynamic in those days - look at Space Marines and you will know what i'm talking about), all the way to dynamic multi-part kits. By now most of you will have seen these, however it's nice to have for completeness. Over the following weeks, we shall all be enjoying the following goodies...

Eldar Warp Spider Alternatives - Review Time!

I thought it might be about time to do a review of the 3rd party Warp Spiders (note, they're not called this officially) seen on this blog a few months back now, if anything to showcase just how clean these miniatures are and the quality of the product.

Highlights -

1. VERY crisp lines
2. High quality resin
3. No defects or bubbles
4. This stuff doesn't warp (just on the tabletop haha)
5. ALL weapon options represented for the Exarch

Cons -

1. Games Workshop dropped the ball here.
2. Games Workshop should offer the creator a job. Yesterday.

The kit itself comes with an extra Exarch head alternative and each model is dynamically posed. So you can go absolutely silly with options if you so choose. On to the photos...

 

*Above: The assembled kits in all their glory

 

*Above: 27 Warp Spiders and accompanying Exarchs 

*Above: Warp Spider Exarch sprue with all options

  

 *Above: Close Combat arms for Jetbikers (just a little extra thrown in)

New Years Resolution - Schedule of Goodies

Well its that time of year again to work out what needs to be done over the next 12 months. Expect to see the following list of goodies completed over the course of 2015. While there may be additions to the following, this list is locked in. These are all in addition to what has currently been completed. Projected estimates for what will be completed are at the bottom of this post :)

Dras'Volharr Theme Table - Project Completed!

Twelve months ago, I sat and sketched some rough ideas down for a possible theme table which would also be used to display (in broken down sections) the finished Warhost. I should have bought a lotto ticket that day as I stumbled upon a local by the name of Elliot who took my sketches, turned them into something very cool and manifested the full 8x6 foot table - which 12 months on, is now completed.


Chuffed? You bet I am.

For even more photos, head over to Elliot's website CustomTerrain.net and have a look at the full gallery. If you're interested in checking out how this project came to life, here is the link to the development log.

Preparing the Masque - 3rd Party Harlequin Jetbikes

So by now most of you have heard about the impending re-release of Eldar Harlequins. Buckets of salt or not, this is tasty tasty news. Of the five major sub types of Eldar, only the Exodites remain - and that Forgeworld Smaug model certainly does beg for becoming a mount *wink wink nudge nudge*

What we haven't seen for a long time, and currently being hinted at, is the inclusion of Harlequin Jetbikes. As if Ninja Clowns weren't enough, we've now given them Hell's Angels style futuristic Jetbikes... maniacal laughter ensues.

*Above: OOP Harlequin Jetbikes of 1st Edition Rogue Trader

Meanwhile, i've been sitting on a couple of dozen old style Harlequin Jetbikes, with a view to building some of the new 3rd party ones as well. You may recall back when I had a bunch of Warlocks, Farseers and Autarchs painted, a good friend also gave me some of the prototype (at the time, now production) Harlequin Jetbiker heads.

These heads were quickly bolstered by canopies and became conversion kits.

And the end result? These beauties...

Juicy... to say the very least. So now to prepare the Masque, comprising of over 125 OOP Harlequins, 26 OOP Harlequin Jetbikes, 30 new type Harlequins and 30 3rd Party Harlequin Jetbikers. I won't lie, I feel a little sorry for the commissioned artist who has to deal with these guys (Nigel, i'm looking at you - if you're reading this).

Now all we have to do is hope the rumours are true ;) and pray for Exodites next.

The Second Wave - Corsairs, Wraithguard & Guardians

A new year, a new batch of miniatures to be sent off to Navin and his crew at PaintedFigs.com - These guys do a fantastic job of smashing out the troops and elites component of the Warhost, with  around 1200 miniatures in the total commission - roughly 62%.

*Above: The squad of ultimate bad asses (yep, Aliens quote)

Now that the bulk of the Aspect Warriors are out the way theme wise (with a small batch left to go in the second wave), its on to the bulk of the Guardians, Wraithguard and Corsairs. The remainder to go as part of a new (3rd batch) hopefully in January 2016 will finish up the remaining units of GW Jetbikes, converted Jes Goodwin re-sculpt Jetbikes (Shuriken Cannon variants) and new style Wraithguard (blades).

Next up, Planetscape update, Flyers and completed Phantom Titans.

Harbingers of the Void - Twin Phantom Reapers

First up, Happy New Year to all :) hopefully each of you have your New Years resolutions all planed out with lots of Wargaming thrown in for good measure.

Steve has just sent an update for the two Forgeworld Phantoms, dubbed "Void Reapers" given their menacing appearance and general badarsery. With six of the nine Titans down, only the Armorcast remain, then around mid year the Super Heavy Grav Tanks will be seeking out their respective paint jobs.

The recent changes have been painting of all the gems to the blade colour to reflect a more "blazing" contrast that fits in theme with the army itself. Very much looking forward to seeing these bad boys flanking the Warlock Class Phantom Titan in the future.