Know No Fear:The Battle of Calth Horus Heresy Book Review

 

On my holiday break I have taken a couple of Horus Heresy books for some motivational reading whislt I wait to get back to the UK and finally open my Horus Heresy Pre-Order.

Reader bewarned there are spoilers in this review......

Cover Description

Unaware of the wider Heresy and following the Warmaster's increasingly cryptic orders, Roboute Guilliman returns to Ultramar to muster his Legion for war against the Orks massing in the Veridia System, WIthout warning their supposed allies in the Word Bearers Legion launch a devastating invasion of Calth, scattering the Ultramarines' fleet and slaughtering all who stand in their way. This confirms the worst scenario Guilliman can imagine- Lorgar means to settle their bitter rivalry once and for all. As the traitors summon foul daemonic hosts and all the forces of Chaos, the Ultramarines are drawn into a grim and deadly struggle in which neither side can prevail.

This is the 19th book in the series and written by Dan Abnett and first published in 2012.

With there being over 80 books in the series so far there is a lot of reading material and some that just won't be to your taste or feature your Legion. It is generally a given that the first 5 books of the series are a must read as this covers the fall of Horus, the massicare at Istivan V, and the Loyalist fleeing the Traitors to try and get word back to Terra of the Warmasters betrayal.

For me personally this is one that should be added to the must read books as again it covers a major battle in the war at Calth and the rise of Daemons being used by the Word Bearers and their change from Marines to Daemon mutated. There are more insights into the mechanicum and the emergence of Samus. The Ultramarines come to realise that there is fear and they must master their fear to become victorius. 

Dan Abnett once again blends the wonderful descriptive text that is a feature of his novels and the ability to convay huge battlescapes, fleet battles and then bring it down to singular combat and focus.

If you are an Ultramatines or Word Bearers player or fan then this is a must buy book.

Remember that when you have the chance to kill an Ultramarine do so or his revenge will be merciless

DreadTober Complete

So the Dreadnought is completed to the same level as the rest of my Ultramarines. I am really happy with the pose however it does need better fixing points on the base as they both have very small contact points. Looking forward to seeing how to fairs in a game. I have a couple more units to finish on my Ultramarines and then it will be the long process of decals and weathering. Looking forward to this stage.

DreadTober Failed

DreadTober Failed

Well I am gutted work progressed really well in the first 2 weeks getting most of the major work on the model completed. Then I was struck with tonsilities and then away for the week at the Essen Spiel. But I still remain motivated to finish up the dreadnought even if it is a couple of weeks late.

Will have completed shots hopefully by the end of next week.

DreadTober Part VI Blue is Complete

DreadTober Part VI Blue is Complete

Bit of a break last week as was ill with stupid Tonsilities, but back on with a few more layers to complete the blue. Now onto the black casing on the weapons and bringing some more life to the metal areas.

How is your DreadTober going?

DreadTober Part V Layering the Blue

With Vapian taking up the DreadTober Challenge with his Riptide we have decided the end of the month we will battle against each other to see who will come out on top. Having had a look at the Riptide stats I am not holding out to much hope.

Over the weekend and todays lunch break I have started the long blue layering process. It starts with leadbelcher and then ink washing with agrax and nuln oil, then a drybrush of leadbelcher and then finial highlights with Stormcast Silver. Then using the clear blue from the old Forge World paint range it is about 8 layers till I reach the deep blue that I am looking for. Once all the blue is done will be onto all the finer details of the model.

DreadTober Post IV Posing Completed

DreadTober Post IV  Posing Completed

Another lunch time down and completed the posing and some of the work on the base. Happy with how it looks, worked on a fairly action based pose that will really stand out on the table. I am really pleased with how much pose ability this kit has as most of the shots I have seen have been fairly static. I have to be honest cannot wait to get this painted as tempted by a second one.

4 Shots of the pose below all the body, legs and arms are all separate for ease of painting. Can you guess what Netflix show I am watching?

DreadTober Part III Assembly and Pose Testing

DreadTober Part III Assembly and Pose Testing

So it's day one of Dread Tober and I have made some really good progress over lunch today, got the main body completed and got the legs done ready for posing.

Just simply assembled not chosen the weapon option just yet, and cannot decide if I am going to seal it or have it so that that it can open. 

As I mentioned in yesterdays post ones of the challenges I was going to face was the basing as GDub do not produce the style I am using in such a large size. Hunting through my bases box found these steps left over from the 40K Heroes kit. The idea is to have the dread in a standing pose and his left arm pointing towards an unseen enemy.

Hopefully will have the basic assembly completed tomorrow and then can start to work on the painting.

DreadTober Part II Decision Made

DreadTober Part II Decision Made

With October approaching I have made my choice for DreadTober.

I have gone with the Primaris Redemptor as want to keep slowly growing my Ultramarines forces.

Challenges that I see with this project

• Time: I am prepping for the Essen Spiel at work this month so my hobby time may well be limited. But I am planning to use my lunch breaks to give me some more time.
• Basing: GW does not have a style of base that fits the Redemptor I am either going to have to base it in similar style to the Big G, or look to try and build my own base that will fit with the theme that I have.
• Posing, I like the model but not keen on the static pose that some put it in. Going to work on some dynamic posing on the model.
• Weapon options: It comes with 2 weapon options, currently I am not sure of the role I want it to have on the table, so I might look to magnetise the weapons.
• Ultramarines: What can I add to the model to so that it is more Ultramariney? I am no sculptor so I am gonna have to trawl through the bits box and see what parts I have that I can use.
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Ultramarines: Reiver Contrast Paints Gallery

Ultramarines: Reiver Contrast Paints Gallery

Last night thought I would have a play around with the new contrast paints. So painted up a complete model with some layer paints as well. Was quick and easy but the large flat areas do not really lend themselves to the contrast paints. Not going to paint my army using this method but was nice to knock a model out in one night just as a bit of fun.

Ultramarines Agressors Gallery

Yes Bank Holiday weekend was good to me in terms of painting time. So completed is my next unit for my Ultramarines, my Agressors with added DeathWatch armoured. So for now will be taking a break from my Ultramarines and focusing on my Adeptus Titanicus forces.

Ultramarines: Roboute Guilliman Finished

Finally Roboute Guilliman is table ready for battle.

I am pretty pleased with how the gloss blue armour has turned out on such a large model, all the armour edging and scrolls where a nightmare to paint and to ensure did not hit back over the blue, there were a couple of re-touching up that happened. I may well go back to the blade at some point. But I think I will practise this technique again on another blade.


More pics after the break

Ultramarines:Roboute Guilliman Base

Ultramarines:Roboute Guilliman Base

Completed work on the base this week, so Roboute is getting closer to completion. Got  some final cleaning up and highlighting on the main model and then onto the face. I have chosen to go without the helmet so I can try and improve my skin painting and eyes oh the dreaded eyes.

Ultramarines: WIP The Emperor's Sword

Ultramarines: WIP The Emperor's Sword

Today completed more work on the Emperor's sword, not massively happy with how it has come out. Just far to dark and not glowing with the Emperor's might. I think I will need to work off a white undercoat to get that bright flaming effect. Cannot decide if I want to strip it down and start again or just get the model finished as he has been on the painting table for a long time now.

Ultramarines- Upcoming Previews

Well unless you have been hiding under a rock last week at Gen Con GW dropped the Space Marine bomb.

We all knew this had been coming for some time as the first Codex kinda just scratched the surface and with the release of Shadowspear we got some great new units and they needed to be included in the codex. 

My prediction is that this will not be the last Space Marine codex that we will see in the next 2 years. I am taking my guesswork from Age of Sigmar where we saw 3 Battletomes released for the Eternals as new models were released. It would not surprise me if this follows suit. 

All the model shots have been all over the web, Instagram and Twitter but below are some of the releases that I am really looking forward to.

 A little on the fence with this one in terms of design but with only this shot and no 360 view or sprue shot, not making my mind up fully. But if in game terms it is a cheap transport option for my Primaris then this will prob become a no brainer for each squad. Always love the idea of having marines with transports kinda fits the theme.

Invictor Tactical warsuit. Well I have over 20 of the new Vanguards that are sitting waiting to be built and added to the army, so looking forward to seeing the codex and the rules for this bad boy and if there any other weapon options. I hope that the sprues will give some great pose options. Especially if you can the Heavy Bolter fitted to the off hand.

Looks to have another LT for the Vanguards and love an LT looks great and full of character.

Follow me Marines! For the Emperor.  Nuff said

Another character from the old getting the Primaris upgrade looks cool and dymanic

So wallet is going to get well bent out of shape.

What do you think to the upcoming releases?

Ultramarines: WIP The Emperors Sword

Ultramarines: WIP The Emperors Sword

A couple of progress shots from the Emperors Sword, started with a base coat of Averland Sun and then added a layer of the Blood Angels Red contrast paint that had been thinned down with contrast medium. I think this might need a couple more layers of the red to build up the nice war, base before I can starting bringing up to a golden yellow. It has taken a long time getting the Big G painted but I think the end is in sight. I just need to decide If I am going for helmet or no helmet.

Ultramarines: Show Exclusive Primaris Lieutenant Gallery

Ultramarines: Show Exclusive Primaris Lieutenant Gallery

Completed this over the weekend whilst I was waiting for a break in the rain so that I could undercoat my Warhound and Knights for Titanicus. Picked up the show exclusive Lt from Games Expo. Happy with how he came out but so pleased with the photos, I really must make an effort to try and improve. Work is still progressing on The Big G, but needed a break from the gold. Hopefully will get some WIP of him this week. This brings my growing Ultramarines to 25 models and no vehicles as of yet. Looking forward to completing the Big G and then moving onto Titanicus for a while.

The Primarch gets some Bling Bling. With the blue complete its time to hit the gold trim and boy there is a lot of gold trim to do. Good hour done on it tonight. 1 leg ish and arm done. #40k #warhammerpainting #warhammer40k #ultramarines #primarchs

via Instagram

The Primarch starts to breath. He has been sitting around my painting project desk for a while now. Finally plucked up courage to start work on the metallic blue layering. First layer done about 4 more to go before shading can take place. #ultramarine #paintingwarhammer #paintingminiatures #40k #primarchs

via Instagram

Ultramarines Ancient

Today completed my Ancient from Dark Imperium for my slowly growing Ultramarines army. Next on the table are the 2 Lieuteants and then onto the Captain and I will have completed all the figures plus a few extra from the Dark Imperium box. Once the last 3 figures are painted it will be going back and adding decals to all the figures. It has been a long journey but I am really pleased with how the army has come along.

Ultramarines Hellblasters WIP

Ultramarines Hellblasters WIP

Not much hobby time over the weekend just got to the stage of getting the arms on and then to work on the golden and metal areas over the week. Looking forward to having these finished and then it is only the characters left from the core box.