Miniatures Monthly at The Crate and Crowbar

Chris and Chimp avoid falling down a vampire hole just long enough to fall into a different, deeper hole: Age of Sigmar’s new edition and the many sweeping changes that it has visited upon our favourite game.

Featuring a varied month (ish) of hobby, ruminations upon special characters, drumming out the big beats of Age of Sigmar, and not one but two (!) battle reports (!) from Warhammer (!) played in real life (!) in a garden (!)

• Here’s the Rollmodels Discord channel.
• Chimp can be found on Instagram at thirtysevenvisibleskulls, and Chris can be found at exitwarp.

Big thanks to Mike Debenham for our intro music, and just as big thanks to everybody who supports C&C on Patreon.

The podcast formerly known as Miniatures Sometimes returns! Chris and Chimp discuss Age of Sigmar’s imminent new edition as well as its assorted golden people and the gribbles whom they skewer. Then: at least an hour of mild opinions on Soulblight Gravelords, or your money back!*

Thanks, Mannfred. Thanks, Skaven. Thanks, Jasper.

*This podcast is, was, and should be, free.

Thanks as ever to Mike Debenham for our intro music and to everybody who supports C&C on Patreon.

• Chris has been getting his oil paint tutorials from Marco Frisoni’s YouTube channel.
  
• The Rollmodels Discord channel is right here.
  
• Chimp can be found on Instagram at thirtysevenvisibleskulls, and Chris can be found at exitwarp.

To new listeners: hello! To veteran listeners: we’re back! Welcome to the new incarnation of our Miniatures Monthly podcast, in which we enthuse about our latest hobby escapades in the world of mini painting and wargaming.

We’ve rebooted the pod with a looser format – expect a rotating cast of Tom, Chris, and Chimp (and guests perhaps??) as we aim to squeeze hobby chats into our work/life schedules as and when when we can. Battle reports are tricky at the moment because, well… *gestures at the whole global situation* But we still love painting tiny plastic people. Nothing can stop us from obsessing over new kits and army releases.

Thanks again to Mike Debenham for the Tiny Plastic People theme tune. Please send any questions and comments to [email protected]. We circle around a Sesame Street battle joke towards the end but here but couldn’t quite get there – all gag suggestions welcome.

Finally, the main weekly C&C videogame pod and extra projects like this are kindly supported by our Crate & Crowbar Patreon backers – many thanks to you all!

And now, read on for show notes and hobby pics…

• We love the Rollmodels Discord community – a great place to hang out and chat about miniatures and wargaming.

• For minis articles and quality minis chats peruse the excellent Tiny Plastic People site.

• Tabletop Simulator is an excellent resource for folks craving Warhammer tournament action.

• See how Chris and Chimp have adapted the remarkable Mega-Gargant kit in the pics below.

• En Grisaille painting technique involves using greyscale to establish volume and value before applying colour with inks or translucent paints, as expertly demonstrated in this MarcoFrisoniNM video.

• Google Zenithal Priming and you will find many video tutorials dedicated to the technique of using light and dark undercoat sprays to establish lighting before colour is applied.

• Chris has been learning from art director and game designer Paul Canavan.

A few pics of Chris’ latest projects – he’s Exitwarp on Instagram.

Here’s what Chimp has been working on – he’s thirtysevenvisibleskulls on Instagram.

And finally, the one thing Tom has done in 14 months. He’s Ludopaintsminis on Instagram.

Tom, Chris, and special guest Matt “Chimp” Ward – not that Matt Ward – discuss a plethora of minis news, the community’s endeavors at the Brotherhood team Age of Sigmar event, and their own months in spilling things on various surfaces.

Plus: meditations on the son of Dhorgar, immediately out of date Tzeentch book hot takes, and how to start painting models and then immediately stop.

We’ve had another case of the meandering audio quality this episode, but hopefully it’s not too bad! Please bear with us while we adjust to Chris’ echoey new house.

Our intro music comes courtesy of Mike Debenham.

If you’d like to get in touch, you can contact us at [email protected]. If you’d like to become part of our Discord community, click here – the channel you’re looking for is ‘rollmodels’.

You can listen to this episode on YouTube and find all other episodes in the series via this playlist.

This podcast is made possible by the Crate and Crowbar Patreon. You can also support us by rating and reviewing the podcast on iTunes or by recommending us to a miniatures-minded pal.

Thanks for listening, everybody!

Chris and Tom return, having boldly reinterpreted the word ‘monthly’. After catching up on a year of life, house moves and hobby, we discuss Contrast, Warcry, and the latest fashions coming out of the Varanspire.

Plus: the many journeys a horse can go on, the Gagain Meat-Dress of Ghur, the vagiaries of Archaon’s eight-pointed lazy Susan, and the bird that got smarter when somebody hit it with a gong.

We’re very aware of the audio quality issues with this episode. This is because the good microphones remain in Chris’ old house, the domain of returning C&C podmaster Marsh Davies. We recorded this Miniatures Monthly at Chris’ new house on a single microphone. Then, it started raining really loudly. Sorry for any discontent caused! We’re going to see about finding a better solution when we return.

Here are some links!

• Chris likes Lil’ Legend Miniature Painting Studio‘s tutorials, which are available via Patreon.
• He also very much admires nrmpaint‘s miniatures Instagram.
• Chris and Tom did a D&D campaign with the rest of the C&C crew, and Chris also GMed a Cyberpunk 2020 game for PlayStation Access.

Our intro music comes courtesy of Mike Debenham.

If you’d like to get in touch, you can contact us at [email protected]. If you’d like to become part of our Discord community, click here – the channel you’re looking for is ‘rollmodels’.

You can listen to this episode on YouTube and find all other episodes in the series via this playlist.

This podcast is made possible by the Crate and Crowbar Patreon. You can also support us by rating and reviewing the podcast on iTunes or by recommending us to a miniatures-minded pal.

Thanks for listening, everybody!

Tom and Chris discuss a month of very exciting Warhammer developments, pit updated Khorne against Stormcast, and ruminate on Blackstone Fortress, paint flavours, and hobby lulls.

Since we recorded this episode, Looncurse has been formally announced. It DOES have a boss on Cave Squig in it, after all!

The 3D printed terrain that Chris has been building comes from Dark Fantastic Mills.

One of Tom’s Blackstone Fortress psykers.

Tom’s Negavolt Cultists for Blackstone Fortress.

Beastmen for Blackstone Fortress, also by Tom.

Also for Blackstone Fortress, this Space Marine. He’s not a huge fan of the Emperor, you know?

Chris’ Bloodmaster, pictured here alongside his blood.

Chris’ Bloodletters. They’re yellow!

Chris’ first set of 3D printed terrain pieces – a Realm of Metal themed gateway and set of spires.

Chris also painted this 3D printed star of Chaos.

At the start of the battle, Tom’s forces form orderly lines next to a realmgate infused with mystical energy. The Knight-Incantor gives Khorne the finger, which is rude.

Chris’ forces of Khorne get ready to charge, except the lord on manticore, who is ready to hide at the back and make lategame MVP plays.

Chris’ staggered advance is intended to protect against the threat of dragonmen from space, but they do not materialise, yet.

The Mighty Skullcrushers slam into the Sequitor battleline and do… exactly one point of damage.

Tom’s two units of Judicators shoot off some Bloodletters and badly wound the Slaughterpriest, all while slowly retreating like the big brave golden warriors they are.

The board going into Tom’s third charge phase. The objectives come down and the Blood Warriors redirect to claim one, while the other is nestled comfortably in Stormcast territory. The middle one, however, is only protected by a Slaughterpriest – and the dragonmen from space finally arrive.

Big shout out to Karthoth the Bloodhunger, a time-travelling sword that allowed this lone Bloodletter to slay several Sequitors by himself before being dragged down.

The dragonmen from space wipe out the Slaughterpriest, but the lord on manticore circles back and gets ready to actually attack something…

…and more importantly, find space to summon some more Bloodletters.

The manticore drags down one of the Fulminators in battle, but a lone dracoth manages to kill all ten bloodletters by itself! However, the objective is too far away for the Sequitors to reach it, and there’s no way for the lone surviving Fulminator to kill every single foe in its path. Chris reclaims the centre objective and wins the game!

Our intro music comes courtesy of Mike Debenham.

If you’d like to get in touch, you can contact us at [email protected]. If you’d like to become part of our Discord community, click here – the channel you’re looking for is ‘rollmodels’.

You can listen to this episode on YouTube and find all other episodes in the series via this playlist.

This podcast is made possible by the Crate and Crowbar Patreon. You can also support us by rating and reviewing the podcast on iTunes or by recommending us to a miniatures-minded pal.

Thanks for listening, everybody!

Chris and Tom chat Age of Sigmar and 40K news, Skaven, Flesh-Eater Courts, fatigues fatigue, the cheesy tang of a chemical dwarf, and the timeless lessons of the Necrons and Aeldari.

We are very aware that immediately after recording this episode, Games Workshop announced both this phenomenal man and his horse and a game that is basically Mordheim with Chaos mortals/bait you could use to trap Chris. We will inevitably need to talk about these next month.

The colour scheme planner that Chris mentions is Paletton.

Tom’s first squad of Traitor Guard for Blackstone Fortress, inducers of fatigues fatigue.

Chris’ Godsworn Hunt, purveyors of every kind of leather.

Chris’ Skaven Arch-Warlock, harbinger of shame.

Follow Miniatures Monthly on Twitter @MinisMonthly for more pics of our projects. Otherwise, can find Chris on Twitter at @CThursten and Instagram as Exitwarp. Tom’s on Twitter at @PCGLudo and Instagram at LudoPaintsMinis.

Our intro music comes courtesy of Mike Debenham.

If you’d like to get in touch, you can contact us at [email protected]. If you’d like to become part of our Discord community, click here – the channel you’re looking for is ‘rollmodels’.

You can listen to this episode on YouTube and find all other episodes in the series via this playlist.

This podcast is made possible by the Crate and Crowbar Patreon. You can also support us by rating and reviewing the podcast on iTunes or by recommending us to a miniatures-minded pal.

Thanks for listening, everybody!

Tom and Chris discuss a lot of Age of Sigmar and Warhammer 40,000 news, explore dazzling new shame pile expansion excuses, and try out the new rules for Age of Sigmar Skirmish.

Plus: thoughts on the new White Dwarf, rave goblins, and a night in with Sad Magnus.

Tom’s Blackstone Fortress Rogue Trader and his excellent trousers.

Tom’s grimdark Starship Troopers battle hobbits.

Chris’ Warriors of Rohan.

One of Chris’ Riders of Rohan.

Chris’ Cryptek.

Chris’ Lord of Chaos, who is standing on a barbecue.

Chris’ Aspiring Deathbringer, who IS a barbecue.

Chris’ Skullreaper champion and his questionable blessings.

The opening moves of our first game using the new Skirmish rules and scenarios. In the middle of the board, the most valuable of three objectives comes down to a clash between Chris’ Aspiring Deathbringer and a Bloodwarrior and Tom’s Prosecutor champion.

Chris’ Bloodcrusher smashes into Tom’s Sequitor champion and Knight-Zephyros, doing a single mortal wound on the charge before missing all of his attacks and being chopped to pieces.

In one corner of the board, the Scorpion/Crab Man fights three Bird/Dogs for an entire game. He kills two, and the third retreats to be a Bird/Dog elsewhere.

The game ends with Tom’s Knight-Zephyros locked in combat against a pile of Blood Warriors. She slays them to a man, but is taken out by her final foe’s retaliatory strike. Chris wins 13-6!

Follow Miniatures Monthly on Twitter @MinisMonthly for more pics of our projects. Otherwise, can find Chris on Twitter at @CThursten and Instagram as Exitwarp. Tom’s on Twitter at @PCGLudo and Instagram at LudoPaintsMinis.

Our intro music comes courtesy of Mike Debenham.

If you’d like to get in touch, you can contact us at [email protected]. If you’d like to become part of our Discord community, click here – the channel you’re looking for is ‘rollmodels’.

You can listen to this episode on YouTube and find all other episodes in the series via this playlist.

This podcast is made possible by the Crate and Crowbar Patreon. You can also support us by rating and reviewing the podcast on iTunes or by recommending us to a miniatures-minded pal.

Thanks for listening, everybody!

Tom and Chris return to discuss Blackstone Fortress, recent hobby happenings, and our first live event in Cardiff.

Loads of pictures this week – enjoy! Many thanks to everybody who attended Miniatures Monthly Live and sent their pictures in. We’ll definitely look to do it all again in 2019!

Tom’s box o’ dogs.

Tom’s lovely Blackstone Fortress robot.

Tom’s Imperial Navigator.

Tom’s Kroot Tracker.

Chris’ Urghuls. Highly glazeable!

Chris’ Spindle Drones. Very drybrush!

Chris’ Imperial Navigator.

Chris’ Kroot Tracker.

A room full of players embark on one massive Age of Sigmar narrative game at Miniatures Monthly Live! This’ll take some explaining, so look to the podcast for more information.

Forces are arrayed at the start of our massive narrative game in Cardiff – over 8000 points in total. The following shots will give you a flavour of the events as they unfolded, but you’ll need to listen to the pod for the whole story.

Chris’ Tzaangor Shaman is the first hero to reach the Spire, but then he gets shot in the head. Two or three times.

Chris’ Herald and Screamers pile into Tom’s left flank, dealing decent damage and forcing a response from Tantrus – but we’ll get to that.

Chris lays claim to the centre ground quickly, but Tom’s massed shooting poses a severe threat.

With heroes incapacitated on both sides, the Stardrake and Lord of change gather around the Clarion Spire for a scream-off.

As beleagued Vanguard-Hunters cry out for aid, Tantrus rolls snakeyes on a charge – and re-rolls them into… snakeyes.

A tense tussle for the Clarion Spire is interrupted by chittering in the depths below: followed by a devastating series of tunnel collapses.

Having battled through Stormcast defenders in Shyish, Nagash arrives: and he’s ready to party! By ‘party’ he means ‘cast eight spells a turn and refuse to die.’

The forces of Destruction arrive on the battle’s flank. Pay particular attention to that doom diver: the fate of the entire battle rests upon it!

Chris’ auxiliaries pile on from the left flank. Combined with Tom’s fast-moving Palladors, they bog down Nagash for long enough to deny the God of Death his prize.

Tom’s Stardrake ascends to the heavens in the hands of its master. Who also takes this opportunity to hoist the Clarion Spire itself as a trophy. Season two goes to Tom!

Euan’s Seraphon collide with James’ burly Tzeentch cultists during our massive narrative game.

Chimp’s Ironjawz arrayed for an assault on a vital Stormkeep (commanded, in this case, by Tom H.)

Elsewhere, Drew’s Archaon wrestles Dines’ laser dinosaurs for the fate of fate itself.

A little glimpse of Adeptus Titanicus at Miniatures Monthly Live.

Follow Miniatures Monthly on Twitter @MinisMonthly for more pics of our projects. Otherwise, can find Chris on Twitter at @CThursten and Instagram as Exitwarp. Tom’s on Twitter at @PCGLudo and Instagram at LudoPaintsMinis.

Our intro music comes courtesy of Mike Debenham.

If you’d like to get in touch, you can contact us at [email protected]. If you’d like to become part of our Discord community, click here – the channel you’re looking for is ‘rollmodels’.

You can listen to this episode on YouTube and find all other episodes in the series via this playlist.

This podcast is made possible by the Crate and Crowbar Patreon. You can also support us by rating and reviewing the podcast on iTunes or by recommending us to a miniatures-minded pal.

Thanks for listening, everybody!

Chris and Tom catch up on a month’s worth of hobby, from Battlefleet Gothic to X-Wing via Nightvault, Kill Team and Age of Sigmar. Then we stay up too late and get deep into the weeds on your questions.

We’ve had a hobby-light but game-heavy month, so the structure of this month’s episode is a little different to normal. Expect our next full-length battle report in a special episode in early November!

Chris’ Tzaangor Shaman, the first of a wave of disc-riding additions to his Arcanites.

Here’s Chris’ Necron Kill Team.

Follow Miniatures Monthly on Twitter @MinisMonthly for more pics of our projects. Otherwise, can find Chris on Twitter at @CThursten and Instagram as Exitwarp. Tom’s on Twitter at @PCGLudo and Instagram at LudoPaintsMinis.

Our intro music comes courtesy of Mike Debenham.

If you’d like to get in touch, you can contact us at [email protected]. If you’d like to become part of our Discord community, click here – the channel you’re looking for is ‘rollmodels’. Please email [email protected] to register interest in our Miniatures Monthly live event, which will take place on November 17/18 in Cardiff, UK.

You can listen to this episode on YouTube and find all other episodes in the series via this playlist.

This podcast is made possible by the Crate and Crowbar Patreon. You can also support us by rating and reviewing the podcast on iTunes or by recommending us to a miniatures-minded pal.

Thanks for listening, everybody!