The nuclear option

"We got tactical smart missiles, phase plasma pulse rifles, RPGs. We got sonic, electronic ball breakers! We got nukes, we got knives, sharp sticks."

I originally built this to run as a Vortex Missile in Apocalypse games, I think it has actually gotten a shot off once (it seems to draw a lot of fire for some reason)   I may start including this beast  as a Deathstrike in my lists for the lols if nothing else.

The missile came with a playset that my wife got for my kid, he outgrew it but then Apocalypse came along and re-purposing occurred.


The launcher is an insert that slides into a generic Chimera chassis that has been host to a Hydra and/or a Colossus Mortar, I used a combination of plastic tubing the mount from a dozer blade and some sheet styrene.  It tilts from travel position to launch position.

Getting back to the opening quote, I've got models for all of those goodies, except one... Guess I need to build some Sgts. with power-mauls.

Real World Wyvern

Found this today, the AMOS (Advanced Mortar System).  Strikes me as a sort of real-world Wyvern.

Also, an idea for a Tallarn Hydra, it's even open-topped.

Battlescribe data file for Astra Militarum -- Updated (again)

I've modified an IG data file to cover the Astra Militarum codex.  Look here if you're a Battlescribe user and would like to try it out.  Feel free to give me feedback. There's another one here that's not my work.  There's also a Militarum Tempestus data file here which is not my work.

 --- UPDATE ---
I've updated the file with corrections that I found after building a few lists.

--- UPDATED (AGAIN) ---
A few more corrections and some profiles added

Astra Militarum codex first look

So I'll look at the new codex by way of comparison to the old codex,  Let's take my NOVA Open 2013 list as a starting point:


Company Command Squad                           50+55+45 =  150
   Chimera
    3x Plasma


Vendetta w/ HB x 2                                        140 x 2    =  280


Infantry Platoon
    PCS w/ 3 x Flamers                                                          45
    SWS w/ 3 x Flamers                                                         50
    4x Infantry Squad with ML                            65 x4   =  260


Veterans w/ 3x Plasma                                                  =   115


Manticore                                                                       =   160
Leman Russ Eradicator w/ 3x HB                                 =   180


Njal                                                                                =   245
Rune Priest                                                                    =   100
10x Grey Hunters w/ 2x melta in Drop Pod                 =   190


Aegis Defense Line with Comms Relay                       =     70


So a nice 1240 points of guard and 605 points of Wolves and Fortifications.  Fortunately, I didn't use any of the now gone options, so I can do a direct comparison:


Astra Militarum:


CCS, Chimera, 3x Plasma    60 + 65 + 45                  =   170


2x Vendetta w/ HB sponsons    (170 + 20)x2             =   380 (OUCH!)


PCS  w/ 3x flamers                                                      =     45
SWS w/ 3x flamers                                                      =     45
4x Inf squad w/ ML                                                     =   260


Veterans w/ 3x Plasma                                                 =  105


Manticore                                                                     =  170
Eradicator w/ 3x HB                                                    =  140


For a grand total of 1315 points, so 75 more points.  So to make this work I need to find 70 points (I was 5 points under after all)  I can get 40 points easily by dropping the HB sponsons on the Vendettas, now I just need 30 more points;  Well, the 100 point Rune Priest is primarily a Divination bot, but then again, I could swap Njal for a level 2 RP with Runic Armor and a chooser for 180 vs Njals 245; that leaves me with 35 points to play with.  Maybe a Priest to join the blob?  Many possibilities, also for the price of the upgrades on the level 2 RP, I could just use a Primaris Psyker
as another divination caster.  Heh, heh, with some juggling I could have a 5 divination psykers just using the AM and SW books.  That's a lot of chances to get the powers you want. 


This is all just minor tweaks to my list from last year; If I go for a complete overhaul, I'm sure I can do better.