Snickit's Tail - The Call of Command Army Challenge

So I've decided for the next 12 months to take part in "The Call of Command Army Challenge" with a 4th Edition Dwarf Army.

Now this may be a little odd as only just a couple of years back I painted up an Imperial Dwarf army for 3rd Ed (although I will happily use in later editions). The issue I have whilst painting the Imperial Dwarfs is that they have a different aesthetic to the Marauder Dwarfs that came along at the end of 3rd Ed that became the 4th Ed staples.

The Marauder Dwarfs had a mixture of Empire Dwarfs (Dwarfs who live in, and adopt the Empire's dress and customs) and "Clan" Dwarfs. I may be being picky but this feels very different to the Perry "Imperial" Dwarfs (Dwarfs of the old Dwarf Empire, these guys have a "Saxon" feel).

My new army will be a "Clan" Dwarf style army, however, this is a separate challenge for me this year, I have a plan to also paint up another Army as my main Army challenge for this year (more on that to come in a later post). This means I will only paint 1 unit a month for this new 4th Ed army so should be easily manageable. My aim, come August 2021 is to have the units painted to run "The Battle of the East Gate" scenario from the 4th Ed Dwarf armies book at BOYL 2021.

The following list should allow me to cover all the bases for that army but fit neatly into 2000 points. Photo's of each unpainted unit also accompany. As this is a subsidiary project I'm keeping the cost down and mostly using Harlequin/Black Tree Design miniatures. This isn't a compromise at all as that's exactly the thinking behind this range when it was released, they were a 4th Ed contemporary range that were released as a cheaper alternative. The sculpts aren't quite as good and the weapons are a little big but that adds a little more charm to the range. 

Here's the photo's:

Astute observers may notice the following:

1. My General has a hammer not an axe.
2. My Longbeards include a musician and a normal warrior.
3. My Thunderers Standard is lacking somewhat.
4. I'm lacking a Dwarf Hero (the scenario has 2 Dwarf Lords)

Answers to these points are all very simple:

1. I'm going to convert him, most likely with the big axe head from the 6th Ed plastic Dwarfs.
2. I do have replacements on order but they haven't arrived yet, until they do these two will proxy.
3. See above.
4. I have another Dwarf to represent Lord Duregar but as he's not being painted specifically for "The Call of Command Army Challenge" I've left him out but I'll be painting him too, in fact, he may well get painted up before my minor conversion of King Belegar.

I've also ordered a couple of Harlequin/Black Tree Design cannons and will likely replace the 4th Ed Cannon with a Harlequin/Black Tree Design one when they arrive.

So, that's part of the year ahead worked out..............................

Bringing Out My Dead

Since the last time I presented my Undead (painted for BOYL 2019) I've added a few more pieces so I thought I'd do a post that presented them in their current status.

This army is mainly painted up to be usable in both 3rd & 4th Edition Warhammer which really is my main area of enthusiasm in the hobby.

Undead became my main army in 4th back in the day as they were cheap. I was also a fan of the "High Fantasy" style of Undead. When they got split in late 5th I lost interest with the Vampire Counts army never really selling itself to me and Tomb Kings meaning I'd have to start all over again. The Necromancer only list in 6th had de-powered Necromancers so lost the feel I wanted. Playing 3rd and 4th means I can get back to the Undead I prefer.

I've probably gotten in closer than I ever have with my photography here and some of the painting is making me wince now, however, the reality that I keep telling myself is that I'm not Golden Daemon Standard Painter. I paint to a wargaming standard so that I can get armies painted

This is my General - Lothar the Black Hearted

In 3rd Ed I take this guy as a low level Liche to lead my Zombies as they have superior Psychology Stat boosts.

In 4th this guys is taken as a heavily protected 1st level wizard to try to ensure that 2 dice are always rolled for the Winds of Magic.

My take on Dieter for 4th Ed. I'm a massive fan of the "Revenge of the Doomlord" scenario so having him painted up is a must for me. As per usual for me I still need to do his banner.

The very first unit I always pick for my Undead is my General's Body Guard - the largest unit of spear armed Skelies I can afford. 

My Grim Reapers, essential troops in 3rd.

Oh dear, these two are lot blurrier than I thought

These are my Skelies for summoning.

My White Knight/Assault Group Zombies. Painted up as Nordland because that's what my own Empire Army is. I have a second unit to get painted up that I'm considering doing as either (or a mixture of both) Altdorf and/or Middenheim as those are the Empire Armies used by my Brother.

Not an original idea, I've seen at least two armies with Flagellents painted as Ghosts and I've unashamedly nicked the idea because it works so well.

Bat Swarms - these are Black Tree Design ones.



Ghouls, I'm still experimenting with these guys, never really used them before but the models are nice and characterful and that's a good enough reason to use them for me.

Carrion, I still want to add more, at least another four I think.

Two units of Skeleton Horsemen that, yup, you guessed it, still need their banners doing...........................................

My Chariots, this is another unit I really want to add to.

My Screaming Skull Catapults - very rarely on target but every once in a blue moon they'll pull off a wonder hit!

Well that's it, my current Undead Army, there are definitely things still to be added like a box or two of Nightmare Legion (primed and ready for painting) along with some Wight Cavalry. I also have something a little bit special sculpted by the highly skilled Geoff Solomon-Sims.