INITIATIVE 1 PODCAST

So it's been a while since anybody has posted any articles on here, so I thought I would post one about something that may interest you all.

As most you know by now, Powerfist Gaming has got it's own podcast, Initiative 1 Podcast. And if you don't know this already, where have you been?

So far there have been three episodes, which have seen multiple hosts (including myself), all of which bring there own personalities (and senses of humour) to the show. We try to cover a variety of topics, such as news and rumours, product reviews, what we've been up to, and... well... anything else that may pop into our heads at the time.

Currently I am arranging some times for interviews with two other well known podcasts, The 11th Company, and The Overlords.
These will be airing on their shows at some point in the future.

Anyway, thats all I have to say at the moment, so please check us out and give us a listen.

You can find us on iTunes by searching for Initiative 1 Podcast, or at our blogspot, http://initiative1podcast.blogspot.com/.

And please, leave us a review and a rating (a five star rating will help us get seen more).

Cheers,

Jim.

SPACE MARINE!

Now it may just be me, but does anybody else think that the Space Marine game may succeed in where the Ultramarines movie failed? You know... by bringing some new people into the hobby.

Now don't get me wrong, I really, REALLY enjoyed the movie. In fact, I've watched it a fair few times now. But it was obvious that without the right advertising (or a bigger budget), people who weren't into GW's IP originally in any way, were not going be interested in it.

Now the game? Well thats another thing altogether.

First of all it's being developed

and published by companies Relic and THQ, who have handled the IP before. They know what 40k is, but more importantly, are established in the gaming industry. And I'm sure this means a bigger budget.

Secondly, as I'm sure everyone will agree, it is most definitely going to be advertised, be it on TV, in magazines, or in stores.

And thirdly, it will be on shelves.

Unlike the movie, which was only available by ordering it online, this will be readily available to buy in stores. But not just game stores, but in supermarkets and other media/entertainment stores also. Which means that it will be seen by more than just the people who know about GW and 40k.

Anyway, I know that I can't wait for it. And who knows, maybe someone who hasn't even heard of GW might buy it, and then (if we are really lucky) end up playing the tabletop game.

But for now, I'm going to get back to watching Ultramarines.


ASTARTES!!!

Ooooooo, shiny...

I really need to stop looking at all these pictures of Grey Knights. All it makes me do is want to buy the models. In fact, writing this article probably isn't going to help.

You see, the thing is I don't even want to play Grey Knights. Sure the fluff seems cool, and yes, I'm also sure they will be fun to play, but all I want to do is paint them. Sad I know.

But it's this kind of thing that could lead to me starting a third army I REALLY don't want.
I know that I wouldn't have to put much money down to start the army, as point costs on individual models are generally higher than that of your standard Space Marine. And this appeals to me, but only because it would mean less models to paint.

Now the paint scheme is also something I have not tried before, and to be honest, would be quite nervous about. Which makes me want to do it even more, just to see if I can pull it off.

Take the Nemesis Dreadknight on GW's website for example. The one with the Nemesis Greatsword. The large amount of metallic paint, shading, and work with an airbrush really makes me want to see if I can paint one anywhere near that level. And if not... I want to learn how to do it.

And then there is the Jokaero Weaponsmith. Just looking at this fuzzy little critter makes me want one... or several. And that's just to paint them. However, the other day I did start having thoughts about using them as servitors, but I'm still trying to make my mind up about that.


This obsession with wanting to paint these models has even got to the point now that I told one of my friends, who doesn't currently play but is looking to start, that he should start a Grey Knight army. I then went on to add "But don't worry, I'll help you paint them."

I HAVEN'T EVEN FINISHED PAINTING MY OTHER ARMIES!!!

Why would I even want to paint another army when I have two at home that need lots of work doing to them still. I really need to stop thinking about it... maybe I should stop typing...


...nope, it didn't help.

You must be Jokaering?

The Grey Knight Codex was leaked quite some time ago now, which was useful for all the Internet rage nerds to get a heads up on what to whinge about come April. My interest was more focused, I have had a hankering for an Inquisition force of late and the new codex might well offer me a chance to field one. So naturally I turn to the Inquisitorial henchman and sit down for a light perusal of what might be available to me should I choose to take the dive… and that’s when I discovered the gem that is the Jokaero Weapon smith. Being too young for rogue trader era stuff I had no idea what a “Jokaero” was but when I found out it was like being hit by a ten-ton truck of pure awesome.

Its a fucking space ape! …Apparently in the 40k universe orangutans have a bit of a penchant for firearms and don't mind helping you out as long as you got the bananas.

Could this actually be happening? Is GW really going to allow the eldritch and puritanical Grey Knight force to employ Dr Zaius to fiddle with their guns? I could imagine a few a slack jaws if they did. Surely there will just be a complete reworking of the Jokaero, they will become some sort of other, less comical, species. GW have reworked fluff before, and the Jokaero have been long since forgotten in the ever churning foundry of rule book updates and codex reworks. But my god if they were to keep them as orangutans… well I think I might rediscover my love for this hobby all over again.

And thats when I found this.

Feast your eyes on the new Jokaero Weapon smith. I will be fielding three.

Breaking The Mould: Mould Making and Resin Casting (Part II: Resin Casting)

And a two part mould it is. It came apart fine, and now it is time for me to FINALLY try my hand at casting resin. But first, here is a photo of my mould:

And here is a picture to show you what each part is:

So, as I was saying before, time for the fun part.

Step I:

I put a wall of lego on either side of my mould, then wrapped a few elastic bands around it. This helps keep the mould together when casting, thus minimising the flash.

Step II:

The instructions on the resin I bought said to mix the two parts in equal weight for 30 seconds. After doing this I poured it into the mould, topping it up every now and then when it

starts to settle. I then waited 45 minutes to let the resin cure.


Step III:

I opened the mould, and this is what I had made:

On close inspection, there are a few little bubbles, but nothing I can't fix with a tiny bit of "green stuff". Altogether though, I'm very happy with how it turned out.


Well thats all I've got to say for now, and I hope this was helpful in anyway to people.

+++IMPORTANT PLEASE READ+++ The future of Powerfist Gaming.

Last night was our last night of gaming at MWGUK. From this Thursday onwards (10/03/2011) we will be gaming at St. Johns Ambulance first aid training centre which is just off Wolverhampton road, meaning it is within walking distance for many of you. There is also a bus route down there.
It will still cost £3 per person to play, there will still be a small tuck shop open, and a painting area as well as HEATING!!! We'll meet from 5:30 till 12:00 but your games will need to be finished around 11 at the latest as we have to pack away our stuff at the end of the night.
Here is the address:
St John Ambulance
Garden Street
Stafford
ST174DD

We look forward to seeing you all there at the beginning of a new age for Powerfist Gaming!

Breaking The Mould: Mould Making and Resin Casting (Part I: Making the Mould)

So over the past couple of months I've gotten really interested in mould making and resin casting, but actually had no idea of how to go about it. I say had as if I actually know what I'm doing when, to tell the truth, I'm still not sure.
Anyway, it was recently my birthday, and after listening to a fair few podcasts, searching through forums, and watching some videos, I decided where I would "invest" some of the money I was given.

I decided to make a sprue up of some Space Marine weapons, which means going straight to making a two part mould. Yes it would have been easier for me to make some bases, and get a feel for how to use everything, but i thought I might as well go in head first.


Step I:

After knocking up a mould box out of Lego, I built up inside it with plasticine, then arranged the items I wanted to cast. Starting with a channel running from the top of the box to the bottom, then back up through the weapons, and out of the top. After mixing the first part of my mould rubber, I poured it in from the corner, letting it spread over the sprue, and then leaving it to cure.

The next day I checked it, and was very pleased to see it had all gone well. Now for the tricky bit.


Step II:

After rebuilding the box around the first part of the mold, I applied a release agent to all of the rubber. If I hadn't have done this, everything would surely come out in one giant block of rubber.
I then mixed up, and poured in the next load of rubber to create the second part of my mould, and left it to cure...

...and that's it. That is as far as I've gotten. Even now, I don't know whether or not it has turned out well, or if it is now one big block of rubber.

Well, there is only one way to find out...