I’m running out of Dwarfs to paint, so it’s time for a new army!
Specifically, I have an old Abyssal army from early 2nd ed that I never liked. I had a full army and even played a few tournaments with them, but time hasn’t been kind to my Abyssals. A bunch of units are no longer in the army, many of them aren’t mantic (something I no longer tolerate ), the list is just plain bad and when it comes down to it, I really don’t like how they look.
With that in mind, I have four requirements to get this project off the ground…
I need to be happy with the paint scheme. There’s nothing worse than painting an army you don’t like the look of.
Non-standard basing. No dirt & flock for this army - this time it needs to both fit the demonic aesthetic, and help it stand out
It needs a theme. Just something to visually set out apart from a “standard” Abyssal army.
It needs to be travel-friendly! Living in Kalgoorlie means I’m often travelling long distance for events. So much like my “stackable” Dwarf Army, the Abyssals need to be easy to take on a plane WITHOUT some enormous specialised carry case.
I have plans for all of these but for now, let’s talk about paint scheme.
Below is the test model - pale skin with pink accents, next to the old yellow scheme. I don’t hate the old yellow, but it never excited me and it made building the army feel like a chore. By contrast the new scheme, along with some other ideas for building the army, have me much more motivated for the project!
Another vote for the new scheme from me - looks great. ‘Standard’ gargoyles already have that grey vibe going for them, so this fits in nicely whilst still allowing something different from the norm. As for bases, how about an ash waste theme? The abyss isn’t all lava and hellfire; you could go for the ash plains which tortured mortals are chased and hunted across, with your bases punctuated by the odd ancient structure or stone. Dunno, just an idea!
I like the pale abyssal to the right too.
I think those will stand out best on colour. Verdant green bases would work.
I still recall a Slaanesh army I saw long ago.
It had pale purple daemons on green grass and flowers, but with dry dead grass around each daemonsl’s feet and as footprints behind them. Might be too much work on multi bases though.
You could probably do something striking but relatively easy with the weird sci-fi jungle/forest terrain mantic do (or find similar 3rd P/3d options) and things like the ready mixed kraut cover range of scatter textures?
Thanks for the feedback - it’s good to know I’m not the only one who prefers the new scheme!
Regarding basing - I tried the ash waste theme with the old abyssals, and it didn’t work. Maybe I could improve on it this time around, but I’d prefer to move on from it. Besides - the approach I’d take would be pretty similar to how I do my Dwarf bases (albiet more desert themed, with ancient ruins & roadways). In short, I’m looking to move away from that.
The southern rift idea though - that’s got me very tempted to try it out! Abyssal Demons in a jungle setting, with the mantic sci fi plants to add to the otherworldliness could really work. I did a jungle theme for my Salamanders way back, mostly using plastic aquarium plants for the foliage. So adapting that approach has potential.
For the moment though, the pic below is the start to what I’m thinking of.
Yeah, it kind of echoes the lava trope, but I’m hoping the purple colour and tiled floor helps set it apart. I’ve got plans to add some of Mantic’s temple & church pieces to the bases, as well as candles scattered around. Maybe also the odd chalk pentagram? I’m not quite convinced I can make that look good though.
I’m going to have a think about the Southern rift idea too, though. That shit’s got some potential.
Quick update - thread title has been changed because this will be my contribution to the Slow Grow Challenge.
Not much more progress to speak of - I’ve assembled and undercoated enough lower Abyssals for a Horde, so they’ll be my first unit off the block.
I’m still pondering lists to work toward. Rumour has it that Abyssals will be updated in the next book. If that’s true, there’s not alot of point in working out specifics just yet!
… I’m pretty happy with the result. Candles have been added too. I think this will be the basing for the army (plus or minus a few skulls or temple bits).
Aside from the above, I’ve spent most of this week assembling the first 500pts.
#2026KoWSlowgrow [485 / 500 (15 Remaining)]
~ List Valid ~
Battalion 1
Harbinger [2] (Hero (Inf)) 1 [95]
Lower Abyssals (Inf) Regiment [100] w. Two-handed Weapons [0]
Lower Abyssals (Inf) Regiment [100] w. Two-handed Weapons [0]
Tortured Souls (Lrg Inf) Regiment [190]
The Lowers were already half assembled, the Tortured Souls are a unit I see myself taking in most lists and the Harbinger is there because he fits neatly into a 500pt starting army.
I’ve still no idea what to aim for at 2000pts - figuring out a good list continues to elude me. But for now I’m just going to work on the units I have available, with an emphasis on what I’m most likely to use in lists.
Thanks! Yeah the idea is that it’s an army led by Fallen Basileans, who have deluded themselves into thinking they’re leading a righteous crusade with the Forces of the Shining Ones.
These guys were never going to be red. As per above, the original colour was yellow. But I’m much happier with how these look.
for the new paint scheme.
