Null:
Totally agree about not going too crazy with this guy. I will try to keep it subdued.

---

Hello friends and enemies!

Real life has really taken a big chunk out of my hobby time; been too tired to really be productive. But! I Have been working on things. My XV9 and two of my Stealth suits are coming along and you’ll see their progress later.

Now, as I was working on my stuff I realized something. Without any kind of direction, I tend to lose focus and can’t get anything done. My brain is the equivalent of shopping cart with a wonky wheel being shoved down an aisle. I want to keep my mind focused and move straight on, but I usually end up running into the sides. So, all goofy metaphors aside, I figured that I need to develop some kind of list to work up to. Basically stuff I want to add on to the cadre.

Here is what I’ve come up with:

ARC Reinforcements:

++++ [HQ] ++++

Ethereal
--- []
FW Honour G. 'ui
--- [Pulse rifle, Markerlight]
11x FW Honour Guard
--- [Pulse rifle]

Shadow Sun
--- [2x Fusion Blasters, Shield generator, HW MT Adv TL, HW Drone controller, Command Link Drone, 2x Shield Drones]

Shas'o R'myr
--- [R 'myr Shield Gen, Flechette disch., Double-barreled PR, Ejection sys., HW Drone controller, HW Target lock]
--- []
XV81 Shas'vre BG
--- [SMS, AFP, Targeting array, HW Multi-tracker]
--- []
XV89 Shas'vre BG
--- [CIB, Plasma rifle, Targeting array, Iridium Arm.]

DX-7 Disengagement Drone
--- [Flamer, Missile pod, Failsafe det.]

XV9 Shas'O R’alai /b]
--- [Pulse Submunitions Rifle, ‘Eclipse’ Shield Generator, Vectored Retro-Thrusters, Blacksun Filter, Drone Controller, 2x (BSF) Marker Drone]

[b]++++ [Elites] ++++

Stealthsuit 'vre
--- [Burst cannon, Markerlight]
3x Stealthsuit 'ui
--- [Burst cannon]

Stealthsuit 'vre
--- [Burst cannon, Markerlight HW Drone Controller, Marker Drone]
2x Stealthsuit 'ui
--- [Burst cannon]

Stealthsuit 'vre
--- [Burst cannon, Markerlight, HW Drone Controller, Marker Drone]
2x Stealthsuit 'ui
--- [Burst cannon]

++++ [Troops] ++++

Fire Warrior 'ui
--- [Pulse rifle, Markerlight]
3x Fire Warrior 'la
--- [Pulse rifle]

10x Saro Mercs (Firewarrior Count-as)
--- [Pulse rifle]

++++ [Fast Attack] ++++

XV9 Shas'Vre
--- [Fusion Cascade, Fusion Cascade, Drone controller, Gun Drone]
XV9 Shas'Vre
--- [Phased Ion Guns, Phased Ion Guns, Drone controller, Shield Drone]

3x Pathfinder 'la
--- [Rail R./Target lock]

Pathfinder 'la
--- [Pulse C./ Marker]

++++ [Heavy Support] ++++

XV88 'ui
--- [TL Railgun, SMS, Targeting array]
-----------------------
Total model count: 59
-----------------------


Tremble before the vast amount of HQ option! I guess I got a little carried away there, but it’s what I want! I have decided to hold off on adding anymore XV8’s, as I have a feeling the new codex will bring with it a new XV8 kit. But I hope to add two more Knarloc Riders later.

So let’s take a little peak at my small progress!








So the XV9 is coming along nicely. The arms about halfway there. Gotta work on the glow especially and clean up a few spots. Also, some details to work on.





Not done of course! I still need to paint some parts, but this is the direction they are going in. Yes, I know we talked about staying away from the whole bottom half stealth deal, but I had to do it on at least one! What do you guys think of the second stealth effect? I quite like how it does not cover the entire top half of the suit but it sorta at an angle.

---

So the Advanced Recon Cadre or ARC has become my baby. They are a creation that was spawned from the dark depth of my mind and have gone through a lot of changes. But did you know that the ARC-16’s are not the only ARC cadre? In fact, there are 23 other cadre’s tasked with giving the Tau the needed edge against the unique enemies of the Empire.

And I would love nothing more than to have other hobbyists make their cadre’s ARC’s as well!

“But Wolf!” You say to yourself, since you don’t seem to understand how reading works, “What exactly is an ARC?”

Well that is a good question, one which I hope to address fully in my next article. Currently, it is undergoing revisions and spiffing up with the help of Null and Militant.Jester (these guys are way smarter than me) and should soon see the light of day. So keep a lookout for a fluff update!

Oooooo, what's a Saro Merc? I wanna see.

As for the stealth effect, I'd say you have that down pat! It actually looks kinda natural, like it's flowing across the surface.

- Null

p.s. If your brain is a shopping cart with a wonky-wheel, my brain must certainly be a shopping cart that's been backed over a couple times too many!

Wolfs16 :
Orange Fusion Cascades! Yes!

Oh yes, I need to include substance in this post... I really like the orange effect you used for the glow in the Fusion Cascades, if only for my slightly anal-retentive thoughts on nuclear physics and how they should correlate with what is utilizing those reactions. I definitely agree that it still needs a little work, since the glow seems to bleed into the grey casing around it. Maybe a slightly darker grey within the indent around the edges (if that made sense) to help put a distinguishing line between the two parts of the model... Tough call.

Just one comment, though, on the rest of the work: orange Fusion Cascades!

Mental Note: Use blue fusion weapons when painting my army. Or pink!

Wolfs16, this is looking pretty swell - although it's pretty apparent you've never played; you can't have 7 HQs! I know, you just want to have them. OK, moving on... I am interested to see this 'DX-7 Disengagement Drone...' what do you have in mind? Also, why do you have a 4-man Firewarrior team? And what are Saro Mercenaries (sounds like a dinosaur)? And.... so many questions!

The stealthsuits are looking awesome (I wish 15's were plastic!). I'm not liking the model w/ diagonal stripes as much though - perhaps, rather than parallel lines, they could be sort of convex (think that's the right one - bowed outwards)?

As for the secret project - working on that, intermittently, I assure you!

Null:
The Saro mercs were an idea I had for awhile now (they were mentioned in my Disaster at Kor'nars story) and may take one of two forms: a conversion or a stock model from another mini company. We'll see as time goes on.

SpartanTau:
Yes, I figured that because you're all interested in "sy-ants" you would approve. However, they are nowhere near finished, so don't worry, I will clean it up quite a bit. 

Militant.Jester:
Hmm, could you imagine how awesome using all those HQ's at once would be! In all seriousness though, there is no rhyme or reason why I added some things. 4 Firewarriors? I don't know why I only chose 4! But that's what I'm gonna do!

The DX7 (might change the number after some research) is my answer to the need for a Failsafe Det on a Farsight squad. It just didn't seem right that a Tau would equip himself with a bomb. And while yes, I actually can see the fluffy justification. But considering it is for my Farsight count-as (who, quite frankly, is a loon) I wanted to have something that wouldn't be to sad if it died. So enter the drones!

As for the Stealth suit, I think I may stealth the top half, if only to match it with the Stealth patterns I have going on in the squad right now. Also, it is less detail to paint! :p

Oh and in regard to the secret project, take your time. You are doing me a favor so don't feel rushed!

Oh man, long time no update! Real life continues to be busy and my motivation to post an update has been slipping. But no more! I am back on the update horse and I intend to ride this stallion over the sunset. Enough stupid metaphors; I know why you guys are here: pictures! So let’s get right into it!

---

First up, I finished a bunch of Stealth Suits!


You’ll notice Shas’Vre Mesa’ko there as well. I felt he just had to be included in the group photo. That is actually two groups of three each, so they are not from the same squad. Let’s look at the individuals, shall we?




This is Shas’Ui Sa’cea Savon. I have always liked the look of the XV15’s, so I decided to paint one without any Stealth effect, to really show it off. I think it turned out nicely and he is really one of my favorites.



This is Shas’Vre Sa’cea Is’eoro. He was painted in sort of an opposite scheme of my other Shas’Vre. Instead of having his arms and legs going stealthed, I wanted the effect to look like the stealth field was spreading out from the center area of the suit. While the model is not the most flashy, I like it and it helps to hide that I have another of the same model that I will be using. Speaking of cheating…




He’s standing on metal plates so I painted him in full stealth field. Yes, I know it is cheap, but Shas’Ui Sa’cea Ufa does not care. He is staying in full stealth mode where it is safe. Not exposed like some of these other guys.




This is Shas’Ui Sa’cea Dal’Cha. He is one of two with a similar Stealth pattern and I am very pleased with how he came out.




Here is Shas’Ui Sa’cea Tash. He has a bit of a sad story, but let’s not let that get in the way of admiring his awesomeness. XV15’s are so cool.

So now we have Shas’Vre Fal’shia Soo’Tash, a transfer from the Fal'shia 9th, the awesome cadre created by Null. He wrote the background for this one, with only minor additions from me. Go check out Null’s project log if you already haven’t!






Now we have here my affectionately named peek-a-boo Stealth Suit. I have finished painting him and here is he:


Can you see the suit? Believe it or not, I learned to paint so well that it looks like nothing but the base is there! How cool is that!

Okay, all antics aside, the base is finished. The suit will be peering around the corner as you see here:



But on the other side, this is what you’ll be seeing:

So I have to make sure to get a paint the side against the wall in the same color as the cement wall. His other side will be normal colors. He should look pretty good!

---

I have not been skipping on the modeling front either. First up is my Marker Drone conversion:



Simple, but effective. These were actually made awhile ago, so I will probably redo the color scheme, since red doesn’t go on any kor’vesa’s of the ARC-16’s. That would be dishonorable.

Next we have a little conversion that has been going through my head for a bit. It is a Kroot Pathfinder and will make the 8th and final member of ----






And speaking of Pathfinders, here are some Rail Rifle toting guys. I really hope that GW makes plastic Pathfinder kits when the next codex comes out.

Nothing special here except some concrete ruined walls I made. Will look MUCH better with some paint.

Now, as you will have seen in my list of what I want to add to the old ARC-16’s is a Shas’O R’myr model. Well this shouldn’t be too hard because Shas’El Lar’shi has a nice R’myr shield of his own! So I combined some spare Plasma Rifle’s and a copy of half an XV9 Burst Cannon I had (plus a koto bit and some plastic) and here we are!



Now let me emphasize that it is not done. Upon closer inspection I feel it still needs something. So any suggestions are welcomed! Here are a few closer shots:





And here we have the Saro Mercenaries. Fluff will be added for these guys once they are finished. But they will not get any individual fluff; just as a group. Essentially they are human’s who work for the Saro Mercenary Guild; an organization that provides mercenary services to races all across the Eastern Fringe. But more to come on them later…


Trust me, once they are painted they will look a lot better. These are Pig Iron System Troopers and I think they look cool, but are a little too static. But they were all metal, so that’s as good as they are gonna look! For these guys, I want to try painting battle damage. So I will have to give it a shot and see where it goes!

---

My next update will include a big chunk of background, including the Stealth Suits, the XV9, the Kroot Pathfinder and maybe even the ARC article I mentioned before. I just didn’t want this thread to become HUGE.

Comments and constructive criticisms are welcomed!

Hey Wolfs16

Nice to hear your back at it!! My condolences on the over-use of silly metaphors though .

I really like Shas’Vre Sa’cea Is’eoro and his stealth effect, it looks the most realistic IMHO (though I am far from an expert on these sort of things ). It's also nice to see Soo Tash wasn't lost to the warp , great job on the painting there!!!

Again, nice to see your back at it and I'm looking forward to seeing more!

- null

Ahhh! Here you start again
I still have to read your fluff here, but I really like what you have done with your stealth suits. The effect on your suits looks very nice.
The light source effect on your O'Shovah looks great, too. Same applies to the whole model.

Argh! You produce good looking models too fast … it will take some time to browse through your thread

I am looking forward to your Graham Gilchrist stealth suit. Something that I wanted to do some time ago (after seeing that awesome stealth suit in the WhiteDwarf by Neil Hodgson (he made it look soooo easy )), but my 2D painting skills are lousy, so I have to hone my skills until I can try it again

What material did you use for all the wall parts on you bases?
Are the Pig Iron models the same size as normal 40k miniatures? I know that they have the same scale, but sometimes there are slightly differences.

Keep it coming!
-Shavaun

Null:
Glad you like the progress! It feels good to finally update again; definitely a big motivation. I think I am becoming more and more familiar with how to do the Stealth effect, so I hope to apply it on more of my models.

Soo Tash is gonna be pretty integral to some of my future ploy points, as it will combine a bit of your cadre background with mine. But more on that in the future!

Sahvaun:
Good to hear from you again! I thought you lost in the warp!

The glow and stealth effects are my first venture into more advanced techniques. I hope to keep on improving as I go. But your words are very encouraging. I feel like I am a slow painter, so it's good to hear that you think I'm fast!

The Gilchrist suit is something I'm excited to try. I have always thought that his conversions were great and you better believe he was a big inspiration. I think I know the Stealth Suit you are talking about from Neil Hodgson, but I don't think there is any way I could paint like that at this point. But that doesn't mean I won't be able to do it one day!

For my bases, I use various plastic scraps from chopped up kits and pieces of these plastic "metal" walls I got in a kit. The cement walls are Gale Force 9's Concrete Rubble Mix. Simple stuff that really makes the base come alive.

As for the Pig Iron models, they are slightly smaller than your average Guardsmen; being a bit more naturally proportioned. Here is a comparison shot:



So, not really a huge difference. I actually think the System Trooper heads would look better proportioned on a Cadian body than the ones I have now.

Not quite, the place where I have been was darker and noisier: The library


At the moment it feels as I move backwards, so you are surly faster than me

Thank you for the comparison picture. They really fit into the 40k product line.
These days I came across Pig Iron models (and especially the heads) a lot. After reading the Enforcer novels, I even played with the idea of converting some arbites (for Necromunda or even as a addition for my IG (a Executioner in black with the white insignia of the arbites would look very nice I think)) and some heads would have come quite handy. At the moment I get too easily carried away.
I also like the Kolony Militia HQ. The colonel looks very relaxed

Also thanks for the baseing tips

Cheerio!
-Shavaun

Updates!

I had intended on finishing up a bunch of fluff recently, but ran into some difficulty. So I will give it to you guys one story at a time. Also, I finished painting my Kroot Pathfinder conversion, so why don’t we start with that:







This is Aronoc. He is one of the few Blood Quills who has a high affinity for technology. So he has been accepted as a tracker for Pathfinder Team Mont’re. He is made from a standard Kroot kit, with an IG grenade, pouch, Vox Caster, Cadian torso, Pulse Carbine and XV8 antenna for the Markerlight. The carbine arm was cut away and attached to a Kroot bicep. Since Kroot and Tau only have four fingers, using it didn’t pose a problem. The Cadian armor was not long enough for a standard Kroot torso, so I cut some of a Kroot torso off and attached the bottom of it to the Cadian armor. It flowed pretty well together and doesn’t look too odd. 

And here he is with the whole gang. This picture will have to be added to the Collective Background thread once I finish his fluff.

---

--Stealth Contingent--
>Shas’Ui Sa’cea Tash<

Background:
Tash was a Tau who seemed like he was born in a Stealth Suit. His expert piloting allowed him to infiltrate and systematically assassinate the leaders of an invading Gue’la force, allowing the Tua to overwhelm the disorganized survivors. Such abilities soon brought him to the attention of Shas’El Lar’shi and we was quickly transferred to the ARC-16’s. Yet for all his skill, he could not avoid the mass of teeth and claws that surrounded him on his first mission with the ARC’s.

The Y’he had encircled his team and Tash was soon forced to fight in close quarters against the unpredictable Ymrgal Genestealers. While they attempted to flee the creatures ambushed his la’rua and quickly killed two of his team, but the Tau fought back tenaciously and managed to escape. Navigating the long stretch of the tunnel they had taken flight through, the Stealth teams finally made it out into the open; each member scrambling to get through the narrow opening before the monsters at their heels caught up to them. Tash held the rear, pushing the Ymrgal’s back while his team escaped.

With the last member making it to safety, Tash turned and jumped out through the opening. But just as he was about clear of the tunnel, a tentacle arm lashed out and grabbed hold of his leg. Tash scrambled to grab hold of the edge, but with unnatural strength the beast dragged him down into the darkness. Suddenly, the world went black.

When Tash awoke he was in a Fio medical bay. A quick look at his body showed numerous deep scars and, worst of all, a missing right arm. Before he could react he was greeted by the attendant Fio doctor and his somber Shas’Vre, Mesa’ko. While the Fio fitted him with a bionic, Vre’Mesa’ko explained how they rescued him from the clutches of the beasts, but not before he was badly injured. The good news though, was that the Fio had cleared him for physical therapy and with time he would be back on the battlefield.

But while he faked a smile and joked with the jovial Shas’Vre, Tash felt sick. All his life he had been the best at what he did. He was always confident, always so sure of himself. But now he saw how little those feelings meant. He thought he was at his best on that mission, his first mission with the ARC-16’s none the less. But still he failed. Even when he completed his physical therapy and was cleared for active duty, he worried that he may very well lack the skill he once thought he had. He felt like he needed a true victory, something that would help him regain his confidence.

Now, he views each coming battle as a chance to again prove what he is capable of. He had allowed himself to become cocky, but not anymore. He would regain his lost honor and he would again prove himself a true asset to his cadre and not the liability he felt he had become.

---

So there we are for now! The next update should have XV15 pilot Savon’s background, as well as a closer look at Lar’shi’s dual plasma rifle.

The stealth effects look sweet. It's really nice how they're all different and makes them stand out.

Update time!



So I finally finished my first Saro Merc!



It was painted very simply. Adeptus Battlegrey armor, Commando Khaki clothe. The armor is washed in Badab Black, the clothe in Devlan Mud. The gun is black with a light drybrush of Boltgun Metal and Codex Grey, washed with Badab Black. The armor is then drybrushed Codex Grey and lightly drybrushed Astronomicon Grey. The optics and lenses are done in Mechrite Red with Blood Red and Skull White highlighting it. The pouches and gun holster were painted Chradon Granite and washed with Badab Black, then a bit more Chardon to even out the color and a light drybrush of Codex Grey. The painting wasn’t difficult and was pretty quick, so I like it!

---

The Dual-Plasma Rifle just wasn’t working. After giving it some thought, I realized that I would want to give Lar’shi something which enabled him to have other battlesuit weapons as well. So why not combine these ideas? So here is where we are at.



So one of those plasma rifle magnets got goofed and now it sticks up too high. I may use it on another suit and just make another one. But this is the general idea. What is it missing? I know it needs something else, but I’m stumped as to what to add. Thoughts?

Shas’El Kais’Lar (formerly Shas’Vre) is coming along nicely. I had to reposition a few things, but it is looking really good now. Here is where we are:





Of course, some green stuff is required; especially in creating the Sa’cea symbol on the former Farsight antenna. As for the other side of the jetpack, I was thinking of adding some kind of sensor there. Gotta try some things. Now as for the head, I know what I want now; this!


This is, of course, Lord Dirks concept and is awesome. I think I can do this with a Firewarrior helmet and some green stuff. Does anyone have any suggestions that may make this easier?

Where did you get the saro
merc from?

The model I used for the Saro Merc is a Pig Iron System Trooper. Check my previous post for a scale comparison next to some GW models.

Those pig iron guys are sweet. As for the plasma gun, I'd suggest trying to meld a targetting array into the area between the barrels.

Wolf,

Great stuff, as always!

Thought you might like to take a look at this from Old Shatter Hands' Blog The Tau of War : (I'm sure he won't mind me using the image)


Should give you some ideas.

Rus'el

Rus'el:
Yes, O'Shatta's Shadowsun has been a big inspiration to me. It's what got me started on this thing in the first place! I am going to do things similar to what he had, but a very different head (see my post above). Still gotta figure out how I'm gonna do that...

Theambit:
Thanks! I gave your idea a try and I think I've come up with something.




I added a Dreadnought sensor to it and now I just have to do some greenstuff work to smooth it out. Oh and I also added a bit on the back to really balance the weapon out.

---

Finished 5 of the Saro Mercs. 5 more to go!

---

--UNIT QUERY, DESIGNATION: Saro Mercenary Guild--
--PROCESSING...--
--ACCESS GRANTED:

The Saro Mercenary Guild is a collection of various xeno species from all across the Eastern Fringe. The original founders were joined together by a mutual desire for survival from the horrors of the galaxy and the resulting union allowed them to not only survive, but thrive. Being primarily made up of dissident human colonists and Ronox warriors, the Guild holds much power over a variety of criminal activities, from pirating, to smuggling, even assassination and espionage. Regardless of the work, they are brutal in their effectiveness and are completely loyal to their employer (within the boundaries of their contract, of course). Their services are in high demand, as pirates, rebels and other unscrupulous characters seek to pounce upon the spoils available in a galaxy that knows only war.

But what sets them apart from other mercenary organizations is their strict adherence to a code of conduct. Saro Mercs are professionals and will only do what is required to fulfill the terms of the contract, even if it means abandoning their former employer on the battlefield after the terms of their agreement are fulfilled. Instead of being unhinged or violent killing machines, a Saro Merc is calm and courteous, preferring to discuss matters instead of resorting to physical violence. This, however, does not mean that they are weak willed or easily intimidated, as many cocky would-be employers have found out when they tried to betray them instead of paying or threatened the personal safety of a Merc or his squad. Such surprising explosions of violence usually leave the attacker dumbfounded and completely at the mercy of these silent warriors.

The ARC-16’s first contacted the Guild during the assault on the strongly held Imperial world of Barraxsis. The world had secretly been infiltrated by Genestealers and every asset the ARC-16’s had at their disposal was being used to locate and destroy key targets to weaken the grip of the cultists and hopefully destroy the infestation before it could spread to the entire populous. Their mission was proceeding as planned, but the sheer scope of the Genestealer cult’s infiltration was proving too much for the 16’s to handle. The head of this beast, the broods Patriarch, needed to be cut off. Yet with so many targets needing to be eliminated simultaneously, there simply were not enough resources to mount a successful assault.

With other Tau forces being unable to approach the world in without alerting the populace, Lar’shi called for the advice of Master Shaper Natar Luco. Luco, being a Kroot well connected in the mercenary world, was able to contact a Guild representative and arrange for support; offering them full salvage rites on whatever they came across. The Guild agreed and sent a thirty-man squad of their finest infiltrators. Being highly skilled and expertly equipped, the Saro Mercs were able to coordinate with the ARC-16’s and eliminate the bulk of the infestation in one fell swoop.

Following that event, the Guild and the ARC-16’s have worked together on several occasions. Because of their involvement in the mercenary world, Shas’El Lar’shi has developed a friendly relationship with a high ranking officer in the Guilds military structure, Octavian Thorne. The gue’la leaders blunt and pragmatic outlook meshing well with Lar’shi’s attitude. This has proved invaluable in the ARC-16’s hunt for the Projector technology, as Guild assets often assist the Blood Quills in their search.

While normal ARC regulations require any cadre hiring mercenaries to get it cleared through the Shas’ar’tol, about two thirds of the ARC-16’s involvement with the Guild has yet to be reported.

Wow Wolfs16! I've missed quite a bit here .

First off; your Saro Merc's look amazing. The way they fit into your background is perfect, and they totally look the part of battle-hardened mercenaries! I also love the lense effect you used on them, it looks killer !

I have one question though: I know you mentioned that they are a very professional group, but would you consider adding a little battle damage to the armour - or maybe some different coloured armour sections. The reason being that you hint at a bit of piracy on their part, and being merc's they would probably take advantage of any 'aftermarket' additions to their armour (I don't know, maybe I'm just invisioning them as mandalorians a little too much )


Hmmmmm, I would probably just split a firewarrior helmet in half (from front to back) and then add some fancy optics and greenstuff over the mess ...... That's just my two cents though.

Again, looks great man!

- Null

p.s. I love your Aronoc the Tracker model

My suggestion would be to shave the helmet back to the basic shape, make it a bit more symmetrical, and drill out two or three holes to make the optical slit. After that, greenstuff. Perhaps Shavaun's plasticard carving technique would be helpful too.