Robin paints Genestealer Cults

Spring clean! The Day of Ascension is on us. The Bladed Bog has been a long project culminating in this massive list of Genestealer Cults.

A Tectonic Fragdrill
A heavily converted Knight Errant
A Goliath Truck
4 Ridgerunners
An armoured sentinel
Patriarch
8 Genestealer purestrains
Abominant
3 5 man squads of Aberrants
3 5 man squads of Acolytes
3 10 man squads of Neophytes
1 squad of Brood Brothers with an Oop Kasarkin Sergeant
A Kelermorph
A custom Zara Kane inspired Kelermorph
A Primus
A Comissar inspired Primus
A Magus
A Biophagus
A Nexos
A Locus
A Sanctus
A Reductus Saboteur
A squad of Atalan Jackals
A Jackal Alphus
A Clamavus
An Acolyte Iconward

Parts of this army have sat in my pile of shame for a long time but with the birth of our newborn I’ve been chipping away gradually at this including the rare Oop Tectonic Fragdrill. The drill frame was bought from a fellow cultist on Facebook and Shay one of my friends was able to print me the missing drill itself.

It received a treatment of metallic spray; sponges of different colours, OSL on parts of the drill and rust and mud effects.

Until tenth I think that’ll be it however the feeling of having no more grey makes this heavy weight slip away. Something I think all hobbyists are all too familiar with. Happy Spring Cleaning and Good Luck to everyone else working through their pile of plastic crack.

Hopefully this is the right way to enter this competition I’m operating on a massive lack of sleep as Daddy has already started a new army! Watch out for my Leagues of Votann!

As mentioned previously I’ve become obsessed with OOP cult stuff such as the throned patriarch and the Tectonic Fragdrill. Although not used I still want to add this to my cult to give a flavour of what to me the Genestealer Cults are all about; rising up from their normal lives to overthrow whoever leads the planet be it imperium or Xenos.

Without further ado; after much hunting I found a Tectonic Fragdrill from a seller on Facebook marketplace for a fraction of what it normally sells for! After some talking the seller told me that it was missing the big drill but had the small and he would throw in a second kit without any drills at all. He had used the drills in a conversion project!

Not looking I gift horse in the mouth I bought these kits and got hunting on thingiverse. I found a proxy and Shay was willing to oblige with his 1 billion k resin printer.

With the newly printed drill and whilst waiting for the rest to arrive I began prep. I sanded down the flat parts of the drill and then I used my new drill (Christmas pressie) to drill a hole in the middle of both sides and put in a kebab stick to almost plug the drill before supergluing ensuring a tight bond.

I primed the drill black. After priming I used a cheap sponge set only to apply paint to ensure that the paint looked worn and flakey! I think I’ve been extremely effective.

Today the kit arrived!

With the kit now here I can’t wait to get started on this project and look forward to showing the final project!

So yesterday me and Shay had our first battle of the new year. Things have been hectic lately and it was amazing to get some time to play the cult again.

Shay suggested playing a new game style One Page Rules. It’s a quicker game system and instead of my whole army shoots *two hours later* your whole army shoots *half and hour later* your turn. It’s turn by turn based system where one unit in your army moves// shoots or charges and vice versa. I’ll fill in my thoughts at the end.

I put together my list with the idea of a horde in mind; only four characters and a TONNE of troop units.

Here’s my list;

++ Soul-Snatcher Cults [3500pts] ++

Neophytes [10] Q4+ D5+ | 220pts | Scout
9x CCWs (A1), 8x Rifles (24″, A1), Flamethrower (12″, A6), Heavy Pick (A2, AP(1), Rending), Mining Laser (18″, A1, AP(3), Deadly(3))

Neophytes [10] Q4+ D5+ | 220pts | Scout
9x CCWs (A1), 8x Rifles (24″, A1), Flamethrower (12″, A6), Heavy Pick (A2, AP(1), Rending), Mining Laser (18″, A1, AP(3), Deadly(3))

Neophytes [10] Q4+ D5+ | 220pts | Scout
9x CCWs (A1), 8x Rifles (24″, A1), Flamethrower (12″, A6), Heavy Pick (A2, AP(1), Rending), Mining Laser (18″, A1, AP(3), Deadly(3))

Neophytes [10] Q4+ D5+ | 220pts | Scout
9x CCWs (A1), 8x Rifles (24″, A1), Flamethrower (12″, A6), Heavy Pick (A2, AP(1), Rending), Mining Laser (18″, A1, AP(3), Deadly(3))

Cult Champion [1] Q4+ D5+ | 90pts | Hero, Scout, Takedown, Tough(3)
CCW (A2), Sniper Rifle (30″, A1, AP(1), Sniper)
# Joined to:
Acolytes [5] Q4+ D5+ | 145pts | Scout, Strider
3x Mutant Claws (A2, AP(1)), Pistols (12″, A1), 2x Flamethrower Pistol (6″, A6), Heavy Cutter (A2, AP(2), Deadly(3)), Whip Limb and Sword Claw (A2, Rending, Deadly(3))

2x Acolytes [5] Q4+ D5+ | 145pts | Scout, Strider
3x Mutant Claws (A2, AP(1)), Pistols (12″, A1), 2x Flamethrower Pistol (6″, A6), Heavy Cutter (A2, AP(2), Deadly(3)), Whip Limb and Sword Claw (A2, Rending, Deadly(3))

Cult Champion [1] Q4+ D5+ | 75pts | Hero, Scout, Takedown, Tough(3)
CCW (A2), Duelist Pistols (12″, A2, Sniper)
# Joined to:
Mutant Brutes [5] Q3+ D4+ | 160pts | Regeneration, Scout
4x Heavy Picks (A2, AP(1), Rending), Pick Hammer (A1, AP(2), Deadly(3))

Cult Leader [1] Q4+ D5+ | 70pts | Hero, Scout, Tough(3), 1x Prime(Agitator)
Array of CCWs (A3, AP(1), Poison)
# Joined to:
Mutant Brutes [5] Q3+ D4+ | 160pts | Regeneration, Scout
4x Heavy Picks (A2, AP(1), Rending), Pick Hammer (A1, AP(2), Deadly(3))

Brute Champion [1] Q3+ D4+ | 95pts | Hero, Regeneration, Scout, Tough(3)
Sledgehammer (A2, Blast(3), AP(2))
# Joined to:
Mutant Brutes [5] Q3+ D4+ | 160pts | Regeneration, Scout
4x Heavy Picks (A2, AP(1), Rending), Pick Hammer (A1, AP(2), Deadly(3))

Attack Vehicle [2] Q4+ D2+ | 480pts | Fast, Impact(6), Scout, Tough(6)
2x Heavy Mining Laser (24″, A1, AP(3), Deadly(3)), 2x Twin Heavy Machinegun (30″, A6, AP(1))

Attack Vehicle [2] Q4+ D2+ | 480pts | Fast, Impact(6), Scout, Tough(6)
2x Heavy Mining Laser (24″, A1, AP(3), Deadly(3)), 2x Twin Heavy Machinegun (30″, A6, AP(1))

Grinder Truck [1] Q4+ D2+ | 245pts | Fast, Impact(9), Strider, Tough(6), Transport(6)
Heavy Machinegun (30″, A3, AP(1)), Heavy Quake Cannon (24″, A6, Rending)

Light Walker [1] Q4+ D2+ | 170pts | Fear, Tough(6)
Stomp (A2, AP(1)), Twin Heavy Flamethrower (12″, A12, AP(1))

Shay used his custodes with a 17 model list!

I won the dice roll and so he went first. We agreed to play the game Relic hunt with three Relics played in the centre of the board with 12 inches spaced between them. Basically your squad uses an action during your turn to pick up the relic and can carry it with them until they’re downed and another squad can pick it up. The winner of the game at the end is the player with the majority of relics in their control at the end of turn four. 

Turn 1

My Ridgerunners did a tonne of damage to Shay’s Dreadnought with their mining lasers leaving 8 wounds left. WHAT?! When Shay shot back the one of the Ridgerunners took 3 wounds but was still going. A squad of my Brutes were wiped along with my favourite model Kelermorph. I had placed the Kelermorph with these brutes in a combined unit and when they were wiped so was he. A Quake cannons on the Goliath did little to no damage 1 on Dreadnought. 

My walker used its flamers and only put 1 wound on jet bikes. A lot of death from my brutes but my vehicles held on! A weird feeling. A Neophyte 10 man squad got the centre objective. 

Turn 2

Alaris Terminators (I think) deep striked into my back field. OH NO. Both ridgerunners pinned after a melee with the Dreadnought. My Acolyte squad destroyed by hq squad and sadly my Sanctus too but not before using a special ability and taking out a jet bike of Shays. Again like the Kelermorph my squad and Sanctus was wiped due to the several poor rolls and morale checks. Acolyte squad destroyed Dreadnought in melee and vice versa wiped the squad when the Dreadnought attacked back. But that’s a loss I could take! There’s an absolutely broken part of the acolyte squads with the heavy cutter that does deadly three wounds nearly every time with decent rolls.

Lot of death happened in this round however Biaphus Cain (my primus converted Commissar)  did well in combat. By this stage Shay owned two relics and I owned one! 

Turn 3

Small melees happening now with less and less models on the board. My Ridgerunners unpinned but alas too far gone. Shay had lost a Dreadnought, the jet bikes, terminators but unfortunately was still holding on well. 

Turn 4

Shay kept hold of relics and terminators destroyed my back line. A well fought and close game but the Custodes came out on top! Two relics to Shay with a scattering of models left each. Good game!

What I’ve learned is that;

• Horde troops really works for me I can place loads around the board and be really sticky
• the heavy cutter is extremely good but acolytes drop like flies
• next time to put my ridgerunners far away from combat (I do this every time woops)
• do not place characters in the same unit as troops. When they drop and fail a morale test it also effects the character
• read the rules fully. Some of my brute squads should have used their 5+ inv from the start.

All in all a great game and as always until the next ascension day the cult will be waiting!!

So Christmas has been hectic and I’ve spent some of it planning out projects.

1. Complete my start collecting box
2. Find and secure an OOP Tectonic Flagdrill (I’ve become obsessed with OOP cult items including the throned Patriarch)
3. Win a game

All of this will obviously hit a back boiler as me and my partner wait for our newest cultist to join the family however, inbetween naps and feeding I reckon I could work through a model or two.

During the holidays I worked through and completed one of the Ridgerunners from Start Collecting box. It still needs to receive airbrush OSL but I’ll do it with all the models when spraying!

I also ran out of the mud medium I normally use as OnTableTop were out just before Christmas. With a small brainwave I replaced it with Mod Podge and it worked outstandingly. Looking the exact same and at a fraction of the price!

Whilst scrolling through social media and eBay I became obsessed with Oop models on eBay. Yes I know abit out there… After much trawling I found a great guy on Facebook doing a clear out of his collection including a Tectonic Flagdrill (yes I know not playable) missing the big drill only. After some hunting on thingiverse I found a proxy drill and since Shay has an amazing resin printer….hold your breath for this amazing project. I love it when a plan comes together.

Enjoy the pictures of the progress so far!

I’ve been working diligently on a new conversion project after listening to the Ciaphus Cain books on audible (my new secret pleasure).

I’ve an imperial commissar now converted to be a replacement Primus. Biaphus Cain! I think he ties in well with the new Kelermorph too!

I’ve also felt inspired to finally take a photo of the entire cult together using a black background! Don’t judge the editing too much to blend the background.

Next project is to start attacking a start collecting box that I found for a steal!! BRING ON THE FOUR ARMED EMPEROR!

I’ve been working diligently on a new conversion project after listening to the Ciaphus Cain books on audible (my new secret pleasure).

I’ve an imperial commissar now converted to be a replacement Primus. Biaphus Cain! I think he ties in well with the new Kelermorph too!

I’ve also felt inspired to finally take a photo of the entire cult together using a black background! Don’t judge the editing too much to blend the background.

Next project is to start attacking a start collecting box that I found for a steal!! BRING ON THE FOUR ARMED EMPEROR!

After seeing some amazing conversion projects on the GSC Facebook group I wanted to add some new blood into my cult.

I continue to add to the cult and have listened to Day of Ascension by Adrian Tchaikovsky and currently working through For the Emperor by Sandy Mitchell. I’ve been listening while modelling and at DIY projects at home.

So any way, back to the conversion. I decided to create a custom Kelermorph based off one of the most revered players I know of in the group. Zara Kane! Check out their YouTube they are the oracle when it comes to GSC tactics. Anyway Zara Kane came up with a beautiful conversion using orlock parts from Necromunda.

I firstly used parts suggested and ordered them through bits box

1 x Necromunda Corpse Grinder Cult Body A (NMD:274) = £2.49
1 x Necromunda Orlock Gang Auto Pistol A (NMD:089) = £0.75
1 x Necromunda Orlock Gang Auto Pistol B (NMD:090) = £0.75
1 x Necromunda Orlock Gang Auto Pistol C (NMD:091) = £0.75
1 x Genestealer Cults Acolyte Hybrids Skull (GSC:055) = £0.50
1 x Primaris Space Marines Gravis Captain Cloak (PM-GVC:08) = £4.99

This was my order from bitzbox.co.uk

…And it works out slightly cheaper than the official kelermorph character.

The conversion included green stuffing the cape onto the body and green stuffing the arms onto the body using a kebab stick and craft knife to shape. I also added in an Acolyte head and a mining light from an acolyte body.

Then my usual bladed bog basing. Brown pigment, leaves and uv resin. Anyway without further ado here’s the pictures!

Im extremely happy with the results and I’m really tempted to add more unique characters to my cult!

Did you all miss this project?

So things have been crazy as of late; moving house along with other things and I haven’t had much hobby time! I wanted something to sink my teeth into.

Cue learning how to apply OSL to my cult.

Cue repainting my entire army with OSL and a darker base to make the Bladed Bog pop!

The OSL was achieved with Waystone Green; far off, Moot green; slightly closer, Wazdakka yellow; even closer. On all lamps and light sources on the cult. I’m still fixing up the glow on the vehicles but all the infantry and characters are done!  I thought the green glow would help solidify the jungle theme of the cult with green tones and also tbh contrast nicely with the other colours of the cult. I then neatened up all light sources with Wazdakka Yellow and Pure White.

As always I think it’s always important to continue painting even sometimes finished models because you end up with awesome results!

This weeks project has been the Biophagus in the GSC line up. I tried some new things including trying to get the painting as clean as possible. This is something new for me as normally I’m quite happy with the grim look I’ve achieved in the past. However I feel like a Biophagus would be extremely clean and clinical.

I also added some extra detail with a sprue cut crystal; Dan is currently working on necrons and is creating multiple crystals for his basing.

There are gentle highlights especially in the clothing (lab coat) as well as highlights on the staff and flasks.

Anyway…. Enjoy only two models left for the cult!

So I’ve been quiet as of late; hobby life has taken a back seat with real life. Including going to weddings, gigs and sea swimming!

In the last while I’ve been tempted to paint everything in the GSC on the GW store. This included Brood Brothers ??‍♂️

I’ve done a real conversion with the Sentinel placing it on rocks so it doesn’t look stagnant or in stop motion like their counterparts the AT&T in Star Wars that to me have always looked abit too stop motion like they couldn’t move properly.

I’ve also got a Biophagus and Clamavus in this time; the end is in sight. Also would a side by side of the GW webstore images and my army be a nice end to this painting project??

In the last two hobby nights I’ve finished my Clamavus and showed Dan the ropes in his first game; it was called turn two with a draw at 340pts!

Anyway enjoy the pictures and captions!

So I’ve been quiet as of late; hobby life has taken a back seat with real life. Including going to weddings, gigs and sea swimming!

In the last while I’ve been tempted to paint everything in the GSC on the GW store. This included Brood Brothers ??‍♂️

I’ve done a real conversion with the Sentinel placing it on rocks so it doesn’t look stagnant or in stop motion like their counterparts the AT&T in Star Wars that to me have always looked abit too stop motion like they couldn’t move properly.

I’ve also got a Biophagus and Clamavus in this time; the end is in sight. Also would a side by side of the GW webstore images and my army be a nice end to this painting project??

In the last two hobby nights I’ve finished my Clamavus and showed Dan the ropes in his first game; it was called turn two with a draw at 340pts!

Anyway enjoy the pictures and captions!

So this week with a pause in new hobby things I spent some time fixing at the boxes and retouching the bases after superglue residue.

I wanted the magnetic connection to be even more secure and so decided to glue by double layer together.

HORROR

The superglue and quick application caused a bubble in the first mat and had to be ripped up; I then fixed my technique. This included gluing a small portion at a time and almost rolling the sheet onto the other… great success. Unfortunately you can see the ripped up parts on one of the trays however covered by infantry it isn’t too noticeable.

Due to the foam cases previously moving aquarium plants around there were some chips in the green of the plants. As well as superglue residue especially on the bases. After a quick touch up everything was revarnished and the cult is looking super fresh!

So had a blast at the game at the weekend. Unfortunately the score ended up 44-50 to Shay’s Custodes but I definitely felt like I’m getting hella better and able to hold my own now with the cult. I’ve learned I’ve only been shooting one of my stubbers on each Ridgerunner and that I’ve been setting up too much underground woops sorry Shay.

This weekends project included following Duncan Rhodes step by step guy to making magnetic carry cases.

Now bear with me;

1. I hate how the foam didn’t really fit my cult
2. I’ve noticed several rubs on models and my aquarium plants definitely need a refresh of paint
3. It’s a pain trying to fit them all into the foam case after a game so I’m hoping this speeds up the process without rubs.

Duncan Rhodes tutorial is here; and I ordered everything on the list (it cost around £40 for three boxes two four litres and one 9 litre).

I then followed the steps more details in the captions of the images.

I learned that putting another layer over the magnetic sheet made it a lot neater and that the magnets I ordered were not strong enough for the characters/ heavier models.

I’ve ordered some larger N55s instead of what I’m guessing is Amazon’s choice of around N48. Now to try and get some magnets off my Kasrkin sarge, Locus and Nexos? and wait for the post on Tuesday with my stronger magnets.

Another model finished and what a result!

After the work with the banner the rest of the Acolyte Iconward came together easily; using my skin recipe of a base of Wazdakka Red, a drybrush of Kislev Flesh and a highlight of Corax White. Then a wash of Reikland flesh. The rest of the model came together easily. The Armour was done with Wraithbone and then highlighted Screaming Skull and then Corax white. The Robes with Wazdakka Red and then a highlight with a glaze of orange.

I’m really happy with the result! Two characters left! I’ve also watched a tutorial with Duncan Rhodes for my next project during this over larger project to paint the cult! Enjoy.

This week I finished my Aberrants and moved onto my Acolyte Iconward.

So I’ve got a tonne of inspiration for this project mostly for the banner. I’ve been inspired by watching those videos of Galaxies and planets done with spray cans.

The process of creating the base of the mini was to use Green Stuff World bricks, gravel and aquarium plants to create steps to highlight the idea of an iconward raising a banner high to inspire the cult raising it from a point above a battle.

The Galaxy banner welcomes the idea of the “Star Children” moving through the Galaxy with their fleet. The planets showing space and the GSC icon emblazoned in the centre highlighted as if a ship was making its way throughout space.

I achieved the effect on the banner by painting it black, then painting the planets freehand with various colours, a circle of colour then details added and then a ring around some of the planets. The galaxy effect was achieved with a sponge firstly with purple then pink, then dark reaper highlighted with an electric blue. Then with a stiff toothbrush loaded with white and flicked onto the banner. Finally the same electric blue was applied as a glaze roughly on the icon and then many coats of white were applied to the GSC icon appearing as the brightest part of the banner.

Fine details were added such as the staff and metal with leadbelcher and silver along with bronze and gold.

I varnished the banner and arm ready to paint the rest of the model before gluing.

Honestly I’m so pleased with the results and it’s some of the best free hand work I’ve done on this project! I can’t wait to see how it looks once it’s all done! Enjoy the photos.

So my painting this weekend was taken up my applying resin to my bases to make sure those plants are stuck done!

Basically during my game with Shay I noticed a few plants flaking off from just being superglued. The resin creates a strong bond with the base and still fits with my theme of the Bladed Bog.

The process is pretty simple; apply UV resin and stick under my partners UV lamp for nails for a minute or so to let it cure.

While I resin’ed I watched this weeks chat show Ontabletop ? I am so buzzing about the Knight winning a golden button and as Shay said I haven’t won yettttt but get ready ?

Hopefully those that look through the blog see the process of this project is to get better at painting and ultimately playing 40K. Again as mentioned on the show this project is about the getting down and dirty aspect with the hobby from cutting sprues to varnish and play. I hope those that read it enjoy the process as my cult grows and grows!

So today me and say had a battle for 2k points of the Cult vs the Sisters.

Justin very kindly set up this beautiful terrain board- so shout out to him and thank you it was so fun to play!!

Shay took Assassinate, Shrine and Bring it Down as his secondaries

I took Assassinate, Sabotage Critical Locations and Ambush as mine.

The game started off well for me with the Penitent Engine being taken out with Crossfire. Sustaining some but not many loses turn one started with Shay 7 me 1.

Turn 2 was a bloodbath. My Neophyte blob sustained heavy loses and lost a morale check; leading to losing the squad. Some further loses with the Aberrants and Shay focusing fire on the Ridgerunners and two going down. I keep them too close to combat and fire from the enemy. I also lost Acolytes and a character. Several poor rolls with hits and charges led to more losses on my side with the sisters doing extremely well with hits and focusing fire on strategically important units; my Ridgerunners and Goliath. After rushing into combat with my Goliath St Catherine and St Celestine destroyed her in shooting and combat. I scored 9 points for Sabotage Critical Location with my Reductus Saboteur and brought my score up to 10. Shay at 28.

Turn 3 wasn’t much better with Shay mopping up most of anything else and destroyed me in combat with his Demonhost and Ephrael Stern and Kyganil wiped my Primus and the remainder of my Acoyltes. The game ended with Shay 54 me 20.

This game was abit of a bloodbath; I feel like I panicked and made some poor choices but on the other side of the coin some really bad rolls especially with the morale checks! It happens but luck was not on my side today.

How to move on;

• move past that wall; I know its hard! but I am getting better with the cults.
• Take those ridgerunners away from shots and keep them safe; they can punch the most out of my army.
• Not leave my cult out in the open! I use the return to shadows strat effectively and I am understanding how the cult works more and more but its always a learning curve.
• Try and bring some luck to the next game!! If anything it’s not discouraging it just makes me want to try harder for next time; bring it on.

Are models ever truly finished?! I wanted my Jungle theme to appear more jungley so some colour plants have been added to the mix. I asked the sage advice of Justin and Shay to see what plants they thought I should add! I settled on some Citadel Barbed braken and some flock.

I do want them to look busy; the cult has just risen up in a jungle world and haven’t had time to clear a decent path before their incursion from the shadows! Paint mixes shown in the following photos!

I added Reikland fleshade  to the purple

I added Agrax Earthshade to the brown

Space wolves contrast to the dark green

Dark angels constraint to the green before varnishing

I’m very happy with the end result as stated before I want the bases to the busy!

The biggest challenge in this paint job was my my airbrush getting blocked and after a very disappointing evening working away at it I managed to finally get it working! I think it was dried paint blocking nozzle. I definitely think I could take apart my airbrush blindfolded now.

So I’ve completed my Locus! And airbrushed my new Aberrants ready to join my force for my next game!

Ill include some images but I’m super excited to run more Aberrants further from next game. My next game is against Shay’s witch hunters.

The Aberrants and Locus’ skin were sprayed with Wazdakka Red, highlight Kislev Flesh and then further highlight of White Scar followed by a wash of Reikland Fleshshade.

The Locus was painted with colours influenced by the Icelandic flag where I bought the miniature with white shoulder guards and and dark robe influenced by one of my favourite parts of the island- the black beach at Vík.

My last bit of what comes next; Shays told me that Gamer grass is available in store and I’ve always wanted to add more foliage to the Bladed Bog and wish me luck next week against the Sisters of Battle.

Finally started on my Locus souvenir from Iceland. Base was made with polyfiller, stones, aquarium plants, cork and bits from my box.

Primed, highlighted and ready to paint!

My plan as a bit of a homage to the trip is to paint the model in “Icelandic” colours I.e that of the flag! The landscape on the Bladed Bog does not lend itself so much to this however I feel I can tie in elements with this model I.e more black on the rocks and a brownish hue coming through!

This is definitely starting to work towards every model that GW has released for the cult!!

As a side note the new Jet trike for Leagues of Voltan thoroughly interested me as a conversion possibility for the Cult; imagine a jackal Alphus or squad with that stolen technology!!