Hobby | Republic Arquitens

I seem to have a tendency to pick "dead" games: Pirates CSG, Star Wars Miniatures, and now, Star Wars Armada. Unfortunately for the Republic and Separatist factions, they didn't get a full release, at least when compared to the Empire and Rebels. I also have a penchant for customizing things, and just because Armada is generally regarded as a complete and balanced game by the competitive community, I'm here for the lore damnit. And the Republic had the Arquitens before it was cool. 

A smaller angry triangle for your small conflict needs. 

Space Din-O-Pinions | When Your Crafting Skills Translate to Something Useful

This is for all of those times when people ask you: but is this useful? Why do you spend so much time hobbying? Well now you can answer to all of these fictional doubters: because sometimes, very rarely, it actually translates to the real world. 

Paint Recipe | A Menage a Tie

Sadly, my pun is off by a bit, as there are more Tie fighter varieties in this post than three. I let myself sleep at night by telling myself that the bomber doesn't count as a fighter, and the Decimator is just kinda... a thing, and the Tie Phantom is there. The other three are actually fighters. Pun saved. Anyways, I'll do a quick paint recipe of these guys. Because they don't need much, and are honestly a little boring to paint. But, it's the classic scheme, and it needs going over. Eventually, I'll get to cooler color varieties. 

Paint Recipe: Rebel Squadrons

It's time for some of the OG, most iconic squadrons in all of Star Wars, the Rebel alphabet soup. Soon to be followed by the much more grey, much more annoying to paint Empire. In this post I'll cover the paints I use to bring color to the X-Wing, the Y-Wing, the B-Wing, and the A-Wing.  

Hobby | Separatist Reinforcements

The Republic has had their time in the sun with a fancy new Star Destroyer, so it was only fair to turn my attention towards their nemesis, the droid filled CIS, the Separatists themselves. I painted all four of the squadron types available to them, as well as some Gozanti-class Cruisers that they gained access to in Rapid Reinforcements I.  

Hobby | Republic Victory-Class Star Destroyer

As I come to grips with Armada and it's mechanics, I've been learning about all of the various launches of ships and how they affect the game. I also learned that at some point, ownership of the game went from Fantasy Flight Games to Atomic Mass Games. AMG hasn't released any new models, but they have released print and play expansions that allow you to use old ships in new factions, which I think is neat. They've also used some lore justifications for this instead of just willy-nilly adding things, which I think is neater. However, that means you end up with situations where an Imperial ship in Imperial grey colors is flying alongside Republic ships in the egg-white and maroon colors of the prequels. Which isn't neat to me. Luckily, I am an ok painter, so I was able to do something about that. 

Hobby | Pint-sized Squadrons

In Star Wars Armada, all of the big ships come pre-painted. I've been adding some of my own details to the ships, which has been good practice. You see, the little ships don't have any paint on them, and so require you to come up the paint yourself (I guess if you don't mind bare plastic, you aren't required to do anything). I've taken a quick stab at two of the "squadrons" that I randomly picked out of the box of tiny Star Wars fighters: the Millennium Falcon, an Imperial Shuttle, Republic V-19 Starfighters, and Separatist Vulture Droids. More after the hyperspace jump.  

Hobby | Seaside Shrine (Season of Scenery 2023)

The Silverlight Sea is a major aspect of life for all of the cultures surrounding it. As such, many of the peoples have adopted various mythos and customs in relation to the sea. 

This particular seaside shrine is common of the Skal Tribes who inhabit the northeastern corner of the Heldeni Empire. Not strictly a religious practice, these mementos dot the treacherous coasts in memory of lost sailors and adventurers. 

Hobby | Oh Boy Not Another Game System

If you told me the next post I would have written in the sci-fi genre wasn't going to be Warhammer 40K, the game I just spent two posts talking about not too long ago, I would have been surprised. Life has a funny way of working though. I was at a Flea Market at my FLGS, selling some of my wares, when the fine fellow at the table next to me suggested a trade. And that's how I ended up with an entire Star Wars Armada fleet. 

Hobby | A Rather Unfortunate Encounter...

The Ironwoods groaned, the wind whipping around massive trunks. Miserable folk squatted next to hovels, drawing their cloaks ever tighter around them. 

Joric had no such luck. A soldier of the Heldeni 1st Army, it was his task to oversee the expansion into this forlorn place. The deep black brambles threatened to overwhelm the village, if not for the constant hacking of axes by the support corp. 

A sound carried upon the wind reached him. Deer perhaps? Easy prey would be good for the troops. Morale was suffering. 

In he went. Rules be damned, hard tac was no proper meal. Immediately, the place was oppressive. All around shadows twisted in vile shapes. As a precaution, he drew his short sword, its steel glinting in the lantern light. A small comfort in this dismal forest. 

Up ahead, he could just make out the shape of antlers. He would remember this clearing, and return with some of the hunters assigned to his unit. Before he could turn, great wings unfurled. Frozen in fear, Joric barely had time to register that he was in the grasp of a foul beast...