DrTheViking at www.cowabungajournal.com is running his 4th annual painting challenge to complete an entire 1500+ point army using the 2nd edition 40k army lists. I decided to throw my hat into the ring to paint a space ork force using primarily Rogue Trader-era models. Each month we are to paint a block of models that we commit to painting at the start of the challenge. In addition to the miniatures, there are 3 extra challenges that we must complete, such as painting 3 vehicles in a single month, or painting a decorative backdrop for photographing finished models. To find out more, and to view all the amazing army entries, visit the Oldhammer Cowabunga blog.
In the late 80s, Citadel miniatures were advertised in Dragon Magazine, and I was enthralled by them. I didn’t play Rogue Trader at the time, but I liked painting miniatures for Dungeons and Dragons, so I decided to buy a model that really caught my eye. My first 40k miniature was a Space Marine “Eddy” dreadnought. Since I lived in a very rural part of the United States, I had to mail order it directly from England. It took over 4 months to arrive, but when it finally arrived I was hooked. Around 1989, when my family was visiting the nearest city, I bought the Rogue Trader rulebook and the box set of plastic Marines (RTB01). By 1990 I had managed to get an Ork Dreadnought and a single blister pack of Space Orks, and I painted them straight away. To bulk out the rest of my Orks for Rogue Trader games, I used my fantasy orc miniatures from Grenadier as proxies. Soon after, I became interested in Tyranids, and played that army almost exclusively from 2nd edition through 4th edition (the last edition I’ve played). Over the next 30 years I’d gathered many more Space Orks, but have literally never painted a single one. That changes now. I’m hoping this 2nd Edition 40k challenge helps make a dent in my pile of Orks.
I’ve been trying to paint an army over each of the last couple years, and managed to finish a large dwarf army (using vintage Grenadier and Ral Partha figs), and a large skeleton army (using a mix of vintage Citadel, Grenadier, Ral Partha, and some new Wargames Atlantic figs). I found that if I post my progress on Instagram, I tend to finish what I start. So those past 2 armies can be found there, as will this army. I know that I’m capable of painting alot of figs, but it isn’t easy for me. So I’m signing up for the Gamer’s Pledge so that I can paint a large chunk of my Ork backlog, but am tempering my expectations and not trying to paint a massive horde. Since I have all the usual grown-up obligations, it’s going to be a real task to find the time to paint all the figs to a level that I’ll be happy with. The army list I’ve built, though rules-legal and very balanced, was based entirely upon the models I wanted to get through rather than any sort of strategic planning.
My army is an Ork raiding force led by Kor Sparktoof. It’s comprised of 65 models (equivalent), and is a mix of infantry and vehicles: enough variety to keep my enthusiasm up, but not an outrageous number of figs so that I lose all hope.
ARMY BACKGROUND STORY:
Kor’s Ork Raiders
Kor Sparktoof of the Blood Axe Clan was formerly a big boss in the Waaagh of Warlord Snagrod of Charadon, and he participated in the invasion of Rynn’s World. Snagrod’s orders to his subordinates were clear: burn everything to the ground, no prisoners, leave nothing intact. Snagrod’s attack upon Rynn’s World resulted in a planetary conflagration.
Kor, unusually pragmatic even for a Blood Axe, disagreed with Snagrod about the best way to conquer the planet. Certainly arson is fun – Kor might be a Blood Axe, but he’s still an Ork with an affinity for flame and plasma – but reckless arson left little Imperial loot afterward. Kor felt a carefully applied use of fire was in order, say 90% of the planet destroyed rather than 100%. This didn’t sit well with Snagrod, who called Kor’s Orkiness into question. After a brief discussion, a swift headbutt from Snagrod, and a restful coma, Kor awoke several days later in the charred remains of New Rynn City.
Gathering a handful of his remaining boys and equipment, Kor set out on his own, raiding planets on the periphery of Imperial space. Kor is now patiently building his strength to become a great Warboss, and to lead a Waaagh of his own.
1500 POINT ARMY LIST:
CHARACTERS – 172 Points (8 models)
Warboss – Kor Sparktoof 65
Ork ‘Eavy Armor 7
Gretchin Assistants (3 @ 3) 9
Gretchin Assistant Champion 5
Battle Standard Bearer – Ork Standard Bearer 50
Painboy 18
Mekaniak 18
MOBS – 963 Points (45 models)
Nobz Mob (15 @ 15) 225
Ork ‘Eavy Armor (15 @ 7) 105
Plasma guns (6 @ 6) 36
Power Fists (7 @ 10) 70
Blood Axe Kommando Mob (6 @ 14) 84
Power Axes (6 @ 6) 36
Bolter (1 @ 1) 1
Blood Axe Boys Mob (5 @ 12) 60
Bolters (4 @ 1) 4
Heavy Plasma Gun (1 @ 26) 26
Nob 13
Plasma Gun 6
Blood Axe Boys Mob (5 @ 12) 60
Bolters (4 @ 1) 4
Heavy Plasma Gun (1 @ 26) 26
Nob 13
Plasma Gun 6
Blood Axe Boys Mob (5 @ 12) 60
Bolters (4 @ 1) 4
Heavy Bolter (1 @ 10) 10
Nob 13
Flamer 7
Blood Axe Boys Mob (5 @ 12) 60
Bolters (4 @ 1) 4
Heavy Bolter (1 @ 10) 10
Nob 13
Flamer 7
SUPPORT – 365 Points (Counts as 12 models)
Ork Dreadnought 120
Missile Launcher 25
Ork Dreadnought 120
Ork Battlewagon 50
Ork Battlewagon 50
1500 TOTAL POINTS (Counts as 65 models, total)
Army Composition:
12% Characters
64% Mobs
24% Support
Giant Pygmy 