Orctober 26, The Second Batch: Skulks, Ax and Gore Riders and Heroes

Here's the next batch of updated orcs.  Three units this time, plus a couple of heroes

The Second Batch

Skulk Troop

I've finally based up the remaining Skulks that I painted back in 2020. One of the quivers needed the paint refreshing, otherwise it was just basing, so a definite easy win.

Skulks

Orc archers, whatever next?

This gives me two troops, which is probably enough, but I have enough bits in the Grey Horde to add at least two more troops. I think troops give more tactical flexibility than one regiment. Mind you, they didn't last long last battle, even with the Raiders upgrade. 

They are a fun unit, and can sometimes surprise. 

Skulk Stalker 

The Skulk Stalker was one of the Dungeon Saga Green Rage expansion orcs, painted up for Vanguard. I rebased him on a tactical rock and did a bit of tidying up on the painting. 

It's not a hero I've ever thought about using before; indeed, I'd kind of skipped over him in the army lists, but I might give him a go now I've got him.

The Skulks' Boss

He caught that coat himself

Gore Rider Troop

Next up is a troop of Gore Riders. These were painted up many years ago and were intended to be a troop rather than half a regiment, hence a carnyx (horn) blower but no standard and a less impressive leader made up from one of the ordinary riders with a weapon swap. 

One of them was later based individually for Vanguard; I can't see that ever getting played again around here, so I'm happy to press gang him into the army.

Gore Riders in the Sky

Eat Our Dust

Ax Regiment 

I also got a regiment of ax based.  There were a few broken and missing axes, but I've got plenty of spares. The Marauder sprue has a left hand holding a club covered with metal plates, ideal for repairing damaged left hands. I did a little bit of highlighting as well, particularly on the cloth areas. Nothing too obvious I hope, but I think it makes a difference. 

Before additional highlights

And after. Hopefully it makes a difference

I kept the broken pillars from the original base and added some XPS block walls. I think I've still got the look of them marauding through ruins.

Orc Ax

Orcs in column, or just walking past one

Finally, some Inspiration

Those Gore Riders need some mounted Inspiration; the Flagger on Gore uses a normal Gore Rider with a flag pole replacing the spear. The left arm is a restic piece from the Fight Wagon crew.

He was already painted, but I made a few changes to the flag to make the torn trophy bit stand out more, and picked out some highlights on the skin. 

Then it's simply a coat of matt varnish and a bit of work to make the base fit the current aesthetic.

Flagger

Flag plus trophies

Now I need to paint a blue flag with a yellow sun

What's Next? 

I'll be swapping back to ogres next, but I must get some more of the old orc infantry rebased.

I've still got to finish repainting the Flagger, and there are a few more heroes I'd like to paint up, simply to give me more flexibility in army choices. 

I suspect we'll be increasing the points next game, so I'd better get busy. I've plenty still choose from in the old army: a giant, three chariots, a regiment of gore riders, a regiment each of morax and greatax and three regiments of ax.

And there's the Grey Horde too, with plenty of options there.