Fallout Wasteland Warfare – Vault Security Done

31 thoughts on “Fallout Wasteland Warfare – Vault Security Done”

  1. Several scattered thoughts:

    I think Batwoman is on a rooftop and those are shingles, not a cobblestone street.

    Love the classic square bases with the green trim on the urges!

    The “errors” you point out are non-existent to me, and looking at the figures while you play the game will hopefully be blind to you as well. That is why I don’t like taking pictures too close of my figures with a camera – I paint at a tabletop standard for a reason 🙂

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    1. Scattered thoughts are always welcome! I didn’t describe the setup very well and I should have taken more pictures to illustrate. The base has a cobblestone pattern and a “slotta” hole in it which isn’t used with this miniature. The miniature comes with a rooftop piece that the gargoyle fits into which is meant to be inserted on top of the base. You can see how it leaves a pretty sizeable gap in the back in one of the photos I provided. Its confusing to explain and I could have done a better job with it. I’ve never seen a miniature work like this and I assume the default base is meant to work with any miniatures that are sculpted to be on the ground, but I could be wrong. Hopefully that makes sense!

      I was nothing if not a hobbyist of the times! Those were how GW did their bases back then and so did I.

      The sculpting issues really are hard to see in the pictures I took. They happen to be on parts of the mini that are hard to see other than when you’re painting. If you compare the two sides of the gun, you can see the miscasting issues better. That one is the most noticeable but thankfully, I covered it up somewhat with my painting. With that said, I’m glad you can’t tell because it’d be a shame if the defects ruined what is otherwise a pretty good looking mini.

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  2. Excellent work on the latest vault security, the armour vest is closer in color than the first attempt, looks like you could have mixed some grey tone into the bone color to get a perfect match.

    Most of the new GW sculpts, leave me cold, no soul to them, like the new Exodite set ! LOL

    Agree with Bret, it looks like roof shingles, either a Church or stately mansion to have a Gargoyle, the gap isn’t massive so any putty should be able to fill the gap. place the putty on the edge rolled out in a sausage shape slightly wider than the gap, then then take your tool, and slowly work your way round, pressing it flat to the display base, remember to keep lubricating the tool, so it doesn’t stick to the putty. Hope that helps.

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    1. Thanks, Dave! I agree that I could have gotten the armor even closer with a bit of gray mixed in. GW definitely does not make a paint exactly like that so some paint mixing is necessary. I used some AK Interactive bone paints instead but mixing some gray would have improved it further for sure.

      I didn’t know or have forgotten that the Space Elves ride dinos! Its a little strange of a concept for me anyway. I reckon the mini could be painted in a wide variety of colors but I can see where you’re coming from overall. I wish the Ogres looked less like other Ogres in Age of Sigmar. I think that deprives the new ones a bit of personality but I guess it is good “brand synergy” or something like that!

      I didn’t explain things well. You’re right that what you see is roof shingles. Underneath that is where the cobblestone is but its not visible in the photos which is confusing. That is a miss on my part.

      Would you use modelling putty instead of Green Stuff? The Green Stuff I have is a bit long in the tooth so its less flexible I guess you could say. I would think that putty would be better to create a smooth look with but I’m curious to hear your thoughts! I hadn’t thought about putty and was a little concerned about using Green Stuff for this task so I’m glad you mentioned it!

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      1. As for type of putty, I’d go with what you feel most comfortable with, me I’d probably go greenstuff, as I can work that far easier than the others, but that’s my personal choice.

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      2. Since I’ve got it on hand, I suppose that is what I should use. I won’t use up a tube of modelling putty more than likely anyway so no sense in running out and buying any. Thanks for the suggestion as always!

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  3. The Fallout stuff looks incredible, I know you’re looking for game-accuracy but it doesn’t look like it’s a problem or anything. The group shot is amazing! I believe there’s some kind of Fallout set coming out soon, and seeing these really makes me think about picking it up 🫣

    Seeing the Knight Models last summer is what started me off down a DC rabbit-hole! I think you’re right that the company is either going out of business, or has now gone. Such a shame, they had an amazing Penguin set that was super accurate to Batman Returns, one of my all-time favourite films! I would potentially go bankrupt if that game were actually available etc…

    I’m looking forward to seeing your work on Batwoman, anyway. She’s not a favourite from the Bat-family for me, I only read a couple of her comics from the New 52 back in the day, but they were a bit too serious for me. And given that we’re talking about Batman etc, that’s saying something 🤣

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    1. You’re too kind! I’m glad you like the Vault residents. I think there is a new Starter for Fallout Factions coming out. The minis that are in it do look good. That would be a good option for someone wanting to play the 1 vs. 1 version of the game. It is not a good option for solo gaming, however, if that matters to you.

      If I’m not mistaken, you can still get that set here in the States for now anyway… I’ve never seen Batman Returns but Knight Models’ ability to create very lifelike miniatures from the movies is seriously impressive! They are releasing a lot of their sculpts via 3D printing so you can obtain them that way, if the supply has run out in the UK.

      I look forward to working on her. Too serious sounds like it might be up my alley! I find Robin annoying and he’s a character I could mostly do without so maybe Batwoman is my speed and I didn’t even know it. I will definitely get some more Batman minis in due time so hopefully I end up hitting upon a character or two that you really like 🙂

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      1. Wait, you’ve never seen Batman Returns?! Oh, it’s a phenomenal film! It’s a big part of the reason why I love Batman so much! It came out when I was around 7-8, so maybe I was the right bracket for it. Michelle Pfeiffer’s Catwoman is incredible, but Danny DeVito kills it as Penguin. If you get the chance, I highly recommend it!

        I think I want to avoid Knight Models for the time being, but it’s definitely the sort of thing that I could see myself going for before too long!! However, I’m mostly interested in this Fallout stuff, I must say. I know we’ve talked a bit about it before, and having not played the video game I don’t have much of an attachment to it, but I’m thinking I might give the TV show a go, and get into it that way?

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      2. Apparently, we’re almost exactly the same age because that’s about how old I was when it came out too! Don’t ask me why but I felt like Batman was kind of overrated for much of my life. Part of that might be because I didn’t take to the Batman Animated Series when that was on TV. I preferred the X-Men show for reasons I no longer remember now but that tilted me towards Marvel for a good chunk of my life. It wasn’t until the Arkham Asylum video game came out in 2009 where I revisited Batman and decided I liked it. I will have to try and watch the older Batman movies one of these days, just not the Adam West version most likely! 🙂

        If the game was not reliant upon an app with a bad track record, I think the Batman Miniatures Game would be much more doable to play.

        We did chat about this in the past, I remember! The TV show is different than the games and is loosely based on the setting of Fallout but with its own unique characters. The show is different than the games and I didn’t care for some of the ways it handled the source material, but if you can’t play the video games, that is really your best option for trying to get to grips with Fallout. It is an interesting time to try and get into Fallout since the first edition is basically done with and Second Edition is coming out later this year. Wasteland Warfare is probably best as a solo or co-op game (though it does have a Battle Mode which is more like a points game in other systems). Of course, if you want to play 1 v. 1, then I’d stick to Fallout Factions instead. It is newer and designed to be played that way. They use the same miniatures but have different rules entirely. I hope that info helps and happy to answer any other questions I can. I really enjoy Fallout Wasteland Warfare and while it isn’t a perfect game, its the best solo wargame I’ve played and I really like the rules overall. They’re very thematic and there’s a lot of room to add RPG-like elements to your games too.

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      3. I think there has definitely been bat-saturation at times, it’s true. I wonder how much damage that may have done to DC over time, as I was reading something earlier about the viability of DC heroes compared with Marvel heroes specifically when it comes to movies, but generally speaking it seems like DC has just a small handful that loom over the rest. I don’t know, it seemed like an interesting point though!

        I’ve guessed we must be very close in age, yeah, as we seem to share many interests! I’m currently 41, at any rate 👴🏻

        I think the idea of the Fallout tabletop game just fascinates me, how it can be this 1vs1 game, but also co-op/solo. The narrative theme is apparently very strong as well, which also really interests me. I’m definitely going to check out the TV show, probably once the tennis is over, then maybe that’ll inspire me to look more at the minis, so I’m sure I’ll be back with questions once it all means something to me! Stand by…

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      4. It is interesting! I’ve dabbled in DC in the last year or two because of the Absolute line and when I go to the comic book store, half of DC’s comics are Batman. A good chunk is also Superman and its offshoots as well. Marvel definitely has a more diverse cast of characters and titles, though they also have a lot that do not sell huge numbers of comic books. Inhumans and Ghost Rider being a couple of examples, though there’s quite a few more. I think DC struggles to elevate their mid-tier characters like Flash and Green Arrow and even Green Lantern. I know next to nothing about those three and don’t see a ton of support for them on the comic book shelves currently.

        I’m 40 until Oct. and then I catch up to you age-wise for a little bit anyway 🙂

        If you like a Swiss Army knife of a game, then Fallout Wasteland Warfare IS for you. I don’t know that I’ve seen a game that tries to do more things. I appreciate that about the game, truthfully.

        The TV show is… interesting. It gets some things about Fallout pretty wrong. It is kind of a dark and cynical show with very flawed characters. Fallout does have parody/satire but the show takes it in a slightly different direction. I mention this because in the video games some factions like Brotherhood of Steel can be good in one game or setting and then not so good in others. The show is just one interpretation that doesn’t represent what things are like in the Fallout video games necessarily. Of course the minis are all directly inspired from the video games. It will be interesting to see what you think of the show and if it makes you more or less likely to want to play the game. I still say playing Fallout 4 is the best way to get into the game (and it has the most support from Modiphius as well in terms of miniatures and scenarios too). With that said, Fallout 4 is very fun and a time consuming video game to play and that would probably cut into other things you already have going on so you’ll have to make some tough decisions there…

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      5. That seems like a really good summary, yeah – it definitely feels like DC only really have a handful of big names, while Marvel really has more wide-ranging names. Though I suppose the MCU has done a lot to help that, but we’re getting into such a big topic..! I’ve picked up the first volume of Absolute Flash now, looking forward to giving that a try sometime soon!

        It really sounds like Fallout Wasteland Warfare might be making an appearance in my life, in that case! Definitely sounds like a Necromunda-style game, the kind of thing that has real appeal to me! Not sure when I’ll be able to get round to the show, but I’m hoping it won’t be too long… there really just isn’t enough time, is there?!

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      6. I hope you end up enjoying Flash! I think Absolute Batman is the best book in the line so give that one a try if you don’t mind a slightly different version of Batman.

        And no, there truly isn’t enough time in the day! I don’t watch a lot of TV or movies to have time for video games and painting and the occasional tabletop gaming so I feel your pain. Something you might keep your eyes open for, if you have any interest in the “First Edition” of Fallout is the Starter Set which is probably out of print now. That would have everything you need to get started. Otherwise, you’re probably going to have to wait until Second Edition launches. That will probably less of a “Swiss Army” wargame based on what I’m hearing about it, though it is still solo friendly.

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      7. I’m still incredibly impressed by the fact that there’s a solo wargame out there, so I’m sure I’ll be taking a look. But yes, still feeling the distinct lack of time, so I haven’t yet got to watch the show. But I have finally finished the Silmarillion, so hopefully will be starting on Flash soon enough!

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      8. There are some out there but very few have the kind of money and development support behind it that Fallout has which makes the game stand out for sure. I’ve been out of town and can’t seem to catch up on everything this week so I can relate! I hope that things slow down for both of us here soon.

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      9. Hopefully, yeah! Though I think I’ve got a busy summer ahead with one thing or another 🤪 I’m hoping to start my Fallout investigations as a bit of a distraction, though, so fingers crossed!

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    1. Thank you! I forgot to mention that in the article but I did stumble across that recently. I wish I had a 3D printer as in all honesty, it is probably a more reliable way to get your hands on their minis than at retail (which is a bit sad!). I’m glad you mentioned it for anyone who sees this and is interested in Knight Models!

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  4. Nice work on the armour, Jeff – looks really good!

    Describing a polymer as a thermoplastic by the manufacturer is not particularly helpful – thermoplastic is a generic term that covers polymers that solidify when they cool, as opposed to thermosets that undergo a chemical reaction between constituent materials that causes them to set. Such a description tells you very little about the composition of the polymer itself (as an engineer I have to call them polymers as opposed to plastics, otherwise people will tell me off)!

    And I see that England are due to play the Democratic Republic of Congo on Wednesday in the World Cup! I’m not going to fall out with you if the DRC win – after all, it’s only football!

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    1. Thanks, John! I’m glad we have you as a resource because I would have never known about polymers and thermoplastics. It is definitely a unique material that I’ve never seen on other miniatures before. Its not terrible but its not optimal either.

      Yes, the Lions and Leopards are going to be meet soon! I discovered that a lot of Congo players also compete in the Premier League so it will be an interesting game, though I’d give the edge to England overall, unless it goes to penalties of course! Congo made tough work of Uzbekistan so that doesn’t bode well for their chances in this game, I wouldn’t think.

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  5. The Fallout security guys look great mate, and I think you’re being too hard on yourself when it comes to “accuracy”. In reality, uniform and equipment colours change and fade over time, depending on a great many factors including light, UV light, washing and cleaning, general wear and so much more. Just because a video game recycles the exact same skins a hundred times doesn’t mean variations can’t be more accurate to the lore and setting if not the game’s graphics. The consoles make a perfect background for them as well (and look at the wear and tear on those!)

    I’m an old-school Ogre fan, and so some of the revamped “Mongol” Ogres are cool, my actual favourites are the old-school ones. Having said that, I don’t mind the Mongols and I think I vastly prefer them to the new ones I just looked at last night with their wonky proportions and tiny little heads. And that’s the warrior-types. That Butcher or whatever it’s supposed to be looks repulsive as a model.

    I look forward to seeing how you deal with Batwoman. For this sort of thing, don’t look past hi-rez 3d prints from reputable sellers. They’d often probably be both more affordable and come with better QC than Knight models, as well as more choice of sculpts. Look at C27 miniatures for example.

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    1. Thanks, mate! You might be right but there is something gratifying about nailing the look of something in miniature form. I think of it as a kind of skill that a painter can constantly improve, if they want to. I agree with you that different colors/hues can happen in a more modern video game with a good graphics engine. That is a very valid point!

      I’m glad to hear you can relate to some of my thoughts on the new Ogres. They’re not bad, but they’re not great for me and obviously, we’re the only ones that count here! 😉

      I hadn’t heard of C27 Miniatures before but they have a really extensive collection of Marvel-like sculpts. It is impressive. Do you know what scale they’re intended to be printed at? I know you can scale up or down but to me, they look as if they might be best at larger than gaming scale. I do need to find a 3D printing service here in the US. I’ve tried looking a couple of times and its harder to figure out than you’d think. I will persist in looking though as I could certainly make use of their services!

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      1. Oh of course – it’s just that the uniforms aren’t going to 100% be indentical in wear, etc on each individual so if you get one of them 100% to the game and the others aren’t perfect it is actually more “realistic” and you shouldn’t beat yourself up about them not all being perfect or all being identical to one another.

        I’ve got a fair few other Ogres I need to paint (along with everything else, yeah?) but you should also check out Avatars of War’s 3d prints. A lot of them are available on eBay, or if you find that printing service, you can buy the STLs and have them print them for you.

        C27 minis are usually for games like MCP, so 40mm but they’re close enough that they can scale to 28mm without too much issue, or of course larger. For busts and larger scale figures, Fotis Mint and Eastman are a couple of digitial sculptors who you should check out, they both have a lot of free STLs as well.

        These places also turned up with a search for paid STLs. There’s a ton around!

        https://stlbigstudio.com/en/dc/

        https://www.3dspartanshop.com/

        For local print services, maybe ask the guys on the Chicago Dice blog? https://chicagodice.org/

        This place might also be useful? I know nothing about them but they turned up on a search..

        https://www.theprintedbay.com/miniature-printing

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      2. Sorry for the slow response! I was out of town for the holiday weekend and just got back today.

        You’re right on the Avatars of War ogres. Those are very nice and have that classic GW feel! I’ve got my eye on the Khan which is very reminiscent of the GW one but has some nice details to it and is a bit simpler to paint overall.

        Many thanks for all the STL links as well! There’s plenty out there, which I suspected. I’ve seen people paint some cool Superman and Batman busts but I wasn’t sure exactly where they got them from. Now I have a better idea!

        I tried searching for local printing services and that didn’t show up. I couldn’t find almost any in the results, in fact. So you’ve made me look foolish though I’m happy for it as this printer is local and in the Chicago suburbs 🙂 I’ll have to give them a shot as there are a lot of cool STL files I’d like to get, especially Fallout bits and terrain bobs which are only available that way.

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  6. Nice job completing the set! I like the colours you used on both the armour sets, but the second is indeed closer to the game art.
    For the gap filling I can recommend miliput, you can place it where you need to with a sculpting tool, then use a wet brush to smooth it, really easy to blend into its surrounds and get a nice clean finish.

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    1. Cheers, Nic! I have tried milliput in the past, though not with a wet brush, so I look forward to trying that! I went with green stuff and the results are more like I expected and feared. A little rougher than I’d like on a display base. I will definitely try milliput next time as this is a hobby problem, I’d really like to solve. If you can’t create a nice display base, it dampens everything else, I’m sorry to say.

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      1. I find green stuff much easier to sculpt than miliput but for smooth gap filling miliput is hard to beat. On top of the wet brush trick, it also sands much better than green stuff so it’s great for that type of work. There’s even an old display painter’s trick of making a miliput wash by mixing it in some water and applying that to metal models with rough textures to smooth them out.

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      2. I haven’t had a great deal of success using milliput on display bases in the past, sadly. I worked on a Theoden display project which did not do well at Golden Demon and one of the problems was my amateurish display base that I could not get smooth at all even with milliput and sanding. That has stopped me from attempting anything like that since then. I know I didn’t try the wet brush trick though and that would have surely helped. I’ve been fiddling with Batwoman’s base some and it is taking a lot of work to make small improvements in it. I’m really looking forward to trying your suggestions in the future to see if that doesn’t help improve things so I really appreciate all of the tips you’ve shared.

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  7. Excellent work completing those Vault folks – and doubly so to have the satisfaction of polishing off a box in the process.

    That’s really interesting about the woes of Knight Minis. I hadn’t been aware of any of that. A few locals had been quite high on the Batman game but I never got a chance to try it.

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    1. Thanks, mate! It is very nice to finish a box, particularly when you paint as slow as I do…

      Yes, Knight Models has a very checkered past. They ran a Kickstarter for a Batman board game within the last couple of years and are never going to deliver it. That is really where things get messy and it makes them look bad, I’m sorry to say.

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