Sunday 24 August 2014

First Brush - Relic Knights

I have just completed my first Relic Knights figure and I am really pleased with the result.

The game is rooted in anime, so it presented me with the chance to use some really bright colours, something I have not done for a while.  My plan was to paint them up quickly and play the game - they are not the best quality minis and this seemed like a chance to have just have some fun.

Well, I did the clean up faster than normal, meaning the mini was covered in mold lines, but I still really enjoyed the painting.  This an alternate version of Isabeau Durand, dressed as Faye Valentine from Cowboy Bepop.  I copied the colour scheme as closely as possible, using red gloves instead of the signature red jacket.  My Isabeau died her hair for this role but did not get her hair bobbed.

So this is my first big-eyed anime miniature, also my first go at stockings.  Generally, I'm pleased with the result but wish I spent more time on the cleanup.




There's a really nasty mark on the base that will need to be repainted.  I did not see it until I looked at the photo!  Funny how that always happens.

Thanks to Dais and EsperWatkins - I had a good look at their versions before I started work.

Hope you like her, any feedback appreciated.

Relic Knights Bases

We have just played our first game of Relic Knights and it was really good fun.  But like every other “first game”, the rules were a little tricky to follow.  One problem was that each unit has many unique skills and we are not totally familiar with each of the little guys yet.  I had an idea that means we might not have to remember so much stuff.

One of these skills tells you which colour cards generate the power for generic powers, and also how many of those powers can be used.  For example an Essence Master use yellow cards and a Creation Initiate uses green cards.  Masters have more abilities than Initiates. 

To help remember this, I thought of placing correctly coloured crystals on the bases, larger crystals for the Masters, smaller crystals for the Initiates.  I’m also planning to paint the edges of the bases in the faction colours.  Here are a few work in progress shots to show how it looks.

Here's a Creation Initiate - small green crystal.

And an Essence Initiate - small yellow crystal.

Suicide Queen gets two.  Her insert is on the base already and has the faction shading.  I'll find a better shade of green before I count this as finished.

There are skills that are more generic and don't apply to any particular colour - Esper Initiate and Master.  I was not sure which colour to use, perhaps grey/white but I went with two colours per crystal in the end.

I've made a start on some Corsair bases too, and actually finished one mini:



I have not seen this idea mentioned elsewhere, and I hope other people find it useful.