Oh, plastic Deffkoptaz!

Okay so I said earlier on my blog that

I have to admit I am not that impressed. They look a lot smaller than the original metal variants, and more like the (new’ish) Epic Armageddon version.

I was basing that on this picture.

I have since seen a side profile in Apocalypse Reload and today I saw them in the flesh (well in the plastic) at my local GW store.

I am now really growing to like them. They are really nice models.

They are much bigger than they appear in the photograph, a similar size to the current metal model. The detail is excellent and with a good paint job look like they could be really nice. Main challenge appears to be painting them, especially the pilot.

Assault on Black Reach on pre-order

The starter boxed set for Warhammer 40K, the Assault on Black Reach is now available to pre-order on the Games Workshop online store.

Assault on Black Reach on pre-order

For only £40 I think it represents “amazing” value for money.

An ideal first purchase for anyone new to wargaming or existing gamers who want to begin playing Warhammer 40,000, the enclosed starter booklet has easy-to-follow examples and a step-by-step introduction to the game, while the rulebook contains all of the information you’ll need to play the game proper. The two armies provided will allow you and a friend to begin playing right away – these finely detailed, plastic, citadel miniatures have been specially designed to allow you to quickly assemble an army ready for your first battle. For existing Warhammer 40,000 players, this set provides some unique scenery and a handy, pocket-sized rule book, great for taking along to tournaments and events. This boxed game contains a 112-page Rulebook, a 33-page Getting Started booklet, Dice, Templates, Range Rulers and almost 50 Citadel miniatures, including: a Space Marine Captain, 10 Tactical Space Marines, Five Space Marine Terminators, a Space Marine Dreadnought, an Ork Warboss, 20 Ork Boyz, five Ork Nobz and three Ork Deffkoptas.

Despite my earlier reservations about the Deffkopta, having now seen the side view in Apocalypse Reload I am growing to like them.

I think I will be getting a box (or even two).

Plastic Deffkoptaz

I mentioned in a posting in early May that there was a “possibility” of plastic Deffkoptaz, well here’s a photo of the forthcoming plastic Deffkopta from the (rumoured) new Warhammer 40,000 fifth edition boxed set.

I have to admit I am not that impressed.

They look a lot smaller than the original metal variants, and more like the (new’ish) Epic Armageddon version.

Of course they are plastic and therefore have conversion potential.

Photo source.

Ork battleline

I am quite pleased with my Ork army and it seems to play well as well.

Here is part of my Ork army at the start of a game.

There are a couple of Killa Kans which are now more effective in the shooting phase as they are crewed by grots who have a BS of 3 compared to the 2 of regular Orks.

A couple of trukks and my Squiggoth. In front of the trukks are a flight of Deffkoptaz.

Plastic Deffkopta (possibly)

According to Bell of Lost Souls, it is rumoured that…

According to Games Workshop USA Sales Representative Mark Koscielniak, the new Warhammer 40k 5th Edition Starter Boxed Set will include a “Crap-Ton of miniatures”.The new boxed starter, due out in September of this year, will include the popular “mini-rulebook”, dice, measuring sticks and the proverbial French “Crap-Ton” of miniatures including:
1– Space Marine Commander (full sprue)
1– Space Marine Tactical Squad (10 models)
1– Space Marine Terminator Squad (5 models)
1– Space Marine Dreadnought

AND THAT’S NOT ALL!
The set will ALSO include:

1– Ork Warboss
2– Ork Boyz Mobs (20 models total)
1– Ork Nob Mob (5 models)
3– Death Koptas

GW have not included metal miniatures in boxed sets for many years now, so I am guessing that if this listing is accurate then we will see plastic Deffkoptaz!

Of course this is a rumour and it has been rumoured that there would be a plastic Killa Kan or Ork Dreadnought included in the box set.

However we might see plastic versions of all the models on the release of the fifth edition of Warhammer 40K. Note though that the teaser in this month’s White Dwarf was of Space Marines versus Necons, not that that means anything but you never know!

Deffkopta

As well as Killa Kans, George Dellapina’s funky Speed Freeks Ork army on display at Bristol Conflict 2004 included a flight of nice converted Deffkoptaz.

He had converted the pilots (this was the inspiration behind my converted pilots) and added Big Shootaz from Killa Kans as they matched whereas the twin-linked version on the model didn’t really look like a Big Shoota.

Deffkoptaz are now part of the main Ork Codex (released in January 2008) and in theory (after been mail order only) will be sold in the shops as a boxed set.

The Speed Freeks list only allowed three, the new Codex allows a flight of five, so I might get two more.

However I may wait as (as with the Killa Kans) there are weapon options which are not available on the metal model, so there may be a new plastic model.

See more of George’s funky Ork army.

Deth Koptas

Here is a flight of Deth Koptas from a recent game.

They performed well, though my opponent was somewhat confused over what they were. Were they vehicles or were they infantry.

Bikes can be confusing even more so when they are akin to Jetbikes like the Deth Koptas.

No real solution, but I may be tempted to use them as Wartrakks rather then Warbikes.

Deth Kopta, nearly finished to gaming standard…

This is quite a simple model to paint.

Deth Kopta, nearly finished to gaming standard...

Starts off with a black undercoat, drybrush of Tin Bitz and then a lighter drybrush of Boltgun Metal.

The rotor blades are painted with Bleached Bone and will be getting a highlight of Skull White.

At this point I am happy for it to be used in a game.

Final details will be adding some copper and bronze to various components, painting the dials and seat, as well as giving the machine some glyphs and details on the tail.

I really like this model, I now have a squadron of three and may get some more in the future, maybe to convert into a heavy version.