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Writer's pictureBlaxkleric

"Or You May Have Use For A SpyBot."


"A nosy drone great for spying on your enemies."

This 28mm scale metal SpyBot is manufactured by "Crooked Dice Game Design Studio", and can be bought individually as SKU: MINI 649, or as part of the four-figure deal - DEAL 193. Clearly influenced by the Sentinels repeatedly encountered throughout the Wachowskis "Matrix" film franchise, these 'killing machines' were added to the company's Post Apocalyptic range a short time after their successful 7TV: Apocalypse boxed set campaign on Kickstarter.


However, as I wanted the single-cast model to be fielded alongside my previously-pigmented Killbots, it was primed with a double layer of "Vallejo" Heavy Grey before being shaded in "Citadel" Biel-Tan Green. I then applied a dry-brush of "Vallejo" Gunmetal to the entire miniature, making sure to especially 'hit' the edges of its torso/head and snake-like, so as to suggest some significant weathering had taken place on those areas.

"Encounter Terrain" WIPs - Frankenstein's Monster, Jason Voorhees and the Wolfman

Originally, I had intended to paint the SpyBot's tentacles in a combination of "Vallejo" Gunmetal and "Citadel" Nuln Oil. But this palette badly clashed with the green in my mind, so after a moment's pause I decided to simply apply my 'Killbot' colour scheme to the entire automaton. I also continued to 'distress' the figure by drenching it in "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade and sporadically dabbed the miniature in "Mig Productions" Extreme Rust Wash.


Once applied, it was clear that I had really made quite a mess of the model, so I attempted to blend everything together with a dry-brush of (more) "Vallejo" Heavy Grey. This was somewhat delicately done as I wanted to ensure that some of the previously-used "Vallejo" Gunmetal still shone through so as to the pair a slight metallic sheen. Finally, all the robot's multiple eyes were spotted with a little "Scalecolor" Speed Metal, and then dabbed with a smidgeon of the "Citadel" Contrast colour Flesh Tearers Red.

"Games Workshop" WIPs - This Sergeant is having all his numerous details 'picked out'

With my test SpyBot done, I have spent some time progressing three of 40mm resin sculpts by Nikola Stankovic I had 3D printed by "Encounter Terrain" for this month's Zomtober Challenge. The horror flick figures are all actually quite close to completion, following some copious drownings in "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade and some patient dry-brushing. As a result I hope to get them all finished soon enough, and may well use them to test out the "Space Station Zero" rules by "Snarling Badger Studios" as a pirate crew.


Finally, I am applying my brush-tip to the a 28mm MK VI Sons of Horus Space Marine Sergeant I built using plastic pieces taken from the "Horus Heresy: Age Of Darkness" starter set by "Games Workshop", This model will be the 'leader' of my second unit of traitor tactical marines, and as such is a bit more flashier-looking than the usual rank and file - largely due to his "Forge World" shoulder-pad and Praetor head-swap...

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undercoat2670
Oct 25, 2022

I like the weathered metallic effect on the spybot. It is giving off some real Matrix vibes to me. Great stuff. Great to see a mk6 Mark e for your Horus Heresy army. Looking good so far! Which do you prefer the mk3 or the mk6?

I really like these cartoon style minis you have been painting. They have oodles of character.

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Blaxkleric
Blaxkleric
Oct 25, 2022
Replying to

Thanks Undercoat. Pleased to get the palette right (in my eyes at least) for the SpyBot - more to come.


I've always been a major Beakie fan tbh. But now I own/built/painted some MK III space marines I must confess to liking their medieval armour more.


Lots more 3D prints to come... a lot more actually. 😉

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planetmut
Oct 24, 2022

BEAKIE!!! He looks great, just casually strolling along the battlefield LOL! Seriously, great painting on him and he really hammers home how cool MkVI armour is. Looking forward to seeing him finished off!


The SpyBot is excellent, the light use of rust effects and its muted colours give it the look of something that's ancient and battered yet still deadly. And is it me or does the Wolfman look like he's in the video for Thriller? LOL!

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Blaxkleric
Blaxkleric
Oct 24, 2022
Replying to

Thanks Matt. I'm really pleased with how the MK VI Sergeant turned out. I do like the fact you can mix and match both the GW plastic kits and FW resin stuff. He's now finished too, so should be posted up soon enough.


I think it was a good call to change the SpyBot's palette and go with the rusty all-green look. I've another four to paint, but now this one is finished it should be quite a quick project to complete.


LOL!!! I love the Wolfman sculpt, though he's a bit more animated than many of Nikola's other poses. 😁

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wsd50
Oct 21, 2022

Smashing work on the spybot mate looks suitably creepy with all the rusty bits.


Those 40mm Monsters are coming along nicely too, they are some great cartoonish figs.


Keep churning out the Space Marines mate, the end though probably not yet in sight is a few inched closer each time! 😉


Cheers Roger.

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Blaxkleric
Blaxkleric
Oct 21, 2022
Replying to

Thanks Roger. Got a few more of them waiting on the painting table to help fill out my Killbots force. Pleased they'll all look like being from the same post-apocalyptic American Military force.


Loving the 40mm monsters, and have already ordered this month's new sculpts from Encounter Terrain - as they usually take a good week or so to turnaround. Fingers crossed the latest ones will print out as well as these.


About a third of the way through the Sons of Horus, Roger. But already enough for a small skirmish game of WH40K 8th Edition - so expect a BatRep soon, 😉

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wargamesterrainworkshop
wargamesterrainworkshop
Oct 21, 2022

Great work on the Spybot Simon, the rusted tentacles look good. nice progress on the other models as well.

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Blaxkleric
Blaxkleric
Oct 21, 2022
Replying to

Cheers Dave. Happy I changed my palette on the SpyBot and looking forward to getting the rest done soon. All the other figures are quite close to being finished now, so already planning on getting some more 3D printed 40mm figures done and building my third unit of Sons of Horus Space Marines.

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Simon Quinton
Simon Quinton
Oct 21, 2022

Very cool job. I love all the robots they do at Crooked Dice. I love the Synthetic mini from that set

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Blaxkleric
Blaxkleric
Oct 21, 2022
Replying to

Thanks Simon. I haven't painted the Synthetic mini yet as I'm focusing more on the military type robots first. 😀

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