Titans and their varieties

Titan configurations present a wide variety of often confusing nomenclature.  This is a product of two main circumstance:

First, the models have evolved quite significantly since their introduction originally in Adeptus Titanicus; that game introduced only one broad type of Titan, but we now have about twenty.

Second, Games Workshop has been...ambiguous in sorting things out and, on at least one occasion, made obvious errors. Now the ambiguity helps to reinforce the mysterious elements of 40k, but simple errors could have been avoided.

I.  TYPE

Broadly speaking, the first and most important distinction between Titans is their Type.  Since most of the 40k universe is presented through the eyes of the Imperium, they get to label the Types.  They are:

Emperor - the largest and rarest type, Emperor Titans are mammoth.

Battle - the most common type, Battle Titans perform a variety of battlefield roles and do the majority of the fighting.

Scout - the lightest type, Scout Titans perform in a reconaissance and support role.

II.  CLASS

Within each type, there are subdivisions.  Essentially, this is a matter of the basic "chassis".

The Imperium fields 4 (or possibly 5) different Classes of Titan.  They are:

Imperator (Emperor type)
Warlord (Battle type)
Reaver (Battle type)
Warhound (Scout type)

The possible fifth class is the Warmonger.  This monster is an Emperor type Titan; however, it is not clear if it is a variant of the Imperator, or a unique chassis.  There are important similarities and differences between the two.

III.  PATTERN

Various classes of Titans are produced throughout the Imperium.  As a consequence of STC technology, the same essential Titan could be built by a variety of forge worlds.  However, because of the fallen state of the Imperium, a number of cosmetic and even systemic differences can exist between the same class of Titan.

The most obvious Pattern disticntion is that between Mars and Lucius pattern Titans.  Mars-produced Titans tend to have rounded carapaces and armour plates, whereas Lucius-produced Titans tend to be more angular and slab-sided.

HOWEVER, this analysis is complicated by the fact that Epic: Armageddon and Jervis Johnson indicate that "pattern" refers to weapons loadout, rather than cosmetic appearance or place of origin.  This position should be discarded as grossly inconsistent with Forge World's various conversion kits (Ryza pattern turrets) and essentially the entirety of the rest of what we know about Titan classification.

IV.  MARK

Because GW's modelling technology has advanced over time, and they have withdrawn and reintroduced models, "Mark" has emerged as a way of distinguishing earlier/later versions of the same model.  The Armorcast Warhound, with it's rounded carapace, is clearly a Mars-pattern; Forge World's most recent smooth armoured Warhound is also Mars-pattern, hence Mark 1 and Mark 2.

V.  VARIANT

Variant refers to weapon and equipment loadout.  In Adeptus Titanicus, this was a very important classification, but it has diminished in importance over time as more Titans' were introduced to the game.  Since in Adeptus Titanicus there was only one class of Titan in the box, these could be configured differently to create light, medium, and heavy versions.  As the Reaver and Warhound were introduced, these roles were filled by dedicated Titan classes, and so variants become much less of an issue.  Nonetheless, some weapon variations are so common that they have been standardized as named variants.


Imperial Titans appear in the following variants:

Warlord Nightgaunt - Assault weapons [Laser Burners, CCWs]
Warlord Nemesis - Support weapons
Warlord Eclipse - Relics
Warlord Deathbringer - Tactical weapons

Reaver Vandal - Relics [Devotional Bells, etc]
Reaver Hun - Tactical weapons [Gatling Blasters, Turbolasers]
Reaver Goth - Support weapons [Vortex Missiles, Deathstrike Cannons]

Warhound Wolf - Anti-Tank weapons [Plasma Blastgun & Turbolaser]
Warhound Jackal - Anti-Infantry weapons [Inferno Gun & Vulcan Megabolter]

It could be argued that the Warmonger is in fact a variant of the Imperator, given that much of the structure is identical, but for the weapons load.

As a reference, here is the complete list of cards produced for the Warhammer Quest Game, including its various expansions.

Warhammer Quest Boxed Set
Treasure Card Packs 1
Treasure Card Packs 2
Treasure Card Packs 3
Lair of the Orc Lord Expansion
Catacombs of Terror Expansion
All the cards from White Dwarf WHQ articles
Some of the treasure cards in the treasure packs can be inspirational for designing your own quests. Design a Quest in which the Warriors must collect all the Amulets, or Runestones, or chase after the magic items of Le Marquis. If they fail, huge vortexes of evil magic will descend upon the Empire, etc. etc.

Warhammer Quest Card List:

Boxed Set Event Cards:
Cave-In (E)
Encounter (E)
Dead Body (E)
Old Bones (E)
Portcullis (E)
Scorpions (E)
Trap (E)
2D6 Giant Bats (M)
2D6 Giant Rats (M)
2D6 Giant Spiders (M)
6 Goblin Archers (M)
6 Goblin Spearmen (M)
1D6 Goblin Spearmen & 1D6 Goblin Archers (M)
1 Minotaur (M)
1D3 Minotaurs (M)
6 Orcs (M)
1D6 Orcs & 1D6 Orc Archers (M)
2D6 Skaven (M)
2D6 Snotlings (M)
13x Blank Monster event cards
4x Blank Event event cards
"How-to fill out Blank Event cards" Card

Boxed Set Treasure Cards:
Amulet of Power
Arrows of Death
Boots of Swiftness
Chalice of Fate
Darting Steel Daggers
Deathstone
Dragon Shield
Enchanted Shield
Ensorcelled Blade
Finger of Doom
Firebomb
Flash Powder
Fur Cloak
Gold (3 gp)
Gold (100 gp)
Healing Potion
Healing Salve
Hell Mace
Incense of Healing
Invisibility Ring
Lightning Fire Ring
Lucky Talisman
Magic Potion
Orb of Might
Potion of Healing
Quake Scroll
Shield of Deliverance
Spear
Talon of Death
Time Freeze Ring

Boxed Set Dungeon Cards:
Corridor Cards:
1x Corner
1x Stairway
3x T-Junction
7x Passageway
Dungeon Room Cards:
Circle of Power
Dungeon Cell
Guard Room
Monster's Lair
Torture Chamber
Well of Doom
Objective Room Cards:
Fighting Pit
Firechasm
Fountain of Light
Idol Chamber
Tomb Chamber

Boxed Set Spell Cards:
Attack Spell Cards:
Fireball
Freeze
Lightning Bolt
Ogre Strength
Pit of Despair
Defense Spell Cards:
Confuse
Iron Skin
Levitate
Rebound
Shield
Healing Spell Cards:
Healing Hands
Heal Wounds
Lifebringer
Life Force
Resurrection

Boxed Set Equipment Cards:
The Lantern
The Rope
Hand of Death Spell Scroll
Healing Potion (full wounds)

Boxed Set Warrior + Advance Cards:
Barbarian
Dwarf
Elf
Wizard
 
Card Packs

 Treasure Card Pack #1:
Cover card
Objective Room Treasure Cards:
Armour of Dargan
Arrows of Loren
Battle Stone of Le Marquis
Blood Sword
Boots of Flight
Bane Sword
Elf Helm
Hammer of Spite
Hellfire Sword
Horn of Vengeance
Power Stone of Le Marquis
Shield Spell Scroll
Sword of Vengeance
Warningstone of Asuryan
The Hammer of Sigmar
Dungeon Room Treasure Cards:
Ancient Vase of Lustria
Armour of Fortune
Arrow of Slaying
Axe of Slaughter
Band of Magic
Bane Scroll of the Undead
Blade of Sea Gold
Blade of Slicing
Bladed Boots
Boots of Tzchak
Bow of Tor Alessi
Cloak of Loren
Cloak of Deception
Cloak of Stealth
Coughing Spell Jewel
Dispel Magic Scroll
Dome of Power
Fanged Death Helm
Firebombs (1D6)
Glory! Spell Scroll
Glowstone
Gold (1D6x50)
Hidden Alcove
Holy Artefact
Lifebringer Spell Scroll
Lifestealer Talisman
Pearl Necklace
Pit of Despair Scroll
Potion of Alchemy
Potion of Flight
Potion of Instability
Potion of Weapon Mastery
Relic Blade
Ring of Sure Seeing
Runestone of Slaying
Spell Ring
Tankard
Undead Bane
Wall of Steel

Treasure Card Pack #2:
Cover Card
Objective Room Treasure Cards:
Armour of Meteoric Iron
Axe of Slaying
Blade of Leaping Gold
Crown of Thoughts
Dragon Stone of Le Marquis
Elf Shield
Firestorm Icon
Gauntlets of Soul Rending
Horn of Defiance
Lifestone of Ashraaz
Life Stone of Le Marquis
Ring of Regeneration
Ring of the Warp
Surefire Bow
Sword of Hoeth
Dungeon Room Treasure Cards:
Arrows of Piercing
Arrows of Sure Flight
Backpack
Bauble of Anurandel
Boots of Battle
Boots of Leaping
Bugman's XXXXXX
Chaos Bane
Confuse Spell Scroll
Crown of Madness
Cure Small Wounds Spell
Exotic Foods of Tilea
Fine Clothes
Fine Elf Wine
Fleet of Foot Scroll
Goblet of Vitality
Halo of Vengeance Scroll
Healing Hands Jewel
Horn of Shielding
Icon of Combat
Icon of Determination
Invisibility Spell Scroll
Iron Skin Spell Scroll
Light of Courage
Obsidian Blade
Ogre Slayer
Ogre Strength Scroll
Orb of Power
Potion of Battle
Potion of Healing (1D6 wounds)
Potion of Pain
Potion of Strength
Quarg Horn
Ring of Power
Spices from Araby
Stone of Bravery
Stone of Transmutation
Strength Spell Scroll
Swords of Doom Scroll

Treasure Card Pack #3:
Cover Card
Objective Room Treasure Cards:
Axe of Blood
Bracelet of Saphery
Chalice of Battle
Dragon Sword
Bow of Loren
Helm of Possession
Pistol & Shot
Ring of Seeking
Speed Stone of Le Marquis
Sword of Heroes
Talisman of Jet
Wand of Diabolum
Wand of Jade
Warp Jump Spell Jewel
Dungeon Room Treasure Cards:
Abandoned Backpack
Amulet of Fury
Amulet of Vindication
Bag of Gold (1d6x25)
Blessed Sword
Blood Pulse Spell Scroll
Bone Blade
Bow of Tiranoc
Destroy Magic Scroll
Destroy Magic Scroll
Dwarf Pick
Eltharion's Bow
Flesh Worm Scroll
Glittering Robe Scroll
Holy Water
Horn of Resilience
Icon of Agility
Javelin
Luckstone of Anurandel
Map
Potion of Endurance
Potion of Flying
Potion of Keensight
Potion of Lightning Blades
Potion of Toughness
Potion of Water Walking
Precious Icon
Protection Ring
Rapid Fire Bracelets
Ring of Invisibility
Rune of Destruction
Runestone of Death
Runestone of Magic
Salve of Strength
Stonebread
Sword of Might
Window of the Void Scroll
Wines of Bretonnia
Wings of Power Scroll
Wizard's Staff

Blank Event Card Blister Pack:
17x Blank Monster event cards
4x Blank Event event cards





Catacombs of Terror

Catacombs of Terror Event Cards:
Curse of the Dread King (E)
Death Curse (E)
Dwarf Ghost (E)
Horror in the Darkness (E)
Spectral Attack (E)
Vampire Bats (E)
Van Damneg - The Dread King (M)
Gunther Laranscheld - Evil Necromancer (M)
Luthor, Laranshceld's Hunchback Servant (M)
1 Carrion (M)
2D6 Ghouls (M)
1D6+3 Skeletons (Archers) (M)
1D6+3 Skeletons (M)
1D6 Skeleton Spearmen (M)
1D6 Skeleton Spearmen and 1D6 Skeleton Archers (M)
1 Tomb Guardian (M)
1D3 Tomb Guardians (M)
1D6+3 Zombies (M)

Catacombs of Terror Treasure Cards:
Objective Room Treasure Card:
Sceptre of Zandri
Dungeon Room Treasure Cards:
Amulet of Charadris
Axe of Khemri
Chalice of Vigour
Helm of Alcadizzar
Silver Stone
Stone Icon of Ghamaluk
Orb of Sigmar
Talisman of Alcadizzar
The Blessed Gem
The Kingshield of Tilea

Catacombs of Terror Dungeon Cards:
Corridor Card:
Chasm of Despair
Flames of Khazla
Dungeon Room Cards:
Hall of Death
Objective Room Card:
Dread King's Throne Room

Catacombs of Terror Special Cards:
Grimoire Necris
Necromantic Magic
Undead Minions

Lair of the Orc Lord

Lair of the Orc Lord Event Cards:
Bogoff The Snotling (E)
Challenge! (E)
Falling Block (E)
Get The Little Git (E)
Gubbinz The Jester (E)
Map (E)
Spikes! (E)
Spore Fungus (E)
Trip Up (E)
Wounded Knight (E)
1D6 Black Orcs (M)
3 Goblin Fanatics (M)
1D3+1 Goblin Wolf Riders (M)
Gorgut And Minions (M)
3 Gorgut's Big'Uns (M)
1D6 Orcs And 1D6 Night Goblin Archers (M)
1D6 Night Goblin Archers And 1 Fanatic (M)
4 Night Goblin Netters And 4 Clubbers (M)
Skabnoze The Shaman With Minions (M)
2 Squig Hunters With Cave Squig (M)
1D6 Wild Cave Squigs (M)

Lair of the Orc Lord Treasure Cards:
Bograt's Krown
Fungus Brew
Magic Arrers
Plergit's Stabba
Pritty Stonez
Ring Of Life
Scroll Of The Chimera
The Hammer Of Hargon

Lair of the Orc Lord Dungeon Cards:
Corridor Card:
Collapsed Passage
Dungeon Room Card:
Shaman's Den
Objective Room Card:
Gorgut's Lair

Lair of the Orc Lord Special Cards:
Shaman's Den
Skabnoze's Spells
Squig Hound
Sword Of Malediction




White Dwarf Magazine

White Dwarf 185:
Gaol Key Equipment Card
Gaol Board Section
Gaol Dungeon Card

White Dwarf 186:
Flames of Khazla Board Section
Flames of Khazla Dungeon Card

White Dwarf 187:
4x Treasure Cards:
Freezing Death Spell Jewel
Gemstone
Moradrel's Boots
Reaper Sword

White Dwarf 189:
Treasure Map Equipment Card
2x Treasure Cards:
Gem of Passage
Globe of Destruction

White Dwarf 190:
8x Dark Secret Cards:
Discovery
Escort
Personal Supplies
Phobia
Pursuit
Rescue
Secret Map
Vengeance

White Dwarf 191:
2x Treasure Cards:
Soulstone
Blessed Water

White Dwarf 192:
3x Board Sections:
Dead End
Collapsed Passage
Into The Dark
3x Dungeon Cards:
Dead End
Collapsed Passage
Into The Dark

White Dwarf 193:
4x Event Cards:
Orc Ambush (M)
Rat Ogre (M)
Spider's Lair (E)
Treasure Trove (E)

White Dwarf 195:
Rat Golem Event Card (M)
Skreek Deathstrike Event Card (M)
Quirrik Event Card (M)
Quirrik's Laboratory Dungeon Card
Quirrik's Lab board section
6x Warpstone counters

White Dwarf 197:
4x Event Cards:
Alarm (E)
Shifting Sands (E)
Sliding Wall (E)
Snake Pit (E)

White Dwarf 201:
Affliction of Nurgle Event Card (E)
Chaos Dwarf Anvil board section (no Dungeon card)

White Dwarf 204:
Sewer Board Section
Sewer Dungeon Card
Fascination of Slaanesh Event Card (E)


(above archived from http://home.earthlink.net/~djrobert/Sanctum/whqcardlist.htm)

Specialist Game - "Inquisitor" - Book List

Have:

Inquisitor Rulebook
Thorian Faction Sourcebook (pdf)


Inquisitor Conspiracies:  The Ciran Legacy
Inquisitor Conspiracies:  Death of an Angel

Inquisitor Annual 2002

Inquisitor Annual 2004

Exterminatus #5
Exterminatus #6
Exterminatus #7
Exterminatus #9
Exterminatus #10

Need:


Inquisitor Conspiracies:   Heavenfall

Exterminatus #1
Exterminatus #2
Exterminatus #3
Exterminatus #4
Exterminatus #8
Exterminatus #11+

The Shark Mouth

Made famous by the American Volunteer Group, aka the Flying Tigers, in China, the "Shark Toothed Mouth" design is a variety of nose art that first appeared in the First World War.  A variety of countries have employed it, and the effect can be both comical and menacing.

The Americans are almost certainly the dominant users of the design at present:

 A-10 Thunderbolt II "Warthog"

The appeal of the design lies, probably, in the image of the shark as a sleek predator, always staying in motion to survive.  Plus, big teeth are awesome!

Dassault Ouragon flown by the Israeli Air Force

 

 Apache AH-64D Longbow, flown by the United States Army

The use of the shark mouth for helicopters is very popular with American forces, turning up in Viet Nam on Hueys and continuing as above and below.

AH-1 Cobra Gunship

Because f the popularity on helicopters, it is only natural that it should appear on the sides of the new plastic Valkyrie gunships, which are sort of a mix of Huey air cav and attack gunship.

Valkyrie

Though the design is most often utilized in aircraft, I thought it was worth mentioning that Canada Russia* has a slightly different take on the issue.  And, in my opinion, size does matter.

 Canadian Russian Ice Breaker

* Thanks to an unidentified commenter for correcting my national attribution.

Reivers: First Batch

So, cobbling together a variety of GW kits, I have been able to buuild up a few figs.

Here is the first one (Champion):

I'm not 100% satisfied with the horse, as it really is too large for a hobbler, but it is the best compromise.  This model is built with head, legs, and torso from the Empire Militia Sprue, and his pistol comes from that sprue as well.  The cape is from the Empire Pistoliers.  I forget where the sword came from--Bretonnian maybe?  In the absence of a proper morion helmet, this reiver is wearing a steel cap.

As you can see, he's quite well armed; pistol and sword make a good combination, and he has a dirk tucked in at his belt as well.  The riders will all share a fairly similar armament, placing them firmly in an assault role, rather than a flanking one.

The shield is an old generic round shield, with the rim filed down and the edges beveled slightly to soften it and suggest that it has a leather face stretched over it.  There is no other baggage on the horse, as I didn't want to crowd it up.

  The reiver can be removed; a foot version of him will be built so he can dismount etc.  He has a pin placed rather uncomfortably in his ass.

Border Library

Here are the books currently featured in my Border library:

The Steel Bonnets
by George MacDonald Fraser

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Strongholds of the Border Reivers (Osprey)

The Border Reivers (Osprey)

Border Fury

Candlemass Road

The Reavers

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Border Reiver Supplies

This list will be updated as I find new stuff.  Feel free to note links in the comments.


Border Reiver Castings link (UK)

A decent mix of foot and mounted figs with a variety of weapons.  Most interestingly, they have a small selection of civilians, pictured above.  Also, mounted figs come paired with a matching foot version.  Distributed by Northumbrian Painting Services.

Dixon Miniatures link (UK)

The "Flodden" line also includes some Mounted Border Reivers.  These are my least favourite sculpts; I don't think they really have a great sense of proportion, and the equipment is more military than raid oriented.  Also, at 2.50 GBP (per rider and horse), they are not materially cheaper than the other lines.  The Foot are all from the Flodden line.



Grand Manner link (UK)

 Features a wide variety of resin buildings.  Their Bastle House is well worth a look, as is the Stone barn and Stable.  At 40 GBP+, these are price, but it's better than trying to carve all that stone yourself....  They also have Stone Walls for your barnekin, but these are pricey too.  Also, the poorly bevelled bases are a turn off for me.


Graven Images (by Monolith Designs) link (UK)

 Stocks a similarly sized range as Vendel.  An interesting feature is that you can buy a Foot Reiver band as one pack, and what appears to be the Mounted version as a second pack.  Each pack is "character" based:  Auld Wat, Red Rowan, etc.  No separate animal packs, but there is a Bishop!  Also features some appropriate buildings.  Probably.  There's no photos of the buildings.

UPDATE (2015 01 15):   This line is now distributed by Hoka Hey Wargaming.


Gripping Beast link (UK)

 No idea if they are appropriate for the Borders, but they have some...interesting Sheep.  Also, some miscellaneous pack animals.


Megaminiatures link (USA)

 Sold only through an eBay store (or so it seems), this line is not great.  But it's cheap.  And how much do you want to spend on Sheep, anyway?  Some decent Pack Horses and Mules in there as well, though their Cattle are no good for the Borders.  Plus, there's this fig, and everyone needs one of those!

UPDATE (2015 01 15):  MegaMiniatures has ceased operations as such and sold most of the molds to third parties.  link


Outpost Wargames Services link (UK)

 Mounted and Foot Reivers, some Civilians, Artillery, Sheep, Hounds, and Cattle. I don't love the looks of their Reivers (and the paint jobs don't help), but the Slew Hounds and animals look pretty good, and are comparatively cheap.


Vendel Miniatures link (UK)

 Sells Reiver "families" ranging from 10 to 30 Mounted and Foot figs, as well as an additional line of Elizabethan soldiery.  Also carries Hounds and Cattle.  The dogs are large Mastiffs, and the cattle, contrary to their "Longhorn" name, are probably quite appropriate for the border lands.  You can also get Spear packs, in rounded point and planished varieties.  I ordered some figs, which haven't arrived yet.  It does look to me like there are way too many calivermen in each bundle though.

UPDATE:  The Vendel lines have been purchased by Sgt Major Miniatures link (US).
UPDATE (2019 03 28):  Sgt. Major Miniatures has gone down; it's not clear that anyone is distributing the line anymore.


Wargames Foundry link (UK)

 Some of the figs in the Seadogs and Swashbucklers collection may suit for Foot, and there are Sheep and Oxen in the Livestock collection.