But when WFB was shelved by GW, and the new Age of Sigmar set came out, I was tempted to try it out.
The models in this set are really amazing...
There's been a lot of on-line buzz that the Stormcast are basically fantasy Space Marines ("Sigmarines" is the new label), and I can definitely see this. These dudes have that chunky aesthetic in common Marines, which isn't a bad thing but does perhaps reflect the 40k-isation of the new fantasy game. GW now has two very narrow products: 40k, and 40k fantasy!
I wanted to try painting these guys out because I've never been good with gold. So I went with the GW painting method (even going so far as to buy the painting guide!), and I think that the new gold paints really work. I used the Retributor Armour spray as a base, then washed with Reikland Fleshshade, then layer Auric Gold and Liberator Gold on top. Liberator and Retributor are extremely nice paints, and they really shine when applied carefully.
These guys aren't varnished yet, but I will likely go with a satin varnish rather than the usual Dullcote, to preserve the armour shine.
I have four more of these guys in progress, and hoping to get them painted up quite soon. The other models in the set are spectacular: the Lord-Celestant on Dracoth is a really nice piece in particular.
As for the set being a "starter set"? It really isn't. These models are not snap-fit, and some of them require quite advanced skill to remove from the sprue and put together. There are so many small, delicate details... I wonder whether GW should've gone with something a bit more basic for the starter set; perhaps with less spikes and the like. The Prosecutor models are again amazing, but I just cannot see them lasting more than a couple of games. The wing spikes are just too delicate...
And the game itself? I'll do a post on that shortly....