Bases Done, Decals Later
We always like these little almost-finished hobby updates, because they feel very real: not the polished “everything is perfect” end result, but that late-evening push to get a unit ready for the next day.
This time, end3r showed off a squad that still needs decals on the shoulder pads, but the bases are finally done — and honestly, that already does a lot for the whole look.
What we really liked here was the decision to go beyond the usual rocks-and-grass approach. Instead of keeping every base super simple, end3r started adding bits of equipment and extra little details to make them feel more lived-in. That kind of basing can really help a unit tell a story, even if it’s just through scattered gear and battlefield clutter.
There was a bit of hesitation about whether it looks fully “natural” when every model has something lying around on the base — which, to be fair, is a very relatable hobby doubt. But sometimes it’s worth just committing to the idea and seeing it through. In this case, we think it works, especially because it clearly came from a specific inspiration: the original Angels of Death, where that kind of extra visual detail was already present.
And that’s probably our favourite part of this update: it wasn’t just copied directly. The original AoD sparked the idea, and then end3r added his own spin on top.
Of course, no rushed pre-deadline painting session is complete without at least one “I should have done this differently” moment. Here it was the varnish — spray would probably have made life easier than doing it by brush, and there was also the classic hindsight that the shoulder pads should have been finished before sealing everything up.
But that’s hobby life, isn’t it? Sometimes it just has to be good enough for tomorrow.
And honestly? Even unfinished, this already looks really solid.