Winter sucks. There’s no other way to put it. For me, it’s the hardest time of year. I’ve been dealing with mental health challenges for a while now, and while I’m working on therapy, treatments, and all that good stuff, sometimes it just feels like nothing is working. Add in the fight to stay sober and, well, it’s a lot. I needed something—anything—to keep my hands and my mind busy. That’s where Kill Team Cassius came in.
Why Kill Team Cassius?
I didn’t know much about the models when I picked them up, but I’ve always thought the Deathwatch were badass. These guys looked cool, and I figured they’d be a perfect distraction. What really excited me, though, was the opportunity to experiment. This wasn’t just about painting miniatures; it was about trying new skills, playing with different colors, and—most importantly—exploring different basing techniques.
Basing became the focus of this project. Each member of my Kill Team Cassius project got a unique base that let me try something new. And it wasn’t just about the here and now—the bases also gave me ideas for future armies. It was a win-win: I stayed distracted and creative, and I got a roadmap for bigger projects down the line.
The Bases
Autumn Base: This one features fallen leaves, broken trees, and earthy tones. It’s easily one of my favorites. It’s inspired my Death Guard army, which I’m super excited to finish painting the Combat Patrol for. I think the idea of life starting to become dead and dormant is an interesting take on Nurgle’s approach.
Spring Meadow Base: Vibrant greens and tiny flowers gave this base a fresh, alive feel. It’s going to be the foundation for my Deathwatch army. Nothing says “Die, Xenos Scum” like the spring time.
Swamp Base: Muddy textures and working with murky water made this base perfect to help bring to life my future Death Korps of Krieg army. Although working with the water texture was daunting. This one was a blast to make and it came out way better than I thought it would.
River Base: This was the toughest one by far. I tried to build a reservoir around the edges to hold the water effect, but it didn’t quite go as planned. I ended up filling it in bit by bit, and it’s still not perfect. Honestly, I think sometimes you just need to call it done.
Cracked Lava Base: I love the look of cracked, dried earth. This technique was pretty simple but super satisfying. I little bit of wet-blending and a lot of crackle paint – boom, lava.
Rocky Desert Base: Using sandy tones and a few green tumbleweed-like plants, this base captures the harsh, arid look of a sun-baked wasteland. It’s simple but super effective.
Skull-Covered Moon Dust Base: What’s more grimdark than a base littered with skulls? I combined moon-like dust textures with scattered skulls for an eerie, moon-like vibe. This one practically screams a dismal feeling.
Rusty Martian/City Base: This base combines industrial grit with alien terrain. Rust effects, orange tones, and bits of rubble make it feel like a war-torn Martian city. It’s got a unique aesthetic that stands out.
Trench Base: A classic for any war game, this base features rough earth, wooden planks, and a gritty, battle-worn look. It’s perfect for trench warfare settings and will combine nicely with the swamp idea for the DKOK.
Flowing Lava Base: This one was a technical challenge. I had to learn new painting skills to get the molten look right, blending reds, oranges, and yellows for a flowing lava river effect.
Snowy Mountain Base: For this one, I went all-in on icy textures and frosted details. Using snow effects, rocky outcrops, and subtle highlights, I created a cold, mountainous setting.
Lessons Learned
This project wasn’t about creating something perfect—it was about keeping myself grounded. The process of painting and basing each model gave me something to focus on, something to look forward to, and something to be proud of. Sure, not every base came out exactly how I imagined (shoutout to my river base struggles), but that’s part of the fun. It’s about learning, experimenting, and just letting myself enjoy the hobby.
Moving Forward
For my first big project—besides the Hive Storm Kill Teams I throughly messed up—this was a huge success. Each base tells a little story, and I can’t wait to expand on these ideas with full armies. The autumn base will lead to my Death Guard, the swamp to my Death Korps of Krieg, and the spring meadow to my Deathwatch. And as I tackle those projects, I’ll definitely be writing about the journey here.
Winter still sucks, but this project helped. If you’re struggling too, I’d say give something creative a shot. Whether it’s painting minis, building terrain, or even just trying something weird for the first time, it can make a difference. Stay busy, stay weird, and keep making cool shit.