Iron Warriors "Cyborganics" & "Automatons" WIP

[David'Berzerker'Bowers]

Greetings, all!

 

I hope to make this Thread a "Work-In-Progress" chronicle of the assembly, conversion and painting of what I hope to be (eventually) 3+ Squads of "Iron Warriors"-styled Chaos Space Marines and Aspiring Champions. These hardened veterans of the Long War have sustained grievous wounds that would kill nearly any other Space Marine several times over, and yet they have survived. The Iron Warriors Chirumeks and "Dark Apothecaries" have performed extensive mechanical augmentations on their bodies (grafting multiple bionic limbs, replacing numerous flesh-and-blood organs with bio-mechanical ones, etc.). These Iron Warriors, now known to their Besieger-Brothers as "Cyborganics", have gained such an increased Toughness, resilience, and resistance to injury through their myriad augmentations that they are able to "Count As" Squads of Plague Marines within the ranks of "The Iron Storm", my Iron Warriors Grand Company.

 

First up: here are some W.I.P. photos of Cyborganic Champion (Plague Champion) Cravex, leader of my first Cyborganic (Plague Marine) Squad (sorry, as he's still a W.I.P., he isn't yet painted, but will be soon...):

 

http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff118/bowersdavidb/The%20Iron%20Storm/Cyborganics/IMG_0253DescComp448x336.jpg

I always put a scratchbuilt Servo-Arm (usually constructed from various MechWarrior: Dark Age BattleMech parts) on my Iron Warriors Aspiring Champions (I always thought that this option, granted to them by the 3.5 CSM Codex, was quite "fluff appropriate" for the Iron Warriors, with their stated emphasis on Heavy Support choices/Vehicles/mechanization). I realize, of course, that it no longer serves any real purpose (except perhaps to help identify the figure as an Aspiring Champion), but I can always hope that, someday (whenever the individual Traitor Legion Codexes FINALLY come out...), they'll bring back the Servo-Arms...besides, they look cool.

 

http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff118/bowersdavidb/The%20Iron%20Storm/Cyborganics/IMG_0260CompDesc448x336.jpg

The Auspex/Personal Icon/"Counts As" Mark of Nurgle, mounted on the top of the backpack (note the three dots in the center...looks like a Nurgle Icon!), is the radar antenna from a MechWarrior: Dark Age MH1 Defense AA Tank.

 

http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff118/bowersdavidb/The%20Iron%20Storm/Cyborganics/IMG_0257CompDesc448x336.jpg

 

http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff118/bowersdavidb/The%20Iron%20Storm/Cyborganics/IMG_0256CompDesc448x336.jpg

 

http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff118/bowersdavidb/The%20Iron%20Storm/Cyborganics/IMG_0258CompDesc448x336.jpg

 

http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff118/bowersdavidb/The%20Iron%20Storm/Cyborganics/IMG_0255CompDesc_2_448x336.jpg

All the bionic limbs (and the mechanically-augmented bionic chestplate) are Necron Warrior arms, legs, and chest pieces, converted and modified to fit the Space Marine body.

 

For some time, I toyed with the idea of including a Plague Marine Squad or two in my Iron Warriors army, but I never actually did it. It was simply a matter of personal taste - I just never really liked the "fluff" background or the "looks" of Nurgle Marines, and they never seemed (to me) to fit with the "mechanical", or "inorganic" theme of the Iron Warriors. I make it a point to try (for the most part) to be something of a "fluff purist", and (according to the 3.5 'Dex), Plague Marines (being devotees of Nurgle) just didn't mix well with the overall Iron Warriors "Chaos Undivided" fluff/theme.

 

Then, I hit upon the idea of using "cyborg" Chaos Space Marines, or "Cyborganics", as I like to call them, to create a uniquely "Iron Warriors" method of representing Plague Marines. With the majority of their body parts replaced by bionic augmentations, these "cyborg" warriors are now more "machine" than "man" - and much, much tougher (physically) because of it. One could even suggest (for the sake of argument) that these "Cyborganics" are, in some way, a sort of "pre-Obliterator", perhaps going through the initial stages of the Obliterator Techno-Virus (which would help to explain away their increased Toughness, their "Feel No Pain" and "Fearless" special abilities, and, to a lesser extent, their "Blight Grenades" (Defensive Grenades - oily smoke grenades that release the Obliterator Techno-Virus when they explode, maybe?)). Taken together, these factors (in my opinion) provide a "thematically appropriate" way to represent "Counts As" Iron Warriors Plague Marines, in a manner consistent with the overtly mechanical theme of the Iron Warriors.

 

So, what do you all think? Good idea or bad idea?

 

Questions, comments, and suggestions are always welcome and appreciated.

 

More pics of more Cyborganics (including painted ones) coming soon!

 

Check out my Iron Warriors Army Blog (just started it), which includes a video of the TWENTY different WH40K Dawn of War: Dark Crusade "Daemon Prince" quotations/phrases that my TALKING Daemon Warsmith model ACTUALLY SAYS, in-game, on the Warhammer 40K tabletop (see link below):

 

http://theironstorm-myiwgcarmyblogat.blogspot.com/

 

You can also see pics of my Daemon Warsmith (Magnus Haephestus Titannicus) here:

http://www.bolterandchainsword.com/index.p...howtopic=202548

 

http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff118/bowersdavidb/IW%204th%20GC%20Sig%20Photos/IW4thGCSig-450x191.jpg

[manofmanynames]

Sounds like a good idea. The Cyborganic Champion looks good too. I like the necron bits you used to make the bionics, can't wait to see this guy and his squad painted up and ready for battle.

[Gyson_Vore]

I think the Servo Arm is a little too big

[maverike_prime]

oh! Consider this idea stolen! I've been thinking about ways to model different Cult Marines into other armies. I had an idea to do a unit of "Dark Mechanicus Seeker drones" that count as Thousand Sons marines. I think you just gave me a direction to go in to do the same with Plaguies.

Personally I would loose the servo arm. It just draws too much away from the model itself. Besides that, I like it! Alot.

[Lestat]

This looks to be good idea - the fluff is great and the idea of using lots of mechanical parts is a great idea.

 

I love the size of the servo-arm - it looks like it could right a Land Raider! However, my only drawback with the model is that it just looks too top heavy. I would consider bulking out the legs with some armour plates and maybe armoured cables.

 

Other than that, great looking model!

[David'Berzerker'Bowers]

Hey! I just had another "epiphany" about modeling/converting Cult Marines as "fluff-appropriate" Iron Warriors (sorry, no pics yet for this project concept - just now thought of it, I'll make a Thread for them when I get some assembled):

 

"The Automatons" - Iron Warriors-Style "Thousand Sons" Rubric Marines

 

Picture this in your mind's eye:

 

A squad of deceased, cybernetically-augmented, remotely-controlled "undead" Loyalist Space Marine bodies, with their armor still painted in their original Chapter's colors, but with the Iron Warriors symbol and/or hazard stripes visible on one shoulder guard (a deliberate and calculated insult to the enemy...heh!), all of whom have Necron Warrior heads (representing the fact that they are lifeless automatons).

 

These warriors are already dead, and are therefore Fearless. The mechanical minds in their cybernetic replacement heads possess only rudimentary motive and combat programming, making them Slow and Purposeful. Their dead bodies, now impervious to pain, also have numerous mechanical and structural augmentations, giving them a 4+ Invulnerable Save ("Counts-As" Mark of Tzeentch).

 

Their limited programming requires that these Automatons be maintained and serviced (and remotely controlled) by a corrupted Techmarine ("Counts-As" an Aspiring Sorcerer"), who leads the Squad (a la the "The Sorcerer Commands" rule).

 

The Automatons bear long-bore, Ultra-High-Velocity Bolters (which I will make using Space Marine Scout Sniper Rifle Silencers as barrel extensions) that fire specially modified Bolter shells which have sorcerously-enhanced armor-piercing explosive charges. These enhanced munitions, known as "Inferno Bolts", are able to penetrate virtually any existing form of body armor (AP 3).

 

So...what do you think of the idea?

 

I was thinking that a fielding a Squad of these Iron Warriors "Automatons", painted up in Imperial Fist Space Marine colors, would be a fitting (albeit perverse) tribute to the ten thousand years of HATE that the Sons of Perturaubo have for the Ancient Enemy...and it would also serve as an appropriate little "knife-in-the-gut" to any deluded Lapdogs of Dorn that one might face on the tabletop...

 

http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff118/bowersdavidb/IW%204th%20GC%20Sig%20Photos/IW4thGCSig-450x191.jpg

 

IRON WITHIN! IRON WITHOUT!

[maverike_prime]

I think you're over thinking the idea a bit. Thought you did just give me an idea of something along those lines. Lemme do some bitz box diving and I'll get back to ya.

 

EDIT:

 

Please pardon the so-so pictures and crap-tastic conversion. I did this in literally 12 minutes but it gets the idea across. The Iron Whimpies... er I mean Iron Warriors captured Enemy marines, then handed them over to their Apothecaries and said "Have fun". End result: Captured marines turned into Enslaved Servitors better weaponry. You could say they're using bolters with captured Vegence rounds. There's your AP3 bolters. The Sorcerer could be an Iron Warriors Tech Marine or Apothecary with cybernetic enhancements that allow him to control the enslaved servitors. Hmm, ya know I think I'm gonna do this. Where did I put all those servitor figures I built for my defuct Ad mech army....

 

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a316/maverike_prime/Warhammer/enslaved_servitor.jpg

[cunvikted]

I like the idea of your 1k sons counts as, fluff wise I think it fits and it ties in really nicely w/ what you're trying to do, I think you should do it.

 

Instead of necron heads, use regular space marine heads, dremel half of it off, use GS to make the rest of the head and have wires coming off of it...I kind of used the idea on one of my obits that I made.

 

Here's the link to the one I'm talking about...it's the second oblit I made...which reminds me, I need to post the last part of that WIP...keep up the good work

 

http://www.bolterandchainsword.com/index.p...5&hl=Oblits

[TempusCorvus]

this is an excellent idea for someone who only wants to do a certain army, but still wants other cult marines. The thousand sons is even better in my opinion. The only thing I don't like is that the necron limbs make it seem far too frail.

 

Also, Maverike_Prime, where did that pauldron come from, I've never seen that version before.

[Janitor101]

this is an excellent idea for someone who only wants to do a certain army, but still wants other cult marines. The thousand sons is even better in my opinion. The only thing I don't like is that the necron limbs make it seem far too frail.

 

Also, Maverike_Prime, where did that pauldron come from, I've never seen that version before.

 

Ravenguard Battleforce, that's the source I know of.

 

That's a neat idea for using other themed marines in a IW army, I may have to stealz.

[David'Berzerker'Bowers]

http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff118/bowersdavidb/The%20Iron%20Storm%20-%20Iron%20Warriors%20Army%20Blog/Troops/The%20Automatons/IMG_0262.jpg

I managed to quickly cobble together and prime an Automaton - I'll try and get it painted in short order.

 

http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff118/bowersdavidb/The%20Iron%20Storm%20-%20Iron%20Warriors%20Army%20Blog/Troops/The%20Automatons/IMG_0261.jpg

I built it using a standard Space Marine and a couple of Necron Warrior parts (the head and the barrel extension for the Boltgun). One can envision the Necron Warrior head as either an entirely new cybernetic replacement "head" for the figure, or perhaps as merely a skullface-shaped metallic mask placed over the bare head of the (now) fallen Space Marine. The barrel extension can be imagined as a modified "muzzle supressor" nescessary to accommodate the greater recoil produced by the sorcerously-enhanced, high-velocity armor-piercing "Inferno Bolts"...

 

http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff118/bowersdavidb/The%20Iron%20Storm%20-%20Iron%20Warriors%20Army%20Blog/Troops/The%20Automatons/IMG_0265.jpg

I changed my mind about using the Space Marine Scout Sniper Rifle Silencers for barrel extensions - I tried using one of those "Gauss Flayer" green plastic tubes from a Necron Warrior's weapon as a "test" barrel extension, but it looked pretty stupid (in my opinion). However, adding the barrel tip from the Necron Gauss Flayer to the barrel of the Boltgun gave it just enough of a different "exotic" look for my purposes (differentiating these "Inferno Boltguns" from standard Boltguns).

 

http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff118/bowersdavidb/The%20Iron%20Storm%20-%20Iron%20Warriors%20Army%20Blog/Troops/The%20Automatons/IMG_0264.jpg

I primed the figure in white because, unlike the other units in my Grand Company (nearly all of which will be primarily Boltgun Metal in color), the primary color of my Automatons will be a fairly bright yellow (i.e., all ex-Imperial Fists Space Marines).

 

http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff118/bowersdavidb/The%20Iron%20Storm%20-%20Iron%20Warriors%20Army%20Blog/Troops/The%20Automatons/IMG_0263.jpg

Before final painting is done, I also plan to add significant amounts of battle damage in the form of "mortal wounds" to each Automaton's power armor on an individual basis. Such "mortal wounds" could be represented by a row of shell holes from a Heavy Bolter, a single large hole burnt clear through the armor by a Lascannon beam, the deep impact crater in the armor formed by a Krak Missile, a deep slice cut in the armor by a Power Weapon, or one of many other methods of "grisly death"...in fact, I could use some good suggestions in this regard...

 

http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff118/bowersdavidb/The%20Iron%20Storm%20-%20Iron%20Warriors%20Army%20Blog/Troops/The%20Automatons/IMG_0266.jpg

In my opinion, this is just a "quick-and-easy" way (using materials I already happen to have on-hand) to make what I believe to be acceptable proxies for Iron Warriors "Counts-As" Thousand Sons Rubric Marines.

 

I'll try to get an Iron Warriors corrupted Techmarine ("Counts-As" Aspiring Sorcerer) assembled and painted soon as well...

 

In the meantime you can see more W.I.P. pics of units in my Iron Warriors Grand Company at The Iron Storm - My Iron Warriors Army Blog!

 

http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff118/bowersdavidb/IW%204th%20GC%20Sig%20Photos/IW4thGCSig-450x191.jpg

IRON WITHIN! IRON WITHOUT!