Whiich Shoulderpad where?

[Prosedragon]

Good day everyone,

 

Which shoulder does the chapter symbol go on? As best I can tell its the left, but that's also where the terminator honors shoulderpad goes. Does this mean veterans don't get the chapter symbol on a shoulderpad?

 

I've been building marines for 2 years and I don't know this, I feel like a total failure. Help me please!

[The Normish]

Well, from a Marine's perspective, the Chapter Badge usually goes on the left shoulder, and squad markings on the right.

On Terminators, the Crux Terminatus goes on the left and the Chapter Badge on the right. Who knows why.

 

Of course, nothing prevents you from mixing it up, or doing it however you want.

[Prosedragon]

I've done that in the past (past 2 years, that is) and it's started bothering me more and more.

 

What about power armored veterans? Their terminator honors go on the right?

[Octavulg]

Back in Rogue Trader, the Chapter symbol went on the right shoulder (not least because the left was covered in studs). Terminator models haven't changed as much as power armor models have in the intervening time.

 

Personally, I'd say it makes a lot more sense to keep putting them on the right. Anyone who questions your decision is a Communist.

[Prosedragon]

My marines may be red, but I am not! Your logic is sound, sir, and the chapter symbol will go on the right side.

[G3Spoon]

I've got another...

 

When a Space Marine is Inducted to the DeathWatch, his chapter symbol changes from left to right, he paints the rest of the armour black and adopts the Inquisitor shoulder pad.

 

What does he do when he returns to the chapter. Keep the shoulders the same:

Right - Chapter Left - Inquisitor,

 

Or back to the Chapter Method:

Right - Inquisitor Left - Chapter,

 

Or is he just so good he can do both?

[Arnil]

They normally keep their armor from the deathwatch as is...maybe repaint it back to their chapter colors. Or they go completely back to normal.

[hmk17]

When a Marine joins the Deathwatch, the entire armor (except for the Chapter Shoulder and left arm) is repainted black. The Inquisition pauldron is added to the left shoulder while the chapter symbol is moved to the right shoulder. The left arm is actually bare ceramite, not silver paint. The original shoulder and the bare arm is to prevent from offending the machine spirit of the armor by completely repainting it a different color. (Power Armor is sensitive apparently).

 

When he returns to the chapter, the armor is redone back to its original color scheme and usually with the set up the Marine previously used. Given that the Marines are not allowed to speak of ANY of their actions during their tour in the Deathwatch, most probably welcome a return to complete familiarity. Some marines keep their Inquisition shoulder in place as a badge of honor, having been selected and survived a tour of duty in the Deathwatch. One of the captains of the Crimson Fists is mentioned to do just that, in Wrynn's World.

 

 

Truthfully, all the fluff about this that you can look up is mainly because that's the way modelers did up their figs way back when and it just stuck. However, do what you want and make no apologies comrade... err, friend.

[Dave the Twisted]

I'm looking at the GW Termies and it seems that they put their chapter emblem anywhere they want/can on their armor, but it's commonly on their right shoulderpad. I make a note of the Sergeant who bears a cross icon on both shoulders and has his Chapter emblem displayed on his left leg.

 

Looking at the Veterans, I see both shoulderpads covered in ornate details, so I will also say that they put their emblem wherever they want/can if they have no room to put it on their right shoulderpad.

 

My conclusion: The Machine Spirit will be pleased if the chapter symbol is displayed somewhere visible, but not necessarily always on the left shoulderpad.

[G3Spoon]

Thanks guys,

Can't wait to model up my idea.

[Brother Cambrius]

I think the reason why the chapter symbol owuld be on the left was because with the marines being right handed with their bolters (even if I convert some to be more adept with their "sinistra" hand like me....:lol: ) so when they'd advance, you as an enemy would see the chapter symbol and quake in fear...if you knew who the chapter was that is. ^_^

 

Cambrius

[Olgerth Istaarn]

There's a little notch on the terminator shoulder pads, and the notch should be on the front of the mini (as per artwork). This helps sort out which pad is left and which pad is right. Crux Terminatus is always on the left, so when I build PA sergeants with Terminator Honors, the PA shoulder with the Crux goes on the left as well.

 

Deathwatch shoulder pads have the extra ridge along the top edge, the ridge is shorter on one end and longer on the other. The shorter end should be on the front of the mini, as per artwork.

 

Regular PA pads have a small rectangular imprint along its lower edge (visible in the B&C SM Painter, for some reason only on the right shoulder). The imprint should be on the front of the mini. This one matters the least, especially if you have dark/black shoulder pads...