making company captains look unique

[War Angel]

im trying to make my commanding units look differnt then line troopers. sure i can add a cape and paint the helm a differnt color, but there better protected with artificer armor, what are some ways to make the armor look like it was made better then the standard power armor.

 

while im here, any advice on making power/relic weapons that look like there unique and not mass produced?

[Olis]

I'm not sure about the 'uniqueness' of this but if you can get a hold of some Forgeworld bitz for your captain then that can go long way to making him look more individual than the troops he commands.

 

Failing that, use disparate parts, pieces from other kits; a DC piece here, a SW helmet there, a BT bolt pistol etc etc.

[Glaeken Templaris]

well you could always fork out the extra cash and get a set of heresy armour from forgeworld. if my fluff-fu those who still have access to relics such as parts from marks1-4 are held in high regard by there peers and would be fitting for captains aswell are any sergents in your units

[Jimmy Carmine]

Kitbashing is oftena a good way to make a model look that little bit more unique. I used the Company Champion torso front with the Commander torso rear to make a tabard and cloak and then used a Venerable Dreadnought head (the one with the heresy studs) to round off something that stands out from the crowd.

[War Angel]

thanks for the advice. some good looking stuff

[Shadey]

Plasticard is a source of extra armour plates.

 

You could if your plasticard-fu is not up to it various other models including fantasy knights can donate pieces or be used as a template to make a mold for a putty (I wouldn't use green stuff, you will want something crisper and harder that you can file). Both methods though would involve a fair amount of work.

 

Greyknight power armour is also a good option.

 

Or go the lazy route and just paint scriptwork/trim/whatever in gold or various subtle images/icons on the armour.

[War Angel]

where can i get this plasti card

[Montuhotep]

If you have a model railway store near you then that an be a prime source for it. Other than that, webstores offer the best selection, though you might get stung when it comes to delivery costs if you're not buying a lot of it. Flat sheets are usually about A4 size but can be embossed with all manner of designs - brickwork, stone courses, diamond-style treadplate etc etc. Is also known by the term Sheet Styrene.

 

Try this one: Evergreen

[Hemal]

You can as stated:

 

1) Kit bash - usefu kits are the sanguinary guard, the Death Company, the Dark Angels sprues, Black Templars sprues

2) Using alternate base models - e.g. Masters of the chapter with some simple head swaps or weapon swaps (should be easy enough..), Templars Sword brethren etc

3) More complex conversions - combine metal and plastic models - you need to have a jewellers or razor saw, Greenstuff, pin vicce and patience for this...

4) Custom scuplts - create your own details - either through casting parts from another model and adding them to your own or else

 

And example of 3 I am doing is taking the classic Dark Angels Master figure (1980s heritage) and replacing the sword arme with azrael's sword of secrets. Simple but the character of the model changes...

[War Angel]

do you have a picture of that?

[DV8]

A simple way to make your characters stand out from your rank and file is to elevate them with a taller base. When they stand a head taller than the models around them, they'll attract more attention without too much effort on your part.

 

Another great way is to introduce some contrast colors and brightnesses. For example, my Space Wolves have a very "drab" color scheme (Codex Grey armor, Black weapons, etc.) but have "pop" in the form of their yellow shoulder pads. My characters have a lot more bone and skin on them as brighter colors that further set them apart from the models around them.

 

Conversely, if you have a lot of bright models, considering adding some blocks of darker colors (on capes, weaponry, shoulder pads, etc.) to achieve that same kind of contrast.

 

Lastly, ornate details like freehand and filigree area great way to add subtle effects and things you can go the extra mile on; that kind of fine work is great on characters because it makes them unique and individual (after all, you won't be painting that same free hand on every model in your army)

 

 

DV8

[Pulse]

All good suggestions DV8. :)

[Hemal]

do you have a picture of that?

 

Will try and post one.

[Valkyrion]

My Siege Master used an Iron Hands chest and thunder hammer, mk 2 legs, chronus's head, double eagle back pack, caped back, masters of the chapter storm shield.

 

All of that was in my bits box, aside from the iron hands bits which I ordered from a bits site.

[Olis]

Nice, um, got a pic? :D

[Lorenzen]

making unique captains isnt too hard, especially with the abundance of power armoured stuff available to us nowadays.

 

personally i find sculpting to be my prefered method of making my special characters unique.

 

http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd199/typhion/DSC00128.jpg

blood angel character

http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd199/typhion/DSC00275.jpg

ultramarine version of pedro cantor

http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd199/typhion/Image017.jpg

fire angel captain

 

although just working with plastic you can still make something suitably funky

http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd199/typhion/DSC00133.jpg

 

as long as you have a general idea of what you want your captain to look like chances are theres parts to make the majority of him.

[War Angel]

whats that on the legs of the last one?

[Lorenzen]

the legs of the last one are just a basic set of plastic sanguinary guard legs.