DIY Chapter Inquiry

[PyronusSouria]

I'm trying to design a chapter, and the first thing I want to settle on is a paint scheme for them. However, every time I paint up a marine, I like it for a few days then decide I don't like that scheme and change it. There's one type of scheme I've always wanted to try, and that's a camouflage style scheme. I was wondering if it would be plausible for a chapter of Marines to have camouflage style armour. They wouldn't be changing it based on the environment like an actual military, it's more for the stylistic aspect. Thoughts?

[Ioldanach]

While most Space Marine Chapters make limited (or no) use of camouflage (except by scouts), there are provisions in the Codex Astartes for the use of camouflage. If you really want to have a Chapter whose color scheme involves camouflage, go for it.

 

One thing to consider is the time and effort it takes to paint actual camouflage. While a camouflage scheme may look cool, there's a strong possibility that the reality of a camouflage scheme on an entire army is going to set in and you'll get very tired of the painting.

 

If you decide to go with camouflage, will you go with something along the lines of what modern militaries use? Or are you considered a stylized camouflage such as the original Tiger Claws scheme? And you may find it worthwhile to consider just why it was that Forge World changed from that scheme to a more more simplified scheme in the Badab War books.

[PorridgeMeister]

I'm trying to design a chapter, and the first thing I want to settle on is a paint scheme for them. However, every time I paint up a marine, I like it for a few days then decide I don't like that scheme and change it. There's one type of scheme I've always wanted to try, and that's a camouflage style scheme. I was wondering if it would be plausible for a chapter of Marines to have camouflage style armour. They wouldn't be changing it based on the environment like an actual military, it's more for the stylistic aspect. Thoughts?

 

 

Hi there, and yes there are Chapters that have used Camouflage patterns on their armour; look up the Mantis Warriors, Red Scorpions and Executioners.

[Shinzaren]

Quick issue you will run into is the fact that Space Marines fight in every known condition and environment. From snowy frozen worlds to burning deserts. From vast oceans to steamy jungles. Not to mention the void of space and on warships. There is no uniform camouflage that applies to every condition Space Marines fight in, so if you camo your guys, there is always going to be a world where you stick out like a sore thumb, thus negating the camo. That said, your marines could always repaint their armor every engagement, though I would think a lack of colors and chapter pride would anger the machine spirits of the armor and weapons.

[G3rman]

Executioner old scheme had them in a blue camo. You should check it out.

 

Also, I don't remember if it was army painter dip or spray but I remember somewhere you could buy it where it was literally one-step camo. Maybe it was just my imagination but you should look for it nonetheless, it would be cool.

 

Also, there is a Mantis Warrior WIP thread where he incorporated RT era camo paint scheme for some of his elite units, check his out for inspiration.

[PyronusSouria]

I have another question about a DIY Chapter.

 

Would it be possible to have their armour denote their rank? They would keep an indicator on the shoulder pad probably, but I had an idea where a basic tactical marine had the Mk 7 armour across the board, while sergeants had Mk 6 armour instead. Thoughts?

[G3rman]

Its said in the codex that most marines armor is mix-match of Mk armors, generally Mk. 6 through 8. If you were able to make it uniform throughout your army then I don't see why not.

 

Most veterans are the ones blessed with older armor anyway.

[GhostLegion]

I'm trying to design a chapter, and the first thing I want to settle on is a paint scheme for them. However, every time I paint up a marine, I like it for a few days then decide I don't like that scheme and change it.

hmm...to me this means you havent found a chapter/color you like yet. I will say that experimenting is fine and a good way to improve your painting skill, but i do know the frustration of not liking the scheme you thought would be so nice in concept. secondly, appreciating the final product is a good thing too, as good as liking your concept, but if you cant stand the look after a couple days...well...again, maybe you havent found your chapter yet. Personally, with this as your hang up, I would recommend coming up with a concept or a name before starting to paint.

 

There's one type of scheme I've always wanted to try, and that's a camouflage style scheme. I was wondering if it would be plausible for a chapter of Marines to have camouflage style armour. They wouldn't be changing it based on the environment like an actual military, it's more for the stylistic aspect. Thoughts?

while others have pointed out that camouflage is possible and has a precedent in 40k, I would caution that it is not the easiest to attempt. On cloth and folds camo patterns work pretty well...similarly to large flat surfaces like a tank. power armor, with the rouded surfaces, make camo slightly more difficult. If youre wanting more stylized camo, I would avoid woodland or tiger stripe patterns and look more to urban pattern breaker style....if at all. the problem with camo is it is intended for two general purposes: firstly it is intended to break up recognizable profiles at a distance, secondly it is intended to allow a wearer to blend better into the background environment. with these in mind, stylized camo is less likely than environmental specific...however, if youre wanting to build a table force in camo for a campaign or something...or focus your chapter's composition to different combat environments, this could be an excuse for multiple patterns of camo in your chapter....

 

Would it be possible to have their armour denote their rank? They would keep an indicator on the shoulder pad probably, but I had an idea where a basic tactical marine had the Mk 7 armour across the board, while sergeants had Mk 6 armour instead.

back in the rogue trader days there were specific markings for corporals, sergeants, captains, and imperial commanders. unfortunately this has fallen out of use. Codex chapters have the options of specific paint markings on helmets for sergeants, while captains have additional heraldry options to denote their persons. In your own chapter, I see no reason why you couldnt denote specific ranks on the marines, though i would recommend keeping it simple and in a visible, but unobtrusive position to the model...thats just me though... youre alternative of better armor for senior ranks could work as well, but this would be limiting to you and harder to explain out as chapters mix armor patterns so readily.

[Tubal]

Personally I feel they should change the pattern based on environment, because I think it's unlikely that a chapter would have a camouflage pattern as it's actual chapter colours. All the precedents I'm aware of are marines from pretty regular chapters with a proper marine colour scheme, but who choose to camouflage themselves for specific campaigns.

The only camouflage that I could see as the permanent uniform is some kind of dazzle pattern, which is used more to confuse opponents and make movement harder to predict than to conceal. Dazzle patterns are probably the hardest to paint though, since they rely on sharp edges and contrast.

 

Actually painting the models doesn't have to be terribly difficult, if you choose a pattern and method after your skill in painting. I would go for a simple blob pattern like Norwegian M98, paint the model in the lightest colour, add blobs of darker colours, ink it all, and highlight the darker colours. A drybrush (and I mean dry) of beige or some other light colour makes the models look realistically dusty.

Using standard terran colours like woodland, desert and urban will make the pattern easier for some to accept, but it is in space, so any colour-combination you like is fine. :)

If you go for an urban pattern, don't go grey-blind. Real-world urban patterns usually have some colour variation.

 

I seem to remember reading somewhere (possibly RT era fluff?) that marines never completely hide their colours, so keeping some part of the armour in the original chapter colour could be an idea. I may have made this up though. :)

[G3rman]

I remember seeing a marine from the Badab War or another campaign that had non-standard camouflage for armor, however, the shoulder pad sans the rim was kept in chapter livery and color.

[Sigismund Himself]

Personally I feel they should change the pattern based on environment, because I think it's unlikely that a chapter would have a camouflage pattern as it's actual chapter colours. All the precedents I'm aware of are marines from pretty regular chapters with a proper marine colour scheme, but who choose to camouflage themselves for specific campaigns.

The only camouflage that I could see as the permanent uniform is some kind of dazzle pattern, which is used more to confuse opponents and make movement harder to predict than to conceal. Dazzle patterns are probably the hardest to paint though, since they rely on sharp edges and contrast.

 

Actually painting the models doesn't have to be terribly difficult, if you choose a pattern and method after your skill in painting. I would go for a simple blob pattern like Norwegian M98, paint the model in the lightest colour, add blobs of darker colours, ink it all, and highlight the darker colours. A drybrush (and I mean dry) of beige or some other light colour makes the models look realistically dusty.

Using standard terran colours like woodland, desert and urban will make the pattern easier for some to accept, but it is in space, so any colour-combination you like is fine. :)

If you go for an urban pattern, don't go grey-blind. Real-world urban patterns usually have some colour variation.

 

I seem to remember reading somewhere (possibly RT era fluff?) that marines never completely hide their colours, so keeping some part of the armour in the original chapter colour could be an idea. I may have made this up though. :)

An ancient returns! Good to see you around Tubal, it's been too long :tu:

 

If you want them to keep a specific camouflage scheme as their default scheme, there are a number of possible justifications. It could be related to their homeworld, honouring the ones responsible for their culture by adopting the traditional camo scheme of the planet. It could be kept as a sign of remembrance of a particularly chapter-defining campaign. Maybe they're a particularly superstitious chapter and this colour-scheme has brought them much luck and many victories. In short, it's definitely possible and there's lots of different approaches to try :)

[Tubal]

That is not dead which can eternal lie. :huh: