Forge World Mark IV Armour + Command Upgrade

[Captain Semper]

The above quote (I haven't read Deliverance mind you) seems to be somewhat contradicting itself. On one hand it makes it appear like a bits n' pieces armour and on the other it says it's homogenous enough to be called MkV (i.e. it has features that are unique and distinct enough form its predecessor and what was to follow to qualify as a distinct armour type). I guess one can just say that whatever it's not MkIV or MkVI it's by default MkV whatever its specs and visual characteristics... However the MkV does have some unique characteristics that make it instantly recognizeable - the studs and the helmet. Which by the way was not like the MkIV at all or the MkVI for that matter... If anything it's more akin to MkVII. And up until recently MkIV was not depicted with studs, not on the models nor in pictures(I'm having IA10 - vol II in mind). I really cannot beleive I'm defending the very existance of what was (until recently) as distinct an armour type as any.

 

What can I say, I just love the MkV.... :D

[EPK]

It's obviously a distinct mark, regardless of when it gained such status - I can't really argue that. I'm simply arguing it's fluff origins and the reason FW may be putting studs on their Mark IVs now - a proto-Mark V of sorts.

 

I like the background better this way - It gives it more character. They didn't just begin to make a new mark of "cheap" power armor (due to lack of supplies - though that was of course one factor), it evolved from the modifications and repairs that the Marines (or more specifically, Techmarines) made themselves, as opposed to some sanctioned Mechcanicum forge world, to keep their equipment battle ready. So, Mark V's origins are with simple modifications to other Marks which eventually lead to a very distinct Mark of it's own as the modifications become standardized - even across Legions (though slight variations may be present). I do not see a contradiction in this process. It is a very organic route, born out of necessity.

 

Here is the older 1990 source. You'll have to scroll down quite a bit.

 

It's a slight departure from Deliverance Lost's account but still remarks:

...The Mark 5 used as many pre-Mark 4 components as possible...Being something of an improvised stop-gap, it is common for Mark 5 suits to vary a great deal. Where Mark 4 helmets, armoured plates and cabling were available these were often used...

 

Of course you will find the following some what contradictory to the newer fluff:

Production of Mark 4 armoured ceased, and a new type of armour was designed almost literally over-night. This was the Mark 5 or Heresy Suit.

A figure of speech of course. At least "almost" is there. the "literally" does not sit well with me - implying that it happened very quickly. However, if you consider the time it took to develop each armor mark, in comparison the Mark V, even with an "evolution" as I detailed above, may have been considered "quick".

 

However, like Mark V, fluff also evolves. I think the idea was there back in 1990 and Deliverance Lost just expanded on it - for the better in my opinion.

 

Sooooo, in conclusion Semper, your Mark V Consecrator models are now invalid - please send them all to me. In fact, send the Contemptor too, just in case it gets retconned. :P

[Captain Semper]

Hahaha!!!

 

That's it, I'm quitting the hobby, throwing all my models away and commiting ritual suicide. Then I'll expand my Hello Kitty collection. I think this is an appropriate response to the loss of the perceived integrity of the MkV, no? :)

 

Ooooor I'm taking up a Heresy army that'll be MkV heavy and avenge the honor of this venerable type of --armour in the field of battle! :P

[Olis]

Hahaha!!!

 

That's it, I'm quitting the hobby, throwing all my models away and commiting ritual suicide. Then I'll expand my Hello Kitty collection. I think this is an appropriate response to the loss of the perceived integrity of the MkV, no? :)

 

Ooooor I'm taking up a Heresy army that'll be MkV heavy and avenge the honor of this venerable type of --armour in the field of battle! :P

 

I'll go with door number one. :P

 

But seriously, it's fine to have 'heresy' armour being the defining aesthetic for the MkV suit, it's just that there's a blurring of the lines now. Like I've already mentioned, I'm more than fine with the situation regarding diverse marks. :)

[EPK]

Hahaha!!!

 

That's it, I'm quitting the hobby, throwing all my models away and commiting ritual suicide. Then I'll expand my Hello Kitty collection. I think this is an appropriate response to the loss of the perceived integrity of the MkV, no? :)

 

Ooooor I'm taking up a Heresy army that'll be MkV heavy and avenge the honor of this venerable type of --armour in the field of battle! :P

 

I choose Option A. Get to work. Mark V "Candy Armor" - the studs are actually candy buttons.

[mysteriousmaskedmystery]

i think it depends on what time period your army is meant to represent. i for one think that mk. V at istvaan III or even V is a little too early. now a bastardized suit of armor, made up of earlier suits mixed and matched with a few additional components from the mark V. set makes a good progression from istvaan V and on. then a traitor army will probably have a ton of mk V, while loyalists should begin to add in mk. VI, or in the case of the still relatively unscathed legions, they should still be using everything before mk. V.

[TennisBall]

Istvaan III should only have marks 2 and 4 with a bit of 3 for flavour.

Istvaan V would be the same except that the aftermath might have some loyalists sporting armour that is starting to look like mark 5. Oh and Emperor's Children marines without helmets get to show off their fabulous make-up attempts. Watch the popularity of that legion decline as the story progresses.

[Coopervisor]

Is it confirmed that FW are releasing the new Mark IV alongside the existing versions? As somebody who is aiming for a full army of Mark IV, it'd be good to have some variation for characters, veterans, etc. As well as the standard set for the bulk of the unit.

[Emperor's Scourge]

I think you guys are going a bit far by stretching the presence of studs as a bridge between IV and V. Some even going so far as to suggest a sub category? The Legion suits recently put on FWs website for pre-order clearly retain the basic features of their MK. In this case IV's distinctive breastplate and flaring knee pad.

 

I'm sure some of you have the Collected Visions HH book. Inside you will see several suits of armor that are divergent from the standard MKs. These are warriors and their personal suits of armor. Some suits have been with them for up to 200 years at this point. Maybe they just like studs?

 

Or maybe FW wanted to give us some sculpt variety since we're packing up to twenty suits in one squad? I, for one, wish they'd gone a bit farther than just slapping on studs. I think the Legion Mk III squad is now the best of the bunch because of the added detail on their breastplates.

 

It's all good. I've already got twenty MK IV suits. I need more MK II's and III's.

[fudblinker]

I look at the presence of the studs as a possible short term fix for damaged parts. Where they were stationed they may not have had access to a full repair part so may have had to use lower grade materials re-enforced with the studs ala mk V. The other modifications to the helmets and such could be explained similarly or as is already stated by personal modifications/local manufacture.

[EPK]

I think you guys are going a bit far by stretching the presence of studs as a bridge between IV and V.

 

I don't think it's a stretch at all considering the evolution of the fluff that describes how Mark V came about.

[Oir]

I agree that the Legion Mk III armour is really nice due to the added detail. I would have liked to see more of that and less studs tbh.... oh and the Mk IV to keep it's helms consistant. I really like the look of the Mk IV helm, and seeing one head of five with the grill face of later marks irritates me, because then I'd have to buy a separate head just for consistency.

[TennisBall]

I agree that the Legion Mk III armour is really nice due to the added detail. I would have liked to see more of that and less studs tbh.... oh and the Mk IV to keep it's helms consistant. I really like the look of the Mk IV helm, and seeing one head of five with the grill face of later marks irritates me, because then I'd have to buy a separate head just for consistency.

I think what they're trying to say is that a helmet of a particular mark can have several designs but that the overall look is similar and the helmet still functions more or less the same. That snub nosed one could be seen as an early attempt to produce a cheaper version of the MKIV. Given that the studs seen in the rest of the set suggest that access to proper workshops is limited, it's not hard to see that the legion MKIV set is representing the decline in ability to repair and replace armour.

The studs to me represent an inferior product stuck together with what they had, rather than decoration.

You could always buy the Red Scorpions veteran upgrade set if you need extra heads as you get 11 MKIV heads and torsos in that set.

[Captain Semper]

I agree that the Legion Mk III armour is really nice due to the added detail. I would have liked to see more of that and less studs tbh.... oh and the Mk IV to keep it's helms consistant. I really like the look of the Mk IV helm, and seeing one head of five with the grill face of later marks irritates me, because then I'd have to buy a separate head just for consistency.

 

You can still get the previous "clean cut" versions by FW. They do both the "new" and "old" versions so everybody's happy!

[Olis]

I agree that the Legion Mk III armour is really nice due to the added detail. I would have liked to see more of that and less studs tbh.... oh and the Mk IV to keep it's helms consistant. I really like the look of the Mk IV helm, and seeing one head of five with the grill face of later marks irritates me, because then I'd have to buy a separate head just for consistency.

 

You can still get the previous "clean cut" versions by FW. They do both the "new" and "old" versions so everybody's happy!

 

Captain Semper is correct. Both flavours are available to cater for all of us. <_<

[EPK]

Ah ha! that they do.

 

One set is labeled MK IV MAXIMUS ARMOUR the other studded set is LEGION MK IV MAXIMUS ARMOUR (and only found in the Horus Heresy tab as opposed to 40K > Space Marine Infantry).

 

Personally I find the "legion" modifier a bit of a misnomer, but I guess it was the best way to clarify.

[TennisBall]

The MkV also includes a helmet design which is based on Terminator armour research. That MkV set is also the only one that has non-segmented legs with external cables on the thighs and cables on the arms.

It would have been nice though if they'd made a new chest piece, the one they used is readily available in the plastic sets. What a missed opportunity to allow mixing of sets.

[Count the7]

Just picked up a set of the new MKIII Legion armour and Command Upgrade.

 

The MKIII Legion armour is very nice, new arm and leg poses. and chest plates from the Rapier crew. 2x Bear 1x skull sheild and thunder bolt and 2x thunder bolt. thefeet ar slightly differant (like the master of ordanance ones)

 

MkIII comand upgrade pack is exactly the same as th MKII one just with 2x Heads from the games day Bording Marine. i have used Transverse helmet crests to diferentiat between officers and i will use thease ones for my Sgts. it would have been nice for a MKIII Vox head. The MKIV Command variants do offer abit more variety.

 

though im not a big fan of the new MKIV veriant heads, they look to much like MKVII. All of my MKIV have been made from the Red Scorpion upgrade packs (though im only using MKIV for world eaters, and they can look battered and hastely repaired)