Needing some Inspiration

[Ederan]

Howdy! So I'm currently in the final stages of building and painting my Deathguard army and I am starting to turn my eyes to bigger, higher quality projects to further push my boundaries, mainly in painting and modelling. I began playing WH40K back in.....jeez....17 years ago, in 3rd Edition...sooo....1997?? I was like 10 haha Any way, got the starter kit with Space Marines and Dark Eldar for christmas and some how the game stuck with me through the years. I've never had a "full" army until my Deathguard (an 8 year project that constantly evolved and prevented completion), so I want to keep the momentum going and take things to the next level. I want this project to be sort of a "showcase" piece.

 

So. I've decided to go back to my roots and create a DIY Space Marine Chapter, and after reading the DIY resources.....my head hurts, to put it mildly. Every idea I ever had...was basically included in the "don'ts" haha but thats not an issue. They were just quick, off the top of my head excuses. Though a short story about the Chapter ending with a mysterious figure (who's hinted at belonging to the inquisition) watching them train or something is still pretty cool! That being said, I've worked out a color scheme, got a name (from a cheesy name generater based off of my birthday) and a basic tactical doctrine, I'm just not sure of how to create the "why". So, heres the small introduction:

 

Chaper Name: The Emperors Consuls

Chapter Master: Javos Dominax (randomly generated)

 

Colors:

Tactical Squads

 

Veterans (squad sgts, command squads, sternguard etc)

 

Initially I thought this army would be very regal (as the name would imply), but at the same time I am so sick of painting loads of detail; chaos has waaaay to much trim and embelishments. It's definitely trying my patience. So that being said, I want to try and confer the idea that this is a some what new chapter, with no real trophies or badges of honor as of yet. I was thinking the banners would have a simple Aquila. Squad/company markings will be non existent as well. Maybe this could be explained from a tactical perspective, so that the enemy won't know which units he's up against and keep him on his toes. That being said the only embelishments will be for rank, in the form of a helmet crest, different helmet color, fancy pauldron (eg from the sternguard box), or loin cloth etc.

 

As for tactics and preffered weapons I wanted to stay away from tooo many lascannons, and most definitely plasma is a no no (coming from deathguard....dont want to repeat myself haha). After writing up my first 1000pt list, I noticed that I had an affinity for drop pods, meltas, flamers, storm shields, and storm talons. From this, I am sort of thinking that they would be more of a strike force geared for urban and h2h combat. A force that would be sent in with precise objectives in tight, closed off terrain, or even as an invasion, vangaurd type force. This would also give me a few clues as to their home planet. As for parent chapters etc, I was thinking The Salamanders (I will be taking their CT on the table top any way), but The Emperors Consuls just doesn't quite fit into that lineage I think. Is there maybe another chapter that could birth them?

 

So yeah...I don't know if any of this makes sense, I'm about to go to bed....Just trying to flesh out some key points and build off them...any ideas you guys wanna throw at me?

 

Thanks,

Ederan

 

 

 

 

[JeffTibbetts]

Sounds to me like true Sons of Corax. Raven guard, or Raptors for the win. Fits in very very well with what you're working up from a fluff perspective here. Why the Sallies? Nothing wrong with them (especially with drop pods/flamers, etc.) but is there something you don't like about Raven Guard? Some say our chapter tactics are weak, but a quick read through our forum section might change your mind.

 

At any rate, looking forward to what you're working on. Keep it up.

[Lysimachus]

 

So that being said, I want to try and confer the idea that this is a some what new chapter, with no real trophies or badges of honor as of yet. I was thinking the banners would have a simple Aquila.

 

26th Founding is your best option then, although even then you'd have had several hundred years of combat to have won honours etc.

 

 

 

 

I was thinking The Salamanders (I will be taking their CT on the table top any way), but The Emperors Consuls just doesn't quite fit into that lineage I think. Is there maybe another chapter that could birth them?

 

Ultramarines are the ultimate blank slate.

 

However, Salamanders could work too. There aren't any confirmed genetic issues that you have to include (the skin and eyes are suggested to be a combo of genes + Nocturne's sun) and fluff regarding Sallies Successors is almost non-existent (with only 2 official Chapters mentioned as potentials) meaning that there is nothing to either support or discredit whatever character traits you want to give them.

 

 

 

Squad/company markings will be non existent as well. Maybe this could be explained from a tactical perspective, so that the enemy won't know which units he's up against and keep him on his toes.

 

 

Piece of really old fluff here, but in 2nd(?) Ed painting guides Salamanders had blank banners, etc. Their markings were there, but painted in infra-red so they could be seen and recognized by their commanders/brethren but couldn't be indentified by the enemy.

[Ederan]

Thanks guys!

 

@JeffTibbetts - I chose the salamanders simply because their CT seemed to compliment my list the best. Is it acceptable to take a CT even if my chapter comes from a different chapter (ie Ultramarine Successor with Salamander CT). As for the Raven Guard CT, much of my 1000pt list is mounted in Drop Pods, so it just doesn't seem effective. Generally they will be played fairly aggressively, with the pods dropping amongst the enemy lines close enough so the units can support each other once dropped.

 

@Strike Captain Lysimachus -

 

26th Founding is your best option then, although even then you'd have had several hundred years of combat to have won honours etc.

Is it possible to forego the fancies in battle? I'm simply tired of the level of detail that the chaos models have, so I want to keep this army some what spartan. The idea is to try and create a show case piece with the right amount of embelishments to distinguish rank but nothing so over the top or over abundant as to get "lost in the sea of detail". That being said, all models with be wearing their helmets as well.

 

However, Salamanders could work too. There aren't any confirmed genetic issues that you have to include (the skin and eyes are suggested to be a
combo of genes + Nocturne's sun) and fluff regarding Sallies Successors is almost non-existent (with only 2 official Chapters mentioned as potentials) meaning that there is nothing to either support or discredit whatever character traits you want to give them.

Hmm, I have done some research into the Salamanders. I'll keep delving and see what I can come up with. As for home planet and location, would it have to be in a similar locale of the galaxy as the Salamanders, or can they get their own area? I like the example set by the Ultramarines in that they have more or less established their own "kingdom" within a system that they govern and protect.

 

Oh how the gears are turning....I really should be painting....the deadline was yesterday >.<

 

Ederan

[JeffTibbetts]

That's where fluff and rules sometimes don't mix. I'm also way into drop pods but right now I'm trying out Raptors tactics. Go figure.