Legion forces armour embelishment ideas?

[Hrolf the Cunning]

I was looking for input in terms of ideas to differentiate differen legions in terms of armour adornment, particularly armour panel modification. Some of the legions like Salamanders and Iron hands have obvious and well established ideas in terms of flames/scales and cog tooth pattern. Some legions are unlikely to be prominent in this department.

 

The point of this is to have a bit more diversity, for example raven skulls and feathers go with Raven guard, it would be nice to have some other defining features that could be either painted or sculpted on. I know that some of the legion specific specialists kits from forgeworld have headed in this direction somewhat but it would be nice to cover both a greater breadth and depth in this regard.

[Captain Nameless]

Any legions in particular?

[Hrolf the Cunning]

I was thinking more of a general resource of ideas/motivation but it was work on some Raven Guard that prompted the thought. 

[Kaedes Nex]

Raven Guard have the tribal tattoos going on. They're also big on beaky helmet "beak" painting various bone and white colors, painting arms/shoulders white, and various circular squad symbol designs. They also have a large number of vertical stripe variations for their helmets.

 

I like adopting a single thick stripe on a shoulder or perhaps a band around a leg or arm as a marking. A thick red stripe going down a shoulder with some sponge chipping to show the red paint scraping off and showing the normal armor color underneath sounds really cool to me, although I suspect I subconsciously stole the idea from Mass Effect's N7 and Commander Shepard.

 

 

http://www.imageupload.co.uk/images/2014/11/05/Untitled.jpg

 

[Hyaenidae]

Lightning bolts and eagles are always a win.

[Hrolf the Cunning]

Thanks Ultramarini, I do like that idea. I am aware of the tribal tatoo thing. I guess I was looking for some ideas of how to cosmetically alter to " lovingly artificed level" armour for elite troops eg. Dark Fury squad. There is a hint of it in the artwork for Alvarex Maun in Extermination. Raven Guard are probably not a great example and I realise my question/query is more than a little vague.

 

Another example would be knotwork on Space Wolf armour, looking for equivalent sort of ideas...

[Kaedes Nex]

 I guess I was looking for some ideas of how to cosmetically alter to " lovingly artificed level" armour for elite troops eg. Dark Fury squad.

 

This is from two HQs, and not an entire squad, but I thought it was really cool when I heard about it.

 

One of the Shadow Captains in M41 has the names of every wearer of his armor inscribed on it, so his armor is basically a suit of artificer Mk IV covered in inscriptions from head to toe, and he carved his own name on it when he thought he was about to die. His company chaplain wears a giant bird skull for a helmet and has the rest of the roc skeleton draped over his jump pack so he looks like a giant skeletal bird.

 

I'm also kind of interested in what's the best way to paint Dark Furies, otherwise they just look like a bunch of Vanguard Vets with LCs. I saw one guy use red claws for the LCs, and it looked pretty striking.

 

I wanna say Maun's armor adornments look kind of Aztec, but they may be the tribal tattoos. I'm not sure.

[Slips]

Their Weapons are called Ravens Talons (if you upgrade the whole squad to have them...very hefty cost but it turns them into a literal blender unit.) As such, I'd paint the arms a light grey-white and have the claws be black with a Pastel Blue or Mid to Dark Purple highlights on the edges of the claws.

 

Forgeworld also has some pretty decent upgrade kits for the RG that might give a glimpse as to how some of their more ornamented armor would look :

 

http://www.forgeworld.co.uk/Warhammer-40000/Space_Marines/Space_Marine-Infantry-and-Accessories/RAVEN_GUARD_SPACE_MARINES_UPGRADE_PACK.html

and

http://www.forgeworld.co.uk/Warhammer-40000/Space_Marines/Space_Marine-Infantry-and-Accessories/RAVEN_GUARD_SHADOW_CAPTAIN_KORVYDAE.html

 

For Imperial Fists, we could use the Templar Brethren and Phalanx Warder as a basis as to how ornate they're willing to get.

 

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y-s5qcu3Frc/VDlQg2ilrUI/AAAAAAAAjA0/JA85A10mvag/s1600/IMG_20141011_102038286_zpsfm8soy1t.jpghttp://heresy30k.invisionzone.com/uploads/gallery/album_116/med_gallery_69_116_112349.jpg

[MagicMan]

Ooooh... Pretty...

[Captain Nameless]

I shall purchase a unit, if for no other reason than those helmets.

[Kilofix]

I add filigree to my Emperor's Children.

 

I add script to my Word Bearers.

 

I add dents and mud to my Death Guard.

[deathspectersgt7]

Sons of Horus use my little pony symbols.Since Horus felt slighted by his Father.

[Kaedes Nex]

I add dents and mud to my Death Guard.

 

Death Guard: So hardcore they use battle wounds as medals.

[Kraytirous]

"My son, for demonstrating great martial skill and honor on the field of battle, I grant you this honorary motif for which all your brothers will know your ability."

 

*Mortarion proceeds to punch the marine in the head so hard he dents the helmet and perhaps gives the marine a concussion*

[apologist]

I guess I was looking for some ideas of how to cosmetically alter to " lovingly artificed level" armour for elite troops .

 

I think I understand what you're getting at – essentially motifs that help differentiate the Legions, rather than weapon choices/bits stuck on the armour? To take Space Wolves as an example, knotwork borders rather than fur cloaks. Is that right?

 

If so, I'd suggest the following:

 

Dark Angels – perhaps rounded petal designs, like the circular decorations here? (http://tresordesign.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/07_doges_palace_venice_545px.jpg. 

 

Emperor's Children – Elaborate filigree designs are very appropriate here, as well as laurel borders (http://www.fromoldbooks.org/Davison-Ornaments/pages/0894-oval-border-laurel-leaves/0894-oval-border-laurel-leaves-q90-818x1199.jpg). They also use a lot of open-mouthed faces (perhaps emulating the Emperor's armour?)

 

Iron Warriors – Dags or pinked edges work (https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4147/5071151531_44f3c19fef_z.jpg), as would – of course – the ubiquitous hazard striping. Personally, I think the latter's a bit overdone. I'd also consider square meandered design (also known as Greek Key http://thumb9.shutterstock.com/display_pic_with_logo/1463006/151440422/stock-vector-seamless-meander-patterns-151440422.jpg)

 

White Scars – The eternal knot (and variants) would be very appropriate (http://www.dragonflyquilts.com/userfiles/image/Gateway-Mongolia-1_lg.jpg). I'd also suggest some subtle calligraphy. Lightning bolts and weather symbols are cool, too.

 

Space Wolves – the aforementioned Celtic knotwork works beautifully (http://ceolas.org/pub/misc/celtic_art/celtic4.gif)

 

Imperial Fists – I'd use classic 40k chequers (though be careful not to make them look like New York taxis!) or more elaborate heraldic backgrounds (http://cdn.vectorstock.com/i/composite/57,19/heraldic-pattern-background-vector-1075719.jpg)

 

Night Lords – Lightning bolts and terror markings are de reigeur for the in-fashion Night Lord. I'd suggest red dags or isolated flourishes like individual blood drops, skulls or tally markings (http://image.shutterstock.com/display_pic_with_logo/72972/128564540/stock-vector-counting-days-with-chalk-marks-horizontal-illustration-128564540.jpg) could evoke threatening prison imagery.

 

Blood Angels – chequers would look lovely, as would more elaborate filigree. Perhaps feathering?

 

Iron Hands – Fairly classic crenellations are safe. Greek meander's an option here, as perhaps dags.

 

World Eaters – Dags for definite, along with hand prints, stripes and other 'primitive war paint' designs, like groups of dots.

 

Ultramarines – Meander designs look good – and rounder, softer ones can look good on the boys in blue. I'd also suggest radiating lightning bolts, and white and blue chequers.

 

Death Guard – Clean and clear: the Death Guard don't go in for fancy decoration, so I'd restrict it maybe to very plain single-line borders, or perhaps labelling particularly impressive gouges and damage to draw attention to it. They use spiked helms, so you could use spikes as a border motif.

 

Thousand Sons – flames (like Bad Moon orks http://spikeybitsblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/07825C0C-0FBE-4250-8953-A960152E61D7-21080-0000060B6B98A3D9_zps6096734e.jpg), script and heiroglyphs. Consider looking for different esoteric scripts, such as enochian. Egyptian designs are an obvious source of inspiration (http://thumb9.shutterstock.com/display_pic_with_logo/578551/173071586/stock-photo-ancient-egyptian-patterns-173071586.jpg)

 

Sons of Horus – Mesopotamian and Babylonian designs look great on these guys (http://www.dreamstime.com/stock-illustration-set-babylonian-designs-different-style-border-pattern-image41057625). I'd also suggest spikes, to echo the physical spikes that the Justaerin have. Also look into celestial designs like suns, moons, stars, comets etc.

 

Salamanders – Flames and scales are your go-to answer here. I'd also suggest hammered effects, and isolated hammer/anvil motifs.

 

Raven Guard – Australian aboriginal designs work well (http://i.istockimg.com/file_thumbview_approve/13259976/2/stock-illustration-13259976-aboriginal-tribal-borders.jpg), and you might consider some native American tribal designs (https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-36_QFUm_6XY/U_XfTaxXofI/AAAAAAAABG8/3Eesc7vpdn0/w900-h900/collection_of_native_american_designs.gif)

 

Alpha Legion – Greek alphabet letters (perhaps in a border) seem appropriate.

[GrandMagnus]

Apologist, what about Word Bearers? I know flames go great with them as armour decoration as well as pieces of paper with litanies and such, but what else? Small spikes perhabs?

[Slips]

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2rModnIP2rY/VDoPhDlPDHI/AAAAAAAAjCM/vFOOE_yyU0g/s1600/blogger-image-897950723.jpg

 

I think this is Embellished enough, don't you? :p

[GrandMagnus]

I cant understand I keep forgetting that picture Sculpting daemon faces here I come!

[Kaedes Nex]

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2rModnIP2rY/VDoPhDlPDHI/AAAAAAAAjCM/vFOOE_yyU0g/s1600/blogger-image-897950723.jpg

I think this is Embellished enough, don't you?

Shredder, you will not lay a hand on my sons!

[Hrolf the Cunning]

Thanks guys,

 

@apologist - your list kinda nails what I was getting at. Thanks.

[apologist]

@Hrolf; my pleasure.

 

@Anaziel; huh – didn't spot I'd missed one. Must be my Ultramarine side giving me a blind spot! Word Bearers are shown in a lot of the artwork (and the FW models) with esoteric symbols on them reminiscent of orreries – as though tracing the arcs of stars etc. I'd combine curves and arcs (https://www.ursa.fi/ursa/jaostot/halot/piirrokset/moila.jpg) with zodiacal signs and similar esoteric symbols (http://fc07.deviantart.net/fs49/i/2009/201/4/6/Planetary_Glyph_by_radicalTERRA.png).

[GrandMagnus]

Cool ideas, I will have to see if I can find the old Chaos Runes from the WHFB, those would look cool.

[KBA]

My 2nd battalion Ravens use a checkered pattern that's accented by red chevrons to honor their hosts post-Istvaan, Legio Atarus. I know that's paint, and not modelling like your OP is looking for, but it definitely adds unique flavor to my Heresy Raven Guard. Thinking up a nifty, yet subtle divergent paint scheme can pay big dividends IMO :)

 

http://s16.postimg.org/o5g5u935x/P5111908.jpg