How should I start my first HH Alpha Legion Army

[Operative]

Hi All

 

I'm planning on starting my first Horus Heresy Army and I've chosen to join the traitors and I want to create an Alpha Legion army set in the start of the crusade. Btw I'm not looking to create a super competitive army but rather a fluffy army.

 

What I would like is some advice on areas on where to start and some other topics (so rack your brains back to when you started)

 

Does anyone have any information on how to paint a purple colour scheme?

Does anyone know any good bits for infantry conversions?

Is combining armour variants a good idea? (Pics appreciated)

With what units should I start?

 

Any other tips or questions appreciated.

Thanks!

[Brother Dallo]

Hello Operative, and welcome to the wonderful world of the Horus Heresy. 

 

First off, you need to decide whether you are buying models from forgeworld, converting existing models, or a combination of the two. This can get expensive very quickly, but it's HH, so I'm assuming you know that. If you haven't already done so, I'd strongly suggest reading this excellent article on the Heresy.

 

http://1d4chan.org/wiki/Warhammer_40,000/Tactics/Space_Marine_Legion_List_%2830k%29

 

Most lists have at least one blob of 20 tactical marines, which are taken as part of your mandatory troops choice. Generally, you want to give your sergeants (and everyone else who can take it) artificer armour. On the topic of armour, you asked about mixing marks. It depends what themes you are trying to convey/what time period you wish to represent. You mentioned that you wanted an army from the start of the crusade. That will limit you to MkII only, but if you are willing to have an army from the siege of Terra timeframe, everything up to MkVI (and possibly even VII) is fair game. I personally like mixed armour marks, as they add character to your models, and don't leave you with a bunch of clones, which is possible with squads of 20. It also shows that resupply during the heresy was an issue, with soldiers often having to make do, and combine differents marks of armour. It was this exact thing which lead to the MkV suit, which is the designation given to any custom suit made around the time of Isstvan. Some legions are more "suited" to different marks, eg Iron Armour for Salamanders, IH, IW with Maximus for the "prettier" legions like the Emperor's Children, but all legions made some use of every mark (afaik) so go nuts.

 

In terms of bits for conversion, it depends what you're trying to do. If you're handy with green stuff, you can convert/sculpt entire suits. Here's a series of tutorials by the talented Gawain Veteris.

 

http://www.bolterandchainsword.com/topic/262448-heresy-era-armour-marks-cataphractii-update/

 

Unhelmeted heads from various PA kits work well with forgeworld parts, as do chainswords, open hands, reloading hands, pouches & grenades etc, plastic heresy marks (mainly mkV & VI) and other bits and bobs. Interestingly some OOP parts work well to represent Heresy era tech, such as the old school combat knives, and older styles of bolter.

 

If you haven't already, I'd suggest reading the forgeworld rulebook(s) relating to Alpha Legion, to mock up a few lists, then proxy them if your opponents allow you, to get a feel for the army. You don't want to shell out £££ for three Spartans to find that you hate assault, and prefer solid gunlines.

 

Regarding painting tips, it wouldn't hurt to snoop around the forums for a tone you like, and ask for a recipe. You might like some of the schemes in here.

http://www.bolterandchainsword.com/topic/299907-march-of-the-legions-xx-completions/

 

Hope this has been of some use.

 

Dallo

[Operative]

Thanks for the advice and help.

 

You mentioned something about PA kits, I'm not sure what those are so if you could shed some light on it it would be much appreciated.

 

Also for anyone who happens to read this thread:

Does anyone have any tips on how to create a unique looking praetor for my army?

 

I'm not a fan of the models forge world has for them but I would like to only order from forge world and any advice on modelling and creating something personal would be great.

[Adra'Melek]

There are some ideas here, although not Alpha Legion.

 

http://www.bolterandchainsword.com/topic/295135-the-chains-of-command/

 

You've got two ways to go from what I can see. Either really subtle so that the enemy can't identify the command structure. Or some funky scales, symbols, etc. There are some good tutorials for making capes, etc, in the general tutorial section.

[Brother Dallo]

PA stands for power armour, so basically any kit with marines in it.

 

In regards to the praetor, I have a few questions. What mark(s) are you happy using? That will have a large impact on which kit(s) are useful. How confident a converter are you? Are you just looking to kitbash ( combine bits from one or more kits, without any extensive cutting, sculpting etc) , or something more adventurous? What weapons do you want him to have? Is he on foot? Jet Bike? Jump Pack? Do you want him to be ostentatious, or blend in with the rest of your army?

 

If you feel brave, you could try giving him a dragonscale cloak, from the dark elf range, which would need a bit of cutting to fit.

 

Feel free to ask any other questions, we're happy to help.

 

Dallo

[Operative]

Thanks for the tips thunor's hammer and the link too.

 

As a response as to what sort of praetor I want to make him stand as so that he doesn't just look like a sergeant. Probably with a mix of mkiii and iv. On foot is definitely the route I want to go down and as for weapons I want something that isn't just the standard sword and pistol. Also I think my converting ability is good enough that I will feel comfortable chopping and changing bits but I'm no green stuff guru.

 

So as for questions:

How easy is it to repose the resin?

What wargear can you take on a praetor and what are the least used?

Does anyone have that quote from HH book 3 about what colours the alpha legion were seen in?

 

And if anyone has got more ideas on good bits to use I'd appreciate it.

Thanks Guys

[Adra'Melek]

Archangel posted the quote from Book 3 there about half way down this page

 

http://www.bolterandchainsword.com/topic/298727-march-of-the-legions-xx-legion/page-2

 

Which is a great reference for patient schemes as there a lot of different variations on here.  Then you could potential message the poster to ask the scheme if they haven't already put it up.  Metal bases with coloured washes seem popular.

 

I'm not expert but I find resin pretty easy to work with, in terms of cutting up and repositioning. But it can be brittle for the thin parts and I've had a few things like cables snap.

 

Praetors can take most things. Do you have the Army lists? Alpha Legions can take power daggers, which (I think) are specialist weapons and therefore give you the extra attack for some of the funkier weapons.  Paragon Blade is the go to one for 'power' but it depends what you're going for.  One of the good things for Paragon blades is they can be pretty much anything. I was going to make one up out of a tyranid bone sword, but you could use a spear, halberd, pretty much anything. So the praetors have loads of options and if you're not too worried about super competative you can have pretty much anything :)