II. Morinth - Rabenfeder's Imperial Guard

[Rabenfeder]

2nd Morinth Rifles – Imperial Guard

 

 

Hello and welcome in this thread!

 

With a few breaks here and there I always liked to play Warhammer (and collect as well as paint some sweet miniatures). After Imperial Guard, Eldar, WHF Empire and Wood Elves and my most recent break I decided to start again. My new project: another Imperial Guard army. Being a little busy, this will probably take a while – but that’s nothing too terrible, isn’t it?

 

 

 

I          Overview

II         Morinth and its forces – the fluff

III       Infantry

IV       Vehicles

V         Army list

 

Please don’t mind my English, I’m not a native speaker. I hope you’ll enjoy this thread as much as I’ll do. Critic and comments, questions and everything alike are always welcome!

 

 

Changelog

 

2021/01/10      Chimera finished

2021/01/06      Retrofitted Sentinel with hunter seeker missile; Chimera nearly finished

2020/11/07      New officer / command squad started (Chimera still in the pipeline)

2020/09/27      Some more guardsmen done; second Chimera started

2020/09/15      Bases done and redone; group picture

2020/09/11      Sentinel #2 finished

2020/09/01      Sentinel #2 WIP, snipers finished

2020/08/17      Some guardsmen finished

2020/08/16      Project revived! Restructuring the thread

2015/01/25      Sentinel finished

2014/12/18      Commanding officer finished

2014/12/13      Thread started – army pattern, Chimera

 

 

II         Morinth and its forces – the fluff

 

In this post, I’ll write about the army’s fluff and background. Both will be important for some gameplay as well as painting choices, so I’ll give you a brief overview that might be expanded later on.

 

* Morinth is a backwater planet that fuels some of the need for grain of its sector.

* Large parts of the world are used for growing grain; most of Morinth's population is concentrated in a few city states.

* The city states flourish because of the grainl exports. There are major differences in culture, mentality and self-image between the cities and the rural regions.

* The PDF regiments are connected to their city states and are often used as private security forces of the local rulers.

* The PDF lack combat experience battling extra-planetar threats.

* Operating in large areas with little to few settlements, the PDF are equipped for long distance operations.

* The 2nd Morinth Rifles is a regiment just recently commandeered by the Administratum (together with their sister regiment, the 1st Rifles).

 

 

III       Infantry

 

 

Here, I’ll link all posts where I show some of the II. Morinth’s infantry.

 

First steps

Guardsmen

Sniper rifles

 

 

IV       Vehicles

 

 

Here, I’ll link all posts where I show some of the II. Morinth’s vehicles.

 

MR-147 - a typical chimera of the II. Morinth

Sentinel S12

Second Sentinel

Second Chimera

 

V         Army list

 

The first goal will be a small 500pt force, after that, I'll bolster the army with various I like or that'll fit the theme. General idea: models I like > fluff > gameplay, though I wamt a "playable" force.

 

This project started a few editions ago, so everything is in a bit of a flux now. Vague goal: infantry, Chimeras, Sentinels. Maybe a Leman Russ Executioner.

Edited January 10, 2021 by Rabenfeder

[WarriorFish]

Good to see you're starting a new Guard army up, welcome! Don't worry about your English it looks fine to me :) I'll be keeping an eye on your progress as you forge your Guard army, have you got a colour scheme in mind for them yet?

 

Your 500pt list is good, especially as there's not much that we can do at such low levels. However there's a couple of things, I'm assuming you meant autocannon not assault cannon for one of the armoured sentinels and sniper rifles aren't a great weapon for veterans especially if they're mounted. Are you intending to build the units for larger games?

[Rabenfeder]

Hey there,

 

yeah it's probably autocannon, only got the German codex here right now (:

The sniper rifles aren't that good gameplay wise, but if I go with the fluff, I have a regiment operating in vast open spaces, probably facing guerilla enemies from time to time... a dedicated marksman (or three) wouldn't hurt there, I guess. So this is an example of fluff > gameplay for me.

My first goal will be 500. I don't think I'll gather more than 1500 points overall, and for now, I don't want to plan too far ahead.

 

Got a colour scheme in mind, and I've already applied it.

 

 

Army pattern

 

The pattern and colors of the II. Morinth should reflect the army’s fluff; operating in rural regions, I chose some muted browns and greens. I wanted to have some kind of contrast so they’d look decent from afar and narrowed it down to two patterns:

 

http://i.imgur.com/A6PS0Gb.jpg

 

I decided to try the brown uniform and grey-green armor – I thought that the light armor color would make some nice weathering.

 

Having another model from some old project, I decided to test the colors quickly:

 

http://i.imgur.com/lLz4FtH.jpg

(with flash)

 

http://i.imgur.com/ACQU5id.jpg

(without flash)

 

I'll use other infantry models later on, I dislike the GW ones.

 

 

MR-147 – a typical chimera of the II. Morinth

 

Local unrest or pillaging as well as conflicts between the city states require mobility and flexibility. That’s why the II. Morinth’s backbone are chimera transports, ready to get the regiment to its destination and beyond that as fast as possible.

 

The model was my first one since quite some time. I wanted to show the long-distance nature of the vehicles and added some stowage with green stuff and bits. The smoke launcher was glued to the tower and fixed with some green stuff to be somewhat realistic. I also added some purity seals – what will protect AV12 vehicles better than some good old faith?

 

http://i.imgur.com/aYF8QVt.jpg

 

Trying some new things after all those neat elven armies, I experimented a bit with a blister sponge and inks to add some texture. I also used some pigments with the bases of my infantry models In mind: I wanted to show them being originated from an agricultural planet with some kind of harvested field bases. Some dirt would stick to the vehicles, especially being out in the field for a few weeks.

I wanted to give the chimera not only a number, but a nickname as well – but I had to find out that space on the vehicle is limited.

To reflect the brown uniforms and lighter gaiters of the infantry and create some kind of crest for the regiment, I painted markings on the sides of the chimera, inspired by British WWI tanks.

 

http://i.imgur.com/kqAJ7Qt.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/XCLA2GE.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/YcoolwU.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/EIRBNCq.jpg

 

My next projects are a sentinel and some infantry models by Victoria Miniatures.

Edited December 13, 2014 by Rabenfeder

[Augelmir]

Very cool! The chimera looks fantastic :)

[WarriorFish]

Ah yes, I think I remember. The Chimera looks great and we'll all be looking forward to seeing some Victoria models painted up :D

[Vash]

I am mostly impressed by the small green stuff details you have done on that chimera. Its those small things that few notice but really improve the overall impression of the model. 

Thumbs up for this and also great paint job on it :)

 

If I have something to criticise its only one thing, and its really minor :)

The glare on the lens and driver window. For me they stad out to much. The ones on the back are much more fine in its brush stroke. 

 

Anyhow, consider me as one who will follow this thread as it progresses. 

[Marshal Argos]

Very nice, I really like the colors you decided on, although both would have looked really good.  What I think I like best about the Chimera color is the simplicity.  It really is simple, but by adding so much weathering and fine details it really looks good.!  

 

Do you know what Infantry models you'll be using if you're not planing on using the GW ones?

[The Pounder]

The Chimera looks great, the weathering is about right, I have a tendency to go

over the top! Looking forward to seeing more.

[WarriorFish]

It's one of the few cases where "less is more" is applicable to something Guard ;)

[our_baz]

Such a good job, really impressive! Lets see some infantry next.

[Rabenfeder]

Thank you for the kind words! I'll use Victoria Miniature models for my infantry (and I use a lot of chimera's, so the prize will be okay I guess ).

Will see if I'll darken the lens reflections a bit.

 

But for now, the next chapter!

 

 

The commanding officer

 

Got the Victoria Miniatures shipment. Somehow I decided to build and paint my commanding officer first. Why? I don't know D:

 

In principle, Ketarina Levlund is a junior officer. But the higher officer's contacts to higher ups and sources in the vast bureaucracy of the Empire  resulted in a sudden loss of the II. Morinth's entire leadership - dodging the dangerous and non-lucrative service in the Imperial Guard, the senior officers retired because of "age" or "illness" or they were relocated to other regiments.
Because of that, Levlund is both an inexperienced senior officer and backed up by a cadre of motivated, but only recently promoted junior officers. The task at hand is somewhat eased by her aide-de-camp Fiddings; so far, she coped with everything thrown at her.

http://i.imgur.com/nrRYfwK.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/ujcJyYO.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/krnk2HI.jpg
 

(Photos are a bit too dark, will probably take new ones soonish)

 

I wanted a unique character that looks different than the other soldiers, but not too different - she's one herself after all. Because of that, I used a Victoria model as the base and added a longer skirt - you can see the difference by just comparing the models above.

To show that the camp-de-aide is a camp-de-aide, I created a tablet out of a jerry can (heh). The gun looks a bit odd, but not that odd in reality... I tried to bend the resin with hot water, but only with medium success. In general, the casts from Victoria are kinda difficult because of their detail level, their thinness and, well, the cast itself. There were a lot of broken things, had to use some metal pins to keep stuff together quite a lot or to use green stuff to hide gaps. But well, the models are wonderful <3

 

Reflecting the agricultural theme, I added a mix of spackle, sand, paint and white glue to the bases, followed by pigments, spirit and vanish as well as some dried gras.

 

The yellow on both miniatures is the command squad's color.

 

I'm unsure if I should weather them or not. I don't think weathering looks that great on those small miniatures or on a brown background. And if I weather the armor, it'll be veeery brown and I'll lack contrast.

Questions, comments, critics? Keep 'em coming.

 

Rabe

 

Edited December 18, 2014 by Rabenfeder

[walter h]

Looks good to me,as for weathering remember it might be grass stains,on their clothing instead of dirt,or dust with zandri dust depending.

[WarriorFish]

Now I really want Victoria models... great work!

[our_baz]

Nice models really nice. How about some battle damage on the armour rather than weathering?

[scatmandoo]

Look great and very unique for sure.

[Rabenfeder]

Well, there's even less time for Warhammer than expected. I finished a Sentinel some time ago, though, and I may fill this gap with it.

 

Sentinel S12

Chimeras are well-equipped for carrying troops all over Aricia and through battle. A battle group consisting of transport vehicles would be vulnerable and not very flexible, though. The Arician PDF use sentinels to guard their convoys and scout, but they are used in small skirmishes and larger battles as well.

 

The sentinel was painted like the chimera - with the same heraldry, weathering and colors. I used a bit more weathering than normal to reflect their tasks.

http://i.imgur.com/ABvCGoz.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/71W0Ib0.jpg

I'm not 100% pleased yet with the bases, I may test darker pigments to imitate acre soil. Like the infantry bases, I used a mix of spackle, sand, paint and white glue to the bases, followed by pigments, spirit and vanish as well as some dried gras.

http://i.imgur.com/9djK0ql.jpg

Following this forum's tutorial, I magnetized the sentinel's weapons to swap them on demand.

http://i.imgur.com/8U7j2KC.jpg
 

[WarriorFish]

Very nice indeed!  The colours and weathering looks great, and I really like the basing with the mud on the Sentinel's feet. The lenses look really good too, keep the updates coming! :D

[elmo]

Just realised that I have been lax in my duties and even though I have looked here before I did not comment... Bad Elmo, bad!

 

The vehicles look great and the weathering looks perfect. Lovely lens work on the sentinel and it is nice to see blue used. The care taken in painting the cables different colours is impressive too.

 

Carry on Guardsman. You do the Guard proud.

[The Pounder]

Loving the sentinel, the colours and weathering work really well!

More infantry please!

[Rabenfeder]

Well, there's even less time for Warhammer than expected.

Well... there was! But after a short 5-6 year break, I've returned!

Work and social life will still limit the speed of this project, but here we go.

 

Today, I'll show you some infantry I've just finished. After that, I'd like to talk with you about possible lists to aim for (500 / 1000 for now); a lot of things changed since I've last painted guard. They aren't even called Imperial Guard anymore...

 

But first: infantry!

 

 

 

Guardsmen of the 2nd Morinth Rifles

 

(Sorry for potato quality, only got a really :cussty smart phone camera and no proper setup right now)

 

Those men (and women) are the backbone of most imperial regiments - this one is no different. With its focus on mobility (and the lack of targets requiring such firepower), the 2nd Morinth Rifles lack heavy weaponry. And some things like plasma weapons are just really hard to acquire on a backwater world...

 

(Just try to imagine the shading. It's there, I swear!)

 

I've had a lot of fun painting, but oh boy it felt like learning to walk again. It was really difficult to pinpoint the colors I've used six years ago, but I think I matched them quite closely.

There are not based yet as that'll be an even bigger headache. Outside of the vague hints I gave myself in this thread some years ago, I've got no clue how to get there. Weathering and mud for vehicles will be another problem. But I hope I'll get similar results.

 

 

Let's see how long this one will go. Next stop: army list discussion (or special weapons?)! 

Edited August 18, 2020 by Rabenfeder

[WarriorFish]

Welcome back :D A lot has changed in these few years so there will be a bit of catching up to do, but don't worry the core concepts are broadly the same :) They look great and similar enough to the others - this is why I always note down my colour schemes :P

[Bjorn Firewalker]

Good job on the models. How will you decorate their bases? Edited August 18, 2020 by Bjorn Firewalker

[duz_]

These look great definitely worth the hiatus! :woot:

 

I struggle remembering what my paint schemes are with even less time in between painting! Fortunately there are some handy apps for saving recipes now :tu:

 

Special weapon wise I still like the humble Grenade launcher :D

 

Can't wait to see more :yes:

[walter h]

These are magnificent. Welcome back.

[Rabenfeder]

Today's post: response to feedback, some WIPs and first drafts for an army list.

 

 

Feedback

 

 

Welcome back A lot has changed in these few years so there will be a bit of catching up to do, but don't worry the core concepts are broadly the same They look great and similar enough to the others - this is why I always note down my colour schemes

 

Did this now as well. Still puzzled by weathering.

 

Good job on the models. How will you decorate their bases?

 

Not too sure, to be honest. A good question! I like the mud, so I thought about something like muddy fields.

Right now, it's something like this (without the water):

 

Greener alternative (without the palm trees):

 

Alternative with more grains:

 

Friendlier alternative:

 

Something inbewteen:

 

I'm not too sure, to be honest. Got any input?

 

These look great definitely worth the hiatus!

I struggle remembering what my paint schemes are with even less time in between painting! Fortunately there are some handy apps for saving recipes now

Special weapon wise I still like the humble Grenade launcher

Can't wait to see more

 

Thanks! I may have special weapons to show next week.

 

 

WIP

 

Yesterday, some magnets arrived, so I did some assembling.

 

 

Nothing too fancy. My first sentinel lacked a lascannon, so I got two this time. The sentinel model is really busy, so it wasn't that easy to find a place for the hunter-killer missile platform. I tried magnets for the platform itself, but that didn't work out well.

 

 

Also assembled some additional guardsmen (only five because I'm somehow out of bases). As you probably noticed, I'm not using the regular GW models, but models from Victoria miniatures. I really like the smaller frames and more realistic proportions, but those are a PAIN to assemble. Lots of residues from casting, bent or porous bits and quite a bit of green stuffing required. If you've got any questions about the models, shoot away.

 

 

I'm eyeing a second shipment, though, to get more guardsmen and some special weapons, command troops and character models. (:
 

 

Army list

 

With COVID-19 and my lack of models, I'm not seeing myself playing anytime soon. Maybe there's a new codex when I'm ready, that's why these first drafts are more like rough ideas of what the 2nd Morinth Rifles may look like.

Nonetheless, I do want to play later on - so if you've got any feedback for the list, that'd be appreciated.

 

++ Patrol Detachment 0CP (Imperium - Astra Militarum) [29 PL, 3CP, 500pts] ++
Regimental Doctrine: Astra Millitarum, Diciplined Shooters, Jury-rigged Repairs

+ HQ +
Company Commander [2 PL, 40pts]: Chainsword, Plasma pistol, Relic: The Laurels of Command, Warlord, WT: Master of Command

+ Troops +
Infantry Squad [3 PL, 50pts]
Infantry Squad [3 PL, 50pts]

+ Elites +
Astropath [2 PL, 25pts]: Psychic Barrier, Telepathica Stave

+ Fast Attack +
Armoured Sentinels [6 PL, 110pts]
. Armoured Sentinel: Hunter-killer missile, Missile Launcher
. Armoured Sentinel: Hunter-killer missile, Missile Launcher
Armoured Sentinels [3 PL, 45pts]
. Armoured Sentinel: Heavy Flamer

+ Dedicated Transport +
Chimera [5 PL, 85pts]: Heavy Bolter, Multi-laser
Chimera [5 PL, 95pts]: Heavy Flamer, Heavy Flamer

++ Total: [29 PL, 3CP, 500pts] ++
 

 

Reasoning:

Operating in large areas with little to few settlements, Morinth's PDF are equipped for long distance operations.

-> mechanized infantry

-> "escort" of Armoured Sentinels (that's where the anti-armor is, too)

-> no tanks so far as it's more of a mobile force not used to threats so large they really require that

-> Disciplined Shooters reflecting experience in long range combat in open spaces (fields), Jury-rigged Repairs the need for that in long operations

-> an Astropath for long range communication and some mumbo jumbo is never a bad idea

 

Possible further additions: Exterminator, Hydra, Command Squad, Melta SWS, more Chimeras / Infantry Squads / Sentinels, Vox-casters, an additional HQ.