Mors Indecepta - Hydra's 30k WIP's

[Daemon2027]

Thanks, I have found a nice groove with them. Also them being opposite in terms of colour schemes is intresting.

 

I feel the Raven Guard could be made very intresting, I would like to explore a mix of armour marks that represents their shattering on Isstvan V, and modifying armour to make it more practical. For example I would like to make Mark VI more varied, it is after all a prototype.

The Praetor above is in Mark IV, an establish model that is more reliable for command purposes, but he has modified it with segmental plates on the the thighs and torso. This makes him more mobile, but reduces the armours protection from stabbing and slicing weapons.

[Daemon2027]

Right so I've been hankering for some indigo recently, Dantay dropped a good recipie, plus I was looking over AlanofAngels Alpha Legion from last year, and I think I know what I would do. The praetor is coming along nicely, I've made a few changes, but I don't want to go ripping off shoulder pads so he is staying XIX legion. Also, who would look after his cyber raven, whose also had some minor work.

With him set I glanced around my workspace, and saw my World Eater conversion of Narik Dreygur, and I had no problem ripping his arms off. So here I present my Alpha Legion Praevin.

Now back story wise I had an idea ages ago of Alpha Legion marines giving themselves over to be intombed in dreadnaughts despite being fit. The thought was as a young legion they would have less of these machines, so in true 'what the primarch asks of us' fashion they willingly sacrificed themselves to become killing machines. I can't see what these idea doesn't work for the Praevin, giving himself to the tech marines and bonded Mechanicum Magoses to be turned into a weapon to be used by Alpharius Omegon.

 

So ETL wise I now have two models to paint (3 if we count the cyber raven)

[Kizzdougs]

Looking beautiful, dude! I love the 'willing sacrifice' idea as well. I think it fits the XX nicely :tu:

[chaplain mortis]

Lovely chop up of the Narik model...was to scared to even attempt anything on mine lol

 

So just so im up to date as been away for a few weeks. ...

 

Your now doing Raven eaters legion???????? Lol

 

As always mate I just look forward to seeing your great work ;-)

[Daemon2027]

Thanks Kizz.

 

Mortis, teaches you for going away.

 

The more I think on it, the more I want to take the Ravens forward. I just hope to get the painting right.

So I've showing this guy, but i want to get him right.

I've tidied up a lot of the GS work, hopefully you can see it's a lot less crappy. I've replaced the arms as the old ones looked like hell. I also got rid of the blade on the gauntlet, which was a throw back to him being XXth legion. I used a plastic grenade hand, I wanted to keep this detail, I like the idea that he doesn't fight conventionally.

The cyber raven doesn't come off well in that pic, but looks better in person. I might extend the beak slightly. You can't see but I have detailed feathers on the head.

As you can this side need some work. The cape will be easy to sort out, but I'm not sure how to detail the sword grip. I kind of like it plain, it feels like a Mechanicum blade, retrofitted to be use by someone who hasn't spent time on Mars. There is a chain on the backpack, I thought about adding a corvia, but I quite like it plain. Several legions use a chain motif, and I think the XIXth can sport it to.

And a close up of our hero. Hopefully he looks a bit less messy here, where the cape connects to the armour needs a little work, and the left leg just a little tidying up but he is getting there.

[Iron-Daemon Forge]

Just had a quick look that the past few pagies & as always great conversion work, Hydra :D

[Hesh Kadesh]

Love the transonic blades. 

[ThatOneMarshal]

I like the blade what did you use for it? Also I like the cape and the bird.

[ak1508]

Would love to see all those cool minis painted! 

[gizur]

Such inspiring work!

[Daemon2027]

Thanks for the words guys. I couldnt help myself so I did some more work before I went to bed. I tidyed up the cape on that right side, looks a lot better, and did some of general bits of work on him. I am thinking of adding a grip to the blade, I think its something a seasoned warrior might add himself, probally out of tradition more then the need for a grip,

 

ThatoneMarshal, the blade is from the Rustalker kit, but i made it longer by splicing two together. Its been mounted onto brass rod.

[Raktra]

What's the cyber-raven gonna count as?

[Daemon2027]

Cyber familiar :)

[Raktra]

But they're Iron Hands only? D:

[Daemon2027]

Errrmm.... Then a objective marker.

 

I had an idea, I ran with it!

[daemonclaw]

great conversions brother but i fear your brushes are gathering dust

[spu00sed]

An amazing model.

 

Have you thought about wrapping some cotton thread around the handle and securing it with super glue? It should give it some texture.

[Daemon2027]

Daemonclaw, I'm saving my paints for May. By August I hope to have a Murder of Ravens painted :)

 

Spu00sed, that's a great idea. I will give it a go tomorrow.

[SkimaskMohawk]

Can't wait to see how you paint them up, are you going for a matt black or a traditional line highlighted, crisp black?

[Daemon2027]

I would say more of a matt. Here's a RG I painted last year. I may try and get more of a grey variation in the model.

[Daemon2027]

Ready for paint.

 

Im trying to decide what to do for troops. It's between 2-3 tac squads with bolters and ccw, and some support squads with volkites, and maybe plasma guns? I also have an idea for some Mark IV and VI breachers but I may do them as a separate boarding force. The only downside of the tac squads for me is I don't really want large squads of 15-20, they feel unwieldy for a Legion like the Raven Guard.

My other option is PotL Vets. Again 2-3 squads with bolters, heavy bolters, or another specialist weapon, and probally take sniper (and they will have Fleet and Infiltrate thanks to being RG). One squad could be kitted out to hunt vehicles and take Tank Hunter. This feels more like an RG force but means I can't take Mechanicum allies, and I want a unit of TDA so that will be another troop choice.

 

The rest of the army is simple. Elites - Contemptor, either a Talon or a Mortis. The TDA , Tartaros kitted out to kill infantry, if I'm not using PotL. And 2 Mor Deythan squads, one with combi weapons, and a smaller squad with sniper rifles.

FA - definitely want Sky Hunters, one of those new flyers, and probally some Dark Furries, especially if they get models from FW

HS - Fire Raptor, and some sort of armour, possibly a Sicaran with las cannons. I do like the new Vindicator, and the Whirlwind so they could be an option.

Any thoughts?

[SkimaskMohawk]

If you want a really matt black/dark grey try mixing mechanicus grey (the darkest one) with black 30/70 or so and use it for a layer over a black basecoat, then black wash. I find it looks more black than black with line highlights.

 

As for squads; I use the anvil industries black ops models for my mor deythan, and used the older RG upgrade pack and termy lightning claws for my dark furies

[Daemon2027]

I'm going to wait a bit to see what forge world do. I hope to get a Dark Furry kit,mor at least an upgrade so I don't have to buy 1o sets of lightening claws. Mor Deythan I could probally do myself but would love an upgrade pack or something for them.

 

The painted model was eshin grey washed with black twice, then purple. Im thinking of highlighting the grey with Mechanicus first, then maybe a bit of daw stone, then washing black a few times to get a better Matt black.

[SkimaskMohawk]

Adding more highlights won't help for getting a matt look; highlights are when light reflects, so it tends to clash

[Daemon2027]

Ahh but with the black washes it will darken it all down a lot, but will give a slight variation. If you look at a matt black car where the light hits it's a less dark grey. You don't want the back to shine like it has a gloss finish. So the highlights wouldn't be crisp lines but blended in. It will basically be dark grey through to a less dark grey. Does that make sence.