Two times traitors [Luna Wolves log & questions]

[StaffyManasse]

I've started to dabble a bit in Heresy era and I'm generally looking for advice and some Luna Wolves / generic HH information.

 

At the moment I only have one squad of mk III marines from the Prospero box. No books yet, so I'm a bit short on information. I want to take it easy with the purchases, so I want to at least build and paint a few minis before getting the books.

 

Here's my first mini painted. I know it's a bit messy but I don't mind. At least it's not awful like the last time I tried painting white power armor. I suppose the grittiness goes with the era. I need to get a nice off white that is more pale than yellow-ish. Any suggestions?

 

The idea for my force is a company that broke off from Sons of Horus when they saw what was happening / happened in Isstvan III and V. They took to calling themselves Luna Wolves again trying to find some closure in fighting against the traitor legions, even if both sides would consider them traitors. But I'm still trying to figure out the specifics.

 

http://i.imgur.com/bykj6RE.jpg

 

Question time:

 

In the artwork of False Gods, some Luna Wolves have red streaks on their bolt guns and knees. Anyone catch the significance? I assume squad number, but not sure. Painted them on my first one because they break the white in a nice way.

 

Assembling nine marines with bolt gun and chain sword on back + sergeant with a bolt gun and for example a power fist is a rule legal troop choice to build on?

 

There is a nice banner bit on the sprue. Who carries it? Is it generally the sergeant like in 40k, or is there a "banner guy" in a tactical squad? 

[secretforge]

Hi Mate,

 

That looks really good, I particularly like the muddy boots and the almost gritty texture that you have on some of the armour.

 

I too am new to the Heresy era, and excited about it.

 

Checked the tactical squad entry and 10 guys with boltguns and the sarg with a power fist seems fine.

 

As far as the vexilla goes, the books says 'one space marine' can take it. So i don't know if that includes the sergeant, but i would assume not.

 

SearctForge

[Mirbeau]

I've started to dabble a bit in Heresy era and I'm generally looking for advice and some Luna Wolves / generic HH information.

 

At the moment I only have one squad of mk III marines from the Prospero box. No books yet, so I'm a bit short on information. I want to take it easy with the purchases, so I want to at least build and paint a few minis before getting the books.

 

Here's my first mini painted. I know it's a bit messy but I don't mind. At least it's not awful like the last time I tried painting white power armor. I suppose the grittiness goes with the era. I need to get a nice off white that is more pale than yellow-ish. Any suggestions?

 

The idea for my force is a company that broke off from Sons of Horus when they saw what was happening / happened in Isstvan III and V. They took to calling themselves Luna Wolves again trying to find some closure in fighting against the traitor legions, even if both sides would consider them traitors. But I'm still trying to figure out the specifics.

 

http://i.imgur.com/bykj6RE.jpg

 

Question time:

 

In the artwork of False Gods, some Luna Wolves have red streaks on their bolt guns and knees. Anyone catch the significance? I assume squad number, but not sure. Painted them on my first one because they break the white in a nice way.

 

Assembling nine marines with bolt gun and chain sword on back + sergeant with a bolt gun and for example a power fist is a rule legal troop choice to build on?

 

There is a nice banner bit on the sprue. Who carries it? Is it generally the sergeant like in 40k, or is there a "banner guy" in a tactical squad? 

 

Good start, the grittiness is absolutely in keeping with the era.

 

Tactical marines have 3 different configurations in 30k. Plain tactical squads, who can only be equipped with bolters and optional additional close combat weapons (besides the sarge), a tactical support squad/heavy squad (all special/heavy weapons) or a vet tactical squad (2 x special weapons or can be equipped with power weapons - have a choice of special rules). the load you were building would be legal for either a regular tactical squad or a vet squad not carrying the optional special weapons.

 

The banner is a vexilla - it allows a reroll to leadership tests - marines in 30k can fall back or fall to a sweeping advance, so it's potentially quite useful, especially for larger squads. It can be put on any marine in the unit, most don't put it on the sergeant as a traditional load out has him tanking hits with artificer armour.

 

I don't know enough about the heraldry of the luna wolves to answer about the red markings - their FW black book will possibly have the answers.

[StaffyManasse]

Thanks guys, this is just the kind of information I was hoping for.

[Pearson73]

Looking good, especially the weathering on the greaves.

[Spaced Hulk]

Nice Luna Wolf!

I'd have thought the red stripes are probably kill markings, eg: a visual tally of the enemies slain by each marine.

[StaffyManasse]

I oughta paint the whole gun red then!

[Legionary Pallas]

Little hazy on this as it was a while ago and I can't remember the source, but I think the red marks are either a tally of campaigns that individual participated in, or are added as a show of respect to a foe they bested.

 

Or maybe I made that up, and they haven't been explained. I forgot which.

[Demonl]

The FW Luna Wolves decals are out of production now, but carlson has created a decal template here on B&C that is the same as the FW Luna Wolves symbol. Also don't be afraid to mix and match some of the other legion upgrade sets, personally I like the White Scars heads.

[StaffyManasse]

The FW Luna Wolves decals are out of production now, but carlson has created a decal template here on B&C that is the same as the FW Luna Wolves symbol. Also don't be afraid to mix and match some of the other legion upgrade sets, personally I like the White Scars heads.

Oh, that sounds good!

Now to find the right thread for those transfers..

edit. found it! Now to look for a tutorial on how to use custom transfers

edit 2. Aaaand there are threads about in on B&C, pretty cool! Just have to find the right kind of paper. Got professional printers at work I can use. Feels like all I can find online are the ones made for transferring images on t-shirts.

[Legionnaire of the VIIth]

The FW Luna Wolves decals are out of production now, but carlson has created a decal template here on B&C that is the same as the FW Luna Wolves symbol. Also don't be afraid to mix and match some of the other legion upgrade sets, personally I like the White Scars heads.

Oh, that sounds good!

Now to find the right thread for those transfers..

edit. found it! Now to look for a tutorial on how to use custom transfers

edit 2. Aaaand there are threads about in on B&C, pretty cool! Just have to find the right kind of paper. Got professional printers at work I can use. Feels like all I can find online are the ones made for transferring images on t-shirts.

If you have a hobby store that sells models close by you should check to see if they have the transfer paper in stock.

[depthcharge12]

Looking good man!

 

I speculate that the red markings are the start of the Cthonic influence on the legion, perhaps signifying gang markings or tallies. They haven't gone full cuneiform yet, but it's starting to rear its head.

 

Likely, it could mean lodge involvement too, but using Occam's Razor, it is just likely artistic license if anything ;)

[StaffyManasse]

The FW Luna Wolves decals are out of production now, but carlson has created a decal template here on B&C that is the same as the FW Luna Wolves symbol. Also don't be afraid to mix and match some of the other legion upgrade sets, personally I like the White Scars heads.

Oh, that sounds good!

Now to find the right thread for those transfers..

edit. found it! Now to look for a tutorial on how to use custom transfers

edit 2. Aaaand there are threads about in on B&C, pretty cool! Just have to find the right kind of paper. Got professional printers at work I can use. Feels like all I can find online are the ones made for transferring images on t-shirts.

If you have a hobby store that sells models close by you should check to see if they have the transfer paper in stock.

Only if there was a hobby store in this tiny town! But it's okay, I managed to find some on Ebay.

Looking good man!

I speculate that the red markings are the start of the Cthonic influence on the legion, perhaps signifying gang markings or tallies. They haven't gone full cuneiform yet, but it's starting to rear its head.

Likely, it could mean lodge involvement too, but using Occam's Razor, it is just likely artistic license if anything

Brother, what are those red markings on your bolt gun?

I can't say.

I'll possibly keep them in one way or another, because well...red works on white and black.

[depthcharge12]

You should definitely give me your recipe for your white and its weathering...

 

...or you might just "accidentally" be on a planet that gets Virus Bombed extra compliance lovin'.

[Black_out]

The white is looking great and it meshes well with the mkIII armor too. Love the idea of kill tallies on the boltguns done in red, breaks up the model nicely. Looking forward to seeing more!

[StaffyManasse]

You should definitely give me your recipe for your white and its weathering...

 

...or you might just "accidentally" be on a planet that gets Virus Bombed extra compliance lovin'.

 

Oh, this is embarrassing...it's all dry brushing and washes.

 

It's primed grey, then dry brushed (not too dry, the paint still needs to stick to the surfaces too) with white (I used Army Painter Matt White) slowly building the white. That's what makes the gritty texture. Then shaded with Nuln Oil and dry brushed with white some more. That's it.

 

For the weathering...yep, dry brushed Ushapti Bone and washed with Seraphim Sepia. And oh, before that layer of weathering I stippled some metallic color with a small piece of sponge.

 

I am looking to get some more off-white paints to paint more layers, but I haven't gotten any yet (my paint range is still small-ish) and I had such an urge to paint I just went what I had. I think it did work better than I expected.  

 

The white is looking great and it meshes well with the mkIII armor too. Love the idea of kill tallies on the boltguns done in red, breaks up the model nicely. Looking forward to seeing more!

 

Actually, I just had an idea. They are marks of remorse, remembrance for the brothers slain by the weapon's wielder. More stripes, more sins in the past. Look out for the one with the almost completely red weapon...

[StaffyManasse]

Was reading Fear to Tread and there was a great reference to Luna Wolves armour colour: knights in moon-pale armour. And I finally got an off-white paint to try, Gorgon Hide from The Army Painter and it works! (Sorry for the ahem...atmospheric picture. I'll try take better one when the 2nd one is ready.)

 

http://i.imgur.com/1to5ZAI.jpg

 

 

[Brother Pheidias]

Looking lovely there!

[Demonl]

If you want to experiment a bit you could try one of those metallic or sometimes called pearlizing mediums. Mix it with some white and see if you can get a moon like shine.

 

Iridescent pearl by Golden Acrylics is an example of one of such products. Vallejo does a metallic medium which is similar but not quite as good imo.

[StaffyManasse]

If you want to experiment a bit you could try one of those metallic or sometimes called pearlizing mediums. Mix it with some white and see if you can get a moon like shine.

 

Iridescent pearl by Golden Acrylics is an example of one of such products. Vallejo does a metallic medium which is similar but not quite as good imo.

 

That sounds interesting! 

 

I'm not sure if I want to make them all shiny, as this was supposed to be my "gritty with battle damage and weathering" learn by doing project, but maybe for a character...a Praetor perhaps.

 

I have used Humbrol clear gloss varnish on my Alien inspired Nids and it makes them look slimy, not sure if the effect would work on power armor when it's not slimyness but shine our eyes are expecting.

[TURBULENCE]

Another option of you're feeling like taking a dive is interference paints. You have to put a coat of sealer between each layer, but it can create that two-tone effect of mother of pearl. I've seen it done on tau, but I've yet to try it myself. Did get the paints to try it though, I'd you want I'll let you know how my own experiments go

[StaffyManasse]

I got some good deal on Ebay and now I have

 

3 x 10 mk III marines (Prospero)

Tartaros termies (Prospero)

Contemptor (Calth)

 

Still don't have the books but I've been looking at some info I found online and with BattleScribe and I've been thinking about going with Pride of the Legion RoW and 1000 points to start with. Outflanking veterans with plasma guns sound nice. Around here we play 40k at 1000 points on a 4 by 4 table at times, so I think I can live with not having any transports at this stage. 

 

Still need to find a HQ choice. I'm actually a bit at loss when it comes to picking one. I need a Praetor to be able to use a RoW, correct? Maybe I should get either one of the ones in the Calth box, but I love the termie Praetor Forge World sells.

 

Also, I thought about getting some third party (Kromlech probably?) missile launchers to make some of the Prospero marines into a support squad.

 

Then I could get into the vehicles...

 

 

Another option of you're feeling like taking a dive is interference paints. You have to put a coat of sealer between each layer, but it can create that two-tone effect of mother of pearl. I've seen it done on tau, but I've yet to try it myself. Did get the paints to try it though, I'd you want I'll let you know how my own experiments go

 

That sounds pretty cool. Yeah, please let me know how they work!

[StaffyManasse]

I could use some advice on how to assemble my Tartaros terminators from Prospero box.

 

With the bits I have right now, I'm thinking about

 

Sergeant with claws

1 dude with claws

2 dudes with bolter and chainfist

1 dude with auto cannon and fist

 

for  an all-rounder unit. Thinking about not bothering with the lone volkite because yes it's cool, but just one on a unit seems redundant. I might get 2nd one from a friend though.

 

Questions:

 

Does my built seem okay and legal for casual 30k? 

Does the grenade harness go on the sarge, or anyone in the squad? 

The plasma blaster takes the heavy slot, so I can't put that on if I want the auto cannon, correct?

Is there any reason in 30k I should take the sword instead of claws? (Oh, the sword does not actually cost points does it?)

 

Any other advice?

[depthcharge12]

If you want something that can shred marines, I'd go all Lightning claws and maybe one chainfist.

 

Tartaros have a weaker ++ save, but can sweep, so they are ideal for bullying regular marines and backfield units like rapiers if you can deploy them in a useful manner. Swords, claws, and other 'at initiative weapons' are useful for LW/SoH because you get to strike again at I1 if you outnumber the infantry models in the enemy unit.

 

Edit: for the heavy weapons, you can only have 1 per 5 dudes. While I think the reaper cannon is cool, the plasma blaster is much better, and you get BS5 from death dealers on your LW/SoH with assault, rapid fire, and pistol weapons at 12".

[StaffyManasse]

It's a shame plasma blaster looks like a clorified pistol. I was gravitating to it in the first place, but the bit itself is a little downer to me.