Zealots with flamers army - suggestions?

[BurntheHeretic]

Greetings fellow commanders!

 

 

After a long absence from the hobby (since 5th edition) I feel really drawn back into it with the release of 8th edition. Always wanting to start a Guard Army, an idea started to form in my mind: I wanted to play a ''crusading pilgrim'' Guard force whose commanders relinquished command to an inquisitor who likes nothing more than getting up close, spray holy promethium and inhale the rewarding smell of burning xenos and heretics.

 

So I devised an army list of a mobile and aggressive force that includes a spearhead of multiple hellhounds and flamer chimeras, who take the first incoming blows as they screen a huge force of advancing infantry equiped with flamers and plasma, backed up by a small long range support division. I might even throw in a couple of cyclops demolition vehicles (converted to have suicidal drivers seeking redemption for their sins) for the heck of it. 

 

The catachan regimental doctrine comes out, and I'm pretty excited: that's a very fitting doctrine for an army based on a heavy flamer and inferno cannon assault!  

 

But here's the thing: I like modelling and painting my army as much as playing it, and visually the catachans are just not attractive for me to work on. With their short legs, broad backs and enormous biceps they look like a human-ork crossbreed, or abhumans at the very least. Added to that, I doubt their line will get updated soon (for how many years have people been begging GW for plastic sisters!?).  The prospect of painting a 100 of these guys turns me off. I was actually thinking of using Cadian miniatures and give a bunch of them catachan arms by just buying some catachan bits, like this: 

 

My footsloggers: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B6dtrGCR6UBoeWJTSWFudU1mSUk/view

My Inquisitor: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B6dtrGCR6UBoVktGYTE1SExTdTA/view

 

So my first question is: would that be accepable for in store or tournament play, or do you I HAVE to use catachan models to make use of the catachan doctrine?

My second question, and here I am pushing it a bit too much perhaps. Fitting with the general theme of a faith based crusading force, it would be cool to use Ministorum Priests as officer stand-ins and Mistresses of Repentance as Commissar stand-ins (forwards, or get whipped to death!). Would that be ok or is that violating WYSIWYG common sense too much? 

 

I'm looking forward to hearing your opinions! Suggestions for fluffy conversions are welcome too! Once the codex comes out I might upload a draft army list for this army of flame loving zealots..

 

Cheers! 

 

 

[Kinstryfe]

The first part I don't have much input on, as Catachan doctrines with different models is something for the event or store to decide. Though my opinion is it would be stupid to not allow it, especially with a converted army.

 

Priests as officers, I'd probably only recommend if they are both modeled wysiwyg and you don't have regular priests in the army. If you are using both, I would use priests as priests and somehow convert your officers to look more religious, but still distinct. If no priests, I'd say go for it. Mistresses as Commissars seem pretty ok, I can't see any potential confusion with other army entries, and they fit the "strict enforcer" image quite well.

[gunnyogrady]

I love this idea for an army, and once pondered doing something similar myself. I would love to see pictures of your WIP guardsmen if you ever have a chance!

 

As far as using priests for officers, I would echo the advice above by Kinstryfe. The most important thing to consider is clarity for your opponent. As much as possible, you want to remove any chance that your opponent would be confused about what each unit represents. For me personally, some uniquely converted Officer/Priest kitbashes with appropriate bits would be best.

 

As far as models to represent guardsmen, it will depend on the store you play at most often, and any tournaments you want to attend. One general expectation is that you want to have most of the unit/model represented by GW kits. I would ask around at the store you play at most often, look up the guidelines for any events, and keep in mind the clarity for your opponent.

 

As far as conversions, a Cadian and Cultist kit bash could be really cool. Just be sure to file/cut off all the chaos symbols, and you've got some ragged looking peons!

 

I love love love the idea of modeling Cyclops to have repentant suicide drivers. Just be sure to be tasteful, haha.

[BurntheHeretic]

Thanks for the quick replies guys! I will give some thought about how to best use the priests. 

 

 

I completely overlooked the option of using Chaos cultists, but the models look great and appear to mix well with the Cadians. That one is a go!! Furthermore, it just occurred to me to nail some heretics to the cross and mount them on my future rusty tanks as banners somehow. It would end up being a pretty grimdark army, having come to closely resemble its preffered enemy. The hypocrisy of the Imperium in all its splendour! 

[micahwc]

Are you familiar with the sisters of battle? You have a rhino transport armed with flame weapons, and a suicidal unit that wants to atone for their sins. I'm just pointing out the paralllels. It sounds like you want sisters.

[Beams]

I've heard of people running "Brothers of Battle" before.

[Kinstryfe]

If you use Conscript fodder, WHFB Flagellants with spare cadian arms and lasguns look suitably like religious madmen.

[BurntheHeretic]

Thanks guys! Although I'm not planning on relying on consripts all that much, but even then, adding flagellants to mix might give an extra touch. I've got a lot of experimenting to do.. 

 

 

@Micahwc. Well yeah the parallells are obvious, and the army will include a small Sister regiment representing the army's finest. But fanaticism isn't a strictly female (or marines) matter, and a thematic Inquisition force is, I think, the best (fluffy) way to reconcile both the Guard and the Sisters in a single army list.

[noigrim]

I used cultists for zealots since look uch like the old redemptionists

about if its ok to field proxies, talk to the store managers of your arean and your possible opponents they have the last word after all