The little choices...

[Captain Idaho]

The thing I like about Space Marines is the character creation you can go through. It's where the real customisation lies in our otherwise uniform army.

 

Our character choices, particularly our Warlord choices, affect our army playstyle and build in particular.

 

What sorts of flavour do you like to use with your characters? Who's your Warlord and what's his character? How do you use him?

 

Show us a picture! I'm out the country at the moment so can't take a photo but I will do soon as I get home!

 

****

 

My army is themed on a Victrix Guard style of Ultramarines, hence why they use a Horus Heresy era style that would be Guilliman approved. MK4 abound, with a few exceptions in the specialist squads (my Vanguard had such great options for heads) and a classic gold and blue colour scheme, my army looks more inspiring than any I had painted before.

 

My army is lead by Captain Aetheleous:

 

Formly of the 5th Company; wielding a plasma pistol and Relic Blade, an ancient power sword of unknown providence. Atheleous is known for being a no-nonsense and fairly humorousless commander among those under his command, though this is perhaps somewhat unfair. Those who get to know him, reserved for only a select individuals, could pick out wry comments many would miss or even assume were serious, such is the subtlety of the expression of his mirth.

 

As befits a Captain of such character, I usually grant Atheleous the Adept of the Codex Warlord trait to simulate his commanding presence. However, I have toyed with the idea of Storm of Fire since it makes sense he would organise a firing line expertly.

 

What do people think of that?

 

I also give him the Sanctic Halo. It's absurdly good and means he's very survivable no matter the modifier he's up against. In fact, against anything with a modifier he's almost as survivable as a Cataphractii Captain (minus the wound).

 

Tactically he rolls up the table in a Rhino along with solid line infantry - either Sternguard or Tactical Marines. Usually the Sternguard. He hits a particular part of the enemy line calculated to rip a hole that can't be easily filled. The way I do this is utilise Vanguard and Cataphractii Terminators (along with another Captain) to provide severe pressure on the opponent so they completely lose the initiative. Taking on the Sternguard isn't always easy in this circumstance.

[Grim Dog Studios]

Love the Fluff Idaho, and the tactics. Mine is incredibly similar gear-wise and is also accompanied by a unit of Sternguard. Looking forward to see pictures of your Captain when you are able to get some up! 

As for my Captain, here he is!

 

++ Centurion Jay Burgii - XIIIth Legion, 38th Company ++

 

 

++ Hailing from Old Albia on Terra, Centurion Jay Burgii was inducted into the XIIIth Warborn following the Osiris Rebellion. Steadily rising to the

rank of Centurion, Jay was destined to only ever be a Line Captain, his superiors believing he lacked the necessary qualities to rise much further.

A Stoic and uncompromising demeanour has lead many to believe he was destined for the XIVth Legion, but the casualties

sustained at the hands of the Psybrids lead to his recruitment into the XIIIth instead. Centurion Jay Burgii would prove his superiors wrong,

leading the remnants of various Ultramarine Companies and Army Regiments in bloody vengeance

against the Word Bearers at the Betrayal at Calth. Seen here accompanied by his Cyber-Hound Dag. ++

 

 

He was originally used as a Praetor with Paragon blade in 30K games, however I have moved to 8th Edition gaming for my 30K era Ultramarines so now he is played as a Captain with Relic Blade and Sanctic Halo. Much like you Idaho he accompanies a squad of Sternguard, either in a Rhino or a Land Raider. He and the Sternguard are generally used to capture and hold objectives. I was a fan of elite close combat units accompanying him in 30K, e.g Suzerain, but their 8th Edition equivalent of Honour Guard I find to be a bit lackluster unfortunately so he is sticking with the Sternguard for the foreseeable future.

 

James

Edited October 27, 2017 by Centurion Jay

[Brother Lunkhead]

Since the bulk of my collection is going to be in storage for the next few months, all I can do for now is wax poetic over other folks' work.

 

Captain Idaho, your fluff sound fantastic and I look forward to your photos.

 

Centurion Jay, likewise on the lore you've created for your character. The model is amazing. Well balanced work all around. Nice dynamic pose. Your paint work is excellent.

Unmistakable that this is an officer of some renown, but simple without being plain. Being a dog owner, I especially like the cyber-hound. He definitely caps off your work.

 

Great work brothers. I look forward the additions to this post 

[Captain Idaho]

I'm miles below that standard of painting but I'll put up soon enough. I'm still not home yet though!

 

Centurion Jay; phenomenal work.

[Grim Dog Studios]

Many thanks brothers!

I think the photography must be making the paintwork look far better than it actually is. It's an incredibly simple scheme, just black primer > macragge spray > wash of  25% Drakenhof Nightshade, 25% Nuln Oil, 25% Lahmian Medium and 25% water. No additional highlights or anything, with a little gray drybrushing on the black areas and sponged on leadbelcher for the battle damage.

 

I look forward to seeing other people's warlord's/characters and their backstories!!

[Kinstryfe]

I have 2 main leaders for my Ultras so far, a Chapter Master and a Captain. I'm writing up way way too much fluff for both and only have one painted thus far, so I'll spare all the fiddly details. They are from the XIIIth Legion, 17th Chapter "Preators", and my Captain is from the 173rd Company. The chapter has close ties with Forgeworld Orpheus IX, and earned their honorific fighting back an Ork waaagh that had beset the Orpheus system.

 

Master Ossian of the 17th Chapter long served in and in command of the 173rd before his promotion, and exemplifies what the company excelled at. Before climbing ranks he served with the Sapphire Guard, the most honoured squad in the 173rd, and in that capacity served as both a competent warrior and an accomplished statesman. A native of the 500 Worlds, he has dedicated his career to the safety of the realm and service to the Emperor. He currently takes to battle in a suit of custom crafted Tactical Dreadnaught Armour, a gift to the chapter from the tech adepts of Orpheus IX.

 

Captain Smythe of the 173rd stands as a contrast to his former Captain in most ways. A lifelong line officer, Smythe has been with the XIIIth since before they left Terra. His personal philosophy being one of excellence thru diversity, and his long career has been sorely slowed by his insistence in taking every opportunity to learn thru assignment and seconding to any of his brother chapters possible, a sentiment he had spread thru much of the 173rd even as a Lieutenant. Paradoxically, his intimate knowledge of operations in the other legions has made him both an indispensable source of tactical knowledge to the Legion, but has also left him absent from many of the Legion's most impressive victories. Having served in the past directly under Horus Lupercal, the Gorgon, and even The Emperor at the outset of the Great Crusade, and seconded to a handful of other Legions, Smythe is even rumored to have belonged to the secretive warrior lodges that were commonage in several of their brother Legions. Feeling the bonds of brotherhood among Legions more strongly than most, Smythe has since become one of the 17th Chapter's most zealous combatants when facing their fallen brethren in combat and in rooting out treachery among his own ranks; an action made unfortunately necessary but thankfully rare given the ambassadorial assignments many in the 173rd had undertaken. Captain Smythe takes to combat in a suit of Cataphractii plate, the same he wore while in service to the XVIth, and has vowed to be the speartip that grants The Emperor's Mercy to his traitorous brothers.

Edited October 29, 2017 by Kinstryfe

[Captain Idaho]

My picture coming tomorrow for my 2 Captains :)

[DogWelder]

I have 2 main leaders for my Ultras so far, a Chapter Master and a Captain. I'm writing up way way too much fluff for both and only have one painted thus far, so I'll spare all the fiddly details. They are from the XIIIth Legion, 17th Chapter "Preators", and my Captain is from the 173rd Company. The chapter has close ties with Forgeworld Orpheus IX, and earned their honorific fighting back an Ork waaagh that had beset the Orpheus system.

 

Master Ossian of the 17th Chapter long served in and in command of the 173rd before his promotion, and exemplifies what the company excelled at. Before climbing ranks he served with the Sapphire Guard, the most honoured squad in the 173rd, and in that capacity served as both a competent warrior and an accomplished statesman. A native of the 500 Worlds, he has dedicated his career to the safety of the realm and service to the Emperor. He currently takes to battle in a suit of custom crafted Tactical Dreadnaught Armour, a gift to the chapter from the tech adepts of Orpheus IX.

 

Captain Smythe of the 173rd stands as a contrast to his former Captain in most ways. A lifelong line officer, Smythe has been with the XIIIth since before they left Terra. His personal philosophy being one of excellence thru diversity, and his long career has been sorely slowed by his insistence in taking every opportunity to learn thru assignment and seconding to any of his brother chapters possible, a sentiment he had spread thru much of the 173rd even as a Lieutenant. Paradoxically, his intimate knowledge of operations in the other legions has made him both an indispensable source of tactical knowledge to the Legion, but has also left him absent from many of the Legion's most impressive victories. Having served in the past directly under Horus Lupercal, the Gorgon, and even The Emperor at the outset of the Great Crusade, and seconded to a handful of other Legions, Smythe is even rumored to have belonged to the secretive warrior lodges that were commonage in several of their brother Legions. Feeling the bonds of brotherhood among Legions more strongly than most, Smythe has since become one of the 17th Chapter's most zealous combatants when facing their fallen brethren in combat and in rooting out treachery among his own ranks; an action made unfortunately necessary but thankfully rare given the ambassadorial assignments many in the 173rd had undertaken. Captain Smythe takes to combat in a suit of Cataphractii plate, the same he wore while in service to the XVIth, and has vowed to be the speartip that grants The Emperor's Mercy to his traitorous brothers.

 

'17th Chapter Praetors from the Forge World of Orpheus'

 

So...I take it these guys obviously become the Praetors of Orpheus after the Heresy? :3

[Kinstryfe]

I'm highly leaning in that direction, yes. It seems disingenuous to have them turn out to be the Silver Skulls or something :)

[Captain Idaho]

So what's the best 3rd party picture hosting site? I historically used Photibucket but they've gone crazy for gold!

[greatcrusade08]

Idaho: I tried VYG.me, but had a lot of issues trying to get pics uplodaded. In the end I created an album on facebook and set the privacy so im the only one who can see it, and copied the code across. Really hard work but it works in the short term until I can figure something else out.

[Captain Idaho]

Ha I best make sure I don't forget to change the privacy settings. Don't want the world to know I'm a mega geek!

[greatcrusade08]

I use antilochus, the actual master of recruits and tenth company captain.

Theres not much written about him, which gives me a large slice of artistic license to play around with.

I have him on bike, and like to think he would have more to do with the more experienced scout bikers, than regular scouts, as they are almost at the stage of completing their training, and hed leave the raw recruits to sergeants and chaplains etc