Sauron

[the emperor is scottish]

Hi guys 

I was in two minds whether this has the right to be in this page or the modelling advice but as i'm asking for rules advice to i thought probably better here. 

I've had an idea to start a chaos army based around lord of the rings. More specifically Sauron and Mordor. 
I don't think the actually modelling of the troop choice will be difficult. Lots of spikes, flayed skin, tattered banners and battle damaged armour. However any advice on particular bits that you think would fit the theme would be cool. 

My main issue is trying to decide which model i would need to use as a base for Sauron himself. 

I was initially tempted by the Sauron model gw do but i know the LOTR range is smaller than AoS and 40k so the proportions might look a bit off. 
I'm hoping for him to end up Primarch size or DP size with an elven/eldar aesthetic.

I would also like to ask for advice on how you guys would go about painting the white hand of saruman (i know this is an Isangard motif but rule of cool) or if there are any decals from a range that include a hand sigil. I'm tempted to say maybe the fw nightlord decals have one?

And last but not least which rules would be best used to represent this on the table top? Deathguard, Thousand sons or just a generic chaos list with a mix of marks? 

[Marshal Loss]

You could do some kind of giant Dark Apostle with the Cursed Crozius? Not the best rules wise but pretty cool regardless. That way you could actually use Sauron's mace if you own the model. I'd been thinking of doing something similar myself. The Sauron model itself is quite large and I don't think it would look out of place with 40k figures size wise.

 

The NL decals do indeed have white hands. But it's very easy to do yourself, and part of the charm of painting Isengard themed forces is that the white hand motif is placed on roughly, not painted on delicately: a steady hand, a good brush and some thinned white paint make emulating the look very simple.

 

No idea which Legion rules would fit. It's a bit of a stretch to compare LOTR with 40k. Perhaps Word Bearers/Iron Warriors with lots of cultists, representing the hordes of expendables he throws at his enemies?

[N1SB]

This is such a cool idea.

 

 

+++ Sauron model +++

 

I think converting a Sauron model would be really cool, keeping the mace.  It could be the Relic, the Black Mace.

 

If you want to make him a Daemon Prince, I think you can mount him onto one of those cool bases GW itself sells, like those broken stairs.  But perhaps as a Dark Apostle, as suggested above, is also good!

 

But Daemon Princes are great units in-game, however, they can be represented by other things.  Like a Winged Daemon Prince might honestly be the Witch King on that flying creature if you're going for this theme.  I actually found a lot of times my Winged Daemon Princes break off well-ahead of the army to take on some enemies hiding in the back.

 

 

+++ White Hand of Saruman +++

 

That's another great idea.

 

Because it's SUPPOSED to be rough warpaint, I'd actually suggest you painting them free-hand.  But if you want a decal...actually Iron Hands resemble that: https://www.forgeworld.co.uk/en-WW/Iron-Hands-Transfer-Sheet .  I happen to be a 30k Iron Hands player and I used FW's brass plates before.  If I clipped it more roughly, it'd be a great white hand of Saruman.

 

 

+++ Rules-wise +++

 

I dunno.  Just personally, to follow the look & feel, I'd do a World Eaters Khorne Berserker theme (iirc they're Troops if you're World Eaters).  Then I'd really use Sauron as a Dark Apostle.  They'd drive up in a Rhino rocking these Sons of Horus Eye of Sauron FW Doors: https://www.forgeworld.co.uk/en-WW/Sons-of-Horus-Legion-Rhino-Doors-and-Front-Plate-Set-1-2017

 

But then I suppose we'll all see what new rules Vigilis Part II brings for things like the Black Legion, that might give cool new options.

[the emperor is scottish]

Thanks for the replies and the help guys. very cool of you to give me your two cents. 
I also apologise for replying without including you N1SB as for some reason your reply wasn't showing when I posted mine. 

I do like both idea's of a dark apostle and DP as both fit the bill thematically. I think for sheer power level wise a dp would fit sauron better. 
Maybe a slannesh dp to represent saurons desire to enslave and dominate rather than outright destroy? 
I guess i'll need to throw together a couple of concept models to see what would fit better but the idea of using scenery to add height and bulk  is inspired. 

My idea for the witch king however is much further along lol as he is my favourite character :) 
I was going to field him as a dp and model wise convert up a space marine character riding a dragon. 
My initial thought was a star drake however i have since seen a conversion that utilises the zombie dragon kit and the heeldrake kit. Think this would be a good jumping off point. Maybe slightly large but meh 

I've tried desperately searching the web for a white hand painting tutorial but to no avail. Probably just a case of throwing myself in at the deep end and see what i can bash up. 


Rule wise i will probably run a mix list of marks and units but on the hole i agree with you N1SB. Most units will probably be carrying makr of khorne to show the savage barbarity. 



Agin thanks very much for the help

[El_Dicko]

Cool idea and looking forward to see what you do with it! I was thinking of something similar with thousand sons, basically one exalted sorcerer in white and the rest of the army made up of tzaangors. Maaaaaybe a squad of rubrics.

[the emperor is scottish]

El_dicko (lol) why dont you? Sounds like a pretty solid idea if you ask me. 
You could convert a couple tzaangors to wear power armour for your rubrics, these could represent you urukai? 

I have no idea how these guys perform on the table top but if your anything like me you wont care lol long as your army is thematic and looks cool. 
Let me know how you get on. 

I also found a couple great tutorials on how to paint the white hand!

[El_Dicko]

Well, I’ve got most of the Tzaangor models available(not an armies worth but at least one of each I think), and 30k Ahriman waiting to be converted, it may be worth waiting to see if the new CSM sorcerer surfaces with Vigilus 2 though!

And yeah if any of models ever see a table it will just be for fun. Pondering war trolls...

[the emperor is scottish]

Yeah i cant wait for that new looking model! truly stunning imo! 
Hopefully hes more useful than harkon (even though i love his model to) 

War trolls were something i pondered on as well. My only conclusions were spawn or chaos ogryns. 
Could possibly convert up a suitably menacing helbrute. 

And i think I've stumbled on my Sauron solution. Lorgar. Hes perfect for the base and i cant believe i never thought of it before.