What year were Salamanders introduced into 40k.

[Harleqvin]

Hey, guys. I was just wondering if anyone could help me with this.

When were Salamanders first introduced into 40k?

Like what published material first had them in it? Talking about them, and even showing a marine for it.

Edited February 19, 2020 by Harleqvin

[Brother Tyler]

The Index Astartes article about the Badab War was published in May 1988, White Dwarf 101. It showed a Salamanders Space Marine in the spread showing the Chapters that participated (bottom right corner). They may have been mentioned before that, but I don't have those references.

 

The first Space Marine Painting Guide (1st edition) also showed them, but I don't recall what year that was published. Note that in addition to the image I've linked, there's a page showing the basic scheme, another showing the (archaic) rank badges for multiple Chapters, another showing archaic specialist badges for multiple Chapters, and another showing examples of various Chapters that are included in the guide (Ultramarines, Blood Angels, Space Wolves, and Salamanders).

[Dr_Ruminahui]

The first time I'm aware of the Salamanders having their own rules is 3rd edition Armageddon codex (https://wh40k.lexicanum.com/wiki/Codex:_Armageddon_(3rd_Edition)) which came out in 2000.  But, as pointed out by Brother Tyler, they had shown up previously without their own ruleset. 

[SirVulkan]

2007 I believe when I first started in 40k.  Salamanders were my first army.  Loved the fluff and the color schemes.

[m_r_parker]

I just had a flick through my copy of Rogue Trader, and they weren't one of the 11 chapters mentioned in there. Must be 2nd Edition, I seem to recall at that point the 20 First Founding chapters had been at least named (along with home planets and Primarchs if memory serves).

[Harleqvin]

Thank you Brother Tyler, I had looked through my compendium and saw the funky color scheme, but I know that was supposed to be “camo” scheme iirc.

 

m_r_parker, they were in 1st ed, just not listed in the main book. As the links Brother Tyler posted show (those were all rogue trader era.)

 

@Brother Tyler, is there a chance of getting those other images?

[Harleqvin]

Nevermind about the other images. I was able to find a pdf of that old painting guide.

Thank you very much, @Brother Tyler!

[Harleqvin]

Another Q. Does anyone happen to have images or know when Salamanders first got the updated (brighter) green armor color?

I know they were shown being the “green” in Codex Armageddon.

Edited February 20, 2020 by Harleqvin

[Canadian_F_H]

Uncertain about thecolor change. When i get home I will look at my 2nd and 3rd edition marine codexes to see if they were bright green in either of those vs codex armageddon.

 

There rules in C:Armageddon were pretty cool actually. Hammernators mixed tactical terminator squads so your hammernators could bring a powerfist/heavy flamer guy and a power sword sgt to hit at initiative. Chaplains could swap their crozius for a thunderhammer. And i thibk there were discounts on artificer armour or someyhing like that. Oh and tactical squads could take 2 flamers.

[KJB]

Another Q. Does anyone happen to have images or know when Salamanders first got the updated (brighter) green armor color?

I know they were shown being the “green” in Codex Armageddon.

 

 

I think it was when GW decided to introduce the whole Fallen Angel thing into the Dark Angels lore

 

The Dark Angels went from Black to the now familiar Dark Green - Salamanders then changed to the lighter scheme

[Brother Tyler]

I'm uncertain if the color change officially took place in 2nd edition or later in 3rd edition, though it definitely took place by 3rd edition. As KJB said, common speculation is that the change to the Salamanders' color occurred when the Dark Angels Chapter shifted to the darker green (which took place in 1990 or 1991). Oddly, the Salamanders aren't shown in the 2nd edition Codex: Ultramarines (which covered down on all Chapters other than the Space Wolves, Unforgiven, and Blood Angels Successors), the 3rd edition rulebook, or the 3rd edition Codex: Space Marines.

The first images I've found with the newer brighter/lighter Salamanders color scheme are from Codex: Armageddon and the two Index Astartes articles that were published for the Chapter in White Dwarf magazine. The first of those articles was published shortly after Codex: Armageddon; and the second appeared some time later and included a curious color shift.

Codex Armageddon:


1st Index Astartes article:


2nd Index Astartes article:


I distinctly remember pictures showing the new brighter/lighter Salamanders both on the web and in White Dwarf magazine in the build up to and execution of the [Third War for] Armageddon worldwide campaign, but I don't have those scanned.

Edited February 20, 2020 by Brother Tyler

[Harleqvin]

Groovy. Thanks again, @Brother Tyler. I didn’t see anything either in my 2nd ed books or 3rd ed (except for the Codex Armageddon.)

So looks like Salamanders Green shift might not have been till about that time (unless someone has info for before Codex:Armageddon.)

[Harleqvin]

Something else I’ll say, I think I like that muddled green (2nd index article,) over the bright-ish green (Codex Armageddon and first index article.)

Some of the green from Codex Armageddon seemed too Dark Angels-y at times. But that’s a little off topic. My bad.

[SirTainly]

Salamanders existed in first edition, but without specific rules, as their paints were included with the Space Marine paint set from the late 80s

[USNCenturion]

There was a White Dwarf Battle report with Andy Hoare playing Salamanders against Tau; it might be worth checking out a full force of the snot green Sallies. They looked quite good.

[FormelyKnownAsSmashyPants]

As others have mentioned, they were in RT, but were pretty much absent from 2nd edition. They got their new colour scheme and first army list in Codex Armageddon, along with Templars, Spead Freaks and Armageddon steel Legion. Their first representation in rule form came in the 3rd edition SM codex, and came in the form of rules for the special character, Chaplain Xavier. They’ve been present in every marine codex with their own rules since 4th edition. Also in 3rd edition, in the photos in Codex Armageddon, some were Caucasian and some were Afro Caribbean. They changed to having coal black skin and burning red eyes in 5th edition. However, I’m lead to believe this is a throw back to RT? Edited May 14, 2020 by Captain Smashy Pants

[Spinsanity]

I somehow remember reading somewhere back in RT days that the sallies had better than usual (for marines) infrared vision to the point where their livery was somewhat uniform, ranks being denoted using paints that showed up to them in the infrared spectrum but which most opponents would be unable to see.

 

Can’t find anything like that anywhere now, so I assume this was fan-fiction?

[Iron Lord]

 

 

I think it was when GW decided to introduce the whole Fallen Angel thing into the Dark Angels lore

 

The Dark Angels went from Black to the now familiar Dark Green - Salamanders then changed to the lighter scheme

 

Late 1e and very early 2e Dark Angels (right when the first 2e rulebooks came out, long before Angels of Death did in 1996) were a rather pale shade of green. Fairly close to Salamanders in colour - but a bit more metallic.

 

'Eavy Metal" from back then (White Dwarf 123, March 1990):

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VxKP6XgogdQ/U-uVJnpByMI/AAAAAAAAGDE/WqJ8B6In-EA/s1600/24-009d2bb002.jpg

 

The 2e rulebooks from 1993, also depict Dark Angels in a fairly pale metallic green shade.

Edited May 14, 2020 by Iron Lord

[Lord_Caerolion]

I somehow remember reading somewhere back in RT days that the sallies had better than usual (for marines) infrared vision to the point where their livery was somewhat uniform, ranks being denoted using paints that showed up to them in the infrared spectrum but which most opponents would be unable to see.

 

Can’t find anything like that anywhere now, so I assume this was fan-fiction?

 

I remember reading that in one of the FW write-ups on them, can't 100% remember if it was the Heresy-era, or the Badab War one, though.

[Medjugorje]

Groovy. Thanks again, @Brother Tyler. I didn’t see anything either in my 2nd ed books or 3rd ed (except for the Codex Armageddon.)

So looks like Salamanders Green shift might not have been till about that time (unless someone has info for before Codex:Armageddon.)

sometimes the first mention is just a tiny note in any source. Black  Templars for example had their first mention in secound edition - but just as a example of a Space Marine chapter who fight alongside the sisters of battle. The real introduction was the 3rd edition and their first rules the Emperors champion in the Space Marine codex at this time.

 

I think the Salamanders are very similar to this fact.

[Doghouse]

Bit of a necro but for those interested I know this one. There was also the original Battle for Armageddon board where they were the poster boys on the front cover which came out in 1992.

 

 

 

The original order was:

 

Badab Wars in White Dwarf 1989 then later that year again in the Compendium.

 

Space Marine Painting guide later in 1989

 

Battle for Armageddon 1992

 

3rd Edition.

[LameBeard]

Sorry for another mini-necro, but I though you would like this picture from White Dwarf 110 (February 1989). It has the Salamanders in Epic Scale in that yellow with black camo stripes scheme right back in the Heresy baby! Any shade of green for Salamanders is clearly a retcon

Edited September 22, 2021 by LameBeard