The 'Ever-Ready' Catachan 634th

[apologist]

'He raised his eyebrows at the question, then leaned in with a conspiratorial grin. "Regimental Motto? Well, 'ficially, it's 'Wherever, Whenever, However'. Ain't remember a time no-one used those words 'zactly, of course." 

You couldn't help but respect the Catachans – for all their burliness and noise and flash, their fieldcraft was second to none.'

[+Ambrose Osctain, Embedded with the 634th+]

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Thought I'd put together a topic for my Catachan force. Years back – when the metals were first realeased – I had a Catachan army, and a few months back I decided to scratch an itch and put together a kill team:

 

 

I enjoyed painting them so much that I thought I'd expand a bit further. These, then, are the 'Ever-Readies', under Colonel 'Mustang' Oakland.

 

 

By the sounds of things, the new Guard Codex has rules for Catachans in, so I'm looking forward to seeing how they work. I'd be interested in knowing how much of the force above is game-ready, and what else I'll need to paint. Any thoughts or suggestions on what you'd put in a Catachan themed force would be very much appreciated. I'm not fussed about it being competitive, so don't worry about suboptimal choices. In short, what do you think a Catachan army should actually look like on the table?

 

 

While this is unlikely to become a full size 40k army, I rather like the idea of including them as part of a Rogue Trader's military force, alongside some other side-projects like my kroot and Gatebreakers. That'll allow me simply to paint the models I like best from the classic range, and mix in the newer models, too.

 

 

 

Edited November 25, 2022 by apologist

[apologist]

'The God-Emperor needs your service, soldier. He ain't here right now – but I am; and I need you to capture that hill.'

 

[+Colonel Carl 'Mustang' Oakland , 634th Ever-Readies+]

 

 

Having mentioned Colonel Oakland, it seemed only fitting to post a picture of him, so here he is, in all his limited-edition glory. I can't tell you how annoyed I was that this wonderful model – the first plastic Guard figure in decades – was released as a limited edition. What a waste! I managed to pick one up second-hand, and missing the base and alternate head for a not-ruinous price, but I'm still miffed.

 

On a more positive note, the Catachan models are a treat to paint. I love the variety – skin, cloth and hard armour – and the Perry sculpts are so wonderfully characterful.

 

 

 

 

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...and a quick peep at some WIP figures (the central one has sat in this state for a while; he needs finishing off!) along with the colours I used for the fatigues.

 

 

 

You'll spy some other figures in the background, too. Which Catachan sculpt is your favourite? Who'd you like to see painted next?

Edited November 25, 2022 by apologist

[Inquisitor_Lensoven]

I like the kneeling metal sniper.

used to have all three, but the kneeling one was my favorite and he got lost some where along the line :(

[INKS]

wow they look awesome, well done on the paint

[Tallarn Commander]

Aplogist, your Catachans are gorgeous!

 

You could probably write up your own reasons for including any of the Imperial Guard units in a Catachan force. But, in my view, here are some considerations...

• Units they like:
1. Command Squads
2. Officers (elected by the troops)
3. Infantry squads
4. Ogryn Squads (ogryns and Catachans have an Affinity for each other)
5. Mortar heavy weapons squads
6. Fire Support Heavy expenses squads (higher rate of fire weapons such as heavy bolters and autocannons that can cut through dense jungle foilage)
7. Scout sentinels (they possess the manueverability to make it through Deathwords terrain, especially when equipped with heavy flamers and chainsaws to clear through brush)
8. "Lighter tanks" the old 3.5 Codex had a bit about Exterminator Leman Russes being less heavy than other variants so it was more mobile. But generally Catachan forces emphasize sentinels and infantry over tanks

9. Rough riders using local fauna as mounts, especially giant lizards

 

• Weapons they like: flamers, heavy flamers, mortars, sniper rifles, and demo charges (since we can no longer take demo charges, perhaps use meltaguns as counts-as demo charges)

• Units they don't like: commissars (they tend to get fragged)


Good luck and have fun!

Edited November 25, 2022 by Tallarn Commander

[Brother-Chaplain Kage]

The old metal catachans actually look like human beings, wow. Nice job!

[apologist]

Thanks for the kind words and advice, all – much appreciated :)

 

A picture of the next few squaddies on the block. The guardsman on the left is from the original release, the other two from the slightly later expansion of the range. As with quite a few of these metal Guard ranges, some of the most characterful figures could be found in the heavy weapon crews. The central figure here, for example, is from  the mortar crew, and his open pose would be a good basis for an easy conversion into a sergeant or officer.

 

 

Here I've left him as the gods (or the Perrys, at least) wanted; with the vague plan to use him as a Kill Team operative – perhaps some sort of mine or booby trap layer.

 

Edited November 29, 2022 by apologist