Space Marines- FUCK YEAH!!!

Space Marines- FUCK YEAH!

So as with all good ideas the genesis of this idea started a long time ago and has mutated its way into what I'm planning now. The HATE Krew were returning from a jolly successful romp at SVA 11 (my first ever event none the less!) and the conversation turned to the utter pasting that the 'good' team had taken from the villains (which included us). We all agreed to start 'Good' armies and get them ready for the following years SVA, to try to help redress the balance somewhat. Also because some of us had NEVER fought for the Emperor and it was decided that perhaps it was high time we did!

I got to thinking and realised a large part of my desire for what I wanted in a new army was a smaller, more elite force. I'd been playing with hordes of guard (and in the past hordes of Orks) exclusively for ages and wanted an elite army of more individual warriors. I felt an urge for a force of heros, all named, with stories and legends of their own. Basically as small a number of models as possible, so that I could lavish more attention on the modelling and painting and also have an entirely different tabletop experience.

I'd always liked the background and colour scheme of the Imperial Fists and considering they have the strongest backstory for their first company (led by Lysander) I decided to do a Fists First Company army. Mainly terminators, some venerable dreadnoughts and a few veterans. Perhaps working up to some Forgeworld landraiders for transportation. I knew making an army of this nature was possible with the dark angels and space wolves codexes and so started making some models. I made some terminators an some veterans. Got them a nice desert yellow undercoat and played some small games (including 'Blood for the blood god OG, the first ever OG 40k event). Things seemed to be going well but at this point I hit a couple of big problems...

The first issue was a crunch one. I'd never really played against the deathwing list before starting the Fists and when I did so (and read the codex better) I realised that it was a very dull, spammy army, with limited scope. This was annoying. Also, it quickly became clear the 'Loganwing' was inappropriate for a codex chapter like the Imperial Fists.

The second issue came as I dawdled over actually applying paint to toy. I procrastinated with other projects an eventually got fully taken up with getting back into Orks. After some reflection it dawned on me that I had very little experience painting power armour and didn't want to do a sloppy job on my carefully modelled (mainly FW) terminators. I didn't really know where to start. The project was fully shelved (quite literally) and gathered dust in the storeroom at HATE hq as I threw myself into my grimy Orks...

After almost a year of WAAAGHing around the country in a haze of blackened smoke my thoughts turned back to the abandoned Space Marines. With the new Dark Vengeance boxed set, as well as some second hand bits from friends, I had the beginnings of a more generic Space Marine army. And so I decided to start a regular Codex Marine army, in order to give myself some practice modelling and painting Power armoured warriors, in preparation for the coming First Company force.

But how to theme it? I can't just be doing 'a Fists army'. That wouldn't do at all! I got to thinking about what I liked about regular space marine battle companies, second to seventh that is. I liked the idea of the titles of each companies Captain, Master of the Watch, Master of the Arsenal, Master of the Marches etc and the potential special responsibilities and role this would impart upon the company. Far more than just a battle company, there could be specialisation here that allowed for a tactical doctrine unique to each company. I liked the part of the Fists background that related to siege warfare, particularly in their ongoing enmity with the Iron Warriors. And so I've focused on that. Once I'd thought of the title of 'Master of the Breach' there was no going back!

So I've decided that in recent times, although maintaining the broader tactical doctrines of the Codex Astartes, the Fifth Company of the noble Imperial Fists have had their role re-defined as a 'siege breaking' company. Designated to engage where grinding siege stalemates have developed. Not to enter the meat grinder of ongoing siege warfare of course, that is the duty of the legions of the Imperial Guard. But rather to be deployed as a lightning strike. Breaching the enemies defences in a hammer blow, so that the might of the Emperor's armies might flood through that breach and cleanse the enemy!

This has mainly been he personal endeavour of the company's new leader, Captain Darvos Nostromo, Master of the Breach. Who has personally campaigned for a more aggressive tactical approach. A return to the crusading campaigns of old. A great churning explosion of earth heralds the arrival of Termites, taking the fight to the heart of the enemy. As thunderous artillery blasts defences asunder, specially trained combat engineers infiltrate those positions and sabotage vital resources from within...

So I'm quite exited about this army now and the Rising Panic Army Challenge has provided me the perfect platform to get it moving. So what to expect:

A Captain- I've got a great conversion idea for Nostromo

Librarian- got the Dark Vengeance one

Master of the Forge- the siege breakers have much support from the tech marines and armoury.

Termites! Drop pods in fact. Have some nice models from ramshackle to get me started but expect conversions.

Tactical squads- the backbone of any strike force

Combat engineers- need a better name but you get the idea. Going to use scout bits to make some really grizzled, demo charge waving fuckers!

Storms to fly the engineers in.

Ironclad 'siege' dreadnoughts.

Thunderfire cannons

Vindicators

Later some vets seconded from the first company, as my painting starts to get good ;)

Expect lots of demolitions stuff. Melta bombs and grenades, las cutters and siege mantlets. An emphasis on mud, blood and knocking on the door. Hard.

Going to start with a tactical squad (obviously) and probably the librarian for now as I've got him and need to get some practice in before I get to the big boys.

Any ideas or thoughts about em out. Input is always good!

Thanks for reading. More soon...