Paragons of Obstinacy

Marines Exemplar Tactical Squad

The release of the recent 6th edition Space Marine Codex has fuelled me to a frenzy of painting what i paint best, power-armoured badasses.

I'd been wanting to do a new Successor chapter army for a while what with the veritable new odds and ends released for Marines since selling on my last Iron Lords army (all gajillion points of it.)  and being a long-time hobbyist i have plenty of disowned marines from various chapters in various states of painting sitting in various figure cases and various bits boxes.  One of the things i really like about doing a non "Stock" Space Marine army is the ability to just throw random touches of iconography from different ranges at models and use them in interesting ways, there are lots of winged shoulder pads and touches from models like the Blood Angels Sanguinary Guard for example, that would look a touch out of place on an Ultramarine, but not a model with a less established Canon.



I also, despite my love for not-so-common marines, don't really like making up my own chapter, preferring to flesh out preset schemes provided in the codexes and running with the tiniest bit of background.

Marines Exemplar Tactical Squad

Ever since i got a copy of the 6th Edition Warhammer 40k Rulebook, one picture jumped out at me, on the page of various successor Marine chapters, there is a Marines Exemplar, holding a Plasma Cannon and for all the world looking entirely pissed off, despite wearing a helmet and not being able to see his features whatsoever.  The colour scheme also harked quite closely to my beloved Iron Lords, i've always been a fan of these odd marine colour schemes where certain greaves are different colours to the rest of the suit of armour.

I set about assembling a couple of tactical marine squads, including several of the old metal alternate armour marks, like Iron Armour and Heresy Armour, as well as a few little conversions here and there.  I decided that in lieu of an officially declared "Parent" chapter that the Marines Exemplar would be successors to the Imperial Fists, Stubborn and tenacious, but prone to their arrogance and pride.  Ever since reading the background for Darnath Lysander in the last Space Marine codex, i've loved the idea of army of marines all so self-assured and martially refined as to be almost entirely repugnant.  Piling accolade upon accolade upon themselves and viewing themselves as infinitely more drilled and effective on the field of battle than any heretic or even Imperial force.

Lascannon wielding Marine Exemplar with retro Lascannon

A big drive was also incorporating a couple of old components like this Lascannon pictured, i like the current devastator marines, but they strike me as slightly flat, a bit boring.  I always liked the pomp of wielding an enormous anti tank weapon off the shoulder, it's very Gung-ho, and i can't imagine caring whether he hits or not really as long as he looks this cool.

Little touches like this really stand out when your army is on the battlefield, and older players will recognise the component and smile, like me remembering the crazy older models so fondly.

These tactical Squads are currently lacking proper sergeants, the slightly more "decorated" marines in each squad serving as "lieutenants" for when the unit utilises the Combat Squad rule, it has no effect in game terms, but whichever five marines end up without the Veteran sergeant should at least have a slightly more competent looking Marine in charge.

I plan to pick up one of the new Sternguard box sets soon to effectively just assemble 5 Veteran Sergeants and add a bit more flair to the proceedings.

I'll post more updates as i go!