This week, I have been thinking about the Solar Auxilia. Colours, themes and what list to build.
Ironically, coming up with a scheme I like for the Solar Auxilia has been really challenging for me. I really like the Cthonia Headhunters and Lord Marshal’s Own schemes, but they are pretty much done to death. So I have been heading down a different road, something that will thematically compliment the Emperor’s Children colour wise. That means pairs with, or incorporates purple. As horrifying as that may sound. I like the idea. Hear me out.
Up to now, my foray into Legions Imperialis has followed the events of the Siege of Terra. More accurately the ‘loyalists’ side of the conflict. I’ve painted Blood Angels, Imperial Fists and more recently White Scars. All forces I’m really happy with and they give me a great base to create lists for games from.
I chose the Emperor’s Children to be my traitor legion for two reasons; firstly they were on Terra, so it fits the collection nicely. But secondly because I have never painted a purple army before, and I want to. There’s an opportunity to look over some of the classic retro Titanicus and Epic schemes from the 90’s for inspiration. I’m liking that idea a lot.
Underground, overground, Wombling free!
The force I am ‘thinking’ of adding a Solar Formation to will include Termite assault transports, because they are amazingly cool. My plan originally was to do Word Bearers and replicate my regular Heresy sized force in epic scale. That force includes Termites amongst other stuff. However, after testing out the candy colour scheme on tiny ‘seventeenth’ legion, I felt the result was less than stellar. I’m not saying I won’t do it in the future, but for now I think the Emperors Children palette of gold and purple looks more eye-catching.
To test out the colours, I have assembled a small core tactical detachment plus commander and given them both overground and underground transport options. These won’t go to waste if I flesh out a demi-company as I can make use of both options in different tactical detachments.
Other stuff
It’s not all purple this week. A few other detachments are at various stages of done-ness, just to keep things interesting. I’m still trying to lock down a loyalist Solar scheme (who would have thought it would be this difficult to just pick one!). So I’m painting a few more in colours similar to the Lord Marshall’s Own regiment, grey with green markings. It’s actually also nice painting a few Leman Russ for a change as they are so cute in this scale.
Then there is also a small detachment of Dreadnought Drop Pods for my Blood Angels. Block colours done, gloss varnished and decals on all ready for detailing and battle damage/weathering. Lots and lots to keep me occupied.
Dark Mechanicum
Yes, it’s all over Insta and Facebook, but this totally caught me by surprise today. Not the fact we would see Dark Mechanicum for Legions Imperialis; that made total sense as it gives the standard Mechanicum battle group box great utility as either Mechanicum or Dark Mechanicum. What I wasn’t expecting was some Dark Mech specific units so quickly! And these are insectile stalking heavy walkers are insanely good.
Full details on the Warhammer Community site: Warhammer Day preview
So much epic scale awesomeness to look forward to right now. I can’t wait to start formulating palettes for these. Hobby utopia.
Until next time, happy painting.
Leave a Reply