IHF's Archive: Sketching the Heresy - The Manufactorum

[Sandlemad]

Really like the Salamaders destroyers in particular, nice combo with the destroyer squad/hazmat icon and the Nocturnean cuneiform.

 

The Deliverers are also very fine, good incorporation of elements from the RG venerable dread. Those knightly grills don't really appear elsewhere in the mishmash that is the RG visual identity, good to see them again.

 

Not 100% sold on the idea of them (the sergeant?) bearing a whip though. I think I see the idea, is it because of their Terran legacy? Feels like it would be a difficult thing to wield in terminator armour. Perhaps something that connected them to the Luna Wolves/Sons of Horus would work as well? Not sure what that leaves though, maybe some sort of Cthonian-style chainaxe or Justaerin axe-mace?

[Iron Hands Fanatic]

Really like the Salamaders destroyers in particular, nice combo with the destroyer squad/hazmat icon and the Nocturnean cuneiform.

The Deliverers are also very fine, good incorporation of elements from the RG venerable dread. Those knightly grills don't really appear elsewhere in the mishmash that is the RG visual identity, good to see them again.

Not 100% sold on the idea of them (the sergeant?) bearing a whip though. I think I see the idea, is it because of their Terran legacy? Feels like it would be a difficult thing to wield in terminator armour. Perhaps something that connected them to the Luna Wolves/Sons of Horus would work as well? Not sure what that leaves though, maybe some sort of Cthonian-style chainaxe or Justaerin axe-mace?

Yeah I'm still lamenting the loss of the Raven Guard MkIV Dread from the FW webstore, which I still think is one of the best Dreads ever produced, so I thought emulating that would be appropriate for a unit of RG Cataphractii

Yeah I get what you mean on the whip front - it's all at a very hypothetical stage at the moment, I just thought it might be cool to have something to tie in with Corax's whip, but it might be a little on the nose. To be honest, I think giving them all a single set of Raven's Talons which can be swapped for chain fists or a full pair is probably enough in the way of cool Legion-only stuff - thanks for the input.

On to new stuff, I've made a start on the final Legion, so say hi to:

Alpha Legion Hydra's Eyes Abomination Squad:

Pretty much Alpha Legion possessed - as per, the basic idea was nicked from Collected Visions, background-wise, these are the culmination of a series of experiments conducted by the Alphas after witnessing the Gal Vorbak in action upon Isstvan V, as well as receiving reports from agents embedded within the other Traitor Legions.

Stats-wise, they'll be similar to the Gal Vorbak, but will loose some of the melee buffs (rending & rage) in exchange for some stealth-based boosts (representing weird chameleonic camouflage / shifting into some kind of smoke /mist -form / causing onlookers vision to blur and ocular arrays to glitch) as well as loosing bolt pistols for power weapons as standard

[Praetor of Calth]

Holy cuss that's cool. If Forgeworld actually produced these as an official unit I'd be all over them.

 

Did you ever hear back from Forgeworld about your sketches?

[Black Cohort]

That sketch may be my favorite of all your power armoured sketches

[Fire Golem]

Saw Alpha Legion possessed and immediately had to see. Was not disappointed. Possessed AL are a really cool idea that I'd love to get rules for one day, and I like your rules idea of them being stealthier but not quite as killy.

[Charlo]

I think rending would fit them nicely, for the claws and such!

 

Stealth too but maybe not T5 etc?

[Iron Hands Fanatic]

Holy cuss that's cool. If Forgeworld actually produced these as an official unit I'd be all over them.

 

Did you ever hear back from Forgeworld about your sketches?

 

Thanks, I try very hard to create stuff that I think could feasibly exist in FW's HH range, so that's perfect!

 

I never actually got in touch with Forge World - I was keeping an eye on a job advertisement for a 'miniatures conceptualiser' position at GW's main studio which had been up for some time, but I didn't want to apply for it until later this year as I'm starting my final year of Uni this September, and didn't feel comfortable interviewing for a job I might not be able to take in the foreseeable future. Anyhow, the job's been removed from their website, so it may have been filled, although that said they did take it down and re-advertise for it previously - long story short, I'll keep an eye out for it if it pops up again, as I'm comfortable applying for it now, but if there's no sign of anything, I'll probably try and contact Forge World directly next year

 

That sketch may be my favorite of all your power armoured sketches

 

Thanks! Yeah I'm really happy with the illustration, I think the Alpha Legion imagery works really well with possesed, I'm thinking of doing a couple of supplementary sketches to flesh out some further ideas I have for them - e.g how the 'helmet' might open to reveal the Legionaries 'real' face, and a bare-headed Legionary's hydra tattoo partially growing out of his flesh 

 

Saw Alpha Legion possessed and immediately had to see. Was not disappointed. Possessed AL are a really cool idea that I'd love to get rules for one day, and I like your rules idea of them being stealthier but not quite as killy.

 

Yeah I wanted to represent the multiple chaos-influenced AL units featured in Collected Visions, but I preferred the idea that in the same way the Dark Mechanicum started experimenting with daemonic tech as a form of energy source without any of the occult influences, they'd experiment with possession as simply a means of enhancing a Legionary's abilities - pretty much a case of seeing the Gal Vorbak and going "what is that? I want it!" :P

 

I think rending would fit them nicely, for the claws and such!

 

Stealth too but maybe not T5 etc?

 

Yeah that's a good shout - I need to have a brainstorming session over this; I'm planning on gradually developing rulesets for each of the Legion-specific units I've designed, and in terms of options for upgrading the Hydra's Eyes, they'll probably be closer to those of Legion Veteran squads than the Gal Vorbak (1 in 5 can take twin LCs / suspensor heavy bolter / suspensor missile launcher for example)

 

As an aside, if anyone wanted to represent them legally, they could just use the Gal Vorbak rules as part of the 'Coils of the Hydra' Right of War

[Fire Golem]

Hmm, I do already have the Gal Vorbak models...

[Atia]

Ok ok ok - cool down Atia ....

I love the idea of Thousand Sons with mark III armour, and this one should be easy to convert thanks to FW helmets and transfer sheets <3

I also really like both the Salamanders Destroyers (although getting that skull on the helmet right would be really really really hard imo :() and the Deliverers. Now, go, finally work for FW so we can get some Terminator upgrade sets :P

Last but not least ...

Here I'm sitting and thought I would be done with Gal Vorbak conversions for a while .... thanks buddy >.<

Joking aside, what size do you imagine them? Gal Vorbak sized or more like Raptors?

[Sulemain]

Loved the Salamander Destroyers :D . 

[Iron Hands Fanatic]

Loved the Salamander Destroyers .

Thanks, I tried to make it seem like they're more closely related to the pre-Vulkan XVIII^th Legion than the Salamanders - I'd imagine they would be drawn from the Terran recruits, and would have older gear, but highly modified for their role over the decades serving as the Sallie's lone Destroyer compliment - hence the MkII armour

Fluffwise, I like the idea that they'd have developed their own division of the promethean cult, with a fascination upon portents of death and the cursed fire of phsophex and alchemic flamer weapons, in relation to their pariah status among the rest of the Legion - they're damned

Ok ok ok - cool down Atia ....

I love the idea of Thousand Sons with mark III armour, and this one should be easy to convert thanks to FW helmets and transfer sheets <3

I also really like both the Salamanders Destroyers (although getting that skull on the helmet right would be really really really hard imo ) and the Deliverers. Now, go, finally work for FW so we can get some Terminator upgrade sets

Last but not least ...

Here I'm sitting and thought I would be done with Gal Vorbak conversions for a while .... thanks buddy >.<

Joking aside, what size do you imagine them? Gal Vorbak sized or more like Raptors?

Thanks for all that Atia, glad you're liking the concepts

In terms of the Hydra's Eyes, I like the idea of them being a bit bigger than normal Astartes, but as they're stealthier than their Gal Vorbak cousins, they wouldn't be quite that large, something of a halfway house between the two - kitbashing parts from the Gal Vorbak, Legion MkVI (the armour they're supposed to be wearing), Raptors & the Alpha Legion Headhunter kits (plus a few spacers here and there) might be a good way to go about making them if you were that way inclined :P

Oh and as an idea of designs coming up in the near future, any interest in a handful of Legion-specific automata along the lines of the Iron Circle? The current odds are on the Iron Hands, Iron Warriors, Salamanders & World Eaters

[Skalpynock]

Medusan super-thallax, Olympian Lyssatra Castellax bearing experimental weapons, Nucerian chain-vorax, Salamanders melta-Domitar. Also, 1st Legion arcane-automata built by the Crimson Walkers.

[Atia]

 

 

Oh and as an idea of designs coming up in the near future, any interest in a handful of Legion-specific automata along the lines of the Iron Circle? The current odds are on the Iron Hands, Iron Warriors, Salamanders & World Eaters 

Don't forget Raven Guard - even if it's something mostly forgotten, they also have their own mechanicum allies  (and they like to modify them for stealthy things :P)

 

Also, what's about some corrupted Word Bearers Daemon Automata? Or Emperors Children Sonic Robots? 

 

Edited August 29, 2016 by Atia

[Doctor Perils]

 

Don't forget Raven Guard - even if it's something mostly forgotten, they also have their own mechanicum allies  (and they like to modify them for stealthy things )

Stealthy robots? *shivers*

[helterskelter]

 

 

Don't forget Raven Guard - even if it's something mostly forgotten, they also have their own mechanicum allies (and they like to modify them for stealthy things )

Stealthy robots? *shivers*

Transformers?

[Doctor Perils]

 

 

Don't forget Raven Guard - even if it's something mostly forgotten, they also have their own mechanicum allies (and they like to modify them for stealthy things )

Stealthy robots? *shivers*

Transformers?

 

That seems more like Iron Hands realm... :P There could be a concept there though

[Iron Hands Fanatic]

Medusan super-thallax, Olympian Lyssatra Castellax bearing experimental weapons, Nucerian chain-vorax, Salamanders melta-Domitar. Also, 1st Legion arcane-automata built by the Crimson Walkers.

 

Whoa, that's eerily close :P

 

* Iron Hands: Beefed-up melee Thallax, they'll have a mini-version of the Cerastus Lancer's lance on one arm & a volkite charger on the other - as the X^th don't use a great deal of jump packed assault marines, these are deployed alongside Thallax as a mobile reserve to combat threats that require greater mobility to neutralise. They'll also have a Domitar variant which is pretty much a mobile heavy weapons platform - epitomising the Iron Hand's tenet of unleashing overwhelming firepower as at close a range as possible (cos I'll be damned if the Iron Warriors get more cool robots than we do :P )

 

* Iron Warriors: Fire-support Castellax - back mounted twin mortars, arm mounted reaper autocannon & twin-linked rotor cannon (arranged so there's a single autocannon barrel on each arm with an underslung rotor cannon) - mass produced and deployed to support the Iron Warrior advance

 

* World Eaters: Sarum Vorax sub-types to show the first steps of development towards the Blood Slaughterer-style automata - they have suitably gribbly melee weapons on their front arms / legs & a domitar-type missile launcher atop their carapace - I love the idea of these things hurtling towards their enemy, kicking up a massive dust cloud & heralded by a barrage of rockets

 

* Salamanders: Very blinged-up castellax - these things guard the Sallies' void craft, and they come with a chainfist on each arm (in the style of the MkIV Dreads'), and a pair of carapace-mounted volkite / flamer / melta weapons

 

Not too keen on the idea of 1st Legion unique automata to be honest - their whole shtick in terms of relic weapons seems to be that they were deployed on Terra before the alliance with Mars, so didn't use Mechanicum-produced weaponry - you can't have both really, non-mechanicum weapons on mechanicum robots

 

 

 

 

Oh and as an idea of designs coming up in the near future, any interest in a handful of Legion-specific automata along the lines of the Iron Circle? The current odds are on the Iron Hands, Iron Warriors, Salamanders & World Eaters 

Don't forget Raven Guard - even if it's something mostly forgotten, they also have their own mechanicum allies  (and they like to modify them for stealthy things )

 

Also, what's about some corrupted Word Bearers Daemon Automata? Or Emperors Children Sonic Robots? 

 

 

 

I like the idea of Word Bearers corrupted automata - with their bonded cybernetica being ritually tainted by diabolist-pravians

 

I don't really think sonic-weapon robots would really feature in the early to mid heresy, considering at the moment only Varosean's 3^rd company has that gear right now

 

In terms of the Raven Guard, I know they get a load of Mechanicum support, but I'm not sure automata would feature heavily enough in their standard battle docrtine to warrant a unique sub-type - I'll give it a think though

 

 

 

 

Don't forget Raven Guard - even if it's something mostly forgotten, they also have their own mechanicum allies (and they like to modify them for stealthy things )

Stealthy robots? *shivers*

Transformers?

 

That seems more like Iron Hands realm... There could be a concept there though

 

 

Ugh you guys are the worst - now all I can think of is an Iron Hands Spartan turning into a massive robot, grabbing Perturabo by the leg, smashing him repeatedly into the ground Hulk-style, and then daintily picking up Forge Breaker and skipping off into the sunset :P

[Doctor Perils]

 

Ugh you guys are the worst - now all I can think of is an Iron Hands Spartan turning into a massive robot, grabbing Perturabo by the leg, smashing him repeatedly into the ground Hulk-style, and then daintily picking up Forge Breaker and skipping off into the sunset

 

*Looks sternly at IHF over the top of his glasses...*

 

...

 

Oh, ok, you can have Forge Breaker back. But only if you design another cool weapon for Perturabo. After all, the Iron Hands aren't thieves, right ;)

[Atia]

 

 

* Iron Hands: Beefed-up melee Thallax, they'll have a mini-version of the Cerastus Lancer's lance on one arm & a volkite charger on the other - as the X^th don't use a great deal of jump packed assault marines, these are deployed alongside Thallax as a mobile reserve to combat threats that require greater mobility to neutralise. They'll also have a Domitar variant which is pretty much a mobile heavy weapons platform - epitomising the Iron Hand's tenet of unleashing overwhelming firepower as at close a range as possible (cos I'll be damned if the Iron Warriors get more cool robots than we do  )

 

My only nit-pic here is that Thallax are no automata, mind that. They are basically the Ordo Reductor version of Skitarii - heavy (really really heavy xD) augmented humans, with an armour that is similiar to power armour. Keep also in mind, the Lorica Thallax is unique to the Ordo Reductor, and they weren't happy when some random dude started to do Ursarax Tech-thralls based on them :X

 

Edit:

Also regarding the RG - mine will get a Legion Praevian with some stealthy Vorax pets ;) :P

Edited August 29, 2016 by Atia

[Iron Hands Fanatic]

 

 

 

* Iron Hands: Beefed-up melee Thallax, they'll have a mini-version of the Cerastus Lancer's lance on one arm & a volkite charger on the other - as the X^th don't use a great deal of jump packed assault marines, these are deployed alongside Thallax as a mobile reserve to combat threats that require greater mobility to neutralise. They'll also have a Domitar variant which is pretty much a mobile heavy weapons platform - epitomising the Iron Hand's tenet of unleashing overwhelming firepower as at close a range as possible (cos I'll be damned if the Iron Warriors get more cool robots than we do  )

 

My only nit-pic here is that Thallax are no automata, mind that. They are basically the Ordo Reductor version of Skitarii - heavy (really really heavy xD) augmented humans, with an armour that is similiar to power armour. Keep also in mind, the Lorica Thallax is unique to the Ordo Reductor, and they weren't happy when some random dude started to do Ursarax Tech-thralls based on them :X

 

Edit:

Also regarding the RG - mine will get a Legion Praevian with some stealthy Vorax pets

 

 

Yeah I was planning on spinning it as being because Ordo Reductor Covenants are pretty much entirely independent fleet-based divisions, the Magos of a  covenant attached to the X^th Legion developed them in concert with Ferrus in exchange for some Medusan archaotech, with a compact that the Xth Legion would retain exclusive production rites (the augmented humans are failed aspirants) - doesn't mean the rest of the Ordo Reductor are happy about it though :P

 

Sounds cool, I hear RG Praevian + Vorax are pretty brutal

[Skalpynock]

I wasn't implying Terran tech on Mars automata, but rather Terran automata. I can see a variety of reasons against that, though.

[Viridia]

When I first saw the Hydra's Eyes design, I thought it was horribly overdone. Then I read the description and realised it is actually an awesome concept and the drawing is fantastic. Well done, really loving all these designs you're coming out with. In fact, it was your Malphaz Breachers who've inspired the idea behind my NL army.

[Iron Hands Fanatic]

I did a thing, a drawing-y thing!

http://www.bolterandchainsword.com/topic/325449-30k-era-portraits-princeps-maxima-alestia-reuvann/

 

I wasn't implying Terran tech on Mars automata, but rather Terran automata. I can see a variety of reasons against that, though.

 

Ah okay - yeah considering I don't think there's a precedent for non-Mechanicum automata, personally I'd steer clear just to be safe

 

When I first saw the Hydra's Eyes design, I thought it was horribly overdone. Then I read the description and realised it is actually an awesome concept and the drawing is fantastic. Well done, really loving all these designs you're coming out with. In fact, it was your Malphaz Breachers who've inspired the idea behind my NL army.

 

Awesome, thanks, do you have a project log?

[Iron Hands Fanatic]

Well, I thought it was well past time that I started actually sketching some of the countless Mechanicum concepts I've had bouncing around for a while, so I'm gonna start doing a series of smaller illustrations designed to depict how they might actually look as miniatures, as 1. They're quicker, 2. They give a better idea of how miniatures might look due to scale, and 3. Because of this, I have a better idea of the level of detail required.

Venatorii Menoetar Battle-Covenant:

So these are basically an evolution of this idea - Legio Cybernetica Tech Priests that rock big ol' exoskeletons so they can strut about with their robot buddies, unleash some dakka and use Cybertheurgy.

The Venatorii part is a reference to a series I want to continue - it's existing use from 40k refers to Tech Priests who were conscripted into combat duty to replace the depleted ranks of the Skitarii. I'm going to interpret it as a common epithet used by Imperial command to refer to Tech Priests which specialise in front line duty (meaning that Myrmidons could be considered Venatorii), so I'll be doing a number of concepts along similar lines.

Weapon wise, they'll start off with a Mauler Boltcannon & Twin linked Lightning gun (mounted on those lil' ball-joints sticking out from the legs), which can be swapped for a Volkite Culverin / Multi-melta / Conversion beamer and TL Multi-laser / TL Phase-plasma Fusil / TL Irad-cleanser / TL photon thruster

Anyhow, I'm currently working on a Dunecrawler variant and something equipped with a Lorica Thallax, so more AdMech stuff is coming

And yes, I do realise it's basically a mechanical nautilus shell with legs, guns and a dude / dudette peeking out the front, and yes, I will be pursuing this cephlapod / crustacean seam of inspiration for future designs

Edited September 13, 2016 by Iron Hands Fanatic

[Iron Hands Fanatic]

Right, this is another unit I've mentioned in the past - the Matarax. In the same class as the Thallax / Ursurax, these are the fire support version - no jump/jetpack, but relentless, get a second ranged weapon (with Fusillade Attack) and have the Thallaxi' Icarion Augment as standard - more info here.

Weapon-wise, they start off with a Reaper Autocannon which can be swapped for: Volkite Culverin / Conversion Beamer / Darkfire Cannon

Their initial Maxim Bolter can be exchanged for: Volkite Caliver / Graviton Gun / Galvanic Caster (from the new Secutarii Peltasts)

Matarax Cohort:

Edited September 15, 2016 by Iron Hands Fanatic