Iron Father Ferrum

The first time we see the Gorgon as a nickname for Ferrus was in the novel Fulgrim, and I believe it's said because he's the ugliest primary. So it's definitely a Medusa reference.

There's at least two Iron Hands Discord channels, and the head of one asked me to come up with a recommendation for a starter army for new players getting into the Chapter. I piled something up right quick based on the incoming Combat Patrol, but I figured I'd open it up for comments on the list I put together -- and see if anyone else has any suggestions. I would however ask that the only detachment used is the Ironstorm as that is the Iron Hands-themed detachment. So here's my initial thought, again based on the upcoming Combat Patrol with a few additions: - Iron Father Feirros - Techmarine with Adept of the Omnissiah or Target Augury Web - 2x Heavy Intercessor Squads - 2x Firestrike Servo-Turrets wih lastalons - Redemptor Dreadnought with macro-plasma incinerator - 6x Aggressors This comes to 960 or 965 points (depending on enhancement) and covers all bases of anti-infantry firepower, anti-tank firepower, and a close combat threat. There's a choice of unit attachments for Feirros -- the Aggressors are probably the best bet -- and the Techmarine can likewise benefit either the Dreadnought or the turrets (the enhancement choice probably changes the math on which is best). So yeah, I'd love to see what other people come up with.

*cracks knuckles* I remember the topic of thematic & cultural influences in the Iron Hands being one of the very first long conversations I had here with Bannus on the B&C like, twenty-ish years ago now. My conclusion back then was that, as @Brother Tyler stated in the introduction, there is no centralized theming of the chapter. The names in particular pull from a variety of cultural sources (Greek myth, Latin *coughhighgothic*, Biblical references, etc) and the culture is no different. Its Terran founders draw heavily from Britain, the Clan structure and its feature of internecine squabbling speaks to the fractious nature of medieval-era Scotland, and yet on Medusa we're met with nomadic clans, techno-barbarism, and a German weapon name (Medusan zweihander). So yeah. The Iron Hands are unlike some of the more monolithic cultural references of other Legions that are dominated by a single culture. But here's the thing. That's all window dressing. Having a canon character named Gabriel, and another with a sci-fi gobbly-gook name like Gdolkin, just means writers are not constrained in picking names or references for people and objects. And in that sense, Caanok Var's tetsubo is perfectly allowable. The history of warfare is just inventing new ways to hit people with sticks, and a stick with metal on the end for extra mass probably predates written language. I call it a tetsubo instead of a club because the visual reference is obviously that of the tetsubo/kanobo, a medieval Japanese weapon. European maces tended to use flanges and spikes instead of rows of studs; while I'm certain there were some simple metal-plated or studded clubs used in European warfare, the cultural reference for Var's weapon is Japanese -- and anyone saying otherwise is being dishonest. Look at the discourse for the weapon anywhere on social media -- here, Facebook, wherever -- and it's being called a tetsubo or kanobo by the majority of folks. So, while Japanese -- or even East Asian as a whole -- references have never before been made for the Iron Hands, it's not that big of a deal because of their cultural mishmash. That's also not my reason for disliking it. The monolithic cultural theme of the Iron Hands is technology. Every Chapter uses cybernetics to get wounded Astartes back into the fight quickly, but the Iron Hands seek out cybernetic or augmetic replacement. They desire it, removing perfectly healthy and functioning body parts for replacing them with technologically advanced parts. Every Chapter has a relationship with the Adeptus Mechanicus, which is the last word in tech in the Imperium; even if the Chapter needs no aid in manufacturing weapons, equipment, and vehicles, they all send tech-savvy members to the AdMech for Techmarine training. But the Iron Hands are even closer, sending more Marines to Mars than other Chapters, and these members get more in-depth training than those of other Chapters. Every Chapter (even those who have distaste for them, like the White Scars), use Dreadnoughts. The Iron Hands don't just use them, they revere them as a technological marvel that blends man and machine into a single, indomitable weapon. "The Salamanders are a technologically savvy Chapter too!" I hear you say, and you're half-right. Both Chapters have a theme of forging weapons buried in the lore somewhere, but the difference is that Salamanders are craftsmen. They make weapons that are master-crafted and beautiful, but it's smithing. It's a Salamander making a weapon. The Iron Hands don't generally care too much about craftsmanship. They're too focused on efficiency. The difference between between Salamander and Iron Hand is the difference between a workshop and factory. The thematic close combat weapons for the Iron Hands are axes and hammers. Yes, they're pretty standard. Every Chapter uses both of those; the Salamanders have perhaps a stronger preference for hammers than the Iron Hands, but no one's making an argument for uniqueness. I making an argument to theme. Ferrus Manus used a hammer for most, if not all, of the Great Crusade, and GW wanted to give the Chapter that theme with the 3rd Edition-era upgrade kit including a thunder hammer for the squad sergeant. The Iron Father character from Wrath of Iron also wielded a thunder hammer. It is a weapon themed into the Chapter's lore, and it speaks back to the technology theme because of the "forge" discussion -- workshop or factory, hammers are used to forge weapons in both. The other thematic weapon is the axe, specifically the power axe. We have three Iron Father models (3rd Edition special character, HH Terminator character, and Feirros) and all carry power axes. Our 40K melee weapon relic -- when relics were a thing -- was an axe. Art for our current-day Chapter leadership, Kardan Stronos, always shows him carrying a power axe (the cover art for Eye of Medusa and Voice of Mars, and then his big art piece with all the servoarms). Hell, the leaked HH3.0 rules give us an improved power axe for our Chapter's unique melee weapon. And because the axe is the preferred weapon of the Adeptus Mechanicus, we come back, once more, to the Chapter's theme being technology. When I first learned of and became a fan of the Chapter back in the early 2000's -- they're the first entry in Index Astartes III, the first non-codex 40K book I ever bought -- I always thought the power fist would be the thematic weapon for the Chapter. They're called Iron Hands after all. But no, the power axe because of the link to the AdMech and the thunder hammer because they're emulating their "I can forge weapons with my hands" gene-father who carried a hammer. The tetsubo and hammer are, at their most basic, simple bludgeoning weapons. Both can be fitted with power field generators. The difference isn't in the technology used, the difference is in the theme: one's just a club, the other is a thematic symbol of Ferrus "I made high-tech weapons for my brother Primarchs" Manus. That's why I think Var's tetsubo is a dumb choice and I will be converting it to an axe or hammer, period.

This is a circa 2000 picture from Index Astartes. We've always had white furniture on our bolters, brother. You're good.

I've been thinking about the Ironclad Advantage too. Even if you don't ever plan to actually use the Champion sub-type to fight a challenge, taking that Prime Advantage adds a free War Engine slot to that detachment. If anything it's a way to pull in a Dreadnought without needing to take the single-Dreadnought Detachment. As for actually using the Champion ability to challenge. . . the Leviathan is the winner by size and stats, but I feel like the Contemptor fits better thematically. This is supposed to be a fallen officer, and the lore on Leviathans -- correct me, of course, if this has changed -- is that they're a bit of a desperation option. Not exactly something you'd normally stick a fallen hero into if you could avoid it. The Contemptor also has more. . . . visible character, I suppose? Like I can see one of those being all gussied up to honor the interred hero, whereas a Leviathan is just a big walking brick.

Not stereotype. "Standard issue." I never said unique. I said "normally associated with the chapter." Go looking at official art and official models, and you'll see LOTS of power axes and thunder hammers. There's been three Iron Father models -- 3rd edition pewter, Cataphractii resin, and Feirros -- and all have power axes. The 3rd edition pewter/Finecast squad kit came with a thunder hammer. Gorgon Terminators have power axes. Big daddy Ferrus carried a hammer. Dip into literature, and the Iron Father in Wrath of Iron carried a thunder hammer (though admittedly Rauth carried a power sword) and the cover art of Eye of Medusa & Voice of Mars show Stronos carrying a power axe. So yeah. Axes & hammers are associated with the Chapter. Tetsubos are not. I think axes & hammers are cool. I think tetsubos are not. Ergo, I will update his weapon to be an axe or hammer.

I don't dislike it because its visual representation draws from any culture not normally associated with the chapter; I dislike it because it's just a damn club. Traditional chapter weaponry is the power axe and thunder hammer, so that's what I'm going to give him.

Regardless. It looks dumb and I will convert the hell out of it when the time comes.

Yeah, I was complaining about the unimaginative, static pose on Discord this afternoon but then I realized he's not fighting -- he's commanding. The little blue bit on one of the servoskulls is a tactical projection. The model is analyzing and giving orders, instead of being captured mid-swing like Lysander.

No, it's Garadon the ImpFist who has a gravgun. Feirros has a heavy bolter.

I'm a happy Medusan.

I'm starting my first 30k army, currently building & painting 20x Tacticals, 10x Veteran Tacticals, 10x Support, 20x Immortals, and 15x Gorgons. Going to migrate my Firstborn tanks to Legion use, so I hope my pair of Vindicators are useful!

*Looks at current WIP Veteran Tacticals & Immortals on the painting table* Well. .

*Everyone on Medusa disliked that*

I, Iron Father Ferrum, heed the Call to Arms and pledge to paint 10 Immortals and a Cataphractii Praetor for 15 pts for the Glory of the Iron Tenth and He On Earth, and the Heresy Stronghold on or before September 15th, or bear the badge of failure until year's end.