Sanguinary Guard- A Different Look

So, if you have read my stuff, especially here, you know that I like to do things alternate to the norm.  The same holds true with my current army.  I don't like the idea of golden Sanguinary Guard. The problem was, it seemed like it was the only color scheme that worked.  Well, I alluded to the fact that I was going to experiment with something different in my last post, here. 

That "something different" worked, in my opinion, and I wanted to share it here with you good folks.  Also, at the end, I will share with you all my ideas on overall army color scheme.  So, it should be fun. 

Without further ado, my black Sanguinary Guard.

Here he is in all of his glory.  I have to admit that when I first started, I didn't think the black armor would work, but when I began to add details, it really started to come together.  There is also just enough red in the model to make him cover together with the rest of the army.  Take a look below for a side by side comparison with my Sanguinary Priest model. 

This is my first true attempt at the coruscating energy power weapon look.  While not totally smooth, I think it looks great at arm's length (i.e. on the tabletop) and will really make my Sanguinary Guard stand out.  You can also see how the red in the model really balances out the blue of the blade and warms up the black armor.

Speaking of which, do you like that awesome rock back that he is jumping off of?  You do?!  Use my simple tutorial for Rock Bases on the Cheap to achieve the same result! (shameless plug, I know.)

Another cool, dramatic pose as he launches from the rock into the enemy.

Here is a comparison picture of how this model looks with a model sporting the Angels Sanguine color scheme.  I think they really blend well.  There is enough black in the Angels Sanguine scheme to allow the Sanguinary Guard to be all black and look good as part of the army.  (Yes, I know that Angels Sanguine paint their SG armor white, but I don't care.) 

So, as far as army color goes, it will be Angels Sanguine colors meaning half red (on the right) and half black (on the left).  Helmets will be colored various colors to differentiate squads.  Any members of the Sanguinary orders will have white helmets as pictured above.  Normal grunts like devs and assault marines will have yellow helmets.  My Vanguard Vets will have gold helmets. 

I am leaning towards painting Dante in the black color scheme as well. I think that would look really cool.  I was thinking about make the face of his deathmask white with veins of green or blue through it like it was made of marble.  We will have to experiment.  My libby is going to be more traditional with blue armor and blood angels accents.  The jump chaplain will be a normal chaplain in black armor as well. 

So there's the scheme.  It took a long time in coming, but I think it is going to look pretty slick.  As a matter of fact, it has really got my excited about painting this army now.  I am also thinking about how I could make a nice looking display board for the army, but that is months off.  Heck, Blood Angels might have a new codex by the time that happens. 

I am keen to see what people think about the color scheme.  Please leave comments and criticism.  I don't mind either as long as you are nice. 

Other articles you might find useful:
On the Work Table: Blood Angel Sanguinary Guard Army
Painting Halfway Decent Power Weapons

______________________________________________________________

Like my Sanguinary Guard army? Subscribe to Gone to Ground for updates as I finish this army.

First Model for Sanguinary Guard

I have found a day or two in between some commission work that i have to work on a few models of my own, so I thought it would be prudent to start nailing down a color scheme for my Blood Angels Sanguinary Guard army. I finally decided on an Angels Sanguine color scheme.  I really like the halved color scheme with red and black.  So, I decided to start with a Sanguinary Priest.  Here is my first model. 

As you can see, I kitbashed the model using a Black Templar tabard front, with a regular marine, a Sanguinary Guard jump pack, and the Apothecary arm.  All in all, I think he turned out well. 

You can see him standing on one of my Rock Bases on the Cheap.  This basing scheme is really going to give my models some "height", making them feel like they just hit the ground from a jump.

I decided to make the jump pack's engines ignite with blue heating.  I think it helps balance out the red in the model. 

I also took shoulder pads from the Sanguinary Guard sprue to finish this guy out.  He is suitably blinged, I believe.

Next up is my first Sanguinary Guard model.  I am running him as a tester.  I am actually thinking about doing black Sanguinary Guard.  Instead of gold armor, they will have black armor with white helmets.  In my head it looks cool.  I will hopefully get the model done tonight and tomorrow and be able to report on whether or not this particular scheme works.  Stay tuned for that.

______________________________________________________________

Like my Sanguinary Guard army?   Subscribe to Gone to Ground for updates as I finish this army. 

Who Says What's Competitive?

So, I really hate it when I see an army bashed because it doesn't have the textbook competitive elements.  Awhile back, I wrote an article that got some notice from House of Paincakes called, Guns to Kill People, People Kill People.  The premise of the article is that an army list alone doesn't win a game.  It requires a player, rules knowledge, startegy, and yes, a little luck with the dice.  I hate it when I see a post or comment on a forum that bashes an army list simply because it doesn't fit a set criteria for a competitive list. 

So what needs to happen when list advice is asked for?  I'm glad you asked! 

1) When a person proposes a list, they should also supply some kind of overall strategy for the army.  What do you hope to accomplish with the army?  How do you propose to win the three main BRB missions with the army?  What weaknesses do you see in the army?  How do you plan on protecting them?  Give me an idea of how you want the army to run.  This gives me some ammunition for helping you refine the idea.  You want to run an army of elite Blood Angel jumpers.  Let's talk about how you plan to do so.  You want to spam razorbacks in a Space Wolf list.  Tell me how you plan to cross the board. 

2) Tell what units you have to unconditionally keep.  In my Sanguinary Guard army I must have Dante and Sanguinary Guard.  Done.  If you want hordes of Thunderwolves for your Space Wolf army, tell me so. 

3) Tell why you are seeking advice.  Are you wanting to know if it can go 5-6 rounds undefeated in a competitive event?  That's a toughie.  Do you want to it for a local 3 game, 1 day event at your FLGS?  Do you want to run a theme-y army that can put up a bit of a fight?  That's a lot easier. 

4) Be prepared to hear criticism.  Then take it with a grain of salt.  You may hear some things you don't like.  That's cool.  If you think something will work in the army, try them out even if you are told they won't.  If you don't feel particularly attached to a unit and are told to drop it, do so.  Go with your gut.

For those giving advice:

1) Try to get an idea of what the person asking for advice is trying to do with the army.  Get a feel for the strategy they want to use.  Put yourself in their place. 

2) Try to stay true to the original vision.  If it just can't be done, fine, but if it can, don't squash the idea.

3) Give advice for where the person is.  If the asker isn't a tournament goer, but wants to win games, don't tell them their army won't work competitively.  Help them understand how it can put up a fight. 

4) Be kind.  Understand that different people have different playstyles and that they may actually be able to win with a list that doesn't look all that great to you. 

Here's the deal.  There is no overarching metagame for 40k.  Sure.  Some armies are grossly underpowered, but they can be made to play well in the right hands.  Various areas and gaming groups have different dynamics.  Whose to say a Necron army can't be the best army in a group.  Whose to say an Imperial Guard leafblower army won't lose with regularity in a local area of gamers.  Lists aren't made in isolation.  They are made within the premise of their authors' understanding, experience, and preferences.  When giving advice, try to help a person achieve their goal.  That is what most people want.  They want their ideas validated, not to be crushed into the interweb netlist machine.  Allow some creativity and individuality for crying out loud.

End rant. 

What are You Working On?

So, I decided to take a few pictures of things I am currently working on.  I have a Slaanesh daemon army that I am currently doing as a commission.  You can see some of those models on my overly crowded painting table. 

I am currently working on 6 fiends of slaanesh.  They are coming along well and I hope to be done with them today.

This scandalous little model is a Gamezone Fiendish Offspring Banner.  Check out some of their other very high detailed minis. 

Finally, I recently got a box of Death Company with some birthday money.  I am going to use these sweet looking models for my Vanguard Veteran squad.  I figure the Sanguinary Guard generally cross over better to Honor Guard, so Death Company would be a good fit for Vanguard. 

That's it from my workstation.  Post a comment and either post a link to pictures or just tell me what you are working on.  I would love to hear.