Hi guys,

Some of you might already know me and my Blood Angels:
http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/351169.page

Well...
Today I present you the beginning of one of my side projects.

A 2000 points army of the Emperors' finest: The Adeptus Custodes.



It will consist mainly of 20 custodes (purifiers), 5 custodes terminators (paladins), HQs, transports and heavy support.

Here is what I have assembled so far. Shoulder pads are still missing because I haven't decided which ones to use.
Also the barrels need to be drilled, holes have to be filled, a bolter has to be attached to the halberd of the left guy etc.












The project is very expensive considering the low model count. The backpacks alone cost me a fortune.... Try to get your hands on 20 space marine commander back packs...

...EXACTLY.

It will also contain a lot of Forgeworld stuff: 2 pre heresy rhinos, 5 cataphractii terminators, 2 contemptor dreadnoughts and a storm eagle (counts as stormraven).

I'd like to thank this guy because I stole his idea:
http://rhysknightminiatures.blogspot.co.at/

And my bits suppliers:

Without those guys projects like this would never happen.
http://stores.ebay.com/Hoard-O-Bits
http://myworld.ebay.com/window-box/

Wow they look really good. I'll be keeping an eye on this.

I'm not entirely convinced on the arms and legs, they look too spindly and small for Custodes.

The gloves and boots might look a bit small but if you look at the artwork he posted the models actually fit right into the theme.
You will want something quite bulky for the shoulder pads as well.
Good job keep up the pictures mate.

Yeah, I think somewhere in the HH books it's mentioned that Custodes have less of the ridiculous proportions of Space Marines, and the artwork seems to verify that.

Overall, very well done conversions. Curious to see what the terminators and HQs look like!

What HQ will you be using, maybe a count as Castellan Crowe to make all the purifiers troops choices seems like a good idea.
Could make a cool model aswell.

I will be watching this. I'd never thought about high elf models as a base for this conversion.

i will be watching this will love to see how they come out

Very nice conversions. I've seen too many "Grey Knights with High Elf heads" Custodes armies before - you've captured the lithe, spindly Custodes very well, but I feel that the shoulder pads could be bigger.
Looking at the artwork you've linked, they do seem to have pretty bulked pauldrons on.

Another point would be the old classic, the sheathed Bezerker sword:
http://www.modelbits.co.uk/Warhammer+40k/Chaos+Space+Marines/Chaos+Khorne+Beserkers/Chaos+Khorne+Beserker+Sword+in+Scabbard.html
A great bit and should suit the models nicely.

You've done a very good job of scaling up those elf parts - I will keep my eye on this blog :-)

@Valkyrie: Thing is... the Custodes don't wear power armour on their arms and legs. And these models are HUGE. Just have a look at the size comparison I will post later on. ; )

@Eversor assassin: I will do a conversion based on Lysander to create a model representing Constantin Valdor who will count as Crowe. And some day there will be the Emperor himself using the statline of Draigo (or the Emperors if they will be released some time).

@Tek: As I mentioned in the first post... They will get shoulder pads, but I haven't decided which to take. Thank you very much for the imput on the sword. It's awesome.

I like these a lot, and look forward to seeing more. Do you have a build in mind for the Terminators? I have been planning a squad myself (allies for a pre-Heresy Thousand Sons force, using Codex: Space Marines) but haven't figured out a bits list yet.

I will be using Cataphractii terminators from FW. I think they are a perfect match.

SPEAK OF THE DEVIL
This is exactly what was planning to do!

Great work here, Im defo gonna do some of my own now, they also look more true scale than GW heroic (not as in larger, but their proportions are better)

Thanks so much for being the first guy I have seen to do this with these exact parts!

keep up the good work.

The legs look really spindly. I would thicken them up with some GS.

Looking forward to seeing more. These are looking pretty cool so far.

I love the way the models look! One thing I need to mention is that whenever I fight my friend with his Custodes army, he rewrote the Stat Line and Points Costs. Custodes are to Grey Knights what Grey Knights are to SM Initiates. They are made from the more pure versions of the "Primarch'ian Geneseeds" Their Stat Lines would be more along the lines of around WS-5, BS-5, S-5, T-4, W-1, I-5, A-2, LD-10, Sv-3+. And they use Grey Knights rules otherwise. Of course, you can't use these in other than friendly games with an opponent whose willing. But if in a tournament then you would want to use them as Purifiers and use Crowe to unlock them as Troops. (at least I believe it's Crowe who does so...)

Can't wait to see more, these are cool!

I feel like these may be an excellent contribution, but they are from maxmini, so if you don't like unoficial parts, then these may not be for you.

But they seem to be almost designed for this purpose.

http://www.maxmini.eu/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=22_23&products_id=186

Hope this helps!

Thanks Rennoc.
Actually these would be really nice if you could buy each design seperately as I really like the middle one.
But sadly you have to take all five in a set.

i've seen custodes fielded as paladins (made troops with draigo), since they are one man armies XD and some other sweet conversions along the way! (dreadknights and others)

Yours in any case are to begin with, better converted than the ones I know ;D and they are well on their way to become GREAT! keep up the good work.

Thank you very much.
I will field them as purifiers since I need to differntiate them from the custodes terminators I will build.

Here's a little update:

Very nice! Could you give a list of the bitz you use to make one of them?

 JohnnoM wrote:
Very nice! Could you give a list of the bitz you use to make one of them?

Here's the list:

Head - High elves white lions
Torso - Sanguiniary guard
Legs - High elves phoenix guard
Feet - High elves white lions
Weapon - High elves spearmen (spear) + grey knights (falchion)
Cloak - High elves phoenix guard
Backpack - Grey knights interceptor (backpack) + space marine commander (eagles)

maybe add some shoulderpads to give them a more powerarmor like look? other then that interesting conversion but im still on the fence

I don't want to come across as offensive, I really don't.
But you could have just read the first post to know that I just haven't decided which shoulder pads to give them yet.
;-)

But I guess I will get some from Anvil industries.

Looking good so far
I'd only suggest you do something about the boots. The legs you are using are fine except for when they reach a tiny point at the bottom. It somewhat distorts the posting of your models.
You should consider using different feet or, if you'd rather not hack your models up, find alternative legs. At the moment your Custodes appear to be walking around in ballerina shoes.

 Xendarc wrote:
Looking good so far
I'd only suggest you do something about the boots. The legs you are using are fine except for when they reach a tiny point at the bottom. It somewhat distorts the posting of your models.
You should consider using different feet or, if you'd rather not hack your models up, find alternative legs. At the moment your Custodes appear to be walking around in ballerina shoes.

These legs are the best alternative I could find, but I'm open for suggestions if you have any?
; )

By the way. They do not look so tiny anymore when you compare them to a regular marine.

Painted pics, pronto!

Wow, they'd fit in better with truescale marines, those guys are huge! They look amazing, but could you blu-tack a few shoulder pads on so we get a better idea of how they'd look completed? Also others may be able to give feedback as to which are most suitable.

@Master of asgard:
Since the army will not contain any regular marines I do not care so much about the difference in size.
Actually they look much more impressive on the table.

I have tried out different shoulder pads already, but I do not like them. I ordered a set from Anvil industries. I think they will look quite good.

Looking lovely - I love the squad shot and man, they're tall! I think that's brilliant that they're head and shoulders above the standard marine model. Seriously cool - but I think they need shoulder pads ;-) (I jest, of course)

 Enzephalon wrote:
Thanks Rennoc.
Actually these would be really nice if you could buy each design seperately as I really like the middle one.
But sadly you have to take all five in a set.

I've bought from Maxmini before and requested a whole bunch of one or two heads - they're normally willing to oblige so it's worth an enquiry :-)

Hi guys,

Long time no see.
But I have been busy.

This is the first of two Contemptor dreadnoughts.

His weapons represent twin linked autocannons, but compared to the regular ones these have a more brutal and raw look.
I think they look more appropriate for a pre heresy army.

Please share your thoughts!

This is all awesome!

Can you give some part breakdown sources?

(i.e. what parts you used for which pieces of the minis? - for example...what auto cannons are those...maulfiend?).

Wow.

Davethepak:
The parts breakdown for the Custodes is on the first page.

The cannons of the dread derive from the Nemesis dreadknight.

Best custodes ive seen. Scibor can suck it compared to these lovelies.

Thank you for your kind words.

I totally forgot to post the first guy with shoulder pads, and the Emperor (Draigo) in here.

My god that is beatiful.

A little update:

Here are all the guys WITH shoulderpads attached. I really like the choice I made.








An update of the Custodes dreadnaught:







My all new shiny Custodes terminator:















And now a familiy portrait:

Hi guys,

Today I painted a first test model using mainly the airbrush.
I'm still learning to use it properly, so it may not be overwhelming. ^^
I still like how he turned out.








Automatically Appended Next Post:
What I also did is to build myself a Vindicare assassin....

... a sister of silenceR (got it? ^^)

Brilliant job with the modeling, the Emperor model is outstanding.

Not to be a prude or offensive but, I feel the base you put with that lovely model really takes away from it. But, that's just me. Great job with the custom miniatures.

Well its not painted yet, the rocks and dirt on the base will really help to ground the model since there will be lots of golds and bright colors on the model. The contrast will actually help to make it stand out in the long run. Crazy modeling my good man, just unbelievable work.

They need Bulkier arms and legs, custodes are space marines on steroids.

I'm curious about what bits you used for the sister of silence. It looks like wytch legs, but what arms are those?

The arms are taken from the Kabalite warrior sprue.

About how much is it costing you to make each model? these look amazing!

I can tell you how much I paid for the bits when I get home.
But it is quite pricey.
Depends on the availability of the bits of course.
So your milage may vary.

Awesome stuff done here love. been following from the beginning.

Thankyou, that would be great

Amazing work. Subscribed.

Lordjig:
All in, with base and all the parts the price is about 10,5 $ per regular Custodian (count as purifier).

So it's 105 $ for 10 guys.

In comparison: Two squads of 5 purifiers cost you 66$


Automatically Appended Next Post:
I should mention that the eagle headed backpack alone cost me 3,5 $ per guy. ^^
If you can live without that these guys just cost you 70 $ per 10 guys, which isn't that bad, given you have all the bits available (which wasn't easy)

Great job. You must have a ton of patience. Love the Contemptor. It's a great model to begin with.

These are beautiful
Good job

With the back pack, you use 2 back packs worth dont you? id like the eagle back pack, but it looks as if youve stuck the commander eagles on another back pack.

Indeed so. I chopped off the eagle heads and attached it to the teleporter backpack of the grey knights, to give it more of a 30k feel.

Brilliant thankyou

Also, you mentioned in your first post that this will be a 2000 point army utilisng 20 custodes, 5 terminators, hqs and heavy supports.

Would you be able to upload the list please? Just curious on seeing what else is in the works, IE heavy support and HQs.

Or is it just 20, 5, 1 dready and the EMPRAH?

 Lordjig6 wrote:
Brilliant thankyou

Also, you mentioned in your first post that this will be a 2000 point army utilisng 20 custodes, 5 terminators, hqs and heavy supports.

Would you be able to upload the list please? Just curious on seeing what else is in the works, IE heavy support and HQs.

Or is it just 20, 5, 1 dready and the EMPRAH?

HQ

The EMPRAH (Kaldor Draigo)

Constantin Valdor (Castellan Crowe)

----

TROOPS

10x Purifiers
- Psicannons (4x)
- Nemesis Demon Hammer (1x)
- Warding Stave (1x)
+RHINO (Double wide anti grav that is... be excited ^^)

10x Purifiers
- Psicannons (4x)
- Nemesis Demon Hammer (1x)
- Warding Stave (1x)
+RHINO

5x Paladins
- Psicannon (2x)

----

FAST ATTACK

Stormraven (using the FW Stormeagle model)
- Heavy Bolters
- Assault Cannon
- Hurricane Bolters
- Psyactive Ammunition

----

HEAVY SUPPORT

Dreadnought
- Twin LInked Autocannon (2x)
- Psyactive Ammunition

Dreadnought
- Twin LInked Autocannon (2x)
- Psyactive Ammunition

( -optional- Vindicare assassin instead of 1 dread )

With varying wargear this list is 2000 points.

I really think the dreadnaught should have had some kind of massive power fist just like in the artwork. But everything else is awesome

That would be great, but I want this army to be playabe as well.
These dreadnought will probably never see close combat before they die a horrible death, so I rather invest in a second ranged weapon. ^^

 Enzephalon wrote:
That would be great, but I want this army to be playabe as well.
These dreadnought will probably never see close combat before they die a horrible death, so I rather invest in a second ranged weapon. ^^

Couldn't you magnetisize the left arm and have a power fist for show?

I like your way of thinking. ^^
That would be indeed a nice option.

 Enzephalon wrote:
I like your way of thinking. ^^
That would be indeed a nice option.

A big halberd or hammer would also look well together with the rest of the army!

That list looks quite nice aswell man. i love your rhino idea,
. colour me excited, cant wait to keep following this

It is a good day guys!

Originally I had planned to include a few jetbikes into this army... just for the looks, or as a stand in for a squad of scimitar jetbikes if my opponents allow it.

Here's how they look like:


And I found the perfect match, made by Zealot miniatures:

Sadly they aren't in production anymore which made me a sad panda.
: (

BUT today I stumbled upon those, made by Blood and Skulls industries.


They have the look AND are available.
Ordered 3 of them immediately.

Be prepared!

Nice! I bet they'll turn out great. Are you going to add the large eagle?

On another note, I don't suppose you could link their website for us?

The eagle will be added of course.
It's made from sanguinary guard wings in the first picture too.
; )

This is the link:
http://stores.ebay.com/Blood-and-Skulls-Industry

Thank you for your swift response! Also, I'm envious of your kitbashing skills.

Do you have any tips for kitbashing? I'm going to be making Chapter Master Scindo Reul sometime soon, and I'd prefer to make him the best I can.

 Stormsung wrote:
Thank you for your swift response! Also, I'm envious of your kitbashing skills.

Do you have any tips for kitbashing? I'm going to be making Chapter Master Scindo Reul sometime soon, and I'd prefer to make him the best I can.

Major point for kitbashing is... Have enough cash to buy the bits you really want, and don't be afraid hacking them into pieces!

Certainly that's not always an option, since some guys have a limited budget.
But if you don't feel comfortable spending a certain amount of cash for a kitbash you might screw up, better leave it.

For my Sanguinius conversion I bought a 37$ Nightbringer just to cut his arms into little parts, filing away his chest and scraping his face off.
If the conversion would have failed, there wouldn't be anything else to do than to throw it all away.
37$ down the toilet.



For specific advice on your chapter master I would need more info, since I have absolutely no clue who this guy is.

But another general advice. Posing is very important. Even more than the actual bits you are using.
Just place yourself in front of a mirror and try to reenact the pose you are going for.
Is it possible without dislocating your shoulder or breaking your hip?
Well... Then you might have chosen a realistic pose. If it is a dynamic looking one it's even better.

I love your models, very nice army. But..... i prefered the original look of the dreadnought, before you lowered the weapons, it looks a little weird now imo

Well... It seems like you can't please everyone. ^^

Very cool work - thanks for sharing

vary vary vary nice kit bash/ conversion/ epicness!!

as for sholderpads id say somthing from the Sanguiniary guard set, the one with the wing on it, on there right and maybe the Inquisition sholder pad on there left.
huh but now that i think about it they might not ever go with the death watch.

Death Scythe:
Thanks for your input but have you seen page 2?
I already attached shoulderpads. They derive from Anvil Industries and are the perfect match if you ask me. ^^

Enze, I know most of this entire post is off topic, but I love the way that Sanguinius model turned out. Furthermore, how's your experience with Anvil industries been? I am wary of all parties due to a terrible Chapterhouse experience.

Anyways to answer the details part you brought up, I'll be using a larger than normal model, for my Knights of Blood army, think Scibor scale. I know I will be using a mixture of official Games workshop, with Anvil Industries, and Scibor parts.

As for the pose, It's your classic Primarch high atop a rock pose, watching the field, or another one I had in mind that is less likely to work. I'm unsure if you've ever played Space Marine but, if you have it's similar to when Titus cuts off and Ork's head and then kicks him into pulp. I don't think this one is possible though, so back to plan A. I was thinking of Anvil industries Chain Glaives, (Which I'm using as the standard for my army instead of chainswords), except the head is twice as large and the handle is long enough for a Scibor model; being held in his right hand, and in his left hand is his bolter, which is slung over his shoulder with a strap, being held by his hand which is attached to his bionic left arm. Look to the Captain Tycho picture in the BA codex for reference, sorta.

However, I was thinking of having a merge between the two, standing in a very Primarch/Surveying pose, with just his boot resting upon an enemy Terminators body. The Knights of Blood are Renegade but, loyal to the Imperium of man. So it could be a Chaos marine, or even another loyal legion. The Chapter Master of the official Knights of Blood renegade army was never touched upon, so I am on a project to create his lore. Here's what I have so far, if you're curious.

Before the chapter's fall from grace, he was seconded to the deathwatch twice, and then returned to the chapter as the newly promoted Captain of the fourth company. In the grand scheme of things, this was much to his chagrin, as the chapter was proclaimed Excommunicate Traitoris by the Imperium of Mankind. Years later, after successfully assisting in the defense of Baal in 999.M41; Scindo Reul was awarded for defending the previous chapter masters' body from the onslaught of the daemonic horde; only faltering to severe wounds as a small force of reinforcing terminators teleported unto the field, who cleared the bloodthirsters after his collapse. In this regard, he was forgiven for siding with the Deathwatch in an disagreement a few hundred years before. For his valor, and his feats, he was declared chapter master due to popular demand of his brothers, his left arm being replaced heavily by bionics, and received the two-handed Chainglaive that the previous chapter master wielded, in due tradition.

Due to his past, and the Imperium of Mankind's actions, he renamed the sacred Chainglaive "Betrayal's Lament." As chapter master of the Knights of Blood, he guides his chapter, in the name of the Emperor, even after the fall from grace.

Does that answer your question as to the model? Just think of your traditional, overpowered, bellicose and stern chapter-master, who's slightly larger than most Space Marines.


AHEM. Now, to stay on topic, I do have a suggestion.

Why not make this thread a P&M blog? I think constant updates would be great, myself.

The arms and legs are still too thin

Nemesor wrote:
The arms and legs are still too thin

It's really getting old guys.
Seriously.

Look at this picture and tell me again that his arms or legs are too thin...
They do NOT wear full power armour, just gloves and leather boots.
Does this make any sense in a hostile environment like 40k with laser beams and chain swords? Hell NO!

But I didn't come up with that. It's just the way it is.
I'm just strictly following the artwork.

If you don't like it I appreciate that, but it's still the perfect match of the artwork (or at least as close as I can do).

Are you planning on putting something "extra" on the shoulderpads? I notice the artwork got a cross on the left shoulder pad, maybe you could add something like that? Scrape of some crosses from black templars or use some kind of etched brass from forgeworld.

Yes... I'm planning to do so.
I already bought some instant mold sticks. These are easy to use press molds. I want to replicate some emblems and stuff using these molds and green stuff.

 Enzephalon wrote:
Yes... I'm planning to do so.
I already bought some instant mold sticks. These are easy to use press molds. I want to replicate some emblems and stuff using these molds and green stuff.

Sounds awesome, looking forward to see the pics!

 Enzephalon wrote:

Nemesor wrote:
The arms and legs are still too thin

It's really getting old guys.
Seriously.

Look at this picture and tell me again that his arms or legs are too thin...
They do NOT wear full power armour, just gloves and leather boots.
Does this make any sense in a hostile environment like 40k with laser beams and chain swords? Hell NO!

But I didn't come up with that. It's just the way it is.
I'm just strictly following the artwork.

If you don't like it I appreciate that, but it's still the perfect match of the artwork (or at least as close as I can do).

I think they look spot on man! I really appreciate the work that you are doing to make them look that close to the artwork.

Looks awesome. I like how they are larger than the normal marines. Since they're supposed to be the most prestigious warriors of the Imperium. Love the dread too. Keep up the good work.

Love how you matched the artwork, as well.

This "Still too small" crap is ridiculous, because even when they are in such a state, they are larger than normal marines, to scale as they should be, and furthermore, to scale with the artwork.

Spot on, keep going strong.

Chiming back in to agree with the individuals directly above me. These models are spot on. I wish I had a few!

Hey guys,

I'm currently on holidays so no updates yet.
I spent some time having a look at different tutorials on how to paint gold since I'm not really happy with the terminator.

And now the question is... true metallic metal or non metallic metal?
I really can't decide.

What's your opinion?

You should do SETMM, just for bragging rights.

Adore these models man, I've been trying to hunt down the bits to make just one as a painting project - tough job though.

I would have definately cast those eagles for the backpacks mind, a super simple Greenstuff push mould would have done it.

 Enzephalon wrote:
Hey guys,

I'm currently on holidays so no updates yet.
I spent some time having a look at different tutorials on how to paint gold since I'm not really happy with the terminator.

And now the question is... true metallic metal or non metallic metal?
I really can't decide.

What's your opinion?

Well really depends on how good you are with NMM, if you don't get it close to perfect it just looks weird.

Speaking of NMM I have no experience at all. ^^
1:0 for TMM.

When you say TMM what do you mean?


Anyways, my vote is for NMM, because I think it is a great effect for catching how light works on a large surface at a scale where light behaves differently.

I mean painting with regular metallic paints. But hopefully with better results than what I did on the terminator,

This style was my original suggestion, SETMM, or Sky-Earth True Metallic Metals. Using only metallic pigments to create a reflected horizon, light source and shadows.

This definetly looks awesome, but is certainly hard to pull off.
You don't have any tutorial at hand do you?

If I only had enough money for some commission painting. ^^
I actually don't like to paint my models. I really don't.

No tutorial, but the WIP is here.

http://warhammer.org.uk/phpBB/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=87667

Thank you AG. I have read a lot about these techniques in the last the two weeks.
I will definitely give it a try.

Quick update:
I came back from my two week holidays on the beautiful island of Lanzarote and the first thing I did was to build one of the Jetbikes that finally arrived.
There will be some minor details to be added and some green stuff work is still need for the gaps, but I think you can see where this is going.

Hope you like it.

It looks awesome!

That does look pretty cool.

I like it! But then again I am a bit partial

Not bad. Not bad at all. I like the stuff you've done. Keep it up.

Man, so far your models look amazing! I can't wait to see the whole thing kitted out and painted up

These are seriously unreal. Job very well done.

Awesome stuff dude. I'm well impressed.

If there are any UK custodes collectors/players subscribed we would like to see some participate in our Ullanor Crusade at the end of the month.

Follow the link for details...

http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/440020.page

If you fancy a trip over from Austria with your own custodes or blood angels Enzephalon then feel free to check our link too!

Hello guys,

Wow... It's been an eternity since I had time to do some hobby, but this army is far from being dead.

Have a look at my newest addtions.

First of all the centerpiece of this army (besides good ol' Emperor of course ^^):
My Stormeagle conversion that will use the regular Stormraven ruleset and will be used as the personal ride of Constantin Valdor (Castellan Crowe).










Automatically Appended Next Post:
And second:
Freakin' flying Rhino!

Inspired by this picture....

Nice to see you back, but I'm afraid the links appear to be broken.

 Magos Explorator wrote:
Nice to see you back, but I'm afraid the links appear to be broken.

Thank you for pointing that out.
It should be working now.

Huh. I thtink you should have made it a grav rhino instead tho. the wings are a bit off Imo. but so much cool on here. waiting patiently for valdor.

Well... It's supposed to be anti grav. Now that you mention it I realize that I forgot to glue the anti grav thingies on the bottom.

Valdor depends on my FW order to arrive.
; )

Another thing I want to mention, especially since I've been asked alot in person...

Yes. The Stormeagle is a horrible kit to put together!
Honestly it is the worst kit I have built yet.
Nothing really fits together nicely. The parts are warped and many times excess resin gets in the way.
It's not possible to assemble this without major cutting and filing being involved. And glueing the resin and plastic parts together can be a pain too.

Amazing work. I loved the model and the proportions, very tempeted to steal it

Great conversions there, a custodes army is pretty awesome. I thought it may be in your interests, to see some non-GW models, that look just like custodes. I have one of the models myself, and it's taller than an average marine, while sharing the same power armour looks. Anyways, here they are, should be a lot cheaper than your current course,
http://sciborminiatures.com/en_,shop.php?group=173

Thank you for the hint painkiller. I knew them already, since I have done a lot of research before I spent the first cent on this project.
But I have to admit that I think they are not suitable for me.
I think they do not look enough like the artwork, but the main reason is:They are already finished.
I mainly chose this project for the endless converting possibilities to create something really unique.

But thank you anyways, maybe somebody stumbles upon your link and likes what he sees.