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After recently finishing Dan Abnett's "Brothers of the Snake", I am feeling inspired to make an army after the chapter. I already have alot of marines, many unpainted.

I want to make the army themed to fit their fighting style and whatnot, but my environment is not one that true theme armies can survive in - it has to have a competetive side to it as well. I'm not looking to win a GT or anything - just be able to compete in local leagues and what not.

What traits best fit the Iron Snakes? It would seem like Trust your Battle Brothers (for True Grit), and Purity Above All (The book describes every 9 marines having an apothecary).

Drawbacks are alittle trickier. I want to say Aspire To Glory would fit really well since there is only one squad of terminators in the chapter, but this means no relics, which means no mantle for my master (who would be Seydon, who is described as having a Wyrm-scale cloak). For minor drawback, Faithful Unto Death fits, to represent the chapters different organization. Or Death Before Dishonor works as well.

One problem is that I want to have one squad be Damocles, but how do I represent both Khiron (Apothecary) and Priad (Sergeant)? The only solution I came up with was to represent Priad through the HQ Captain choice, and then attach him to the squad.

If anyone else has read the book and can give some suggestions, it would be most appreciated!

Try Eye to Eye; I have yet to see any real use of Speeders or bikes, and it allows the relics you so desire. Faithful Unto Death works for the minor, but it'd limit your Notables (see below).

Your idea for Damocles could work... OR you could make them a Command Squad. That way, you can have Petrok as the IC, Priad can be the Vet Sarge with LC, Khirion as Apothecary, and the standard bearer and plasma gunner as well (forget the names).

I think most of the Notables could be represented as Veteran squads, and given the trooper-heavy nature of the Iron Snakes, it'd give you more Troops space to boost the numbers.

Haven't read the book..yet

So I can't really help you other than to say - Just Do it! You seem set to a nice narrative plan and the Marine dex is strong enough for any league so just go for it.

Sounds like your on the right path already. What are you thinking as far as paint skeme. The alpha legion decal could work if you paint it silver.

For the color scheme, I am not sure. The GW website shows them as being metallic silver, but the book describes their armor as grey IIRC. I am leaning towards the grey.

I will probably freehand the chapter symbol, but the AL one could work too if I get desperate.

Straight womens just a iron snake!

- G