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So I've decided to make the plunge and paint my IG army sooner rather then later, after I'm finished with a big school project. So far I have a good idea on the colors and how I will be painting my army, but one thing has me at an impasse. How should the Power Swords look on my squad Sergeants? The idea of a lowly Sergeant wielding an electrical sword seems a little far-fetched to me. Any ideas, and pictures if possible, would be a huge help for a novice like me.


Thanks in advance!

Nowadays it is very common to paint power weapons with lightning or electric colours. I can see why you might not find this a good look for IG. What actually makes a powersword WYSIWYG is the bits of wire running from the hilt up the blade. If you use swords showing those bits, or use slivers of GS to put some on ordinary blades, your power weapons will be perfectly legal. I can remember when it was perfectly normal for power weapons to have no other distinguishing paint or features. Just make sure to inform your opponent who has power weapons, since it won't be apparent from arm's length.

Well i find that to make sword and power swords differently is to paint the electrical effect in my opinion, some people just paint the metallic, some people add effects with wire and green stuff, but if that's not your route there are many ways. People use the technique that i do, blend, and do it so many different colors, almost any you can think of you can do.
Heres an example of a power sword i did for this WIP storm trooper sergeant i did

Did it with ice blue, washed with asurmen blue, went over the areas that i wanted white with the ice blue again, then did watered down layers of white until im satisfied with the result, and you can change that order to any color with the corresponding wash, just build up the colors to white and your good!
Everyones power weapon turns out different and all depends on preference, it all depends on the amount of effort you want to put in and the effect your going for, i go for a distinct weapon that isnt to flashy yet looks good in my opinion, hope that helps!

Thanks, you both helped. Guess I'll have to see what I come up with!

Ps - @njal, liking the paint job on those guard.