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Hi folks,

I'm looking for some guidance from all the SM fans out there.
I've been working on my own chapter, Bone Ravens, for some time now. Although progress has been slow and I'm generally losing a bit of interest in the project.
I think I'll keep my heroes painted for prosperity but strip the tac squad and begin a 1st Founding Force i.e. Blood Angels/Dark Angels etc.

However, I have no real idea who to go for!

I guess it's going to come down to what I enjoy painting as unfortunately I don't play that often.
Raven Guard are out as I'm not a fan of painting black. I'm tempted to go with Dark Angels, they have a lot of nice models (will have to suffer the black for the Ravenwing I guess!)
Who would you guys go for if you were starting out again with a 1st Founding Chapter?

Appreciate your thoughts on this one. Purely limiting it to the loyal nine of course.

I'll strike out the following to make it easier for you...

Imperial Fists - Had a IF Force previously.
Ultramarines - Too blue!
Raven Guard - Too much black...had Black Templars before.
Iron Hands - See above.

So that leaves:

Blood Angels
White Scars
Space Wolves
Dark Angels
Salamanders

So looking at the above five, I guess my preference is DA, followed by BA/Space Wolves.
I will eventually look at starting to play more often so hopefully I can create a useful fighting force that's well painted

Depending on your views, I'll ask some follow up questions

Thanks Dakka.

I reckon if you haven't done an army with buckets of bikes/speeders before, you should do scars. Why? Because they are one of my favourites...and you should always placate random people who you don't know on the internet...right? And it also might be a nice change of pace/some fun modelling opportunities.

Hmm well vehicles aren't my favourite thing to paint so a heavily mobilised Scars force may not be the best.

However, I'm open to persuasion! I will look into Scars more. How are they for chapter specific iconography/packs? i.e. DA have chatper upgrade sprues etc, do Scars or any of the others I've highlighted have similar sprues?

Well, the writing's on the wall (or the White Dwarf spine) that Dark Angels are coming this way, rumoured to be in the 6th Edition Start box too.

If they're your inclination, I'd put some money in an interest-earning account for 3 months or so and then go on a Dark Angel binge with the likely new models coming for them. Or buy a cheap box of Tac Marines somewhere and practice painting green to tide over the time.

And for the latter, you might even consider the brand-new GW paint set featuring some Marines with DA iconography

I would say Dark Angels too, since from your gallery images you strike me as a good painter. There's nothing like a well painted army of Marines in robes, for my money.

Thanks guys,

Hmm I didn't realise DA releases were on the way, I'll check it out (don't have a recent WD to hand).

Any idea how close the release is?
I will try and practice my greens The "How to Paint Space Marines" book seems to suggest a black undercoat and layered drybrushing of greens is the best look for DA.

I'll have a look about Dakka/youtube and see what tutorials there are.

NiallCampbell wrote:Thanks guys,

Hmm I didn't realise DA releases were on the way, I'll check it out (don't have a recent WD to hand).

Any idea how close the release is?
I will try and practice my greens The "How to Paint Space Marines" book seems to suggest a black undercoat and layered drybrushing of greens is the best look for DA.

I'll have a look about Dakka/youtube and see what tutorials there are.

The only thing worthwhile in the White Dwarf on DA is the picture on its spine if you put this years Dwarfs together.



How close is the release? Well, it's rumours and little is certain. Going conservatively, it could possibly be as late as November as a late-year release. Could also be alot earlier.

OK thanks

Well I guess there's no harm in grabbing a simple Tactical Squad and trying out my greens

What's the general consensus these days... i.e. Lester Burley Tutorial style: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwskh0JfPDE&feature=watch_response
or an almost black look with drybrushed layers?

I have to admit I prefer the LB look.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Hey folks.

Well a relatively unsuccessful start! I ended up with a more 'black' look than I would have liked. Rough photos below.
Need work on highlighting etc.

I used Lester Burley's tutorial but I think I had way too much Dark Angels green compared to Catachan Green in the final mix. His is a far more 'camo' green than mine is and I really like that look. I also like DMan's DA's too so will try and petition him for a tut

Mark 2 coming up at some point haha.

First two photos with flash off. Also - DA decals are a pain in the butt...it's hard fitting them to the curve of the shoulder pads!

I think this will def be one of many test minis before I get a result I'm happy to use.
I'll maybe move this to the WIP/Blog section at some point if I do decide to continue with a DA force.

Just so you know before the heresy the dark angels were black. Its all about you battle style. do you like bikes, jump infantry, terminators,ETC.

Just take your DA and make them post heresy so you get the green you want and then say they are pre black crusade for fluff purposes. I have always been drawn to the DA for their model look and after looking at your gallery I appreciate your attention to detail I say go for and can't wait to see your finished work esp. on the DA vets.