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Why are the only models I ever see that are weathered are Imperial? CHaos and Orks are naturally weathered by design, but when models are painted, why do only human armies keep shoddy maintenance? A Space Marine vehicle wouldn't get weathered, the amount of dedication they take to their equipment is staggering. The tech-priests would keep Guard vehicles a little better maintained I would think. But that is just rumination.

Why are there never any worn and weathered xenos vehicles? I'll see an occasional Tau unit that way, but since I hardly ever see Tau posted that barely counts.


Where are the weathered Necron, Eldar, or Dark Eldar vehicles? Again, Orks and Chaos don't count.

Necrons? Well... there are some, but mostly, the notions of "living metal" and the whole "eternal" theme conflict with it.

Craftworld Eldar? Wraithbone, and other Eldar materials just too advanced. It's sort of unspoken, generally accepted fact.

Dark Eldar? Maybe. Considering their reckless nature, I'd say that's quite feasible.

Actually, according to the Blood Angels codex, they try and take care of their vehicles as much as possible.

I would say overall its based on how the individual making the model sees it. I know from real life experience, vehicles can get horribly dirty in the field, and the first thing that happens once they make it to the rear is cleaning and such. Believe me, the care the US military takes of its vehicles make the efforts of Space Marines and IG tech priests look like pikers.

Having said that, I don't see eldar letting their vehicles get dirty - I've seen a couple of rusty necron armies, and dark eldar have too many slaves to let dirt build up on their surfaces.

There are weathered armies that are not Space Marines...

Weathered eldars ?
--> http://www.warmania.com/galerie/categories.php?cat_id=326&sessionid=2385233419cae1ed02bb2af24eea57d0

For exemple :



Weathered demons ?
--> http://www.warmania.com/galerie/categories.php?cat_id=325&sessionid=2385233419cae1ed02bb2af24eea57d0&page=2

Exemple :




Dark Eldars ?
--> http://leskouzes.blogspot.fr/2012/11/welcome.html




All are weathered armies, painted by skilled painters (check their galleries, they are great). IMHO, any 40k army can be painted using weathering. A friend of mine has a wonderful weathered Tau army.
This is not mandatory though, and a "brand new" looking army can look really good too.

i think your just not looking at the right paintjobs....
ive seen loads of weathered (dark) eldar, hell, my necrons are even getting some.... only thing i dont see with any battle dmg are nids... they could use some more wounds and scars IMO

I would say it is odd how so many Space Marine armies let their machinery rust. You don't see many tanks in modern military covered in rust.

It depends on where you're looking. The British army doesn't allow much rust to build up, but then we have modern equipment and intensive maintenance regimes. I'm sure if you checked out the military equipment of other countries that the maintenance is worse and rust levels higher. But with a lot of stuff, does that actually matter. If the armour plate is a bit rusty it isn't going to cause a great deal of trouble.

Also we aren't in a never-ending fight for survival, so kit can be swapped out for repair and maintenance. Marine armies might be in a combat theatre for an extended period of time without the opportunity to sand down and repaint their kit.

and some vehicles are supposed to be in function for centuries if not millennia...

only think i dont get is why people paint rust on them... most vehicles and armor are ceramite and plasteel and both of these components dont rust... also paint chipping shouldnt reveal metal underneath...

dirt may accumulate over time or during a battle so sand, dirt and dust are the only real forms or weathering

DijnsK wrote:
and some vehicles are supposed to be in function for centuries if not millennia...

only think i dont get is why people paint rust on them... most vehicles and armor are ceramite and plasteel and both of these components dont rust... also paint chipping shouldnt reveal metal underneath...

dirt may accumulate over time or during a battle so sand, dirt and dust are the only real forms or weathering

I also agree with that.

I personally prefer the look of 'battle scars' over 'weathering', so yeah, I think 'weathering' for Space Marines should mostly be dirt, mud, etc.