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Hi guys, I just bought the 6th edition box set off ebay, and I was wondering about the various color schemes of the empire troops. I don't know much about Warhammer Fantasy, so can anyone provide a brief overview of some of the more popular empire troops and their colors? They seem to be like in 40k where the Space Marines have distinctive color schemes.

Or at least provide a link to where I can get this info.

Not crazy about the white/red color scheme of the painted troops on the back of the box...

Thanks!

Right off the top of my head are...

Middenland/Middenheim: Blue/white

Averland: Black/yellow with white trim

Stirland: Green Yellow

Ostland: White/black with purple trim

Nuln: White/black with metallic trim

Nordland: Blue/Yellow

Reikland/Altdorf: White, white/blue with red trim

Alright,
So the Empire is roughly based on the Holy Roman Empire during the 14-15th centuries. It Encompases 10 provinces and 4 city states. Each province and city state has their own colors, though other cities/powerfull lords/merchants major regiments have their own. Here's the basic breakdown of color schemes, though they don't have to be followed and you are encouraged to make your own.
The city states
Altdorf- the current capitol- Red and Blue are the main colors with black or white accents
Nuln- The artillery center of the empire- Primarily black with cream accents, though other colors are also used
Talabheim- the red/white guys
Middenheim- Deep Blue and White
the provinces
Middenland- lighter blue and grey
Averland- yellow and black
Nordland- yellow and blue
Hochland- green and red
Ostland- Black and white
Ostermark- purple and either yellow or white. It's a poor province so sometimes the purple is exchanged with a different color
Reikland- almost completely cream with a variety of accent colors
Stirland- very poor and very inbred- green and yellow, though greys and creams are also common
Talabecland- Red and yellow
Wissenland- grey and white with a variety of accent colors

Hope this helps and if you can, check out "Colors and Heraldry of the Empire" which has a fantastic breakdown of the different areas of the empire and famous regiments.

Does anyone know if the Sigmarite church or various VIPS (elector counts, grand theologonist, etc) have their own personal heraldry? Could you make a 'bodyguard' force of the emperor himself?

The sigmarite church doesn't have standing military forces, so no real heradlry. Guess you could use the twin-tailed comet though
You have the Reiksguard for the emperor's guard, but the reikguards on foot don't exist anymore, could use Greatswords to represent them. All those are Special so you'll need some "auxiliaries" to form the Core

 iLLiTHiD wrote:
Does anyone know if the Sigmarite church or various VIPS (elector counts, grand theologonist, etc) have their own personal heraldry? Could you make a 'bodyguard' force of the emperor himself?

There's loads of room for creativity in the fluff. It leaves a lot of potential holes you can fill if you want. Make a city militia in your own colours. There are any number of reasons. Maybe a wealthy merchant has built his own small army? Maybe the merchant/city council is very pious (or atleast wants to have people believe so) so you can add any Warhammer religious iconery to your militia.

Many thanks guys, this is a huge help. Any idea why GW would have used the Talabheim guys for the painting scheme for the back of the box? I dont know anything about the city. Its it a big/important one or special in anyway?

KTG17 wrote:
Many thanks guys, this is a huge help. Any idea why GW would have used the Talabheim guys for the painting scheme for the back of the box? I dont know anything about the city. Its it a big/important one or special in anyway?

It is at the very center of the Empire in a gigantic crater in the thickest forest of the empire, so is surrounded by beastmen and other enemies of man. So it would be at the center of many a conflict. Its also one of the brightest color schemes available to the Empire to catch the eye of a potential costumer and to contrast against the more evil forces of the world.

Awesome thanks for the info.

 iLLiTHiD wrote:
Does anyone know if the Sigmarite church or various VIPS (elector counts, grand theologonist, etc) have their own personal heraldry? Could you make a 'bodyguard' force of the emperor himself?

The Reiksguard are the bodyguard of the Emperor.

http://whfb.lexicanum.com/wiki/Reiksguard

They're also the closest thing the Empire has to an Imperial army. Most troops are in the service of their Provence or City-state and not the Empire specifically.