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As the holidays close in, I find my pile of blue skinned Kroot growing and nearing completion. Already two full squads of Kroot have flown by without me recording their progress, so I stopped and grabbed some WIP images of my last two squads, Kroot rifle snipers, Krootox and Master Shaper.



Master Shaper starting to come together.


Kroot Rifle Snipers


Krootox melee beasts




Soon these final models will be done and I get to finish with my customized Greater Knarloc Weapon beasts!

And I draw ever closer to the end of this project.

20 Kroot Carnivores
5 snipers
Aun Prak Master Shaper
4 Krootox (3 converted to melee fighters)







Master Shaper


5 snipers carrying Kroot Guns. These powerful rifles offer strong damage and long range.






Krootox developed from smaller Kroot forms after consuming powerful biped beasts. However they paid the price of intelligence for their brutal strength. Now they rely on the care of their smaller Kroot handlers, and fly into a rage when prodded into battle.


Some Krootox are saddled with a fearsome railgun salvaged from a ruined Tau battleship.


Other Krootox are armed with clubs and spiked gauntlets and then herded towards enemy troopers.


Well, now I am finally ready to begin the last leg of my Kroot army.
Greater Knarloc weapon beasts!

More to come

At long last I am able to work on my Greater Knarloc heavy weapon beasts. I had ordered a set of 100 mm bases for them and as always the mail was taking forever to arrive. As I posted the images of my final Kroot soldiers, I stopped by my PO box and there was the long awaited shipping notice. I had waited weeks for these bases and their appearance was perfectly timed to keep my momentum going on these last showpieces for my very unconventional army.

A Festivus miracle!

Five Greater knarlocs are assigned to the Four Finger warband. Each is burdened with a powerful weapon system and saddled with supplies and gear required for the Kroot to operate for extended deployments without additional support. Food, water and ammunition is always scavenged from any available source, but an initial supply is required if things go poorly and support is delayed. These Beasts are also valued members of the warband and are the first posting of a young Kroot warrior as they learn the skills required of each member.

Discipline, fieldcraft, medicine, engineering and so much more is learned atop these mighty beasts. Eventually the young Kroot will prove their worth and be assigned to a combat squad, but each youth must prove their ability under the vigilant gaze of these senior Kroot . So great is their regard among the Kindred, even the words of a Shaper can be disputed by these veteran warriors. To refuse their guidance is a foolish error that the young Kroot will only rarely risk. Survival is often the reward for carefully attending to the words uttered by their venerated teachers.

Our First Greater Knarloc weapon beast is armed with a pair of Flamestorm cannons taken from a massive armored transport used by the genetically modified Human warriors bearing Scarlet red armor. Spare canisters of Promethium are kept filled at all times and are a precious reward granted for service. The team of Kroot riders are able to fire while charging madly, forcing death or burning pain upon their enemies. Often moving in support of the smaller Knarlocs, this mighty beast can break enemy lines and turn a routed army into burned ash.


The second Greater Knarloc bears a set of Assault cannons salvaged from a Human Dreadnought armored suit. The high rate of fire brings this beast toward the front of many attacks and will often provide the gap in enemy lines that other smaller Knarlocs or Trackers can rush through. Barrels filled with ammunition allow the Kroot riders an easy means to quickly swap out emptied ammunition clips that fit neatly into the back of each weapon system.


The third Greater Knarloc bears two Railgun systems used by the Tau Broadside suits. An upgraded targeting system allows the suit to fire all four barrels singly or together for a massive impact. Preffering to hang back and provide long ranged support, these frightful weapons are a treasured relic dating back to the earliest years of the Warbands travels. Modifications and repairs are a constant issue with these ancient weapons and their care is entrusted to two Kroot riders skilled at battlefield repairs.


Another relic scavenged from the Burning Tau Battleship encountered so long ago is a massive rail cannon intended for a Tau hovertank system. Able to slide on tracks to a fixed stowage position, it can be easily unlimbered and positioned to fire at great distances providing formidable long range firepower. Often a young Kroot is assigned to this beast along with two veteran Kroot as a part of the final stages of Battlefield training. Survival and skill is soon rewarded by assignment to a permanent warrior Kindred squad.


Our fifth warbeast is the oldest beast serving with the Four Fingers. A Tau Ion Cannon is mounted atop an armored Howdah and serves as home for two veteran Kroot and several younger Krootlings. The ancient, heavily modified weapon system requires teamwork to aim and fire safely and is in need of constant attention. The Krootlings learn quickly the value of maintenance and discipline or suffer burns and shocks from the Ion cannon. Typically burdened with more supplies than any other Greater Knarloc, this beast becomes a de facto command station when deployed.


Of course, the final two Beasts require the crew to be painted first and then the crew can be added. I have created four Krootlings and three veteran Kroot that will crew these two beasts.

Oh, wow, that broadside Krootox is brilliant. Made me lose my drink

Nice concealed sniper bases, too. Makes them look hidden and stealthy, whilst retaining a recognisable silhouette.

After many delays and a complete recreation of my workspace, I have finished my Greater Knarloc Weapon Beasts. I am happy that I chose to paint these last as I ran into an avalanche of real world issues that conspired to stop my painting. At irregular intervals, I found time and motivation to set aside and paint these huge creatures. And here they are.

This Greater Knarloc carries a pair of Tau XV88 heavy railguns mounted to an Orkish targeting system. Skulls and trophies adorn the sides of the weapons and a mass of tarps, tents and crates of supplies are strapped to the back of this powerful beast. Soot and corrosion on the weapons show their age and heavy use.






The second Greater Knarloc carries a pair of Assault cannons taken from a human dreadnought. Ammo belts connect to barrels of ammunition strapped among the other more mundane items carried on the back of this second beast. Heat distortion shows on the barrels and the worn, damaged weapons betray their relative newness to the warband.





The third Greater Knarloc bears a set of fearsome Flamestorm cannons. Fuel tanks filled with pressurized Promethium offer susbstantial amounts of firepower that can be applied against hordes of enemies. Personal items and trophies of past combat hide among the tarps and backpacks strapped onto the sides of this third beast.





The fourth Greater Knarloc carries a Rail Cannon taken from a Tau tank. Skulls taken from enemy leaders hang from its barrel. Armored plates protect its delicate power supply from small arms fire, but the elements have withered and aged the ancient weapon system. Two Kroot and a young Krootling ride atop this fourth beast. Each krootling must serve from the safety of the Knarloc beasts as they learn the arts of war.





The last of my Greater Knarloc beasts carries a Ion cannon taken from a Tau armored carrier. Trophies and shields taken from enemies are proudly displayed by the junior Krootling crew. Armed with powerful, double barreled Kroot pistols, they protect their beloved Greater Knarloc from assault. A single senior Kroot warrior rides with them advising and sharing insight into the art of war.



Two of the Greater Knarlocs move together as their junior Krootling crew relies on the wisdom and experience of the older Kroot warriors entrusted with their care. Together, they offer powerful back field support for the lightly armed Kroot forces of the Four Finger Warband.

That is just astonishing work on all of them.

Wow! Hadn't seen this before. I love your steed conversions, the commisar kroot and the hound/kroot leaping figure.
Great stuff - the kroot deserve all our love.

Mercenary life can be rough. Operating in remote areas with little direct support, Kroot warriors of the Four Fingers rely on a pair of heavily armored planetary assault cruisers. Taken from a marauding band of pirate raiders in the closing years of M39, these two cruisers of unknown make have proven to be formidable weapons and a safe haven among the starts.





Contrasting sharply with the fearsome assault cruisers is the Rubicon. Gold plated and luxuriously appointed, the Rubicon was the personal Freighter of the long-dead Rogue Trader Anthonase Kormar. Taken as prize for services rendered long ago, this regal craft is able to scout into Human systems without the risk of arousing the local Imperial Navy fleets. Arriving in less settled areas, the appearance of the well-armed Rubicon deters raiders who might wait for less dangerous targets.



A massive Urs-Ars harpoon is mounted under the prow of each armored cruiser. These adamantium reinforced spikes are fired into fleeing vessels and slowly dragged back into range to launch boarding torpedoes. This was a favorite tactic of the pirate raiders who once crewed these mighty ships. The Kroot of the Four Fingers take a similar delight in harpooning a target ship and revel in slowly reeling the crippled ships back toward their waiting guns.



Armored plating and multiple shield generators offer safety to the Kroot crew aboard each of these Planetary assault craft. Based on energy and impact dispersion, shield generators are spread across the entirety of each cruiser. These project outward form the individual generator orbs and can create a series of layered orbs of protection around each ship. Only after piercing these layered shields, then the heavy armor plates are able to reduce any remaining danger before the crew might fear for their own safety. Kroot engineers are quick to calibrate these shield generators while in combat and risk their own lives to preserve these ancient systems.



The Oibpa bears the scars of many fierce battles. Surprisingly agile and quick, the Oibpa can deploy swarms of small, drop pod landers when in planetary assault or near to harpooned vessels. A devastating array of 16 long barreled Bombardment cannons face downward to support a planet side invasion and can swing forward for a deadly salvo at close range against harpooned victims. Each weapon requires massive autoloaders to ready the next round, so normally each gun is fired as part of a pattern cycling all 16 barrels to create a barrage of non stop destruction. However, when the Urs-Ars harpoon has dragged a victim ship into range, all barrels can be fired at once for a vicious killing blow that can spell death to even the mightiest of enemy flagships.



The Legan displays its many prow mounted antennae and weapon systems. The Urs-Ars harpoon pokes from underneath the massed weapon systems. Over the centuries, salvaged weapons are often added to the prow arsenal. Ammunition and power systems can run out, but might be made available again, so the weapon remains until it might be useful again. And thus, the prow arsenal grows to resemble something an Ork might look fondly towards. Extended barrels and various sensor arrays, communications amplifiers and even astropathic choir conductor systems are all laced together in a chaotic swirl.

Wow, an amazing project!

Love the creativity and conversions you’ve done. Especially the Knarloc’s.

Keep up the good work!

Great project, now with added space ships! Where are the models from?

Thank you, I really enjoy the kitbashing and conversion of these models and have had a great time putting them all together. It is wildly rewarding to finally see them all painted.

The Assault Cruisers are slightly modified Romulan drone ships from the Wiz Kids line. I thought they had a great profile and would work well as primary ships for the Kroot fleet. The Rogue Trader vessel, Rubicon is a mixture of weapon systems from some Vanguard mini ships I had ordered for my Carcharodon fleet and the body of a Klingon scout ship. They fit perfectly along side the official BFG ships I have. The two cruisers just a bit larger than Space Marine Strike Cruisers and the Rubicon about the size of a smallish Frigate.

I am still trying to find something I can convert to make the Kroot battlestation out of that would look like a small Spacehulk formed from a pair of War Spheres and a handful of random parts added over the centuries. A surprisingly difficult challenge.

Yeah those drones look cracking!

I feel your pain on your conversion, the only thing I can really think of is to get a 3d print and greeble it up. I had a quick look through the list I keep of space ship manufactorers and drew a complete blank, it seems no one likes making spherical ships and stations.

I always loved the Kroot and my favourite part of the hobby is doing crazy conversions, so I love this project.

I wish they'd released plenty more models for the kroot, the idea behind them seemed totally awesome and I think its such a shame GW went down the MoRE BaTtLEsuITs line instead of the idea of incorporated alien races.

The Kroot crew for two of the heavy weapon Knarlocs include juvenile Krootlings. These young Kroot are supervised by experienced Kroot Shapers and advised on the art of war. Each Krootling is equpied with a double barrel pistol based on the Kroot rifle. They are expected to repel assaults with a withering hail of close range firepower.





Krootlings fit within the weaponized Howhah carriages that bear the two Tau armored system weapons. Working on the ramshackle weapon systems also allows the young Krootlings to demonstrate mechanical aptitude and allows the Kroot to identify possible mechanics who might be critical to keeping their scavenged technologies working year after year.

Really a great project. The color scheme is top notch and the whole bunch of conversion work is impressive. I really like the worn down look on the heavy weapons mounted on the great knarlocs.

Planetary Assault! Entering the binary star system Cayman-19, the Four Finger Warband launches planetary landing craft from low orbit. Massive bulk landers arrive over the shallow seas and the Knarloc and Tracker Kindred begin the long swim ashore as smaller dropships make contact at the established beachhead rally point. The watchful gaze of "Colonel Kroot" is relayed back to the Oipba by high frequency communications. Blinding light pierces down from the dual stars overhead as the Kroot take defensive positions.





As the Knarloc, Greater Knarloc, Krootox and Trackers make their way ashore, their Kroot brothers begin moving forward toward the thick jungles ahead.



Shamans are rare among Kroot. Their psychic powers allow them to manipulate their environment and even navigate the warp across interstellar space. Skulls from psychic enemies are worn with pride showing the fearsome aspect of these warriors.


The first to reach dry land are the tainted "Unclean Ones" exposed to Tyranid spores and beasts, the genetic line of these Kroot must end in shame. Claws, talons and other physical mutations are nothing compared to the psychic horror these beasts can manifest. Bestial in nature, they are still loyal but doomed members of the Warband.


Heavily armed and armored warriors land with a spray of sand and smoke. Dropping down from orbit, the Orbital droptroops are elite Kroot heroes outfitted with scavenged armor and modified Jump packs.


Kroot Hounds swim ahead of the heavier Krootforms wading ashore. The Droptroopers guide these feral beasts into safety of cover.


Knarloc beasts are rigged with stolen weapon systems to offer rapid heavy support for the Kroot Kindred as they press forward across the beach.


Tracker Kindred rush ashore. The sleek bodied females surround a massive male.








Powerful Krootox climb the sandy shores. Burdened with Rail cannons or armored for close assault, these hulking beasts retain some glimmer of intelligence and are fiercely loyal to their Kroot handlers.



Finally, the Greater Knarloc wade ashore. These beasts are heavy with the supplies needed to wage war with no outside support. Massive weapon systems are powered up and the Kroot riders spur their beasts into action.











Finally, the great beasts break into a sprint.

Nicely done!

That is some amazing painting work, and really nice photography too!

They look awesome. I love the bright, hot quills against the cold, pale skin!

Great looking army all together - and props on taking your army shots at the actual beach??

Damn! Fantastic work!