Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

Greetings all.

I'm just curious about this, as I'm currently in the process of building and painting my own Captain character for my Blood Angels, and I wondered what folks might consider their 'ideal' Captain (Or Chaplain / Librarian / Wolf Lord / Chaos Lord) build, within a reasonable points limit. I'm curious what kinds of 'personalities' people use to lead their Marine forces, does their wargear reflect their chapter (or chaos's) history? I'm not so much looking for beat-stick Captains, because anyone can run a Smashfether, but does that give the character mini any actual character while still being an effective choice? Etc. etc.

For this discussion, let's set the bar at 175 Points maximum. That allows for good amount of wargear without being in the same place as a Land Raider points wise. Also, for the sake of keeping things somewhat interesting, up to two relics may be taken (as not all relic lists are created equally). Those Relics may be one weapon, and one non-weapon relic only. Bonus Points if you have a name and show a picture of your Character.

I'll lead off with my Blood Angels Captain first

Captain Aedus Sendini, Keeper of the Arsenal, Commander of the 5th Blood Angels Battle Company; "Daemonbanes"

WIP Image of Aedus, who's name means 'Firey'.


Wargear: Artificer Armor, Iron Halo, Frag & Krak Grenades, Jump Pack, Digital Weapons, Hand Flamer, The Crown Angelic (Non Weapon Relic) and Valor's Edge (Weapon Relic). He totals out to be 175 Points exactly.

Gives him a 2+/4++, jump infantry to assist the charge and Hammer of Wrath, An extra attack in melee for having a pistol and a sword, he attacks at initiative, with AP;2, with one re-roll to-wound thanks to digital weapons, Frag grenades assisting with charging into cover, and has the hand flamer for overwatch to help with counter charging a little bit (Also, I like the Hand Flamer personally, since his name means Firey. Nice weapon to use before charging into cover to boot).

He has the following additional USR's on top of the standard Space Marine independent character's complement: Fear (with a minus 2 modifier to the check), and Furious Charge.

He won't win versus everything, (no eternal warrior) but he should do well versus most opposition he ties up with in melee I think.

So, what say you Dakka? Show off your Captains/Commanders! Let's see who leads your Marines when they take the field.

Thanks for reading, and take it easy for now everyone.

-Red__Thirst-

I have four captain miniatures built. One is Captain Karlaen from Deathstorm. He is not half bad for his points. Fully painted in my gallery, though I have rebased him since then.

My other Blood Angels Captain has Valor's Edge, a Plasma Pistol, Artificer Armor, and is magnetized to have a Jump Pack or a Power Pack depending on how I feel. Comes out to 145 pts. Is not fully painted yet.

I have two Crimson Fists Captains. One has Artificer Armor, a Storm Bolter, and a Relic Blade, and costs 140 pts. He was my first Captain I built using the Space Marine Commander kit (the Blood Angels Captain was also built using said unit). He has images in my gallery, but I have rebased him as well.

My other Captain was build using the clampack plastic Captain kit, but I replaced his power sword arm with a bolt pistol and cut away the combi-grav and gave him a Power Fist. He has been more of a labor of love than any of my other captains since he required some more modeling. He is in the process of being painted at this time. Really liking how he is turning out.

Nice! I have Captain Karlaen as well, and am looking forward to painting him up later.

Is you Artificer Armored BA captain 145 without a jump pack? That would make him 160 with the jump pack attached. Good build and keeps the points reasonable. What Company does he lead? Just curious.

I hope to see your Power Fist + Bolt Pistol Crimson Fists Captain soon as well. I love the Crimson Fists, they're one of my favorite chapters after the Blood Angels. My top three are Blood Angels, Salamanders, and Crimson Fists, I think.

Thanks for sharing Casval. Take it easy.

-Red__Thirst-

Captain with Artificer armor, Relic Blade, Combi-Melta and a Iron Halo. Not too expensive and offers a nice CC character to any squad.

Very cool, yea I love the Relic Blade, it's a great option in the Marine (including Derivative Chapters) codex.

Nice simple but effective build TheCustomLime. How many points does he run you?

Looking forward to seeing what others have to add. Thanks and take it easy for now.

-Red__Thirst-

 Red__Thirst wrote:
Nice! I have Captain Karlaen as well, and am looking forward to painting him up later.

Is you Artificer Armored BA captain 145 without a jump pack? That would make him 160 with the jump pack attached. Good build and keeps the points reasonable. What Company does he lead? Just curious.

I hope to see your Power Fist + Bolt Pistol Crimson Fists Captain soon as well. I love the Crimson Fists, they're one of my favorite chapters after the Blood Angels. My top three are Blood Angels, Salamanders, and Crimson Fists, I think.

Thanks for sharing Casval. Take it easy.

-Red__Thirst-

Yeah, he is 145 base, 160 with the jump pack. I modeled him with a BA Terminator Iron Halo on his Power Pack and his Jump Pack. His Jump Pack is from the Vanguard Veteran Sergeant (they were converted into Honor Guard for Pedro Kantor). I envision him as being the replacement to Captain Tycho.

Well if I ever had need of one (I don't though with Ravenwing), I'd probably just take something cheap like a Company Master with a thunder hammer and storm shield to use as a cheap beatstick to string up some squad.

I run my captain with a power fist, lightning claw, and jump pack. Simple and sweet, 145 points. For funsies I've got him modelled with Tyberos' weapons with the chainfist bits removed. I give him a cheap assault squad as a retinue - two flamethrowers and the sergeant gets a power sword and combat shield (I pretend he's the company champion). Throw them in a Stormraven and you're in business!

In bigger point games I pump him up into a chapter master and give him the Chains of the Gorgon.

 casvalremdeikun wrote:
Yeah, he is 145 base, 160 with the jump pack. I modeled him with a BA Terminator Iron Halo on his Power Pack and his Jump Pack. His Jump Pack is from the Vanguard Veteran Sergeant (they were converted into Honor Guard for Pedro Kantor). I envision him as being the replacement to Captain Tycho.

Nice, so Third company. Very cool. I almost did third company when I was selecting which Battle Company I wanted to use for my Blood Angels. Ultimately went with the 5th since I liked the black tear drop on a red field more than white on red. Always liked their company name too, 'Ironhelms'. What do you call your Captain? Does he have a name? Just curious once again.

Catch y'all later. Take it easy for now.

-Red__Thirst-




Automatically Appended Next Post:

 j31c3n wrote:
I run my captain with a power fist, lightning claw, and jump pack. Simple and sweet, 145 points. For funsies I've got him modelled with Tyberos' weapons with the chainfist bits removed. I give him a cheap assault squad as a retinue - two flamethrowers and the sergeant gets a power sword and combat shield (I pretend he's the company champion). Throw them in a Stormraven and you're in business!

In bigger point games I pump him up into a chapter master and give him the Chains of the Gorgon.

Very cool Iron Hands (or successor) chapter I take it?

Much like my question to Casval, does he have a name? I'd love to see the model also.

Thanks for sharing your captain j31c3n.

Looking forward to seeing more. Take it easy guys.

-Red__Thirst-

Salamanders successor, but I use the Raukaan tactics because I think they're more universally applicable than Flamecraft. His name is (tentatively) 'the Hanged Man.' I'd post a pic but he's currently in a case in my car out in the parking lot, and that's just too far to walk.

 Red__Thirst wrote:

 casvalremdeikun wrote:
Yeah, he is 145 base, 160 with the jump pack. I modeled him with a BA Terminator Iron Halo on his Power Pack and his Jump Pack. His Jump Pack is from the Vanguard Veteran Sergeant (they were converted into Honor Guard for Pedro Kantor). I envision him as being the replacement to Captain Tycho.

Nice, so Third company. Very cool. I almost did third company when I was selecting which Battle Company I wanted to use for my Blood Angels. Ultimately went with the 5th since I liked the black tear drop on a red field more than white on red. Always liked their company name too, 'Ironhelms'. What do you call your Captain? Does he have a name? Just curious once again.

Catch y'all later. Take it easy for now.

-Red__Thirst-

I generally don't name my stuff until it is done being painted. I like the White on Red since it has a good contrast. I have named my Crimson Fists captains though. The captain with the Power Fist is Captain Vicente Borrero, Captain of the 3rd Company. The captain with the Relic Blade is Captain Alejandro Torres, Captain of the 2nd Company. I love making characters for this army.

j31c3n wrote:Salamanders successor, but I use the Raukaan tactics because I think they're more universally applicable than Flamecraft. His name is (tentatively) 'the Hanged Man.' I'd post a pic but he's currently in a case in my car out in the parking lot, and that's just too far to walk.

Hah! I hear you. Very cool. I hope later when you feel like walking you'll snap a picture for us.

casvalremdeikun wrote:
I generally don't name my stuff until it is done being painted. I like the White on Red since it has a good contrast. I have named my Crimson Fists captains though. The captain with the Power Fist is Captain Vicente Borrero, Captain of the 3rd Company. The captain with the Relic Blade is Captain Alejandro Torres, Captain of the 2nd Company. I love making characters for this army.

Totally get you there. I'm typically the same way, I don't come up with Names until I finish painting the mini, Aedus being the exception because this particular mini is a new version of my old, original Captain I converted and painted up back in 3rd Edition 40k.

I'll post a picture or two of my two Deathwatch characters (Captain and a Librarian) later in the thread here once I can sit down and dig them out of my Gallery. Look forward to that in a little bit.

Take it easy for now.

-Red__Thirst-


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Couple of more Characters of mine:

Deathwatch Brother Epistolary Levi, Warden of the Watch, Blackshield



Wargear: Terminator Armor, Storm Shield, Psychic hood, Force Weapon (Axe). Preferred Psychic discipline: Biomancy.



And, his Watch Commander:

Deathwatch Captain, Watch Commander Thoros, of the Blood Angels Chapter



Wargear: Artificer Armor, Iron Halo, The Burning Blade (Or Relic Blade, depending), Plasma Pistol, Frag & Krak Grenades

Hope you guys like. Sorry for the Crap pictures on Thoros, I haven't had a chance to take updated photos of him with a new/better camera. Also, he's had a base upgrade in the form of a base extension ring put around his base since these pictures were taken. Will update later with that once I have time to break them out of the box and snap a few new pictures.

Take it easy for now.

-Red__Thirst-

Currently in the process of painting my biker captain for a Sons of Anarchy themed army. Going with each bike squad is it's own charter with President, VP and Sergeant at Arms. The Chapter Master with Command Squad will be named after the main characters on the show.

Chapter Master Jax Teller with bike, burning blade, artificer armour, melta bombs.

Played him only twice so far and he has done well for himself.

While I've not got a picture of him due to the fact I'm going to paint strip him then repaint him I have several hqs I use for my Blight Angels Iron Hands Successor who turned to Nurgle.
First up is the Chapter/legion Master Nemeroth who I use Typhus' s model and rules to represent him due to the fact he's got a ap2 daemon weapon has a chapter masters stat line and some pretty fun rules. However I rarely use him. I more commonly use my now favorite lord which is just a chaos Lord with mark of nurgle and the burning brand. He's relatively cheap and I use him as my warlord. The brand means he can be useful while I don't have to invest alor of points into him

I like playing the Captain with The Armour Indomitus, The Primarch's Wrath and a Powerfist.

Then throwing him with a plasma command squad with apothacary and just rock around.

I use the old metal sternguard with powerfist and bolter for him also:


Just stock GW picture, Mines not painted fully yet.

Heck yea Flukezor, very cool mini (I love that model, want it for a Sergeant but can't find one anywhere). I've never actually seen the Armor Indomintus fielded, and that had me scratching my head. Seemed a logical thing for an Iron Hands or a Salamander's Captain to use and/or wear.

Good choice of model. Also, what chapter does he hail from? Does he have a name or is he just "Captain, my Captain"?

I'd love to see him painted up once you get him finished. Please do share it once you reach that point.

Looking forward to seeing more. Take it easy for now guys & gals.

-Red__Thirst-

I've looked at your captain a couple of times, he looks awesome Red_Thirst

I have a couple of marine characters i'm fairly pleased with.

Bran Redmaw, The Bloodied Hunter.

The Krom Dragongaze from Stormclaw but with just a head swap, he doesn't get used much as i was struggling to find a model to use as 'The Redmaw'.

Codicier Verez

Took the stock librarian, gave him a death company sword, jump pack, shoulderpad and head, and he's got an outstretched missile launcher hand as if he's casting. He gets taken out a lot at the moment but i think he hates me as he perils' a lot and gets killed by ork big nobs. I usually just run him lvl 1 with a jump pack and force sword with my death company.

Captain Castigon, The Lord Adjudicator, Captain of the 4th company, The Knights of Baal.

My latest conversion, I took the stock space marine captain, swapped the torso front for the blood angels sergeant one gave him an inferno pistol, a 'knight' (mk3?) helmet, a blood angels sword that i might change as i'm not sure its fancy enough to be the valours edge. I didn't really want him to have a jump pack as i wanted him to be quite regal and have a cloak and i didn't want his jump pack to set his cloak on fire so he's on foot and i'm trying to work out a way to get him into my list. i might have him jumping out of a stormraven or drop pod or something.

I've never posted pics on here before so i'm not sure how to. Here's a couple of links to Bran and Verez, hopefully they work.

https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xlf1/v/t1.0-9/11986951_10154170098395942_2924834003342141443_n.jpg?oh=71fc20499a20df7546a98d866e4e6251&oe=565CE88B

https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/11750611_10154170098665942_3734491951974301486_n.jpg?oh=9dc52939c5f0c9a4044035f7fffbd438&oe=5666F313

Here is the lot of them.

First guy is the new Cpt. Fabian, 3rd co. Replacing the old Fabian, who was interred into a dreadnought. He’s going to be stock on foot with AA and the Teeth of Terra. His arms are magnetized, so can be swapped. He’s in the process of getting paint. WIP

Next is Captain Ardias, also of the 3rd. co. Different sources from different time frames list different captains, Which is why I have two named 3rd co captains. He takes the field with AA, SB, and a relic blade most of the time, but it used to just be a power sword. Then again, SB/power sword used to be a decent combo back in 3rd when he joined the force.

Captain Epathus, Master of the Rites, commands the Ultramarines 6th company. They normally take the field on bikes, so that’s why he leads my bike contingent. He used to take the ToT, but I had a few bad experiences, where I needed more punch. So he’s AA, bike, fist these days. Weapon arm is magnetized. He spent a campaign liaising with the White Scars, and exchanged helmets with one of their captains as a sign of respect and honor. Better pic

AA, JP, LC/TH. I’d have to look up the name of the reserve assault company captain. Both arms are swappable. I’m tempted to field him with TH/SE, but I like the offense heavy build.

TDA captain is obviously Cpt. Agemman, first company captain.

Cato Sicarius (counts-as) 2nd company captain

Lastly is a pair of old RT officers. The guy on the far end is technically a lieutenant, but as his rank has been re-conned out of the marines, he gets a brevet promotion to captain. Bolter/power swords for both of them.

I have three captains for my custom chapter. One has a huge shield and a powersword, the other has a large two-handed thunder hammer and a jump pack, and the last one has a two-handed sword. (I also am going to use this one as a champion)
I am also building a Chapter Master, but I am waiting to see what kind of BA stuff Forgeworld is going to come out with before I make the decision on what parts to use. The basis is probably either going to be the limited website centurion or the event-only Alpha Legion consul. Ideally he is going to have some kind of big axe, halberd or mace, or something else that is large and looks mean. I am going to use the FW rules for Malakim Phoros to represent him.
I am still busy writing a background story for my ChapMas and jump pack captain that details how they got recruited into the Chapter. So far, I have the first chapters of the story finished, but since I am a slow writer, it is probably going to take a while.

The captain miniatures are only half painted and the picture quality of my phone is cringeworthy, but this should give you a general idea of how they look:


I have never actually used them in a game yet, so no idea how they will perform. I was planning to field the jumppack capt. with a bunch of vanguard vets, death company or jumppack infantry. No idea if it will be cost effective, but at least it will be fun and hopefully wreck some stuff.
Captain Jerimar of the 3rd Company (jump pack): BA captain with thunder hammer, artificer armour, jump pack and veritas vitae.
Captain Rachmar of the 4th Company (shield): BA captain with artificer armour and storm shield.
No idea what I am going to do with the third guy yet. Equipment is probably going to change after the first test games.

 Red__Thirst wrote:
Heck yea Flukezor, very cool mini (I love that model, want it for a Sergeant but can't find one anywhere). I've never actually seen the Armor Indomintus fielded, and that had me scratching my head. Seemed a logical thing for an Iron Hands or a Salamander's Captain to use and/or wear.

Good choice of model. Also, what chapter does he hail from? Does he have a name or is he just "Captain, my Captain"?

I'd love to see him painted up once you get him finished. Please do share it once you reach that point.

Looking forward to seeing more. Take it easy for now guys & gals.

-Red__Thirst-

Unfortunately no special name as yet, he is fast getting more use in my games so will have to give one or let one of his battles name him.

I run Ultramarines as that's what the rest of my army is painted as, I have run him as IF however a couple of times, Shame Bolter Drill doesn't work with The Primarch's Wrath but.

The reason to using The Armour Indomitus is mainly for relentless and not wanting to take Terminator Armour, that way he always makes use of his Salvo 3/5, Probably could use the points better elsewhere but he goes well in games and it suits his model what is one of my favourite models also, scoured Ebay for a while and managed to snag one luckily.

I've always preferred buffmanders. I dont really like beat-stick HQs. That's hero hammer. I like my army to do the fighting not just 1 model. It makes the painting and purchasing of all the other models seem like a waste when my whole armys performance is based off a single death-star.

As far as aeaesthetics go i like a lot of the old models like Tycho.

A dead one. Preferably a long way away from my lines

 Red Marine wrote:
I've always preferred buffmanders. I dont really like beat-stick HQs. That's hero hammer. I like my army to do the fighting not just 1 model. It makes the painting and purchasing of all the other models seem like a waste when my whole armys performance is based off a single death-star.

As far as aeaesthetics go i like a lot of the old models like Tycho.

Beat-stick HQs don't have to be part of a massive-points-sink deathstar. Those actually want more support HQs than beatsticks for the benefits they can give the deathstar. On the flip side, even a msall squad with a CC HQ can cause a lot of damage if they get in the right place.

While I don't play an MEQ army (yet), I've always been partial to the Terminator Chaos Lord model. One of the gems in an otherwise substandard range. The Chaos Lord from Dark Vengeance is also great looking too.

 Red Marine wrote:
I've always preferred buffmanders. I dont really like beat-stick HQs. That's hero hammer. I like my army to do the fighting not just 1 model. It makes the painting and purchasing of all the other models seem like a waste when my whole armys performance is based off a single death-star.

As far as aeaesthetics go i like a lot of the old models like Tycho.

You're missing the point, it's not so much hero-hammer aspect (as you can make a smash-fether captain that, let's be honest, costs as much or more than a land raider and is a true one man wrecking crew). The point of having a Captain is a support element to re-enforce your line with high leadership and above-average combat capacity. It isn't a death star, it's a combat threat that you can put in the right spot (hopefully) and get some good use out of.

Buffmanders are a different kind of commander. Also as the title says: Your ideal space marine Captain. I appreciate your opinion though on what works for you though for sure.

And Master of Ordinace, it's tough to have the be far away when they can land right next to you.

Take it easy for now.

-Red__Thirst-

I use my captain as a backfield bully rather than as someone who can go toe-to-toe with Abbadon (though with the Raukaan book I can do that if necessary... ), He and his assault squad are great at cleaning up Troops that are guarding objectives after their transports have been popped by other elements in my army.

 j31c3n wrote:
I use my captain as a backfield bully rather than as someone who can go toe-to-toe with Abbadon (though with the Raukaan book I can do that if necessary... ), He and his assault squad are great at cleaning up Troops that are guarding objectives after their transports have been popped by other elements in my army.

Both of my Crimson Fists Captains hang with their Command Squad (4x Plasmagun Vets and an Apothecary) to make getting into CC with them less enjoyable. But I almost never run them since I have Pedro Kantor as my HQ in most cases. Still, if I run a Gladius, the Captain gets dusted off.

 Red__Thirst wrote:
Very cool, yea I love the Relic Blade, it's a great option in the Marine (including Derivative Chapters) codex.

Nice simple but effective build TheCustomLime. How many points does he run you?

Looking forward to seeing what others have to add. Thanks and take it easy for now.

-Red__Thirst-[/quote

145 pts. I like to put him in a squad of Sternguard. I wish you could give Capitans special ammo but oh well.

Just updated the opening post with new photos of my Captain (Still WIP, but finished save for the base)

And Lime, yea I kinda wish you could pay to give a captain with a bolter or combi-weapon some special ammo. Would give some incentive to keep a bolter or combi-weapon on your captain also.

Good builds shared so far. Looking forward to seeing what else folks have to share.

Take it easy for now.

-Red__Thirst-

It would be incentive, but a complete waste of most of his important stats. It's kinda like purposely charging the enemy with an Onager Gauntlet. YEAH you could do that, but why?

Captains have BS:5, which is hitting on 2+. I'd say giving him a weapon that allows him to better shoot (or more effectively shoot) and use that higher than average Ballistic Skill wouldn't be a waste. Is it his *best* stat? No, but that doesn't mean he shouldn't not still try to use all his stats fully, ya know? Especially if the Captain is part of say, an Imperial Fist gunline style army.

Just my opinion on that.

Take it easy.

-Red__Thirst-