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Going to start a small force of Space Marines soon and i'm torn on whether to use upgrade packs or not, more specifically the shoulder pads. I've gotten into weathering lately and what I like about the decals is you can do a chipped paint effect on them which doesn't work as well on the shoulder pads with the chapter emblem modeled on. What I do like about the upgrade shoulder pads is that they have the little area where you can put the squad name on.

Anyways what are your opinions on the upgrade packs? do you use them or not?

I think they are a easy way of adding flair to a army. I play Salamanders, so sadly no real use for me, but if GW would release a Salamanders-kit, there would be no hesitation from my side.
What chapter do you plan on collecting?

 Lum wrote:
I think they are a easy way of adding flair to a army. I play Salamanders, so sadly no real use for me, but if GW would release a Salamanders-kit, there would be no hesitation from my side.
What chapter do you plan on collecting?

Um. Would this not do?

https://www.forgeworld.co.uk/en-EU/Salamanders-Upgrade-Set

 Lum wrote:
I think they are a easy way of adding flair to a army. I play Salamanders, so sadly no real use for me, but if GW would release a Salamanders-kit, there would be no hesitation from my side.
What chapter do you plan on collecting?

Was leaning towards Dark Angels but I find the lack of robes on primaris most displeasing. Considering Ultras, blood angels, and maybe wolves depending on what they do with them when their codex comes out.

 Flinty wrote:

 Lum wrote:
I think they are a easy way of adding flair to a army. I play Salamanders, so sadly no real use for me, but if GW would release a Salamanders-kit, there would be no hesitation from my side.
What chapter do you plan on collecting?

Um. Would this not do?

https://www.forgeworld.co.uk/en-EU/Salamanders-Upgrade-Set

Know about that, but I am not the biggest fan of MKIII. Also FW and resin (:

brettdavis1991 wrote:

 Lum wrote:
I think they are a easy way of adding flair to a army. I play Salamanders, so sadly no real use for me, but if GW would release a Salamanders-kit, there would be no hesitation from my side.
What chapter do you plan on collecting?

Was leaning towards Dark Angels but I find the lack of robes on primaris most displeasing. Considering Ultras, blood angels, and maybe wolves depending on what they do with them when their codex comes out.

Well, I think it is rather given that the SW will get a Upgrade kit of their own as soon as their codex hits. So it pretty much depends on what suits you best. Maybe have a look at their rules and see what catches your eye?

brettdavis1991 wrote:

 Lum wrote:
I think they are a easy way of adding flair to a army. I play Salamanders, so sadly no real use for me, but if GW would release a Salamanders-kit, there would be no hesitation from my side.
What chapter do you plan on collecting?

Was leaning towards Dark Angels but I find the lack of robes on primaris most displeasing. Considering Ultras, blood angels, and maybe wolves depending on what they do with them when their codex comes out.

The lack of robes on Primaris is actually a really good fluff thing.

Robes are earned upon ascension into the Deathwing/Inner Circle.
The Primaris are purposely being kept out of those organizations, apparently with the exception being Librarians(since you can't hide crap from a telepath).

The lack of robes on Primaris actually opens you up for some cool potential conversions and the like, coming up with Primaris concepts of how to distinguish them as veterans without ascension into the Deathwing or Inner Circle. Things like the hood on the DA Primaris Lt.

 Kanluwen wrote:

brettdavis1991 wrote:

 Lum wrote:
I think they are a easy way of adding flair to a army. I play Salamanders, so sadly no real use for me, but if GW would release a Salamanders-kit, there would be no hesitation from my side.
What chapter do you plan on collecting?

Was leaning towards Dark Angels but I find the lack of robes on primaris most displeasing. Considering Ultras, blood angels, and maybe wolves depending on what they do with them when their codex comes out.

The lack of robes on Primaris is actually a really good fluff thing.

Robes are earned upon ascension into the Deathwing/Inner Circle.
The Primaris are purposely being kept out of those organizations, apparently with the exception being Librarians(since you can't hide crap from a telepath).

The lack of robes on Primaris actually opens you up for some cool potential conversions and the like, coming up with Primaris concepts of how to distinguish them as veterans without ascension into the Deathwing or Inner Circle. Things like the hood on the DA Primaris Lt.

Robes don't necessarily mean you are in the inner circle. As you stated, the primaris lieutenant has a robe and yet he can not be in the inner circle by being primaris. Company veterans are also in robes but are not part of the inner circle. Robes just signify veteran status, I would like them on the sergeants though because they may be veterans and also I think it is a key part of the DA look. But the robes are not my main issue in the first place it's the shoulder pad dilemma.

I like the upgrade packs as it makes it mush easier to add chapter specific ornamentation to your force. If you want to add battle damage it is a simple enough task; sponge weathering, weathering powder, scratches, etc.

brettdavis1991 wrote:

 Kanluwen wrote:

brettdavis1991 wrote:

 Lum wrote:
I think they are a easy way of adding flair to a army. I play Salamanders, so sadly no real use for me, but if GW would release a Salamanders-kit, there would be no hesitation from my side.
What chapter do you plan on collecting?

Was leaning towards Dark Angels but I find the lack of robes on primaris most displeasing. Considering Ultras, blood angels, and maybe wolves depending on what they do with them when their codex comes out.

The lack of robes on Primaris is actually a really good fluff thing.

Robes are earned upon ascension into the Deathwing/Inner Circle.
The Primaris are purposely being kept out of those organizations, apparently with the exception being Librarians(since you can't hide crap from a telepath).

The lack of robes on Primaris actually opens you up for some cool potential conversions and the like, coming up with Primaris concepts of how to distinguish them as veterans without ascension into the Deathwing or Inner Circle. Things like the hood on the DA Primaris Lt.

Robes don't necessarily mean you are in the inner circle. As you stated, the primaris lieutenant has a robe and yet he can not be in the inner circle by being primaris.

On the contrary, the Primaris Lieutenant doesn't actually have a robe. He has a hooded tabard/supplice.

Company veterans are also in robes but are not part of the inner circle.

They're not part of the Inner Circle, but they are part of the Deathwing...which I specifically noted as being one of the bits for the robes. The Deathwatch RPG added some other robes that could be obtained(one IIRC was for killing a Fallen...but since the Primaris are being kept away from the Fallen that's kinda tough for a Primaris to get eh?).

Robes just signify veteran status, I would like them on the sergeants though because they may be veterans and also I think it is a key part of the DA look. But the robes are not my main issue in the first place it's the shoulder pad dilemma.

What, that you can't do chipped paint as well?

You absolutely can. Think of the emblem being done in something like marble and then weather it accordingly.

In all honesty, it just sounds like you don't want to do Dark Angels because you can't do robes. That's fine and dandy. I was just trying to point out that GW is actually going out of their way to make it clear that the Primaris in the Dark Angels are being separated from the other Marines and kept even further at arm's length from the various "mysteries" of the Chapter than even new recruits are kept.

They're not part of the Inner Circle, but they are part of the Deathwing...which I specifically noted as being one of the bits for the robes. The Deathwatch RPG added some other robes that could be obtained(one IIRC was for killing a Fallen...but since the Primaris are being kept away from the Fallen that's kinda tough for a Primaris to get eh?).

Robes just signify veteran status, I would like them on the sergeants though because they may be veterans and also I think it is a key part of the DA look. But the robes are not my main issue in the first place it's the shoulder pad dilemma.

What, that you can't do chipped paint as well?


You absolutely can. Think of the emblem being done in something like marble and then weather it accordingly.

In all honesty, it just sounds like you don't want to do Dark Angels because you can't do robes. That's fine and dandy. I was just trying to point out that GW is actually going out of their way to make it clear that the Primaris in the Dark Angels are being separated from the other Marines and kept even further at arm's length from the various "mysteries" of the Chapter than even new recruits are kept.

This is from the primaris lieutenant's description in gw's website:

"the longest-serving Lieutenants of the Dark Angels are presented with robes and cowls – the austere markings of a veteran amongst the descendants of the First Legion."

So it's a robe not a tabard. Also don't think veterans are part of the deathwing. All deathwing of are part of the inner circle which the company veterans do not have as a keyword. Also they are not listed in the deathwing organization in the codex. I think how it works is each company has some veterans on hand. But honestly gw is kind of fuzzy on how they fit in and constantly contradict themselves so who knows.

I just wish they would done a little more to make da feel different. Lack of robes are an example of that. I don't really think gw was making much of an extra effort.

 Lum wrote:
I think they are a easy way of adding flair to a army. I play Salamanders, so sadly no real use for me, but if GW would release a Salamanders-kit, there would be no hesitation from my side.
What chapter do you plan on collecting?

There is always forge world. I ordered all of the salamanders upgrades and I think they look badass. I just need a couple squads of MKIII armour to completely use up the upgrades.

Although if you want some of the more "current" marks of armour you're kinda SOL.

I really enjoy the UM upgrade sprue. The original one, not the primaris one. Not that the primaris one looks bad, I just have no plans on buying more then the 2xDI ones I already have.

Lots of custom bits really help liven up the collection.

I like the odd bits in the packs like weapons and chalices on my Blood Angel upgrades, but I don't care for a lot of the shoulder pads with the raised chapter insignia. I think a clean pad with a decal looks better. Now if they cast those shoulder pads with simple line drawings of the insignia as a negative cut into the surface I'd go for that.
I may try doing s9me Alpha Legion hydras like that.

I Wish they would make more upgrade packs in plastic.

my imperial fist is left wanting.

I prefer the clean no ott look of the primaris, so upgrade packs is more bling than anything else. I can live with just decals.

Im building my SW and they will be as plain as they can be.