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I'm looking for something to make my sergeants stand out. I was originally thinking of using the Forgeworld torso upgardes: https://www.forgeworld.co.uk/en-UK/Salamanders-MKIII-Upgrade-Set-Torsos

But it strikes me that it might be more interesting to use the bodies of pyroclasts as Sergeants: https://www.forgeworld.co.uk/en-UK/Salamanders-Legion-Pyroclasts

Is there a better choice? Any down-sides to using the pyroclasts?

It might be difficult to make sure your higher ranking marines are at least as ornate and impressive (possible inspiration here: http://leskouzes.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/capitaine-salamander.html, but I guess you could solve that with more Pyroclasts. A couple of the poses won't work quite as well with different armaments, and you'll need new backpacks. This page might be useful too: https://goodbadgreenskin.tumblr.com/post/125996909607/laying-down-sick-burns-working-on-pyroclasts

Should look pretty awesome though!

Are you able to go the 3rd party route? Spellcrow have a lot of not-Salamander bits.

I love the forgeworld upgrades (both torsos/shoulders/heads) and I have them sprinkled amongst my tac squads.

it really makes them stand out. the Sergeants and heavy/specials all got bling.

the pyroclasts would be an interesting change up but you might want to save that for special marines, maybe not Sgt but Lts/librarians etc.

Do what looks good to you and fits your army.

Vulkan Lives!

Yeah, I see what you mean about overdoing it with the pyroclasts. I’ll have to think about it a bit more.

I have been thinking about what the aesthetics and upgrades in the whole force will be. For infantry models, I’m thinking:
3-4 MSU tac squads (forgeworld shoulder pads, pyroclasts for sergeants)
3-4 MSU Scouts (etched brass shoulder icons)
1 Primaris intercessors (forgeworld shoulder pads, these newbies don’t get hardcore sergeants)
1-2 MSU jump pack assault squads (forgeworld shoulder pads, 3rd party jump packs)
2 MSU aggressors (either etched brass or resin left shoulders)
1 firedrakes-as-hammerators
1 pyroclasts-as-sternguard
1 terminator librarian (maybe a fire drake body? Shoulder upgrades, some kind of drake scale cape)
1 converted Harath Shen
1 converted Captain Pellas Mir’san
1 Vulkan He’stan
1 command squad (lots of misc conversions)
1 tech marine
1 tech marine (with tfc)

I have some additional terminators lying around that I might work in.

Out of this makeup, the only concerns I have with the tac-squad sergeants outshining anyone else is the command squad. The tech marines are going to get a few conversions or upgrades.

From the fluff side, here’s my idea: according to the fluff, the Salamanders first company (the firedrakes) aren’t supposed to all gather in dedicated squads. Instead, they are supposed to go where they are needed. The pyroclasts are effectively playing the role of veteran sergeants. This fits well with pyroclasts as sternguards.

The command squad will be trickier, I think it’s going to need a bunch of spellcrow upgrades. Does that sound like it will fit well in terms of aesthetics?

The progress so far; I’m really liking it

I didn’t think that pyroclasts would be too ornate for sergeants until I tried to work out how to model a lieutenant. Now, I think that you were right, @Racerguy180. I’m going to use the pyroclasts as lieutenants and maybe veterans.

I’ve got ahold of some Mk III marines and salamanders torsos. I’m planning to use firedrake heads, which should mix things up a bit. Those will still be interesting but not as ornate as the pyroclasts.

How many parts does each Pyroclast come in? If the torso, legs, arms, etc are all separate, could you use "pure" Pyroclast models for the highest ranks, and mix-and-match one or two Pyroclast parts in for middle ranks?

SmallChanges wrote:
How many parts does each Pyroclast come in? If the torso, legs, arms, etc are all separate, could you use "pure" Pyroclast models for the highest ranks, and mix-and-match one or two Pyroclast parts in for middle ranks?

Unfortunately, they are pretty complete. The photo below is a pyroclast body as it comes.

There is a solution, however. Salamanders upgrade bodies are about right and it appears that pyroclast heads and firedrake heads are *ahem* cast from the same mould. Pun fully intended.