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Made in ky
Regular Dakkanaut




Grand Cayman

I have to admit that the Kroot have always appealed to me. Sadly, their role in the Tau codex has been rather lackluster since forever. However there is hope! Rumors drift through the forums of a possible codex Kroot and online (unofficial) codex have existed for years. Kroot are a unique race for 40K and really do deserve more support. So I decided that since I prefer the modeling aspect anyways, I would create my own (unofficial) Kroot mercenary warband.



So first things first, the model range for Kroot is a bit limited. But it lends itself to kitbashing and with a little imagination, they are able to be turned into some very unique models. I have imagined my warband as largely a mounted force with some light infantry elements. Kroot trackers are a light mounted force riding small Knarlocs. No model exists for these particular models, so I had to do some serious searching for something I could convert to make convincing mounts that would stand out against the larger Knarloc and greater knarloc models.



I have seen some people use various cold one models. The original design came from the GW workshop and used a Krootox head with a (now OOP) old style cold one body. More modern designs use similar fomulas, but finding any large number of those models proved a challenge as I live in a tropical island without any sort of gaming stores. Ebay is my best source of models. Piecing these out was turning into a challenge until I randomly found an image of a Imperial rough rider on a velociraptor. With a bit more Google-Fu, I discovered that Tamiya has a range of small velociraptors that come in a box of six models. Slender bodies that would look good as lightweight mounts. Except they had very distinctive velociraptor heads.



I did also randomly find a range of oversized Kroot Hound models offered online that I chose to purchase so I could field a good number of Kroot Hounds along with my Carnivore squads. The heads from these oversized Hounds were just the right size for the Tamiya Velociraptors. So with a little greenstuff and a pressmould, I forged enough heads for all my new mini Knarlocs.



But Kroot have those distinctive spines on their heads and I needed to add those to the models to complete the conversion. I tried rolling greenstuff and realized that I am a clumsy, clumsy person and the rolled spines looked silly and uneven. Then I tried toothpicks. Waaay too big. A round hairbrush proved to be my saviour. I could pluck out the individual bristles, cut them to size and then laboriously glue each spine in place. It was tedious, but it worked. And looked right.



A simple saddle for each model was made from greenstuff and pressed into shape with a plastic tool I found at a thrift store. The legs of each Kroot rider required a bit of cutting and greenstuffing to fit properly on the mount, but was surprisingly simple to convert.







Being scavengers, Kroot would have a mismatch of gear strapped to their mounts. This warband would need to carry whatever items they would use to make camp and to fight on their mounts, so I scoured my bits boxes for potential stuff to glue to each mini Knarloc.







The Kroot sprue from the Carnivore kit has a ton of neat bits to add to each model. Mixed with the imperial and other bits I had accumulated over the years, the mounts look properly savage and futuristic.







The Kroot are led by a Shaper who is both the military and social leader of the group. I gave him a falcon (likely related to the other Kroot by some distant ancestor)







Their communications officer has a cybernetic eye and carries the standard Kroot rifle.







A mounted warrior carrying a missle launcher and another with a flamer are among some of my first models to near completion. I bought four boxes of these velociraptors and have all 24 in various states of conversion. Here are the first six.







I did forget to order proper bases for these guys. Anyone know any good sources online for cheap bases?

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2018/07/17 15:38:15


   
Made in fr
Longtime Dakkanaut




Amazing stuff.
These mounts are the perfect size for the kroot, and the heads work very well with the bodies. Great work.
   
Made in gb
Nimble Pistolier





United Kingdom

Some really good conversions here. Gives me some food for thought as to whether I should jump back on my kroot band wagon.

I really like what you've managed to achieve with limited resources.

As for bases you could probably get MDF bases from ebay relatively cheap?

Keep up the good work on the Mercs.

   
Made in ky
Regular Dakkanaut




Grand Cayman


Heavy weapon Knarloc cavalry. These Kroot were present during a fierce orc raid on the Tau starcraft Montau-ka. They had responded to a distress call, but arrived too late to save the Tau crew. Boarding the crippled cruiser, the Kroot systematically slaughtered all Ork resistance and found a massive stockpile of advanced weaponry aboard. Abandoning the wrecked Tau spacecraft, the Kroot Warband managed to rig together mounts for many of the weapon systems found aboard the derelict spacecraft. Knarlock riders were trained in the use of Pulse weapon systems, plasma discharge weapons and fusion blasters. Target-lock systems were modified and added to allow firing while moving and power supplies were adapted to primitive mounting brackets that could be carried by the powerful beasts.



Chains and straps were used to fix the systems in place and allow easy use for the Kroot warriors.







Twelve Knarloc were armed with a variety of twin linked weapon systems. Their Kroot riders struggle with the advanced tech, but with the leadership of their Shapers, they manage to field a powerful range of weapons in support of the main Kroot infantry.













Automatically Appended Next Post:
Every army need a bit of variety. Kroot Mercenaries also need leadership and heroes. One powerful leader who can be counted upon to lead a charge or adjust a battleplan midfight. Kroot Shaper Oss-T Presh wears a modified stealth suit as carpace armor with modified parts from Marine power aromr adding greatly to his personal strength. He proudly wears a set of Deathwatch shoulderpads he has taken from the hateful Humans who wear black armor. Joining him is another of the armored assault squad. Their mixed armor from various sources rarely functions as intended, but it does offer excellent protection in the heat of battle.






Tracker Kindred ride scouting missions and flank before charging headfirst against the enemy. Plasma pistols, flamers and traditional Kroot rifles are shared equally among the riders.








A pair of Krootox were armored with leftover plates and had a Tau Rail rifle system mounted for a powerful increase in firepower.






Automatically Appended Next Post:
Centuries earlier, the warband had seized four heavily armored cruisers. One was sent to Pech as a tribute to the Master Shaper council. One was lost in a frustrating series of engagements with Humans. Their torpedoes finding eventual targets and disabling its warp drive and thrusters. The remaining two ships have been modified and up armored until their original make is indecipherable, but with massive engine systems and impenetrable armor, they are a fearsome force that will brazenly take direct hits as they disgorge their assault ships and provide support for their Kroot family. A new, modified frigate has recently been taken and allows the Kroot to enter Human space much easier without arousing suspicion.





Kroot carnivore Kindred and a host of Hounds are able to be deployed from orbit using the landing craft found aboard the ancient battleships taken so long ago. The mixed race crew gave little indication to what race originally built these ancient ships, but now they are host to a powerful army of Avian warriors. Hangar bays were found filled with these small, sub orbital landers and have been used for generations alongside larger landing craft.


This message was edited 3 times. Last update was at 2018/06/06 22:13:06


   
Made in us
Virulent Space Marine dedicated to Nurgle





Portland, OR

Fantastic! Great use of conversions to make a very nicely themed warband.

   
Made in us
[DCM]
Dankhold Troggoth






Shadeglass Maze

Incredible project! I have always loved Kroot, and a local friend just did a similarly themed army (although using it as counts-as in his case).

Do you have a test paint scheme?
   
Made in ky
Regular Dakkanaut




Grand Cayman

I plan to model their coloring after Macaws. I lean towards a light blue with white face and black beaks. Bright red and green and yellow will be their plumage colors (their crest and spiky bits)

They have been loads of fun to put together and I still have a lot of cleaning up mold lines and drilling barrels before I start painting.

   
Made in gb
Nimble Pistolier





United Kingdom

You had my curiosity, now you have my attention.

Those Knarloc riders are awesome. It's quite a bold move converting them up as they're quite rare and expensive.

You've certainly made them look like a fun and interesting part of the army.

   
Made in ky
Regular Dakkanaut




Grand Cayman

I still have a lot of scraping mold lines away and will have to break out the greenstuff machine for making hoses to run to many of the weapons from ad-hoc power supply sources. At the end of the day, I could in theory carefully break away all the little bits and only have one tiny drilled hole that the weapon mounts are resting in, that would need to be repaired. The Stealth suits are wrecked and completely unusable as anything else ever again. But I do love chopping stuff up or kitbashing new models.

I have really enjoyed working on these models and would love to be able to play them someday.

   
Made in au
Fresh-Faced New User




This is amazing will follow for sure, always loved the kroot as a species and thought they deserved to be fleshed out.
   
Made in us
Jinking Ravenwing Land Speeder Pilot





Pittsburgh PA, USA

This is epic!

Angels of Vengeance P&M Blog

A Tale of 5 Gamers!

Blood Knights Kill Team P&M

Crusade of Vengeance - A Tale of Sacrifce and Brotherhood
www..com/dakkaforum/posts/list/545145.page 
   
Made in ky
Regular Dakkanaut




Grand Cayman

Kroot lifeforms can develop into rather large beasts given enough time and food. The agile and quick mounts used by the Tracker Kindred can grow into a massive beast that dominates a herd. A single male can grow to massive size and jealously protects its herd. Any juvenile males are killed or driven away and the Kroot Shapers watch cautiously for any new males and quickly move them away or neuter them. Should the dominant male die, the Shaper council will then begin grooming a new dominant male to lead the herd.

These massive beasts equal the Greater Knarloc in size and are often outfitted with heavy weapon systems that can lend a powerful attack to the otherwise lightly armed Tracker Kindred forces. The natural aggression of the males can lead to an almost uncontrollable mount and only the most skilled riders among the Tracker Kindred ranks are entrusted to ride these great beasts. Typically working in teams, these Tracker Kindred operate the dangerous weapon systems mounted onto the behemoth beasts and wear ceremonial armor to indicate their special position among their peers. Trophies from the warbands mightiest enemies are displayed proudly by these hallowed warriors. A special position of honor given that these trophies are not considered food, but instead remind the warband of their victories and act as a symbol of their fierce prownes in combat.








   
Made in us
Jinking Ravenwing Land Speeder Pilot





Pittsburgh PA, USA

hell of a conversion you have there!

Angels of Vengeance P&M Blog

A Tale of 5 Gamers!

Blood Knights Kill Team P&M

Crusade of Vengeance - A Tale of Sacrifce and Brotherhood
www..com/dakkaforum/posts/list/545145.page 
   
Made in gb
Fixture of Dakka





6 foot underwater

Nice warband Some great conversions in there, and a really good theme.

cyborks & flyboyz : http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/300067.page
heretical ramblings : http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/302773.page
imperial preachings : http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/0/303365.page
Da Waaagh-ky Races : http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/325045.page
Briancj: You have the Mek Taint, MT, and the only thing we can do is watch in horror/amazement.

 
   
Made in us
Regular Dakkanaut






Michigan

Awesome looking stuff so far.

I'm subscribed for more

BLAH BLAH....blah. 
   
Made in gb
Liberated Grot Land Raida






Northern Ireland

Really exciting stuff. Super job on all of these. Looking forward to some fully painted final products.

Its a great idea and very well executed so far.

   
Made in us
Growlin' Guntrukk Driver with Killacannon







Awesome! That some great converting.

   
Made in ky
Regular Dakkanaut




Grand Cayman

Thank you for the kind words. I started playing back in middle school when Rouge Trader first came out and scratch building was an integral part of the game. I had a whole Guard army with converted model tanks and GI Joe toy tanks. Now it seems more and more that the free spirit of the game has thinned. I don't want thirty colors of marines fighting or every battle to include the same handful of Uber-beings that can level whole armies.

I want an assorted mass of Xenos. I want well designed armies that work without superheroes carrying them or multiplying their abilities. I want creative conversions of races that barely exist in the game.

So I would encourage anyone to convert their Xenos armies for 40K. I am also building an army of Skaven with Skittari parts and it is working great. But I know more options exist out there.

My Kroot, are far outside of Tau space and are not limited to the structures placed by the Tau. So am i. Alone on a tiny island, I doubt I will ever play anything but a game against myself. And that kind of makes me happy, At least I know that my opponent will always be cool with me using my heavily converted, non GW armies.

   
Made in ky
Regular Dakkanaut




Grand Cayman

For the last week I have been busy building the core infantry models for my Kroot warband. four squads of ten Kroot that deploy via dropship and a fifth squad of veterans who secure the landing zone. I wanted to show these Kroot had fought and battled an assortment of enemies. Shoulderpads, looted gear and scavenged armor pieces are randomly distributed around the warbands members.

An elite squad of armored suits have been scavenged and rigged for deepstriking insertions. Outfitted with salvaged Tau stealth suits, this small squad of Kroot can bring much needed support to a stranded squad in need of support.







Along with their unusual technical savvy, there are a select few Kroot that are born with innate psychic abilities. These shaman warriors wield deadly evicerators and lend their psychic might to crush their foes. Each shaman wears the skull of a defeated psychic enemy to proudly declare dominance and strength of mind.





Scavenged armor and looted gear is shared among the mercenary warband. Each warrior strives to show his bravery and earn a totem feather that can boast of his skill, ferocity or good fortune in battle.










   
Made in ky
Regular Dakkanaut




Grand Cayman

And now to start painting!

I want to go with a blue skin tone for all my Krootforms so I picked up a couple cans of light blue spraypaint. Once this dries, I will go back and hit each model with a white zenithal highlight. I will put together a moderate jar of blue wash to bring each models details out after the highlighting and I can then stiple some patterns on each model. I have a couple ideas ranging from stripes to random splotches. I will have to see how it works on each model. I also am looking to do a light colored underside for each model indicating where their lighter colored belly contrasts with their darker thicker skin on their back. Then to pick out all their gear and weapons.

I am also looking for inspiration on how to paint their crests. Red seems a natural color chart option for what color to choose, but I am also looking at real bird feathers as inspirational material.

Waiting on paint to dry is like....





The white balancing on this is frustrating. I lose all contrast or else I end up MUCH more blue than reality. Perhaps I need to get some better photo software than the basic option that comes with Windows 10.

   
Made in ky
Regular Dakkanaut




Grand Cayman

I had to make my own wash to use and realized that my matte medium had dried up into a hard lump at the bottom of the jar and I had none of the ammonia free Windex in the cupboard. So, I improvised and mixed in a bit of W&N tube paints, some tapwater and a liberal dose of airbrush thinner and I am quite pleased with the results. Just a bit chalky, but pooled the way I wanted it to.

I started with a simple spray of Rustoleum Harbor Blue Gloss protective enamel. It seems a bit thick and I am not fully thrilled with the slight softening of details that I expect it caused. However, I am also painting in the Summertime, outside in the tropics. So the temperature and humidity are working against me. I knew I wanted a gloss finish to allow me to wash each model without having to lay down another additional layer of clearcoat. So, a overall win even with the minor issue with thickness.

Then I did a zenithal highlight with Krylon colormaster white gloss. This was a much thinner paint and I wish I had found the light blue in a satisfactory color from Krylon. I sprayed from behind and slightly from the right . This light coat worked well and produced the desired depth and scale on each model.

Yesterday and today I am working on dipping each model into the wash I made for the army. It will give additional depth to the skin of each model and produce a consistent skin tone that is shared across the entire army. Tonight I will get to start the loooong task of inspecting and cleaning up the wash where it might have pooled or simply looks wrong. A little bit of highlighting as well.

I am pleased with my results so far and hope that the consistent skin tones will help tie each model together when I start painting their scavenged gear. Armor and weapons taken form a variety of places with little to tie each together except the Kroot themselves.

Here is an image of my five infantry squads of Carnivores, Hunters and assorted Shapers and Shamans.


A Shaman strides forward.



   
Made in us
Mounted Kroot Tracker







What models are those cool landing craft? I've been wanting to make some Kroot Venoms and those look like a great kit to start from.

   
Made in ky
Regular Dakkanaut




Grand Cayman

Khazon Torpedo models I found at Big Lots many, many years ago. I flipped them upside down and will use them as drop pods filled with carnivores for deep strike fun.

I took the liberty to add some exhaust pipes and assorted panels to them to make them look a bit more looted. Here are some closer, (but slightly out of focus) shots I got of them this morning.




   
Made in us
Mounted Kroot Tracker







Much appreciated!

   
Made in ky
Regular Dakkanaut




Grand Cayman

I have completed painting the first squad of my Kroot army! I have opted for a almost white flesh for the Kroot with blue to purplish tones with dark, black beaks and a brightly colored crest that blends from bright red to yellow.

My Knarlocs tough skin is a dark blue-grey color with a deep orange tone for their dorsal marks. Looted Tau gear is based on the Tau orange color, but is mismatched, chipped and rusted.

Mismatched gear is the rule for each Kroot rider. The only constant will be the weathered, worn look that comes from years of regular use.

I always like to create a unifying theme for basing an army. I have loads of small seashells and sand, so I have recreated a saltwater marsh theme for my Kroot warband.

Two Knarloc riders have scavenged Tau Fusion Blasters and Plasma Cannons from battlesuits. Multi trackers and target lock systems have been scavenged as well.


Two Knarloc riders have been outfitted with dual Burst cannons from battlesuits. Multi tracker systems are sometimes added to these systems. Human ammo boxes have been mounted to carry power supplies for these weapon systems.


Four Knarloc riders are equipped with the Burst cannon weapon systems. These four riders provide lethal rapid fire support against enemy infantry as other, more powerful weapon systems are able to be brought against larger targets.


The massive, male Tracker carries a heavy Burst cannon and a powerful Laser weapon scavenged from an Ork Batlewagon. Two riders are required to steer this massive beast while firing the dual weapon systems.



Here I have gathered all of my painted models to date. The bases combine to form a hauntingly soothing landscape that the Knarloc riders and Tracker Kindred are able to speed across. Massive shells of alien species cover the landscape while tall grasses sprout from the ground, flattening easily as the Knarloc trample the grass underfoot.





   
Made in us
Angry Chaos Agitator





Pittsburgh

Amazing stuff! Great concept. Fantastic conversions. The paint scheme looks good. Best tau army I've seen in a long time! Subbed!

I am now accepting commissions for any hobby project! I've been in the hobby since '92. Specializing in traditional brush methods, creating a gritty dark aesthetic. From single character models to entire armies. From individual terrain pieces to entire table tops. From tabletop level to masterclass level painting. From purchasing and assembly to leveling up your assembled armies paint job. If it has to do with the hobby I can do it! Hit me up and let's chat about your project! 
   
Made in us
Voracious Kroothound





Ironbeak Warsphere

Wow dude! When you first posted the white/blue wash photos, I wasn’t really sure where you were taking these guys. Obviously you had an idea, and (in my opinion) it worked! The bold, rich blue on the Knarlocs, with a lighter coloration from a similar palette on the riders really pops. Solid conversions and very cool scheme. Keep up the good work!

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2018/07/17 15:49:21


Just a hard-luck Kroot trying to make his way home. But there’s so many interesting people to meat.

Ironbeak Kroot Mercenary Kindred 
   
Made in us
Damsel of the Lady





drinking tea in the snow

Ah, I really love that blue, and the fiery looking... needles? hair? Whichever. Great work on all of these

realism is a lie
 
   
Made in ky
Regular Dakkanaut




Grand Cayman

Thank you for the kind replies. I read that using the color wheel to help decide contrasting colors is often used to create visually striking models. So, I decided to go all-in and picked blue and orange. My biggest problem so far was in spraying the light blue and white contrasting base colors. I made a couple of different wash and glazes to build up some depth on the kroot and their mounts and am pleased with the effect. I am also playing with learning to layer paint so that is something else fun to do. All of this is a big departure from my usual power armored armies and has been a fun challenge.

Here I have the other six of my Knarloc riders basepainted and ready to start picking out details. These guys are all equiped with Plasma cannons and Fusion Blasters. I want to make them look as worn and aged as the Burst cannons, so I will try to vary the orange tones for each weapon and have modeled some basic repairs on several weapons.

   
Made in us
[SWAP SHOP MOD]
Robot Cat






OH-I Wanna get out of here

Well converted Kroot armies are always fun to watch. Looking forward to more.
   
 
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