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Made in gb
Ridin' on a Snotling Pump Wagon






How do!

A general background, not rules nor models, based chit-chat-chin-wag thread. Because such things are needed and interesting.

Thread title is the topic. If you’ve a passion in regard to a given faction? Tell us why. Not in a “try to convert the unbelievers” type way. Just a personal way. Sound off on your passion and preference, but remember to consider the contributions of others. Because who knows, maybe they see something in a faction you missed, overlooked or hadn’t considered.

But, as ever on Dakka, and my chit-chat-chin-wag threads? Absolutely No Dunking On The Opinion Of Others. No need, achieves nowt. So just….don’t.

And for once? I’m not gonna lead. You go first, I insist!

   
Made in us
Rogue Daemonhunter fueled by Chaos






Toledo, OH

My IG are compelling to me because they are simply humans (not really normal, but at least unmodified) who are working together against monsters, aliens, and supermen. I also like how much room there is wihtin IG to tell your own stories.

I love Farsight Enclaves not because they're simply rebels, but because they are the ultimate scrappy underdog. I like to think of them as the Jungian shadow of the Tau Empire, acting as the Tau sometimes wish they could. I think they're also a great insight into how the Tau would live without ethereals.

On the flip side, I love biel tan because they represent a deeply orthodox approach to the Eldar Paths, while indulging in the path of warrior more than anybody else. Aspects are just cool, even if the rules don't' always reflect that.
   
Made in gb
Ridin' on a Snotling Pump Wagon






Imperial Guard are definitely up there for me.

In a Galaxy full of Frankly Ridiculous Peril? To near quote Flash Gordon “they’re just a human, with a human’s courage, no, nothing but a human, who can never fail”.

Yes they die in their droves, whoever is writing the piece. And yet? They stand. In terms of 40K, they’re the purest embodiment of human spirit and resilience.

Yes the vast majority came from nasty, brutish and short lives, only to sign up and find…erm….nasty, brutish and short lives of a mildly different piquancy. But the Imperial Guard still produces legends.

And unlike Power Armour Clad Religious Zealots or Power Armour Clad Comparative Demi-Gods? Their legends are true inspiration.

To know the XCMBM Madeupian Regiment once stood against this foe, and turned them back? I can do that too. Maybe I owe that to the sacrifices made by the XCMBM Madeupian.

Never mind it’s you and your uncountable mates with enough raw firepower to make a Freebooter Blush. You will stand. You will fight. And maybe. Just maybe? You will become the legend. The one who stood their ground, took that vital shot. Steadied your comrades hearts.

   
Made in us
Longtime Dakkanaut





Style and uniqueness. I don’t like tau simply because I feel like they belong in a different universe. Thematically and lore wise I like them.

I like CSM because I like the way they look. They look….. metal. Bad ass. I love Fabius because he’s a villain but also possibly more of hero than anyone in the imperium as he (believes) he is trying to save humanity rather than just defend it through genocide (although he might do that aswell). I love the fact that CSM aren’t really the bad guys they are the anti heroes betrayed by every leader they’ve ever hada. The world eaters might butcher millions of sentient beings but that’s nothing that the imperium wouldn’t do on a whim. But the imperium think they are the good guys.

And I love orks because they are crazy and fun but, if there are good guys in 40K it’s them. They just want to fight. And they like to fight bigger guys than them, can’t say fairer than that
   
Made in us
Perfect Shot Black Templar Predator Pilot





The Dark Imperium

This could be a lengthy post, but I'll keep it short.

I ditched the 40K Iron Hands, and further their successor Iron Fists, for the Black Templars because I feel much more at home with them as Catholic (Heretic) ...shhhh.

   
Made in gb
Mad Gyrocopter Pilot





Northumberland

I love the Imperial Guard because they offer so much potential for a collector. You can create absolutely any style of force with them. They are the real armies that defend humankind, the epitome of the simple soldier. And they go out to fight the whole universe with a lasgun and flak armour which makes them pretty damn bad ass. I had a huge force of Imperial Guard once upon a time. 101st Redburn Dragoons, drop trooper regiment. Sadly they were sold when I was at uni and some other buggers have them now. I hope whoever has them has treated them right.

I went for the admech because when I was last playing 40k they didn't really exist as a faction. I love the idea of a strange, group at arms length from the rest of humanity. Barely human themselves and completely at odds with technology and yet beholden to it. I love the hypocrisy inherent in the Adeptus Mechanicus and the idea of appeasing the spirits of our tech products always amused me.

And now the Leagues of Votann, space dwarves back from the dead and some awesome new lore to boot. I dig it.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2023/03/10 20:12:00


One and a half feet in the hobby


My Painting Log of various minis:
# Olthannon's Oscillating Orchard of Opportunity #

 
   
Made in us
Storm Trooper with Maglight





Fredericksburg, VA

The Necrons.

They are somewhat tragic really. Once a mighty empire, but suffering all the while, made a lot (like a lot!) of bad decisions trying to save themselves from that, and ended up selling their souls for it. Their King made them sleep for millions of years, and now they return to a galaxy overrun with (what to them is essentially) vermin. But they are awakening piecemeal and can't take back what they believe is rightfully theirs. They could defeat chaos, if given the chance, but they won't get it as no one else really understands that this is the case - and the consequences for everyone else would be potentially horrific if they did, bit of a catch 22 there for the galaxy at large. And the worst part of it really, is that even if somehow the Necrons manage to reconquer the galaxy, they are still mostly soulless automatons - only a handful of them, the Nobles, can even benefit from that success. So overall, rather tragic and misunderstood - definitely not 'good' by any measure, just another faction trying to survive the best they can, with no real win condition that is achievable.

Also, I may have misunderstood some of the lore, but thats how it reads in my head and I'm sticking to it!
   
Made in ua
Perfect Shot Black Templar Predator Pilot





The Dark Imperium

I should have also state I started out with Sisters Order of Our Martyred Lady, you could certainly apply the same attraction I have for them as to the BTs, but I've kinda moved on a bit.

I'll probably finish building out a patrol and call it good. I've got the warsuit lassies because I thought even if I didn't go on with a full contingency they'd make good back up support for my BTs.

As for my BTs, I've got an orthodox cursader squad which I'll have to find time to take some pretty portraits of and post them.

But for my future build out, I'm going grim dark as I want mine to be getting down and dirty out there in the Nihilus knocking on doors and shaking things up.

   
Made in us
Posts with Authority






Norn Iron

I like nature. I like dinosaurs, I like reptiles, I like bugs, I like weird and obscure animals and biological processes.

I like movie monsters. I like gribbly movie monsters. I like xenomorphs, I like things from another world, I like brundleflies, Edgars, blobs, graboids, spawns from outer space and much more.

Guess which faction I find compelling?

I'm sooo, sooo sorry.

Plog - Random sculpts and OW Helves 9/3/23 
   
Made in us
Confessor Of Sins





Tacoma, WA, USA

Nuns with Guns! Do I really need to say anything else?

Fine. In a galaxy of genetically modified super-soldiers, superhuman xenos, and Chaos Gods and their vassels, you have to love the pure human ladies with the best equipment and training money can buy combined with rock-hard faith that can actually turn the tide of battle. Purge the Mutant, the Heretic, and the Traitor!
   
Made in us
Snivelling Workbot






I enjoy the Adeptus Mechanicus because I find their hypocrisy comical and I enjoy their aesthetics, I love me some bionics and robes.

I also like the Death Guard because I’ve always liked attrition as a strategy and their aesthetics are also cool to me.

“When you tire of living, change itself seems evil, does it not? For then any change at all disturbs the deathlike peace of the life-weary.”
― Walter M. Miller Jr., A Canticle for Leibowitz 
   
Made in gb
Storm Trooper with Maglight





Imperial Guard have always been my main army. Some might consider that a boring choice but I like the fact that they're basically normal humans trying to stem the tide of weird monstrosities that the galaxy throws at them. I could elaborate more but others have already commented on them.

Tyranids are my second army. I just like the fact that they're so alien and everything they do relies on biological mutations. Even the ships they use to travel between stars (and galaxies). They're different enough to be a counterpoint to my Imperial Guard.

Another army of mine is Genestealer Cult. They're a good mix between Imperial Guard and Tyranids, with enough about them to make them unique.

I also collect Deathwatch. To be honest I usually just use them as allies for my Imperial Guard rather than playing them as a 2,000 point force on their own. I've never been much of a fan of Space Marines, Deathwatch though have always captured my imagination. I just like the idea of all the Space Marine Chapters clubbing together to make a force to defend the Imperium from Xenos.
   
Made in gb
Ridin' on a Snotling Pump Wagon






GSC appeal to me because of their tragedy.

In certain ways, they’re utterly awful as we know they’re dooming their planet, one way or another.

But in other ways? They’re…kind of heroic. After a fashion. They are, in a sense, Fighting The Good Fight against the general backdrop of Imperial Awfulness.

Yet…it’s all for nought. Their “god” doesn’t care for them one iota. They’re all going to be dined on in due course.

   
Made in us
Longtime Dakkanaut





My first faction was Space Marines because they came in the boxed set. I preferred the Ultras because they were the most straightforward and (for lack of a better term) normal. The angst of the various Angels annoyed me.

I then picked up the Guard because they are the Empire army of the 40k universe.

In the years since, I've collected every 2nd ed. faction (I count all Imperial marines as a single faction), and have embraced a storyline for each one. To keep the game from getting stale, our narrative campaigns will often involve the emergence of a particular character (who usually requires a new model) with the necessary back story. Right now I'm playing CSMs and pursuing the life and times of Remf the Acquisitive, the galaxy's oldest E-4 (that's a senior private) who has somehow eluded promotion for 10,000 years.

Want a better way to do fantasy/historical miniatures battles?  Try Conqueror: Fields of Victory.

Do you like Star Wars but find the prequels and sequels disappointing?  Man of Destiny is the book series for you.

My 2nd edition Warhammer 40k resource page. Check out my other stuff at https://www.ahlloyd.com 
   
Made in gb
Storm Trooper with Maglight





 Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote:
GSC appeal to me because of their tragedy.

In certain ways, they’re utterly awful as we know they’re dooming their planet, one way or another.

But in other ways? They’re…kind of heroic. After a fashion. They are, in a sense, Fighting The Good Fight against the general backdrop of Imperial Awfulness.

Yet…it’s all for nought. Their “god” doesn’t care for them one iota. They’re all going to be dined on in due course.


If we assume that the Genestealer Cult is basically the Patriarch and his fellow Genestealers then they're just doing what they're designed to do. The humans (or any other species other than Tyranids) in the Cult are basically brainwashed (mind controlled?) to achieve the same goal. The fact that they don't know that their "God" is simply going to eat them doesn't make them tragic, at least not in my view. But hey, we can all view the lore in our own way

Also, doesn't the Hive Mind just take control of their consciousness when they arrive at the planet? So the Cult will basically join the Tyranid army and be eaten along with all the Tyranid organisms when the planet has been won. As with many things 40K I think there's some lore about Genestealer Cults fighting back, being exceptions to the rule. For this reason I just view Genestealer Cult as extensions of a Tyranid army, doing exactly what the Hive Mind designed them to do.
   
Made in gb
Ridin' on a Snotling Pump Wagon






In the old background, yes. But since their re-do, they fall prey to the Tyranids just the same as everyone else, with the Purestrains turning on the Cult.

   
Made in fi
Buttons Should Be Brass, Not Gold!






Just pure unadulated Nostalghia. Nobody in their right mind should be collecting Space Marines
   
Made in us
Impassive Inquisitorial Interrogator






This lightly plays into the models side, but the ability to do what you will with them and still have it work seamlessly with the background. I have a varying appreciation for all factions as such, but the more defined the background is the more I appreciate them. As an example, while nids are, in theory, an every changing horde we don't really see much of how that's defined and we only see the same 20-30 or so bioforms. As Opposed to say, Eldar, where, while the Aspect warriors are somewhat the same, every craftworld has their own traditions, organization, way of prosecuting war, etc. I adore Chaos Mortals for the same reason (even if I don't play them as the current rules actively smother this creativity), as they're so unique you can practically do whatever you wish, as long as they're chaos related. Inversely, Daemons are kind of dull to me, because as much as they're said to be numberless, we only really see like, 27~ (if you count Daemon Engines and Beasts like Furies and Chaos Hounds) different kinds of them.

My most beloved faction of all is Inquisitors for this reason. An Inquisitor and his gaggle of hangers-on can look like whatever you want at the end of the day and still be canonically compliant.

Giving you a massive coloring book and plenty of room between the lines to draw, but enough lines you still have a good looking picture at the end.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2023/03/11 13:52:00


 
   
Made in us
Longtime Dakkanaut





 tauist wrote:
Just pure unadulated Nostalghia. Nobody in their right mind should be collecting Space Marines


I actually agree with you insofar as my marine collecting days are over. I've got a huge force and it's all painted. Hence having to collect other armies.

Want a better way to do fantasy/historical miniatures battles?  Try Conqueror: Fields of Victory.

Do you like Star Wars but find the prequels and sequels disappointing?  Man of Destiny is the book series for you.

My 2nd edition Warhammer 40k resource page. Check out my other stuff at https://www.ahlloyd.com 
   
Made in us
The Marine Standing Behind Marneus Calgar





Upstate, New York

Around 3rd, when I was focusing down to build an army out of my eclectic RT collection (where I had 3 flavors of marines: BA, Ultras, Homebrew) I went with the Ultramarines because they just got things done without the drama. Other chapters had special overpowered units, and won the day with gimmicks. But Ultras just soldiered on and got stuff done. And while not as flanderized as they are today, the other flavors of marines were on the road. Vampires, Werewolves and Emos, oh my.

I liked that they were disciplined soldiers, and obeyed orders and stood fast. Armies like the BA (my other major faction at the time) would sometimes rush the enemy when you needed them to hold. Most armies for wargames I pick I try to minimize randomness. I’ll win or loose based on my choices, not because someone failed a frenzy check.

As the years went by, I stuck with them. I didn’t win via overpowered rules or units (most editions we were decidedly sub-par compared to other chapters) but by playing the mission. And they are a flexible force you can go in any direction with. I like the TAC nature of them. Playing a well balanced list is very on-brand for the Ultras, and the style of play I enjoy.

--

Two words: Grav Armor.

Eldar got me hooked as an army when the Falcon was released. I had a random selection of minis collected as an OpFor for our RT games, but nothing that approached an army. But I’ve got a soft spot for hover tanks, and the Falcon hit all the buttons. So around the end of 2nd I started collecting them with the idea that they would be my secondary army. The fast and fragile nature of the space elves was a nice contrast for the slow and tough marines. “Getting mud on your boots is for lesser races” was the core concept. Mechanized infantry and bikes. Limited time and hobby budget saw them get sidelined, but not forgotten. But the concept of elegant tanks drifting across the battlefield, supported by darting jetbikes makes my heart sing.

--

Nids are an odd one. Lots of reasons why I started collecting them.
One is they are the classic antagonists of my main army. Win or loose, I've always enjoyed games against tyranids across the table. We see a lot of MEQ armies out there, so both from a thematic and mechanical POV, it was always a joy to throw down vs the alien menace.
The fact that they are so different is appealing, both as a gamer and a painter. Something new. Different techniques, play styles, kinds of models. I’m not going to say 40k was stale, but I do tend to get into ruts. Nids are a breath of fresh air from beyond the out black. So delightfully alien and abnormal.

   
Made in gb
Ridin' on a Snotling Pump Wagon






Leagues of Votann are another one for me.

A very recent addition of course, but which feels seamless in the wider galaxy. They’re kind of human, but their success as a species comes from an unacknowledged loss of Free Will.


   
Made in us
Fresh-Faced New User




Well, I’m a guard player and I think on some level I like them since growing up I never really felt like I stood out, so playing as the normal guys who have to try to go toe-to-toe with enemies frankly way over their pay grade kinda resonated
   
Made in us
Regular Dakkanaut





They generally have to have an archetype that I already find appealing.
BA tortured souls, angels, vampires, renaissance Italy.
Guard very similar to real world militaries of various eras.




Automatically Appended Next Post:
 Nevelon wrote:
Around 3rd, when I was focusing down to build an army out of my eclectic RT collection (where I had 3 flavors of marines: BA, Ultras, Homebrew) I went with the Ultramarines because they just got things done without the drama. Other chapters had special overpowered units, and won the day with gimmicks. But Ultras just soldiered on and got stuff done. And while not as flanderized as they are today, the other flavors of marines were on the road. Vampires, Werewolves and Emos, oh my.

I liked that they were disciplined soldiers, and obeyed orders and stood fast. Armies like the BA (my other major faction at the time) would sometimes rush the enemy when you needed them to hold. Most armies for wargames I pick I try to minimize randomness. I’ll win or loose based on my choices, not because someone failed a frenzy check.

As the years went by, I stuck with them. I didn’t win via overpowered rules or units (most editions we were decidedly sub-par compared to other chapters) but by playing the mission. And they are a flexible force you can go in any direction with. I like the TAC nature of them. Playing a well balanced list is very on-brand for the Ultras, and the style of play I enjoy.

--

Two words: Grav Armor.

Eldar got me hooked as an army when the Falcon was released. I had a random selection of minis collected as an OpFor for our RT games, but nothing that approached an army. But I’ve got a soft spot for hover tanks, and the Falcon hit all the buttons. So around the end of 2nd I started collecting them with the idea that they would be my secondary army. The fast and fragile nature of the space elves was a nice contrast for the slow and tough marines. “Getting mud on your boots is for lesser races” was the core concept. Mechanized infantry and bikes. Limited time and hobby budget saw them get sidelined, but not forgotten. But the concept of elegant tanks drifting across the battlefield, supported by darting jetbikes makes my heart sing.

--

Nids are an odd one. Lots of reasons why I started collecting them.
One is they are the classic antagonists of my main army. Win or loose, I've always enjoyed games against tyranids across the table. We see a lot of MEQ armies out there, so both from a thematic and mechanical POV, it was always a joy to throw down vs the alien menace.
The fact that they are so different is appealing, both as a gamer and a painter. Something new. Different techniques, play styles, kinds of models. I’m not going to say 40k was stale, but I do tend to get into ruts. Nids are a breath of fresh air from beyond the out black. So delightfully alien and abnormal.

Bruh, I have grown to love gravis armor

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2023/03/13 06:46:15


 
   
Made in gb
Ridin' on a Snotling Pump Wagon






One of the appeals to me regarding Nids is their startling capacity to adept - but 40K being a setting of largely stagnant technology, we don’t see them doing it for the sake of doing it.

That to me ties in nicely with it being a Super Predator, as it’s focussing on minimum expenditure for maximum gain - so new strains and gribblies are only developed strictly as needed, rather than a matter of course.

   
Made in pl
Horrific Hive Tyrant





Tyranids - everything is biological, even the ammunition. Everything is expendable yet not wasted. Army of monsters that is not daemons but is probably even bigger horror to face. Also ants, hornets and termites are my favourite insects, I liked original Aliens movies, and even those poor Starship Troopers ones.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2023/03/13 17:22:53


 
   
Made in gb
Ridin' on a Snotling Pump Wagon






Tyranids definitely become more terrifying if you’ve had the pleasure of watching a decent nature documentary on Ants, and how ruthlessly methodical the little buggers can be.

   
Made in us
Ultramarine Chaplain with Hate to Spare






Space Marines because of the technology, power armor, and overall theme of stiff-upper-lip discipline.

Commissar von Toussaint wrote:
I preferred the Ultras because they were the most straightforward and (for lack of a better term) normal. The angst of the various Angels annoyed me.
Ditto on Ultras.

Tyranids because they're of the combination of cosmic horror and the fact that they're actually "alien". Non-humanoid, different scale, absolutely different mentality, etc. Being a sci-fi staple "bugs" doesn't hurt either.

Oldcrons because of their particular flavor of cosmic horror, tech, etc. But Newcrons have gone and wrecked a bunch of that.

And They Shall Not Fit Through Doors!!!

Tyranid Army Progress -- With Classic Warriors!:
https://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/0/743240.page#9671598 
   
Made in gb
Preparing the Invasion of Terra






Chaos Space Marines.
The Word Bearers omnibus was amongst my earliest books from BL (alongside Helsreach and Legion of the Damned) and it set me on the path of righteousness. It was followed up by the Iron Warriors omnibus and many many Chaos-themed books since and I immediately called dibs on being on the Traitor side when our group started HH.
The story of the Traitor Legions is great and the fracturing of the old ways during their exile in the Eye alongside the formation of the Black Legion is brilliant. That's not to say that Renegade Chapters don't have their place either. The Gildar Rift featured the Red Corsairs as the antagonists and it too was an excellent read.
   
Made in de
Contagious Dreadnought of Nurgle





Snakebite Feral Orks.
You might have fancy lascannons and Tanks and planes and all, but I'll hit you with that stone and stomp you with my giant armoured dinos.

Also Death Guard. Fighting the good fight against the oppressive Imperium for 10K years. No, no, Nurgle is a nice guy actually, he loves all of his children.
   
Made in gb
Stealthy Grot Snipa






UK

 Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote:
Imperial Guard are definitely up there for me.

In a Galaxy full of Frankly Ridiculous Peril? To near quote Flash Gordon “they’re just a human, with a human’s courage, no, nothing but a human, who can never fail”.

Yes they die in their droves, whoever is writing the piece. And yet? They stand. In terms of 40K, they’re the purest embodiment of human spirit and resilience.

Yes the vast majority came from nasty, brutish and short lives, only to sign up and find…erm….nasty, brutish and short lives of a mildly different piquancy. But the Imperial Guard still produces legends.

And unlike Power Armour Clad Religious Zealots or Power Armour Clad Comparative Demi-Gods? Their legends are true inspiration.

To know the XCMBM Madeupian Regiment once stood against this foe, and turned them back? I can do that too. Maybe I owe that to the sacrifices made by the XCMBM Madeupian.

Never mind it’s you and your uncountable mates with enough raw firepower to make a Freebooter Blush. You will stand. You will fight. And maybe. Just maybe? You will become the legend. The one who stood their ground, took that vital shot. Steadied your comrades hearts.


ALL of the above

Skinflint Games- war gaming in the age of austerity

https://skinflintgames.wordpress.com/

 
   
 
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