Gitsplitta wrote:
Nev, you want me to white balance those for you? It'll help.

Great jobs guys, beautiful work.

 Dr H wrote:


Like the contrast you've gone for, Deadmeat.

Your task is a simple one... match a single, Mantis Warrior infantry figure (including bikes) to the following quote from IA.

"Once the silent warders of the Endymion Cluster, in the wake of the Badab Wars the Mantis Warriors have been bound to a century long penitent crusade which may well see the end of the Chapter before its conclusion. One of the rare descendants of the savage White Scars, the Mantis Warriors’ millennia of isolation on the far edge of human space has left them much changed from their origins. Experts in the art of guerrilla warfare and the sudden application of violence from concealment, the Mantis Warriors are subtle and cunning killers, wreathed in mysticism, who strike with the fury of an unexpected storm."

That's it. Best figure that hits closest to the mark wins. No judging criteria, no point system, just you, your skills and your imagination fueled by the above statement. There is no limit on basing. While you may only submit a single Mantis Warrior, your scene may include as many "victims" as you'd like... I'll consider them part of the basing.

 Jehan-reznor wrote:
I added a holster and consider him finished

 inmygravenimage wrote:

Okay, I think I'm done. I may resort to a new snap of the top of the gun as I've removed an irksome mold line and some shoddy gs work.

There is a legend, that is whispered in fear even in places of damnation and darkness. Striking, lancing with fire and axe, borne on the wind itself - the Flaming Claw.

 Dr H wrote:

And I'm done!
I could fiddle more, but won't really change the result.

Tasked with laying mines, the Mantis Warrior became aware of the sound of approaching footsteps. He waited, hidden by the foliage, until the enemy was within sight and then burst forth to eliminate the patrol before they could raise the alarm or trip one of his traps prematurely.

Many angles, should show all...


Notes relevant to the competition/modelling:
I tried to use parts for the model that were (or appeared to be) of older marks of armour/equipment. This was to keep with the aesthetic of Gitsplitta's Mantis Warriors and to represent the length of time that the Mantis Warriors have spent away from the Imperium on crusade.

The "beaky" helmet, to me, represents speed due to the streamlined look. This then harks back to being successors of the White Scars (the only other marine I have with a beaky is a White Scar), who like the faster modes of transportation. Plenty of purity seals to show that he (and the MWs) are loyal to the Emperor.

The studded shoulder pad, in the tranquillity camouflage pattern, shows that this marine was a veteran of the Badab war and, while his armour has been repaired and refurbished, he has chosen to keep the pattern on that shoulder as a badge of honour.

His bolter has been modified into more of a rifle than an assault rifle, and he carries a suppressor, to show that he is well versed in sniping from a concealed vantage point. The "many" grenades and the meltabomb, and the mines are all to show that he is also proficient in sabotage. Both of these to emphasize the Guerrilla warfare preference of the MWs. Most of the metals (in particular the knife) are dulled to avoid detection.

The pose, however, is to show that he can act when he needs to in a "sudden application of violence from concealment". Holding the knife to show that he can and will get stuck in as well as the occasional, subtle, stab in the back/slash of the throat.

I think that is all there is... all contained on a 25mm base.

steinerp wrote:
Here is techmarine Lansing Okemos. As with all the Mantis Warriors nearing the completion of the penitent campaign, his servoharness has seen many modifications such as the arc-inducer and powerful scissors replacing the tradition flamer and servo arm. He is seen here on the Battle Cruiser Transgression of Trust.

 cormadepanda wrote:
It is time I placed my entry and forget I ever did it.

 Littletower wrote:
And done:

Barely seen through the heavy mist, the Battle Brother moved upon his target swiftly and without noise. A brief opening in the fog, a demolition charge casually left behind, almost as if forgotten…
The blast went off even before the mist had fully closed behind him, and the wall was breached. The fight was over before the debris from that first explosion had finished falling to the ground, the enemy never getting over the utter surprise of the attack.









Maybe because of living in an arid climate, coming out of the mist for a swift attack before getting lost in the fog again quite embodies the idea of the "sudden application of violence from concealment". Surprise assaults, bombs and quick strikes come to mind regarding the guerilla tactics of a depleted or isolated force.

At least, that was my take on it.

 the shrouded lord wrote:
I've always been against the whole thing of space marines being shown in pretty, un-damaged armour, completely unaffected by battle. so, this guy has just appeared in the midst of a traitor PDF patrol, and pretty much exploded through them with chainsaws.
bhold, brother MERCUTIO!

 Anpu-adom wrote:
Here is my entry to the Mantis Maker II challenge...



And the entry description:
Brother Sargent Waldorf, of the Mantis Warriors.
Mantis Warriors are masters at using their environment to their advantage. Here is one of Waldorf's prepared sniper positions. One key to being a successful sniper is to realize that your location will be discovered. Another key to surviving is to no longer be at that place when it is discovered. Buried in the moss, Waldorf has left an explosive surprise for any who do find it.

 deadmeat85 wrote:
Okay time to throw my hat in to the ring. Here is my entry for the Mantis Warrior Competition.

Date: late M41
Subject: Mantis Warrior Veteran Sergent Bektai
Here we have Sergeant Bektai during one of the Battles of Herodian IV. While the Mantis Warriors would gain their redemption after the defeat of the Tyranid splinter fleets, Sergeant Bektai was killed during the final engagements of the war.

 Knightley wrote:
Finally finished my Mantis entry



Tranquillity sniper squad member D'naru Thuos.

Ritually scarred as a follow on from the primogenitor chapter of the Whitescars, D'Naru has also reached high enough within his squad to go through first two trials of absolution, the aim being cleansed of their sins.

Separated from his squad after a tight skirmish D'Naru found him self fighting alone to get back to the chapter, having gone through his bolter rounds he now has to rely on his bolt pistol, a scavenged knife and his wits. to survive.

 Camkierhi wrote:
Great work one and all,
I hope this is right, post final entry here!?

This morning, been touching up my Mantis Warrior entry, the standard of work others are doing is amazing, and I don't really stand a chance now so decided to cheat!...



Other shots spoilered to avoid boring you.

Spoiler:

From the last lot, I have added several coats of yellow to try and shade the green, Can see it in person better. Touched up my silly little slips, and the cheating part, put some purple on him, which Gits is adding to some of his models so I have stolen it.

Only left to say good luck to all of you, great competition again Gits, thank you, and good luck to you, you will definitely need it on this one.

 Commander Cain wrote:
Okay here we go. Got this fella finished just in the nick of time!

In contrast to many of the other entries, I decided to focus on the violent aspect of the Mantis Warriors rather than their stealth abilities and as such gave him a heavy and rugged set of armour. To add a little bit of sneakiness to the model however, I fitted a silencer onto the bolter and then promptly contrasted it with a compressed chainsword for close encounters. The base was designed to fit with the aggressive theme as I can see him stalking through a recently breached starship, waiting around a corner to dispatch an enemy in a blaze of anger. Hope you all like him!

Spoiler:

 monkeytroll wrote:
And a bit more progress...



May yet decide to re-do those striations, not convinced by them at the moment.
Also need to start thinking about the base - original plan was to have him emerging from some kind of industrial pipework, but I'm thinking the colour scheme requires something a bit less urban.....

 Nevelon wrote:
Penance. Would that I could join my brothers in a simple crusade to remove the stain from our chapter’s honour. But the art of divination is rare in the librarium of the astartes; not that our foresight was enough to escape the Tyrant’s machinations. So when the Ordo Xenos “requested” my services, how could we refuse? So now I’m chasing an alien shapshifter across the frozen tundra with a motely kill team, none whom trust me. They will have to now. When the changeling fled our ambush, leaving his cohorts to die, he left no trail. But all things can be found in the Warp, for those who know where to look…

“He went this way. We can catch him if we run. And next time, save the howls until after the ambush is sprung.”

<sigh> Wolves. I think back to the rumors the surrounded the end of the Badab incident. Could a shapeshifter have replaced a chapter master? Maybe this one will have some answers.

+++Thought for the day: Victory needs no excuses, Failure allows none.+++