Lion themed army. Help me decide :).

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**Capamaru**

Well as the title says I want to create a Lion themed space marine army.

Several ideas are spinning in my head but mainly I need to specify under which chapter rules they are going to operate.

The following come to mind.

1) Space wolfs with a different color scheme.

2) Dark Angels since their primarch is lion something

relevant.

3) Astral Claws since they already come with a lion theme.

Regarding minis I have seen a lot of scibor's staff regarding shoulder pads, heads shields and plates for vehicles.

Which chapter do you think would fit the theme the best and why? Any other ideas?

Thank you all for your time.

Capa.

**Matthew**

If yoou're good at GS, then you could do Space WOlves with Lions instead of wolves.

**Crazy Jay**

I think you should go Dark Angels. I had actually thought about running mine as a successor chapter called "Lion's Pride". Giving it a (IMO) cool double meaning.

**TheDraconicLord**

The Celestial Lion's color scheme may not be for everyone, but their background is very interesting: http://wh40k.lexicanum.com/wiki/Celestial_Lions

It'd fit your idea like a charm: Your chapter could be the Celestial Lions after a period of rebuilding.

**ChazSexington**

TheDraconicLord wrote:
The Celestial Lion's color scheme may not be for everyone, but their background is very interesting: http://wh40k.lexicanum.com/wiki/Celestial_Lions

It'd fit your idea like a charm: Your chapter could be the Celestial Lions after a period of rebuilding.

I was about to suggest them! Their background is fething awesome!

**Capamaru**

Matthew wrote:
If yoou're good at GS, then you could do Space WOlves with Lions instead of wolves.

I really like the idea of ThunderLion cavalry

. I also saw some amazing lion themed bikes on scibor's site

.

Problem is that Space wolves are the barbaric version of space marines while the Lions correspond to something noble. Of course the theme can be lions and just the rules be space wolves right?

Automatically Appended Next Post:

ChazSexington wrote:
TheDraconicLord wrote:
The Celestial Lion's color scheme may not be for everyone, but their background is very interesting: http://wh40k.lexicanum.com/wiki/Celestial_Lions

It'd fit your idea like a charm: Your chapter could be the Celestial Lions after a period of rebuilding.

I was about to suggest them! Their background is fething awesome!

I have to read their background, although their color scheme is quite boring for me especially considering I just finished painting a Grey Knights army. But most definitely I will check their fluff out.

**Hubris**

Astral Claws all the way, awesome colour scheme and background material, including that it gives you a fluff reason to be playing other imperial forces.

**casvalremdeikun**

Perhaps after a period of rebuilding, the Celestial Lions opted for a more muted color scheme?

**Capamaru**

Celestial Lions follow a vanilla marines codex?

**TheDraconicLord**

casvalremdeikun wrote:Perhaps after a period of rebuilding, the Celestial Lions opted for a more muted color scheme?

I was gonna suggest that but I remembered the chapters don't change their colors. They are extremely proud of their heraldry so I don't think they'd change it BUT, then again, what happened to the Celestial Lions is extremely uncommon: if it wasn't for Grimaldus, the chapter would've been extinct. Not only that, the Black Templars offered them a Strike Cruiser and a small force of them was sent to help rebuild the Chapter. I think they would honour such an enormous support in some way, maybe the mentioned changed color scheme to reflect a bit of the Black Templars.

Capamaru wrote:Celestial Lions follow a vanilla marines codex?

Fluff-wise, they are Imperial Fists descendants and from what I understand from the novella they are codex compliant but nothing stops you from switching it, I think.

**Capamaru**

TheDraconicLord wrote:
casvalremdeikun wrote:Perhaps after a period of rebuilding, the Celestial Lions opted for a more muted color scheme?

I was gonna suggest that but I remembered the chapters don't change their colors. They are extremely proud of their heraldry so I don't think they'd change it BUT, then again, what happened to the Celestial Lions is extremely uncommon: if it wasn't for Grimaldus, the chapter would've been extinct. Not only that, the Black Templars offered them a Strike Cruiser and a small force of them was sent to help rebuild the Chapter. I think they would honour such an enormous support in some way, maybe the mentioned changed color scheme to reflect a bit of the Black Templars.

Capamaru wrote:Celestial Lions follow a vanilla marines codex?

Fluff-wise, they are Imperial Fists descendants and from what I understand from the novella they are codex compliant but nothing stops you from switching it, I think.

Well gold seems like a must for lions.

**Gangrel767**

As stated above check out these guys "lion warriors"

http://sciborminiatures.com/en_,shop.php?group=170

**casvalremdeikun**

TheDraconicLord wrote:
casvalremdeikun wrote:Perhaps after a period of rebuilding, the Celestial Lions opted for a more muted color scheme?

I was gonna suggest that but I remembered the chapters don't change their colors. They are extremely proud of their heraldry so I don't think they'd change it BUT, then again, what happened to the Celestial Lions is extremely uncommon: if it wasn't for Grimaldus, the chapter would've been extinct. Not only that, the Black Templars offered them a Strike Cruiser and a small force of them was sent to help rebuild the Chapter. I think they would honour such an enormous support in some way, maybe the mentioned changed color scheme to reflect a bit of the Black Templars.

Not entirely true. Look at the Raptors. They went from garish yellow and blue to a dull green.

**EVIL INC**

You dont have to follow one of the official sets at all. there is nothing wrong with totally making up your own chapter with it's own colors and background that has nothing to do with the other chapters at all.
If someone can make a hello kitty army, cleveland browns army or a smurf army complete with mushroom house drop pods (all of whose existance has been denied here lol), you can surely do your own army ith a llion theme.
1. Kings of Rigol (or some other planet name. All marines of this chapter are from tribes that are made up of the decendants of deposed kings.
2. Rampant Lions. Medeaval background based on knightly orders.
3. the list goes on......
Or you could indeed go with an offshoot of one of the big names. The choice is totally yours and you can easily fit the fluff to any of the ones you mentioned. Just a matter of how you want to spin the story.
Good luck mate.

**Wulfmar**

Lions you say? Nothing screams Lion more to me than:

Spoiler:

If I remember correctly, there is a Chapter (perhaps retconned or dead) called the Celestial Lions? Could be an old codex deal.

My opinion would be a Custodes army using Scibor miniatures and the Grey Knights rule book - to me that screams Lions (and the descriptions from the fluff novels describes them as such). But that would require a codex different to the C:SM one

**TheCustomLime**

Like others sais, use the Space Wolf codex and replace any instance of the word "wolf" with the word "lion".

**Lord Blackscale**

I would vote Astral Claws. Thier chapter tactics and fluff are cool, and pre-chaos Horuon is beastly and looks great.

**VictorVonTzeentch**

TheDraconicLord wrote:
casvalremdeikun wrote:Perhaps after a period of rebuilding, the Celestial Lions opted for a more muted color scheme?

I was gonna suggest that but I remembered the chapters don't change their colors. They are extremely proud of their heraldry so I don't think they'd change it BUT, then again, what happened to the Celestial Lions is extremely uncommon: if it wasn't for Grimaldus, the chapter would've been extinct. Not only that, the Black Templars offered them a Strike Cruiser and a small force of them was sent to help rebuild the Chapter. I think they would honour such an enormous support in some way, maybe the mentioned changed color scheme to reflect a bit of the Black Templars.

A more golden/orange Yellow, with Black. Perhaps the Templar Cross worked into parts of their armor to represent those that survived Armageddon or even work the cross in as a back drop for the Lion.

Make them look similar to some of the Pre-Heresy color patterns of the the Imperial Fists.

**Ghaz**

casvalremdeikun wrote:
TheDraconicLord wrote:
casvalremdeikun wrote:Perhaps after a period of rebuilding, the Celestial Lions opted for a more muted color scheme?

I was gonna suggest that but I remembered the chapters don't change their colors. They are extremely proud of their heraldry so I don't think they'd change it BUT, then again, what happened to the Celestial Lions is extremely uncommon: if it wasn't for Grimaldus, the chapter would've been extinct. Not only that, the Black Templars offered them a Strike Cruiser and a small force of them was sent to help rebuild the Chapter. I think they would honour such an enormous support in some way, maybe the mentioned changed color scheme to reflect a bit of the Black Templars.
Not entirely true. Look at the Raptors. They went from garish yellow and blue to a dull green.

Some of the fluff for the Raptors (Forge World I believe) says that the olive drab paint scheme was for a specific campaign.

**Toofast**

TheDraconicLord wrote:
The Celestial Lion's color scheme may not be for everyone, but their background is very interesting: http://wh40k.lexicanum.com/wiki/Celestial_Lions

It'd fit your idea like a charm: Your chapter could be the Celestial Lions after a period of rebuilding.

They're like SM: iyanden, that's awesome.

**VictorVonTzeentch**

Ghaz wrote:
casvalremdeikun wrote:
TheDraconicLord wrote:
casvalremdeikun wrote:Perhaps after a period of rebuilding, the Celestial Lions opted for a more muted color scheme?

I was gonna suggest that but I remembered the chapters don't change their colors. They are extremely proud of their heraldry so I don't think they'd change it BUT, then again, what happened to the Celestial Lions is extremely uncommon: if it wasn't for Grimaldus, the chapter would've been extinct. Not only that, the Black Templars offered them a Strike Cruiser and a small force of them was sent to help rebuild the Chapter. I think they would honour such an enormous support in some way, maybe the mentioned changed color scheme to reflect a bit of the Black Templars.
Not entirely true. Look at the Raptors. They went from garish yellow and blue to a dull green.

Some of the fluff for the Raptors (Forge World I believe) says that the olive drab paint scheme was for a specific campaign.

The Chapter permanently adopted the color scheme after they were stranded on a jungle world. Its their way of honoring that time.

**Ghaz**

BrotherStynier wrote:
Ghaz wrote:
casvalremdeikun wrote:
TheDraconicLord wrote:
casvalremdeikun wrote:Perhaps after a period of rebuilding, the Celestial Lions opted for a more muted color scheme?

I was gonna suggest that but I remembered the chapters don't change their colors. They are extremely proud of their heraldry so I don't think they'd change it BUT, then again, what happened to the Celestial Lions is extremely uncommon: if it wasn't for Grimaldus, the chapter would've been extinct. Not only that, the Black Templars offered them a Strike Cruiser and a small force of them was sent to help rebuild the Chapter. I think they would honour such an enormous support in some way, maybe the mentioned changed color scheme to reflect a bit of the Black Templars.
Not entirely true. Look at the Raptors. They went from garish yellow and blue to a dull green.

Some of the fluff for the Raptors (Forge World I believe) says that the olive drab paint scheme was for a specific campaign.

The Chapter permanently adopted the color scheme after they were stranded on a jungle world. Its their way of honoring that time.

Source?

**thegreatchimp**

OP have you considered using Raven Guard and applying some fur from SW or other ranges? Lots of lightning claws in Raven Gaurd. Thought it might be fitting, for lions. The mane..I mean main...problem would be doing a beige, brown and gold colour scheme -like a lion, but it could b very cool.

**VictorVonTzeentch**

Ghaz wrote:
BrotherStynier wrote:
Ghaz wrote:
casvalremdeikun wrote:
TheDraconicLord wrote:
casvalremdeikun wrote:Perhaps after a period of rebuilding, the Celestial Lions opted for a more muted color scheme?

I was gonna suggest that but I remembered the chapters don't change their colors. They are extremely proud of their heraldry so I don't think they'd change it BUT, then again, what happened to the Celestial Lions is extremely uncommon: if it wasn't for Grimaldus, the chapter would've been extinct. Not only that, the Black Templars offered them a Strike Cruiser and a small force of them was sent to help rebuild the Chapter. I think they would honour such an enormous support in some way, maybe the mentioned changed color scheme to reflect a bit of the Black Templars.
Not entirely true. Look at the Raptors. They went from garish yellow and blue to a dull green.

Some of the fluff for the Raptors (Forge World I believe) says that the olive drab paint scheme was for a specific campaign.

The Chapter permanently adopted the color scheme after they were stranded on a jungle world. Its their way of honoring that time.

Source?

Pretty sure it was the Taros Campaign book. Because they haven't been shown as Blue and Yellow since. Only Drab Green and various camos depending on the theater of operation.

**Ghaz**

http://warhammer40k.wikia.com/wiki/Raptors#Chapter_Colours

Warhammer 40K Wiki wrote:Chapter Colours

The Chapter first appeared in the 1st Edition of Warhammer 40,000 as the "Raptor Legion," and wore blue Power Armour with a yellow face, shoulder plates, gloves, boots, and greaves. Their Chapter badge was a white hawk's head. When the Chapter was revisited during the 3rd Edition, the "Legion" suffix was dropped from their name and they became specialists in jungle warfare. At this point their armour color changed to a dull green, with the white hawk's head badge retained, and this new colour was ideal for fighting within flora-dominated spaces. How To Paint Space Marines shows that during the 4th Edition release of Space Marine-related material, the colour scheme was reverted to blue and yellow, although material published by Forgeworld after this time retains the 3rd Edition dull green. It is possible the Raptors and the Raptor Legion are supposed to be two different Chapters, but no official statement on this can be found in any official sources. In one incident the entire Chapter became stranded on a jungle Death World, leading to them repainting their armor green in order to better survive. However, as stated, the issue of the Chapter's colour has not been cleared up by Games Workshop. In Games Workshop's online Space Marine Gallery the figure shown as a Raptor Space Marine has bronze-coloured Power Armour. The Raptor Chapter utilises a mind grey with white spot marking as a blizzard camouflage pattern in arctic environments.

**VictorVonTzeentch**

Ghaz wrote:
http://warhammer40k.wikia.com/wiki/Raptors#Chapter_Colours

Warhammer 40K Wiki wrote:Chapter Colours

The Chapter first appeared in the 1st Edition of Warhammer 40,000 as the "Raptor Legion," and wore blue Power Armour with a yellow face, shoulder plates, gloves, boots, and greaves. Their Chapter badge was a white hawk's head. When the Chapter was revisited during the 3rd Edition, the "Legion" suffix was dropped from their name and they became specialists in jungle warfare. At this point their armour color changed to a dull green, with the white hawk's head badge retained, and this new colour was ideal for fighting within flora-dominated spaces. How To Paint Space Marines shows that during the 4th Edition release of Space Marine-related material, the colour scheme was reverted to blue and yellow, although material published by Forgeworld after this time retains the 3rd Edition dull green. It is possible the Raptors and the Raptor Legion are supposed to be two different Chapters, but no official statement on this can be found in any official sources. In one incident the entire Chapter became stranded on a jungle Death World, leading to them repainting their armor green in order to better survive. However, as stated, the issue of the Chapter's colour has not been cleared up by Games Workshop. In Games Workshop's online Space Marine Gallery the figure shown as a Raptor Space Marine has bronze-coloured Power Armour. The Raptor Chapter utilises a mind grey with white spot marking as a blizzard camouflage pattern in arctic environments.

Nothing about what you have posted says I am wrong or that you are right, in fact it seems to go with they are likely two different Chapters.

Since the Chapter in Forge World books and FFG books are shown in the Drab Green and not the Blue and Yellow and in fact GW hasn't published anything recently featuring the Raptors or Raptor Legion, I'm still gonna go with them being Green. The very page you have taken your information features more pictures of them in Green.

**Ghaz**

What I posted does say that you're wrong. The fact is there is no definitive answer because GW hasn't clarified the matter. Its only your opinion that they changed their colours while stranded, but there's nothing from GW to support your position. The colours that they posted is of no consequence, as they're not GW and does not make it canon.

**Wulfmar**

These guys cry Lion more to me (description of the Custodes fighting as individual Lions, while the Space Maries fight like a pack of Wolves)

Spoiler:

Or literally stick Lions everywhere on the armour

Spoiler:

Either way, Gold seems to be the colour of choice

**VictorVonTzeentch**

Ghaz wrote:
What I posted does say that you're wrong. The fact is there is no definitive answer because GW hasn't clarified the matter. Its only your opinion that they changed their colours while stranded, but there's nothing from GW to support your position. The colours that they posted is of no consequence, as they're not GW and does not make it canon.

I'm fairly certain that there isn't an answer still isn't the same as being wrong. I said the colors changed and that I thought it was because they were stranded. Go ahead and keep your dogmatic view on the setting that drives people away though. I'm gonna go with the colors changed and its a game where creating chapters or making them your own is encouraged.

**Ghaz**

BrotherStynier wrote:
Ghaz wrote:
What I posted does say that you're wrong. The fact is there is no definitive answer because GW hasn't clarified the matter. Its only your opinion that they changed their colours while stranded, but there's nothing from GW to support your position. The colours that they posted is of no consequence, as they're not GW and does not make it canon.

I'm fairly certain that there isn't an answer still isn't the same as being wrong. I said the colors changed and that I thought it was because they were stranded. Go ahead and keep your dogmatic view on the setting that drives people away though. I'm gonna go with the colors changed and its a game where creating chapters or making them your own is encouraged.

Except you were wrong. Just because there's no definitive answer doesn't mean you can claim that your opinion is fact. What you said was...

BrotherStynier wrote:
[The Chapter permanently adopted the color scheme after they were stranded on a jungle world. Its their way of honoring that time.

... which is nothing more than your opinion, yet you're presenting it as fact.