James WRR’s Leader Month: Nobody expects the Ordo Malleus

+++ LOG OF INQUISITOR ALBRECHT HALFTHOR, ORDO MALLEUS +++

+++ THOUGHT OF THE DAY: A LOGICAL ARGUMENT MUST BE DISMISSED WITH ABSOLUTE CONVICTION +++

The assault on Sanctum Sapiar was a great success. The texts upon which this small, yet unbearably thorny, culture had structured itself were located, swiftly interpreted by sacrificial Servitors, then burned upon the pyre.

My conclusion? There is not much to say. It is a common story after all. These people simply imagined their way into heresy. I have no doubt that it was quite accidental, mind. But a crime cannot be forgiven simply because it was an accident. 

I was surprised that the local population, as seemingly barbaric as they were, was able to mount such a defence. One Brother Donovan of my Grey Knights was slain in the attempt, simply overwhelmed by the mass of desperate arms. But I am told his geneseed was recovered and there were no further casualties. A Space Marine is but a cheap tool to replace. 

Our duty on this world is ended.

REMINDER: Inquisitor Clavicus was seen once again departing my quarters. If I suspect his fruitless investigation into my affairs is set to continue much longer, action will be taken. My writ is just as unquestionable as his.

+++ LOG ENDS +++

+++ LOG OF INQUISITOR ERROL CLAVICUS, ORDO MALLEUS +++

+++ THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: HATRED IS OUR SUREST WEAPON +++

My Grey Knights have proven themselves once more on the field of battle. Much unholy blood was spilled and many bones collected for future study. 

Halfthor was pleased with his little bonfire, believing the work to be done. But the war rages on. Only through the bloodrite and the scrying of bones will answers reveal themselves.

Either Halfthor is too arrogant to recognise this, in which case he must stand down and let a wiser mind take the lead, or he is complicit and must be removed.

The Inquisitor’s quarters house a great many books and scrolls, not all of which I have been able to examine. It is my belief that he has sequestered texts that he was so keen to have destroyed. Iconoclast, my boot. Halfthor is a fraud and, Emperor forgive me, perhaps worse.

I will consult the viscera.

+++ LOG ENDS +++

_________________

And so, with the triumvirate of leaders complete, my Ordo Malleus force is ready for battle!

Inquisitors Clavicus and Halfthor of the Ordo Malleus

Painting these two models over the course of a month has actually been one of the most challenging parts of this project. Obviously, each Daemonhunter had to receive special care and attention — as well as a carefully considered, utterly ridiculous colour scheme — but I think there was also an added pressure: I had to finish on a high note.

I’ve painted so much silver armour over the past few months I really wanted these guys to stand out. And boy, do they! With their near-fluorescent green accents (the lovely Bright Green from Rogue Hobbies’ Pro Acryl set), they really are set apart from the rest of the army.

Hmm. My finger points!

Which I think they should, right? While an army of Space Marines will be largely uniform beyond a few flourishes, a character as individual, strong-willed and revered/feared as an Inquisitorial Daemonhunter should be able to make their heraldry truly their own.

I can’t judge Halfthor’s pink and green styling, can I? I’d probably be executed as a heretic.

Slaying in style

Each of these models are just perfect representations of their character. The masked and hooded Daemonhunter, Clavicus, bears arcane symbology and devil’s heads designed to make him look as fearsome as the monsters he hunts. Meanwhile, the fellow with the robotic leg and cool ponytail, Halfthor, commands the respect of age and wisdom. He’s stoic, technologically advanced and totally serving judge. 

While Clavicus came to me through a job lot of old minis, as most of my army has, Halfthor was a very kind birthday gift from our resident miniature bug-painter Tom. I hope I’ve done him justice! 

A truly radical outfit

In terms of painting these fellows, I’ve obviously decided to go wild with their colour schemes, embracing that 80s anarchy found in old White Dwarfs and source books of the time. Halfthor’s green and burgundy armour would be considered complimentary if it weren’t for the flaming orange gun casing in his hand and shock of blonde hair. Clavicus’s black armour and yellow pauldrons paint him as something of a toxic creature, with the addition of the vibrant green making him look positively radioactive and dangerous… and strangely, I think, Brazilian. 

These models’ poses really didn’t pose much challenge in terms of painting (another reason to love Oldhammer), though I did struggle to get at Clavicus’ face between mask and hood. I think the bit of flesh tone and dots for eyes suggest enough of a hidden visage to do the job. 

A colour scheme that screams "danger" and, maybe, "Lé lé óh"

Of course, being augmented humans with the best healthcare and biomechanical enhancements the Imperium can provide gives them much healthier looking skin tones than my sickly grey Grey Knights. That's another key element that sets them apart.

One of my favourite aspect of this pair of Daemonhunter models is that one is clearly supposed to be more radical, potentially even heretical, while the other is a more clean-cut, inspirational character. Having both at the helm of my army gives it a nice split personality — an ideal representation of a horrific space Empire at war with itself as much as it is with heretics, daemons and aliens.

And so, that’s my quota filled for this year’s challenge! And a month early, too. But I’m not going to rest on these laurels. I’ve got a bit of a wildcard addition to add still…

_________________

Army list as of May

Inquisitor Halfthor
Daemonhunter
Tactical Dreadnought Armour, Bio-Scanner, Displacer Field

Plasma Gun, Power Glove, Digital Weapons, Psyk-Out Grenade

Bionic Leg

Psychic Mastery Level 3
201 points

Inquisitor Clavicus
Daemonhunter
Tactical Dreadnought Armour, Bio-Scanner, Displacer Field

Psycannon, Force Rod, Scare Gas

Psychic Mastery Level 4
454 points

Captain Torkamadus
Grey Knight Terminator Captain | Hero
Tactical Dreadnought Armour
Nemesis Force Weapon

Psychic Mastery Level 4
450 points

Techmarine Tarantus
Techmarine
Basic equipment
Vincent Black Shadow motorcycle
97 points

Squad Deza
Grey Knight Terminator Tactical Squad
1 Sergeant and 4 Marines in Tactical Dreadnought Armour

5 Nemesis Force Weapons

Psychic Mastery Level 4
1,200 points

Brother Bethor
Deredeo Dreadnought
Missile Launcher, Heavy Plasma Gun
Standard Sensor Package, 2 Power Fields, Power Field Synchroniser
270 points

Squad Heliod
Tactical Squad
Sergeant with Bolt Gun, Bioscanner and Power Glove
1 Marine with Missile Launcher
1 Marine with Flamer

7 Marines with Bolt Guns
275 points

Bright Sword
Rhino APC with Techmarine Pilot, assigned to Squad Heliod
2 Bolt Guns
387 points

Riot Corps
Adeptus Arbites Squad
1 Magister with Bolt Pistol and basic equipment

5 Judges with Bolt Pistols and basic equipment
102 points

Squad Apollo
Devastator Squad
Sergeant with Bolt Gun
2 Marines with Beamers
2 Marines with Heavy Bolters

5 Marines with Bolt Guns
379 points

Grand Total: 3,815 points

James WRR’s Rank & File 4: Termination ritual, activated

The Battle Brothers stood to attention on the sprawling deck of the barge. Whether one looked left or right, they would see nothing but a line of silver-clad Space Marines stretching off into the distance, mechanical cherubim floating above them swinging braziers of incense

Donovan stood shoulder to shoulder with his brothers in arms, gently rocking the weight of his holy Bolter from hand to hand. They would be making planetfall soon enough, disgorging a mass of ceramite-clad butchers onto the woe-begotten wretches below.

But first, there must be a revery. The holy order to which he belonged was steeped in tradition, though he admitted he would rather be steeped in unholy blood than standing in line for a parade.

First came the servitors, scuttling on hydraulic legs and bearing the armoured sarcophaguses of fallen brothers. Then came the Chaplains of the 666th chapter, skull-faced and dour, reeking of candle fat. Then came the Veterans, each dragging behind them chained apostates and heretics, ready to be sacrificed in the name of the Emperor. 

Finally, behind that screaming mass, came the Terminators. Donovan could feel their footsteps before he could see them. Towering even over the tallest of his Battle Brothers, the Tactical-Dreadnought-armoured practically glowed in the harsh mercury lamplight of the barge. Each bore a gun-barrel staff, still cold but ready to burn into life with the flick of a finger.

There was silence in the hall as they lumbered passed. Donovan felt pride in his chapter’s strength… but also an unfamiliar feeling. Something like… envy. 

“Slick bastards. That could be my armour,” he thought, “my staff.”

Donovan stared down at his Bolter. Counted the scratched-in kill markings. He noted the distinct lack of honours on his armour. At least compared to the titans before him.

“I’ve done my time. I’ve slain so many for the Emperor. It’s not fair.”

Donovan was frozen in his train of jealous thought by the feeling of cold metal against the back of his head. A refreshing feeling. A real feeling. 

“Brother Donovan,” came the stern, sterile voice behind him. “Feeling ungrateful of your assigned role?”

Like his augmented brothers, Donovan knew not fear. In usual circumstances. He had stared down warpbeasts, descended through the atmosphere of alien planets in Drop Pods, survived months alone in ruined cities after seeing his squadmates torn apart around him. But the voice behind him sent a shiver down his half-metal spine.

He felt the cold metal barrel leave his neck and slip silently back into the darkness. He stood a little straighter, feeling as proud as he possibly could of the Terminators, thinking happy thoughts. 

“We can but… aspire.” He forced the thought. There were eyes to see all around, into his mind, and ears to hear. He gave the venerable brothers their due respect. 

______________________

This has been the month I’ve been waiting for — a chance to paint those beautiful Rogue Trader Grey Knights Terminators. 

We all know the best way to get through your army’s chaff is to give yourself a big reward at the end, right? 

Terminators and Arbites, ready to terminate the heretics

When I first saw these ancient Terminators, I was absolutely blown away. The level of crisp detail across every millimetre of armour is really technically impressive, especially in comparison to other miniatures of the time. I particularly like the lightning bolt motives and impaled books that would later become the official Grey Knights icon.

These fine fellows are also armed with super radical gun-staves that would come to define the Adeptus Custodes. Because, back in the day, you couldn’t really get more elite on the Imperium side of the table, and we all know that sharp shooty sticks are the badge of honour among gene-enhanced soldiers.

(Un)holy warriors march forth

The only downside to this squad is that there’s only one sculpt, so repetition is unavoidable. However, I think it sort of ends up in their favour, making them appear as really disciplined, shining exemplars in comparison to the scrappy freaks that make up the rest of my army. 

Though they might all look quite similar, each is an individual

To top off this squad, of course I had to paint up their Captain as well. 

Sadly, the copy I was able to find didn’t come with his ballistic force sword (again, now part of the Custodes’ schtick), so I decided to make do with another force staff. Flipping it around, in a stabbing motion, sets him apart from his squad on the table — if the heraldic tilting shield doesn’t do the job.

Captain, hunter, killer

The scheme the for these guys isn’t going to be unfamiliar to anyone that has been following this army as it grows. But I have added plenty more gold.

The best gold, I’ve found, is often just silver (with a little glaze of yellow or brown, of course). The gold elements on these models were drybrushed up to a bright silver then hit with a thin layer of Snakebite Leather Contrast. A touch of bright Scale Colour gold finished them off nicely. I did add a tiny bit of verdigris and rust to choice parts of the armour to grunge them up a bit.

I love ggggoooooooooooollllldd

To add visual interest, I painted some subtle purple veins into the grips of the staves and then coated them in gloss to look as if they’re made out of obsidian, or some sort of magical marble.

The blades of these weapons were painted to look so hot they’re molten. It was all the rage in Newhammer painting circles a year or two ago! 

To achieve this effect, I followed the usual recipe for flames, starting from white and then quickly wet-blending outwards into yellow, orange and, finally, red. To finish off the molten look, I used a small bit of sponge to apply some dappled black — the oxidised, crackling metal that’s straining under the raw power charging through it.

We. Are. The LAW!

But the Termies weren’t the only models on my table this month. Filling out my Rank & File quota is a squad of Adeptus Arbites, represented here by Wargames Foundry’s ex-Citadel Empirical Absolution and Liquidation Squad.

The charmingly goofy poses and proportions of early Citadel sculpts are on full display here. As is the not-quite-so-subtle “homages” to 2000 A.D. I thought it was only right to lean into that, giving them proper Judge uniforms. I like that this scheme makes them stand out a lot from the rest of the army, while details like the red gun casings and yellow lenses still tie them in.

We can’t forget, though, despite their lovely, nostalgic uniforms: All Arbites are Bastards.

"Daemons can't hurt me. Not in my protective sphere."

______________________

Army list as of March

Captain Torkamadus
Grey Knight Terminator Captain | Hero
Tactical Dreadnought Armour
Nemesis Force Weapon

Psychic Mastery Level 4
450 points

Techmarine Tarantus
Techmarine
Basic equipment
Vincent Black Shadow motorcycle
97 points

Squad Deza
Grey Knight Terminator Tactical Squad
1 Sergeant and 4 Marines in Tactical Dreadnought Armour

5 Nemesis Force Weapons

Psychic Mastery Level 4
1,200 points

Brother Bethor
Deredeo Dreadnought
Missile Launcher, Heavy Plasma Gun
Standard Sensor Package, 2 Power Fields, Power Field Synchroniser
270 points

Squad Heliod
Tactical Squad
Sergeant with Bolt Gun, Bioscanner and Power Glove
1 Marine with Missile Launcher
1 Marine with Flamer

7 Marines with Bolt Guns
275 points

Bright Sword
Rhino APC with Techmarine Pilot, assigned to Squad Heliod
2 Bolt Guns
387 points

Riot Corps
Adeptus Arbites Squad
1 Magister with Bolt Pistol and basic equipment

5 Judges with Bolt Pistols and basic equipment
102 points

Squad Apollo
Devastator Squad
Sergeant with Bolt Gun
2 Marines with Beamers
2 Marines with Heavy Bolters

5 Marines with Bolt Guns
379 points

James WRR’s Rank & File 3: Big iron

 “And lo, on the day of judgement, great tides of flesh of claws and chattering teeth did descend upon the castle man had built.
He dared to scrape the heavens with the glory of plasteel and concrete. 
And the gods punished him by breaking the seal and sending forth his monsters.
Three years of torment followed, and man crawled to the heights of his towers to survive.
Until the Emperor on his throne felt pity, and saw man had repented.
The Emperor sent his angels, clad in burning ceramite and carrying the torches of purification. 
And they did smite the monsters from afar,
driving them forth into the wilderness from whence they came.
But the angel’s wrath was great and their swords sharp.
The tower that man had built was reduced to rubble,
a reminder to all the price of pride.”

• Canto 6 of the Great Book of Helvellin

_______________________________

Hello again, Imperial Citizens,

This month, I bring to you the very long arm of the law: a Grey Knights Devastator Squad. 

Devastator Squad Apollo

When I’d first picked up my little horde of RTB-01 Marines for this project I found myself in a bit of a conundrum. Would I just paint a couple Tactical Squads, as they were mostly all armed with Bolters? No, that would have been too repetitive and boring. Would I make one an Assault Squad? Hmm, tempting, but a full squads’ worth of authentic metal jump packs and weapons would run me well into the three figures. 

The answer hit my square in the jaw when I found a lot going for a set of Beamer-armed metal marines. Right, that’s it, I thought. Devastators!

Rogue Trader Space Marine squads had some strange restrictions on heavy weapons. For example, you couldn’t just pick and choose a medley of guns, you basically had two lots of two different weapons for each Devastator squad (Missile Launchers and Heavy Bolters, normally), which could be swapped out entirely for another set. For Grey Knights Devastators, one of the options to replace Missile Launchers were Conversion Beamers — one of the most insane weapons in 40k history.

What do you mean it’s a laser beam that turns matter into pure energy and becomes more powerful the further it travels? The Tech-Magi of the Adeptus Mechanicus were really smoking something strong that day. 

Heavy weapons specialists

And so, by picking up a couple Heavy Bolters and tacking them onto two of the previously Beamer-armed Devastators, I was able to create a full, functional squad of these heavy weapon freaks for the first time in my decades-long Warhammer career. Now to aim them at something.

I’ve always found this older style of heavy weapons a bit goofy. How the hell does a human being, even if they are a Space Marine, fire mobile ordnance that size with one hand, from the shoulder?

Logic be damned, the sculptors of the day were clearly embracing the rule of cool, and gave us a wide array of incredibly wacky weapons as a result. Most of these proved so iconic, they’re still with us today. Though you probably won’t see Space Marines in 11th edition rocking Webbers…

In terms of painting these guys, there’s nothing particularly interesting to add this month. I was inspired by the inimitable Curis of Ninja Bread for the Conversion Beamers, interpreting the little hollows around the edge of the weapon’s… ahem… bulbous head as little lenses. I imagine they must channel the destruction energy towards a single point, sort of like how the Death Star powers up.

Danger: Do not look directly into light.

The rest of the Marines in the squad, including the Sergeant, were painted in exactly the same way as my Tactical Squad, with a healthy smattering of checks, flames and saucy slogans. I had a lot of fun painting the big ol’ eyeball on one of the bases, and playing with different skin tones as well. I promise there’ll be some slightly more varied models to come next month…

But I’m proud to have built and finished this unit. With two squads of Marines on the table, a bit of armour and at least one character, this is really starting to feel like an army.

Slaughter of the daemons on the planet Helvellin

And remember everyone, as a certain Chapter Master of the Blood Ravens would say, “walk softly… and carry a big gun.”

_______________________________

Army list as of March

Techmarine Tarantus
Techmarine
Basic equipment
Vincent Black Shadow motorcycle
97 points

Brother Bethor
Deredeo Dreadnought
Missile Launcher, Heavy Plasma Gun
Standard Sensor Package, 2 Power Fields, Power Field Synchroniser
270 points

Squad Heliod
Tactical Squad
Sergeant with Bolt Gun, Bioscanner and Power Glove
1 Marine with Missile Launcher
1 Marine with Flamer

7 Marines with Bolt Guns
275 points

Bright Sword
Rhino APC with Techmarine Pilot, assigned to Squad Heliod
2 Bolt Guns
387 points

Squad Apollo
Devastator Squad
Sergeant with Bolt Gun
2 Marines with Beamers
2 Marines with Heavy Bolters

5 Marines with Bolt Guns
379 points