If there's one image that stands out in my brain from the earliest days of collecting Warhammer 40k, it's the doomed pile of Crimson Fists fighting off an overwhelming force of orks. Their glorious defeat seems inevitable, yet there is no fear or in their faces, just a calm sense purpose fulfilling the Emperor's will and fighting to the last man.
It's such an iconic picture - the beakie helmets, the bolters, those fantastic crimson fists, the burnt flag, and the ork head being swung overhead - god it's beautiful! For 30 years I've dreamt of modeling and painting a Crimson Fists force of beakie marines. In the early years of 2nd-4th edition, there just wasn't the availability of MKVI amour. Then about three years ago Horus Heresy came out with their 2nd edition and front and center were entire squads of the legendary beakie marines! Finally I had a chance to fulfil my dream.
My brothers and I had been talking about taking a break from Horus Heresy and getting back into 40k again, so I finally had a reason to start collecting Crimson Fists.
To start my Crimson Fists army, I have a captain, 2 tactical squads, and the iconic transport of any space marine army - a rhino.
Righteous. Probably about even with the new orks. Their battle will nostagia to the max. Paint job looks good w nice, crisp highlights and the retro green bases. A throwback to when Warhammer was more fun and not so dang serious
ReplyDeleteHell yeah, they look amazing. Standing in the grass of the agricultural planet, Rynn's World, sure helps with the classic 40k feel. But I am surprised at how yellow my grass mat looks! I went with the yellow-green mat rather than pure green because I thought the blend of colors looked more realistic and I figured it would better transition to snowy battles, such as a cold snap in spring. But wow, it looks yellow here.
ReplyDeleteThe marines look amazing. I love the use of custom shoulder pads on sergeants and the big front plate on the Rhino! Those touches really bring the army to life. The blue looks nice and smooth, with the spare use of red really popping.
I cannot wait to see a few orks get torched by the classic flamer! Flamer templates are one of the things that really hooked us about this game back in the 90s.
The last stand art is iconic. I swear, it is inspired by the famous painting of the battle of Seadn, with the red and blue French/Crimson Fists with their flag being surrounded and slaughtered by the spike-helmeted barbarian Germans/Orks.
The army is off to a great start with some durable, versatile units and a transport for some mobility. Now we just need to see the valiant last stand happen during the games, when the orks swamp the Fists and they go down under an avalanche of choppas.