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 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.
Amy List:
- Captain w/ artificer armor, master-crafted power sword, combi-melta, bolt pistol, iron halo, terminator honors - 166 pts.
- Tactical Squad x7 w/ bolters, heavy bolter, melta gun, sgt. w/ terminator honors, power sword, plasma pistol - 155 pts.
- Tactical Squad x6 w/ bolters, flamer, sgt. w/ terminator honors, power fist, bolt pistol - 126 pts.
- Rhino w/ storm bolter - 50 pts.
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.
I just noticed the captain's name: Ashor Drakken, the canon name of the captain that led the 3rd Company in the reconnaissance mission to Badlanding! Very cool.
ReplyDeleteYou have always been a loyal and steadfast space marine commander, ever since we purchased the 2nd edition box set. I am trying to remember all the chapters you have collected in our time in the hobby.
ReplyDeleteSpace Wolves in 2nd Edition.
Blood Angels in 3rd Edition.
Hydra Legion in 3rd or 4th Edition? (The red and white split helmets)
Red Brotherhood in 7th Edition
Death Guard in Horus Heresy 1st Edition
World Eaters in Horus Heresy 1st and 2nd Editions
Blood Angles in Horus Heresy 2nd Edition
Crimson Fists for the return to 4th Edition
I may be missing one or two, but those are the ones I remember: eight chapters/legions.
After the Space Wolves was a sizeable Dark Angles army. Can't forget about them! I had the Deathwing terminators, that terminator captain with the wings on his back, and a few power armor squads.
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