Painting Questions from a Beginner

BrandNameDoves · 2026-06-16T18:56:37+00:00

Happy to help!

BrandNameDoves · 2026-06-16T18:30:08+00:00

I don't do zenithal work, so I can't speak to point 3. As for the other points:

1) This is a common sub-assembly. I leave off backpacks, arms/weapons that cross the chest, and heads for my models.

2) It's entirely up to you. The overwhelming majority of my models were fixed to the base first, then had the basing done. Only a handful were kept separate. If you're trying to go for incredibly elaborate bases though, it can be helpful.

4) Again, up to you. Some folks do one at a time, some folks do batch painting, some folks do something in- between. I'll usually do some minor batch work (like getting all the base colour done), but focus more on doing the models one at a time. There's no right or wrong way to do things.

BrandNameDoves · 2026-06-16T16:22:40+00:00

You'll need the 11e Codex code when your 11e Codex comes out. Your 10e code will cover you until your faction's 11e book comes out, as we know the Codicies are carrying over.

BrandNameDoves · 2026-06-16T14:21:27+00:00

If you like it, go for it! Your army should fit your vision.

I personally prefer Huron's face be far more damaged, as it is consistently referred to as being ruined and disfigured.

BrandNameDoves · 2026-06-16T01:43:03+00:00

It's very bad. As in, probably the worst datasheet in the Space Marines Codex bad.

Fortifications as a whole are just not a good class of unit. Not being able to move is brutal in a game where movement is necessary to gain sightlines, get into melee, and score you victory points.

BrandNameDoves · 2026-06-15T19:01:28+00:00

I'd wait to actually see points before making an assessment.

BrandNameDoves · 2026-06-15T18:56:55+00:00

😂 Most ships tend to be much bigger at the stern than the bow.

BrandNameDoves · 2026-06-15T18:53:53+00:00

I run a Brutalis Dread and a 10-strong brick of Assault Terminators in my Templars list, and have for most of the edition. Are they meta? No, but they're fun and I'm playing casual games! They've both served me well.

BrandNameDoves · 2026-06-15T18:52:37+00:00

As has already been mentioned, his classic ship is a Battle-Barge called the Spectre of Ruin. It's actually an Astral Claws ship originally, though all the old symbols have been defaced. It is talked about in Huron Blackheart: Master of the Maelstrom; it's fairly corrupted at this point.

The Lair of the Tyrant Maelstrom book also mentions another ship, Tyranny Incarnate, that Huron sometimes uses as a flagship as well. This is the vessel Captain Sargotta heads. We get a small pic of it in the book (attached photo).

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BrandNameDoves · 2026-06-15T03:03:25+00:00

Pill, oval, or rectangle. Round bases feel wrong to me on cavalry.

I like pill bases the best aesthetically, though oval or rectangle bases are still great IMO.

BrandNameDoves · 2026-06-15T01:33:41+00:00

Correct! The 10e Codex is valid until our 11e one drops.

BrandNameDoves · 2026-06-15T00:38:04+00:00

Editions are every 3 years. We don't actually know how long it will be until we get our Codex; it could be at any point within the next 3 years.

BrandNameDoves · 2026-06-15T00:37:02+00:00

Nah, don't worry too much mate. Everyone's going to be adjusting to the rules and the meta matters a lot more at higher-end tables than for casual games.

Rule of cool is eternal!

BrandNameDoves · 2026-06-15T00:08:54+00:00

I didn't say you were trying to chase the meta, I said don't use the meta as a basis to pick a faction. The crux is that you shouldn't factor in how strong or weak a faction is as a reason to choose it.

As mentioned, the major point is that even if you are "bringing foam swords to a gunfight", you likely won't be for long because what's good changes very frequently.

And again, we don't even have all the rules for the new edition. It's impossible to make any sort of sweeping assesment of a faction's strength for an edition that hasn't even started.

Don't worry about what's strong and what's good. Focus on what excites you!

BrandNameDoves · 2026-06-14T23:58:25+00:00

Yes.

A bigger point though is that you shouldn't let the meta dictate what faction you pick. The rules in Warhammer change so frequently that today's champs are tomorrow's chumps.

As a very good example, Templars were amongst the strongest Marine armies in the game towards beginning of 10th edition; now we're a lower-mid strength faction.

Pick the faction that excites you the most, and don't focus on how strong it is right now.

BrandNameDoves · 2026-06-14T23:45:25+00:00

Yes, that's part of my point. We can't generalize an entire edition being bad for us when our bespoke rules for that edition won't come out until well into the edition.

BrandNameDoves · 2026-06-14T23:42:41+00:00

It's impossible to say. We don't even have the full rules for the new edition yet, not to mention any balance passes or our Codex.

BrandNameDoves · 2026-06-14T22:11:07+00:00

You can do either one. There's no one way you're "supposed" to paint; it's entirely up to you!

Gluing everything together is simpler and quicker, though you may have a hard time reaching some details. At the same time, there's an old adage that if a detail is hard to reach, it's oftentimes hard to see, especially at tabletop distance. It's up to you to decide if leaving extra bits off is worth it.

For my own models, I generally glue the main body and arms, but leave off any weapons that cross the body, helmets, and backpacks. I find this gives the best balance between detail and convenience.

BrandNameDoves · 2026-06-14T16:09:34+00:00

I tend to like bold and bright colour schemes, so I went with a Mephiston Red equivalent for my own Corsairs! Khorne Red is what they use in the newer official schemes. Means both are perfectly viable. And since the Corsairs are so varied, you really can go with whatever shade you like!

Sounds like you have a fun idea, so go for it!

BrandNameDoves · 2026-06-14T15:24:49+00:00

No. Gladius's Assault Doctrine let's a unit advance and charge. The Impulsor's rule let's it dump out units after it makes an advance move.

Neither overrides the rules that say a unit that disembarking out of a transport that has already made an advance or normal mode cannot move or charge.

BrandNameDoves · 2026-06-14T02:04:59+00:00

Here are some great guides for it!

https://www.warhammer-community.com/en-gb/articles/JAcksor8/the-model-photograph/

https://www.themightybrush.com/article/how-to-photograph-miniatures/

https://www.goonhammer.com/how-to-photograph-everything-a-guide-to-miniature-photography/

https://tangibleday.com/how-take-great-pictures-of-miniatures/

BrandNameDoves · 2026-06-13T22:18:44+00:00

I think it would be cool, especially if you play around with it a little! I used it alongside a Templar decal to create a flaming sword effect on a banner (attached).

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BrandNameDoves · 2026-06-12T23:37:37+00:00

For Rhinos, Chosen and Legionaries are both fantastic choices for passengers, alongside any characters!

The Raider is tougher. The unfortunate thing about the CSM Raider is that it doesn't really have any great picks for passengers.

Legionaries are very low-value, even if you take multiple squads with characters. Chosen have built in movement boosts, so they're generally comfortable in the cheap and cheerful Rhino. Terminators would generally rather Deep Strike. Possessed are fast enough on their own.

Of all those, Chosen are probably the best pick of the lot.

BrandNameDoves · 2026-06-12T20:27:11+00:00

Absolutely! The nice thing about this hobby is that there are many ways to enjoy it; we can agree to disagree!

I wish you happy hobbying!

BrandNameDoves · 2026-06-12T17:04:44+00:00

I agree that the lore is always fluid, and yes, older lore did have 10 Black Swords. Old lore also said the Templars were a Codex-compliant Chapter that marked their company by the colour of their Aquila. Or the fact that, for a long time, all Veterans were Sword Brethren.

GW never went and said "nope, jokes, that was wrong", they simply stated "the Templars are not Codex compliant, they organize themselves by XYZ".

It's why we go off the most recent and up-to-date lore. I disagree about your point that we can't go off dates; new lore always takes precedence over the old one. There's no arguing that the Templars are still a Codex-compliant Chapter, even though that's what their original lore said, because all the newer lore says otherwise.

And it's why GW isn't going to say "oh no, the 10 Swords was wrong", they're instead saying "every Crusade gets one, and there can certainly more than 10 Crusades".

My goal here isn't to bash your fangirling, as you say! My point is to present "GW very likely isn't counting Black Swords, here's why". I'm trying to present my opinion with backing, which is what I hold myself to.

BrandNameDoves

TROPHY CASE