Army Personality Projects

Hey guys, i was perusing the pages of BoLS the other day and came across a great article regarding personalization within your army and adding some more character to individual models, etc. Aside from the really nice paint job on the models on the article, i really liked the points that were brought out. Here is the original article for any of those interested - it showcases a beautiful Astral Claws army. ( http://www.belloflostsouls.net/2013/11/40k-showcase-bringing-little-character.html )

I myself also have a bit more added to my Salamanders, mostly based off of the Tome of Fire trilogy characters and overall Chapter history, but i have also added my own Vehicle names and squad leader names for the ones that are "generic". I love adding this to my armies as i feel it gives your army a much better sense of being grounded in the 40k universe in its own way.

While i dont give the kind of detailed background to each marine as in the article on the link above does, i do take into consideration how the warrior would behave, and give them a weapon based on what i see them as being to their chapter. For instance my tactical sergeant who has the only power fist among the tactical squads looks brutal and imposing, which is fitting of one wielding such a weapon, while one of the more stoic sergeants is armed with a plasma pistol and a chainsword, having lost half of his arm to bionics in a previous campaign. Its not much, but the extra consideration can really help give you more imagination when building you models and equipping them with certain gear. A few examples of how i have done this in my army are below.

Tactical Squad Nemian deploying from their Rhino Transport. Nemians squad is primarily a close fire-support tactical squad, who are typically deployed with only boltguns, however they do utilize one meltagun for situational use.

Captain Dactyr: Master of the Fleet. Dactyr excels in void engagements and is often at the head of the largest space engagements that concern the Salamanders Chapter fleet ships. He does still retain command of a line company, but typically is deployed to zones were the primary battles are likely to be fought on ships.

Brother Agrax has been interred within the hull of a dreadnought for over 50 terran cycles, having been horrifically wounded when his squad was ambushed by a horde of feral Orks whilst patrolling the deadly jungles on Armageddon. Agrax was the sole survivor of his squad, and was recovered by brothers of the Silver Skulls Chapter who happened to be nearby at the time and had come, albeit too late, to aid the beleaguered Salamanders patrol. The dreadnought relishes any battles he fights against the green-skins since then with a furious zeal and hatred unbounded.

Xaviers Chariot is one of the Chapters revered armored vehicles and a chapter relic. Gifted to the late Chaplain Xavier by the Mechanicus upon the Salamanders 3rd company's successful recovery and return of an ancient forgeship that had fallen foul of Eldar corsairs. After Xaviers death at the hands of Dark Eldar raiders later in his career, the vehicle became a reminder for his Chapter of stubborn determination despite impossible odds, for Xavier did not succumb to his wounds til all his attackers lay dead in a heap below him.