From GregB: More Space Marines (77 Points)

"Let's wreck some sh*t for The Emperor!"

Greetings again Challengers. For my second submission, I continue with my 40k Raven Guard Project. Here we have another lone character figure from the "Indomitus" box, and unit of Heavy Intercessors, all Space Marines painted to be part of the Raven Guard Chapter. These are multi-part plastic models from GW, enhanced with shoulder insignia from 3D print vendor "Pop Goes The Monkey". 

Judiciar

The well-dressed aspirant to a Chaplaincy in the Raven Guard - the Judiciar.

This Marine - surely a 100% emotionally well-adjusted individual, not-at-all-total-psycho - is a "Judiciar", a new sort of character figure introduced in the "Indomitus" box set. As with all of the Marine characters from that box, there is an affectionate tribute to the OTT nature of 40k in general and Space Marines in particular. 

Walking along with a giant sword and a spooky hourglass. As one does. 

A Judiciar is a sort of Chaplain-in-training in the Space Marine chapter. Taking a look at his battle gear, that training seems a little...specific? Spiritual comfort via a terrifying two-handed sword and oversize spooky hourglass? Premium on confession, I expect...

Let's go for a walk!

I did make one minor modification to this figure, swapping out the silly original head (which made the guy look like a cosplay reject) with a helmet (which a Space Marine should be wearing all of the time, even if he walks around with a bonkers sword). 

Heavy Intercessor Squad

No sneaking around for these Raven Guard - let's smash stuff!

Intercession, the act of intervening on behalf of another...it is a testament to the imagined terrors of the 41st millennium that the main line Space Marines of The Imperium are called "Intercessors". And when stuff arrives that even they have a little trouble with, the Space Marines call in "Heavy Intercessors" - some of the heaviest infantry to be found. These are even bigger dudes with even bigger bolt rifles and even heavier armour. These fellows are deployed when The Emperor has decided to wreck your sh*t.

Love the heavy bolt rifles, with the huge drum magazines...now THAT is some scary sci-fi heavy infantry.

I love how they still have pistols, even with all of that armour, and those heavy bolt rifles.

These "Heavy Intercessors" are some of the latest new-look Space Marines from GW - quite a long way away from the original "beakie" Space Marine models from the classic RTB 01 box released all of those years ago. While those original models will always be close to my hobby heart, I find I do like the look of these new, ultra-heavy infantry. The layered armour, the heavy bolt rifles with the extra-large drum-style magazines...these guys are fun.

Sergeant on the right, subaltern (at least, I call him that) on the left.

While the unit includes 10 models, in practice it would often break down into two different five-man teams, so I used different colours on the knee-plates the differentiate between the to sub-units. Whether in groups of five or 10, these Marines will lay down withering sheets of heavy fire on the gaming table. Then, when the inevitable "close combat" gets going on the table, these fellows will absorb a ton of abuse, hopefully holding out until their buddies with swords and other insane bits of kit come to help. 

Let us intercede!

The sergeant, of course, still gets a "beakie" style helmet, a tribute to the history of the old Space Marine models. Seeing that old style of helmet on the new "Gravis" power armour certainly underlines how different today's figure designs are, at least for an old grognard like me.

So, for scoring, we have 11 Primaris-sized 28mm figures, scored at seven points each (thanks to Teemu for the scoring reminder!), which should work for 77 points. Thanks for reading, and have a Happy New Year! Let's hope 2022 brings some better things for a troubled world...failing that, let's hope it will bring even more painted figures :)    

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Fabulous looking Raven Guard, Greg! Like you I love these new models from GW and your brushwork really makes them sing (chant?). So wonderfully chunky, loony and lethal. At first glance I thought the vendor was called 'Pop Goes The Money', which would sorta be apropos for anything even distantly related to GW. :) Nonetheless, those are great add ons to give the unit a more bespoke character.

So, what a lucky person gets to have these guys 'intercede' on their behalf? Do you get a special calling card for it to work? Perhaps a quick dial number on your mobile summons them - sort of like a 'Uber' request for extreme ass lamination. I love it.  The Judiciciar is particularly wonderful (that squared-off sword really gives one pause). I particularly like the hourglass that he's holding ever-so-significantly before him. 'I want this city compliant by the time the glass empties, or you'll be cleaning out the Battle Barge's sewage tanks by hand.' Hey Jude, no probs, we're on it. By the way, if the Brothers got together to buy you a watch, would you wear it instead of lugging around that antique? No?

Great work Greg!

- Curt