Aesthetics: What's your favourite Imperial special weapon?

[YorkNecromancer]

The Space Marine discussion seems to have got people interested. So, carrying on the theme: what's your favourite-looking Imperial special weapon? The stats are not in discussion; this isn't a "best gun in the meta" vote - this is pure "That gun looks awesome."

Meltagun
http://www.modelbits.co.uk/images/space_marine_meltagun_large.jpg

Plasmagun
http://www.modelbits.co.uk/images/space_marine_plasma_large.jpg

Flamer Mk 3
http://www.modelbits.co.uk/images/space_marine_flamer_large.jpg

Grav Gun Mk 2
http://www.games-workshop.com/MEDIA_CustomProductCatalog/m3430509a_99120101103_SMTacticalGravGun360_445x319 .jpg

[YorkNecromancer]

Meltagun Mk 1
http://megabitzshop.com/bilder/produkte/gross/Forge-World-Bitz-Space-Marine-Special-Weapons-Pack-Melta-Gun.jpg

Grav Gun Mk 1
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8auZ5K10btg/Ugxd6pU4hII/AAAAAAAAZM4/rQuOtP7yzAU/s1600/graviton-gun.jpg

Flamer Mk 1
http://megabitzshop.com/bilder/produkte/gross/Forge-World-Bitz-Space-Marine-Special-Weapons-Pack-Flame-Thrower.jpg

Grenade Launcher
http://www.bitzhammer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/imperial_guard_cadians_grenade_launcher.jpg

[YorkNecromancer]

Sniper Rifle
http://www.bitzbox.co.uk/images/sniper_scounts_single_sniper_rifle_large.jpg

Volkite Caliver
http://www.forgeworld.co.uk/Images/Product/DefaultFW/xlarge/volkite-calivers.jpg

[Wolfshade]

I like the Grav Gun mk 1. Looks very Enclave-esque.

Though don't forget the ubiquitous bolter:

http://images.wikia.com/warhammer40k/images/7/76/BaalPatternBolter.JPG

[GrauGeist]

Plasma guns are the go-to for looks and painting. NMM cases / coils. OSL coils when "on". Sooty nose. Definitely the best looker.

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[YorkNecromancer]

Though don't forget the ubiquitous bolter:

Not forgotten at all, my friend. :)

I'm just fascinated by the hard numbers of what people like aesthetically; I always assumed everyone liked Mk 5 armour like me, but actually it's one of the least popular. This has gotten me curious about what else people like - rather than the army thing, which is done to death, the nitty gritty aesthetics that never really get looked at.

Hence, when I have the time, I'm going to put together a bolter-specific poll too. Well, unless someone else gets there before me.

Actually, a "which is the most awesome basic army weapon based only on the fluff" will probably be next. Like, do you prefer a fully automatic rocket launcher, a gun that fires monomolecular edged saw blades, a weapon that flays you atom by atom, etc...

The rules is such a minor part of what makes a thing awesome, and yet we so rarely discuss the things we like about the little details.

[Wolfshade]

Yeah there are plenty of different patterns.

[YorkNecromancer]

And every one is awesome.

But which is the most awesome?

[Wolfshade]

Any BA variant as they are pretty with their filigree et al or any that shoots AP2 Assault 16 shots ;)

[YorkNecromancer]

The Vulcan Mega-Bolter you say? :)

Seriously, that is the greatest weapon name in the history of 40K.

Vulcan Mega-Bolter.

Just rolls off the tongue like a hammer. :)

(And yeah, I know it's only AP3, Heavy 12, but still...)

[White Tiger88]

Infernous Pistol!

[Cpt Codpiece]

i prefer plas Mk 1 from old ork kit
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failing that FW plas
http://www.forgeworld.co.uk/Images/Product/DefaultFW/large/leg-plas-gun1.1.jpg

[deinol]

You are missing the flamers that are on my marines. Of course, my 30 seconds on google couldn't find a picture either. The old 30 (mark 6) marines box.

[YorkNecromancer]

20 mins searching for those. Not one image :(

You'll note a mark 2 flamer isn't a choice as a result.

[ElectricPaladin]

It's gotta be the plasma gun. The opportunity to paint a glowing power coil is just too damn cool.

[Cpt Codpiece]

You are missing the flamers that are on my marines. Of course, my 30 seconds on google couldn't find a picture either. The old 30 (mark 6) marines box.

FW flamer is a remake of these.
http://ijw.on-rev.com/ebay2/images/rtbspacem-1374681193-55241.jpg

[Arkhan Land]

It's gotta be the plasma gun. The opportunity to paint a glowing power coil is just too damn cool.

its also just such a sleek design, nice long edges. I agree though that tThe exposed coil is its greatest trait cause even when all weapons have similar coloring its always like the venomous animal of the weapons world, the bright colors give away its more dangerous nature...

[MajorWesJanson]

I have to say Plasma gun, for many of the same reasons as Arkhan- it's a clean design that flows together, with the smooth barrel and vets in the front to the coil that allows for even mediocre painters to have fun playing with glows and lighting effects.

Of the plasma gun variants, I have to say this one is my favorite of all the ones GW produces.
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[Chris*ta]

20 mins searching for those. Not one image :(

You'll note a mark 2 flamer isn't a choice as a result.

The two page spread in the previous CSM of 2nd Co Ultramarines has one guy with it. It's only a drawing, but still ...

[Chris*ta]

Meltagun Mk 2. The very broad barrel and large barrel shroud just look so aggressive, the plasma gun (and just about every other gun, for that matter) looks a bit effeminate by comparison.

And the volkite calliver I can't take seriously ... sounds like a character out of bloody Dickens ...

[deinol]

20 mins searching for those. Not one image :(

You'll note a mark 2 flamer isn't a choice as a result.

I was busy last night, but I'll try and take a picture tonight. I plan to put one in the Assault Squad I'm building.

I really need to get my old marines out of storage, but they are in another state right now.

[Cap'nSmurfs]

Plasma gun. Plasma glow for the win!

[Gideon Hamlett]

I like how the plasma gun glows, how in the game and background it's got pistol/cannon variants as well as it's a big threat against absolutely anything.

[deinol]

I like how the plasma gun glows, how in the game and background it's got pistol/cannon variants as well as it's a big threat against absolutely anything.

Anyone got tips for how to paint one? I'm about to paint one for my tac squad.

[YorkNecromancer]

Paint coils in dark blue.

Mix turquoise with white paint to get "glow" colour. Mix this with Lahmian Medium. Apply to coils, focusing on the lowest parts. Leave to dry; repeat to increase "glow".

Alternatively:

Paint coils in dark blue.

Mask rest of figure with masking tape.

Drybrush turquoise.

Lightly drybrush with turquoise:white 30:70 mix.

There's also this: http://z11.invisionfree.com/Work_In_Progress/index.php?showtopic=6566

[deinol]

Good tips, thanks.

I might try to go for a more purple glow, I'll have to see what colors I have in my paint box.

[Cap'nSmurfs]

Basically you can do it with any glowy colour. Base it with a dark shade, highlight it up with a lighter one, use a wash to make sure the recesses are darker, then drybrush the tips of the coils in an increasingly light shade until near-white at the topmost level. Takes a couple of minutes, looks great. :)

Edit: Haha, or, yeah, do exactly what it says in YorkN's sweet OSL tutorial there.

[Deadlift]

I went with the melta gun mk2. I just love the up and in your face attitude it has. But if I had to choose any gun from 40k, then give me a Heavy Bolter. I would love a heavy bolter :cool:

[Chris*ta]

I went with the melta gun mk2. I just love the up and in your face attitude it has. But if I had to choose any gun from 40k, then give me a Heavy Bolter. I would love a heavy bolter :cool:

But which one? There's currently I think 10 or something in production ... plus all the previous minis!

[Da Gargoyle]

I dunno, I did my sons special weapons for his IG, he simply does not have the patience for painting. Anyway, the guardsmen were kitted with 3 meltas, 3 plasmas and 3 flamers which all looked good on a finished model. But what looked sinister was the lads with the heavy flamers. His opponents agreed because they did their damdest to stop them getting close. So I think a well painted heavy flamer looks the goods for me.

[Chris*ta]

Ask and ye shall receive!

https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/q73/1240212_340096776126168_1921809133_n.jpg

Ok, thanks to Captain Codpiece for posting the original image, but I rotated it and cropped it, so that's like doing the work, right?

Oh, and by the by, what are the rules and fluff for the volkite calliver?

[YorkNecromancer]

Ask and ye shall receive!

That's not the mark 2 :( That's the original RTB01 flamer. The mark 2 is the one from the 2nd ed boxed set with the billion Gretchi and the cardboard dreadnought.

Lovely old model, though.


what are the rules and fluff for the volkite calliver

It's an archaeotech weapon, long lost to the modern Astartes, but available as a special weapon choice to Heresy-Era Legion armies (who don't field Tactical squads with special or heavy weapons, only bolters. Special weapons appear in squads where everyone has the same weapon type, so you can have up to 10 guys with them.) It "deflagrates" the enemy - makes them explode, basically.

Rules-wise, it's almost entirely like a Necron Tesla weapon; slightly different, but not much. Volkite weapons have the 'Deflagrate' special rule, which means each unsaved wound caused inflicts another automatic hit. They come in five flavours, Serpenta (pistol), Charger (Assault 2), Caliver (Heavy 2), Culverin (Heavy 4) and the monster Carronade (S8 with Haywire and a beam effect that lets it hit everything in a straight line in front of it). However, they suffer from a short range and only have AP5.

http://warhammer40k.wikia.com/wiki/Volkite_Weapon

[Chris*ta]

Thanks a lot. I checked Lexicanum, but it had even less info than that wiki :(