Hi everyone, I’d like to take the opportunity to talk about my Black Legion today. Rather than focusing on the key characters and major players in the force, I want to share some of my favorite units—those often considered the “weakest” in the game. I’m talking about the villainous Chaos Cultists and Beastmen.
At its core, the narrative of Warhammer 40,000 is driven by humanity’s struggle against Chaos. The entire story and its factions are built around this central conflict. Exploring why these humans chose to go renegade can provide a rich source of creative inspiration and fuel for the imagination.
How did these lost souls become part of the Warband? What is their backstory? Did they turn their backs on the Imperium for selfish reasons, or were they betrayed by those closest to them—vowing revenge fueled by rage and hatred? Or perhaps they were touched by the Warp… twisted and changed in ways they can never truly understand.
How to manage the grind
Let’s be honest – painting armies and large squads of models can sometimes feel like a grind. However, setting goals and developing a compelling narrative or theme for your force can help keep your motivation alive. Characterization can be a much-needed tonic to sustain enthusiasm at the painting desk.
I wanted my Black Legion Cultists to receive the same care and attention as the rest of my army. There’s often a temptation to rush through “weaker” chaff units with a quick dry brush and call it done. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with that approach – especially since these units tend to die quickly once deployed, rarely sticking around long enough to be admired during a game.
But if you have the opportunity to spend time on them and give them the attention they deserve, the results are absolutely worth the effort. In fact, minor characters like these can often spark entire story arcs, shaping the very reason your force takes to the battlefield in the first place.
I really enjoyed building and painting mine, and I feel they make a meaningful contribution – both visually, when on display, and tactically, when fighting on the battlefield.
“FOR THE DARK GAWWDS!” 😉
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