Warhammer 40K: The Gaunt’s Ghosts Give Me Hope For The Future Of The Astra Militarum Models
The Gaunt’s Ghost models are great looking – can we maybe get some more generic Astra Militarum Models that look as good?
Ibram Guant and his Ghost are getting the plastic treatment and they look pretty darn cool. Each member is characterful and unique in their own right. It’s fitting for the Tanith First and Only.
One of the things I like the most about these models is that they are *just* humans. They aren’t Genetically Engineered Super Warriors in the lastest and best Power Armor. They aren’t bio-mechanical upgrades merged with the power of computers. They are just standard flesh-and-blood humans. Sure, they have some cool skills, sweet cloaks, and cool daggers…but at the end of the day, they are just plain old Humans.
So why does this give me hope for the future of the Astra Militarum? Well, I’d have to check the official sprues to get an age check, but the current Cadian Shock Troopers (the ‘default’ trooper for the AM) is getting up there. Much like the Eldar Guardians, these models have been around the block and have served well. But they are just starting to show their age.
Even with the new upgrade kits applied, they are looking dated. Better for sure…just still dated. I mean, compare them to the style and poses of Gaunt’s Ghosts. Are they even in the same league?
Now it’s much easier to make 6 models look unique and cool compared to 10. Especially when those 10 models might turn into 100 when you kit out an Astra Militarum Army. No matter how unique the poses are, after the 5th or 6th repeat, they start looking well less and less unique. That said, I still think there are some lessons to take from the Ghosts that can be used as a guide to update the classic Cadian Shock Troopers – and the rest of the Guard for that matter.
Updated Proportions
Gaunt’s Ghosts are leaner and meaner looking. That’s something that could be borrowed from them and used to update the AM models in the future. I’m not saying we go full Primaris Treatment on the Cadian Shock Trooper models – but a refresher and a new kit could update their proportions to be more in line with the Ghosts and less like their current models.
Watch Out For The Beefy Arms
The Classic Catachans are the biggest offenders here. The joke was always that these guys had bigger biceps than Space Marines in their Power Armor. The newer models that have been introduced have toned down this look a bit with some big success:
Clearly, they are still JACKED. They just aren’t cartoonishly out of whack.
Utilitarian, Not Gawdy
I think the Tempestus Scions where an effort to update the AM line a few years back. They took the standard proportions of a Guardsmen, and basically added a bunch of extra gilded armor and fancy guns. They were supposed to be the elite of the AM and yet…they didn’t really take off. I don’t think folks wanted to play “Power Armored Guardsmen.” If they wanted Power Armor, that’s what Space Marines are for.
The Gaunt’s Ghosts manage to look elite without having to resort to wearing a ton of armor plates with golden edges. They look like bad asses and they don’t have to announce it – unlike the Scions who want you to *think* they are bad ass because “look at all my shiny edges!”
“Seriously, I’m an elite trooper. Look at the golden pin on my beret!”
Hopefully, the next update to the Astra Militarum troopers will take this into consideration. Until then, I guess we’ll have to be happy with the Tanith First and Only leading the way.
What lessons do you hope GW takes away from the look of Gaunt’s Ghosts and applies to the rest of the Astra Militarum?
