Warhammer 40K: Who Does ‘Humanity’ Better Astra Militarum Or Solar Auxilia?
The Solar Auxilia is getting a new plastic kit that’s quite impressive. Should the Astra Militarum take notes?
Separated by 10,000 years of war and struggle the Solar Auxilia is the forebearer to the Astra Militarum. It may not be an entirely fair comparison, but now that both armies have new(er) basic infantry, I think we should look at both kits as representations of humanity in the Grimdark universe.
Astra Militarum – Cadian Shock Troopers
They got a new kit last year and it was certainly an update to their range. They are still the basic infantry that we’ve all come to know and recognize. With their standard kit of flak armor and lasgun they all look very uniform. The kit itself is still impressive with the amount of options put forth. And you can combine that with the Cadian Upgrades for even more characterful miniatures.
In terms of basic infantry as the avatars of Humanity in the Grimdark, the Cadian Shock Troopers kit is at the top. But now they have some competition from the Horus Heresy…
Solar Auxilia – Lasrifle Section
While the armaments might have stayed relatively similar there’s a major change to the armor from 10,000 years ago. The Solar Auxilia is wearing void-sealed armor. This is to help them survive on the various alien worlds that come with their own different sets of environmental hazards. This is the one feature that really separates the two armies.
It also makes them seem slightly less human. That thin mask might keep them safe from the dangers of space but it also blocks their faces. They are slightly harder to identify as human compared to a Cadian Shock Trooper.
By the same token, wouldn’t humans be wearing masks if they were fighting on alien worlds? Not everywhere has breathable atmospheres, right? Having these void-sealed suits seems like it should be standard issue in the Grimdark! Unless the Imperium managed to terraform every planet they fight on in 10,000 years.
Does that make them more human than the Astra Militarum? There’s always the Militarum Tempestus Scions that are kind of the halfway house between the Solar Auxilia and the Astra Militarum. Oh and the Death Korps of Krieg. Don’t forget about those mask-wearing lads.
More Machine Than Man?
At the end of the day you’ve got two armies that are both representing humanity at different points in it’s Grimdark history (or maybe future). The Astra Militarum are the descendants of the Solar Auxilia in the lore. However, in the real world, it’s clear that the Games Workshop learned a few production tips after making the AM miniatures. They applied those lessons when creating the Solar Aux miniatures for the tabletop — and it shows.
Which army does a better job of that representation? That’s the debate. To me, the Solar Aux seems more like a “realistic” version of an army that’s designed to battle in all manner of environments — they almost look like deep sea divers. The Astra Militarum seems more like a modern (aka 21st century) soldier with some sci-fi dressings. If you replaced their lasguns with an M-16 you’d basically have those little green army men.
Those are technically M-14s…but you get my point.
Both are slightly different takes on the future of humanity. But which one does it better? Let us know which side you fall on in the comments!
It’s just blood, sweat, and lasrifles when it’s all said and done!
