Space Marine Minotaurs: Command Squad Part 1

Warrior here!

I am creating a Command Squad unit from the new Space Marine codex. So lets take a look at the Command Squad, and what it can do for the Minotaurs!

You talkin to me?

The command squad is a great unit, able to take a vast array of options and wargear, along with a veterans statline. It is proving very popular in competitive circles when pimped out with bikes and grav guns wall to wall. This is hugely effective but not, I feel, suitable for my Minotaurs!



To me the Minotaurs seem to be half rampaging beserker and half cutting edge tech, so this seemed like an ideal opportunity to have a unit of grav guns! I am also after a hard hitting unit to fit in a drop pod and to escort a warlord. This unit is going to need to be tough so I do not give up kill points and also keep the warlord protected. This means storm shields and an apothecary. So off to Ebay I go!

I ordered enough bits to kit out the veterans I need, although I already have an apothecary. I wanted to use the bits from the fantastic new Sternguard and Vanguard kits, including the Minotaurs signature Mark 8 armour. So I ordered plenty of bits that I didn't have left over already.
I also took the opportunity to use one of my favourite sculpts, the Dark Angel veteran legs that are walking forwards. I love the impression they give of a confident relentless soldier striding across the battlefield!

I was determined to have the command squad looking like they were able to take on anything, so I wanted to equip them with chainswords as well a grav gun and a storm shile. This posed a bit of a problem as they only have 2 hands! To remedy this I decided to kitbash the grav guns from Grey Knight storm bolters. This will add to the high tech cutting edge element while allowing them to bash people with a sword and shield! This would also save me money on ordering the grav guns and allow me to use the grav pistols instead. (over £3 per grav gun as of writing this!)

Easy enough to start with, mark 8 chest piece on to the legs section, pus a bit of trimming to make sure they line up well. Excellent fit so far!

Here you can see how I put together the wrist mounted grav gun. I used the barrel of the pistol and lopped most of the storm bolter barrel. I then trimmed off the hand and grip from the remainder and used the cylinder as the magazine. I am very pleased with how it has come out, seems a shame to cover a lot of it with the storm shield.

With the addition of a custom base from 616 Designs (They do a great range of designs at a very high quality http://myworld.ebay.co.uk/616-designs/) and a Spartan shield from Scibor Miniatures (http://sciborminiatures.com/en_,shop.php?art=891), it is really coming to life! I have to say I am loving the sculpts in the Sternguard kit, especially the heads. I vowed not to have a single bare head in my army but I just had to make an exception! They have an apothecary with them so I am sure they will be fine.



I rinsed and repeated for a second vet in a different pose. However I also decided I would chuck a powerfist into the squad (if it wasn't expensive enough already!) but what the hell I am sure after drop podding in they would find it handy. So for this veteran I decided to give him a standard gravgun as he has no need to carry a sword.

I modeled him with the shield attached to his powerfist, as I figured battering xenos to death with a shield is probably a very Minotaur thing to do. I dislike having models hold and fire full boltguns with one hand as I always find it looks a bt silly. Yet again though the fantastic Sternguard kit comes to my aid with a nice casually posed arm I think works really well.








So there you have it really for Part 1. Just got to give these guys a basecoat and they are ready to be painted. I hope you found some of my rambling useful, or it maybe gave you an idea! I cannot wait to get these guys on to the field. In reflection I will definitely be doing more kitbashes from the veteran box as it is full of fantastic pieces. I am going to try and mix in even more kits hopefully in the future so they are truly unique!

In part 2 I will explain how I go about painting the livery of the Minotaur. Please feel free to comment on anything I have talked about, or tell me about any of your command squad ideas below.

Thanks for reading!