Newbie knows nothing, yet has question:

[Kasel]

Hi there. First off, let me say that from the screenshots ive seen, this looks like its going to a very fun game. However, I know nothing about the 40k universe, and I was a little confused when viewing some of these screenshots. Noticably, this is a very violent game (nothing im opposed to), however, the characters appear to very cartoonish, painted with very vibrant colors (almost reminiscent of models from Metal Fatigue, color scheme and all). I would have thought that for such a violent game, you might want to create a "darker" atmosphere by using less vibrant colors. Is the colorful environment an intrinsic quality of the 40k universe, or is this just a call that relic made? Feel free to tear this apart :)

[Goallie11]

The 40k universe is a dark and violent one, the whole galaxy is at war, to learn more about 40k and everything else GW makes go here www.games-workshop.com

[The Collector]

The enemy (Orks) is just inherently green and "silly" once you get to know them.

[No Surrender]

The first few screenshots were a bit bright but the rest are sufficently dark for me.

[Kasel]

Wow, I wish I had gotten into the tabletop version of this game much sooner. I am guessing that all of their character models are based upon the miniature figurine designs, and not on actual concept art. I guess Im just disappointed by the fact that this is a violent game, and they completely offset that violence with a cutesy "muppet babies" color scheme. I would have prefered to see something darker and grimier, like in this image (http://membres.lycos.fr/cascq/40k-Space-Marines.jpg) ... but hey, you cant please everyone.

[Keslov]

There not really cute just some space marine chapter have bright colours. if newbie new about fluff and herlady of the chapters newbie would not ask dumb question.

Alrite after saying that i have a dumb question that is a lil off topic: whens e3

[Kasel]

if newbie new about fluff and herlady of the chapters newbie would not ask dumb question.
:bricks:

? Question? If you happened to read my second post, I don't believe there was an interrogatory statement there, but merely an observation. From the screenshots, I have seen an environment which is filled with a brown-yellow haze of soot and gunpowder, and yet, the characters appear to have just stepped out of the shower.

And yes, I am new to this. I made this pretty obvious with my first post. But don't condemn me for not knowing everything about a game which I have never encountered before.

And as a future teacher, I dont believe in dumb questions :monocle: : E3 is from May 12 to May 14

[Rabiddog]

Okay first off the Space Marines wear Adamantium power armor so that's why they look like they do.

And as for the Bright colors, Space Marine Chapters tend to wear bright colors for a few purposes including but not limited to distinguishing themselves on the battlefield and let the enemy know just who they are dealing with.

Heraldry too has a lot to do with the colors, because since the Empire is a Fuedal society each Marine chapter holds it's own unique place and history and wants everyone to know which chapter is involved in the battle to further their own glory for the Emperor.

That's like each IG regiment from a different world has a completely different armor pattern and color scheme some of which are bright and vibrant like the Praetorians and Iron Guard some are dark and grim like the Cadians and Armagedon Steel Legions. And in a world with scanners that can see someone pretty much regardless of uniform color it doesn't much make a difference for bright colorscheme.

[Kasel]

Thank you Rabbiddog, that clears up a lot :bandit:

[Rikesgard]

The appearance of Marines' armor is very much like it was in the feudal times during out history. Vibrant colors and coats of arms were the norm, because you wanted to show off who you were and what side you were fighting for. Camouflage wasn't a factor. And because there are so many Space Marine Chapters, you'd run out of colors that are dark and gritty pretty quickly (though there are Chapters which have dark colors, like the Dark Angels, Black Templars, and so on).

[Kasel]

Indeed, that makes sense. I wish I could comment, but I would like to read a little more about the series before I make any more statements. Im also afraid if I say any more, the fanboys are going to organize a lynching.

[=FA=PingWraith]

hahaha, no problem... glad we could help ya out... another point i might add to this is that Marines "know no fear" and would find painting threir armor anything but the chapter colors would not only be a slight of their honor, but blasphemous and dangerous(<--might anger the spirit of the armor).

[Maximus Decimus]

Hey, read the FAQ for some additional info. Relic is letting you customize the color of each race and import badges and banners or choose from default ones. Therefore you can have your marines have a black coat with grey, dark red, etc.

[dArKB*****d]

I enjoyed games workshop games for a few years through the first half of the 90's. I picked up most of my information from articles and battle scenarios, that I've read in White Dwarf and varying codex's/rule books, also from a handful of short stories, which I would highly recommend reading, anyone of them will do in my opinion They all have something to add.

Is there a compendium of Fluff stories taken from rule books and white dwarfs anywhere? Or would a newbie need to purchase said products?

It would be good for the uninitiated to have access to the backgrounds and some involving stories, which could tie in some of the history and culture of each of the WH40K races.

What's the verdict?

[Noir]

Well like the other guys said,there's a reason why the SMs tend to be a bit colorful,so I'll just sum it up in a quote



" Camouflage is the colour of fear... I have no need to hide from my foes...I have no fear of death. My colours I wear openly, they proclaim louder than any words, ' I am proud to live-I am proud to die.'"

-Commander Carab Cullin, Red Scorpions

[Dimension]

well, we DID have the "what is WH40K" thread, which was stickified. some great research in there. however, it was unsticked for some reason. maybe if the thread has meaningless/"false" posts removed it could be some kind of FAQ for the Warhammer universe?

*edit*
in fact I'll post about it in thread/topic discussion forum.

[PeanutR]

...From the screenshots, I have seen an environment which is filled with a brown-yellow haze of soot and gunpowder, and yet, the characters appear to have just stepped out of the shower...

I think that's the first time I've seen Orks and the bathing referred to in the same sentence :)
To get a "feel" and mood of the 40k universe I think you should visit the Black Library at http://www.blacklibrary.com/index.html. Some of the shortstories are really good and get your imagination going, which has always been a strong point of the 40k universe.

As for the bright colours and such, what you have to realize is that 40k is special in part because it's a mix of elements that traditionally belong in seperate genres - it's a mix of scifi technology and fantasy mentality.

[JumpPackBoy!]

Most armies dont use camo because it is all out war and camo is sorta cowardly. And many armies use the colors of which they are associated. Such as the World Eaters are red for the color of Blood and the Blood God (Khorne) is there patron god.There is much more into this and if you want to know more just visit the GW website.

[Richtofen]

world eaters went from white/blue to red :) what a change.

Personally, I don't like the cover of the space marine codex much, the back explosion reminds me far too much of the 2nd ed flame template and the books is roughly 5-6 years old now anyway, getting bored of stupid crimson fists. 40k is dark and gritty and its pretty much only space marines who adorn their plasteel armour with bright colours. The imperial fists are so yellow and bright that it hurts you to look at them! I shudder to think what would happen if imperial fists met iyanden in a cityfight scene. Dark grey coloured ruins and these bright yellow troops moving round (MY EYES!)

Orks could have been a bit darker but I don't mind, if anything, greenskins ARE GW's comical race. In 40k they beat up grotz and say funny stuff. In warhammer, the goblins in a story ate another goblin, he was dead when the found him but the unlucky goblin just said he was sleeping but his bunch are just a bunch of liars!

[corkill]

Another quote on the boldness of Space Marines

Do not ask me to approach the battle meekly, to creep through the shadows, or to quietly slip on my foes in the dark. I am Rogal Dorn, Imperial Fist, Space Marine, Emperor's Champion. Let my enemies cower at my advance and tremble at the sight of me." -Rogal Dorn, Imperial Fist Primarch

[Sphincter]

Wow, I wish I had gotten into the tabletop version of this game much sooner. I am guessing that all of their character models are based upon the miniature figurine designs, and not on actual concept art. I guess Im just disappointed by the fact that this is a violent game, and they completely offset that violence with a cutesy "muppet babies" color scheme. I would have prefered to see something darker and grimier, like in this image (http://membres.lycos.fr/cascq/40k-Space-Marines.jpg) ... but hey, you cant please everyone.

sry on the delay for this responce but those on the codex cover are crimson fist, Dawn of war uses the Ultra Marines who use a Ultramarines Blue, Sun Yellow and Shining gold, chrimson uses Regal Blue with a mix of a darker purple, (I dont know what it is Im Imperial Guard i use green and yellow!; 8th cadian) But the GAME IS VERY VERY DARK the game i swear was taken over by skullists. (worshipers of skulls) :buddies:

[mr_mich]

I thought Relic made their own chapter for DoW?

[deggy]

We did. DoW will feature the Blood Ravens. Someone isn't reading their Faq's! :)

[Soulblighter]

Someone isn't reading their Faq's!

welcome to the nightmare of ion and soul.

[Xenocide]

Oh come on soul you love locking off topic and repeat threads.

[Civik]

Hmm, in my experience, RTFM doesn't really exist... neither does RTFFAQ. :D

There is a new rulebook and new codex coming out sometime in fall. New Rules and new Space Marine codex.

[Uzgah]

Its funny, in most cases for 'new' gamers of 40k and all that.. it is the bright colours that attractis them to start with. They see those bright red/blue/green/yellow/etc men standing on a green background. They then look closer and see the wonderful detail. Then they pay huge amount of money to feed an addiction that is damn hard to beat!

Hmm... I think I just described my downfall.. anyhoo..
I like camoflage, hence I don't play Marines. Its Tau and Imperial Guard for me. I just want to build myself an 'airborne' regiment. But I can't afford all of them Valkryes. Might have to start a Rifle regiment firsr then save up more. hohum.
but like pointed out above Marines wear their brightly coverred armour for they have need to hide. They are humanities greatest warriors, have faith in the God-Emperor, faith is a shield, etc etc.
It all comes down to the fact that they tuff beggars!

[DarthFelth]

you know i have always thought that fighting wise, fighting a marine is like fighting a gorilla, sept it knows some moves, has thick armour and well isnt as slow (or maybe thats just flesh tearers ;))

[No Surrender]

The Guard are the only ones to have enough sense to wear cammo.

[Shakrith]

Cowards! Face your foes like true warriors of the Glorious Emperor! Anyway you can choose any colours you like, so if camouflage is your thing, then be that way, but don't come crying to me saying that your machine spirit strangled you!

[the7th]

All of the above reasons are right in terms of fluff in 40k but originally the colour schemes came from how people chose to paint their models. When painting your own force nobody makes you to stick to the traditional or games workshop colours. Its total possible and acceptable to have pink and yellow spotted marines because that’s what you want to paint.

So why don’t people have realistic cameo, well when you have to paint upwards of 100 miniatures you quickly become bored of that cameo scheme involving 5 different colours and taking 2 hours per marine. So people generally keep to simple one or two colour paint schemes which look good. Hence all the cool colours.