The Scouring Challenge
Hi, everyone! I am back with another personal hobby-related post. A couple days ago, Myles of Lil’ Legend Studio started a challenge for 2026. So, a little background for context first…
Myles has pretty much been my painting mentor for the last several years, especially since I dove into Heresy as my “full-time job.” I have taken a couple classes in person over the last couple years as well. And we have spent enough time together that I would consider him a friend. On top of all that, Myles is one of the best painters in the game. He is an amazing instructor, and he is able to get that across in his videos. I cannot generally watch too many “tutorial” videos for more than a few minutes to get a particular technique. In contrast, I have watched Myles’ videos for more than an hour at at time.
So, Myles dropped this challenge centered around the Scouring Era, post-Heresy to several years later. Link here if you want to check out Myles’ write-up, or here if you want to watch his live-stream video on the topic.
The challenge is only 1500 points over the entire year! Anyone that knows me knows I can bang out 1500 points pretty quick. That being said, how fast I can do 1500 points depends greatly on the scheme I am using. Iron Warriors would be considerably quicker than my Emperor’s Children or Thousand Sons (that fucking red!!!).
For this challenge, I have pledged to paint Salamanders. I was already working on Salamanders, so the timeframe and the parameters of the challenge change my army composition to some degree. That’s fine. I actually conceive of a Marvel comics style What If…? force that can work both on Isstvan and the Scouring. For the Scouring, imagine a ship got lost in the Warp on the way to Isstvan V. They only make it back to Terra just after Horus falls. If you read Ashes of the Imperium, there is an interesting chapter detailing how the last remaining Salamanders on Terra had come together with Vulkan. During the Siege, you don’t see more than maybe three or four, but there actually is a company-size element on Terra post-Heresy.
Salamanders
So, first below is my idea for 1500 points of Salamanders! At 1500 points, this isn’t much different than what I conceived of for my larger army. I was planning to use more Retinues than Elites. Post-Isstvan it seems like veteran units might be more apt.
Note: I do see the red squiggly lines in the image above. Rookie mistake! It stays.
There isn’t as much scoring here as I would generally like. Myles’ parameters dictate that we not repeat units. I have a large Tactical Squad, which is actually being painted up as 20-men for larger games. The Prime Advantage gives them a Feel No Pain, so I want to maximize the utility of that benefit! Salamanders are already resilient, so good luck shifting that unit!
As you can imagine, my Salamanders feature alot of flame(r)s. At more points, we just get more flamers. At any of points, we will have plenty of flames!
Second (right) is a sneak peak of what I am working on at the moment! January’s challenge is to pick a faction and write an army list. Job done! For February, you are supposed to paint one test model. I imagine that my Saturnine might end up being my test model.
That is a bit backwards from the way things are done conventionally, and especially the way I do things. However, that’s the vibe I am on these days!
This Scouring challenge has had me thinking about other things as well. I started building and painting a Templar-focused force led by Sigismund. I still have everything tucked away in a box, so I was also thinking…
Imperial Fists/Templars
Returning to Ashes of the Imperium, there is a chapter where we get a glimpse of Sigismund post-Heresy on a ship out in the void hunting down traitors. Sigismund is out Scouring before Scouring becomes cool! So, I also have an idea for a 1500-point force of Imperial Fists in Black, led by Sigismund. So, we will see about that! Keep your eyes on this space!
Rogan Dorn, Primarch of the Imperial Fists
On a related note, what happened to Dorn? He used to be a super boring asshole in the Heresy books. He gained much more depth in the Siege of Terra books. Now, post-Heresy, Rogal is a badass!
The intrigue in the beginning of the Scouring series is basically one side led by Guilliman that wants to rebuild the Imperium and thinks Chaos is dead forever ever. On the other side, Rogal Dorn is certain that Chaos is just on its ass and will be back soon. And he wants to go out and wipe it from the face of the multiverse!
Who would have thought Guilliman would end up being the mustache-twirling nobhead in this series. Take a guess who I am supporting on this one?
