Heresy & Heroes

Mortifactors Mortis Pattern Contemptor Dreadnought

Got firepower? You better believe it, buddy. Say hello to my Mortifactors Contemptor Dreadnought, Galador the Cursed (formerly Mr Stompy). Not only does he sport a pair of Kheres Pattern assault cannons, but he’s also rocking a frag and krak filled cyclone missile launcher – this is a Mortis Pattern Dread.

Based on the Death Guard body, this was a relatively simple ‘conversion’, hardly deserving of the name. I had to trim a few spikes and remove an ‘X’ from the body and that was it. Thank you Forge World for covering a Contemptor in little skulls. Speaking of skulls…

Although this isn’t the best image (got the fancy camera but it’s not exactly easy to use, especially in low light – my own fault), this is quite possibly my best skull. This dreadnought is a member of the First Company and therefore wears the full skull on his shoulder automatically (as per my constructed fluff). The skull on the knee was difficult due to the angles but I love the look of this one.

The above image also highlights the ‘M’ which replaced the ‘XIV’. As mentioned, I had to trim off the ‘X’ and using some green stuff, was able to create a very simple initial that I’m really happy with.

Now, if you’re looking for a badass weapon that’s as fiddly as hell to put together, this is the gun for you. I ballsed it up a bit in truth. I cleaned them up but not enough and the imperfections were made more obvious by washes and highlighting. These were simple enough to paint, but putting them together was tense and required plenty of patience. The missile launcher too had its fair amount of issues.

I was a little concerned that the missiles would look a little too cartoony by having them a mix of red any yellow, but I wanted to demonstrate that some were frag and some were krak and these colours seemed to sit best. In the end, I like it, and seeing as Mortis Pattern Contemptors gain skyfire and interceptor if they don’t move in the prior turn, I expect to see these downing a few flyers one day soon.

The name Galador The Cursed comes from my fluff idea that the Mortifactors are not keen on Dreadnoughts. They delay death and as the chapter venerates mortality, these constructs are as close to abominable without being so that they can be. The Mortifactors use dreadnoughts only when they must and maintain fewer than most chapters. Well, in my very unofficial fluff at least.

It was a fun project but long, and there are plenty of parts that I’m not happy with, though all in all, I’m happy. Painting a big Forge World piece is always a joy and I think I did this one justice.  Until the next time, enjoy one last final shot of this monster.

This model was painted using a variety of brushes and Citadel Paints.

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Update:

Selected for the featured flickr pool as seen on the GW blog (again!). Very happy about that. 🙂