The vast armies of Legions Imperialis are gathering, and they are closer than you might think – though, admittedly, they may appear far away due to their petite size. As we delve into this epic scale of miniature warfare, one question emerges: How do they manage to make tanks so small? Is there a mysterious debigulation machine involved, or do an army of trained ants wield tiny sculpting tools to create these masterpieces?
To shed light on the secrets behind these formations of intricate infantry and diminutive tanks, GW revealed an interview with Daren from the Warhammer Design Studio. He generously shared insights into the challenges faced while crafting miniatures at this scale.
First and foremost, Daren debunked the existence of a debigulation machine – there’s no magical device involved! The process involves resizing the sculpts, which is relatively straightforward. However, the real challenge lies in preserving the essence of each kit compared to its Horus Heresy counterpart. Striking a balance between retaining detail and ensuring an enjoyable assembly, painting, and gameplay experience is crucial.
Designing miniatures at this scale entails deciding which elements truly define each kit and make them recognizable. For instance, the Solar Auxilia tanks retain certain distinctive features like rivets, trim, and archaic design elements, even if not precisely accurate in size. The visual impact is vital, evoking a sense of familiarity for players.
Drawing from experiences with Adeptus Titanicus and Aeronautica Imperialis, understanding full-sized details before translating them to smaller models proved invaluable. Consistency across both scales is essential, allowing players to envision and recreate their armies in different systems seamlessly.
One of the core objectives was to enable players to transition smoothly between Legions Imperialis and Horus Heresy. Design choices aimed to ensure that collections could be effortlessly adapted, and players could seamlessly link miniature designs to their full-sized counterparts.
Daren expressed fondness for the Solar Auxilia tanks, appreciating the challenge of preserving their unique traits during resizing. These tanks symbolize refined machines sent to wage brutal wars, setting them apart from Space Marine tanks.
The level of detail packed into these small miniatures has left the design team immensely proud. The impact and intricacy conveyed at this scale have surpassed expectations, particularly the Aeronautica Imperialis Thunderhawk Gunship, which marked a breakthrough in conveying detail on small models.
With Legions Imperialis continuing to impress, we eagerly anticipate more spotlight features and articles in the coming weeks. As we draw closer to the release, join us on this exciting journey and embrace the grandeur of epic-scale battles in the Horus Heresy setting.
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