While not ideal as guards, plastic solar panels make excellent conversion fuel.
I’ve never really been interested in Guardsman, or Militarumen as they are most likely now called, in Warhammer 40,000. The closest thing to “good guys” in the Games Workshop universe may be the footsoldiers themselves. They are relatable because they are human. They possess a certain innocence since they are conscripted. Although their commanders are awful individuals, what about the common Joe on the ground? All they’re doing is attempting to keep from being eaten by enormous bugs or killed by their own police.
The Astra Militarum, in my opinion, is the army for historical wargamers hoping to join a well-known brand of wargame. Catachans have a Vietnam/Predator vibe, Cadians just resemble modern soldiers, while Death Korps of Krieg draw inspiration from a variety of World War 1 uniforms. Perhaps because of their similarity to Russian Cossacks, the Vostroyan Firstborns were the only Militarum unit that drew my attention.
Readers of my explanation of localization will know that I have a deep appreciation for Russian literature and culture.
The Solar Auxilia is the most recent Militarum unit to receive the 32mm treatment. The Solar Auxilia were a proto-Guard force that existed 10,000 years ago, during the Horus Heresy, more so than a regiment like Cadians or Catachans. The weirdest piece of 40K lore, however, starts here: the 31st millennium was the Age of Technology, the heyday of the Emperor’s troops. Therefore, forces need to appear more futuristic than their “modern” counterparts, who have been weakened and constrained by 10 millennia of conflict.
However, that isn’t always the case. Consider the Mark 3 armor, which appears antiquated in comparison to the Mark 8 or 9 of the 41st-century Space Marines. Likewise, this applies to the Solar Auxilia. Don’t get me wrong, I think the models are cool, but it’s obvious that their purpose is to appear older, as if the Militarum troops of today developed from them. If 40K lore is true, then contemporary forces ought to strive to imitate them.
Aside from the narrative inconsistency, the Solar Auxilia Battle Group is a fantastic miniatures box. You acquire an Aethon type Heavy Sentinel, a Dracosan Armoured Transport, a Leman Russ, and twenty Auxilia who can be organized into one large or two smaller Rifle Sections. Additionally, you get an Auxilia Troop Master with four veterans who form a Command Section. You get a fantastic tasting menu for the range and a lot of value for your money.
The majority of gamers would want to min-max, either choosing an armored platoon of tanks or a horde of troops, therefore the box isn’t particularly helpful if you want to build a functioning army in 30K or 40K.
Looking at this package for conversion parts, I’m not interested in playing Militarum in any system. My last remaining pseudo-Militarum army was transformed into a guard of honor for my house of knights, using numerous Cities of Sigmar components from the Age of Sigmar line.
The Command Squad quickly catches my attention. Their bodies have molded details of aquilas and laurels, and their pennant has an almost Roman appearance, like an Imperial Vexilla. The additional gadgets like scanners and vox units are the ideal addition to any army, and the vintage lasguns would work well with my Dark Mechanicus Skitarii.
The armored Sentinel is, in my opinion, the standout. With each booming step, its large, heavy frame practically seems to be emitting smoke, spilling oil, and reverberating throughout the battlefield. I’m not sure if I’ll use it for my knightly mansion or for some crazy Mechanicus invention. Anyone up for some vintage Armigers? – yet it will undoubtedly be put to use someplace.
Maybe I’m not the right audience for Solar Auxilia, but I know a lot of people are eager to have the plastic models in their hands for the first time. The kits are obviously composed of intriguing parts, parts I would like to distribute over all my armies, but the final product doesn’t really appeal to me. It’s okay. Nothing needs to be intended for everyone. I’m just hoping that Vostroyans is the next subject that Games Workshop explores.
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