The Imperial Fists are the indomitable guardians of humanity, renowned for their siege warfare expertise and unyielding defense. Their role in the Imperium’s wars is that of the immovable object, fortified by their devotion to protecting the Emperor’s vision of a united galaxy.
Imperial Fists armies stand like fortresses on the battlefield, their strength in endurance and ranged firepower unmatched.
If you’re new to Warhammer 40,000 and want an army that embodies relentless fortitude, precision shooting, and siege supremacy, the Imperial Fists might be your perfect fit. Their bold yellow armor makes them a striking force on the tabletop, and their mastery of defense ensures they can hold the line against any foe.
Who Are the Imperial Fists?
The Imperial Fists are one of the original Space Marine Legions, created by the Emperor himself during the Great Crusade.
Led by their primarch, Rogal Dorn, they are known for their stoic resolve, tactical brilliance, and mastery of siege warfare. Whether defending Terra during the Horus Heresy or launching campaigns to cleanse the galaxy of heresy and Xenos, the Imperial Fists have always stood as the first and last line of defense for the Imperium.
Unlike other Space Marine chapters, the Imperial Fists have no homeworld. Instead, they operate from their mighty star fortress, the Phalanx, which roams the stars as a symbol of their omnipresent vigilance. They are warriors of stone and iron, revered for their ability to hold strategic positions and break enemy fortifications through disciplined firepower.
What Are The Imperial Fists Army Strengths?
Imperial Fists are a force to be reckoned with on the battlefield, boasting a number of key strengths:
- Superior Siege Tactics: Imperial Fists excel in siege warfare, using heavy artillery and devastating firepower to bring down enemy strongholds. Their units gain bonuses when targeting fortifications, and they can easily dismantle heavily armored foes with their specialized weapons.
- Mastery of Bolter Weapons: One of the hallmark traits of the Imperial Fists is their expertise with bolter weapons. Their chapter-wide abilities make their bolters even deadlier, granting extra hits on rolls of six, ensuring that when they fire, enemies fall in droves.
- Impeccable Defense: The Imperial Fists’ ability to hold defensive positions is legendary. Whether fortifying terrain or making the best use of cover, they are incredibly difficult to dislodge once entrenched. Their army-wide traits often grant bonuses to staying power, allowing them to weather enemy assaults with minimal losses.
- Hard-Hitting Firepower: From their tank divisions to devastator squads, the Imperial Fists are known for their heavy weapons platforms. Their emphasis on long-range firepower allows them to strike at enemies from a distance, forcing opponents to fight on their terms.
Where Should Beginners Start?
If you’re new to the Imperial Fists, here are some must-have units to start building a strong, siege-capable army:
- Primaris Intercessors: These are your bread-and-butter troops. Equipped with bolter rifles, they take full advantage of the Imperial Fists’ chapter tactics, dishing out deadly firepower. They are also tough and versatile, making them excellent for holding objectives.
- Primaris Captain in Gravis Armor: A formidable leader with added resilience, the Primaris Captain in Gravis Armor is essential for leading your Imperial Fists. He enhances nearby units with re-rolls to hit rolls, making your bolter weapons even deadlier.
- Heavy Intercessors: For a more durable option, the Heavy Intercessors bring extra resilience and powerful bolt rifles. These units are perfect for defending strategic points while laying down heavy suppressive fire.
- Redemptor Dreadnought: An absolute powerhouse on the battlefield, the Redemptor Dreadnought combines firepower and close-combat might. Equipped with devastating weapons like the plasma incinerator and onslaught gatling cannon, it fits perfectly into the Imperial Fists’ siege warfare ethos.
- Centurion Devastators: Nothing screams siege warfare like Centurion Devastators. Heavily armored and packing powerful weapons like grav-cannons or lascannons, these units are perfect for taking down enemy fortifications or dealing with heavy armor.
How to Paint the Imperial Fists
One of the most iconic aspects of the Imperial Fists is their bright yellow armor. Painting them can be a challenge, but with the right techniques, you can make them look stunning on the battlefield.
Color Scheme Ideas
Solar Citadel
- Base Color: Averland Sunset. The primary color for the power armor, giving the Imperial Fists their signature bright, bold yellow that reflects their role as defenders of Terra.
- Shading: Reikland Fleshshade. For shading the recesses and panel lines, adding a warm, golden depth to the armor and enhancing its richness.
- Highlights: Yriel Yellow. For edge highlights on the armor, making the yellow even more vibrant and crisp.
- Accent Colors: Abaddon Black. On shoulder pad trims, weapon casings, and knee guards, providing a strong contrast to the yellow.
- Additional Accent: Leadbelcher. For metallic details like weapons, bionic limbs, and accessories, providing a cool, industrial contrast.
- Highlight for Accents: Stormhost Silver. To edge highlight metallic parts, adding a sharp, clean finish to the mechanical details.
This scheme embraces the classic bright yellow of the Imperial Fists, with warm shading and sharp black accents to maintain the chapter’s disciplined, fortress-building aesthetic.
Bastion of Dorn
- Base Color: Iyanden Darksun. A darker, mustard-yellow armor color that gives the Imperial Fists a more battle-worn and grittier appearance.
- Shading: Agrax Earthshade. In the recesses and crevices to add a weathered, gritty look to the armor, perfect for reflecting long sieges and battles.
- Highlights: Flash Gitz Yellow. For edge highlights, providing a sharp, clean contrast against the darker yellow.
- Accent Colors: Castellan Green. On shoulder pads, pouches, and other details, adding a military feel that ties into their fortress-defense heritage.
- Additional Accent: Brass Scorpion. For weapon details and chest emblems, providing a warm metallic contrast that enhances the weathered look.
- Highlight for Accents: Runefang Steel. For sharp metallic highlights on weapons and bionics, ensuring they stand out against the darker yellow.
This scheme reflects a more battle-worn and pragmatic look for the Imperial Fists, with earthy tones and military greens reinforcing their no-nonsense approach to war and defense.
Siege Breaker
- Base Color: Dorn Yellow. A lighter, paler yellow for the armor, giving the Imperial Fists a more striking, clean, and heroic appearance.
- Shading: Seraphim Sepia. To add subtle shading to the armor, maintaining the light, clean feel while adding depth to the panel lines.
- Highlights: White Scar. For sharp, bright edge highlights on the armor, creating a high-contrast, pristine look.
- Accent Colors: Mechanicus Standard Gray. For weapon casings, armor trim, and mechanical details, providing a neutral, industrial contrast to the bright yellow.
- Additional Accent: Balthasar Gold. On chest emblems, weapon details, and shoulder pad rims, adding a regal metallic touch that complements the light yellow.
- Highlight for Accents: Auric Gold. To highlight metallic parts, giving them a bright, reflective finish that enhances the clean, heroic aesthetic.
This scheme presents the Imperial Fists in a more heroic and pristine light, with pale yellow armor and bright highlights, evoking their role as shining defenders of the Imperium.
Imperial Fists Painting Techniques
To achieve that clean, bold look associated with the Imperial Fists, mastering a few techniques will help bring them to life.
- Layering and Blending: Yellow can sometimes be patchy if applied directly, so it’s crucial to build up your layers. Start with a base of Averland Sunset, and apply thin layers of Yriel Yellow to create a smooth, even finish. Be patient, as this will ensure the armor looks solid and vibrant.
- Edge Highlighting: To make the armor look sharp and defined, use edge highlighting techniques with a brighter yellow like Flash Gitz Yellow. This will create a clean, bright finish on the raised edges of the armor, adding depth and contrast.
- Weathering and Battle Damage: The Imperial Fists’ armor often bears the scars of countless battles. To achieve a battle-worn look, lightly sponge some metallic paint like Leadbelcher onto the edges of the armor. This will create the effect of chipped paint and expose the metal underneath, adding character and realism.
- Matte Finishing: Finish your models with a matte varnish to prevent the yellow from becoming too glossy. A matte finish will give the models a more realistic look, especially when combined with subtle weathering.
By following these techniques, your Imperial Fists army will look as battle-hardened as they are on the tabletop, ready to lay siege to the enemies of the Imperium.
Image Attribution
Image 1 – Imperial fists terminator. (https://www.deviantart.com/kathistoboubali32/art/Imperial-fists-terminator-913008230) by kathistoboubali32 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/)
Image 2 – Imperial Fists Warhammer (https://www.goodfon.com/fantasy/wallpaper-imperial-fists-warhammer.html) by mark22 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/)
Image 3 – Imperial Fists (https://www.flickr.com/photos/wyrmworld/6253622798) by Purple Wyrm (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/)
