The Iron Hands are relentless, machine-obsessed Space Marines who reject the weaknesses of flesh.
Hailing from the harsh world of Medusa, they purge weakness with cold, unfeeling precision. Their strength lies in their resilience, technological mastery, and devastating firepower.
First-time players will find their army of Dreadnoughts and armored units unyielding. Painting them requires dark tones, metallics, and brutal techniques to reflect their cold, mechanical nature.
Who Are The Iron Hands?
In the unending darkness of the 41st millennium, where war consumes all light, the Iron Hands stand as paragons of might and mechanical perfection. Born from the iron-clad legacy of their Primarch, Ferrus Manus, these Space Marines have forsaken the frailties of flesh to embrace the relentless precision of machine.
Their very existence is a testament to their creed: “The Flesh is Weak.” Every sinew replaced, every organ augmented with cold, unfeeling metal, the Iron Hands have transcended their mortal shells to become living war machines.
Hailing from the harsh, industrial world of Medusa, the Iron Hands were forged in the crucible of endless war and ceaseless toil. Their planet’s unforgiving environment mirrored their own relentless nature—unyielding, steadfast, and devoid of mercy. Loyal to the Emperor above all, they march into battle with a singular purpose: to purge the galaxy of weakness and ensure the Imperium’s eternal dominance.
Their armor, a fusion of sacred relics and advanced technology, gleams ominously on the battlefield, a harbinger of doom for any who dare oppose them. The Iron Hands are not just warriors; they are the Emperor’s inexorable will incarnate, marching ever forward in the grim darkness of the far future.
What Are The Iron Hands Army Strengths?
As relentless as the cogs of their war engines, the Iron Hands are a chapter of immense resilience. Their armies stand out for several key strengths that make them an implacable force on the battlefield:
- Durability: Iron Hands units are tough as ceramite-plated machines, benefiting from their “The Flesh is Weak” ability, which grants additional survivability through improved resilience against damage. Your forces will grind forward, shrugging off fire that would obliterate lesser men.
- Cybernetic Mastery: The Iron Hands have an affinity for war machines. Vehicles under their command not only perform better but can also heal damage, making their armored columns incredibly hard to dismantle. Expect your tanks, Dreadnoughts, and other heavy armor to last longer on the field, creating an unbreakable wall of iron.
- Firepower: If you want to rain death from afar, Iron Hands are your ideal army. Their extensive use of advanced technology and superior targeting systems makes their shooting exceptionally lethal. Coupled with their durability, they can hold key positions and devastate the enemy from long range.
- Dreadnoughts Galore: The Iron Hands have a special fondness for Dreadnoughts, those ancient, entombed warriors who fight on in mechanical bodies long after their flesh has failed them. These walking machines of death benefit greatly from Iron Hands’ bonuses, making them even deadlier in close-quarters combat or as heavy fire support.
- Relentless Advance: Whether in their vehicles or as cybernetically enhanced infantry, the Iron Hands never stop moving. They press the attack without fear of being cut down, confident in their mechanical superiority.
Where Should Beginners Start?
For those new to the Iron Hands, building a solid core army is key. Here are the essential units that will give you the taste of what this brutal chapter is all about:
- Tactical Squad: The backbone of any Iron Hands army, Tactical Squads provide versatile infantry support. Equipped with a mix of bolters and heavy weapons, they can handle a variety of threats, from enemy infantry to armored targets.
- Sicarian Infiltrators: For those who seek a more specialized force, Sicarian Infiltrators offer stealth and deadly precision. Their advanced weaponry and enhanced mobility make them perfect for striking deep into enemy lines and eliminating high-value targets.
- Iron Hands Dreadnought: A symbol of the chapter’s enduring legacy, the Iron Hands Dreadnought is a powerful war machine that brings both firepower and resilience to the battlefield. Its array of weapons can decimate enemy units, while its fortified armor ensures it remains a formidable presence even under heavy assault.
- Repulsor Executioner: This heavy transport not only moves your troops swiftly across the battlefield but also provides substantial fire support. Equipped with devastating macro cannons and missile launchers, the Repulsor Executioner can lay down a relentless barrage, clearing the way for your advancing forces.
- Ironclad Terminators: Clad in the chapter’s iconic Terminator armor, these elite warriors are the hammer of the Iron Hands. Their heavy weapons and formidable defenses make them ideal for leading assaults, breaking enemy lines, and holding key positions against overwhelming odds.
- Iron Hands Primaris: For players interested in incorporating the latest advancements, the Primaris units offer enhanced capabilities and firepower. These newer models integrate seamlessly with the traditional Iron Hands, providing additional options for customization and tactical deployment.
- Redemptor Dreadnought: An advanced variant of the Dreadnought, the Redemptor brings increased mobility and firepower. Its powerful weapons systems make it a versatile tool on the battlefield, capable of both offensive strikes and defensive holds.
Starting with these essential models ensures a balanced and effective Iron Hands army, capable of adapting to various threats and scenarios. Each model not only serves a tactical purpose but also embodies the unyielding spirit and mechanical prowess that define the Iron Hands.
How To Paint Iron Hands
The Iron Hands are a vision of dark steel and relentless precision, their armor a testament to their mechanical perfection and unwavering resolve. Painting these warriors requires a palette that reflects their cold, unfeeling nature, while highlighting the intricate details of their cybernetic enhancements.
Here’s how to bring your Iron Hands to life with a foreboding, metallic aesthetic:
Color Scheme Ideas
Bionic Legion
- Base Color: Abaddon Black. The primary color for the armor, maintaining the traditional black of the Iron Hands.
- Shading: Nuln Oil. Apply in recesses and deep areas of the armor to enhance shadows and provide depth to the black.
- Highlights: Eshin Gray. For sharp edge highlights to give subtle definition to armor panels.
- Accent Colors: Leadbelcher. For bionic limbs, mechanical details, and weapons, emphasizing the mechanical nature of the chapter.
- Additional Accent: Mephiston Red. On eye lenses, small details like cables, and chapter insignia for contrast against the black armor.
- Highlight for Accents: Stormhost Silver. To edge highlight the metallic details, adding a polished finish to the bionics and weapons.
This scheme stays true to the core Iron Hands aesthetics but makes the mechanical aspects stand out with brighter metallics and a stark contrast with the dark armor.
Dark Forgemaster
- Base Color: Leadbelcher. As the primary armor color, emphasizing their connection to machinery and the Mechanicus.
- Shading: Nuln Oil. To add depth and shadows to the metallic armor, keeping a grimdark look.
- Highlights: Ironbreaker. For crisp edge highlights on the metallic armor, adding a clean, shiny effect.
- Accent Colors: Abaddon Black. For shoulder pads, knee guards, and weapon casings, contrasting with the metallic armor.
- Additional Accent: Caliban Green. On lenses, power coils, and energy weapons, providing a sharp, technological contrast with the mechanical elements.
- Highlight for Accents: Moot Green. To highlight energy effects or glows, making tech components pop.
This scheme focuses on the Iron Hands’ bionic and mechanical elements, with metallic armor as the primary color, reflecting their affinity for augmentation.
Steel Revenants
- Base Color: Iron Hands Steel (custom metallic black). The main armor color, combining metallic sheen with dark, cold black tones.
- Shading: Drakenhof Nightshade. Adds a blue-black tint in the recesses, giving the armor an eerie, steely effect.
- Highlights: Fenrisian Gray. Edge highlights for a sharp contrast that brings out the cold, metallic feel.
- Accent Colors: Balthasar Gold. For intricate details like chest emblems, servo skulls, and embellishments on weapons, adding a regal metallic touch.
- Additional Accent: Khorne Red. On lenses, power weapons, and insignia for sharp contrast and to symbolize their fierce nature.
- Highlight for Accents: Runefang Steel. As a final touch for metallic highlights on weapons and bionics, giving a polished look.
This scheme blends dark metallic blacks with cool blue undertones and gold accents, evoking a haunting, ancient warrior look that reflects both strength and cold efficiency.
Iron Hands Painting Techniques
Painting the Iron Hands requires a combination of traditional techniques to highlight their dark aesthetic and unique, mechanical detailing. Here’s how to bring your models to life in true Iron Hands fashion.
- Edge Highlighting: Because the Iron Hands are predominantly black-armored, edge highlighting is critical to make them stand out. Use a lighter grey or metallic silver to highlight the edges of their armor plates. This will break up the black and give the impression of wear and tear, as if their armor has seen countless battles.
- Drybrushing for Metal: For their bionics and mechanical limbs, drybrush a metallic paint over a dark base (like Leadbelcher). This gives a weathered, industrial look to the mechanical elements. For larger models like Dreadnoughts, this can add extra grit and realism, making them feel ancient and battle-worn.
- Object Source Lighting (OSL): To emphasize their cold, machine-like presence, use object source lighting on plasma weapons, bionic eyes, or other power sources. Thin layers of blue, green, or even red can create a glowing effect, making it seem like the power of the machine is coursing through them. This adds a dramatic, sinister edge to your models.
- Weathering and Battle Damage: Iron Hands have been fighting for centuries, and their armor should reflect that. Use sponges or a fine brush to add battle damage with metallic paints. You can also use washes like Agrax Earthshade to dirty up the armor, making them look like they’ve just come from a brutal campaign. Rust and oil effects around their mechanical parts can emphasize their machine nature.
- Chipping: Simulate worn metal by applying small chips of silver or metallic paints along the edges of their armor. This shows the relentless wear their bodies have endured, where the black paint has been torn away to reveal the cold steel beneath. This technique works especially well on vehicles and Dreadnoughts.
With these techniques, your Iron Hands army will reflect their cold, relentless nature—warriors who care not for flesh, only the cold perfection of the machine. They are not heroes; they are the iron hammer of the Emperor, and they will never stop.
Image Attribution
Image 1 – Iron hands (https://www.goodfon.com/fantasy/wallpaper-warhammer-primarch-ferrus-manus-gorgon-of-medusa-book-iron-h.html) by Maria345 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/)
Image 2 – Iron hands Tank (https://www.goodfon.com/fantasy/wallpaper-warhammer-40-000-iron-hands-techmarine-tank-war-space-marine.html) by Maria345 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/)
Image 3 – Iron hands space marine (https://www.deviantart.com/karandashist1/art/Iron-hands-space-marine-903694186) by Karandashist1 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/)
Image 4 – Warhammer 40K Models, Home Studio, March 2014 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/orangeacid/13063040894) by Dan Foy (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.0/)
