The White Scars are the lightning-fast storm riders of Warhammer 40k, known for their savage hit-and-run tactics and unmatched mobility.
Descended from the Primarch Jaghatai Khan, they race into battle on bikes and speeders, striking with lethal precision before disappearing into the wind. Their ferocious warrior spirit and tactical speed make them a deadly force.
Painting the White Scars requires bright whites, bold red accents, and dynamic weathering techniques to capture their nomadic, brutal aesthetic.
Who Are The White Scars?
The White Scars are the storm-borne warriors of the Adeptus Astartes, descended from the legendary Primarch Jaghatai Khan.
Hailing from the windswept, untamed plains of Chogoris, they are a chapter unlike any other. They embody the savage freedom of the steppes, blending the nomadic traditions of their world with the deadly precision of the Space Marines.
The White Scars disdain slow, methodical warfare—they are the Emperor’s storm, preferring lightning-fast strikes that leave their enemies reeling before they even realize they’ve been attacked.
The White Scars live for the thrill of the hunt, treating war as a deadly game of speed and precision. Their culture places a strong emphasis on honor, brotherhood, and the primal instincts of the warrior.
While many chapters see them as savage and unruly, the White Scars are masters of the battlefield, wielding speed and ferocity like a finely-honed blade. They are the wind, the storm, and the thunder of engines roaring across war-torn worlds.
What Are The White Scars Army Strengths?
The White Scars thrive in fast, high-mobility combat, using their speed and deadly hit-and-run tactics to dominate the battlefield. Here are their key strengths:
- Unmatched Speed: White Scars are the fastest army in Warhammer 40k, with bikes, speeders, and jump units forming the core of their forces. They excel at flanking, striking hard, and retreating before the enemy can retaliate.
- Devastating Charges: White Scars’ assault tactics are deadly, as their units gain bonuses to strength and attacks when charging into combat. This makes their hit-and-run tactics not only fast but incredibly lethal in close combat.
- Tactical Flexibility: White Scars can disengage from combat and still shoot or charge again, making them impossible to pin down. Their ability to stay mobile and keep up the pressure makes them highly flexible on the battlefield.
- Ferocity in Close Combat: While fast, the White Scars are also brutally efficient in melee combat. Their special rules encourage them to charge headlong into the enemy, where their bonus attacks and strength make them fearsome brawlers.
- Powerful Stratagems: The White Scars have access to a variety of stratagems that enhance their mobility, improve their charges, or allow them to pull off devastating surprise attacks. These abilities keep opponents on edge, never knowing where the next blow will land.
Where Should Beginners Start?
For new players looking to build a White Scars army, these models will provide a deadly, fast-moving force that embodies the chapter’s philosophy of speed and ferocity:
- Primaris Outriders: These fast-moving bike units are essential for White Scars. With high mobility and powerful melee attacks, they are perfect for flanking and charging into the heart of the enemy.
- Primaris Chaplain on Bike: A perfect leader for your fast-moving force, this Chaplain enhances the fighting prowess of nearby units while keeping up with the speed of your bikers.
- Korsarro Khan: The Chapter Master of the White Scars, Korsarro Khan is a must-have for leading your forces. His abilities make nearby units more effective in close combat, and his personal combat skills make him a deadly force on the battlefield.
- Attack Bikes: These light, fast-moving vehicles bring heavy firepower to your army while maintaining the speed that defines the White Scars. Equipped with multi-meltas or heavy bolters, they’re perfect for hitting hard targets on the move.
- Stormspeeder Thunderstrike: A fast attack vehicle bristling with heavy weaponry, the Stormspeeder can deliver devastating firepower while keeping up with the fast-paced assaults of the rest of your army.
- Primaris Intercessors: Every White Scars force needs a solid backbone, and Intercessors provide the tactical flexibility needed to hold objectives and provide ranged support while your faster units strike.
How to Paint the White Scars
Painting the White Scars is about capturing their iconic, crisp white armor with vibrant red accents. Their aesthetic reflects the brutal beauty of the open steppes and the wild freedom of their culture.
The white armor can be challenging, but when done right, it showcases the fierce nobility of these warriors. Red warpaint, tribal markings, and weathering add character to their clean, bright look.
Color Scheme Ideas
Storm of the Steppes
- Base Color: Corax White. For the armor, reflecting the White Scars’ traditional white battleplate that symbolizes purity and speed.
- Shading: Nuln Oil. Apply in recesses and armor joints to add depth and definition to the white armor.
- Highlights: White Scar. For sharp edge highlights to further brighten the armor and enhance the crisp look.
- Accent Colors: Mephiston Red. On shoulder pad trims, helmets, and lightning bolt insignia, tying in the White Scars’ signature red markings.
- Additional Accent: Leadbelcher. On weapons, mechanical parts, and bike details to add a metallic contrast against the white armor.
- Highlight for Accents: Stormhost Silver. For edge highlights on weapons and metal details, giving a polished, clean look.
This is the classic White Scars scheme with crisp white armor, bold red accents, and metallics for weaponry, staying true to their fast and lethal style.
Tundra Warriors
- Base Color: Ulthuan Gray. For the main armor color, providing a softer, slightly grayed white that gives a cold, weathered appearance.
- Shading: Agrax Earthshade. To add a warm, earthy tone to the recesses and panel lines, giving the armor a more rugged, worn-in feel.
- Highlights: White Scar. On edges and raised areas for a sharp contrast against the weathered armor.
- Accent Colors: Khorne Red. For shoulder pads, helmet details, and tribal markings, giving the army a more warlike, aggressive look.
- Additional Accent: Brass Scorpion. For weapons, bike details, and ornamentation like chest emblems or power sword hilts, adding a unique, warm metallic contrast.
- Highlight for Accents: Runefang Steel. For highlighting metal details, keeping them bright but not overpowering the weathered appearance of the armor.
This scheme gives a more rugged, battle-worn look to the White Scars, evoking the feel of warriors who have fought across tundras and harsh landscapes.
Lightning Riders
- Base Color: Gray Seer. For the armor, offering a pale gray base that acts as a muted version of the traditional white, ideal for a more subtle, stealthy appearance.
- Shading: Drakenhof Nightshade. For shading recesses and providing a cool blue tint to the armor, evoking the cold, harsh environments the White Scars often ride through.
- Highlights: Pallid Wych Flesh. For sharp edge highlights, giving the armor a slightly ethereal and ghostly appearance in line with their lightning-fast nature.
- Accent Colors: Caliban Green. On shoulder pad trims, weapons, and insignia, providing a dark, contrasting element that breaks up the lighter armor.
- Additional Accent: Balthasar Gold. On bike ornamentation, power weapons, and other details like chest emblems, adding a regal touch that reflects the White Scars’ noble warrior ethos.
- Highlight for Accents: Auric Gold. For bright, reflective highlights on the gold areas, ensuring they stand out against the cool armor colors.
This scheme departs from the pure white aesthetic, embracing a cold, muted palette that reflects the White Scars’ stealth and speed, while green and gold accents give the army a sense of honor and tradition.
White Scars Painting Techniques
To bring the White Scars to life on the battlefield, you’ll need to master techniques that emphasize clean, bright armor and fierce, dynamic details. The challenge lies in keeping the white armor sharp while adding realistic weathering to reflect their nomadic, battle-hardened nature.
- Smooth White Layering: Start with a base coat of Corax White or Celestra Gray. Layer with Ulthuan Gray, then highlight with White Scar for a crisp, clean finish. White is one of the hardest colors to paint, but it defines the White Scars. By layering thin coats, you ensure smooth, bright armor that looks sharp and professional.
- Edge Highlighting: Use a very light gray or pure white to edge highlight the armor, focusing on the edges of the shoulder pads, gauntlets, and bike details. This gives the armor a clean, sharp look, making the white armor stand out while retaining depth and definition.
- Red Markings and Warpaint: For the chapter insignia and tribal markings, use Mephiston Red as a base and highlight with Evil Sunz Scarlet. Apply freehand tribal designs or warpaint to give the models a fierce, personalized look. Red markings add contrast to the white armor, symbolizing the savage warrior culture of the White Scars. Warpaints and symbols personalize each model, adding character and individuality.
- Weathering and Battle Damage: Use a sponge or small brush to apply light weathering with browns and grays around the edges of armor plates, bikes, and vehicles. Add dirt and grime to the legs and lower armor to reflect the harsh environments they traverse. The White Scars may have clean white armor, but they are far from pristine. Adding weathering makes them look battle-worn, reflecting the brutal, nomadic life they lead.
- Power Weapon Glow: For power swords or lances, use a blue or green glaze to create a glowing effect. Layer the color near the edges and fade it inward to simulate the weapon’s energy field. This adds a dynamic, high-tech element to your White Scars, making their weapons look deadly and imbued with crackling energy.
- Fur and Leather Detailing: Paint fur pelts with browns and tans, starting with Mournfang Brown and layering up to Zandri Dust or Ushabti Bone. For leather, use Rhinox Hide with lighter brown highlights. The White Scars’ tribal heritage is reflected in their adornment with furs and leather, giving them a savage, primal aesthetic. Realistic textures bring this wild look to life.
By mastering these techniques, your White Scars will embody the lightning-fast, savage warriors they are, ready to charge across the battlefield and bring their enemies to ruin.
Their gleaming white armor, fierce red warpaints, and brutal weathering will make them a visually stunning force that strikes fear into the hearts of their foes.
