Starting Salamanders the Easy Way: Combat Patrol or Just Paint Them Green?
We had one of those very relatable hobby chats recently: what if we want to start a force, but we really don’t want to assemble it from scratch box by box?
This time the topic drifted between Horus Heresy and regular Warhammer 40,000, which is exactly how these conversations usually go in our group.
First things first: Horus Heresy is a different beast
The conversation started with a quick correction from end3r that the earlier link and discussion were actually about Horus Heresy, not 40k:
“eh, to i poprzednie to z Horus Heresy :/”
That matters, because if we’re thinking about Salamanders, their position in the setting is very different depending on which game and era we mean.
As wilini pointed out, in the opening stages of the Heresy the Salamanders got absolutely hammered. Alongside the Raven Guard and Iron Hands, they were one of the three Legions devastated by the traitors. So if we’re thinking in Heresy terms, the range and army-building vibe are a bit different from just grabbing a ready-made 40k starter box and going.
There was also a mention that Salamanders may get some refreshed character support — apparently a renewed model for one chapter leader and some hero was rumored — but for now that’s still more of a “wait and see” thing than a concrete buying plan.
The real hobby question: can we just buy a box and call it Salamanders?
And honestly, this was the part that felt the most real.
end3r summed it up perfectly:
“I’m too lazy to collect them myself, I’d rather just buy a CP.”
We respect that energy.
Sometimes we want the full lore-accurate, carefully curated force. And sometimes we just want a box that gives us a playable starting point without spending three evenings comparing sprues, unit options, and discount value.
So the practical question became:
is the alternative just taking a generic Space Marine Combat Patrol and painting it green?
And… yeah, pretty much.
The short answer: yes
Based on the quote shared in the chat:
“Combat Patrol Space Marines, Dark Angels, Blood Angels and Deathwatch all contain entirely generic units that can be used by any Space Marine army. Just paint them whatever colour you like.”
That’s basically the answer for Warhammer 40,000 Salamanders.
If a Combat Patrol contains generic Space Marine units, then there’s nothing stopping us from building them as Salamanders and painting them in the classic green. We don’t need a dedicated Salamanders Combat Patrol for the army to be Salamanders on the table.
That’s probably the most straightforward route for anyone who:
- likes the Salamanders lore,
- wants a compact starting force,
- and doesn’t want to hunt down a highly specific collection list from ten different kits.
The caveat: Heresy vs 40k
The only real trap here is mixing up the systems.
If we’re talking Horus Heresy, then a 40k Combat Patrol is not the answer. Different game, different unit structure, different army-building expectations.
If we’re talking 40k, then generic Space Marine kits painted as Salamanders are a totally normal way to start.
That’s really the key takeaway from our chat:
- For Horus Heresy: check the actual Heresy range and don’t assume 40k starter products solve the problem.
- For Warhammer 40,000: yes, a generic Space Marine Combat Patrol can absolutely become Salamanders with paint and a bit of commitment.
Honestly, that’s probably the best route for a lot of us
There’s something very comforting about not overcomplicating the start of an army.
Not every project needs to begin with a deep spreadsheet, three lore videos, and a shopping cart full of “essential” upgrade kits. Sometimes the best army-building plan is simply:
- buy a sensible Space Marine box,
- paint it green,
- call them Salamanders,
- add more flavor later if the project sticks.
And that feels especially true for anyone who already knows what they want aesthetically, but doesn’t want the collecting phase to become homework.
We’ll definitely keep an eye on any future Salamanders character refreshes or more specific support, especially if the rumors turn into actual releases. But for now, if the goal is simply start Salamanders without making life difficult, the answer seems refreshingly simple.
Paint the marines green and get on with it.