Few armies in Warhammer 40,000 capture the grim determination of humanity quite like the Astra Militarum. This commission painting project combines battle-hardened Death Korps of Krieg, disciplined Cadian Shock Troops, and a versatile Leman Russ Battle Tank, resulting in a force that feels ready to grind its way through endless trench warfare. As any Guardsman knows, victory is measured in meters gained, and acceptable casualty rates.

The infantry was painted to our Level 2 standard, while the Leman Russ received additional attention at Level 3. The Death Korps of Krieg wear their characteristic white greatcoats, contrasted by dark helmets, weapons, gloves, and brown field gear. To reinforce their relentless trench warfare aesthetic, we added subtle mud weathering to the lower coats and boots, giving the impression of soldiers who have spent weeks advancing through cratered no man’s land. The Cadian Shock Troops were finished in a restrained grey color scheme with muted metallics, brown equipment, and green grenades, creating a practical military appearance that complements the Krieg rather than competing with them.

One of the highlights of the project is the shared basing scheme. Every miniature stands on World War I-inspired trench bases, featuring muddy earth, sandbags, spent shell casings, scattered ammunition, barrels, and battlefield debris, which were 3D printed by us. The earthy brown tones tie the entire collection together while perfectly matching the Death Korps’ iconic aesthetic.

The Leman Russ Battle Tank, painted to Level 3, became the centerpiece of the force. Rather than using a standard factory grey, the hull was painted with a custom blend inspired by Fenrisian Grey, mixed with black and white to create a cool, subdued military finish. Crisp edge highlights define the vehicle’s angular armor, while carefully placed silver rivets add depth without overpowering the model. Weathering was kept believable, with scratched paint revealing exposed metal beneath and mud accumulating around the tracks after countless kilometers of battlefield service. The bright blue plasma glow on the energy weapons provides a welcome splash of color, standing out against the otherwise restrained palette.

For added flexibility on the tabletop, all of the Leman Russ weapons were fully magnetized, allowing the owner to swap loadouts between games without compromising the model’s appearance.

Overall, this Warhammer 40k Astra Militarum commission painting project demonstrates how a relatively restrained color palette, thoughtful weathering, and cohesive basing can bring an Imperial Guard force to life. In the grim darkness of the far future, there is only war, and, for these soldiers, probably another artillery barrage scheduled in five minutes.