It's no secret that Praetorians have been sharing the scrap heap with squats and other defunct units and races for quite some time. The army was initially released following the excitement of the Big Toof River mega display at Games Day 97. Classic Mordians were converted to be sporting pith helmets, such was the buzz that a special edition boxed set was created, and for many happy years gamers everywhere revelled in the sheer delight at being able to field an army of pseudo Victorian Imperial Guardsmen.
The jollity and tongue in cheekness of the early editions of 40k soon gave way to the grim, dark gritty future we find our armies in now. No longer do orks speak in cockney accents, nor do space dwarfs sporting sunglasses ride around on oversized trikes. 40k changed and sadly Praetorians no longer had a home. But why exactly did Praetorians succumb and what could be done to bring them back into the 40k universe, these are the questions I want to answer...
Why did Praetorians get scrapped?
I think there are a number of potential reasons that can be dismissed straight away. Firstly popularity, Praetorians have always been (am I biased? yes) a popular army, almost the Brazil of armies in that you ask someone where they are from, they reply Brazil and you say wow that's cool. Praetorians have bags of character and in my opinion a real lasting appeal (certainly from the reaction my army got on GW facebook pages, at tournaments and from people in general), there is something evocative about the army, something people relate to on some level coupled with the historical appeal. Anyway I'm ruling out lack of popularity.
Related to popularity is money. This one I can't be so certain but nonetheless I don't think it is why they were scrapped. Popular armies sell, while the move at the moment away from metal might mean some armies are losing out the decision to scrap Praetorians was taken many many years ago before metal became too expensive. Ebay is misleading in terms of sales as it is warped by people asking silly money and really isn't huge numbers. Mordians still exist and specifically Vostroyans who I doubt have ever been so popular (and therefore profitable) as Praetorians.
The quality of the models isn't sufficient reason to scrap them. The old guard are still awesome and the Perry twins work has serious legs. Furthermore they could always be updated! Who knows though perhaps the moulds have failed through overuse and they can't physically cast them anymore. Once again this isn't the reason why they were scrapped.
In my opinion the reason Praetorians got the can was because they simply didn't fit into the new neatly defined 40k universe. They had too much historical baggage (granted a lot of 40k has historical references, but Praetorians were almost exclusively historical and really didn't fit with the 40k universe as they were just Victorian's in space) and failed to have their own distinct identity that didn't step on the toes of another army (a situation that Black Templars may soon find themselves in with Dark Angels getting all the attention at the moment). The human element is already covered by guard in general, Mordians have the dress uniform, discipline and standing in a line thing covered while the Vostroyans have an element of steam punk. Does this mean the appeal and identity of Praetorians is based solely in having a pith helmet? Clearly this isn't sufficient rationale for GW to have a whole army (it was once as a novelty army, but now the IP of armies is clearly defined and distinctively).
How can we bring Praetoria back into the 40k universe?
The appeal of Praetorian guard armies has never been in doubt, however what has is their place in the 40k, something sufficiently distinct and yet also 40k so as to have it sit nicely next to everything else in the 40k universe.
It seems to me that where Praetorians are different from existing 40k is that they are expansive and imperialistic in much the same way as Ultramarines. I can clearly picture them having dominion over a series of systems, various naval bases, planetary governors, garrison armies, standing armies, military and merchant fleets and maybe even a forge world. These worlds would be a stark contrast from the utopia of Ultramar, forced labour would be common currency and social standing would dictate your position in the strata of society more than anything else. It is a dark place, a harsh place, but it breeds strong will, discipline and strength. Furthermore, the success of Praetoria is built upon the strength of its commerce, Praetorian merchants are skilled orators and negotiators who ensure the wealth and prosperity of the dominion.
The question is, does the above make Praetoria distinct enough to be its own army or are we just Mordians with different hats?
Where do the 4th Mechanised sit with all this?
With my army I have always thought it is first and foremost a 40k Imperial Guard army. The army needs to be a 40k army; this means it works with the fluff, it looks 40k and is immediately recognisable to any outsider that it is a 40k army. I don't want to collect a sci-fi victorian steam punk army, nor a historical zulu war British army, I think the influences are great and they certainly provide me with inspiration but they are not allowed to detract from the fact that my poor guardsmen line up and die in the service of the immortal God Emperor of mankind.
I like to include imperial iconography wherever possible and don't give everyone a pith (as much as I like them) helmet unless warranted - priest, psyker, techpriest etc.
Any fluff I write or think of always has to fit in the 40k universe and steer (as far as possible) away from the Victorians in space stiff upper lip, bah humbug, cliches. Make no mistake my guardsman are strict, sticklers for the rules but at the same time they conform with the grim dark future of 40k willing to send tens of thousands to their deaths, execute soldiers for breaches of regulations and mercilessly destroy indigenous civilian populations as the Emperor's will dictates. Furthermore they have fought in 40k campaigns and notably served on Armageddon.
Conclusion
Well I imagine I have been rambling on quite enough now and perhaps a conclusion would be best served by some discussion. What are you thoughts on Praetoria, its place in 40k and why (or why would you if you don't) you have a Praetorian army. Does it have a place in 40k, or are we just Mordian's in funny hats.
I hope you have enjoyed reading my musings, I promise not to do it too often! My next post will be about miniatures I've painted don't worry!
Please comment, I'd love to hear what you think!
Why did Praetorians get scrapped?
I think there are a number of potential reasons that can be dismissed straight away. Firstly popularity, Praetorians have always been (am I biased? yes) a popular army, almost the Brazil of armies in that you ask someone where they are from, they reply Brazil and you say wow that's cool. Praetorians have bags of character and in my opinion a real lasting appeal (certainly from the reaction my army got on GW facebook pages, at tournaments and from people in general), there is something evocative about the army, something people relate to on some level coupled with the historical appeal. Anyway I'm ruling out lack of popularity.
Related to popularity is money. This one I can't be so certain but nonetheless I don't think it is why they were scrapped. Popular armies sell, while the move at the moment away from metal might mean some armies are losing out the decision to scrap Praetorians was taken many many years ago before metal became too expensive. Ebay is misleading in terms of sales as it is warped by people asking silly money and really isn't huge numbers. Mordians still exist and specifically Vostroyans who I doubt have ever been so popular (and therefore profitable) as Praetorians.
The quality of the models isn't sufficient reason to scrap them. The old guard are still awesome and the Perry twins work has serious legs. Furthermore they could always be updated! Who knows though perhaps the moulds have failed through overuse and they can't physically cast them anymore. Once again this isn't the reason why they were scrapped.
In my opinion the reason Praetorians got the can was because they simply didn't fit into the new neatly defined 40k universe. They had too much historical baggage (granted a lot of 40k has historical references, but Praetorians were almost exclusively historical and really didn't fit with the 40k universe as they were just Victorian's in space) and failed to have their own distinct identity that didn't step on the toes of another army (a situation that Black Templars may soon find themselves in with Dark Angels getting all the attention at the moment). The human element is already covered by guard in general, Mordians have the dress uniform, discipline and standing in a line thing covered while the Vostroyans have an element of steam punk. Does this mean the appeal and identity of Praetorians is based solely in having a pith helmet? Clearly this isn't sufficient rationale for GW to have a whole army (it was once as a novelty army, but now the IP of armies is clearly defined and distinctively).
How can we bring Praetoria back into the 40k universe?
The appeal of Praetorian guard armies has never been in doubt, however what has is their place in the 40k, something sufficiently distinct and yet also 40k so as to have it sit nicely next to everything else in the 40k universe.
It seems to me that where Praetorians are different from existing 40k is that they are expansive and imperialistic in much the same way as Ultramarines. I can clearly picture them having dominion over a series of systems, various naval bases, planetary governors, garrison armies, standing armies, military and merchant fleets and maybe even a forge world. These worlds would be a stark contrast from the utopia of Ultramar, forced labour would be common currency and social standing would dictate your position in the strata of society more than anything else. It is a dark place, a harsh place, but it breeds strong will, discipline and strength. Furthermore, the success of Praetoria is built upon the strength of its commerce, Praetorian merchants are skilled orators and negotiators who ensure the wealth and prosperity of the dominion.
The question is, does the above make Praetoria distinct enough to be its own army or are we just Mordians with different hats?
Where do the 4th Mechanised sit with all this?
With my army I have always thought it is first and foremost a 40k Imperial Guard army. The army needs to be a 40k army; this means it works with the fluff, it looks 40k and is immediately recognisable to any outsider that it is a 40k army. I don't want to collect a sci-fi victorian steam punk army, nor a historical zulu war British army, I think the influences are great and they certainly provide me with inspiration but they are not allowed to detract from the fact that my poor guardsmen line up and die in the service of the immortal God Emperor of mankind.
I like to include imperial iconography wherever possible and don't give everyone a pith (as much as I like them) helmet unless warranted - priest, psyker, techpriest etc.
Any fluff I write or think of always has to fit in the 40k universe and steer (as far as possible) away from the Victorians in space stiff upper lip, bah humbug, cliches. Make no mistake my guardsman are strict, sticklers for the rules but at the same time they conform with the grim dark future of 40k willing to send tens of thousands to their deaths, execute soldiers for breaches of regulations and mercilessly destroy indigenous civilian populations as the Emperor's will dictates. Furthermore they have fought in 40k campaigns and notably served on Armageddon.
Conclusion
Well I imagine I have been rambling on quite enough now and perhaps a conclusion would be best served by some discussion. What are you thoughts on Praetoria, its place in 40k and why (or why would you if you don't) you have a Praetorian army. Does it have a place in 40k, or are we just Mordian's in funny hats.
I hope you have enjoyed reading my musings, I promise not to do it too often! My next post will be about miniatures I've painted don't worry!
Please comment, I'd love to hear what you think!