I have a few models left over from my Salamanders (no, they are not done yet, but I am working on them, honest!) and thought I should use them (as I hate to sell them, since I won't get back what I paid for them, and other projects are still infantile in their planning).

The models I have are:

Chaplain on foot, with Bolt Pistol.
Librarian in TDA - conversion.
Command Squad Box
Scout Squad (5 Snipers) - metal.
Rhino (built, not painted).
2x Assault Squad Boxed sets.

I intend to get a pair of Dreadnoughts to convert as well, but the army list will be sorted out later.

So, I decided to make a 1000-1500 Marine army, maybe for tournament play, based purely around painting.

Trouble is, I don't know what chapter to go.

Normally, I pick a chapter by fluff, and rules are a second consideration.

This time, I am trying to go for paint scheme first, then rules.

However, I simply can't decide on a chapter to go for (got the "How To Paint SM" book, and looked through the Chapter bit at the back), and am seeking help from some fellow gamers, like yourselves.

There are only a few criteria for my chapter:

1) It must be an official chapter (not necessarily having any fluff, but mentioned in an official book) - I dislike DIY.

2) It must look good on a dreadnought, since these boys are centrepieces.

3) It must stand out on the tabletop - either for it's colour scheme, or its uniqueness/rarity.

There is also a question:

What Marine paint scheme do you think looks the best? (yup, opinionated, but It's interesting to ask).

Any help would be really, really appreciated.

I have considered

Imperial Fists
Crimson Fists
Blood Angels
Ultramarines

I put this on B&C too, and got a few replies:

Imperial Fists
Marines Malevolent

However, I am open to absolutely anything anyone can suggest, as other than Marines Malevolent, the other chapters are fairly frequent around here (south UK).

So, can anyone help please?

Here, a comprehensive list that might help: http://www.ironhands.com/chapters.htm

Doesn't really show the chapters but gives details as to their colours - fill in the gaps yourself. -__^

Hope this helps in some way. =)

KU

i've always liked the ideaof the Sons of Gulliman or the Angels Errant

The Sons are a bright blue and white in a quad pattern, and the Angels are green-blue and white in a side by side split.

What about Blood Ravens or White Scars?

Relictors are where it's at...cool dark colour scheme and a very, very skeegy background. What's not to like?

I don't think White Scars will work ,given I will have a mid-speed force, not a fast one.

Sons of Gulliman are an option, I like their scheme.

I don't think the Marines Malevolent scheme suits Dread too well, and the Relictor's scheme doesn't look too hot either, IMO.

If you really wanna focus on dread, why not go Space Wolves or Dark Angels. I know they are pretty common on the table, but so are Blood Angels and Smurfs.

I appreciate that I have to make my own choice, as everyone has their own oppinions and preferences, but this alone has helped me.

So, I have done more thinking, and reasoned some things out:

1) No more Green, as my Salamanders are green (as are my Guard).

2) No more Red, as my Sisters of Battle are red.

So, it's down to Blue, quarters, or Yellow.

Leaving:

Crimson Fists
Imperial Fists
Marines Malevolent
Sons of Gulliman
Ultramarines

It's hard to choose between that lot though.

Thanks for all the help so far.

What about something pre-heresy like World Eaters?

I always thought crimson fists looked awesome, and were the centre of attention in the first 40K rulebook, rogue trader. Ultras are pretty cool but I dont like their Primarch, so that also rules out the sons of Guilliman and I think blue marines look better than yellow.

Plus I like the fight to the last man background of the Crimsons....

If you want it to stand out, then I'd say the multiple colour chapters where the armour is quartered or halved are your best bet. I'm not too fond of those sorts of schemes, but they would stand out over most marine armies where each marine is painted one main colour. There are several with this sort of scheme out there so just go with your favourite colour combo. Howling Griffons, Marines Errant, Novamarines, Storm Lords, Angels Porphyr etc. Those are all on the chapter gallery on the GW site.

However if you want them to really stand out, then it has to be Minotaurs
Link (http://uk.games-workshop.com/spacemarines/chapter%2Dgallery/4/)
Halfway down the page on the right :)

I've got a new problem:

With Marines Malevolent and Sons of Gulliman, how would I do the robes/chiton/skirts on the Veteran miniatures (like the new sculpts, and have to have some...)

Crimson Fists, I was thinking a kinda green-ish colour, or a dark red to match the hand.

Any thoughts on this?

Oh, btw - I'm now down to three:

Crimson Fists
Marines Malevolent
Sons of Gulliman

I would think robes would be a single color, i'd pick the bright blue to do, or a bone/off-white kind of robe

If you want a colour scheme that will stand out, you might want to look at the Celesital Lions.
Gold base colour, with blue pads. If you can manage to get the gold looking good enough, they will really stand out on a table. They are definatly not common, too many people have trouble with painting large areas gold. (Incidentally, they are listed on the ironhands site listed earlier, so technically they're canon-ish)
-=HERE=- (http://demonwinner.free.fr/usa/2005Chicago/golden_demon_winner.php?categorie=15) is an example of a CL Termie squad (Chicago GD 2005 - Staff 2nd place).