Question regarding Space Marine and Ork Paint Schemes

[CreganTur]

The rulebook that came with my AoBR set doesn\'t answer ann my questions... especially when they\'re questions regarding paint schemes!

Is there a rhyme or reason for the different colored helmets one usually sees with the Ultramarines? Sometimes they\'re standard blue, others are white, some are red... Why???

As for the Orks, why do they put checkerboard patterns on everything? Is there a reason for this, or is it just a method of showing off your painting prowess?

 

[jahminis]

for the ultramarines, blue helmet is standard, white helmet is for veterans, and the red is for the sergeants...

for the orks, the checkerboard is just something they like to use for decoration, especially the goff clan...

hope that helps...

cheers
jah

 

[Shadzar]

Some figures have their own color schemes as well.

Apothecaries are often white to show they are with a medical corps.

Here are some websites, that can explain some of the various color schemes of the chapters and other things about them.

http://wh40k.lexicanum.com/wiki/List_of_Space_Marine_Chapters

http://cluttering.blogspot.com/2008/10/space-marine-chapters-poster.html

 

[Cleezy]

As jah said, the different colored helmets relate to the status of the squad member. blue standard trooper, red sergeant, red with white laurels veteran sergeant, white a veteran (includes your terminators)

And then as shadzar said the armour changes depending on their roles also, white for apothecary, red for techmarine, black for chaplain, blue for librarian although they retain their chapter shoulder pad in their chapters color.

Your best job would be to get codex space marines as this shows you in more detail. And also will give you an idea regarding the shoulder pad trimming to specify the chapters. (white first chapter, gold second chapter and so on)