Art of War’s Kasra Houshidar Shows Off His Gorgeous Ultramarines

The Streamhouse RTT is an annual event run by the Art of War team in which their team gets together to play in an eight-person tournament on stream. We’re covering the event this year and previewing the players and lists taking part. Today we’re joined by Kasra Houshidar, whose Ultramarines may be last in the seedings, but they’re #1 in our hearts.

The List:

++ Arks of Omen Detachment (Imperium – Adeptus Astartes – Ultramarines) [115 PL, 2,000pts, 3CP] ++

+ Configuration +

**Chapter Selector**: Ultramarines

Arks of Omen Compulsory Type: Heavy Support

+ HQ +

Chief Librarian Tigurius [7 PL, 120pts]: 1) Veil of Time, 3) Null Zone (Aura), 6) Psychic Fortress (Aura)

+ Troops +

Infiltrator Squad [6 PL, 100pts]: Helix gauntlet
. 4x Infiltrator: 4x Bolt pistol, 4x Frag & Krak grenades, 4x Marksman bolt carbine
. Infiltrator Sergeant

Infiltrator Squad [6 PL, 100pts]: Helix gauntlet
. 4x Infiltrator: 4x Bolt pistol, 4x Frag & Krak grenades, 4x Marksman bolt carbine
. Infiltrator Sergeant

+ Elites +

Judiciar [5 PL, 75pts, -1CP]: Stratagem: Hero of the Chapter, Warden of Macragge

Primaris Ancient [4 PL, 70pts, -2CP]: Bolt rifle, Rites of War, Seal of Oath, Stratagem: Hero of the Chapter, Stratagem: Relic

Relic Contemptor Dreadnought [8 PL, 170pts, -1CP]: 2x Twin volkite culverin

Relic Contemptor Dreadnought [8 PL, 170pts, -1CP]: 2x Twin volkite culverin

Victrix Honour Guard [3 PL, 55pts]

+ Fast Attack +

Land Speeder Tornadoes [4 PL, 70pts]
. Land Speeder Tornado: Assault cannon, Multi-melta

Land Speeder Tornadoes [4 PL, 70pts]
. Land Speeder Tornado: Assault cannon, Multi-melta

Land Speeder Tornadoes [4 PL, 70pts]
. Land Speeder Tornado: Assault cannon, Multi-melta

+ Heavy Support +

Devastator Squad [8 PL, 125pts]: Armorium Cherub
. Devastator Marine Sergeant: Combi-melta, Thunder hammer
. Devastator Marine w/Heavy Weapon: Grav-cannon
. Devastator Marine w/Heavy Weapon: Grav-cannon
. Devastator Marine w/Heavy Weapon: Heavy bolter
. Devastator Marine w/Heavy Weapon: Multi-melta

Devastator Squad [8 PL, 115pts]: Armorium Cherub
. Devastator Marine Sergeant: Combi-melta, Thunder hammer
. Devastator Marine w/Heavy Weapon: Grav-cannon
. Devastator Marine w/Heavy Weapon: Grav-cannon
. Devastator Marine w/Heavy Weapon: Heavy bolter
. Devastator Marine w/Heavy Weapon: Missile launcher

Eradicator Squad [7 PL, 135pts]: Melta rifle
. Eradicator
. Eradicator Sgt
. Eradicator with MM

Desolation Squad [185pts, -1CP]: super krak. Honoured sergeant: master crafted vengor launcher

+ Dedicated Transport +

Drop Pod [4 PL, 70pts]: Storm bolter

+ Lord of War +

Roboute Guilliman [19 PL, 300pts, 3CP]: Warlord

++ Total: [115 PL, 3CP, 2,000pts] ++

My first warhammer purchase was the 2nd edition 40K starter box as a child and because I liked the colour blue, I chose Ultramarines. The army looked like you would expect a 9 year old’s army to look like of course. Fast forward to 8th edition when I had learned some painting skills and had an adult’s budget, I decided to rediscover Macragge’s finest – now with added Primarch!

Credit: Kasra Houshidar

With every Warhammer army I have ever made, I’ve tried to push my painting skills and the ultramarines have been no exception. Guilliman was the biggest push, where I really tried to lean into the drama of OSL with warm and cool light clashing on the model. Obviously the source of warm would be the emperor’s sword, but how can I explain the cool light? Well that’s how the display tray idea was born of having a cool light coming through a stained glass window vaguely inspired by the art on the 9th Ed rule book (and really, how could I not build a tray around this paint job).

I wanted the army overall to have a really rich and striking scheme while remaining true to a grimdark aesthetic,  so I chose a warmer blue than the traditional ultramarines scheme. To contrast this I chose a very muted basing scheme to help the blue pop and used pigments and painted battle damage (very sparingly, they’re ultramarines after all they take care of their gear) to make sure they didn’t come across as cartoony. This scheme carried its way into the display tray, which uses the same colours that painted the light and the backdrop, to paint the muddy browns and grays of the ground – tying it all together.

I still have a lot to paint for the army moving forward and am excited about a new edition around the corner. If you like the look of my army and want to follow along my painting escapades check me out @kas_paints on IG.

Now wish me luck as I have a very uphill challenge ahead of me with the Streamhouse RTT – come cheer for the underdog!

What’s Next: The Streamhouse RTT

That’s all of our preview content for the Streamhouse RTT. If you want to see more of list testing in action along with tons of other high level 40k content, check out the War Room, which offers a free 3-day trial to test it out! And, of course, follow along with the Streamhouse RTT brought to you live by Joe from WarGames Live on the Art of War 40k Youtube channel March 31st to April 2nd.

Have any questions or feedback? Drop us a note in the comments below or email us at contact@goonhammer.com.