With Open Beta just around the corner, you’re just 10 days away from your first chance to deploy Super Walkers decked out in Masters of War skins! Now, in the heat of battle, you may not have the chance to appreciate them in all their glory. To make sure you don’t miss a detail, we spoke to Art Director Matt Kuzminksi to learn about the inspiration behind these incredible designs. Read on!
Dark Queen Solaria
First, we have Imperial Knight Solaria who brings twin Gatling cannons and explosive Ironstorm missiles to battle in support of her allied Blood Ravens. She is the terror of all those who stand against the Space Marines. Fitted with the Dark Queen skin, Solaria becomes adorned with a regal crown and intimidating spikes – the last thing commoners will see before they are violently reminded of their place.
"Dark Queen Solaria was initially inspired by mid-16th Century Parade armour, but we liked the idea that it wasn't just ceremonial. She wouldn't be a Regent playing as warrior, she would be both – a menacing war chief that would inspire her troops, terrify the enemy, and assert her position as the leader who has to make the hard decisions, and has the hardware to execute them. The gothic influences reflect her office, but they are applied in a way that add an extra menace."
Ghost Seer Taldeer
For the Eldar, Farseer Taldeer wields devastating psychic attacks and slices through foes with a terrifying witchblade. Along with her twin brother, she has sacrificed eternal peace to unleash the Wraithknight’s power. With the Ghost Seer skin, Taldeer’s white armour honours this connection between living and dead. But don’t be fooled by the angelic appearance, those who meet her in battle will not be saved.
"The Ghost Seer design was heavily influenced by the Wraithseer design from Games Workshop’s Forgeworld. We wanted it to be the MOST "Farseer" Wraithknight that walked the material realm. Gold-chased white armour is a classic science-fantasy aesthetic, but seeing it on a giant mech kind of takes your breath away when it comes striding out."
Big Kustom Morkanaut
Finally, Beauty da Morkanaut is the life’s work of the Ork Mek Wazmakka and it shows in the behemoth’s arsenal of tools including kustom mega-kannon, rokkit fist, and force fields. Deployed with the Big Kustom skin, this towering war machine is engulfed in painted flames to match the devastation it rains down upon its enemies.
"The Big Kustom is very plainly a giant Ork Mecha Hot Rod, and we're all VERY okay with that."
It took a few rounds trying to find the look, but it was our modeler who took it up a notch. He's a genuine gear-head who has rebuilt cars in real life, and he threw that experience into the design. The Spark Plug Spechul Shoota, the Dice worked into the Tellyporta apparatus, the massive exposed V8 and the unique fire patterns were all his influence. He’d be quietly working away we'd suddenly hear delighted laughter from all corners of the studio when he posted his updates. This one is clearly a passion project that went from us casually throwing out 'maybe a hot-rod influenced design?' to this fully realized and incredibly striking design."
We hope you enjoyed the inside scoop! Make sure you register now to take these powerful war machines for a spin in the Open Beta from April 21-24th.
Want the Masters of War skins to keep? Easy! Just pre-order your copy of Dawn of War III and they’ll be waiting for you on launch day for free!