I like other races venerable weapons design and use them purely due to the aesthetics of it. But lsm one is... i am sorry to say that but it's some kind of shame. No self respected worrior will take rusted weapon (or artisan - tool) unless in some great urgent need. Such condidtion of the item is a mark of user neglegence to it. This weapons supposed to be ancient and through that - higly reverred. itselves reverred - not the rust on them! It is simply unacceptable and hurts my eyes. Such ancient weapon would be treated with utmost respect, and any future damage threat (what essentialy the rust is) would be removed. Damaged surfaces would be replaced with something respectful to the age and things that weapon witnessed and the events it took part in. Probably containtng testimony text about it deeds on the surfaces, purity seals (wich you have in great quaity and abundance in game). And holy symbols (may i dream a bit? ^^). Like His image - one eyed scull maybe niched in some gothic arque below or above the barrel so symbolically He may watch his enemies fall. idk some words like "Ad majorem Dei-Emperator gloriam" engraved through the weapon lenght like on that shoulderpad "Imperator protegit". Or just plain text representation not unlike word bearers set. What a joy that would be to see and use. Your artists have a very good taste and fantasy. So please, something (!), but not that shameful and disrespectful rust. With respect to your work and humble (and faint) hope in my heart.
the venerable chainsword is good, but to be honest i'd prefer it if it was pristine and chapter colour rather than all bashed up.
Pristine. That is the point. I can understand small battle blemishes reverred as memory. But such a condition for a weapon? It is reverred and taken care of. Rust is ok for orks but for the relic of the past that is being used since the time of the Emperor great deeds? The rest about decorations, sculls, seals and such is just my imagination and dreams.
It does seem weird that the LSM "venerable" weapons look like they got scraped off the bottom of the strike cruiser's septic tank isn't it? Usually Space Marines are pretty serious about maintaining their gear, especially anything "venerable". Chaos's equivalents are awful too, unless you enjoy the blessings of the plague father.
The fact that the chainsword is still blue on my blood Angel. And yeah.... by ancient it looks like an artefact that existed before man went to space. I'm really not fond of the LSM one. I can definitely get along with the CSM one. It's blends nicely with the Khorne + black legion scheme. I can imagine it looking a bit terrible with alpha legion though.
