Hi folks,

Now that I have explored the bottoms of my cardboxes, I am pretty sure all the proxy-AM models I had built from GSC sprues were covered by my previous photocall. Nothing more hidden in any place. These are therefore the basis I will use as a starting point.

Second step has been a deep and careful reading of the Astra Militarum DS, mostly for Command Squads and Battleline units.  Each of the three flavours has different options and DS structure, leading to different tooling up made possible. And I have to fit this with the miniatures I already have.

The easy part is the HW (or is it that easy?); indeed as the option disappeared from all Command Squad, the only way out is building a new heavy weapon squad. I need a minimum of 2 additional HB teams or simplify these to a single man operated high-rate machine gun as a proxy for DKoK twin linked heavy stubber. I already own 3 HW teams (3 mortars, 3 autocannons and 3 ML), usually fielded as Cadians.

Shall I add a fourth one it will therefore be Catachan. While I do like the profile of the DKoK twin-linked stubber, I do rather the scout rule of the Catachan. But Catachan are IMHO somewhere in between of a range complete rehaul and phasing out. Who knows what will happen to these lads in the future, being among the oldest miniatures of the AM range? In case of redesign their rules are also likely to change… This might be an invitation for playing it easy and safe. But on the other hand will I really field 4 HE teams in a single game? Probably not, so getting another one as a spare and as alternate models for changing the type of guns I field can still be acceptable. I’ve turned in my head the pro and cons and ended up with keeping the HW team idea (either as Catachan or as safety wheel unit). It will consume 4 GSC bodies, some bitz left from old Scouts (a HB) and a GSC stubber which gun cannon will have to be shortened. I guess it will be OK.

Yet another reason behind this decision is my lack of bitz material for designing a spotter in case of DKoK HW team: I have left one Skitarii radio like backpack only, and If I go toward 2 Command Squads, I might need it there.

What's better?

The next case is linked with the Sniper rifles. Again the units able to field these are now limited to the DKoK Longlas in Battleline and the Sniper Option in Catachan Command squad. I did not consider the Legendary Tanith 1^st and Only Commend Squad in my short list. Once again the sword of Damocles above the Catachan whatever it is real or a fruit of my imagination) led my to discard this option. I will therefore build 20 Linemen as proxy DKoK. I have enough bitz inc. helmeted Skitarii heads. But I have no Medipack left (well, again I have one but I do rather keep it for a Command Squad).

Not him

Command squads are next; here all options are opened. The Catachan one is also discarded, although fielding a Heavy Flamer and a Flamer on an infiltrating unit was a pleasant idea. But I pass. I have only one standard bearer and no parts left to do a second one. So, in case of doing 2 of a kind, at least one shall be Cadian, so that the standard is swapped with a special weapon. Radio and medic are available either as already converted minis or as new kit bashed as I have appropriate bitz (see above). A second Command Squad could be Cadian (again) or DKoK proxy. If I field 2 Battleline DKoK units, a logical decision shall be a DKoK Command Squad, OK? But I will need to think about the way of doing a good Commissar proxy. Which is not that obvious for me atm. I will have to give it a though or two. Unless a paint job is enough to get a visual and distinctive identification?

The one with hate manangement issues (and bitz managment issues too BTW)

And finally, with the rest of the bodies  have unclipped for the Neophyte sprues, I will have to make another decision: building a Cadian Battleline (with hooded heads) unit OR building GSC equipped model so that my other units can be alternatively fielded as a GSC force If I decide to do so (just by swapping some linemen with appropriate special weapons, mining tools and icon bearers…). It may also influence a revision of the statement about HW team: see, if I do HB used as proxies for Heavy stubbers, they will come on small bases and will in the same time fill the spot for swapping as stubber operators in GSC or as proxies for DKoK (only adding a spotter). It is an interesting option too.

As I still have some unsolved questions, I guess I will start with the easy part in first phase: 2 battle line squadrons.

Should we be part of the alt plan?

See you when kitbash will have progressed...