Non-GW Models

[Inquisitor Fox]

In short, I've been looking into adding multiple Inquisitors for fun and enjoyment to use in Elites choices, however I find the limited selection of henchmen (especially with the DH henchmen no longer available) and limited Inquisitor options sucky. The codices of course show lots of conversions, however I've been finding more and better models in non-GW ranges that look like they would make splended conversions.

 

What I was looking for, was any testimonial or a survey of who uses other lines of minis for their Inquisitors and Retinue, if anyone. My primary HQ Inquisitor is all GW line Retinue, but I'm rapidly running out of mini's that I like and options. Lots of these other lines look neat and would be very flavorful for use, but I thought I'd see if anyone has experience using them in practice and if other players would care or not. In any event these other mini's would definately be decked out with GW bits to fit in as much as possible and possibly with various green stuff alterations depending.

 

Opinions from the masses as to whether this would cause massive hassle?

[JamesI]

I used some Sisters of Sigmar from Mordheim in an inquistor retinue.

[Vedrial]

Well, you're really not all that limited.

 

For Familiars, there are GW Cherubim and Servo-Skulls, and you could loot the Psyber-Eage off of Coteaz.

 

For Hierophants (not sure why you'd use one though), there are priests from the WH line you could use.

 

Acolytes all depend on what you give them. Mine are getting power armor, a bolt gun, bolt pistol, targeter and auspex. So I'm just going to use modified Space Marine models.

 

Warriors can use WH Crusader, Cadian Guard models for IG vets, and Servitors have their own models.

 

Sage is a little harder to find a good model for, although you really only need one. Coteaz comes with an awesome Sage model, although $45 for the set is expensive. Alternatively, Forge World makes this guy.

 

And then Mystics are easy. Any wizard-type model from any range will work. If you're so inclined, you could even 40k it up a bit.

 

My retinue will be 3 Veteran Guardsmen with Grenade Launchers, 3 Acolytes with Bolt Guns, Power Armor, Bolt Pistols, targeters, and an auspexes. 2 Mystics, a Sage, and a Familiar.

 

10 models of converting and finding the exact model I like for the role. It's another opportunity to customize and convert your army to really make it your own. It's an opportunity!!!

[jeffersonian000]

I'm currently using my old Necromunda Spyrar gang for my Inquisitorial units (Orrus = Inquisitor w/ Psycannon, Jakara = Callidus, Malcadon = CC Inquistor/Evisor, Yeld = Vets/Vindicar).

 

However, I'm looking at using a bunch of Space Marine Scouts as Inquistors with Repentia is hench-wenches, for my upcoming 7 Land Raider 'Ard Boyz list.

 

SJ

[chymz]

If you're talking about using non-GW models in purely friendly games then I can reccommend the Warmachine range of minis - I've converted several of these for my Sisters/Inquisition army. The "protectorate of Menoth" faction looks particularly "Ecclesiarchy-ish".

 

I've coverted:

This figure as a base for my Inquisitor Lord

This figure as a base for an accolite

and THIS figure (my fave) as a sweet Cannoness.

 

You'll have a hard time trying to use them in tournaments or in GW stores, but like I said, for friendly games they work really well

[GlauG]

I basically use Necromunda and Mordheim minis for all of mine/my GF's. This also has the benefit of a proportionately larger number of female minis for her to choose from...

[Justicar Valius]

For mystics u can use sanctioned psykers produced by GW for imperial guard. YOu get 3 of them but im only gonna use 2 though.

 

I dont know about others really so... look at the other posts

[Hellbreaker]

So, non-GW models?

 

Well Anima tactics got some interesting stuff for inquisitors...

 

Like This guy, or This guy could possibly be some inquisitor...

 

There's a lot of interesting models to use really, just have a look around...

Personally I'm thinking of using some of the Anima models for my Sororitas... Priests and such stuff...

 

Cheers!

[Inquisitor Fox]

I think my problem really is I have been working on generating additional Inquisitors from more of a RP aspect... making people and getting an image in my head as to who they are, then trying to find models for them and being very frustrated with the limited GW range, particularly things not in power armor. My real bone of contention is the general lack of female models!

 

I'm also considering how easy it would be to hack and kit bash a combination of other models with GW models as well.. torso swaps and the like.

 

In terms of my current HQ Inquisitor's retinue I've managed to get a decent combination of models, thankfully before the Bitz Order system sucked :) I have two Acolytes from old metal SM scouts with shotguns, 2 Crusaders (both variants), a cyber-mastiff from Necromunda as a Combat Servitor, the Sororitas sage from the WH Henchmen, 2 Chiurgeons (the Sister Hospitaller), and a Servo-skull.

 

Really it's in generating additional Inquisitors themselves. While I might be able to make something by doing a LOT of greenstuff work off of a GW model from Necromunda or the like, there's enough other ranges from other companies that it seems easier to find a different companies 25 or 28 mm scale model, Warhammer it up, then use it selectively in an Inquisitor's warband. Or say, a model of a traditional scientist/professor looking figure that would make an Excellent sage, as opposed to having Merlin or Gandalf wander around with a laspistol :lol:

 

I don't play in tournements, really it's more friendly games or larger Apocalypse games in a GW store for me, so the officialness of it becomes slightly less of an issue, especially if I end up using a vast majority of GW bits to start with. I'm just trying to get an idea of how many people would consider it sacrilige to play against someone with an entire painted army of GW figures, with one custom converted Elites Inquisitor based off a non-GW model (as an example) and maybe an Acolyte or Sage that are also non-GW. So say, 3 models in an entire army or so. Something like that (in terms of number of models).

[GlauG]

Well, I play in a GW store most of the time, and they've not allowed someone to use a Warmachine mini in store as part of their Guard army before.

 

You might find a lot of milage in creative headswaps, I've found it's made a massive difference. In fact, I'll take some shots of the retinues I made for my GF's Inquisitors...

[Inquisitor Fox]

Hmm... I'll call my local GW store and see if they have an official policy then. Glancing over the Hard Boyz rules PDF it does state that non-GW models cannot be used, however for conversions it states that models must start as a GW model and use a majority of GW components.. which lends itself to imply that using say, half of a non-GW model as part of a conversion is okay.

 

It's possible then I might be able to cobble together some interesting things with various Necromunda models combined with bits and sections of non-GW models.. this bears looking into.

[GlauG]

For what it's worth, all I got from the store manager was an amused grin when I told him I'd taken the Assault Cannons for my Ravenwing Master's Landspeeder from a Gundam kit because they looked hilariously oversized, so there are degrees of it. Maybe the head from another company's model, or arms etc wouldn't be too bad... If there are large parts they can identify as a GW kit, it's probably fine. The guy who had his banned was just using a Warmachine model with no mods at all as a psyker.

[Inquisitor Fox]

That might be the difference then.. there's usually a difference between someone using a model and then customizing and modifying it, versus just plopping down something else and doing nothing with it.

 

I actually just got off the phone with the new local GW Store (I moved cities, so have to get used to the new place) and they said there wouldn't be any problem with a select few models being bits of other companies stuff with bits of GW stuff. I think the fact it would be just for select portions of the retinues/Inquisitors and the entire rest of my army would be regular GW models helped a bit too. Here's to living in an area of the country that's pretty laid back!

 

I'll just have to stick then with using portions of multiple models so I can ensure that there's recognizable GW components with everything I put down it looks like, which might be a bit more expensive, but shouldn't be too hard.

[Marid]

I basically use Necromunda and Mordheim minis for all of mine/my GF's. This also has the benefit of a proportionately larger number of female minis for her to choose from...

 

I second this recommendation. One drawback is that your retinue may look like a bunch of gangers or scum or what not, but then that's how I envision my retinue. ;)

[- 7eAL -]

Well Anima tactics got some interesting stuff for inquisitors...

 

Like This guy, or This guy could possibly be some inquisitor...

 

There's a lot of interesting models to use really, just have a look around...

Personally I'm thinking of using some of the Anima models for my Sororitas... Priests and such stuff...

Problem with Anima Tactics is their line runs very skinny characters, and they seem quite underweight standing next to a Guardsman or anything in power armour. Of course the way to correct this is by building up mass through liberal application of greenstuff to fill in the detailed texture of clothing, and then armour over that to add proper bulk. That also includes building a thin layer over their shoes to approach the size and thickness of acceptable field boots.

They also tend to have rather unusual poses and costumes. Hard to work with if converting to a look suitable for 40K, I think.

 

 

Inquisition Project is slow these last four days, so I have nothing to write unless I go back into researching for essays. Here is a fairly exhaustive list of other possibilities:

 

Hasslefree adventuring characters are easy to convert because most of them wear modern clothing, which means little to no armour, and Kev sculpts most clothes to a decent fit. Once again they're mostly smaller and shorter than Games Workshop characters, but sculpting on some armour is fairly easy and just about does the trick. Basically treat them like armatures, and dress and equip them as needed.

-

Grant

: makes a good starting point for any Warrior regardless of armament. Lack of armour and hair makes him easy to add stuff to.

-

Dionne

: Assassin-like, same lack of armour and shirt collar makes her easy to add to. Needs some additional height, however.

-

Remy

: Clip away the bit of coat and the pistol in his hand, build up his shoes. Add weapons and armour to taste. Acceptable Acolyte.

-

Kev

: Short, but already wearing boots and cargo pants. Could be possible to extend his legs at the ankle and cover the join with greaves.

 

Heresy characters do not much lean toward the sci-fi end. Easier to pick up Andy's models for Warhammer Fantasy conversions - can't wait for him to finish the very massive dragon.

-

Bane

Slowmo

Cartwheel

Slowmo 2

and

Reckless

: If Necromunda gangers are a little bit old and static, these bald boys will do. Also make good Death-Cultists

-

Joe

: Heavy weapon, matches the others but obviously suited to gun servitor conversions. Large drum and armoured cable means plasma cannon swap.

 

Privateer Press miniatures are still short, despite their armoured shoulders and greaves and clothes. Armour and rivets along the bottom of tabards and coats looks very strange, but can the fabric can be bulked up to a uniform thickness, or filed away for thinner edges. The fact that many models wear coats or robes or strange armour makes it hard to position armour properly, since fitting new pauldrons or addition to existing ones usually means covering up part of a tall collar or some such. The fact that many models are significantly skinnier than their clothes is also a problem, but muscle is always easier to add than remove.

 

Also note that they get away with "dramatic clothing" in that some coats or capes flare where there would not realistically be enough material to do so. I find it looks very strange so I try to fix it by extending the tight parts where there isn't enough cloth or reducing the loose parts where it flows too much, but it is quite difficult to amend nicely. The existence of coats and capes, however, makes it easier to create robes since the cape can form a backing between the legs. Robes can be done by filling in the space between the legs, filing and filling away any texture on the legs themselves, and then adding a few flowing folds of greenstuff. Remember to file away texture first, because the green stuff files away faster than metal and will leave you re-filling the gaps.

Iron Kingdoms:

-

Rutger

: Very green Acolyte. Needs additional height, greaves, and a weapon swap. I gave him a robe as above.

-

Taryn

: Very small, so I gave her a robe also, and widened her cape to reach down from her elbows.

 

Menoth: They generally wear robes so they're hard to add armour or gear to. Not for use at Tournaments, because there is no way to put more than 50% Games-Workshop parts on these things.

-

Flameguard

: Robed Crusaders - just file away the Menoth cross details, clip pauldrons to a sensible width, and do a weapon swap.

-

Idrian Skirmishers

: Tallarn Guardsmen with bolt action rifles. They look Native American, so they could be from Azrael's home world too.

-

Warpriest & Acolyte

: Names are self explanatory. Just file away cross details and swap weapons. Priest may be a bit broad at the shoulders.

-

Covenant

: Same as Warpriest and Acolyte. The Acolyte with the book also makes a good Penitent if more chains are added.

-

Allegiant

: Martial arts screams Death Cultist, or a D&D Monk.

-

Vassal

: Chains and metal mask screams Penitent. Squared pauldrons look strange and need to be completely done over or removed.

-

Wrack

: Objective markers, Penitents, Daemonhosts ... Add Inquisition symbols, chains and padlocks as necessary.

-

Hierophant

: Self-explanatory name. One again file away cross details and swap weapons or just give the staff a new mace or hammer head.

-

Testament

: As chymz said, good for Inquisitor. Swap steam engine for power armour backpack.

- High Reclaimer is a similar model but cannot be used because its hunched pose and robes - swapping in a power armour backpack doesn't make him look any more like he's in power armour.

 

Cryx: Extreme pain to build flesh back onto corpselike miniatures. Head swaps are okay assuming the model in question is in contact with the ground and its legs, if any, are hidden.

-

Mechanithralls

: Steal their metal parts for anything - powerfists, bionic legs, bionic face. Leave the corpses for Fantasy Vampire Counts zombies, or decorate bases with decaying dead.

-

Darragh Wrathe

: Very bionic Inquisitor. Fill in the skirts to meet the armoured trim at the bottom. Add power armour backpack, claim 3+ save due to metal body like Iron Hand Straken.

-

Withershadow

: Three Inquisitors, one for each Elites slot. They are wearing enough armour that the skulls can be helmets - just bulk out their waists to reasonable human mass.

 

Khador: Khadoran armour and clothing is almost impossible to work with. Poses tend to be fairly closed and models are already armoured, so it's hard to add mass where necessary.

-

War Dog

: Familiar or Warrior. If the armour is filled so it's thicker and the trim is gone, it should look like Cadian flak armour on a dog.

-

Epic Kratikoff

: Makes a good if short Inquisitor with thunder hammer. Swap steam engine for hellgun backpack or power armour backpack, file away Khador icons.

-

Kovnik

: Ex-Commissar or some other Warrior. Alright as a Hierophant if a book or other item can be placed on him.

-

Mechaniks

: Short even next to Guardsmen. The Chief with hammer makes a Combat Servitor, the rest need distinguishing gear.

-

Doom Reavers

: Death Cultists, Crusaders or Combat servitors. Add significant height and bulk to legs and boots, add armour to torsos.

 

Mercenaries: Mix and match bunch. Better off in Fantasy conversions, though some can be used as civilians of upper and lower classes.

-

Bradigan

: Only wearing pants, so adding armour, weapons and gear is easy. The iron ball can be retained or removed to taste.

-

Sea Dogs

: Characterful Zealots or civilians. Clip away pirate hats and frills, swap weapons or whole hands, add to their clothing to increase height and bulk to taste. Guardsman hands will be slightly large so paint them as gloves.

-

Press Gangers

: Same as Sea Dogs, but main problem is in sleeve buttons rather than frilled pauldrons and tricorne hats.

 

Cygnar: Cygnar units are nigh unuseable because they're either too skinny or too heavily armoured. 13th Black Gun Mages make good nobles and upper class civilians, however.

Civilians are always a good game objective. More fun if they're a

mobile

objective and can be dragged around the map or run about on their own like idiots.

[skarn]

I converted up a Delaque ganger to be my inquisitor. In game terms he's equipped with an annointed weapon (the knife), a hellpistol and ungents of warding (on the rosette around the neck).

 

http://img148.imageshack.us/i/ve1v.jpg/

 

http://img148.imageshack.us/i/ve2h.jpg/

 

I'm doing up a retinue for him ATM, but can't decide between an IST bodyguard or a more eclectic bunch of converted characters.

[ripath]

Here's to living in an area of the country that's pretty laid back!

Cheers

 

But onto the subject of almost no female models from GW, I have been buying from an australian company called shadowforge, which specializes in only female models. Most of them are easy to convert the only problem that I have had with them is that they are about as tall as the sister of battle minis and not normal guardsmen/marines

[BigDunc]

I'm looking to include Inquisitors in my Black Templars army and will be using scout models as Warriors and Acolytes as requisitioned body guards. They come plastic for easy conversions and pretty much match the stats of Henchmen (if I say to myself they have lower str, toughness, and initiative because they are unhappy about being picked and used as Inquisitorial meat shields). I could probably also model the Chirurgeon out of a scout body and a plastic Space Marine apothecary arm.

 

Just curious, has anybody used Bionics on Acolytes? This could lend itself to using servitors as "Acolytes" and it wouldn't be stretch to say their steel bodies count as carapace. Not very fluffy I suppose unless you see it as a walking, probably not talking, interrogation machine/Explicator/Excruciator. A servitor with something akin to a Techmarine Servo Harness? That could be a fun conversion project as well.

[Gaeus Marius]

Hah! I just posted a question about this subject on the rules forum. I found a couple of models in the Reaper Chronus line that looked like they'd make cool henchies, and was wondering if there were rules prohibiting the use of non-GW models. it would be tough to convert them though, and I think they look great on their own. My post over in the rules section will probably get moved here, or nuked ( they always do for some reason). Right now I'm using the FW Tech servitor as my Sage, a converted Space Marine and the Steel legion Commisar as my acolytes, and a couple of combat servitors as my warriors. I was looking to expand in a new direction though.

[Commander Sasha]

Be warned, I've been told it is OFFICIAL GW POLICY: no non-GW models on a table in a store, you'll get away with headswaps and conversions, but the following of my models have both been refused:

Commander Sorscha from Warmachine, Mounted on a GW bike, wielding a GW sword.

Assault squad riding Star Wars skiffs as hover boards.

Both examples 50-50 GW-Other.

In branches where I know the redshirts, IF it's quiet, they'll let me use them, but if an area manager sneaked in, they would be in big trouble.

 

That's why most of my gaming is done at an independent club, I wouldn't want to put nice guys out of work :D

[Nias Wolf]

Arg! That is so stupid! I've only played with friends so far, so its not that much of a problem for me. But still, having a game where making your own models is a huge portion of the fun, and then limiting people to a small range of models? Especially the armies that only come in metal! What if I don't like the GW cannoness, am I not allowed to find a similar looking model from another company and warhammer it up? This strikes me as ridiculous. *sigh*

 

Edit: Don't get me wrong, I love the game and the company, but this "rule" rubs me the wrong way.

[Hellbreaker]

So... If I for some reason would ever get me ass out of the seat and get all those fancy Halo vehicles for my Eldar(Jetbike->Ghost Vyper->Spectre etc. etc.) I wouldn't be allowed to use it in a GW store? o_O

That's STUPID!

 

Good thing I play at my own club instead. :D

 

Haha, I'm a radical inquisitor.

 

Cheers!

[- 7eAL -]

Be warned, I've been told it is OFFICIAL GW POLICY: no non-GW models on a table in a store, you'll get away with headswaps and conversions, but the following of my models have both been refused:

Commander Sorscha from Warmachine, Mounted on a GW bike, wielding a GW sword.

Assault squad riding Star Wars skiffs as hover boards.

Both examples 50-50 GW-Other.

In branches where I know the redshirts, IF it's quiet, they'll let me use them, but if an area manager sneaked in, they would be in big trouble.

 

That's why most of my gaming is done at an independent club, I wouldn't want to put nice guys out of work :)

That's why I have dozens of miniatures swapping in and out of the same choices. I swap in the Games Workshop miniatures (converted as heavily to my taste as possible) whenever I can't use the conversions I've done with others.