My Chooser of the Slain

[Tsavong Lah]

So I've been browsing through earlier threads on Chooser ideas, and whoever came up with the idea of using a human model and calling it a spectral projection of the Rune Priest's ancient druid self was a genius. I'm planning on hijacking that idea and running with it, leaning toward finding a crazy-looking naked Celt model and wolfing it up a bit. Maybe greenstuff a wolf pelt and add a few talismans here and there, we'll see. Mostly the model needs to have no armor and not a whole lot of clothing—he is technically just a projection, after all, and probably wouldn't have a whole lot on. Plus, naked warriors are terrifying.

 

So I have a bunch of possible models and I'm looking for suggestions. Or votes. Or whatever you call it.

 

Model #1: I'm a fan of this model, but I don't know if it quite fits with what I'm doing. The raven would be weird when the model it's perched on is already the Chooser (or maybe not?), and the antlers make this model probably a bit taller than my Rune Priest.

http://privateerpress.com/files/products/circle-orboros/solos/lord-of-the-feast.png

 

Model #2: Naked berserkers! Looking at one of the two with the swords, mostly. There's nothing more intimidating than an insane burly guy naked on a battlefield. That's balls, right there. Plus the model is unkillable, so he's not going anywhere the whole game.

http://shop.warlordgames.co.uk/ekmps/shops/warlord/images/4x_fanatics_web.jpg

 

Model #3: This guy is pretty badass, but again the problem with height from the antlers. Maybe nobody will care, but then again maybe I'll run into lots of rules lawyers.

http://www.gorgon-studios.com/images/ancientworld/babastus1.jpg

 

Model #4: any one of the shirtless fellows in this group would be a possibility if I didn't want to go with the naked route. None of them look very druidic/priestly, though.

http://shop.warlordgames.co.uk/ekmps/shops/warlord/images/celt_unit_white_web.jpg

 

Model #5: this one is both naked and druidic. I don't know what I think about the scythes, but they can be swapped out with something else pretty easily. Bonus points for antlers that probably won't make him taller than my Rune Priest and thus violate the Chooser parameters.

http://www.warlordgames.co.uk/neo/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/skyclad_druid_lge.gif

 

Model #6: specifically looking at the mini on the left. He's already pretty wolfy-looking, isn't heavily clothed, and has the best pose of the four.

http://www.renegademiniatures.com/celt/images/figures/ac9.jpg

 

Model #7: another great model. The size will probably be a problem, though, especially with the cape, and I'm not sure if I like the trousers for a Chooser.

http://paizo.com/image/product/catalog/RPR/RPR03362_500.jpeg

 

So, any thoughts? Favorite models? Attempts to disabuse me of the crazy idea to put a naked druid on the tabletop every time I play Space Wolves?

[Schertenleib]

Personally I like 1 & 6. 1 is nice and creepy 6 would be safe to have in any game store. If your set on naked my choice would be #2 holding up the head.

I don't really like #5 at all. Reminds me of Mean Machine Angel from Judge Dread.

[Rune_Priest_Rhapsody]

Well, the naked man models make me feel uncomfortable. In a bad way. But I suppose this would affect others in the same way, so that could be good. Especially if that is the effect you are going for.

 

I would have to say the first model is fantastic looking!! You could simply cut off the raven and vola!! Rune Priest CoTS. I would run it myself, if I was going this route for my RP.

 

-R_P_R

[Valerian]

I prefer something smaller/shorter, that can be placed up on top of precarious terrain to get a great "bird's eye view" of the battlefield without the danger of always falling off (usually). I think the little plastic skull from the Devastator box is good.

 

If you are set on the spectral projection though, number 5 has the bulk to look like a naked Marine, or at least naked Fenrisian. Some of the others just don't have a natural looking sculpt. I'd switch out the sickles for a hammer and sword, and go for it. Like someone else indicated, he might intimidate and distract your opponent with his big old penis, too.

 

V

[wolf363839]

I agree with Valerian. I use the servo-skull seen below as my chooser. However, using a small raven model would be better fluff-wise, so if you can get your hands on one, I say go for it.

 

http://i955.photobucket.com/albums/ae39/phil363839/Space%20Wolf%20Army/DSCF2409.jpg?t=1281892093

http://i955.photobucket.com/albums/ae39/phil363839/Space%20Wolf%20Army/DSCF2410.jpg?t=1281892093

[Fred Johnson the 3rd jr]

Why is everyone putting their Chooser of the Slain pieces on bases? It isn't a unit right, so it doesn't have to be on a base.

 

I'm thinking of making one that can grab onto things, in case you want it to be perched up on top of high terrain, where a based model could not balance.

[wolf363839]

Why is everyone putting their Chooser of the Slain pieces on bases? It isn't a unit right, so it doesn't have to be on a base.

 

I'm thinking of making one that can grab onto things, in case you want it to be perched up on top of high terrain, where a based model could not balance.

 

... because that is totally abusing the spirit of the rules and is incredibly bad form.

 

if you need to hang a Chooser from the edge of terrain just to get at the one model your Priest can't see, then you need to re-think your deployment or movement. don't be THAT guy...

[Fred Johnson the 3rd jr]

Why is everyone putting their Chooser of the Slain pieces on bases? It isn't a unit right, so it doesn't have to be on a base.

 

I'm thinking of making one that can grab onto things, in case you want it to be perched up on top of high terrain, where a based model could not balance.

 

... because that is totally abusing the spirit of the rules and is incredibly bad form.

 

if you need to hang a Chooser from the edge of terrain just to get at the one model your Priest can't see, then you need to re-think your deployment or movement. don't be THAT guy...

 

Uh... what? Everyone has been mentioning a raven for ages. Birds can be perched on the top of a tall building or on top of anything else. That's what birds do. Why not pick a high point, if you can? (It shortens your anti-inflitrate distance - so that would be the only concern). And it's not like people don't put their Chooser Token up high already either - don't tell me you've never seen a slain model on the top floor of a building... Just making it a more realistic bird, without a base, gives more options on where to place it high up.

 

So please, again, tell me what abuse there is. The Chooser can be placed anywhere on the battlefield. People already place it at high points so it gets a good view. Not having a base helps ensure that it does not fall from a high point. Big deal.

[Hemal]

Guys - not a rules question so lets not make it one...

 

A chooser could be pretty much anything TBH - maybe those druidic models are a good choice, but obviously they wouldn't be usable in some 40K tourneys or Games Workshop stores.

 

A more Orthodox chooser would be a Cyber Raven type model - there are many smaller birds of prey models from various different sources both in-GW ranges or outside - the Cherub from the Empire General is an example I would use, same with the mini griffon from the same kit or the rather spectral looking standard. The High Elves have a small crow shaped creature on the Dragons sprue and there are tonnes of little familiars in the Fantasy range including an Owl shaped one reminiscent of Bubo, from the Clash of the Titans (original movie!), which could be nice models for a Chooser.

 

However, on balance, given these are Space Wolves, a raven or crow just fits with the Norse and Nordic mythos.