Centurions: Robot theme or Regular?

[Tiger9gamer]

So i'm thinking of getting some centurions, but I'm torn between trying to make them More mechanicus theme, or keep them the same. I am planning on running them with an inquisitor of the Mechanicus Ordo, as a sort of battle bot, but I still want to be able to keep them for my marines if I decide to not bring inquisitors. 

 

Any help on what to do?

[Demus Ragnok]

Mechanicus Ordo?

[Tiger9gamer]

Apparently in the new codex inquisition there is a minor Ordo that specializes in dealing with the Mechanicus, but I guess it's so new because there is no fluff outside of it.

 

Anyways, what do you think of the idea? should I do them as a sort of battle Servitor like the Thallax guys in forgeworld. 

 

basically doing what this guy did, but without putting the Cannon on his shoulder and keeping it Regular. http://www.belloflostsouls.net/2013/10/showcase-dave-taylor-improving-space.html

[Demus Ragnok]

I personally like the Castellex battle automata models from Forge World.

 

Not a fan of anything to do with the GW models. Even kit bashing them.

[Tiger9gamer]

Well, I don't have the money to get them =/ any useful help relating to the topic?

[Demus Ragnok]

Well, I don't have the money to get them =/ any useful help relating to the topic?

 

And you have already bought centurions?

[Tiger9gamer]

No, i haven't, I'm just bouncing my ideas off the wall of the internet for what I could do with the Centurions. thanks for the input. 

 

Now, for do you think I should kit bash them like that? Again, I'm planning on having them in a Space Marine army and have an inquisitor walk around with them. Should I keep them as marines, Or should I try and turn them into a type of Thallax machine and say they are the Inquisitor's?

[The_Chaplain]

I'd make them into centurions, and maybe add some mechanicus bits- extra wires, heads with extra lenses, etc; rather than make them look like a unit that they aren't and people potentially arguing about wysiwyg.

[Major_Gilbear]

I'd save your money and get some better-looking models instead.

 

If you like the Thallax, then just get those - thay are almost half the price and look great.

 

If you want something different, more servitor-like perhaps, then what about a kitbash or conversion like these:

 

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7cp38_mW-lQ/UTjlsjDtWTI/AAAAAAAAEgc/m-gCl74_tiU/s1600/AM-Adepts10.jpg

 

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tSN2yWObON4/UQvYfRKgL8I/AAAAAAAAEZw/8hO7mKM1MrA/s1600/AM-PlasmaServitors07.jpg

 

These are also by Dave Taylor (link to his excellent blog here), and I don't see why if you used Heavy Bolters, Lascannon, and so on, they couldn't "count-as" Centurions if you want them to? Nothing confusing really (especailly if you have no other similar models to confuse them with in your army), and the correct weapons keep them easy to "read" from the other side of the table. Plus, such conversions are bound to save you money and produce much more characterful models!
 

[Olgerth Istaarn]

If you are going to go robot way, you are probably better off just buying Castellax.

[Tiger9gamer]

Wow Gilber, those do look amazing (and thanks for showing me that blog!) but I rather have something similar to the centurions more or less. They'd still have grav cannons, and I do like the Thallax look though. but, would it go along well with regular Marines? 

[GH05T]

Regarding Thallax in a marine army:

 

Depends on what chapter, if you're worried about fluff. I think they'd go best with Red Hunters. Iron Hands or Praetors of Orpheus, a la 5th codex fluff, would work as well.

[Grotsmasha]

I guess on of the simpler things to do to differentiate between AdMech and SM, would be to magnetize the head and have distinctly AdMech heads when they've battle robots. Perhaps do the same with shoulder pads, magnetize and scratch build some AdMech specific pads.

 

Cheers,

Jono

[Major_Gilbear]

Wow Gilber, those do look amazing (and thanks for showing me that blog!) but I rather have something similar to the centurions more or less. They'd still have grav cannons, and I do like the Thallax look though. but, would it go along well with regular Marines?

Well, things like Thallax are supposed to look Ad Mech... But I see no reason why you coudln't add shoulder pads and leg armour in a "Marine-style" to bulk them up and make them fit more visually. Afterall, back in the days of Rogue Trader, Marines did use Robots, and even the Dreads looked like giant walking armoured embros - even though they were about the size of a Centurion is now! Perhaps if you Marine-ified the Thallax, they could be very early-pattern Dreads or even a Chapter that maintained the (limited) use of some robotic assets?

The real issue I've seen with the Centurion kits from a modelling point of view is that they always end up looking like Centurions. Even Dave Taylor's -whilst being a good improvement- still look close to what they were originally. You can see the efforts of another master of plastic crack conversion (Migsula) here. His Centurions have also been Ad-Mech themed, but they sadly still look a whole lot like... Well, Centurions.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J0tM9pG9uGY/UoUMQbNT_FI/AAAAAAAAA6Y/u4qI-TElrtg/s1600/photo+8.JPG

Maybe a better option would be to go the other way around about this? Make a conversion of your own, and then use the leg and shoulder plates from a Centurion kit (bits order these) to give it that visual nod. You're more free to do something different then, and by slapping the weapons and armour plates on at the end, you show clearly what they are supposed to be.

[Tiger9gamer]

That's a cool idea grot! thank you =D

 

and i'm still wondering if i should even try from a fluff sense now, as my guys will be successors of the dark angels.

[Veteran Sergeant]

I personally like the Castellex battle automata models from Forge World.

 

Not a fan of anything to do with the GW models. Even kit bashing them.

Pretty much. The Centurions are a lost cause.  I've yet to see anything good come of that kit. The best people have managed is "Less awful".

 

Which, to say, is impressive, but not worth throwing away your money on an awful, ugly kit. 

[Hyaenidae]

Pretty much. The Centurions are a lost cause.  I've yet to see anything good come of that kit. The best people have managed is "Less awful".

 

 

Which, to say, is impressive, but not worth throwing away your money on an awful, ugly kit. 

 

Best thing I've seen was a mix of black ork bits and a Centurion (plus some heavy greenstuff) to make some really cool looking Mega-armoured Nobz over on Dakka.

 

Then again, they're xenos, so that ain't nothing to brag about, lest you're standing on their smoking corpse. :P

[DarkMark]

Ork players have been beefing up Nobs to make Mega-nobs for the longest time. Perhaps you could source some AoBr termies and do the same? I doubt the termies would cost very much, and even adding some sheets of plasticard and tube wouldn't increase costs drastically. Just brain storming. 

[Veteran Sergeant]

Pretty much. The Centurions are a lost cause. I've yet to see anything good come of that kit. The best people have managed is "Less awful".

Which, to say, is impressive, but not worth throwing away your money on an awful, ugly kit.

Best thing I've seen was a mix of black ork bits and a Centurion (plus some heavy greenstuff) to make some really cool looking Mega-armoured Nobz over on Dakka.

Then again, they're xenos, so that ain't nothing to brag about, lest you're standing on their smoking corpse.

I have not seen any of the sort yet, but I will accept that as a caveat.

Orks can make just about anything better.

[geektom]

Interesting thread-- coming new into 40K, I also was not impressed by the Centurions... thought it was just me. Fantasy has had it's share of clunkers, too (mechanical horse, anyone?).

 

Based on how I hear my local players talk around here, as long as the weapons set up is the same, and the base is the appropriate size, shouldnt be an issue regardless of what you end up doing. That seems to be WYSIWIG for most folks.