How to make (chaos) terminators more dynamic/interesting?

[Fortis]

Hail!

 

Im about to start work on some chaos terminators but want to make them more dynamic, more interesting, more...alive!

 

I was going to chop them up and mix the bits with some Slaanesh Hellstrider kits as im making an Emperors Children force, though im not quite sure what to arm them with. Maybe power lances, got some lightning claws too, power swords etc. but the question of their arming is for the Chaos forum.

 

I did come across this page on making running termis, but they dont seem quite right. Indeed, this begs the question of what manoeuvrability TDA actually has. Can they run or do they simply lumber and trudge across the battlefield? What agility/flexibility do they have? I guess these are all important questions when considering how best to pose them. I think even GW has had similar musings as one can see evidence of slightly different poses in the newer plastic termi kits - compared to the old-school front on squat stance - but nothing particularly dynamic.

 

So, how would you go about modelling your termis to add some joie de vivre to their rather staid postures?

 

Note, i am talking about the old metal models (2nd edition, not RT), although i think the same case can be made for the later plastic models too. And not just chaos terminators either.

 

http://store.wargamingtrader.com/system/files/imagecache/product_full/C1788%20-%20Metal%20Chaos%20Terminator%20Squad%20x%206%20%20%20%20%2011-06-27.jpg

 

 

[Major_Gilbear]

The recent Space Hulk terminators had one kneeling and one running, and I think the new Blood Angels Assault Terminators also have some running poses - might be worth a look for a few ideas on possible poses.

 

Before that, the most dynamic Terminator I can think of was the old metal model for Space Wolf Chapter Master Logan Grimnar, and even he looks a little awkward.

 

As for converting the old 2E Chaos Terminators into running poses...? My advice is to not bother. They are are smaller than new Terminators, and the metal is tricky to cut as well - you need to carve out the feet, cut-pin-resculpt all the leg joints, and they'll still look odd because the upper body and arms are at the wrong angle for a running pose. Finally, the weight of the model will mean you need to pin really well, or risk the weight of the miniature breaking the joins where you cut.

 

Instead, you're much better off getting some new plastic legs from the BA Assault Terminators and marrying them with a Chaos Plastic Terminator kit. Sure, you may have to add some trim to the legs and shave off the BA iconography, but they'll look pretty reasonable.

 

Although I realise that's not the answer you really wanted, I give you this advice as somebody has has worked with metal models (and still does) for 25+ years and loves it. However, sometimes, you need to know when a job just isn't worth it, or at least recognise when plastic is a miles-better option.

[Cleon]

 

Instead, you're much better off getting some new plastic legs from the BA Assault Terminators and marrying them with a Chaos Plastic Terminator kit. Sure, you may have to add some trim to the legs and shave off the BA iconography, but they'll look pretty reasonable.

 

I'm afraid I have to disagree here - The BA Assault terminators aren't separated at the legs, it's still do-able but  it's more work than it seems and you'll have fewer useable/sellable bits afterwards.

[Astartes-ULTRA]

Well met, brother Fortis!

 

I feel the same way and have been in the process of re-posing my entire army beginning with my scouts to create more dynamic and themed poses based on what I believe they should look like. Not that the out-of-the-box models are inadequate, just that this may be my last army I collect so I want something I can showcase.

 

I've been working on the legs mostly as they are the most important part of the pose. I cut them from the groin and above the knee, then depending on how bent the legs will be (say in a kneeling pose) I trim the back of the lower leg section to form the angle the upper section will rest on. I then use poly cement to glue them together leaving a massive gap where the knee would be as I will greenstuff this in later. Because of the trousers the scouts wear I should get away with this but with an armoured space marine I may need to try variations of this idea and possibly some pinning but it works.

 

I recommend researching some running poses you particularly like and pay close attention to the angle of the back leg, if the guy is heels up, and also the angle of the torso as well as the head. Torso is very important, you dont often see runners leaning back unless they are about to swing an axe in your direction. One tip I've found is to use a large dreadnought base and glue an enemy model on it (something smallish, like a guardsman or something) and then pose your dude on the same base around the guardsman (it helps you when trying to make it convincing). Once you're happy with it, remove it from the dread base and put in onto its correct sized one.

 

These are just a couple of tips so I hope theyre helpful, any questions then fire away. Plastic is easier to work on than metal. Good examples of poses for termies are The Hulk, Juggernaut, The Thing, and any other massive comic dude really. good luck brother. 

[Svartmetall]

What Astartes-ULTRA said, to a large degree; go for art you like, first and foremost, and then work on translating that into a model. Case in point; this is a Space Wolves Terminator I converted for a competition at RelicNews ages ago, based on a picture of Ragnar Blackmane from one of the Space Wolves omnibuses: 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v218/Svartmetall/Warhammer/1326925454686_zpsicny35nl.jpg

 

...which turned into this:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v218/Svartmetall/Warhammer/DSCF2017.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v218/Svartmetall/Warhammer/DSCF2019.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v218/Svartmetall/Warhammer/DSCF2021.jpg

 

I'm particularly pleased with the legible Futhark runes on the runestones hanging off his armour :D

 

 

_____

[K0rtmer]

Oh, I wouldn't cut up these beauties. Also because accurately cutting metal models is not easy.

 

I see what you mean, they're rather static and also very similar to each other. But, really, better get a more recent (modern) plastic kit of five. The scale is better and they're a lot easier to cut and/or re-pose. Keep the metal models as collector items and just enjoy doing them justice with a decent paint job.

 

EDIT: You have mad green stuff skills, good sir. There's something funny with his right leg, but I'm not sure if I could describe what is it and I most certainly couldn't do it any better. Your sculpting of the fur and armor details is superb though! Well done!

[Subtle Discord]

If anyone is set on making the metal Terminator models more dynamic in their pose, there's virtually no other choice but to cut them up. As it's been suggested, it will be a fair amount of work to do it if you really want to go down that path, but the results can be quite good. You'll need a Jeweler's Saw with a fine blade (a tool every hobbyist should have, in my opinion), some good quality metal files (I swear by Swiss-made 'Grobet' files; get some! Yes, they really are that good!), and likely a rotary tool (Read: Dremel) with rotary bits to do some shaping of the metal parts. You might not 'need' the rotary tool and bits, making due with the good files to do the shaping work, but it will speed the process greatly. Some soft-tipped clay shaping tools (also known as paint shaping tools) will also be very useful for some of the blended greenstuff work that will be required.

 

You see, many moons ago I also had this idea; GW had recently released the first plastic Loyalist Terminator kit and I wanted to add some of the superior poses to the static-by-comparison metal Chaos Terminators that I had been slowly collecting. The detailing on the metal models was so nice (still is) I just wanted to fuse the best bits to the improved poses of the new plastics getting the best of both worlds, so that's exactly what I did. To be fair, the old-school metal Terminators were designed to fit on a 25mm base way back then, so it's more understandable why the poses were rather static and contained. But, with 40mm the new standard, the models had room, literally, to grow and improve.

 

http://i1080.photobucket.com/albums/j332/SubtleDiscord/WIP%20Thread%20Photos/Terminators_01.jpg

 

My project wasn't about going over-the-top and making them appear to be overly agile, I just wanted a modest improvement to their just-standing-there original pose. Now, this project stalled at this point and was put on a shelf, which is unfortunate but also a mixed blessing. Since starting it I have learned so much about modeling and building, and I've seen so many inspiring ideas in the creative corners of the internet, that when I do get back to finishing these they will be even better then I had planned in the beginning. Just the additional bits at my disposal today will help to further improve this project.

 

Doing something like this will be a fair amount of careful work, but if you're willing to take it on I think the results speak for themselves, even unfinished as they are. I still have a few more untouched metal Chaos Terminators that I plan to rebuild in the same manner and ultimately they'll become the personal bodyguard to a Chaos Lord and/or Sorcerer also in Terminator armour... someday...