Primaris as Regular Marines . . . some musings

[MadGreek]

Yeah, gonna put this down in writing to spur myself on, any others out there who have done it give me some feedback on how it came out. So.. Aside from the heads and shoulder pads being compatible between the regular space marines and the primaris models (they even said it in the Warhammer Community FAQ https://www.warhammer-community.com/2017/05/15/primaris-space-marines-faq-may15gw-homepage-post-2/ )I noticed that the arms/hands are basically the same size as well. Also, looking on line at the sprues of the Intercessors the torso where the arms attach are smooth, like the old models. Same with the Reivers. That means I should be able to turn Intercessors into Tacticals and Devastators, and Reivers into Scouts.

 

Using some 3rd party sites (probably Anvil, my favorite) I can get some heavy weapons for the Devs, and some new arms if needed. Also, Anvil does a nice sniper rifle and shot guns for the Scouts. Funny thing is the heavy weapons look a tad bit big and bulky on old Marines, but may be better scaled on the Primaris - I will see. 

 

THEN, I need to distinguish a Tac Squad from a Dev Squad from a Intercessor Squad, and in that, regular Marines from Primaris Marines. Since I use Greek helms on all my models, I am thinking something as simple as crest colors. Red and Blue for Tacs and Devs - Gold (Yellow) Crests for Primaris. For the Reivers and Scouts, Reivers (Primaris) will have helms (but maybe crestless), scouts will be bareheaded or, perhaps, use the half skull facemasks in the Reivers box. Either that or the Reivers will use the half skulls and scouts will be bareheaded. Still not sure which yet.

 

If this works I will figure out Assault Marines next. Then all my units (except Termies) will be True Scale, but the Primaris with the 2 wounds and stats differences will still be easily distinguishable.

 

OK, stream of consciousness over - 

 

[Frater Cornelius]

Seeing as I use Stormcasts to build Primaris, they should be easily distinguished from regular Primaris posing as SM, so this is something that plops in my head every now and again. I may just get on it after my small hiatus. Needless to say, I think it is a great idea, but I feel like a fairly major distinction is needed in this case, probably more than a mere helmet swap.

[Kinstryfe]

You're pretty much spot on. I've built a tac squad with primaris bodies, and arms work just fine with very very minimal alterations. I would say, you may want to consider just dropping Primaris rules altogether. Using primaris bodies as primaris and non-primaris would be very confusing, unless you can find a major way to distinguish them. Just my opinion, but I know it's drive me nuts to play against.

[Blindhamster]

regular marine arms are subtly shorter and thinner, but the differences are pretty minimal, so it works pretty well, primaris hands seem to be a touch more detailed, but thats just because they're newer, they are also slightly larger, but only by a tiny amount and not consistently. Same goes for shoulder pads actually, older pads fit them, but do look slightly odd next to one of the pads from the new kits themselves.

[Bremon]

I thought heads and pauldrons were both supposed to be completely interchangeable between Primaris and Mini Marines? The pauldrons look much more proportional on Primaris.

[tdemayo]

I had to shave the parts to get the inside of MKIII pauldron to fit over the upper arm "bulb" of a DI Lt model. So there's a very slight difference in size and curvature. Nothing 20 seconds with an x-acto knife can't fix.

[Blindhamster]

they are compatible, but at least in terms of the pauldrons, there is definitely a size and shape difference that is noticable when you use one old pad (for example, one from one of the chapter upgrade sprues) and one of the pads that comes with the kits. The difference was less noticable on the DI models.

[MadGreek]

I would say, you may want to consider just dropping Primaris rules altogether. Using primaris bodies as primaris and non-primaris would be very confusing, unless you can find a major way to distinguish them.

Yeah, I get this, and it is/was a major concern for me. One thing in my favor, I rarely play, I just like the models. Also, though, it isn't even different helmets, it's the actual crest on the helmet, so pretty distinguishable. It would be like saying all Red Helmets are Tacs and all Gold Helmets are Primaris - like regular troops and an honor guard kind of thing in the old range. That said, I will be looking for other ways to distinguish them clearly.

 

For everyone so far, thank for the feedback and personal experiences. After writing it down and reading what everyone had to say I am definitely doing this.

[CCE1981]

I've been workkng on doing this. As well as coverting Aggressors as Terminators here:

http://www.bolterandchainsword.com/topic/336480-griffons-tempest/?do=findComment&comment=4878331

[MadGreek]

I've been workkng on doing this. As well as coverting Aggressors as Terminators here:

http://www.bolterandchainsword.com/topic/336480-griffons-tempest/?do=findComment&comment=4878331

I checked out your thread - looks good. Termis are on my list to try, once I get a bit more done on this current project.

[Boyadventurer]

I've been thinking about gravis termies myself, at least one for my SW:A reiver-as-scouts gang, but having the power plant on the back just kills it for me. That hunchy-squared back is probably *the* defining feature of the terminator silhouette. I think the best way to convert them would be to just slice off the aggressor legs at the groin along the ribbing and reattach to a similarly cut termie.

[scflasheart]

I have done a couple of test models with rievers, one as a vanguard vet with lightening claws and sniper scout. I’m know in the process of switching all the mini marines to Primaris

[Macabre Slanneshi Prince]

If you're going to use Primaris as regular Marines, I just wouldn't bother with modeling any Primaris dudes. It'd be fairly confusing when the only real difference is crest color and bolter length.