The hunt for the Tactical Rock

[apologist]

Everyone knows you shoot/fight/lead better with one foot placed on a sturdy tactical rock, so as a bit of fun, let's find the very first model with this oh-so-necessary accessory.

 

Fairly sure there are earlier examples than my entry below – but can you post the earliest? A few ground rules:

 

• You must post a picture of the model.
• Pictures of conversions are allowed, as long as you've got some proof it was done prior to 1993.
• One of the model's feet must be flat on the base, the other resting on a rock or other natural material. Unlike most 40k, no skulls allowed here! :D

 

I'll lead (ho ho) with this classic, Space Wolf Long Fang 3, released in God's own casing medium in the dimly-remembered past of January M2.993.

 

 

Edited Friday at 03:12 PM by apologist

[LameBeard]

There is a fine Orky tradition, certainly earlier than 1993, of having one foot planted on a Space Marine Helmet. See the Bad Moon top right here, for example: http://www.solegends.com/citcat1991a/cat1991ap063orkbosses-01.htm

 

is that cheating? Doesn’t count as tactical rock?

 

Edited Friday at 10:46 PM by LameBeard

[apologist]

Space Marine helmets, while providing substantial aesthetic benefits over a rock, and giving the greenskin in question great kudos, rather stretch the definition of 'natural materials', so regretfully we'll have to disqualify it. 

 

However, let's add a new category: 'What's the first model standing on a bit of an enemy?' and put you currently running in first place for that one!

[grailkeeper]

This tzeentch sourceror is in a flying disk, but the flying disc appears to be on a tactical rock. 

 

Mightnt count though for a few reasons.

 

[apologist]

Looks legit to me – I think arguments might emerge over whether 'magical crystal erupting from the croquet lawn' counts as 'natural material', or whether a fungus body can be said to have one foot on anything would be labouring the point, so let's count this one as the new champion  

 

Can anyone make any advances into the past on this, or simply want to share some notable Tactical Rocks?

[Xenith]

I do like a challenge! Admittedly chating and jumping to 1988 - I found Chapter Approved from this era:

 

You might see our friend in he middle:

 

however this appears to be a non-standad conversion, I'd be keen to see the first official model - I dont recall anything from 2nd ed having the rock build in, same with 3rd, actually. Was it a 4th ed phenomenon?

[Wormwoods]

On 3/29/2025 at 4:01 AM, LameBeard said:

There is a fine Orky tradition, certainly earlier than 1993, of having one foot planted on a Space Marine Helmet. See the Bad Moon top right here, for example: http://www.solegends.com/citcat1991a/cat1991ap063orkbosses-01.htm

 

is that cheating? Doesn’t count as tactical rock?

 

 

I was SO sure that this lad from 1989 was a contender, but on closer inspection that may just be the base slot poking up from a poorly aligned set of legs! Ah well.

 

[Vassakov]

I feel like we need a "Tactical Rock Alignment Chart."

 

Those seem to be a fad in other hobbies, I'm sure someone can knock one up...!