Scaling, downsizing, and choosing which legion question

[Uprising]

I am in the process of downsizing my entire collection due to unfinished projects, time, space, and motivation reasons.  Today, I was over looking my unbuild HH collection, and it is massive.  I have recent models, to model ranging back to the first wave that forge world released.  For 2026, my main goal is to start painting more and downsizing (which is working, as I have already sold a Blood angel, and ultramarine army).  I have a few questions and would like some guidance in choosing at most two legion / or one combined projects.  

 

• What is the size difference of the resin tanks and dreadnoughts compare to there plastic version?  I know the marines and new terminators are slightly bigger?  
• What is the size difference of the resin ad mech (thralls, Thallax, Castellax, etc) compare to there plastic version?  
• What is the size difference of the resin jetbikes compare to there plastic version?  
• Do the old upgrade torso (and similar kits) fit on the newer plastic or do they need modified?  
• Do the new plastic weapon upgrade work on older / resin plastic?  Vise versa?  

 

On the project side, I have the following: Death Guard, iron hands, iron warriors, fist, salamander, thousands son, raven guard, alpha legion, ad mech, knights, world eater / warhounds, white scars, and word bearers.  Still taking inventory, but I am at the point would it be easier to just restart with the newer plastic and sell off the older marines (which is why I am curious about tank and dreadnought size)?  Thoughts are welcome. 

 

Final note: I am more of a painter / modeller and do not play the tabletop, so rules do not matter here.  The story does.  

 

P.S. If this is not the best place to post, please let me know.   

Edited December 20, 2025 by Uprising

[Grotsmasha]

4 hours ago, Uprising said:

• What is the size difference of the resin tanks and dreadnoughts compare to there plastic version?  I know the marines and new terminators are slightly bigger?  
• What is the size difference of the resin ad mech (thralls, Thallax, Castellax, etc) compare to there plastic version?  
• What is the size difference of the resin jetbikes compare to there plastic version?  
• Do the old upgrade torso (and similar kits) fit on the newer plastic or do they need modified?  
• Do the new plastic weapon upgrade work on older / resin plastic?  Vise versa?  

 

1- My understanding is they're of comparable size.

2- I have no experience here.

3- mkIV yes, mkII, mkIII, and mk VI, no. The incompatible ones are modelled like primaris, with the rear torso attached to the legs.

4- IIRC, yes, BUT hands will be need to be cut from the older models, as the upgrade kits have trigger hands on the guns

[LameBeard]

Let me take the easy ones:

 

In the current plastic kits (mk vi, iii and ii), the torsos and legs are typically not interchangeable.  This makes compatibility with resin torsos a real pain.  There has also been a bit of scale creep, mostly abdomen and leg.

 

The current kits l also typically have left hand moulded to weapon, unlike the old kits which had a separate “cupping” left arm. It is, however, pretty easy to use old arms and weapons on new bodies or new arms and weapons on old bodies, because the scale is slightly less “heroic” so scale creep didn’t happen to hands and heads.

 

As far as I know, resin and plastic tanks are the same size, but I own hardly any, so can’t be sure. No idea about Jet bikes.

 

So in summary, I would say compatibility can be an issue, and for those that are picky, also scale creep. For example, if you like your current terminator design, maybe keep them with older power armour models? Those old mk iv and iii are now quite valuable.

 

If I were you, about to downsize radically, I would keep 2 legions: one old scale with forgeworld resin bling, one new scale in largely GW plastic.  Best of both worlds, one traitor one loyalist. When fatigue sets in, swap to painting the other.

 

[Uprising]

As in all choices in life, it is best to give some time to think.  First, I want to say thank you to both Grotsmasha and lamebeard for the advice and your time.  

 

On the model side, it is good to hear that the tank and dreadnought are barely noticeable.  Same for jetbikes (I spent way too long trying to find that answer).  Still no clue on the ad mech (still looking).  The old upgrade torso and other upgrade kits (like headhunters) taking work is not good news but excepted (they really up the marine scale).  

 

22 hours ago, LameBeard said:

If I were you, about to downsize radically, I would keep 2 legions: one old scale with forgeworld resin bling, one new scale in largely GW plastic.  Best of both worlds, one traitor one loyalist. When fatigue sets in, swap to painting the other.

 

I like this approach, so I spent the day and did some organizing and brainstorming.  For newer kits I have the following: 80 beakies, 30 mk 3, 40 mk2,  heavy, special, and Disintegrator weapon sets, 1 Deredeo, 2 Contemptor, 2 spartan, and 1 Raider Proteus.  This seems like more than enough, and I have not included the older kits.  

 

I am of two minds at the moment (still pondering)

• just pick one legion, use the newer plastic, and put the rest in storage till later.  
• Lamebeard idea: One old style, one new style.  

 

I am leaning towards just picking one as I have other games, and armies beside Horus Heresy. I feel like a focus and clean start would help out greatly.  But on the other hand, I don't want to cut to deep.  This is why I like to hear other thoughts.  

 

This is where my head is at the moment, and I have decide to put some project on the sell list, which is listed below: 

 

Topic Tier (most likely to keep)

·         alpha legion: I have alot of Alpha legion upgrade bitz, I enjoy there lore, paint scheme, and I feel like they just fit with what I have currently.  They are one of the few chaos forces that do not overlap with my chaos 40k armies (i prefer non-corrupted looking AL).  This is a strong choice of choosing them to take the new plastics. 

 

·        Death Guard: One of my favorite legion, just like the Alpha legion( upgrade bitz, lore, paint scheme), but has some problems.  I already have a chaos DG army for 40k, but having a before and after force would be fun (that was the idea with TS, but I prefer DG more that TS).  Secondly, there special units are starting to show there age due to GW drive to increase there sales through scale creep. Third, I hate seeing DG in beakies armor, it just does not fit, and I have 80 of them. Overall love the theme (and my favorite legion) but conflict. 

 

·         Shattered legion (Sala, IH, RG): One of my favorite moment in the Heresy is the drop site massacre.  I have a sizable mix resin, upgrades, and older plastic of all three forces. Hell, the Raven guard are even painted.  Salamander, alongside DG and AL, are part of my favorite legion.  RG and IH are not quite up there, but still in the top 10.  I could see turning what I have (or atleast the older plastic / resin) into shatter legion for lore and variety reason.   

 

Reserve (aka wait):

·         ad mech and knights: I am undecided here.  They are small in number (3 knights, 30 thralls, 27 thallax, 1 thantor, 1 castallax, 1 magos).  I could see them as an ally force to break up the wall of marines.  

 

·         Word bearers: All bitz are being moved to 40k as chaos is my main 40k force.  

 

Selling:

·          Iron warriors: I have a sizable force of IW, and I like the iron warriors but they have two problems.  1. I already have a silver marine army (astral claws), and do not want to repeat. 2. Even though I really like them in lore, scheme, and style of war, I just like other choices better.  They will be sold.  

 

·         Imperial Fist: Got a small lot for cheap, but they are being sold.  I do like Polux (which I will keep), but that not enough reason to keep them as the main lot.  

 

·         Thousand sons: This one hurts.  I have a sizable forces of the older plastic / resin, and I like the lore a lot for the son of magnus.  The issues: I have them in 40k, and I have four armies/project that are already red (Clan Mor, draconis combine, Word Bearers, and Hive fleet kraken).  I am just red out at the moment, and I like other choices more.  They will be sold or place in reserved maybe. 

 

·          world eater / warhounds: Another one that hurts (I am noticing a trend).  I like the warhounds, but I like other choices more.  Also, I only have Khârn at the moment and some mk 2 for the project.  Maybe a future project.  

 

·          white scars: I have a few upgrade bitz and that's it.  I might use them for Alpha legion inflator squad as count as seeker.  So they will be sold or moved to Alpha legion if I choose them. 

 

·         blood angel: Why did I buy these? They will be sold. 

 

TLDR: I went from 14 different projects to 3.  Progress been made, but could use some input on which legion to break the three way deadlock (AL, DG, Shattered legion) at the top.   

Edited December 21, 2025 by Uprising

[LameBeard]

Any update? In my view you still have plenty for 3 forces. Try this:

 

All the beakies to Alpha Legion. Even after 40 tactical marines you’ll still have plenty for special, heavy and converted headhunters. Yes this will be a minor pain to do the torsos, just do pads, helmets and weapons if you like.

Add the Proteus (if explorator config), very Alpha Legion, and the Deredo?

 

All the Mk II and III to Deathguard. They suit so well. Load up on heavy weapons and alchem flamers along with the tacticals. Maybe disintegrators too. 70 infantry, so two big tactical blobs with a Spartan each, plus contemptors. Will look ace.

 

Old stuff: Salamanders with forgeworld bling, will go shattered legion along with your PAINTED Ravenguard. Forget the Iron Hands, two legions is fine for Istvaan survivors.

[Uprising]

19 hours ago, LameBeard said:

Any update? In my view you still have plenty for 3 forces. Try this:

I had a few conversation with my hobby friends, and they suggested something similar as to your approach.  At this time, I have split up the newer plastic for the DG and AL.  I plan on doing some test models and see how it goes.  

 

I place the Admech/knights, and shatter legion in reserve to review for later.  The rest are in the selling room with more projects going on the chopping block.  

 

It has been going slowly due to the holiday, but movement is occurring.