Hello guys! As I finally finished to collect all models for my Chaos Dwarf army (including 10 wolfriders and around 80 Hobgoblins, that ain’t cheap I’m telling ya) I’m planning to paint everything in 1 year, 1 year and a half max…
Now, Considering that my converting/sculpting/painting skillz are much improved (thanks to CDs), I’m starting to think about what to do next… at the beginning I thought about a new Lizardmen army. But alas, I don’t like the look of 6th edition models (they lost a lot of the Aztec feel), and I don’t like the way they fight in 8th (Slann, blocks of infantry, and a few skirmishers).
So I told myself:
-“hey what about Warhammer 40K?”
-“You don’t know how to play 40k.”
-“Yeah but some of its minis are cool.”
-“Granted, but what army? There’s nothing that inspires you like Lizzies or CD. And please, NO SPACE MARINES!!!”
-“Imperial Guard can offer heaps of opportunities for thematic armies.”
-“True, but which regiment? Let’s face it, you want it to be unique, not something out of the box”.
And here I’m stuck. Let me explain you: Imperial Guard regiments are heavily inspired by real life armies, We have:
-Steel Legion: WW2 Germans.
-Krieg: WW1 Germans.
-Catachans: Modern times jungle warriors.
-Cadians: Modern times army, their Kaserkin make me think at Quick Response teams (sorry don’t know their name in English).
-Valhallans: Russians.
-Mordians and Vostroians: Not too sure about these.
-Attilans: Mongols.
-Praetorians: British colonials.
-Tallarn: WW1 Arabs.
Note: I’m sorry if I got any of the above wrong, please don’t start an argument.
I like Tallarn a lot. I have heaps of ideas for them such as using Arabic stile decorations for banners, Al Mukhtar’s Desert dogs for Rough Riders, WW1 toy vehicles (cheap) for Chimeras/Leman Russes, Helicopters instead of Valkyries, and Maneaters for Ogryns. I depict them as an extremely mobile army, used for hit and run operations or as a bait, a platoon that can sustain itself for weeks in the direst conditions (so my models would have bags, baggages, backpacks, and so on), But again, they wouldn’t look unique, and the idea of painting desert camouflage on 100s of models of infantry (without mentioning vehicles) scares the cr*p out of me.
Attilans would be good as well, but there aren’t suitable models for them. And again, the idea of converting 100+ Cadians with furs, hoods and moustaches is a no no.
Then it hit me! Why not founding my own regiment?
Maybe inspired by a real life army?
But which one? I thought of:
-Ottoman Empire.
-Vietcong.
-WW2 Japanese.
-British Empire Indians.
So here is my question:
-What would you choose?
-Have you got any ideas?
-Have you got any website/image I can check out?
-Most importantly, have you got any bloody idea on what to base eventual convertions? Cause I know ABSOLUTELY NOTHING of 40k’s range.
-Would you go for Tallarn? And if yes how would you make your army look unique?
Admittedly I am an unabashed lover of WWI history…but the WWI Ottomans have such a great flair of turn of the century modernity (heavily influenced by Imperial Germany) and coupled with a very Baltic/Slavic/Turkish identity. And you can do heavy weapons based on WWI Austro Skoda siege guns…Great conversion material
Admittedly I am an unabashed lover of WWI history...but the WWI Ottomans have such a great flair of turn of the century modernity (heavily influenced by Imperial Germany) and coupled with a very Baltic/Slavic/Turkish identity. And you can do heavy weapons based on WWI Austro Skoda siege guns...Great conversion material :)
Fuggit Khan
Yep, I knew that website. And I actually thought on a rather nifty Autocannon/Heavy Bolter conversion that (I think) could be pulled of with plasticard. But again:
I stink at plasticard. You rock. Any advice you can give me? I cut plasticard with a heavy duty cutter, but I never managed to get much precision. And when I cut plastic tubes I squish one of the ends. GAAAAH!!!!!!
On which models would you base your conversions? Maybe Vostroians, but they're metal models and I don't want to pass hours just to convert one infantry guy. FW Krieg? They have coats and boots... I could use Empire heads and simply sculpt moustache and furry hats... Hm... Still not convinced...
I stink at plasticard. You rock. Any advice you can give me? I cut plasticard with a heavy duty cutter, but I never managed to get much precision. And when I cut plastic tubes I squish one of the ends. GAAAAH!!!!!!
Skink
I appreciate the compliment, but really it comes down to the proper tools as opposed to any sort of 'skill' that I may have...I use a small hobby saw blade to cut plastic tubes...seen here in a pic from my blog:
It's way more precise than trying to 'cut' plastic tubes, use an emeryboard to clean up the edges, an emeryboard makes for better straight edges than sandpaper.
I like your idea of using the FW Krieg guys with green stuff details...the Ottomans also had their own version of the Stahlhelm, another option to pith helmets and/or fez.
If I were to do imperial guard it would either be vostroyans (using metals) or praetorians using Victoria lamb’s (?) sculpts. No idea for your ottomans, but do they have to be gw models?
If I go into 40k it’ll be with an IG army. I love infantry, I love grunts, it’s the cool backbone of any army.
IG has some very cool conversion and theme options. A dessert them would be cool, it gives a lot of options, and not that many people have done it.
Otherwise I would go for at muddy/trench/battleworn theme. No rain - no gain!
You don’t want an out of the box army - and you don’t want to convert 1 gazilion dudes. You could look in to Warlock Games, they are 28 mm, they are multipart, interchangebale and cheap.
I’ve build a single IG soldier from a bitish inantryman and a lasgun. The size seemed a bit off (since the 40k propotions are unrealistic), but after paint and basing it worked.
So check out Warlords Bolt Action, it’s WW2 dudes. Not going historical you could combine US and USSR or example. Or Imprial Japan - that would be a new take on IG.
The coolest thing about Warlord WW2 is all the extra gear. You can really tool up your minis wit backpacks, shovels, canteens and so on.
There’s a lot of armies, but not all have multipart plastic kits.
Or their Black Powder range. The Crimean War range could make a strong base for an IG army.
Te money you save on going less GW, could buy you a lot of bits to tie into that 40k feel. Lasguns, heavyweapons, grenades, banner etc.
Once upon of time it was common for IG to have autoguns. So you don’t really have to go las.
There are a number of plastic miniatures manufacturers you can take advantage of (not to mention metals) especially historicals, though they tend towards a slighter scale.
I’d also be remiss if I didn’t point out the conversion options. There are quite a few conversion bitz people these days. Especially heads.
Does it necessarily have to be GW stuff? Like I said there’s an rapidly increasing body of plastic historical stuff. At a fraction of GW’s prices I should add.
Hey thanks for your answers guys!!! I like what Bloodbeard posted, the Imperial Japanese dudes really could make perfect IGs… Besides, it shouldn’t really be difficult to invent a reason to make them worship the Emperor as a Rising sun.
Anyway, although this hypothetical army wouldn’t have to be entirely GW I’d like to keep the majority of my armies “legal”, in case one day I’d like to participate in a GW event (unlikely but hey, you never know).
And when I said that I don’t want to convert a gazillion models I actually meant “extensively” convert… Besides, I can see myself kitbashing stuff using Cadians as the base!
For instance, when I said British Empire Indians I depicted an IG regiment inspired by real life Sikhs mixed with fictional Praetorians. So every soldier would be made out of a Cadian body, Empire heads, green stuff turbans, epaulettes, lanyards and curved knives. I even started to delve into Induism (yes, I know it’s a completely different religion) to develop an iconography that would blend into 40k’s fluff.
If your going ottomans i recommend the Janissary, The elite of the Ottomans
gIL^
Hey that's a pretty decent pic!!!
I thought several times about Janissaries, cause I totally dig the way they looked. This guy made a beautiful representation of em using High Elves & Empire bits + Green Stuff.
I would use 6th edition Empire soldiers with Imperial Guard torsos, Empire hands & heads and sculpted sashes/headdresses. Then, obviously, the banner would have the Turkish moon scythe next to the Imperial eagle. "8th Janissaries" sounds pretty cool for an Imperial Guard regiment!!!! Oh, also check out these fez sporting duellists based on Imperial priests.
EDIT: This is a personal favourite, and is a perfect example of what I meant by something unique achieved with minimal effort. I mean, they simply are Empire minis used as IG soldiers. Genius. WW1 Austrians for the win!!!
Sticking guns on fantasy units is the easiest method of staying GW-legal and making something interesting.
I’ve always fancied making a Genestealer Cult based on IG rules. That would also give the chance of doing an unconverted unit if I ran out of bits or got sick of converting for a while.
Looking at the Empire range I noticed that the Archer’s bodies are perfect for a IG Janissaries conversion. Add lasguns, green stuff hats and sashes and they will be perfect!!! They can be the Imperium Janissaries from planet Antalia.
Anyway (Fuggit this is for you) what do you think their combat doctrine would be? For instance, as I wrote before I depict Tallarns to be extremely mobile and able to operate for months away from the main army doing hit and run attacks. What about 40k Ottomans? Would they use a barrage of artillery (in which case a master of Ordnance would be necessary)? Would they rely on vehicles (dozens of Chimeras)? And how would they engage the enemy? Also, Commissars, Ogryns, Ratlings, would they be present in an space Ottoman army??? Ah, last thing, I would love to include a Sultan, maybe as a special character. Thoughts?
Anyway (Fuggit this is for you) what do you think their combat doctrine would be? For instance, as I wrote before I depict Tallarns to be extremely mobile and able to operate for months away from the main army doing hit and run attacks. What about 40k Ottomans? Would they use a barrage of artillery (in which case a master of Ordnance would be necessary)? Would they rely on vehicles (dozens of Chimeras)? And how would they engage the enemy? Also, Commissars, Ogryns, Ratlings, would they be present in an space Ottoman army???? Ah, last thing, I would love to include a Sultan, maybe as a special character. Thoughts?
Skink
Good questions...I like the idea of an Ottoman Janissary IG. If you want to go with more than just the 'look' of them , and add their actual history into your idea of a 40k doctrine for them, then I would suggest the following: The Janissaries were the first official (by today's terminology) Ottoman army, they were the first to wear uniforms, first to receive salaries and first 'standing' army in the Ottoman Empire. Their elite status and training meant they served not only as soldiers, but also acted as the first Ottoman civil police corp, border guards and even firemen. But first and foremost they acted as the "Protectors of the Sultanate throne". So yes, add a Sultan in your army for sure. They would be more of a far ranging mobile force to reflect their history. Ogryns, Ratlings would not be present, since only men from a singular Christian (and in rare cases Judaism) background could join. Basically, only one class of background. The Janissaries were the first Ottoman units to have "trench guns" (siege artillery), so be sure to add artillery. Commissars, yes! Since they acted as police. Be sure to sculpt the Bork hat, a sign of their status. Beards were only allowed on the Janissary troops if they were in the presence of the Sultan himself (Islam fielty)...keep that in mind for sculpting. No Sultan, no beards. Pistols replaced swords in the late 1500's for rank and file...only officers carried the sword. Sorry about the rather boring history lesson ;) but hopefully it will give you some idea's for a 40k Janissary force. ...And I like that the color pic of the Janissary uniform reflects that their colors match your Skink Avatar colors :cheers
Anyway (Fuggit this is for you) what do you think their combat doctrine would be? For instance, as I wrote before I depict Tallarns to be extremely mobile and able to operate for months away from the main army doing hit and run attacks. What about 40k Ottomans? Would they use a barrage of artillery (in which case a master of Ordnance would be necessary)? Would they rely on vehicles (dozens of Chimeras)? And how would they engage the enemy? Also, Commissars, Ogryns, Ratlings, would they be present in an space Ottoman army???? Ah, last thing, I would love to include a Sultan, maybe as a special character. Thoughts?
Skink
Good questions...I like the idea of an Ottoman Janissary IG. If you want to go with more than just the 'look' of them , and add their actual history into your idea of a 40k doctrine for them, then I would suggest the following:
The Janissaries were the first official (by today's terminology) Ottoman army, they were the first to wear uniforms, first to receive salaries and first 'standing' army in the Ottoman Empire. Their elite status and training meant they served not only as soldiers, but also acted as the first Ottoman civil police corp, border guards and even firemen. But first and foremost they acted as the "Protectors of the Sultanate throne". So yes, add a Sultan in your army for sure. They would be more of a far ranging mobile force to reflect their history. Ogryns, Ratlings would not be present, since only men from a singular Christian (and in rare cases Judaism) background could join. Basically, only one class of background.
The Janissaries were the first Ottoman units to have "trench guns" (siege artillery), so be sure to add artillery. Commissars, yes! Since they acted as police. Be sure to sculpt the Bork hat, a sign of their status. Beards were only allowed on the Janissary troops if they were in the presence of the Sultan himself (Islam fielty)...keep that in mind for sculpting. No Sultan, no beards. Pistols replaced swords in the late 1500's for rank and file...only officers carried the sword.
Sorry about the rather boring history lesson ;) but hopefully it will give you some idea's for a 40k Janissary force.
...And I like that the color pic of the Janissary uniform reflects that their colors match your Skink Avatar colors :cheers
Fuggit Khan
Please don't relent on history, this is gold for me!!! So artillery expert is going to be. This means platoons with as many officers as possible backed by Thudd guns, Basilisks and Bombards. Not many Leman Russes.
And yeah, my Avatar is taken from a drawing I did ages ago that depicts a battle between CDs and Lizards. Thommy used it in his book. It will be soooo good to get back painting blue after so much red CDs.
