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Straight to the point: I want to convert ork models into count's as space marines. Now, to help me with the questions, I'll give you all of my motives for this.
1. I've never played imperium in any form. I really have only an opponents understanding of the models and lists. Always wanted to try them, but hate the idea of SM fluff. IG would be cool, but now isn't the time for me.
2. I thought orks driving dreds and wearing scraps of power armor sounds like a blast to convert.
3. I wanted to build an orks list until I found most of the models I liked really didn't load up well in a good list. I love mega nobz, wierdboyz, and deff dreads. None are great, but I would really wanna push heavy on them.
4. I wanna kit bash AoBR into one list.

Ok, accepting these facts help me answer the following questions:
1. What's the best MEQ book to roll with? I'm looking for playability and rulesets that would match up well to ork fluff.
2. Accepting I'm a fairly good converter, what's kind of models could I use from ork range to represent SM stuff? Examples: Deffkopta for landspeeders, boys for tacticals, SM tacs and terms kitbashed with orks...
3. Help me build a list/suggest some units for these interests. I'm big on meganobz, walkers, and landspeeders. I'm not a fan of vehicles(other than those mentioned), and scouts. Anything else goes. Also combine this with #1.

I won't be able to make it to a FLGS until sat, so I'll be picking up a SM codex then. Input on which to buy will help when I get there.

Personally Codex wise, I'd hold out a bit longer until you can look at the new Space Wolves Codex, I think that may be the best to suit your needs.

The big problem with doing a list like this is that the number of models you'll be using will be on a far smaller scale, as can be expected. Space Marines in general aren't really as versitile or cheap as Ork, with an average Pts comparission being 6 Orks for every 2 Space Marines give or take.

Personally I'm a long time Ork and Space Marine player, and my Space Marine army was built on my philosophy of Ork armies (the more the better).

The main advantage of Space Marines over Orks is better weapons to deal with high AV vehicles, and superior BS and Sv scores. However you'll find that your units are more expensive and smaller; you can't move and shoot with most weapons; the bikers are worse; you only get a single Attack per model in general; and the army won't be as fun to play with no exploding stuff (excluding Plasma weapons) or wayward bomb squigs.

If you're still keen to go ahead, as I said, wait till you get a chance to look at the Space Wolves Codex.

Models wise, a lot of the old 1st and 2nd Edition Ork have a lot of models which could work well for your purposes as many used Imperial weapons and the model sizes are similar to Space Marines.

In regards to proxy models neither Dreds or Kans really fit the mold of a Space Marine Dreadnought, although Forge World has released a new Ork Dred with looks quite nasty. Most other models can be supstituted easily, Warbikers for Bikers, Meganobs for Terminators, 'Ard Boys for Tactical/Devastator Marines, 'Ard Boys with Rokkit Packs for Assault Marines. I think I'd actually save Power Armoured Orks for special units such as Command Squads, Honour Guard, Stern Guard and characters. Deffkoptas aren't the best fit for Land Speeders due to the weapon setups, but Warbuggies and Wartrakks are only for Attack Bikes as long as you add a Twin-linked gun somewhere on it.

I'll happily add more as you start to think of which army you are going to choose and what sort of things you want to do in more detail.


Cheers
Rowan/LSWSjr


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Also thought I'd mention that for a Troops heavy Space Marine army, check my latest list on:

http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/258570.page

Cheers
Rowan/LSWSjr

A little Ork --> SM kitbashing is ok but don't go to far.

To make ork boys into Tac squads give them cybernetics and a lot of random orky armor. Then give them targeters and a big gun. Doesn't have to be a bolter!

Deffkoptas --> LS (remember it's supposed to be armored and have a good gunner, try and represent this!)
Grots --> Scouts
"Flashgits" for sternguard
Nobz for Vanguard and Sergeants
etc...

Same goes for everything else. I think that explains what I'm trying to say.

Either do Space Wolves or any Vanilla type army.

Heres what I suggest:

Librarian (Wierd Boy!)

3x AC/AC dreadnoughts (some crazy shooty dreads!!)

3x Tactical Squads in rhinos (very eavy' trukks) w/ MG + CF + RL + MB

3x LS w/ MM + HF

3x Predators w/ AC + HB

yay! or...

MotF - Conversion Beamer; Bike or a libby or something.

3x AC/AC dreads or something like that

3x Tacs in rhinos or something (could be 2x)

Bunch of Landspeeders

Terminators in LR

@ LSWSjr: I know I'm getting a SM list. I just don't personally sit well with the SM fluff and mindset. It'll play like one, act like one; but look like orks hijacked a serious amount of SM stuff. The bikers are worse, but the Termies(mega-nobz) are much better point for point. The dreads beat the hell out of deff dreads, and I haven't seen anybody use a wierd boy since a month after codex release. I do want to get a good orky look for them though. Do Grey Hunters come with the Bolter/CCW/Bolt Pistol combo? Given my choices I'm thinking Terminators(DS'ing or with LR), Dreads, tac squads, landspeeders. Right now there are so many HQ options I'll have to put some real thought in it. Power armor will be fairly normal, but most HQ/Elites will either be in termy armor or stuck in with the boyz. All depends on what guy I use.

@ EzeKK: I'm thinking a solid mix of tactical squad equipment and Boyz. Think if I bought a box of each and made 20 troops out of them, maybe closer to 15. Kitbashing never seems to give me 1 for 1.

Deffkoptas--> think of up-armored deffkoptas with something like blackhawk sponson gunners.
I'm excited to use a psyker, 'cause the possiblity for conversion is incredible.
I like the second list.

The possibilities here are great. Not only do I get a bunch of conversion, but I'll have a whole mess of fluff to follow up with.

Edited for grammar

Cool!

The thing I highly recommend though, is to not stick ork heads on smurf bodies vice versa. They would just look very disproportional.

Now some actually list going on here.

Rune Priest: chooser, wolftooth
Bjorn: Plasma
Dread: MM, HF
Wolfguard Terminators: 4x combi-something(what do you think fits), 1xwolf claws pair, CML, 1x T hammer+ Drop Pod
2x Grey hunters on foot: 2xmelta, MOTW
1x Grey hunter on foot: 2x flamer, MOTW
3x MM/HF Land Speeder: each in his own unit.

Here are my options for available models:(I haven't started any converting until I can figure out my list direction. Some of these models have several directions I can swing with conversion.)
2x Warbosses: Any SM HQ unit, I think I can even get some termy armor on that guy. One is gonna have to be a rune priest if I keep the list SW.
2x Dreads: Any dread unit, I do wanna do a bjorn though
10x Terminators: Terminators...
40x Tac Boyz: Any weapon loadout
10x Nobz: I was thinking either more termies, longfangs or... anything else
6x Koptas: These could be any kind of LandSpeeder with magnets. Also Twolf Cav is possible.