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Hello everyone,

I've been a big fan of the Warhammer 40k lore and have been painting/assembling mini's since approx 1995. I used to play my friend's spare Ork army, and am looking to finally build my own. One of the questions I've always had, but never found an answer to, was this:

When assembling the units and adding various customizations, does it affect the rules of the unit? If I wanted to strap an extra bolter to a Space Marine's back, does it count as an extra weapon? What about a power sword at someone's hip? I don't want to add anything gameplay wise, just adding to the aesthetics of the fig. If I wanted to play in a local tourney, or casual game, do I have to declare what is their "real" weapon?

I've searched this here at Dakka Dakka, a few other 40k Forums, and Google to no avail. Perhaps I'm just using the wrong terminology. Thanks a ton in advance! Looking forward to any advice you all have!

I believe the rule you are looking for is WYSIWYG, which essentially means that any wargear modelled on the model is the wargear they have. Most people simply use this rule to show changes in wargear that aren't a unit's default weapons. However, I've been told that your actually supposed to try and model on the majority of the wargear as best you can, but who does that anyways?

In short, you cannot glue whatever weapon you like on your Space Marine, for example. You first have to consult your respective army's codex, and then see what wargear is available and legal for you to put on that particular member of a unit. For example, in a ten man Space Marine Tactical Squad I get a free- well not neccessarily free, but you get the point- Heavy Weapon and a Free Special weapon. I would have to model on the choices I made for the heavy weapon and speacial weapon to their bearers to show I have chosen them.

I hope this answers your question, if something's vague I'll try to make it clear...er.

Models from what I understand can be treated in 2 manners:
WYSIWYG
or
Count-as

If the model is WYSIWYG then every piece of wargear is treated like it is accounted for in the points total.

For Count-as you just treat everything as cosmetic (although it's somewhat rude to have a completely inconsistent model like a gretchin to count as a war biker war boss) and detail what the model has.

Thanks for the info Razzle and Sgt.Sunshine! Now that I have "WYSIWYG" rule, I've been reading up on it further. Unfortunately, some of my figures will have to be broken down :( I've added things to my models, within taste of course, but enough to the point that it would probably affect my opponent's perception of what my troops are carrying.

Oh well Thanks for the help everyone!

WYSIWYG doesn't have to be as restrictive as all that. You may get into trouble adding upgrades (plasma, PW, etc.) to your models for aesthetic reasons, but I've never had any trouble with smaller items like pistols, grenades, or messes of CCWs.

Additionally, there is a good deal of substitution that seems to be okay. A few of my choppa boyz actually pack twin sluggas for example. Use your better judgement after looking at your codex and decide what will be confusing and what won't, and above all, if your opponent causes a stink at a tournie - just give him the concession. Most people are reasonable enough when you give them their way.

JMO

Dan

Also, with the simplification of the rules from the old days there are alot of things that are considered a generic close combat weapon. For example if the codex entry says that the model has a close combat weapon (and most do), you could strap an axe, dagger, sword (not a power sword), knife, chainsword, autopistol, hand flamer (remember those) or spear onto your model and not be in violation of the rules.

If your model has replaced it's standard armnament with an upgraded piece and you model it with the standard weapon on it's belt or pack, that's generally ok too, as long as you only game as though it had the upgraded weapon. As was mentioned, even within strict WYSIWYG, it is usually acceptable to have grenades modeled when they are not being taken, and visa/versa.

I've given a number of my IG sgt's autopistols. They don't do anything in the game, but simply act as the CCW that the stats say they have. And they look cool!

Lastly, if you want to keep those power weapons, just shave off the "Power" nodes and paint them plain metal. I did that to some of my death company marines when the rules changed.

After a while of playing it will be very apparent what attitude is common among the people you usually play with. I play in an environment when I can field 30 models armed with all manners of lasguns, autopistols, kitchen knifes, claws and shotguns. Then I say "These all are my genestealer cultists, they count as termagaunts armed with fleshborers. And these two guys with hazmat suits and flamers, they count as termagaunts armed with stranglewebs." And I'll get an "Oh, cool, nice models" as a reply. Most players enjoy playing against a lovingly converted army so much that they can live with a bit of exceptions from the wysiwyg. In tournaments things usually needs to be a bit more exact.