Modeling your special characters?

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**Schnitzel**

Hey all. I've recently come into a tiny conflict with a few guys in my gaming group. See, here's the deal. They're all gung-ho about buying the metal HQ/Special Characters, and that's cool, I respect that. In my army, the only thing I proxy (if I absolutely have to) is a special weapon or two. I'm probably about 98% WYSIWYG and I take some pride in that

But now here's the kicker. They get kinda pissy when they see that instead of purchasing the metal models of my HQ's ie Azrael/Ezekiel (meanwhile, a soda can on the table is a drop pod for them). Now, don't get me wrong, I think the GW models are neat looking, but I feel like it takes some freedom from the game having to use what GW has decided they should look like. I've used pieces from kits that I've purchased to make my own, unique special characters. I realize that some characters don't have models (Belial for instance), but here's where my topic starts to generate discussion:

Would you rather shell out the cash for the special metal characters that aren't as customizable or would you rather make your own? Do you see any problems with building your own? I realize that this is part of the hobby, but I'm curious what the general consensus is.

Radda.

**Ringarin**

I tend to buy the ones they make or slightly modify existing ones. I'm just not that much into creating my own. But yeah, I know what you are talking about. There's a store I sometimes go to where they grade the quality of your army on the number of HQs you have. I guess what I mean is that people are sometimes very odd about what they consider to be a good army. Haven't figured out a way to deal with it myself.

**SagesStone**

Built from various spare parts is better than just buying the metal model. If you do it properly

But if you were playing Ultramarines and wanted Calgar the metal model would be better, it's when you want to use a special character in another chapter that you want to definitely either convert or customise the existing one. As long as it has the correct equipment it's fine.

I don't see a problem with it. The choice is yours either buy the model or put the extra effort in to make your own unique one. The unique one will always stand out more than the normal.

**Grimm**

I've never bought a Special Character, yet I have converted quite a few that I use regularly. I'd much rather make my own and make it fit right in with my army, than buy one that sticks out like a sore thumb.

**unclehomefries**

Yeah, making it your own is part of the fun. For example, I have a Cadian army, and I wanted a Colonel Straken, but since he was a Catachan metal model, I simply kitbashed my own out of a bunch of different sprues. He's not amazingly modeled, but I think its better than having a non-Cadian miniature.

I do like many of the metal models, however

**Vindicator#9**

What you do is all part of the hobby. It is no different than modding troops to WYSIWYG. If you want to put the extra effort to make the guy the way you want more power to ya.

**1hadhq**

Schnitzel wrote:
Would you rather shell out the cash for the special metal characters that aren't as customizable or would you rather make your own? Do you see any problems with building your own?

Pay for the awesome and build your own if theyre awful.

Did use the vulcan model with some changes, but left Shrike unchanged.
Khan model got ignored and I am running a model that has a bike as it should.

So it depends if a model is available or has to be done youreself.
Really prefer plastic but sometimes I try to use metals..

**Brother SRM**

I'm going with the general consensus that if it's a good model, I'll likely buy it. For instance, I bought Lysander and Pedro Kantor. On the other hand, I'd happily convert my own Ragnar Blackmane, as his model hasn't aged well at all.

**Skarboy**

I only buy the model if it's really good (Ghazghkull, Snikrot come to mind) and skip it if it's not (Zogwort/Warphead, the big meks, for example). Also my army has a "theme," so I have to convert a few models to meet the theme or keep it coherent. Frankly, I don't care if people are converting because they're creative, picky, or cheap. As long as I know what it is, and it's not an f-ing soda can, then cool. Even the soda can is cool if you're just trying to playtest and actually intend to get the model in the near future.

**InquisitorBob**

Sounds like the guys at your store are jerks.
I wouldn't say this if you had not mentioned the soda drop pod but if they wine about your non-metal HQ, you should likewise refuse to allow any sort of weird proxies like soda cans. >.>

**leoaeris6789**

The way I see it, WYSIWYG is GW squig excrement trying to get you to spend more money than you already do. Want your cool champion to have a power fist instead of a power weapon this game? NNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! NOT WYSIWYG! GO BUY MOAR! I'm still new at the modeling part of 40k, but if I ever want to use a special character, I'm most likely going to make up my own and just say "he uses Kharns rules" or whoever. And if soda cans work, tell them to shut up.

**vodo40k**

One of my favorite aspects of the hobby is doing this. ALL my special characters are home-made. I think as long as they have the equipment detailed its fine.

**Eilif**

The rules (for IG anyway) specifically state that you are allowed to make your own models for special charachters as long as they are WYSIWYG and you tell your opponent what charachter it is. If you conform to that, there shouldn't be any guff from your gaming store friends about it.

As for myself, I have the actual models for some (Tycho, Dante and Mephiston) but usually because I found a good deal on them, and I build my own for others.

I also often build my own non-special leaders as well, though I always conform to WYSIWYG with regards to weapons and wargear. I've got two great looking Platoon Commanders converted made from Lt Varras figures (the SM pilot from Macraage), and a Blood Angel chaplain from a Spacelords figure.

I've got a Harker in the works now, and am very seriously considering converting up a Castellan and Kell.

**nintendoeats**

Here is a weird one for you. I have a blue Ork army.

I also Have Gazkghull

That was a difficult decision, but I eventually went with blue. I worked it out in fluff, but part of me wants a green Gaz running my Blue Boyz.

What do you think?

**Skarboy**

Blue, as in blue-skinned like Smurfs, or blue armored? Either way, you paid your money, you get to paint them as you see fit and it's fine with me. Blue-skinned orks or non-Goff Ghaz may not be "fluffy," but it's YOUR army. Have fun with it.

**nintendoeats**

Skarboy wrote:Blue, as in blue-skinned like Smurfs, or blue armored? Either way, you paid your money, you get to paint them as you see fit and it's fine with me. Blue-skinned orks or non-Goff Ghaz may not be "fluffy," but it's YOUR army. Have fun with it.

Smurfs.

I was more wondering what other people would have done in this situation.

**DaveL**

Really depends. Metal models are a pain in the rear to deal with... but some people might be tempted to claim they've made their own Njal Stormcaller by putting the backpack on upside down on a standard marine. I'd say, if you're making your own special character and there's a model for it, it should actually look good and have at least some of the special equipment of that special character.

**Locclo**

Really depends on the character model you're looking to use and your willingness to kitbash. If the model itself is an amazingly sculpted masterpiece with several pieces of unique wargear - it might just be easier to buy the model and put it together. But if the character has pretty standard gear (With maybe one or two special pieces of equipment that don't differ much from the norm), you might consider just converting one.

**Breotan**

If the plastic bits are available to make a special character (ala Shrike) then I do it that way. If a model requires extensive use of putty or metal bits, then I just buy the model as it's easier that way.