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Hey everyone,

I just inherited some 40k stuff from a friend who picked up the hobby a while ago but didn't take it very far. I have a mostly unpainted Space Wolves army (older models), some unassembled marines (from an old starter set), and a few rhinos (atleast i think they are rhinos lol). I've never played 40k, but have wanted to try for a while. I was curious as to if the Space Wolves can fight alongside regular marines or if i have to convert all the marines to space wolves? Also are the old mini's still valid to play? I know the books are out of date and I'd have to grab the new rules.

My main reason for asking is because I am preparing to paint the minis and would prefer to not have to split the minis into an army of Space Marines and an army of Space Wolves.

Thanks in advance,
Scynthe

So long as it's clear which models represent which units, you can use anything.

If you say they're Space Puppies, they're painted grey and you're holding a copy of Codex Vikings-but-in-Space, no-one can really argue with you.

They probably will look strange next to each other, though. Actual Space Wolf models look different to regular marine models (he says as though you haven't noticed that already).

Nevertheless, the only really important thing is that the correct equipment must be shown on the models.

I spent some time sorting through the boxes and I think I've identified most of the units and squads. 1 wolf lord, 1 iron priest, 1 venerable dreadnaught, 5 wolf guards, 6 scouts, 20 blood claws, 10 grey hunters, 2 rhinos and 1 (i think) vindicator.

For the Marines, there are about a dozen standard marines and a landspeeder.

Rummaging through the boxes I think there should be enough bits to make everything look like a space wolf army.

I'm going to have to probably hit up a hobby shop with the models and have people tell me what equipment they have and such as I have no idea what anything is lol. I dont think my friend would either as he bought these back in 99 and they've sat around in a box since then.

Azezel wrote:If you say they're Space Puppies, they're painted grey and you're holding a copy of Codex Vikings-but-in-Space, no-one can really argue with you.

They probably will look strange next to each other, though. Actual Space Wolf models look different to regular marine models (he says as though you haven't noticed that already).

Nevertheless, the only really important thing is that the correct equipment must be shown on the models.

This. Fifth Edition Warhammer 40,000 have a fun little rule called "Counts As", where you can say this model "counts as" this unit. IE, you can say that a converted Ork model "counts as" Ogryns if you wanted, though you shouldn't paint it green of course.

Sounds like you have the beginnings of a very good & fun army. Enjoy!

If you have or pick up a copy of the Space Wolf codex it'll have pictures (both drawings/paintings and actual photos of the models) in it and descriptions which will help you identify 90% of the equipment your models have.

I have the 3e Codex which was with the models but as 5e current it's likely very outdated. I'll probably pick up a copy of the 5e codex this week. For now I've been experimenting with methods of stripping the paint off the ones that have been started so I can paint them all the same

Plastics are best stripped with brake fluid, or a (possibly mythical) substance called 'Simple Green'. I've never been able to locate the damned stuff myself, but you're welcome to try.

Acetone-based nail-varnish remover (without Aloe Vera!) is best for metal, though the above mentioned Simple Green will work too.

I'd avoid using brake fluid if you can locate Simple Green. Brake fluid works (on plastic and metal) but is lavishly toxic and once you've used it you have to dispose of it properly (not down the drain). For the love of god, wear gloves when interacting with brake fluid, and don't breath the fumes.

Maybe have a look at the GW website or a store, if Space Wolfs or Space marines are the army you want. Both are good starter armies, so you wouldn't go wrong playing the minis you have. There are some nice and quite new Space Wolf miniatures, including a set with lots of conversion parts, so you can easily build a 10 Space Wolf squad and have enough parts do decorate your old standard SM to look wolfish ( http://www.games-workshop.com/gws/catalog/productDetail.jsp?catId=cat200023a&prodId=prod260003a ). But reading the new Space Wolf Codex and lending the new 40k basic rule book from someone s probably the best start.

Azezel wrote:Plastics are best stripped with brake fluid, or a (possibly mythical) substance called 'Simple Green'. I've never been able to locate the damned stuff myself, but you're welcome to try.

Acetone-based nail-varnish remover (without Aloe Vera!) is best for metal, though the above mentioned Simple Green will work too.

I'd avoid using brake fluid if you can locate Simple Green. Brake fluid works (on plastic and metal) but is lavishly toxic and once you've used it you have to dispose of it properly (not down the drain). For the love of god, wear gloves when interacting with brake fluid, and don't breath the fumes.

Yeah I experimented with acetone free nail polish remover last night. It worked great on my metal Dreadnaught, but when I tested on an old mini it looks like it may have eaten a slight amount of detail. Since the minis I got from my friend had only been painted once I just attempted to re-prime them. They look fine so I'll just continue stripping the metal ones and leave any plastics alone.

If you sub the regular space marines into the Grey Hunter or Blood Claw or Long Fang squads once or twice, no one will care at all... and the landspeeder is totally fine going into a SW army.. no SW specific parts to one of those..

Well luckily the regular space marines are unassembled. With the space wolves bits I have I should be able to convert most if not all of them. I found the packaging from some Long Fangs in the box as well and I think I've located the guns from them but not the bodies. I can probably use the marine bodies for that. I think if all goes well I should be able to make 5 Long Fangs and 10 Grey Hunters with the Marines.