Please be brutally honest with me: Can I use non-GW minis for 40k?

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**Brother SRM**

Dakkamite wrote:
Jeez, I honestly can't even comprehend the mindset that would take issue with well done, non-GW miniatures.

Some people are just sticklers for anything and everything, unfortunately.

**Makumba**

Dakkamite wrote:
Jeez, I honestly can't even comprehend the mindset that would take issue with well done, non-GW miniatures.

Well it is normal that if someone paid 1500$ for his army and suddenly someone else tries to build the same army for 750$ with different models , he will not let it fly . Otherwise he would be looking like a fool . Shop owners aren't interested in people buying stuff online or from other stores either , so if they don't support a model line they won't let people use them in their events .

**Jimsolo**

In certain events I've run, where GW-provided prize support was present, I have instituted a 'GW models only' policy. If the store is providing the prize support (or the lion's share of it, at any rate) then I don't give a dang.

**kb305**

Signal wrote:
I haven't played 40k in years, but with the upcoming release of the "Astra Militarum" Codex and some of the rule changes I heard for 6th ed, my interest has re-kindled. But when I went down to my local gaming store, the price for new IG soldiers and vehicles made my eyes bug out. So I went around online and found much, much, much cheaper miniatures and model vehicles in a scale that's good for 40k games. Now I'm stoked to buy and paint up a brand new IG army.

I went back to my local gaming store and asked what the policy was for non-GW minis. They said they were okay, but I would be barred from tournaments and the league. But pick-up games would be fine. I was okay with this.

Then someone pulled me aside (I'm the newest guy at the local gaming store) and told me as nicely as he could that it's bad form to use non-GW miniatures for even casual pick-up games. Showing up at the store would basically make everyone there think I was trying to be a "special snowflake" with my army, and basically being "That Guy" since my army would look nothing like the rest of the GW-made Imperial Guardsman. I assured him that the only reason I wasn't using official-GW figures was simply a matter of pricing, not because I wanted to rattle any cages or make any waves. I just wanted to show up, play, and socialize. He told me, still trying to be nice about it, that it didn't matter and perception was everything. Nobody would still play with me and my army would be pariahs nobody would want to play with.

So I figured I'd take this to a forum where the most 40k vets can see it and let me know what they think. Please understand the guy who took me aside isn't a jerk, he was just trying to give me a "reality-check" (I think). If it really is bad form to bring non-GW minis to a game store for casual games, please be brutally honest with me and let me know that's just the way things are. If it isn't bad form, I'd still appreciate some advise or an estimate on how many people might not play against my Army (outside of GW-sanctioned leagues and tournaments of course).

If it matters, the miniatures I intended to use would look like the attachments below, but with conversions to make everything look more "sci fi" and fit better into the 40k universe. I had intended to replace the infantry heads with full-headed sci-fi helmets, figure out a way to make their rifles look more lasery (need suggestions on that), and replace the "real" guns on the vehicles with GW-vehicular weapons. I intended to use the M113s as Chimeras, and the M20 armored cars as Tauros Venators.

putting those power armour heads onto the guys wearing cloth is going to look really really ass.

get the dreamforge stormtrooper guys, they would make an awesome guard army IMO.

**Ir0njack**

I'm of the same mind as Brother SRM, my guard are 100% gw and I'm quite pround of that fact. But I also realize it has taken me years to built up my regiment and that some folks have neither the time nor the funds to do so and that shouldn't keep them from enjoying 40k. As long as your guard fit the "asethetic" and are easily identified "this is melta, that is plasma" I wouldnt have a single gripe bringing my horrifyingly priced guard against you.
A good paintjob also goes a long way as others have said. I would rather play against awesome looking proxy guard instead of the grey sea gw guard.

**AllSeeingSkink**

If you're not playing in a GW store or you're not playing in a GW supported tournament, I don't think you have a problem. Some stores who don't charge for tables might not be happy about you using models you didn't buy from them, though I've never encountered that personally.

Part of the reason I still buy primarily GW models for 40k is that I do play in a GW store on occasion. Also I like having a unified aesthetic, which is often hard to achieve with 3rd party models.

**Freman Bloodglaive**

Those Dreamforge models are very nice.

**da001**

Your models look fine to me.

Most people I know apply the Rule of Cool: if they look great, they are in. The only place where you can expect a GW-only policy is in a GW shop/event. I have also found that alcohol and not being a jerk lower the standards of what can be fielded in a pick-up game.

By the way: let me introduce you to Sharkweaver, the twin evil brother of Fateweaver.
http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/90/578741.page#6552839
(It is the second picture. The first is the player, Lyzz)

That is a top player in a top tournament, and it is clearly a not-GW model. No problema.

Just an example. There are many more

**Mr Morden**

If they are about the right size and look good - far rather play against them than grey plastic of the latest power build...............

**carlos13th**

Makumba wrote:
Dakkamite wrote:
Jeez, I honestly can't even comprehend the mindset that would take issue with well done, non-GW miniatures.

Well it is normal that if someone paid 1500$ for his army and suddenly someone else tries to build the same army for 750$ with different models , he will not let it fly . Otherwise he would be looking like a fool .

That's one of the dumbest things I have ever heard. So if I buy my army new I shouldn't let anyone else buy a second hand army for cheaper? What I paid for my army should have no effect on what other people are allowed to pay for theirs. If you want to stop someone else playing because they managed to be more frugal than you when building their army then you massively insecure and selfish.

**JubbJubbz**

I've played with/against cardboard cut-outs. I don't care as long as I get to play the game. However, I do think its the 'right thing to do' to actually buy at least some gw product. Support the hobby you enjoy and the store you enjoy it in.

**Davor**

I have no problem at all with no GW miniatures. For people who say you have to use GW miniatures are not worth playing. Also point out that they are not using GW miniatures as well, since they are Citadel miniatures. GW doesn't make miniatures, they just sell Citadel minis.

I can't see the store owner having any problems as long as you buy and order from him, all should be cool..

Now I can't understand why anyone would not want to play with non "gw minis". I mean they are all plastic toy soldiers so what difference should it make?

Just have fun and play.