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As long as you and your friends are enjoying your hobby, that's all that matters!

This is called a "Proxy", and it kind of depends on the model. We use them all the time in my meta to test out rules before we buy models or to represent models we've purchased but haven't completed yet. The Solo cup drop pod I pretty common. We allow this with the understanding that you will eventually purchase an actual model to replace it, though. Don't expect to be able to proxy a model indefinitely.

 Korinov wrote:

 War Kitten wrote:
I would be ok with it, so long as you're not trying to use "alternative" models for your whole army. I've bought some third party stuff for my Guard, but the bulk of it is still GW.

Out of curiosity, if said whole army made up of alternative models is correctly represented (weapons, gear, etc.), what's the difference?

I guess then there would be no real difference.

It really boils down to what your opponent can put up with and how well you can remember what your proxy is.

Any real objection I would have is for practical reasons:

It makes the game harder for both of you during gameplay if the model is not WYSIWYG.
If at all possible, just modify the model to look as closely as possible to the one you are proxying.
Failing that, it sounds goofy, but put a nice little label on it with the name of what it "should" be.

I will list some "emotional" considerations.

Some people saved-up for their expensive models and may get upset you did not do the same.
Just like the fully painted argument, some love the game for the look of it, so if your model does not follow "the rule of cool" then you might hear some grumbling.

Like with the painted topic, I find many nice players are more than happy to let you proxy as long as they see you working on making your army better looking week to week.

Seeing bare-minimum-work-chess-pieces tend to cause potential opponents to find other more pretty armies to play against.
Hehe, I had a bad thought: gaming is like going on a first date: you want to make the best impression to get asked on a second.

I'll add a small addendum to the post I made on the first page.

While I'm older now (I'm the youngest in my gaming group, in my mid-30's) I've finally...finally managed to install a bit of discipline on myself. I've found that restricting myself serves as fantastic motivation to paint/model.

I generally do not assemble a model until it is ready to be painted, and as such do not play with a model until it is painted. I find it is very easy to fall into a trap if you assemble a 2,000 point army of plastic figures. Once they're assembled and you can game with them the urge/desire/motivation to paint them will always fall short.

This may mean several months or weeks without gaming if you're starting a new army - so be it. Play a different game or watch/assist/GM a game etc. It's wonderful motivation (particularly if your group shares the same approach) to get stuff painted - and in turn assemble more.

For the same reason I do not paint multiple things at once. I have a small "at bat" area on my painting table. Occasionally a figure or two will be skipped over, but I don't paint parts of one model then jump to another. Whatever is on the table gets painted until it's finished. This kind of arms-race approach is pretty motivational.

It also helps prevent me from buying too much stuff (unless I'm collecting old figures which are rare on ebay etc.). If I have two or three blisters/boxes waiting on paint ---- no point in buying a new plastic kit as it'll only be sitting there waiting for a few weeks/months.

TLDR: Self limitation can be excellent motivation to build/paint/finish a unit at a time.

Let us remember to stay on topic.
In a way not willing to wait to assemble / paint is similar here were we are not willing to wait to buy the desired model.

I would say it is perfectly acceptable to say you would like to try out the rules for the model you are thinking of getting.
I am still a bit unhappy some nicely finished models of mine get little table-time since their rules "suck".

I voted yes. As long as they are similar size I could not care less what it is. I see a lot of people saying no.. seems like rubbish, I'm here to play a game. If the way some models look stopped me from playing I would have zero games under my belt. I can't even think of one army at the local shop that's 100% painted and "pretty" to look at.

It depends.

I have thought about buying some non-GW models for my Ork army, mainly for variety.

I have also considered doing a IG army using all third party models. Why? just to do something different.

Honestly I have an Ultra-smurf, Ork, Chaos, Eldar and Daemon GW army so I am just kind of bored buying GW stuff and want to spice it up.

Keep in mind, painting is what got me into the hobby. I'm playing poorly painted models, i'm playing models that aren't the same unit they represent. Third party models are generally fine with me, as long as they fit the feel of my Army.

I said no because whilst a little proxying I'd fine, I see a line where stuff gets too confusing to be worth while.

I don't care what models/tokens/whatnot are on the table.

when we were kids just buying the rules was difficult and coke can greater daemon, books for hills, and a thermos as a water tower were pretty normal.

Now we're a bit older and have the disposable income its a conscious decision to be all in to the hobby. Game mats, proper terrain and painted models are an unofficial requirement in my circles however proxying models of similar style and stature and not playing WYSIWYG is common but really only in the concept of testing for future purchase. If you are playing that way regularly id frown upon it and ask you to step up but once in a while is no issue. If you've gone to the financial and also more considerable time effort to buy and paint models and everyone else isn't its a total let down and has the effect of ruining the fun. Particularly if I'm getting tabled by a proxy army.

It really comes down to why you play and how dedicated to the hobby you are.

I've probably got over £1k in models but at least 2/3rds are rescued from ebay.