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so, I'm thinking I want to build a Wrack/Grotesque army. Since I don't know what the DE releases are for next year (can't find the thread on Dakka - "search" issues), I thought I'd go ahead and try to convert up a unit of 4 Grotesques to stick in a raider with a Haemon, to see how it works out.
Now, they're bulky, so they count as 2 models for transport purposes. This leads me to believe that they'll be on 40mm bases.

On that presumption, I started looking for plastic GW kits (preferably 40K) that fit the "bulky" description and won't look too small on 40mm bases. I came to the decision to use Chaos Spawn. Now, as it happens, I still have a bunch of these sitting around on sprue. When they were released, I fell into the "they're so cool looking" trap... Plus, I thought they'd be good conversion fodder, at least.

So, I'm thinking I'm going to use them and carefully choose the mutation pieces I use.

Looking at the artwork in the book, I see 2 major issues:

(1) If I want them to be close, I'll need to shrink their waists. I may or may not do this, depending on how I feel about it at the time (as there will be GS sculpting involved to regain detail, and I just don't know if I wanna... LOL). I may do the first unit without the wais conversions and, if I think they need it, convert later units.

(2) Heads. To stay with the artwork, I need to find some sort of masked head.

Where I'm looking for information/advice/input is mostly on the heads, but also on "mutation" bits or other kits to kitbash with.

One possible head I've thought of is the Defiler "Skull" mask. I think it might fit the torso on the Spawn body, but I worry that it might be too big (the head in the codex art looks "normal" sized). I also say some similar masks in the wych set, but I was thinking I'll need those for my wyches (I prefer covered faces). Does anyone have any ideas?

Also, I'd love to know which kits and/or bits you think will work for mutating them. I don't plan to go overboard. I expect I'll be using a little greenstuff to fill in mutation openings on the Spawn bodies, but I do want them to look a bit, well, grotesque.

Thanks in advance for the advice and input, everyone!


Eric

Not sure if (1) is really a problem, it depends on your fluff.
If the models represent DE slowly losing their struggle against Chaotic mutation, then they can look like any type of horribly deformed humanoids.

but i agree they would still (if only out of pride or self denial) try their best to maintain their 'normal' DE weapons and equipment - and masked heads still fit with that. If the heads are mutated though, that makes them easier to model - pick almost any head and add a greenstuff mask on top. You mention the Defiler 'mask' - yes it's about twice the size of a normal head but that's fine if the head has mutated to double size.

In the book the Grotesques still looked agile. They have very lanky limbs for something that huge and hulking, and their faces are obscured by that plate (which looks like a WHFB Chaos Knight or Chosen helmet). Their legs are also semi-armored. Maybe use the Chaos knights to compliment the pieces, the legs of the barded chaos steeds will work nicely for the legs of the Grotesque and the weapons look brutish enough.