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Ok, so I have been playing on and off casually since I was about 8. I have always been into the modelling and converting side of things, and still want to maintain that interest, but this time I want to actually get a few more games under my belt. I am playing IG, and while I love the idea of having a butt-load of tanks, I consider myself a contrarian, and I love playing more obscure races or rulesets. For instance, I played an awesome Chaos Dwarfs army (only time I ever plaayed WHFB) and Chapter Approved Kroot. Either way, I want to play IG in a more obscure fashion, and I have a few ideas for cool conversions and playsets.

1. I would love some rough rider, but don't like the horses. I would love to get them on bikes somehow
2. Like the idea of sentinels, but would prefer them if they looked like armored cars or jeeps (mentioned this in another thread), so plenty of conversion possibility there
3. A love the idea of a really tanky army. I already have a punisher Leman Russ, partially due to the joy of rolling 20 dice
4. Penal Legions. So many opportunities for conversions, and adds a level of randomness to each game. I am guessing I would get Catachan models and tattoo them and stuff


So what are your thoughts? Also are penal legions good? I would love an entirely criminally themed IG army.

Welcome!
You should be able to find plenty of inspiration in the Gallery!
i've seen plenty of RR conversions with Cold Ones instead of horses. and i've also seen various SM/scout bikes used too.
you might want ask yourself if you are wanting to stay with GW models only. will you play in alot of Tournaments? if not,
then there are a few "28"mm scale bike option outthere.
and i think all Penal legion would be a bad thing. a few squads maybe, but there a better troop options.

I love question 3 and 4. Yes it is cool!

As bikes and cars I am a bit sceptical about hoing to those two things. The problem is that walker/bikes/open topped wehicels/mounts all have special universal rules just for them. Converting could the confuse your oponent.

It would be like gluing a dagger to a powerfist: Is it now a powerfist, a power sword or a lightning claw? I am all for conversions, but I try to stay within line of the warhammer rules. The arias that the rules do not consern I convert quite a bit. (Two bladed chainswords, different weaponds etc. Odd armour.)

I am not saying you shouldn't, but people will be supriced when your bike moves 6, runs 1d6 and charges 12! Not to mention the small cars that do not take dangerush terain tests.

For the foot guard addition to my mech guard army, I plan on adding ten rough riders, but I'll be using the Seekers of Slaanesh for their mounts...as for bikes, I've seen a couple of sweet conversions along those lines, so its not uncommon, nor would it confuse your opponent. The jeep sentinels would definitely be fun and cool looking, but you could only play them in friendly games with your friends. Plus the regular sentinel model is sweet as is! I enjoy tanks myself, though I prefer executioners (mmmm...plasma...), and a good guard army normally has a Russ or two. Penal Legion are fun, but not competitive, mainly because they lack special weapons. A squad or two would definitely be entertaining though.

And finally, slightly off topic, but with regards to your signature...check out the Tau Manta: http://www.forgeworld.co.uk/Warhammer-40000/Tau/TAU-AIRCRAFT/TAU-MANTA.html

so, basically what you've told us is that you want an outflankey-mechanized army.

Try something like this:

CCS 3x melta, meltabomb, astropath, chimera HHF - 170

Al'rahem 3x melta, chimera HHF - 185
PIS, plasma, plasma pistol, HHF chimera - 130
PIS, plasma, plasma pistol, HHF chimera - 130

Vets 3x plasma, HHF chimera - 170
Vets 3x plasma, HHF chimera - 170

lascannon sentinel - 55
autocannon sentinel - 40
autocannon sentinel - 40

LRD - 160

1250 pts.

Lots of treads built on a winning core of a mech list, but with a VERY different twist on it.

Sorry, I don't get a lot of the lingo. PIS and HHF...? Thanks a lot for the replies though.

Do I need special weapons in my troops choices? I mean, if I back it up with a lot of tanks (Leman Russes, hellhounds, basilisks and sentinels) then do I really need them? Because Penal Legionarres seem to be really good. Better leadership and Stubborn seems to be a kill for only like 30 points more. Couple that with whatever special modifiers I might get with them.... I know for one thing they are a lot better than conscripts, they seem to just suck ass all around the shop.

Also, I have the 40k rulebook, but not on me, so I have a rules question. Can I fire grenade launchers and such from the fire ports of a Chimera? Is it a viable tactic to just leave a squad in my chimera and have them shoot at things? Because after I disembark from a Chimera, what on earth would I do with it?

I am just brain-farting out questions at the moment, so sorry about that

jakeyjoo wrote:Sorry, I don't get a lot of the lingo. PIS and HHF...? Thanks a lot for the replies though.

Platoon Infantry Squad

Hull Heavy Flamer

Sorry about that. Yes, that's what I meant.

jakeyjoo wrote:Do I need special weapons in my troops choices?

Yes, unless it's okay with you that they do no damage.

jakeyjoo wrote: Penal Legionarres seem to be really good. Better leadership and Stubborn seems to be a kill for only like 30 points more.

They're okay, but not great. Yes, they're stubborn, but it's so easy to just wipe them off the board straight away - it's only 10 guardsmen worth of durability...

The 30 points more really are to let them outflank, and to have a zesty special ability. Really, they're little more than a regular infantry squad that can't take special weapons and has no grenades, but can outflank. A good harassment, but not a whole lot more.

jakeyjoo wrote: Can I fire grenade launchers and such from the fire ports of a Chimera? Is it a viable tactic to just leave a squad in my chimera and have them shoot at things?

Yes, and yes. Replace "grenade launchers" with "plasma guns and a plasma pistol" and you're in business.

for a different kind of Sentinal you might try to do some conversions to look like the battlesuits from Avatar.

a more hominoid robot look with weapons for arms.


Bikes are pretty interchangable for horses on your Roughriders.

or you could do this. it's just extras bits and some sprue

Segway for the Win!!