Ethics of modelling

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**MechaEmperor7000**

I just came into a full set of Skull Pass Goblin sprues for 30 bucks (so 10 Spider Riders, 40 NG Spearers, and 10 Bowmen, as well as a lone troll and two characters, but that's irrelevent). I already have a set of those, but I wanna get some more to use the Horde rules in 8th. I was wondering if I can "stretch" my forces by making some scenic "fillers" on 40mms with 3 or 2 goblins and some scenery on the sprues (particularly the gobbo squashed by the cannon ball). In 40k this is a pretty big nono, but I've seen alot of fantasy players do this, so would it be ethical? Keep in mind I'm doing this both to save money AND because I like modelling, not one or the other.

**blak43**

I think this is fairly well recieved in fantasy, I mean the GW blog shows if fairly regularly even, and for instance I've seen one that was a 40 mm base with one model on it then a bit of scenery but it was a rather unique case of a musician.

**neiltj1**

Rule of cool--- if it looks cool, then I am fine with it.

**Flashman**

No problem from me, but there will probably be the odd person who gribbles about it.

**MechaEmperor7000**

As it stands it'll likely only be for show. None of the people here play Fantasy. However I might visit the FLG on a regular basis soon, and it never hurts to clear it with people

**Grey Templar**

I think that most people who run monsterous hordes of infantry use fillers.

the GW guys do it, it must be ok.

**MechaEmperor7000**

So what's the general amount that I should run with? Each Goblin regiment I have is 20 strong (I have 6 Regiments I can do this way), I can pad it out with 2 40mm bases, giving me about 4 extra goblins per regiment. Although if I group them together in hordes, I can probably do more than just 2 bases.

EDIT: To reach the required number of 30, I can fill out the unit with 4 40mm bases (each with 2 Gobbos). However it makes my unit look very patch-worky. Effectively 16 of the supposed "30" models are fillers, so would that be a nono?

**Grey Templar**

What ever your group is cool with.

don't put the filler at the back as you will need to have models to break those bases after you take casualities.

**MechaEmperor7000**

I dont have a group to play with yet, which is why I'm asking for a general opinion. Also I'm thinking of putting them in around the middle of the unit, with the command and two goblins in the front rank still on normal bases. In the Horde Formation (10 models per rank) I would have all of the fillers up front and center.

**Da Boss**

As long as it was well modelled, I'd have absolutely no issue with it. I even think it's kinda cool.

**DukeRustfield**

Can't really see anyone caring. It can even make things look vastly more realistic.

"Yes, us 60 savage orcs are walking in perfect formation with no gaps at all because that's the orc way."

**MechaEmperor7000**

Still remnants of my 40k habits I guess XD If you ever try to stretch your models like this with round bases, everyone'll call bullcrap on you.

**HoverBoy**

The examples of filler are as divers as the people who use them. From the cav base filling in for two 25mm models to the extreme case of a bell/furnace/helpllit base taking the spot of 15 20mm. Either way the rule of cool is usually enough, heck i've even seen DoC players who have theyr models on round bases for 40k, in special movement trays to use in fantasy too.

**SilverMK2**

When I had some VC, I used all the extra arms and heads you get to basically double the quantity of skeletons I had by modeling skeletons emerging from the ground.

I personally would have no issue with "filler" stands of models. As mentioned above, the cooler it looks the better though

**Hawkins**

Im currently adding a middle part to my goblins in the form of 2 40 by 40 mm bases to just what youve asked. using giant mushrooms for some (there are 6 blocks of infanty all between 30 to 50 models ) the hut that comes in the old box as well, i use both the little moon face and troll skull markers as 'bookends' for some of the regiments, as well as adding the troll into the center of a block of 20 as well. but the giant mushrooms seem to work best if you put 2 or 3 on a base and colour code, and shape em to the mushrooms that are in the BFSP box.
Just remember that so long as your filler isnt on the front, side or rear and looks cool, people generally wont care.

**RiTides**

Fillers are totally cool in large blocks of troops. As posted frequently above, this is pretty well accepted in fantasy, and if it looks cool no one's going to mind

**Da Butcha**

Personally, I'm not a big fan of filler. It makes the game seem even more artificial to me.

"How is the mushroom in the second rank making a supporting attack?"

"How are you marching around with a tree trunk?"

"Why is there one Troll in the unit, and why is he Strength 3?"

If, on the other hand, you want to do this for modeling opportunities, and not just to save models, then there's all kinds of interesting stuff you can do. I have bases with 2 Night Goblins holding back a fanatic (takes up 2 spaces, and is swapped out when I release the fanatic). I have bases with guys squabbling. I have bases with guys with the wrong weapon (way in the middle of the unit), looking sheepish. In my old Bret army, I had drunken men-at-arms facing the wrong way with the guy next to them yelling at them. Technically, none of those are filler bases, as they have the number of guys on the right size base(s), but they are a relief when modeling and painting from "five more guys all facing the same way".

I would never refuse a game against someone with filler bases. However, I just don't like it when the rock attacks me, or the shrine marches. It's as distracting as a blank base in the middle of the unit. which, basically, it is, since in those cases, there's nothing on the base that could have attacked me. If the rock is swarming with goblins, then it's a lot better.

**RiTides**

The "rock attacked me" scenario should never happen if your opponent is doing it right. Whenever I've seen this done, it was placed towards the back of the unit and in the center. Meaning, it could never make supporting attacks. Also, once a decent number of models had died, it was easily removed and replaced with models (or if a nice round number of models died, like 4, it was removed outright).

It's easy to make it work and be awesome... and just as easy to make it a poor proxy-type situation. As long as you're doing the former, you'll be fine!

**MechaEmperor7000**

I was thinking of using some of the Ogre stuff, namely the giant (by goblin standards) barrels to represent Fungus Beer brew. As well, there are a few totems on the Skull Pass set, as well as two squished gobbos (I have 2 sets, one squished gobbo per sprue).

**Grey Templar**

in my Gnoblar unit i have a 40mm base with 2 gnoblars arguing on it.

my general rule is that Fliiler is used to reduce the number of models you have in the unit. if the base is for 4 models, the no more then 3 on the base, but there are always models on the base.

Filler is also fun for adding character to your unit.

it can also help if you have trouble ranking up.

**MechaEmperor7000**

Ranking up definately. I was organizing my Goblins and stabbed myself at least 10 times fumbling with them (they refuse to stand up, much less in rank).

**HoverBoy**

Thats gobbo discipline for ya

**streamdragon**

I plan on buying a couple spare Screaming Bell bases. They're 60mmx100mm, which means they're the same as 15 slaves. It gives me space to add some character to the unit, but it also means that when I'm forced to remove 15+ models (which happens commonly with slaves) I can just remove the big block to speed things up. It also makes them easier to rank up and make sure models will fit in place.

**MechaEmperor7000**

I now sort of regret starting 40k XD Fantasy seems to give you alot more elbow room as well as being alot less one-sided (In the Space Marine Future of Space Marine there is only Space Marine).

**Grey Templar**

O, you will find plenty of stuff to gripe about soon enough.

Prepare to face my "HE magic Teclis list of 'you die on turn 2' cheezyness"

**MechaEmperor7000**

at least there's nothing like "Your unit cant use that Rage rule because it has no eyes!"

**DukeRustfield**

Also, I want to point out that GW models are extremely expensive. You can easily spend hundreds (thousands) of dollars on models and paints, so I fully understand people wanting to proxy/filler, especially in these tough economic times. I also know a lot of people want to try before they buy, and that's impossible without proxy or borrowing someone's stuff.

It's a game after all, not a country club with monetary requirements.

**Grey Templar**

MechaEmperor7000 wrote:at least there's nothing like "Your unit cant use that Rage rule because it has no eyes!"

or it has eyes on all sides of it's body

**MechaEmperor7000**

I think I might end up needing to do this, as I think someone stole one of my Nightgoblin archers >.> Looked up and down and couldnt find it, and my Archers now have a gap in their rank.