Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

I've seen people talking about conversions, and being new I don't really know what that means. Could someone please explain?

It's when you take a base model and swap out or modify bits of it in order to make a new unique model.

Not to be confused with scratch built, which is when you take the materials and build the model yourself. For example building a tank out of plastic card.

n0t_u wrote:It's when you take a base model and swap out or modify bits of it in order to make a new unique model.

Not to be confused with scratch built, which is when you take the materials and build the model yourself. For example building a tank out of plastic card.

This, conversions make an army very unique. and I suggest converting any HQ models you get

If you convert a model, how can you be sure of its stats?

You can either write the rules or yourself and see if your opponent will agree to try them in a game or you can just have a model that counts as an existing unit.

For example, if you make a model of a Warboss in mega-armour you can either use him as a Warboss or say he counts as Ghazghkull Thraka. This probably the easier way to go about it as it means all their stats are right there in the Codex; the only things that have changed are the name and appearance of the model. Of course, if you're doing this it helps to have the right wargear, or something that can be explained as equivalent to it, visible on the model.

You use the same rules as in the book. For example, let's say you decided you wanted a modified Defiler. Usually it looks like this;



Instead, you make one like this (shameless self pimping)



Both models use the exact same rules - they just look different.

So conversions are merely cosmetic changes to a pre-existing model?

Hellwolf wrote:So conversions are merely cosmetic changes to a pre-existing model?

EXACTLY. Like using a WHFB Stegadon, slapping armor on it and calling it a 40k Ork Trukk. Or, to tack onto that defiler above, I know a guy who did this: http://blog.spikeybits.com/2011/10/conversion-corner-sphinx-pattern.html
I mean, just look at that gorgeous thing....

An important note, by the way: While conversions are USUALLY legal to play with, there are a few exceptions.

Most stores require 50% or 75% of the finished model be made of Games Workshop produced pieces. (This means no slapping a Space Marine helmet onto a GI Joe body and saying it's a Dreadnought.)

Some stores (usually Games Workshop stores) require that you do not use any piece that contains recognizable IP (intellectual property) from a competitor. (Which means don't use plastic bits that say Mattel on them.)

While conversions are allowed and even encouraged, Games Workshop can technically call ANY conversion, no matter how slight, a violation of their IP, and take appropriate action against you. (Usually if the model offends them you will be asked to not use it in their store, or asked to leave.) This isn't something that happens a lot, but it is a right they reserve.

You can check out Games Workshop's legal mention of it here.

That being said, I have all kinds of cool conversions in my army. I think it is pretty much always easier to convert a special character (such as Ghazgul or Calgar) rather than buy them. It also allows you to give your army a unique feel. Check out the P&M Showcase board for some really cool conversions! Hope this helps.

Also modelling a defiller like that would cause you problems with Line of sight etc as you could not hide it behind cover that easily. although people feel free to correct me as i dont really play 5th.

Jimsolo wrote:While conversions are allowed and even encouraged, Games Workshop can technically call ANY conversion, no matter how slight, a violation of their IP, and take appropriate action against you. (Usually if the model offends them you will be asked to not use it in their store, or asked to leave.) This isn't something that happens a lot, but it is a right they reserve.

Did Doomthumbs ever use his NSFWnids at a GW shop? Goatservigon would probably fit the bill.

beef wrote:Also modelling a defiller like that would cause you problems with Line of sight etc as you could not hide it behind cover that easily. although people feel free to correct me as i dont really play 5th.

No it's correct, the increased height and reduced footprint would lead to some LoS issues meaning it would be entirely up to the opponent if it could be used. Kind of like how some people put their assaulty space marine captain on a 40mm base just to fit an extra rock or two.

KilroyKiljoy wrote:

Jimsolo wrote:While conversions are allowed and even encouraged, Games Workshop can technically call ANY conversion, no matter how slight, a violation of their IP, and take appropriate action against you. (Usually if the model offends them you will be asked to not use it in their store, or asked to leave.) This isn't something that happens a lot, but it is a right they reserve.

Did Doomthumbs ever use his NSFWnids at a GW shop? Goatservigon would probably fit the bill.

Not to my knowledge, but I did manage to trade a few of his NSFW nids off of him, and I use them as objective markers. So far no one has found them 'objectionable' but we'll see how long that lasts for...

Jimsolo wrote:

KilroyKiljoy wrote:

Jimsolo wrote:While conversions are allowed and even encouraged, Games Workshop can technically call ANY conversion, no matter how slight, a violation of their IP, and take appropriate action against you. (Usually if the model offends them you will be asked to not use it in their store, or asked to leave.) This isn't something that happens a lot, but it is a right they reserve.

Did Doomthumbs ever use his NSFWnids at a GW shop? Goatservigon would probably fit the bill.

Not to my knowledge, but I did manage to trade a few of his NSFW nids off of him, and I use them as objective markers. So far no one has found them 'objectionable' but we'll see how long that lasts for...

Hahaha no way, that's awesome. Which ones?

Conversions are also nice if you need weapons, but don't have them. Biggest example is my fifteen Long Fangs. I run them with 15 missile launchers (I play in a competitive league, don't call me a cheap bastard for trying to win ), but the devastator kit only comes with one. So I improvised. A few of them are just marine bolter arms holding hunter-killers, another one features a guy with a wrist-mounted Tau missile launcher, and my pride and joy - a Long Fang standing triumphantly on the back of a dead Ork boy, holding a rokkit launcha.