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Firstly it is rude to point, and therefore against Dakkarules.

Secondly, why is it at least one chap per box of toy soldiers is pointing?

My favourite at the moment is the bus driving Necron in the Arks.
He is pointing but there is no other necron in the same boat that can see him.
He's driving so is he talking binary directions to himself?

Just seen a Sanguinary chap with chalice in one hand and pointing a power finger at someone:
Yous! Aye yous! Am talkin to yous! You bin drinkin' ma blud again ye bastrud?

Why? Why do sculptors do this?
It's pointless!!

Any other worthless poses?

There are probably many worthless poses, but to chime in about your Necron 'bus driver' in his Ark, how do you know he hasn't got the radio turned up to '11' and is pumping out his favourite piece of music? He could be punching the air to display his enjoyment - after all I've seen people punching the air with their index fingers extended.

Because when my guardsmen are going to die, they should at least know where the death is coming from.

I kind of like the pointing bits. If anything they are an outstretched arm that can be used for a couple of converting purposes.

Chibi Bodge-Battle wrote:My favourite at the moment is the bus driving Necron in the Arks.
He is pointing but there is no other necron in the same boat that can see him.
He's driving so is he talking binary directions to himself?

He's saying 'You! I see you over there! I'm not picking you up unless you wait at an actual bus stop!'

Why? Why do sculptors do this?
It's pointless!!

It's somethig different, is all. There's only so many variations of 'holding a gun' that you can do. From there, there's only so many things you can be doing with your free hand that make any sense on the battlefield. Pointing can serve as a 'Go hither, men!' or as a 'You! Yes You! Stand still, laddie!' depending on the situation and the specific miniature.

It's no worse than the hordes of minis waving their swords above their heads.

-All models are supposed to be snapshots of the unit in battle...
Take the Space Hulk minis for example...
The terminator ripping up the floor doesn't go along ripping up the floor the entire way.
Much like the lightning claw termie doesn't run around the Space Hulk pretending to be a birdie... or a bat i suppose i dunno.

(I am aware there is a funny webcomic based on this concept, you may post it if you wish be be aware i have booby trapped this comment with a corrosive gas trap)

insaniak wrote:It's no worse than the hordes of minis waving their swords above their heads.

It doesn't look so bad with orks and...um...orks!

Some make sense, like the Sergent in a devastator squad (directing his battle-brothers where to fire). I am also a fan of tank commanders pointing, despite the fact none of the crew can see them.

Re Radio 11listening bus drivers

- after all I've seen people punching the air with their index fingers extended

Funny I get people doing that to me but they aren't listening to music.

Will admit not to having researched intensively but never seen a film clip with pointing commaders in the heat of battle
Cue someone post such a vid now!

AFIAK scale figures for British WW2 tank crews always have someone drinking a mug of char whereas iirc "Jerry" is always smoking a cigarette! (that is a ciggie btw not what you Americans might think)

Come on! Space Marine leaders look awesome with the two pointing powerfists.

They look like wrestling heroes!

Because how else would you know where they're going?

lol
I like the idea of moving the unit in the direction the chap happens to be pointing.