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I have decided to start an IG army, and realising how unoriginal that idea was I wanted to make it mine. So I thought I would convert me an army, but with IG even that seemed unoriginal. So I went through stuff that looks like IG and decided I wanted to make PMC theamed IG.

A PMC for those that don't know is a corperation of mercenaries that fights for anyone who pays them. I figured with large populations being drafted into the guard PDF forces would be a tad undermanned. And who better to pick up the slack then a PMC.

That being said I would like advice on how to convert this army so it feels right. They will be a mech force, with few bells and wistles because stuff like Russ's and Valkyries are expencive, so they rely heavily on Chimeras.

I purchased Chapter House Wheels for them, trying for a more privitised feel, but they still don,t feel right to me. I think I am going to try replacing stubbers with MaxMini SAW's, but I don't know how that will look.

For the infantry I wanted to show 2 things, first that they have money, and second they plan on surviving. To do that I bought FW cadian upgrades and FW vet with shotguns upgrades to try to add more tech and pouches. To me more ammo means they plan to live long enough to shoot it. I also got MaxMini guns. I read in the 3rd edition codex that orks respond better to auto guns, so my guys will be armed with a mix of them. To me a soldier that buys his own weapon seems a bit more professional as well.

My biggest worry is how to distiguish them. All this stuff sounds good, but I want people to look at them and ask, what is the fluff for your army because there is no way they are regular guard. I would also like to work a little punk rock in as well, but I am afraid of over doing it.

Thank you for reading, all advice is apritiated.

If I were you i would do mix squads: they're mercenaries after all and thy would accept anyone in their team as long as the'll pull their weight and then some. So use every IG kit in existence and mix and match them: Cadian, Catachan, Elysian (although I would avoid uniforms that is distinguished by their environment, like Tallarn and Vostroyan). Some might salvage (or purchase from the black market) stuff like Tau rifles or Eldar guns.

Keep the paintjob clean. They have bought their own equipment and they would like to keep them clean and operational.

I'm actually afraid of introducing to much variety. I feel like their guns don't matter much, and neither would their headwear. But they should have a uniform, they are supposed to be professionals. So I would like to keep a flak armor and military pants look, though a few guys may have differently colored pants and or boots.

I would like to include a few tell tale symbols of punk rock. I was thinking a few spikey bits here or there, but I am afraid it will look dumb. Maybe if just one or two guys were like that. I dono, but what I do know is this isn't easy, and models cost to much to screw them up.

If you want a scheme that makes them look privateised and professional i would go black or maybe dark charocoal grey with dark red trim.

I already decided that the uniforms will be black armor and relate, but the pants will for the most part be tan with about 1/3 of the guys having green, and the jackets will mostly be tan as well with about 1/3 being black.

I personally would use things like Black water contracters for inspiration on garb and gear. I would include a small amount of personality in each model and include "attitude" in some. Such as smileys painted on grenades or card suits on helmets.

Watch The Expendables.

Your scheme sounds good. Black, tan, and drab green will look decent. I'd probably use a lot of Catachan command squad and gun team bits to get some mohawks, bandanas, berets, and other characterful heads in there, along with some bare arms and open flak jackets. Kitbashing those with the Cadian kits (including the Cadian command squad) should give you a pretty cool force. Just avoid the Catachan infantry squad box since those parts aren't terribly compatible with anything else.

give a few of them the random mohawk / ponytail. and make sure one is a little asian kungfu master (jet lee )

I think you could use a Valk a Vendetta, and a Tank or mortars. PMCs make good money. Also I would run Veterans and avoid the whole Orders part of the Codex. You might include penal legion or 1 sqd of conscripts as "local hire selectees" Love this concept, cant wait to see more.

Painted a few practice models, and I decided on black and tan for all the guys. The different collors make them look to dissorganized and muddled. My list for them now includes two Vendettas and a Russ, thanks for the help guys.

Do you have pics of the models?

I'm surprised you didn't look into the necromanda side of things. There are a lot of options open to you going that route. http://www.games-workshop.com/gws/catalog/productDetail.jsp?catId=cat490066a&prodId=prod1120111 . Chech out some of the various houses and see what you like. They'll give you a lot of variety and it helps add a personal touch. Their wepons aren't complete IG clones either.