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Hello everyone,

Title says it all! I'm rather new to 40k etiquette and was wondering if this kind of thing is allowed. For instance lets say I want to field Mephiston but don't particularly like the GW finecast model of him so, I take the time to make my own cool looking kit bashed model that accurately represents what he is equipped with. I have no doubt that in a friendly game no one would really have a problem with it, how about a tournament?

thanks!

All tourneys I have ever been to have allowed it.

I know that gw usually says you can use the rules for a named character, but change the model to represent a homemade character, so I don't see why this would be any different

Yes you can. Its part of the fun of the hobby

(Just remember to post pics!)

Rule of Cool seems to win out in all but the strictest of settings. If he's got approximate gear and looks awesome you shouldn't get alot of complaints!

The key is making it equiped the same way and somewhat resemble the model in some way.

No. Pg 87, paragraph 3, special characters.

"All special characters must use official citadel models for the exact character. Non-official models must immediately be removed from play and smashed with a games workshop hobby hammer. With opponents permission, a hard-soled shoe may be used instead. Smashing the offending model counts as "first blood" for mission points."

Nah... You can do whatever you want, usually as long as it is wysiwyg and cool, no one will complain.

Rule of cool always wins.

Rule of "I'm a cheap git who slapped some bits on a plastic terminator because I didn't want to fork over the dough for the real model."

Well you can play with it but you might get strange facial gestures, and quirky comments.

I have a buddy who is like that he'll take a plastic chaos terminator, slap him with some bits, and be like "It's my Abaddon conversion!"

IE the converted model should generally look as good or better than the model it is substituting. Example...

A Ork Trukk, kit bashed with a Rhino, and a Tamiya Tiger to make a battlewagon will probably = cool. More than likely.

A $2 toy truck from Fred's spray painted red, with some random ork bits glued here, and there is just being cheap, and almost never cool.

With the exception to those with mad plasticard skills who can make said truck look better than something off the Forge World site.

I do it - it's more relevant now since some SCs 'unlock' some army types - dante with sanguinary guard, the dark angel characters and so on.

For example my IV company blood angels are led by Captain Castigon - if he's on foot I use tycho rules and if jump pack I use dante rules,I have a kitbashed model for each variant.

Heh... IV... Blood Angels... nice one

There is nothing wrong with making your own versions of Special Characters for 40K. Hell, I have 2 Overlords on foot from the A-Barge kit that are painted with different colored cloaks (green & blue). If I want to use a SC I just designate one of the OL's that SC and let my opponent know which one they are. I haven't had any problems as of yet and it has the added benefit of not having to deal with any Finecast models for my army.

My projection of GW's behaviour says you have 7 months left to enjoy making your own custom characters before they start banning players who refuse to buy their fine Finecast products..........

I exaggerate of course, but there's no reason you shouldn't field your own model so long as everything is clearly represented. My only warning is the hard-line crazies that will burn you with their pitchfork, and stab you with their torch, and crucify you for painting vulkan hestan in anything other than green, Marney in anything other than Blue, and Sicarus in anything other than Blue with a bloody fist, or if the white scar character isn't white....I don't give a lick either way what character you use in what color army....

Actually, most of my LOTD are custom assemblies, so there's no limitation...

Kit Bash ..Sculpt and entire model ..convert a crappy AOBR warboss in to a big mek or a biker boss ..Many of the special characters do not have models available..or in print anymore sooo..(or the new one is far uglier than the old metal one) have fun make it look good and no one will care..just base it on the correct sized base and follow the rule of kool and What You See is What you Get..

ie a custum power fist from made with palsticard and chainsword can be kool one made from the glove off of a busted kids boxing toy not so much

Thanks everyone,

People on the painting & Modeling board are always helpful. I'm pleased that the answer to my question is a yes and I look forward to making some cool looking conversions. I was really not looking forward to using any more fine-cast models, Vulkan began to warp/melt after only a week or two sitting on my desk exposed to occasional SF sunlight.

I plan on mixing pieces from a DA veterans kit with Sanguinary Guard, should make for a badass looking red robed fellow (Mephiston). I'll post pictures if my phones camera does it justice!

No. and GW will sue you if you do.

j/k, you can make up any crazy thing you want to be whoever you want, just make sure they're using the same base.