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I'm running a small tournament, and I've banned proxying models in the hopes of getting my group to finish painting and building their armies. I've asked that no one proxy models, but I'm having trouble finding a way to write out the tournament package so that it encourages conversions but excludes proxies.

How would you all go about wording that? What makes the difference objectively between a proxy and a counts-as/conversion?

A proxy is using a model that is clearly not the intended model. My friend proxies swooping hawks as warp spiders. There has been no change to the models appearance.

A conversion is taking different parts and putting them together to create a new model that does not exist. I have a battlewaggon/pirateship that clearly has parts from a stompa and other ork models integrated into it. That is a conversion.

On a smaller scale note, if the model has the right gun modeled on it, it should fly. WYSIWYG is the norm. Rule of cool trumps it, but it has to be very cool and approved by the TO in advance.

Now this falls apart for themed armies sometimes. But if an army has different models representing other models through out and they are painted and its well thought out, it normally flies. For example the squat themed IG army.

Im ok with themes and the like, and theres a WYSIWYG in effect. Im worried about people slapping down sodapop drop pods or tonka rhinos mostly.

Then use that as an example in your write up of what is not cool. And says the TO reserved the right to not allow any unit he sees not in the spirit of the game/hobby.

I run fallen sisters of battle as Slaaneshi CSM. I've never had a problem in any tournament with them, because a couple of them are all crab-clawed and I have an obvious theme (my banners have slaaneshi iconography all over). Basically, just write up the proxies are not allowed, but themed "Counts-as" are allowed, and if they have any questions, to let you know beforehand if it is ok. If they don't, you reserve the right to not let them use it on game day.

A conversion is a model that has a legitimate case for being a representation of the rules and is used for thematic or aesthetic reasons rather than "I don't have the real model". For example, an IG squad made using third-party "generic scifi infantry" kits that has been painted with appropriate IG symbols and armed with weapons that are obviously a flamer and missile launcher, or a converted "helicopter" Valkyrie.

A proxy is a model (or even a non-model object) that is obviously just a placeholder and has no reason for existing beyond "I don't have the real model". For example, the plastic cup "drop pod", or armless space marines being used as fire warriors.

I think the definitions here have it right. You'll also have to add in that the TO's decision on proxies is final, because it all is still subjective.

One person's opinion that a model is obviously just a placeholder may differ from that of the person trying to use the model.

Just check out how other tournaments word it and pretty much copy paste it.

For example Da boyz GT:


Counts As


Counts as models or army can be used, but they need to be modeled correctly. For example you can have an Ork boy play as a marine, but he needs to modeled correctly with a bolter or other wargear. One example that would not be allowed is an eldar falcon for an Ork truck. If there are any questions please email and send pictures of your models to daboyzrocgt@gmail.com .

GW defines COUNTS AS: The 'Counts As' rule allows you to apply the rules for existing units to older or scratch built models that do not have rules of their own. This is to allow you to make full use of your collection or the army choices within our rule books; it's not an excuse to change your army as a way of fine tuning your force.

In a world of allies, I think having ork models with space marine or Iguard stat-lines can be very confusing as there is more to WYSIWYG than just weapons. Armor and toughness profiles should be represented too. In 5th, it didn't matter so much, but in 6th I think it is important that T3 5+av guard is distinguished from that allied T4 6+av ork, and the easiest way is via a guard being a guard and an ork being an ork. When you begin to have orks with ork stats and orks with marine and guard stats in the same army, you have issues IMHO. I would say those Orks need to clearly have power armor in some way to distinguish them from 'ard boyz or even general tee shirt boyz in addition to weapons.

As an avid counts-as army builder I ultimately believe in the rule of cool. But what that generally means is that models have been converted to not look like standard models in their line.

Using the example above of Orks as Marines. As long as they are armored to the nines and armed with "looted" marine weapons I don't see an issue. If it's regular orks armed with bolters I'd say no.

A cool themed list I know a buddy of mine was working on was Orks as marines with grot IG allies. It's mostly cause he likes the greenskin aesthetic. But he's converting the ever loving snot out of it. Now when he's done will that army, in general, also be able to pull double duty as orks, likely if he uses Ard Boyz as the main models. But it's going to be easy enough to tell what's what and armed like it's an SM/IG force.

Just my thoughts. Honestly I'd just copy paste some of the stuff from Adepticon, Nova, BOA, Wargamescon, or Da Boyz and leave it at that.

You could/should also include an option for a player to email you a picture of his intended counts-as/proxy before the event so you can give him an up or down before he shows up. This would give him time to either get the correct models or retool his list.
Some people would get real upset if they show up on gameday with a drop pod army (all of the pods scratch built with plumbing parts for example) only to be told he can't use the pods...making his entire army unplayable as designed.