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For those few who have seen my idea for my CSM army, you'll know that I'm making a fluffy army with little conversions here and there. But while I was building the list of guys I need, I was thinking about how I would portray my Sorcerer. TBH, I would prefer using Ahriman's stats/equipment over using a generic Sorcerer albeit being more expensive points-wise. However, I would prefer to avoid using Ahriman's model in favor of making my own version of him with the same equipment, just with a different appearance so that I can feel that it will be more about my guys rather then saying "So Ahriman decided to hang with us for a day..."

So in short, would it be acceptable to have a count-as Ahriman so long as the model has the same equipment as him and the opponent knows about it?

I do this all the time. I have a Telion, a Sanguinor, a Tigurius, and a few others that are all special models meant to depict special characters, but aren't the official GW models.

Yeah, I play a home brew Blood Angels successor chapter. Exactly like you, I want to be able to use the special characters and build my own models. Half because of this "So Ahriman decided to hang with us for a day..." , and half because the whole army is more or less just a modelling project anyway and I don't particularly like many of the existing models.

So far, I've only built my own Corbulo (and I think it's an improvement), but I do intend more, with Mephiston next... although it'll be Cheif Librarian Somethingelseton - Lord of Conversions.

Yes, as long as everything is WYSIWYG. Many of GW's marine character models are so hopelessly generic that I probably wouldn't even be able to tell the difference unless you explained it.

Just make him as WYSIWYG as possible and explain his stats and rules to the opponent. I'd be perfectly fine playing against that then.

Yeah, keep it wysiwyg. Same weapons/wargear as on original model. I'd be interested to hear why anyone would object to this.

There isn't an issue with using stand-ins if the model is using the same equipment as described in the special character's entry.

Yes, it says you can do so in the book.

SYKOJAK wrote:
Yes, it says you can do so in the book.

Does it really? Where?

I do this all the time. I use the Aspiring Champion model, personalised, as Khârn. And the DV Champion, converted, as an Apostle.

Nothing wrong in it.

Anyone else want to share their own count-as special characters?

 gnoise wrote:
Anyone else want to share their own count-as special characters?

I kitbashed a Kharn and a Huron from the DV set (and some pieces from a Fantasy Carnosaur). I also kit bashed a Biker Rune Priest, a Biker Chapter Master, and Khan from DV (and various bits I had laying around). I'll eventually take some pictures. I also have a kit bashed Vecht, made out of random Warrior bits (there is no official model anyway)

I'm also working on custom Soul Grinders, using those Carnosaurs, lol (and actual Soul Grinder bits, so they remain WSYWYG). My entire Daemon Army is custom, everything is a dog or a slut (the Soul Grinders will have third party minis riding on them, scantily clad females). You can see some of my Daemon Army in my gallery.

I can't remember if they said it in the CSM codex or not, but I know that the imperial guard codex explicitly states that it's fine to use a special character's rules with a name and miniature that you made up, rather than being stuck with taking exactly the special characters if you want.

In any case, the attitude certainly persists across the whole of the game.

I say absolutely. Knock yourself out.

 gnoise wrote:
Anyone else want to share their own count-as special characters?

None, Siege Regiments don't get SC's :(

 Bobthehero wrote:
None, Siege Regiments don't get SC's :(

Someday you will. Might not be this day, but someday.

I'm all about 'Counts As' as long as the model is a solid representation of the character/vehicle is is attempting to be

I prefer it. I think the game is so much about making an army you are comfortable with, and I love it when the people I play against have put some thought into their conversions, or even when they've found an amazing model on the net and gone "That should be my leader!"

It makes me feel like this person has put some real thought into making the army his own.

My sisters are getting numerous count-as, and so far it has *not* been cheaper than simply buying the original model. It has nothing to do with saving money for me.

My friend bought this to use for Typhus, and I think he made the right choice. (note the 3D wings. 3D!)

 gnoise wrote:
For those few who have seen my idea for my CSM army, you'll know that I'm making a fluffy army with little conversions here and there. But while I was building the list of guys I need, I was thinking about how I would portray my Sorcerer. TBH, I would prefer using Ahriman's stats/equipment over using a generic Sorcerer albeit being more expensive points-wise. However, I would prefer to avoid using Ahriman's model in favor of making my own version of him with the same equipment, just with a different appearance so that I can feel that it will be more about my guys rather then saying "So Ahriman decided to hang with us for a day..."

So in short, would it be acceptable to have a count-as Ahriman so long as the model has the same equipment as him and the opponent knows about it?

I have Belial in my DA force and he is actually prepresented by the terminator squad leader from the DV box. Nothing wrong with what you want to do. Only limit would be with the new Space Marine codex where the special characters are all limited to specific chapters now which is kind of annoying. The CSM book, though, still allows you to use the rules for a special character to represent your own character in your army. Before the battle hold up the fig and say, this is a count-as Ahriman named Bob (or whatever you've named him) tells everyone exactly what to expect.

Skriker

 Purifier wrote:
I prefer it. I think the game is so much about making an army you are comfortable with, and I love it when the people I play against have put some thought into their conversions, or even when they've found an amazing model on the net and gone "That should be my leader!"

It makes me feel like this person has put some real thought into making the army his own.

My sisters are getting numerous count-as, and so far it has *not* been cheaper than simply buying the original model. It has nothing to do with saving money for me.

My friend bought this to use for Typhus, and I think he made the right choice. (note the 3D wings. 3D!)

Many thanks for posting that, this miniature is virtually Daemon Primarch Mortarion!

 gnoise wrote:
Anyone else want to share their own count-as special characters?

I have a Chaos Terminator Lord with a power claw and poleaxe as a psuedo-typhus.

The poleaxe was made from cutting the top off the sorc's staff, and sticking on an axe head to use it as Typhus' scythe.
The LC is to show that he hasn't got a gun. (I couldn't get an empty hand).

I have a not-Celestine, 2 separate counts-as Uriahs, and some counts-as Crusaders.

My not-Celestine uses the Celestine rules and model (though the model has been modified with a Sanguinary Guard jump pack in place of her iron halo and curtain) but represents a different character, a custom creation of mine who accomplishes much the same thing through highly advanced technologies (including some technology that can revive the dead and in my custom fluff is used on all the dead that they can retrieve after a battle).

One of my Uriahs is a Reaper Minis cowgirl with a Space Marine Scout's shotgun, a bolt pistol, and a chainsword stuck to her back.

The other Uriah is a GW WHFB Chaos Sorcerer modified into a fox anthro, armed with a shotgun and pistol and chainsword, and I left his staff on to represent the banner.

The counts-as Crusaders are Reaper Minis models with plate armor, shields, and swords.

I have the official GW minis for each of those selections, just in case I decide to go play a game at the local GW for some damned reason instead of playing at home.

I have a not Vulkan in my marine force. I actually dislike using the actual character models since it really restricts you character wise.

 TheCustomLime wrote:
I have a not Vulkan in my marine force. I actually dislike using the actual character models since it really restricts you character wise.

I agree, plus I can't help but call my not-Celestine "Celestine" when playing. It annoys me.

I made a custom model out of spare bitz that's technically the Chapter Master of the force of vanilla Marines I have representing my friend's custom "Chapter." Actually, I have a great many models of that character with varying equipment.

Sometimes I use him as a Captain to save points.

Aside from being the actual Special Character and not allowed in GW events and such, what reasons do you think there are for not being allowed to do this?

I have a Pathfinder mini of a pseudo-Arabian-looking princess with a sword. I gave her a plasma pistol in the other hand and called her "Captain Al'Rahem"... She's armed like the real deal, she's sculpted to look like someone from the same part of the world as the real deal (tho she's Arabian rather than Bedouin, but most of my opponents wouldn't notice the distinction) so I can't see any problem running her as the real deal, if I tell my opponent before hand that she's supposed to be Al'Rahem.

Besides which, I've got two squads of converted Beastmen I use as 'counts as' penal troops. A rule 63 Al'Rahem is the least of my opponents' worries...