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Basically, I'm planning to put together two Rune Priests on bikes so that they can ride together with my Thunderwolf Cavalry for my Space Wolves army, but I'm considering using Thunderwolf models instead of bike models (partly because I already have the models to do it, partly because I feel it's more thematic to have a unit of all TWC instead of a combination). So, I'm wondering whether or not you fine people of Dakka would consider it a sleazy move (since a thunderwolf mount is an actual piece of wargear in the Wolves codex), or if I'd be okay going ahead with my plan.

Just to briefly point out:

1. I fully intend to point out the models before any game that I run them, just to make it clear that they're considered bikes and not actual Thunderwolves.
2. Rune Priests are not actually allowed to take a Thunderwolf mount, so there isn't the added confusion of them being on top of something they can normally take.

Any comments? Thoughts? Opinions?

I did something simiilar with juggernauts and Khorne bikers to hang out with the juggernaut Lord. I put the 'bikers' on bike bases and have been told that it does make it a little less confusing.

I think your only real issue would be the base sizes. If you can get those TWC models onto bike bases, I wouldn't have any problem with it as an opponent.

Or replace the thunderwolf's legs with tires. having some form of wolf bike. That'd be awesome.

*Joke*

Boniface wrote:
Or replace the thunderwolf's legs with tires. having some form of wolf bike. That'd be awesome.

*Joke*

Don't let anyone from GW see this thread or else we'll be seeing that in the next SW release.

AllSeeingSkink wrote:

Boniface wrote:
Or replace the thunderwolf's legs with tires. having some form of wolf bike. That'd be awesome.

*Joke*

Don't let anyone from GW see this thread or else we'll be seeing that in the next SW release.

Murderbike? With murderwheels and a murdergun? Riden by MurderBjorn MurderStein?

I'd say having the same model represent two different things in an army is generally a no go. A lot of opponents might not be aware that Rune Priests aren't able to take Thunderwolf mounts normally, and for those it would be too easy to forget during the course of the game that you pointed it out. WYSIWYG is in place to allow players to see at a glance what wargear a model has - if you use some Thunderwolves as actual Thunderwolves and some as bikes, then you still place the burden of keeping track of your models' wargear on them, IMO.

The only thing that would matter to me is base size and height. In this case height wont matter, just base size. I plan on putting wolf pelts all over the bike. I have plenty from the TDA, stormfang, dreadnought, and TWC kit.

I have seen people model some stuff lying down to for line of sight issues.

Use a bike base and, instead of TWC, a smaller wolf for them to ride. It's distinctly not a TW (which they can't take), is a visible difference from the rest of the unit, and makes sense as a counts-as.

Thanks for the responses, guys. If I'm being completely honest, it didn't even cross my mind that the two units used different bases when I first made this thread. I now have two lovely new Rune Priests on "bikes" and I didn't have to pay a dime since I already had all the stuff I needed to put them together in my collection.

I use my raptors as bikes and havent gotten any complaints, except online where everyone is full of hate.


Each one is armed appropriately with the twinlinked boltgun, boltpistol and close combat weapon. Each is on a bike base. Each has bike parts that they are flying over which are in the process of being painted up like my enemies.

 Exergy wrote:
I use my raptors as bikes and havent gotten any complaints, except online where everyone is full of hate.


Each one is armed appropriately with the twinlinked boltgun, boltpistol and close combat weapon. Each is on a bike base. Each has bike parts that they are flying over which are in the process of being painted up like my enemies.

-image snip-

Just for me personally, if those are the metal ones, I'd have absolutely zero issues with using those. I had a friend who played Chaos, and the number one reason he never used his Raptors was because if you looked at them funny, they would fall over.

That said, I can kind of understand why people might have an issue with them. I subscribe to the school of thought that if it looks cool, then you're justified in whatever you do (to an extent), but bike bases are edging dangerously close to modeling for advantage territory. Being on a bigger base means it's generally much easier to get more guys into close combat - I faced that exact headache with assaulting my friend's IG, since all it took was one guy on a HWT base to get pretty much the entire squad into the combat, even in a cramped space on the board. I mean, they were only IG, but any Ork player will tell you that numbers can count for a lot when individual stats aren't so great.

Really cool models, though, very nicely done.

 Locclo wrote:
Basically, I'm planning to put together two Rune Priests on bikes so that they can ride together with my Thunderwolf Cavalry for my Space Wolves army, but I'm considering using Thunderwolf models instead of bike models (partly because I already have the models to do it, partly because I feel it's more thematic to have a unit of all TWC instead of a combination). So, I'm wondering whether or not you fine people of Dakka would consider it a sleazy move (since a thunderwolf mount is an actual piece of wargear in the Wolves codex), or if I'd be okay going ahead with my plan.

Just to briefly point out:

1. I fully intend to point out the models before any game that I run them, just to make it clear that they're considered bikes and not actual Thunderwolves.
2. Rune Priests are not actually allowed to take a Thunderwolf mount, so there isn't the added confusion of them being on top of something they can normally take.

Any comments? Thoughts? Opinions?

I would be more than ok with it. I think it is an awesome and cool way to add to the theme of your army. I also think you can fit the Thunderwolf on a bike base, so no "modeling for an advantage" argument there.

I could see a problem in any form of formal play as that's a very close to obfuscation through confusion, even if announced. I would personally try to think of something else that's fitting or just go for a cooler bike, like those from Scibor. They're bigger than GW ones and feel like they'd fit with the "run with the Wolves" theme.

Dunno why they just didn't give TW to all SW HQs at this point, but oh well.

Going for an absolute no on tournament play.

I would be fine with pick ups and friendlies tough or practice or any non competitive setting really

 pizzaguardian wrote:
an absolute no on tournament play.

I would like to suggest that the OP check with any relevant TOs when looking at tournament play. Only sith deal in absolutes

Disclaimer then absolute ly no go on any tournament i am running

 Locclo wrote:

 Exergy wrote:
I use my raptors as bikes and havent gotten any complaints, except online where everyone is full of hate.


Each one is armed appropriately with the twinlinked boltgun, boltpistol and close combat weapon. Each is on a bike base. Each has bike parts that they are flying over which are in the process of being painted up like my enemies.

-image snip-

Just for me personally, if those are the metal ones, I'd have absolutely zero issues with using those. I had a friend who played Chaos, and the number one reason he never used his Raptors was because if you looked at them funny, they would fall over.

That said, I can kind of understand why people might have an issue with them. I subscribe to the school of thought that if it looks cool, then you're justified in whatever you do (to an extent), but bike bases are edging dangerously close to modeling for advantage territory. Being on a bigger base means it's generally much easier to get more guys into close combat - I faced that exact headache with assaulting my friend's IG, since all it took was one guy on a HWT base to get pretty much the entire squad into the combat, even in a cramped space on the board. I mean, they were only IG, but any Ork player will tell you that numbers can count for a lot when individual stats aren't so great.

Really cool models, though, very nicely done.

I don't think those raptors on bike bases are edging dangerously close to modelling for advantage as they are count as bikes, who would be on those bike bases anyway. If anything those models give a slight disadvantage as they might be slightly taller. I may have misunderstood your point though.

Great conversion.

As for the Rune Wolves on thunder Wolves... In friendly games it probably won't matter but over a course of a game people might forget the count as so you might want to do more than just use a bike base. Maybe have a destroyed bike (or part of) on the base like the above raptor bikes?

 Wise Guy Sam wrote:

 Locclo wrote:

 Exergy wrote:
I use my raptors as bikes and havent gotten any complaints, except online where everyone is full of hate.


Each one is armed appropriately with the twinlinked boltgun, boltpistol and close combat weapon. Each is on a bike base. Each has bike parts that they are flying over which are in the process of being painted up like my enemies.

-image snip-

Just for me personally, if those are the metal ones, I'd have absolutely zero issues with using those. I had a friend who played Chaos, and the number one reason he never used his Raptors was because if you looked at them funny, they would fall over.

That said, I can kind of understand why people might have an issue with them. I subscribe to the school of thought that if it looks cool, then you're justified in whatever you do (to an extent), but bike bases are edging dangerously close to modeling for advantage territory. Being on a bigger base means it's generally much easier to get more guys into close combat - I faced that exact headache with assaulting my friend's IG, since all it took was one guy on a HWT base to get pretty much the entire squad into the combat, even in a cramped space on the board. I mean, they were only IG, but any Ork player will tell you that numbers can count for a lot when individual stats aren't so great.

Really cool models, though, very nicely done.

I don't think those raptors on bike bases are edging dangerously close to modelling for advantage as they are count as bikes, who would be on those bike bases anyway. If anything those models give a slight disadvantage as they might be slightly taller. I may have misunderstood your point though.

Great conversion.

As for the Rune Wolves on thunder Wolves... In friendly games it probably won't matter but over a course of a game people might forget the count as so you might want to do more than just use a bike base. Maybe have a destroyed bike (or part of) on the base like the above raptor bikes?

Apparently I'm an idiot who can't read. I was thinking that he was playing the Raptors as Raptors on bike bases, not as actual bikers. If that's the case, I think it's a fantastic conversion.

Edit: And re: your second point, yeah, the models are going to be on bike bases while the actual TWC models are on their usual big 60mm bases, hopefully it will make things more clear during a game.

TheKbob wrote:I could see a problem in any form of formal play as that's a very close to obfuscation through confusion, even if announced. I would personally try to think of something else that's fitting or just go for a cooler bike, like those from Scibor. They're bigger than GW ones and feel like they'd fit with the "run with the Wolves" theme.

Dunno why they just didn't give TW to all SW HQs at this point, but oh well.

pizzaguardian wrote:Going for an absolute no on tournament play.

I would be fine with pick ups and friendlies tough or practice or any non competitive setting really

Yeah, I'd be more concerned if I played anything approaching formal tournaments. Never found them to be any fun, really, so I only play with my weekly league which is basically a group of the same 6 or so guys who have been doing this for years, and are really friendly to creative models. When I posted this, I mainly wanted to see if people would think that it would be too confusing if it were a friendly/pick up game, and as I mentioned in the OP, I think I'll be okay so long as I make sure to point it out before each game (and of course, the models are on the appropriate biker bases instead of the bigger TWC ones).