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As the question probably suggests, I'm relatively new to this. My army is the Eldar, but I want to give them a Japanese Samurai look. I've found a few paint patterns that i could use, but there not quite.... enough. What I've found, which I think is perfect, is the Chaos Space Marines Night Lords Conversion pack, where it has wings that I can attach to the helmet of my Eldar, which i think might give it the ultimate Samurai look, kinda like this: http://fc09.deviantart.net/fs70/i/2010/153/0/9/Samurai_by_Artigas.jpg

My question is... is that even allowed? Like, I realize it wouldn't add to their abilities in any way. This is all just aesthetics. But would it be breaking the rules if I did do this?

Welcome to Dakka!

In answer to your question, it's not at all an issue. One of the wonders of this hobby is the sheer potential it offers for converting minis and making them unique! If you want CSM bits on your Eldar or Guard bits on your Space Marine Scouts, then there's nothing to stop you!

As you say, it's the rules that matter on the tabletop, so as long as it's easy to tell what is what, you should have no problems at all. I see nothing in NL kit that could cause any confusion over what your Eldar actually are, so it's all good!

All I would add is that CSM heads are quite a bit larger than Eldar ones, so you might want to just buy one pack first to check they fit.

Using part of other factions is one of the biggest joy abouts 40K, the multi part plastic ranges make them easily interchangable. As said just make sure the scale fits but then the world is your oyster.

I actually use ork ccw & armor on my Armageddon Ork Hunters.

The general rule for conversions is: so long as it's obvious what the model is, including its weapons and other equipment, and it's close to the same size as the standard GW model, then you're most unlikely to have any rules complaints from anyone.

The only other issue is fluff - does your conversion make logical sense in terms of the background/history of what it's representing. In your example, Samurai aesthetic style seems to fit Eldar just fine, so no problem. But if e.g. you were going to use Ork bits, you might have a harder job justifying why an Eldar would condescend to use or even touch anything Orky

And always remember:

"Rule of cool!"

If it looks awesome you can get away with just about anything.