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Hey so quick question here while the gears are turning for 40k again. Is there anything inherently wrong with taking an existing special character, using his rules but changing his fluff? I don't think so (not changing any rules, using him as-is), but 40k being 40k...

Concrete example time: I'm considering Necrons. I found a "random dynasty generator" online and made a few rolls. I'll save the specific details for a later post when I get to fleshing it out but one of the rolls on the dynasty structure gave me a result that the Phaeron hasn't woken up yet, and the overlords are basically scheming in his stead, each with their own plans. This got me thinking since there are several Necron lord-type characters (Nemesor Zahndrekh, Trazyn, Anrakyr), if I could use these guys and changed their names and fluff around to fit my own dynasty, along with a generic Overlord (representing each of the Phaeron's scheming courtiers; the Phaeron himself may or may not be represented by Imotekh, I haven't decided yet). The abilities will remain exactly the same but perhaps the fluff changed around what exactly it is. I would likely use the models of the characters, but paint them in my own (TBD) color scheme so they look like part of the same army. Game-wise the idea is to have all of them to pick from (never together) so each Necron force can be customized a little as the lieutenant's force trying to cause general mayhem (while his co-conspirators watch to see if he fails, I'm basically imagining a situation like post-movie G1 Transformers with the Decepticons, probably dating myself there).

I can't think of anything that would cause issues with this? I've heard of people using like Marneus Calgar to represent their own chapter master with the same rules. Anything I'm missing that could cause issues? This project is still in the "cool idea" process right now, but figured I'd ask this while I still remember it.

I think you answered your own question. No rules change, and it's cool. Who could argue with that?

As long as the rules are all OK, there should be no problem.

In previous editions this was actually encouraged. The 5th ed Space Marine codex told us it was OK to file the names off the special characters and make then fit into out own chapters. This was before the chapter tactics rule, so the colors/chapter of the characters were basically fluff only at that point.

This is my custom chapter master Fisty McPhisterston of the Fists of Doom. He likes punching things with his giant Fists of Doom. He's a strategic genius in that sometimes he kicks people instead of punching them.

He uses the rules for Calgar.

Done. Model would mesh up with appropriate wargear sensibly represented and your opponent is well familiar with the rules for Calgar. Everyone wins. Including McPhisterston cause he's a genius.

What you're describing is actually pretty common. I do it with my own Necron army. I use the rules and models for Vargard Obyron and Illuminor Szeras all the time, but I refer to them as members of my own customer dynasty. To me, they are Vargard Tyber and Illumnor Ithien. My Overlord (Nemesor Zarithas) usually uses the generic OL rules, but I will occasionally use Zandrekh's rules when I want to be able to change my WL trait on the fly. The only named HQ is use that I fully use the fluff of is Imhotek.

 Nevelon wrote:
As long as the rules are all OK, there should be no problem.

In previous editions this was actually encouraged. The 5th ed Space Marine codex told us it was OK to file the names off the special characters and make then fit into out own chapters. This was before the chapter tactics rule, so the colors/chapter of the characters were basically fluff only at that point.

It was also displayed in a WD, with the current Captain Sicarius model being repainted for a custom chapter by one of its staff.

It is accepted for sure.

Hell, I hated the bling on the current Necron HQ choices, so I merely created my own. So long as the representation is kinda accurate to wargear, nobody cares.

Go for it man. TBH I'd rather fight Draco Morpheous, Chapter Master of the Tyrannical Dragons than 1 of 5 billion Calgars any day, even if he's functionally identical to Calgar.

In game rules being the same is fine. no one can really argue with it.

if you start copying fluff to fluff for your own special character then most people might roll eyes.

Personally, I do this all the time with all of my armies, more specifically my Dark Angels.

Totally fine.

I only have one caveat: Whatever you're putting in place of the character has to look good. If you give me a McMarine with a bolter, I will do things so brutal to your ass with my boot that Khorne would find it an acceptable substitute for a skull

I'm figuring on doing this with my Tau army, at least for Darkstrider and Longstrike. They are both from T'au sept, and my army is Ke'lshan sept. I'll paint the minis to match my army and just use the appropriate rules for the actual characters. If anything it makes the characters seem less like Mary Sue types since now there is more than one character with this wargear/skillset.

I often switch out my Culexus assassin model for Marbo, cuz in my mind he's essentially one anyways. Not that I'm really changing fluff, but finding a way to use him again.