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Hi guys, I am planning an IG army, and I've spent some time designing what I'll make them look like, pretty easy builds IMO. I already have the green stuff, but I am not sure so far, do you think building all my own infantry would be too much of a challenge and that I should buy alternatives? Or should I try and do it? I have found some alternates, a lot which would go great as guard, but I think I need your help.

Pig Iron productions do a ton of different stuff that would go well as IG, or veterans. Their System Scavengers are really catching my eye, and the price of their System Troopers, it's much better than GW prices. $15 for 10? Sounds like a steal! I think all of their models look really good, tho.
http://www.pig-iron-productions.com/system-troopers-c-11.html
http://www.pig-iron-productions.com/kolony-militia-c-1.html
http://www.pig-iron-productions.com/system-scavengers-c-18.[size=12]html
Anvil makes some good soldiers too
http://anvilindustry.co.uk/AFTERLIFE/Republic

Can anyone give me some good places to find em? I tried finding vehicles but I can't find any matching GW style. Or should I scratch build em?

Get conversion bits, never use fully 3rd party models if you want to be in a GW tournament. I highly recommend madrobot miniatures and Victoria miniatures for parts and alternate models, pigiron are subpar imo.

I'd use as much 3rd part as you can...as long as the aesthetic is not really arguable. I don't know if GW makes lasguns on a sprue but any 3rd party figure with a normal GW lasgun will look the part etc.

I don't think I'd be keen on seeing tiger-faced aliens with crossbows "counting as" Imperial Guard etc. So I think if you can look at the vehicles/infantry and see an Imperial Guard force you're on the right track.

I don't see many GW tournaments around now, so I wouldn't worry too much --- but only you know where you game and with who (if you game at a GW store or instance).

 CosmoFrog wrote:
Hi guys, I am planning an IG army, and I've spent some time designing what I'll make them look like, pretty easy builds IMO. I already have the green stuff, but I am not sure so far, do you think building all my own infantry would be too much of a challenge and that I should buy alternatives? Or should I try and do it? I have found some alternates, a lot which would go great as guard, but I think I need your help.

Pig Iron productions do a ton of different stuff that would go well as IG, or veterans. Their System Scavengers are really catching my eye, and the price of their System Troopers, it's much better than GW prices. $15 for 10? Sounds like a steal! I think all of their models look really good, tho.
http://www.pig-iron-productions.com/system-troopers-c-11.html
http://www.pig-iron-productions.com/kolony-militia-c-1.html
http://www.pig-iron-productions.com/system-scavengers-c-18.[size=12]html
Anvil makes some good soldiers too
http://anvilindustry.co.uk/AFTERLIFE/Republic

Can anyone give me some good places to find em? I tried finding vehicles but I can't find any matching GW style. Or should I scratch build em?

Remember thats in pounds, not dollars, they cost a bit more than that when you convert the dollar over. Also, I thought pig iron folded a while back. Make sure that's the new vendor, that may be the old clearance price.

As for "should I greenstuff an army or buy it", make one model. Make him the most generic, expendable rifleman ever. Now imagine building a 100 more. Thats what it's gonna be like. Maybe that's not too bad, but odds are you'll savehundreds of hours just buying them.

If you plan to play in a GW, some do not allow unofficial GW models, others require a percentage (50%-75% GW normally). If you don't have one nearby no big deal then. Just be aware. I've been playing for 5 years and have never had a problem (because Ive never played in a GW )

As for vehicles, good luck. GW has such a bizarre scale no one else builds vehicles in their style, especially IG tanks. They are the antithesis of what a modern day tank should be, High profile, large flanks, short in length, short stubby turrets, the list goes on and on. Anything 3rd party thats tall enough will be too long, and vice versa.

The only 3rd party tanks I can think of purpose built to be IG tanks would be Victoria Lamb 's Matilda (which isn't out yet) and mad robots tiger tank. Both look cool, but are just resigned historical tanks. By the way I would look at both those companies for special and heavy weapons options as well. I use both extensively in my army and they are excellent.

Believe it or not, I still use GW tanks. IG tanks vary far less than their infantry do, so no matter how crazy I go with my IG, the tanks keep them obviously grounded in 40k. You can find them dirt cheap online all the time if you buy them prebuilt.

This heavily depends on the environment you're planning to field your army. If you routinely play against opponents who do not mind what models you're using as long as they properly represent what they're meant to represent (i.e., normal human soldier wielding either lasgun or autogun = imperial guardsmen), then fine. If you play at a GW store, or against GW lobotomites who simply go ballistic at seeing non-GW models over a gaming table... then perhaps it won't be the best idea.

IMO the strongest selling point of Imperial Guard to me is precisely the endless stream of possibilites in the market towards building your forces according to the aesthetic you want. There are a zillion worlds in the Imperium and each one can have its distinctive IG forces, as much as in later years GW seems to push the idea that everyone is either a cadian or a catachan.

 Big Mac wrote:
pigiron are subpar imo.

Subpar to what? Plastic cadians?

If you use 3rd party and want to play at GW events of venues, use them sparingly and just SAY you scratch-built them if asked.
Throw in a couple that you did do from green-stuff, and you should be OK.
But, not having done it myself, get a better opinion on that before you go whole-hog.
You will end up with a surplus of heads and arms from GW kits, so buying more torsos and legs might fill your needs.

As for vehicle stand-ins, good luck finding any that look close enough without overstepping the mark.
There are lots of real-world kits of the right scale, and lots of really nice alternatives, but how close do they have to be?

 MrMoustaffa wrote:

 CosmoFrog wrote:
Hi guys, I am planning an IG army, and I've spent some time designing what I'll make them look like, pretty easy builds IMO. I already have the green stuff, but I am not sure so far, do you think building all my own infantry would be too much of a challenge and that I should buy alternatives? Or should I try and do it? I have found some alternates, a lot which would go great as guard, but I think I need your help.

Pig Iron productions do a ton of different stuff that would go well as IG, or veterans. Their System Scavengers are really catching my eye, and the price of their System Troopers, it's much better than GW prices. $15 for 10? Sounds like a steal! I think all of their models look really good, tho.
http://www.pig-iron-productions.com/system-troopers-c-11.html
http://www.pig-iron-productions.com/kolony-militia-c-1.html
http://www.pig-iron-productions.com/system-scavengers-c-18.html
Anvil makes some good soldiers too
http://anvilindustry.co.uk/AFTERLIFE/Republic

Can anyone give me some good places to find em? I tried finding vehicles but I can't find any matching GW style. Or should I scratch build em?

Remember thats in pounds, not dollars, they cost a bit more than that when you convert the dollar over. Also, I thought pig iron folded a while back. Make sure that's the new vendor, that may be the old clearance price.

As for "should I greenstuff an army or buy it", make one model. Make him the most generic, expendable rifleman ever. Now imagine building a 100 more. Thats what it's gonna be like. Maybe that's not too bad, but odds are you'll savehundreds of hours just buying them.

If you plan to play in a GW, some do not allow unofficial GW models, others require a percentage (50%-75% GW normally). If you don't have one nearby no big deal then. Just be aware. I've been playing for 5 years and have never had a problem (because Ive never played in a GW )

As for vehicles, good luck. GW has such a bizarre scale no one else builds vehicles in their style, especially IG tanks. They are the antithesis of what a modern day tank should be, High profile, large flanks, short in length, short stubby turrets, the list goes on and on. Anything 3rd party thats tall enough will be too long, and vice versa.

The only 3rd party tanks I can think of purpose built to be IG tanks would be Victoria Lamb 's Matilda (which isn't out yet) and mad robots tiger tank. Both look cool, but are just resigned historical tanks. By the way I would look at both those companies for special and heavy weapons options as well. I use both extensively in my army and they are excellent.

Believe it or not, I still use GW tanks. IG tanks vary far less than their infantry do, so no matter how crazy I go with my IG, the tanks keep them obviously grounded in 40k. You can find them dirt cheap online all the time if you buy them prebuilt.

I don't ever plan on playing a tournament, the only places I'd game is my FLGS and with friends, and I've looked in multiple places at scratch built models, and I have very simple, easy designs, mostly flat, but now I take what you said into consideration, do you guys think I should just mini's I designed as veterans and buy some elsewhere? I am probably gonna just buy my vehicles from eBay, and 10 pounds is only 13 bucks.

Thanks for all the answers guys!


[size=9]Automatically Appended Next Post:

 Skinnereal wrote:
If you use 3rd party and want to play at GW events of venues, use them sparingly and just SAY you scratch-built them if asked.
Throw in a couple that you did do from green-stuff, and you should be OK.
But, not having done it myself, get a better opinion on that before you go whole-hog.
You will end up with a surplus of heads and arms from GW kits, so buying more torsos and legs might fill your needs.

As for vehicle stand-ins, good luck finding any that look close enough without overstepping the mark.
There are lots of real-world kits of the right scale, and lots of really nice alternatives, but how close do they have to be?

Well, if I find any tank, I'll just add bits to make it seem IG, like sponsons, maybe LR turret. The British Male Mk1 tank from WW1 looks like a leman Russ, without the turret.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
http://shop.ramshacklegames.co.uk/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=45&sort=20a&page=3
I found this while searching, these seem pretty IG to me.

 Korinov wrote:

or against GW lobotomites who simply go ballistic at seeing non-GW models over a gaming table... then perhaps it won't be the best idea.

Is this actually a thing? Because I have never met a person who cared in real life.

Then again, I make sure my 3rd party stuff looks good and try to paint. I could see someone being annoyed by green army men or something.

On top of that, I don't think many people notice I have 3rd party unless theyre other IG players. Most just see guys with rifles and assume theyre GW. I had a guy pick up some of my Catachans the other day and was talking about how cool they looked. I immediately realized something was up, and saw he's been looking at my Mad Robot "Danamians" the whole time

Scratch build everything. I'd love to see it.

 MrMoustaffa wrote:

 Korinov wrote:

or against GW lobotomites who simply go ballistic at seeing non-GW models over a gaming table... then perhaps it won't be the best idea.

Is this actually a thing? Because I have never met a person who cared in real life.

I probably exaggerated, but the following...

- Hey nice model [looks at it with attention] wow I really like it, when did they release this?
- Couple years ago, it's not a GW model, it's by [whatever company].
- Oh, I see... I'm not much into their style [face changes from genuine interest to either slight disgust or plain indifference]

I've seen it happen. More than once.

 Korinov wrote:

 MrMoustaffa wrote:

 Korinov wrote:

or against GW lobotomites who simply go ballistic at seeing non-GW models over a gaming table... then perhaps it won't be the best idea.

Is this actually a thing? Because I have never met a person who cared in real life.

I probably exaggerated, but the following...

- Hey nice model [looks at it with attention] wow I really like it, when did they release this?
- Couple years ago, it's not a GW model, it's by [whatever company].
- Oh, I see... I'm not much into their style [face changes from genuine interest to either slight disgust or plain indifference]

I've seen it happen. More than once.

For Guard specifically or a different faction?

I'm genuinely curious because now I'm wondering if I met one like that and didn't realize it

If it's a FLGs all the guy can do though is refuse to play you OP. I sincerely doubt anyone would kick a person out for reasonable 3rd party models that are pretty clear on what they represent.

 MrMoustaffa wrote:
For Guard specifically or a different faction?

I'm genuinely curious because now I'm wondering if I met one like that and didn't realize it

If it's a FLGs all the guy can do though is refuse to play you OP. I sincerely doubt anyone would kick a person out for reasonable 3rd party models that are pretty clear on what they represent.

I first witnessed it years ago when I was not even playing 40k. The scenario was a WHFB game with dwarfs involved. I think the model in question was some AoW dwarf character. That was the first time but not the last, a similar thing happened with Gamezone halberdiers, whom someone mistook as a regiment of renown (dogs of war) and expressed a lot of interest in the models, only to back away when told they were not an official GW product.

As for IG, funny enough I've seen more "acceptance" of alternative models, perhaps because it's a general consensus that their current plastic kits are very outdated and were never great models to begin with (I think they're actually hideous, and compare terribly with their old metal range).

Edit: now that I think about it, it's happened to me twice as well. Both with dark elves, first time with a Confrontation model I used to employ as a hero on foot, and later with a Gamezone female cold one rider.