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For starters, know that I'm only an average modeler, haven't worked much with greenstuff. I'm planning to build some rough riders (I know, they kind of suck but are too cool to pass up) and can't decide on what models to use as the base for them. I'm going to use basic cadian bodies for them, just need mounts. I know a lot of people use bikes for them, but I prefer the idea of them being actual cavalry. So the question then, which models should I use to build them up? Checking out the fantasy lineup there are 4 units that I'm really looking at: outriders, dark riders, drakespawn knights, and wild riders.

The obvious choice is outriders, as they're a sort of generic horse option. The downside is that the models don't come with spears, which I'd have to source from somewhere else. Nothing really wrong with them, and probably the easiest to kitbash, but the other choices have me second guessing.

Dark riders are similarly a generic horse option, although I'm not sure I like the look of the horses. Also, the angle the riders sit at might be a little difficult to replicate with basic cadian bodies. Still, a reasonable option.

The drakespawn knights look really cool, who doesn't love guys riding dinosaurs, and other than trimming down pointy bits on the armor seem pretty straightforward. Really love this idea.

The final and most unusual choice is the wild riders. The stags are beautiful, and will definitely be something you won't see on the table normally. My only worry, do they fit 40k well or are they too fantasy? The models seem straightforward to convert and again, love the mounts of these guys.

I thought about using demigryphs, but getting 10 will be very expensive and they're a bit too large, I want to use cavalry bases.

I've only looked at GW, as it's the easiest to get since I don't order much online, but 3rd party suggestions are welcome; just post a link and I'll check them out. Thanks for the input!

How about wolf riders?

I'm not 100% sure, but I would think the goblin riders would be separate from the wolves.

http://www.manticgames.com/mantic-shop/kings-of-war/goblins/product/goblin-fleabag-riders-regiment-10-figures.html

Could also use

https://www.games-workshop.com/en-US/Grot-Wolf-Riders

Though, I'm partial to these...

https://www.games-workshop.com/en-US/beastclaw-raiders-frost-sabres

Outriders. They almost work without modification, especially with the Militarum Tempestus models hanging out to make a more medieval take on flak/carapace fit better with the rest of the range. Find some spears somewhere and you're pretty much done.

Wild Riders would be weird and the general skinniness of the aesthetic wouldn't fit in well with the chunkiness of the Imperium, Dark Riders would be a bit better but their horses somehow don't look quite right. They might have a place on a Traitor Guard army but Imperial sickly/unwholesomeness tends to involve cybernetics, not just vaguely skeletal-looking creatures. Cold Ones would be cool mounts but I'd suggest grabbing the Saurus versions instead of the Dark Elf versions, they're bigger, less full of hooks, and would probably fit improvised Guard riders better than the skinny DE ones.

Dark elf dark riders all you really need to add are heads and las pistols.

The elven steeds (including stags) are a little frail looking for the heavily equipped cadian troopers.

I think the heavy-set cold ones of the drakespawn are best suited for use as roughriders, both due to the sturdiness of the beast and also due to anachronistic nature of laser-dinosaurs being a pretty extreme parody of the anachronism of the imperium on the whole!

That said, cold ones have been done, if you can make the stags work: go for it!

If you are willing to put the work in, chaos mauraders could work well. Need to file a lot of chaos stuff off, but they look chunky and powerful, also come with spears already.

Bretonnia knights are one of the best ones.

Check out Victoria Miniatures, she has some great Praetorian riders to use and simply add the mount of choice! I used Dark Elf cold ones for mine, check it out!