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So getting back into 40k with my boys I have discovered I have lots and lots of human soldiers that would make a large Astra Militarum force if I spent the time doing some conversions.

My question for you veteran players is should I build the force or just waste the models I have?

I have a Void 1.1 box set with has I think 50 junkers and 20 or 30 other guys, all with shotguns and riot shields that is unopened. Plus I have all the minis from a 2nd box that I glued to bases years ago and another 40-50 junkers including special weapons, exo suits and command models. I have a lot of blister packs for Void and Warzone, while the warzone minis aren't as nice as the Void ones they could work. The value of this still is kinda low so might be about to get a couple hundred for it all so not enough to buy a full GW force. But with a little work I could convert the roughly 200-225 models into Astra Militarum force with not a ton of work. Would need to buy some heavy weapons to really fill out the force.

Then I could add some Ogryn, Tanks and maybe a unit of squats(have a few converted from years ago already) to make a really large Astra Militarum force.

I know I couldn't take them to a big event but honestly I'm done with those and don't ever think I will play in tournaments again. I won't to play for fun with my kids and maybe their friends. The gamer in me is still alive and says build the force even if I never use it. Played war games for over 20 years guess it will always be part of me.

So what do you think build the force or not? If I build it I will document it all with photos and videos.

Do it.

I really want to, maybe I will do a full inventory of all the models and see what I have to work with.


Cost wise this would be a much cheaper option then buying a army out right. And will be really cool on the table.

Biggest question to answer for yourself is “is this the army I want to have?” 200 models with conversions is a hell of a lot of work no matter how much it costs, and if you get to the end of it and don’t like the results you’ll regret not spending a tad more to get the army you really wanted.

Think about it, but if you decide you really like the models, then go for it! Guard is one of those armies that really benefits from variety in appearance.

Don't forget that you can always start small and add units to an Imperium soup army.

Formerly Wu wrote:Biggest question to answer for yourself is “is this the army I want to have?” 200 models with conversions is a hell of a lot of work no matter how much it costs, and if you get to the end of it and don’t like the results you’ll regret not spending a tad more to get the army you really wanted.

Think about it, but if you decide you really like the models, then go for it! Guard is one of those armies that really benefits from variety in appearance.

I see your point, I like the void guys with riot shields but really don't need a army of 200 of them. Back when I was playing 40k heavily is when I bought all these minis with the dream of making a full IG army out of them. That was many years ago and after moving to a different state I never found another group I enjoyed playing 40k with enough to build the force.

lifeafter wrote:Don't forget that you can always start small and add units to an Imperium soup army.

Good point I might build me up a Kill Team then maybe expand to a few squads.


I know this stuff takes time but i enjoy it. In 4th edition my main force was IG Cadian models, I converted all the lasguns in the army to Autoguns (125-140 total) by drilling out the barrels, replacing the barrel with a brass tube, added muzzle break and added small brass tubes on bases for shell cases. My fluff was the force didn't have the tech to build "Lasers" so everyone got gun powder weapons. All the heavy weapons where Autocannons, Heavy Bolters, and Missile launchers, I didn't use any lascannons in the force other then what was on the tanks. Didn't change those because didn't have rules for changing them out in game. It was a tough force to play against some armies without lascannons but I really enjoyed the army. I don't think I use plasma guns ether but it has been too many years to be sure.

So much of the fun of non-comp 40k is the hobby creativity of applying the various army rulesets to conversions and non-standard models. With a bit of planning you can apply nearly any suite of rules to a well-built an designed set of models.

Go for it!

Warhawk77 wrote:

I know this stuff takes time but i enjoy it. In 4th edition my main force was IG Cadian models, I converted all the lasguns in the army to Autoguns (125-140 total) by drilling out the barrels, replacing the barrel with a brass tube, added muzzle break and added small brass tubes on bases for shell cases. My fluff was the force didn't have the tech to build "Lasers" so everyone got gun powder weapons. All the heavy weapons where Autocannons, Heavy Bolters, and Missile launchers, I didn't use any lascannons in the force other then what was on the tanks. Didn't change those because didn't have rules for changing them out in game. It was a tough force to play against some armies without lascannons but I really enjoyed the army. I don't think I use plasma guns ether but it has been too many years to be sure.

Nice, you sound like a hobbyist after my own heart. About ten years ago I built almost a full half-company of Guard airborne infantry using a mix of Cadian, Catachan, and Forge World parts. It was impressive in size and had some character, but the inconsistencies and shortcuts I'd taken started to bug me (why is this airborne company using autocannons? Why do some have helmets but others don't? Shouldn't they be using carbines instead of those clunky Kantreal patterns?), so I eventually sold the whole thing and started replacing them with various third party resins. Currently I'm making the final push to a full platoon plus support, each model looking exactly how I want them to. It's all about the journey and making sure your army is "just so."

Looking forward to the project log!

 Formerly Wu wrote:

Warhawk77 wrote:

I know this stuff takes time but i enjoy it. In 4th edition my main force was IG Cadian models, I converted all the lasguns in the army to Autoguns (125-140 total) by drilling out the barrels, replacing the barrel with a brass tube, added muzzle break and added small brass tubes on bases for shell cases. My fluff was the force didn't have the tech to build "Lasers" so everyone got gun powder weapons. All the heavy weapons where Autocannons, Heavy Bolters, and Missile launchers, I didn't use any lascannons in the force other then what was on the tanks. Didn't change those because didn't have rules for changing them out in game. It was a tough force to play against some armies without lascannons but I really enjoyed the army. I don't think I use plasma guns ether but it has been too many years to be sure.

Nice, you sound like a hobbyist after my own heart. About ten years ago I built almost a full half-company of Guard airborne infantry using a mix of Cadian, Catachan, and Forge World parts. It was impressive in size and had some character, but the inconsistencies and shortcuts I'd taken started to bug me (why is this airborne company using autocannons? Why do some have helmets but others don't? Shouldn't they be using carbines instead of those clunky Kantreal patterns?), so I eventually sold the whole thing and started replacing them with various third party resins. Currently I'm making the final push to a full platoon plus support, each model looking exactly how I want them to. It's all about the journey and making sure your army is "just so."

Looking forward to the project log!

That sounds nice and maybe more thought out then I did with mine but that is such a cool part of the hobby.

My fear is starting to work on building the force and realizing I need more minis then I have so then I have to dig for more models that have been out of print for years. But the rational side of my head says "why would i need more then 200 infantry at one time? You will never play games that big." then the gamer side goes "Challenge accepted!"

Okay I'm going to inventory all the models tonight and see what I have to work with. Then go thru codex and start planning out what I have to units.

And yes I will start taking photos of everything before we start and as we go.

I think one of the most magical parts of playing guard (and Orks) is that pretty much anything goes.

By that I mean there are billions of worlds and guardsman out there so you can pretty much do ANYTHING you want. Keep it reasonably WYSIWYG and pretty much no one will care and 99% its truly impressive.

Plus if you run out of men for your current project, those other guys are just from a different company in your regiment, no need to make excuses otherwise!

I agree orks and guard are really nice that way. And the idea of different companies is nice I will keep the colors the same or might mix it up not sure.

So I did some digging and I dont have as many as I thought I did. The Void box has 50 minis total I thought it was 70. But I have 160 void guys that I can build for the main force. I also have about 30 warzone trench soldiers that could be used also. Throw in the 40-50 odd cadians, catachan, ratling, and necromunda gangers I have those could be a special squad or gun crews. So not a bad start.


Just getting back into 40k so need to get the army book tomorrow so I can plan out the army and see how much I have to work with before I start converting but I dont see a reason not to build this out.

Thanks everyone

 generalchaos34 wrote:
I think one of the most magical parts of playing guard (and Orks) is that pretty much anything goes.

By that I mean there are billions of worlds and guardsman out there so you can pretty much do ANYTHING you want. Keep it reasonably WYSIWYG and pretty much no one will care and 99% its truly impressive.

Plus if you run out of men for your current project, those other guys are just from a different company in your regiment, no need to make excuses otherwise!

Sounds like my Dwarves in WHFB. I've got dwarves from GW & anybody else who's ever made a dwarf model I liked from about '86/87-present. Some older than that. It's like the United Nations of dwarves marched off to war. Hell, even when I only field GW stuff, I've got stuff so old most of my current opponents don't realize that they're not seeing any 3rd party....

Well can't find the new codex locally stopped at 3 stores and called the others no place had it. Everyone can order it so I have it next Friday. Don't want to be this way but might be better to just order it online.

Need the book so I can plan out squads. Maybe just start making 10 man squads with a leader and leave the special weapon out for now. From what I have seen so far most heavy weapons get put in weapon squads anyway so that will make it easier for sure.

If it's at home or with friends or a very open club you can use anything.
It'll piss people off online...but nobody cares about them.

In stores of course it's a different issue...but sod them.

So I say yes do it.

Ok so full inventory of models and made a video as my starting point.

https://youtu.be/f5cfvTLpFMs

Started converting the first squad last night. Decided I want to add some gear to the models so working on a way to make frag grenades for all the guys.