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Basically how far can I take my scratch builds and conversions? For use in friendlies/non-tourney stuff

I understand that at some level it will come down to the opinion of the store and/or the opponent, but in a general sense at what level am I taking it too far? ( I want to be able to play with my army)

Currently I have plans for a ork warbike squad that consists of:

An ork in a wheelchair, with hench bionic arms for speeding himself across the battlefield

A tricycle (think kids tricycle/downhill trikes extremesports) with hench bionic legs peddling

An ork on a bar of soap with a fan (like a hovercraft fan) sliding across the battlefield

An ork in a wheelbarrow being pushed

General squig riding

Other bikes etc... penny fathing....go-karts....

now I would obviously be conforming to weapon looks and such, so they won't be supporting anything they can't use, they just wont be bikes

Make weapons WYSIWYG, bases the usual size for a bike (or bigger), and you're away...

 JohnnyHell wrote:
Make weapons WYSIWYG, bases the usual size for a bike (or bigger), and you're away...

Sounds good

 JohnnyHell wrote:
Make weapons WYSIWYG, bases the usual size for a bike (or bigger), and you're away...

This is generally my opinion as well. However, our advice here means nothing when held against the opinions of your local gaming community/club/store.

In general it's true that if your scracth-builds are of similar size, armor, basing and WYSIWYG weaponry folks will generally be ok playing you. However remember also that the execution of your designs and "rule of cool" will have alot to do with how your models are received. Make sure your work is good, and the figs are painted before putting them on the table and you will get a much better reception.

use the right base size, and make sure your orks aren't shorter than they would be on a stock bike and you're good to go.

if you have them sliding on their belly on the soap for instance where they are about as tall as a grot, someone might see that as modeling for advantage... You could just offer to play that model as being as tall as an acceptable member of his group and swap models in/out for LOS checks.


My land ship truck is, taller than battlewagons, by a good margin. we just decide before game..option #1 it is either what it is, WYSIWYG for TLOS not just weapons, or #2 play the scratchbuild model as if it were the shape/size of the stock. (#1 unfair if you ask me... my truck can't ever hide as a result because its like 16" tall. to top of flag.... and the other side of #1 is unfair to my opponent is well.. now i have a HUGE LOS block for a measly 35 points).. #2 seems more fair but you have to have a stock model avaliable to "swap" in for LOS checks.


most importantly is the footprint size, make your footprint the right size and you can easily say well a stock nob biker is 2.75" tall, so we'll play this guy on his belly as if he was that tall too.

skyfi wrote:
use the right base size, and make sure your orks aren't shorter than they would be on a stock bike and you're good to go.

if you have them sliding on their belly on the soap for instance where they are about as tall as a grot, someone might see that as modeling for advantage... You could just offer to play that model as being as tall as an acceptable member of his group and swap models in/out for LOS checks.


My land ship truck is, taller than battlewagons, by a good margin. we just decide before game..option #1 it is either what it is, WYSIWYG for TLOS not just weapons, or #2 play the scratchbuild model as if it were the shape/size of the stock. (#1 unfair if you ask me... my truck can't ever hide as a result because its like 16" tall. to top of flag.... and the other side of #1 is unfair to my opponent is well.. now i have a HUGE LOS block for a measly 35 points).. #2 seems more fair but you have to have a stock model avaliable to "swap" in for LOS checks.


most importantly is the footprint size, make your footprint the right size and you can easily say well a stock nob biker is 2.75" tall, so we'll play this guy on his belly as if he was that tall too.

Great tips guys I think I am aiming to keep them to the correct bases, so keeping them roughly the same height model wise I should also be able to stick to. I'l carry out some dimension checks before and get a good idea of sizes.