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The title allready says the question. The reason why I posted this question is that even while it has been talked about many times over, I haven't seen a poll covering all dakkadakka users' opinions.
Maybe the title might have been covered allready, but this survey should give a picture of the situation of today. However if this has been allready covered recently, please post a link.

voted other its fine if its a good representation of the model but theres no way your using a tiny plastic trex toy as a trygon

I honestly don't care what models people use as long as the opponent is reasonably consistant and explains "counts as" before the game. I've played a guy who ran an entire army of those green plastic army men because we decided to play 40k and he didn't have his army with him.

Provided that they let me know ahead of time of what they're meant to represent and are of similar size to the official model(provided that there is official model for), or of a reasonable size, then I say "fine, do what you like".

As long as it's clear what everything is supposed to be WYSIWYG-wise, I don't mind.The only things I'd object to would be really daft proxies like using an Action Man as a Wraithknight, but you seem to be talking about actual gaming miniatures, in which case I voted "fine."

There's some stuff I wouldn't much like from an aesthetic viewpoint - for example, I wouldn't like to see some sort of super-sleek futuristic hovertank model representing a Leman Russ, because the more archaic look is what I consider to be part of the Guard. But I wouldn't complain if a person used such a thing, it's just not something I'd want to do myself.

My Space Wolves are 80% GW
My Guard is 20% GW
Right now my Tau are 10% GW

I'm generally against it, but I've seen some interesting conversions. Does the model have the right "feel" and is generally close in size and/or WYSIWYG is what I care about most.

I went for "depends". Generally, I'll allow it if it's about the right size and it's not confusing (I'd even allow the Action Man Wraithknight mentioned earlier).

However, the Rule of Cool can override even this. Sure, feel free to use that 20-storey Deff Dread konversion.

I'm fine with it, so long as it's made clear what is what.

For example, for my Battle Conclave, I use some Reaper Minis models as Crusaders and Uriah. When selecting what models to use, I looked for models roughly matching the right wargear and armor. So for example, my Uriah model is a cowgirl with a pistol and a shotgun (Though I really should give her a banner and change her small stub pistol into a laspistol), and the Crusaders are all armored in plate mail, with cloaks and swords and shields.

I still occasionally look for models dual-wielding maces to use as Arco-flagellants, but haven't found anything quite suitable yet.

As long as it's clear what it is, and doesn't change weapons mi-game (yes that's happened to me before), I'm all for it. Players who are really creative with the modeling and painting will often find non-GW stuff a better fit.

Let's face it, I don't care that the riptide across from me is a 1/144 MG gundam model because it's awesomely painted, flavorful with the army, and just looks cool.

If it looks cool and its roughly same size as what its suposed to be i let themm.

Whenn playing with friends at home everything goes, I've had people use bottles as drop pods, Chinese food boxes as land raiders, lego;s as space wolves etc.

I ate his dinner after shooting it down, it was awsome.

I don't care. As long as it's a reasonable representation, it ultimately doesn't matter what it looks like. I've thought of having a scale V-22 Osprey proxy as a Valkyrie or Stormeagle. If they're approximately the same size, it offers no in-game difference, just aesthetic.

My Rune Priest is from Scibor, as I wanted one with a hammer, that was different from others so it would stand out, and this model looks more realistic in comparison to the RP models put out by GW. My Wolf Lord is a combination. I use a Bit Spudlo Thunderwolf because it's big and monstrous, and fits the fluffy description of a Thunderwolf better than the GW models and stands out immensely next to them, but is the same base size.

Even my local GW is ok with this. At least they don't mind my RP having given compliments on it. Though the majority of my army is GW models.

I am also ok with using FW or GW models to proxy something else. I plan on eventually buying a Contemptor pattern Dreadnought and using him as such, or as Bjorn, or as a regular Dread. Or a Valkyrie as a stand in for Stormeagle that will also work as a Valkyrie with IG allies. Save money, have fun.

Now for non-model proxies, as mentioned, for instance, action figures, soda cans, etc, I'd be ok with only as a temporary or spur of the moment thing, or to try out a unit prior to buying. I've yet to run into that though.

I say, use whatever. If it looks good, is a clear representation, and of similar size as the GW version is or would be, who cares?

Lately I have been trying to use as many models from Raging Heroes as I can, they are fantastic and good representations of WYSIWYG for 40k, and just plain better than the GW stuff. My Lady Malys model and Bloodbrides are from them (both of which have no official GW models). They have more stuff coming out that I'll use for Guard too. Scribor and others have some excellent stuff for Marines, Orks, etc.




As others have said, if you can tell what it is, then I'd personally encourage using other models. Having other companies make better models will force GW to stay on their toes.

Voted on depends, If it is similar in size, its WYSIWYG and fits in with the feel of the army. Then I'd have no problem with it.

I'm all for it, if it's well done, and am guilty of it myself. Scale, theme, equipment, consistency throughout the force, etc. are all important in executing this well.

Anvil Industry Steamlords as Deathwatch with Reapers as the Ordo Xenos Inquisitorial warband? Awesome.

Pig Iron Colonial Militia as Traitor Guard, supported by scrap-tanks from Ramshackle Games? Bring it on.

That being said, its easy to mess it up, too. I once faced a shovel-load of D&D prepainted minis as Chaos Daemons. There was no rhyme or reason to it, an Elf Archer was just as likely to be a Daemonette as it was to be a Bloodthirster.

Prefer not. Model size/shape matters for LOS (especially with vehicles), and most non-GW models don't have the right weapons and equipment so you have to keep track of which generic scifi weapon is a melta gun and which is a flamer. And on top of that there are far too many people who just use non-GW models because they're cheaper*, not because they're actually doing something cool that fits aesthetically with the rest of the game. So I dislike the attitude that you're entitled to use anything you want as long as you can point to some vaguely appropriate rules for it.

Of course this is talking about entire non-GW models/armies (generic scifi infantry as IG, etc) which are obviously not the standard version of the model/army, not using a few non-GW parts to convert something that is still obviously a 40k model.


*Especially in Apocalypse. This is the thing I hate most about it.

I'm currently working on a Chaos Space Marine allied force.

The Daemon Prince is a Sophie the Succubus Christmas model.

The stocking she was hanging by the chimney with care has been removed to be holding a Dire Avenger.

I spent a week trimming her hair off and repaced it with green stuff tentacles. Her right arm was hacked off at the elbow and a Hive Tyrant Claw was added.

My troops are two squads of Cultists (Clan Deleque and Esher).

My Hell Drake is just starting. An Anime Doll from the Boston anime convention. Her arms will be reposisioned, he hair turned into tentacles and the wings from the IoB kit will be added to her back.

I also plan on mounting her a bit taller than a usual flyer so there are no line of sight issues.

Her main body will be the same size if not larger than a Helldrake but the wings will be much smaller. If no one wants to play against it that's fine. I have enough friends outside the FLGS who don't care.

As long as the models resemble GW models or are some modifcation thereof, but If I am going to a game and am playing my army, I would hate to up against Trex and the lego men.

I voted "Depends"

I am of the mind that if you "40K" it out, and it looks similar to something you'd see in game, I'm fine with it. If you plop an M1 Abrams tank on the table to count-as Vanquisher Leman Russ, I wanna see 40K bits and markings on it. Heavy Stubber/Storm bolter with an IG commander sticking out of the cupola, make a dozer blade. I'm sure you get the idea.

Eh, sure, my Guard army is mostly non-GW, moving towards entirely non-GW as far as infantry is concerned because I field a female regiment.

I have a alt Stormraven I like and 2 alt Vindicares.

http://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/501433-Gk%2C%20Vindicare%2C%20Alt%20Vindicare.html

http://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/501432-Gk%2C%20Stormraven%2C%20Alternate%20Stormraven%20GK.html

Voted Fine.

Mostly because my SQL are FoW paratroopers. 82nd to be exact

I have no problem with it whatsoever. There are some great skulpts out there from different games systems that look absolutely stunning. Infinity has better looking battlesuits than the Tau do, Raging heroes miniatures can make awesome Witch Elves and Wyches. Reaper Miniatures has some real gems (and a fair amount of trash) but its never been a better time to shop around for miniatures to represent your units as the sculpts are increasing in quality all the time.

You can probably forget about using them in your local GW store though since they have a very strict 'GW only' figures policy. FLGS are usually fine though, but it really depends on the players, i'm constantly amazed at the numbers of hardcore 'if it ain't GW don't bring it' types i run into

For me it depends.

I generally don't mind a model or unit here or there. I don't want to see a full army of non GW models, unless someone did some kind of very very epic conversion work.

For me, its a few factors: Scale; it has to be faily close to the same size and shape as the GW model. Appearance; it has to look at least similar to the model it is standing in for or some kind of reasonable 40k equivalent. Rule of cool; if it's a friendly game and you brought something that just looks down right awesome, I'm fine with that!

Of course if you are playing in a GW store, or at most tournaments I've seen, at least the main model has to be some percent majority GW model.

Unless of course GW doesn't make a kit for it. Not so much a problem these days, but I'm sure there are still some codex out there with a few units that GW has no model for (can't think of any off the top of my head). If you do at least a decent job of finding something to use as that, I've always been fine. You should have seen some of the old drop pod scratch builds I've seen. Some people made GW's model look like a Hasbro toy.

Really depends on whether they're using them for MFA or not, if they are, then obviously no... But if it's a fair representation of the official released model, or roughly the dimensions of whatever's stated in the FW book, then sure, why not, it should be fun to kill ;D


Automatically Appended Next Post:

 pwntallica wrote:

Unless of course GW doesn't make a kit for it. Not so much a problem these days, but I'm sure there are still some codex out there with a few units that GW has no model for (can't think of any off the top of my head). If you do at least a decent job of finding something to use as that, I've always been fine. You should have seen some of the old drop pod scratch builds I've seen. Some people made GW's model look like a Hasbro toy.

Wazdakka Gutsmek. Not that anyone uses him.. But still :( I mean, they even got Snikrot, he's not even a HQ CHOICE, and they got him!! Why not Wazdakka?? Fingers crossed for an Ork release... Doom of Malan'tai... Nobody else I can think of right now xD

I'm all for non GW and scratch builds.

Once Mark finishes out the Eisenkern, my Guard are getting a full ressurection. The new Raging Heroes will probably supply Veterans/Sets or allies. And I scratch build a lot. I have a Bane wolf based on the Malcador Infernus.

I use Trollforge Alien Brains as Zoanthropes because they look better than GW's Zoans, GW's Zoans are badly balanced, over-priced and I dont buy finecast.

All GW aside from that, but I like seeing alternate stuff if it fits.

 Jihadin wrote:
Voted Fine.

Mostly because my SQL are FoW paratroopers. 82nd to be exact

I gotta ask, how did you get eight deuce squad leaders for 40k? Scale is waaaay off to be from FOW.

 dementedwombat wrote:
I honestly don't care what models people use as long as the opponent is reasonably consistant and explains "counts as" before the game. I've played a guy who ran an entire army of those green plastic army men because we decided to play 40k and he didn't have his army with him.

I can do you one better. Back when none of us had anywhere near the budget to play the game, we used to play entire proxy games against each other, using dice as models. It was all fun and games until one player destroyed a land raider by rolling his Necron Warriors' shooting using his Necron Warriors.

 Locclo wrote:

 dementedwombat wrote:
I honestly don't care what models people use as long as the opponent is reasonably consistant and explains "counts as" before the game. I've played a guy who ran an entire army of those green plastic army men because we decided to play 40k and he didn't have his army with him.

I can do you one better. Back when none of us had anywhere near the budget to play the game, we used to play entire proxy games against each other, using dice as models. It was all fun and games until one player destroyed a land raider by rolling his Necron Warriors' shooting using his Necron Warriors.

My friends and I still play WHFB with graph paper.