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Just a quick question in regards to how many models are needed to form the swarm. One of my friends has a ripper swarm of just two ripper's a piece, and i personally think thats a little too low, and just playing on the cheap side. Is there any rule anywhere saying how many models you need to have it be a proper swarm?

 luky7dayz wrote:
Is there any rule anywhere saying how many models you need to have it be a proper swarm?

Nope.

 Mr. Shine wrote:

 luky7dayz wrote:
Is there any rule anywhere saying how many models you need to have it be a proper swarm?

Nope.

100% this.

But personally, unless there was substantial extras on the base, I wouldn't put less than two on a base, and even that is pushing it.

There are tournaments with rules against this in the same way that there used to be rules against a high % of "fillers" in wfb units.

To prevent units like these




Automatically Appended Next Post:
I checked there are no modelling rules in the current 40k rulebook except for some words on bases.

I honestly don't understand why anyone would mind, or who would have anything against that awesome skeleton graveyard.

As long as it isn't modelling for advantage why would you resent anyone else getting the best value for money they can, especially if they do it in a cool flavourful way like that graveyard.

The more your opponent can afford to field the better games they'll be able to give you.

I tend to put three Scarabs per base. I think it does a good job of representing the 3 wounds. I do build up the bases with cork and sand, though, to make it look like the Scarabs are crawling over actual terrain. I've never, ever had anyone complain.

One mini per wound seems a good benchmark. But there is no hard and fast rule.

How you base and what else is on it makes a big difference as well. I have zero problems with that graveyard. Looks good, thematic, painted, etc. But if you just have one grey ripper stuck to a naked disk, I’ll raise an eyebrow to that. Still play, mind you. But I’d think a bit less of you.

I use the old 2E metals, so I can only fit two onto a base.

I think Micro Art Studios' bases are fantastic. But it's not Gee-dub, so it's not tournament valid.

 Tannhauser42 wrote:
I use the old 2E metals, so I can only fit two onto a base.

You can get three with a little effort...

there are no rules, but a good rule of thumb is either :
1) models = wounds
2) 3+ models per base

from what I've seen, at least.

 Brennonjw wrote:
there are no rules, but a good rule of thumb is either :
1) models = wounds
2) 3+ models per base

from what I've seen, at least.

The best rule of thumb is to just build the models as the instructions tell you to... which is to say 4 Scarabs sitting on those silly little sticks. Otherwise, the rule of cool tends to kick in. Two Scarabs on sticks? Not cool. Two Scarabs crawling over part of a Rhino? Pretty cool. The more effort you spend on the basing and making the Swarm look cool will increase the likelihood that your opponent will say "cool" and move on. The actual number of Scarabs isn't that important. It's just far easier to make 3 Scarabs look cool than it is to make 1 look cool.

 Purifier wrote:
I think Micro Art Studios' bases are fantastic. But it's not Gee-dub, so it's not tournament valid.

The easiest thing to do would be to glue a single scarab on each of these and suddenly it is just a scenic base

Well there was kinda a rule about it I think it was gw's warriors code or something but I think that only applied to tournys

 Purifier wrote:
it's not Gee-dub, so it's not tournament valid.

GW doesn't throw tournaments much these days, so I'm not sure what you're on about.
The most restrictive tournament rule I've seen is that minimum 25% of each model must be GW.

Those MicroArt bases are totally 25% official models by adding a few bits from your Necron sprue, or even a sanctioned scarab.

I'll second the rule of cool - the skeleton unit above looks really awesome. Perhaps it's not practical in a gaming sense because the gravestones are moving around the battlefield, but as a unit, it looks cool. Perhaps more than one skele would have been better, especially to represent the unit champ/standard etc, but can't fault the execution as far as modelling and painting skills. If someones got two rippers and some sand on a base, I'd be thinking "ehhh", but if it's two rippers and bits of space marine/necron/tank or a scenic base, then it wouldn't be an issue. Not that I'd cause an issue over a two ripper base, but it would likely make me keep an eye on other things like measuring and the like.