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I had a few ideas about using certain models from other games such as the Alien models (as in the Aliens movie) for some Tyranids and Terminators for Necrons. I think Crons and Nids are neat armies as a concept but just find myself not liking some of their models in 40k.

Would you have a problem playing armies like this?

Outside a GW venue, go for it.
Rule of Cool is great for games like 40k.

But, if you use well known models the the xenomorph from Aliens, try making it a bit more Tyranid.
Some 'nids have guns, so try working that into the models if you use them. Add spikes maybe.
For the Terminator, it was that shape as an imitation of the human form. If you can get the other robots from the same range, go for it, as there were drones and all sorts from what I remember of the earlier movies.
Keep as WYSIWYG as you can, and try not to model for advantage.

Having an Aliens-based army, or those-terminators, could be cool, but might detract from the 40k-ness of the game.

I don't have a problem with it.,But to play in GW stores your army should be 100% games workshop I believe.

 Ashenwyte wrote:
I don't have a problem with it.,But to play in GW stores your army should be 100% games workshop I believe.

Often 75% GW, but yeah. It depends on the store.

I've never even been to an official GW store. Mostly I just play with friends at their house or at my LGS.

Putting the company store issue aside for a moment, the real challenge with third party models is modeling for advantage.

I personally HATE it when people set their models up to maximize the benefits of cover. Have seen one of the old metal Daemon Princes modeled so he's sitting indian style and his height is just slightly more than that of a marine.

Look at the models and think about how much space they occupy. If you bring a table full of Xenomorphs crouched down with their heads near the floor, I might think twice before playing you.

 techsoldaten wrote:
Putting the company store issue aside for a moment, the real challenge with third party models is modeling for advantage.

I personally HATE it when people set their models up to maximize the benefits of cover. Have seen one of the old metal Daemon Princes modeled so he's sitting indian style and his height is just slightly more than that of a marine.

Look at the models and think about how much space they occupy. If you bring a table full of Xenomorphs crouched down with their heads near the floor, I might think twice before playing you.

I wasn't aware it was that much of a problem I'd want to model to make it look cool, but I'd try and keep it at the same general size/height as the original model that I'm subbing in for. I'm mainly talking about things like using Terminator models (from the movie, not the 40k one) for Necrons Warriors and maybe Immortals, as long as they are the same approximate size of course. Same thing with the Aliens. I'd probably use them as genestealer substitutes.

Generally people are cool with subbing in models if they meet the following criteria:

1) They are easily identifiable as what they are replacing.
2) They are the same size.
3) They have weapons/items consistent with the model they're replacing.

The one issue I think you're going to run into immediately is that no Terminator or ALIENS range of models has nearly enough types to represent even close to the 40K codex armies. And I think a Tyranid army would look very strange with random ALIENS thrown in, etc. Good luck though!

This is a local table vs Game store thing. Most local tables (like mine) actually love a proxy army. Again, needs to stay close to original so it is recognizable. I was under the impression the GW rule for their stores and tournaments was each figure must be roughly 75% GW, not the army in total? Of course, its been a decade since I was at a GW store or a Gamesday (California...sadly lacking...and forgotten)