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Hey dakka. I've been working on a DE list with the helpful people in the Army List section, and I think I've narrowed down my list. Now it's time to figure out how I was to build my army. My favorite part of 40k by far is building and converting. As opposed to my Tau, which I built up a ton of models very quickly and didn't do many conversions, I want to take my time with this list. I really want to avoid using finecast, both because of the cost and I dislike working with it. I definitely don't want to drop $11 on every wrack. My goal is to find alternative models and convert most of the units. I could really use your help and fresh ideas.
Here are my thoughts on how I want to convert some of the units.

Wracks
I think the best option for these guys are the WHF ghouls, as the models look suitably horrible and almost constructed. Use some greenstuff and add on little bits such as vials and some deadly looking weapons and I'm set. For the liquifiers, I think I want to convert the mouths of 2 of the ghouls and make it look as if they can vomit poison (possibly combined with an OSL paint job to bring it out more). For the venom blade, I think the best solution is to just add poison dripping from the blade of the squad leader.

Grotesques
I've seen some great conversions using Ogre bulls as Grots. I will add some greenstuff guts and tyranid bits to combine with the ogre weapons. I think I will use the same idea for the liquifiers and extend the throat. The aberations' scissorhands will be made from iron fists and multiple blades.

Beastpack
Khymerae - the most common conversion is dire wolves with hormagant parts. I love the look of these conversions, so why mess with them?
Razorwing Flocks - I really don't know what to do with these guys. I've seen some people use ripper swarms, but I'd like to avoid using straight tyranids. The VC bat swarms are too expensive and also finecast, so they are out. I have no idea.
Beastmasters - These are pretty straight forward. The only thing I really don't like are the skyboards; I'd much rather have something more organic that fits with the Coven theme. I'm thinking about using the Scourge kit for the cool wings and giving them more appropriate weapons such as whips and brands.

Haemonculi
I think the easiest way to convert my HQs is to take a regular squad of DE warriors and add a bunch of extra limbs. Add things like a greenstuffed coat of human skin and some pistols converted to liquifers and there they are. Should be short and simple, although I am worried that I might not be able to make these guys stand out enough.

Raiders and Ravagers
I'm sure how much I can convert the vehicles to represent them as part of the Coven. Perhaps I could replace the middle part where the sails go with a pile of bodies for the Haemonculi to experiment with after the battle? I'm picturing taking the corpse cart and setting it into a raider. Other options are a torture rack, combat drugs containers, and flesh trophies.

I'd really like some help on working out some of the kinks in my designs. Comments, suggestions, pictures would all be appreciated. Thanks!