[Fast and Deadly]

Hi guys!

This is my first post in this forum, and I've only ever done one conversion (a warrior ripping some viens out of an imperial guardsman's head) and need some help on my future conversions.

I collect Tyranids, and so far have no story for them (but will make one:shifty: ), but I want them to be killing some kind of enemy in most of the bigger models. For example, on my lictor, I'm gonna have him crawling upside down on a tree behind some enemy snipers(which snipers!??!), or a Carnifex ripping a Terminator apart.

Basically, should I buy a big box of 20 guardsmen, 16 eldar guardians or 10 space marines for AUS$50, or just buy smaller blisters like 2 cadian snipers for AUS$18, space marine bikers for AUS$18 and 2 tyranid hunters for around AUS$22? Which one would be more affordable and easier to convert? If the box sets, would the easily-convertable eldar guardians be worth it, or the 20 guardsmen?

Sorry if none of this made sense.

 

[Da Mighty Camel]

All the plastic minis are good for conversions. The cadian/catachan heavy weapon sprue have legs that are crouching, they can be useful I think. The catachans also have some strange plants that you get with the heavy weapon sprue.
You should decide first what enemies your 'Nids are going to fight, so you can kkep a coherent thought about your army. I think SM/IG is the best for thinngs like this. The Eldar is good to, but they only have Guardians/Jetbikes that is plastic so they are hard to vary.
So decide what army they are gonna fight and then let your imagination run wild!

 

[Fast and Deadly]

I was thinking mainly about my Tyranid swarm fighting a war against an Imperial Guard force aided by some space marines. Either that or they're whooping some Eldar ass.(no offence to Eldar, I've always wanted to say that, I might play them next)

 

[Dragonslayero]

I'd say go for plastic kits, but add a few metal bits and pieces here and there.
Basically the multipart plastic models come in a whole bunch of pieces so modeling them to look ripped apart isn't your biggest problem.
Basically the metal models are more the specialized guys, so without doubt you'll have to add some of them to make the proper poses and "feeling"

 

[Da Mighty Camel]

The problem with Eldar is that the bulk of the Eldar army is made up of Aspect warriors, which are all metal (except Dire Avengers). You could paint them in Ulthwé colors (Ulthwé is mainly Guardian-only) if you decided on them.
As I am an Eldar player, I would prefer IG/SM But it is up to you.
As with conversions, it is really just about going nuts with poses, claws, acid and so on. You probarly would also want to maybe model some gunholes in a Carnifex or something? To show that he have taking a beating but it have only led to an even more uncontollable killing-spree :w00t:

 

[Gareth]

When i'm adding dead troops to my models bases i try to do it subtle and blend them into the bases covered in sand and rock from explosions, bits missing, squashed into the ground by a tank or monsterous creature etc.

I do this because I don't want them to be the focal point, the main model is the focal point. I want the base to be a nice compliment but not over powering...

Dead tau
http://groups.msn.com/40KIMAGEBANK/ultramarineimages.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=36

Dead marine
http://groups.msn.com/spacewolves/gareths200506miniatures.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=10929

Dead terminator
http://groups.msn.com/spacewolves/gareths200506miniatures.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=10927

Dead chaos marine
http://groups.msn.com/40KIMAGEBANK/spacewolves.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=16

 

[Da Mighty Camel]

Those are some good ideas Gareth! I would take advice from him and other experienced modellers. You might also want to check around at cool mii or not or the GW homepage to get some inspiration. And remember to rep us for our help

 

[Swordy]

I would say IG... I mean, they ARE cannon fodder....

Additionally, since you are playing 'nids, I would say catachans. Then you can pay homage to the Aliens movies while ripped Arnold wannabes apart. If you hated Aliens, however... you could just rip whatever strikes your fancy.

 

[Dragonslayero]

Try looking into the Starship trooper movies...
Ok so the " 'nids" in that movie get kicked a bit by IG but look on the poses of the dead IG guys.
At least it gives a good impression on how "natural" wounds would look, arms and legs missing and so on.

Ok so there aren't that many "rip em apart" alien movies out there that show mangled bodies, but if you do find any, just take notice from them...

 

[Syphonides of Orell]

I would say IG... I mean, they ARE cannon fodder....

Additionally, since you are playing 'nids, I would say catachans. Then you can pay homage to the Aliens movies while ripped Arnold wannabes apart. If you hated Aliens, however... you could just rip whatever strikes your fancy.

You are biased. I don't like you.
And I doubt you ever stood across from a really lucky player with great dice, demolishers and baslisks.:yes:

 

[Fast and Deadly]

Wow! Gareth's bases are awsome!

I decided to buy only metal blisters, because -

1) The metal guys are specialists, and therefore a more rewarding meal than a troop
2) The plastic kits are too expensive. Instead of them, I could buy 16 more gaunts
3) Thats about it....

I'm gonna have my nids chewing up IG and some SM, because IG can be modelled as petrified, limbless, pathetic entrees and SM can be served as the chewy, fleshy, fat-free way to eat(yummy yummies!)

Thanks for all your tips though. smily

 

[Da Mighty Camel]

Remember to give us rep for the help, just to show that you really say thank you
I am looking forward to seeing them, I say good luck to you!