Post by BobaHat on May 23, 2007 3:16:21 GMT -5
This guide will provide detailed guides on converting Imperial Guard regiments that are not available as minis as easily as possible. Being an experienced converter I have attempted several of these techniques. Please give feedback and feel free to ask advice. 
I have made some of them myself and will be making more soon.
I will be updating this guide as time goes by.
Enjoy
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(Necromunda backpacks can be found here. Use the Search option and type 'Backpack' under the 'Necromunda' flag.)
The Death Korps of Krieg
"We're the Death Korp of Krieg, son. Did you think that was just a pretty name? We never retreat. We fight and we die, that's the Krieg way."
-Lieutenant Konarski at the Battle of Erebus
There are several ways of making the most grim and fearless soldiers of the Imperial Guard.
1. Use the Steel Legion figures and, if you wish, make slight conversions by adding spikes to their helmets and even giving them backpacks from the Necromunda Range. If you wish you can lengthen their coats using Green Stuff.
2. The other way is slightly more challenging and time consuming. Use the Valhallan minis and create helmets and rebreathers using Green Stuff. This technique demands some modeling skill but it does provide better greatcoats than the first technique.
I personally use the first technique. Now The Death Korps are roenound for their deadly Death Riders. These can be made using Brettonian warhorses which have been slightly modified with Green Stuff. Use Rough Rider legs and lances and convert your Death Riders using Steel Legion minis.
-Colour schemes: The Death Korps wear dark, grim colours such as dark brown, grey or even black. The also adorn their uniforms and vehicles with skulls and bones and other grim symbols of death.
(Extra tip: Use the Chaos vehicle sprue extensively for these guys. The spikes are perfect for the helmets and the various skulls and chains are perfect for decoration on tanks and other vehicles)
The Harakoni Warhawks
Use Cadian mins for these guys and add extra armour plating and gas masks using Green Stuff. Get hold of lots of backpacks from the Necromunda range to act as grav chutes. Alternatively, you could get hold of the grav chutes released by Forge World.
-Colour schemes: The Harakoni Warhawks wear flat colours such as sand, grey or brown on their armour and black uniforms underneath.
The Tanith First and Only
"In the name of Tanith! Now they are on us we must fight! Hold the line and hold your fire until they come over the mud wall!"
-Colonel-Commissar Ibram Gaunt
Although Tanith minis are around they only exist in a very small range which is not very impressive. I would suggest using Catachan minis or even certain mins from the WFB militian sprue. Also poke round the Mordheim range to find some cool looking minis as the Tanith really are a force that deserves diversion and character. The main feature on these guys (and girls?) is their Cameleoline cloaks which should be made from Green Stuff... remember to gradually build the cloak out rather than just slapping a chunk og Green Stuff onto the mini.
-Colour shemes: The Tanith actually wear flat grey or black uniforms beneath their cloaks. Paint the cloaks a camouflage colour to match the scenery you will be fighting in.
(Extra tip: Use extensive camouflage on these guys. Litchen and static crass as well as othe bits and bobs on weapons and uniforms will really give them a stealthy feel)
The Savlar Chem Dogs
"You can keep that, mate! Won't fetch me more than a few credits on the market anyway. All this death-and-glory crap isn't really my business. I'm in it for the loot."
-Sergeant Joto of the XXII Savlar upon receiving a medal for bravery after the bloodbath at Trenia
These scum and lowlifes of the Imperium are perfect for extensive conversion. Use Catachan minis with a nice blend of Necromunda and Tallarn minis for the base of your modeling. Although some of the standard heads can be used I would recommend getting hold of the Chaos Terminator head with the gas mask (available from mail order) and using that instead.l It really gives the feel of a shaved convict head with a chem-inhaler. Make sure you fix the back of the head with green stuff. Now, as stated earlier you should really use a variety of minis as the Savlar have no fixed uniform (most of what they own is scavenged). The main feature of the Savlar is the massive chem-inhalers fixed with large tubes attached to a pack on their back. For the tubes you can use Green Stuff or red electric wire. The backpacks can be found in the Necromunda range. Again, there is nothing wrong with variety here. Finally, the Savlar trademark which is the large piece of cloth draped around their shoulders. Make thes from green stuff and add tears and holes using a modeling tool. The Chem Dogs also boast Rough Riders. They ride mutant steeds into battle. If you can get hold of the Gorkamorka mutie steeds it would be exellent but anything alien will do.
-Colour Schemes: Paint these guys in drab brown and paint the cloth on their shoulders a yucky yellowish colour as a contrast. the chem-inhaler tubes should be rusty red. Make sure you paint the dark blue penal-arrow tattos on their shoulders and foreheads.
(Extra tip: The sky is the limit with these guys. Let your imagination run wild! There's no way you will get bored when creating and painting these scum.)
The Terrax Guard
"Nothing is more true in life than bravery in the eyes of the Emperor. If you cannot live by that ideal you will die by it!"
-Captain Teel adressing new recruits in the Schola Exubitos on Terrax
These fellas demand quite extensinve conversion. Now there are commissars out there that can be converted but I would suggest using Mordian Iron Guard minis as the base of conversion. Take your Mordians and bulk them up a bit with some 'plates' of Green Stuff on the legs and body to represent carapace armour. Give them more tipped commissar-like hats by filling them out a bit with Green Stuff. If you want them to wear cloaks also make these from Green Stuff. Backpacks from the Necromunda range are also handy when making these guys.
-Colour schemes: Paint these guys the standard Commissar colours - black with red and yellow trim. Maybe you could use white or blue trim to define rank. It is really up to you.
The Kanak Skull Takers
Now one might think that these guys would use the Catachan minis but since they use the warrior-weapons doctrine it would be a lot of work getting hold of weapons and repositioning arms. I recommend using WFB Chaos Marauders and rigging them with bits and bobs such as grenades and pistols. Don't forget the skulls and bones that they adorn themselves with. The Kanak also have Rough Riders. Make these using regular horses or perhaps even the armoured WFB Empire horses. It's really up to you. Dark Elf Cold Ones might also fit the Kanak fluff.
-Colour schemes: Paint these guys in flat grey or brown colours and cover them in barbaric tattos that should be blue or red (or any colour depending on their tribe perhaps?).
The Armageddon Ork Hunters
"This is Helltown, boy. Different rules here. My lads just spent sixteen days in a living nightmare, killed 'em twelve Gorks and eighty-two Morks. They wanna relax. Wanna cut loose. Get outta their faces, or I'll get into yours."
-Lieutenant Barvio of the Ork Hunters adressing a Mordian sergeant who had repremanded his men
-Background info: The Armageddon Ork Hunters are specialised companies formed from veterans of the ork wars on their homeworld. Unlike the standard troops of Armageddon, the Ork Hunters rely on stealth and cunning to take the fight to the enemy and spend months or even years deep in the jungles hunting orks. The harsh environment in which they fight and the conditions they are exposed to make Ork Hunters disturbing individuals who seem to gradually lose their minds. They often adorn themselves with trophies and weapons of slain orks and some even go so far as painting or tattooing their whole bodies green.
-These guys are fairly simple to convert. Use Catachan minis and give them LOTS of ork armour and weapons. Adorn them with trophies such as ork heads and make them as barbaric as possible.
-Colour schemes: Give them black or brown uniforms and paint their skin green (The Ork Hunters mimic orks in their appearance sometimes going so far as to tattoo their entire bodies green). In other words, make them as orky as possible but don't forget to revere the Imperial Insignia as they are some of the most fanatic ork killers in the galaxy.
(Doctrines: Hardened Fighters, Veterans, Warrior Weapons, Light Infantry, Xeno fighters: Orks)
The Asgardian Rangers
"In the duty of watching and recording Ork forces beyond the Hemlock Cordon, the Asgardian Rangers must be the clear choice. No other army on the planet has their skill or knowledge of reconnaissance within enemy held territory."
-Storm Trooper Captain Harkavian of the Armageddon Steel Legion
-Background info: Hailing from the feudal world of Asgard, this regiment is famous for its rough riders. Clad in furs and skins, the Asgardian Rangers are masters at scouting ahead and launching surprise raids on the enemy upon their bionically enhanced steeds.
-These fellas can be made using the Necromunda Ratskin minis. Altarnatively, Catachan minis can be used but make sure you make lots of furs and skins from Green Stuff. The Asgardian Rough Riders are mounted on bio-enhanced steeds. It is really up to you how to model these as I have never seen any description of them anywhere.
-Colour schemes: Green or brown uniforms with lots of fur.
(Doctrines: Rough Rider Squadrons, Light Infantry, Cyber Enhancement, Ratling Squads, Priests)
The Jopall Indentured Squadrons
"I find your military code revolting, your devotion to the Emperor insufficient and your combat morale non-existent, but the accuracy of your marksmen, sir, is the finest I have seen this side of the Galaxy!"
-Captain Kotski of the Krieg Death Korps adressing Marshall Traeg of the 96th Jopall Indentured Squadron
-Background info: The planet of Jopall is controlled by powerful cartels who are responsible for social, educational and medical welfare. As all of these cartels are privately financed every person on the planet owes the government huge amounts of money from the moment they are born. A way to pay off this debt is by serving in the Jopall Indentured Squadrons. Depsite the extreme unbalance in the planet's economy, the Imperium does not intervene as the planet quite naturally supplies massive quantities of troops for the Imperial Guard. Jopall does spend much time and money on marksman training and the men of the Indentured Squadrons are very skilled with a rifle.
-These guys can be made using the archive Cadian minis or alternatively the plastic ones. Not much conversion needed here.
-Colour schemes: Pain these guys in camouflage according to the terrain in which they will be fighting but make sure you keep their helmets and shoulder plates white.
(Doctrines: Conscript Platoons, Sharpshooters, Heavy Weapon Platoons, Close Order Drill, Special Weapon Squads)
The Noctan Strike Forces
"They seem to have a ghostly nature about them. Their appearance and mannerism is enough to chill a man to the bone. Yet this night has proven to me that the sons of Noctan are among the bravest and most loyal men we have seen in this war."
-Commissar Yuliov commenting on the Noctan raid on the Ork-infested Archeron Hive
-Background info: The night world of Noctan is home to one of the most elite night-fighting regiments in the Galaxy. Masters of daring night raids, these dark-skinned soldiers fight with grim determination. They are known for operating for days in complete darkness without a sound.
-These guys can be made using the Cadian plastic minis as the base for converting. 'Bag out' their trousers using Green Stuff and remove the bulky shoulderplates. Fix thee remainder of the shoulder with Green Stuff. Get hold of some Necromunda backpacks and create rebreater tubes from Green Stuff. Attach the tubing to the sides of the helmet.
-Colour schemes: Paint these guys dark blue or black (they are nocturnal fighters after all). The Noctan are actually dark-skinned so the picture is a bit wrong. Also, paint the trim of the uniform in bright red and if you like, you can make a scarlet scarf and wrap it round the waist of your troops.
(Doctrines: Special Weapon Squads, Light infantry, Sharpshooters, Grenadiers, Hardened Fighters)
The Pyran Dragoons
"By the Emperor! Those men do war honour!"
-Commissar Yarrick commenting on the Pyran Dragoons after the Battle for Hell-Town
Background info: The civilised world of Pyran has a stringent and divisive caste-based society, developed and refined over millennia after the initial colonisation of the planet in M34. At the very apex of this elitist world is the ruling Imperial Governor, chosen directly by the Adeptus Terra from one of the leaders of the Greater Noble Houses. The people of Pyran are intrinsically bound by their traditions in a way few off-worlders comprehend and the standing of any one of the noble houses rests almost solely on the social graces of its members, as well as their military achievements within the Dragoons.
-The Pyran Dragoons can be made using Praetorian minis. Using Green Stuff, make a typical 19th century style dragoon hat and make the classic white criss cross belts across their uniforms. For the Rough Riders use Praetorian sergeant minis with rough rider legs. Fix the fur-lined boots with Green Stuff and add ornamentation to the helmet with Green Stuff. Make a cloak with Green Stuff and you have a Pyran Rough Rider.
-Colour schemes: Paint the Pyrans in bright, dress colours. Mostly green, red or blue with white and gold effects.
(Doctrines: Rough Rider Squadrons, Iron Discipline, Close Order Drill, Die Hards, Sharpshooters)
The Semtexian Bombardiers
"Don't you feel down, my lad! So you haven't had a chance to even see a greenskin yet. I can assure you that the Basislisk you've been manning for the last week has killed more of those damned xenos than most guardsmen see in a lifetime!"
-Lieutenant Jelph of the Semtextian 112th Artillery Regiment adressing an eager young trooper under his command
Background info: A relatively new regiment hailing from the harsh mining world of Semtexia. The men of this regiment are organised into mechanised formations supported by perhaps the largest formation of artillery in the Imperium. The regiment goes to war in thick armour plates devised originally for operating deep within the mines of Semtexia.
-Make these guys using the Brettonian men-at-arms minis and give them beards from Green Stuff. Add large spikes to their helmets and use the Cadian sprue for the arms and weapons.
-Colour schemes: The Semtexians come from a harsh mining world and their colours are grey, black and metallic with red trim.
(Doctrines: Mechanised, Techpriest Enginseers, Carapace Armour, Heavy Weapon Platoons, Priests)
The Logres Tundra Fighters
The frozen, krill farming world of Logres houses a regiment of highly skilled winter-war troopers. To make these guys you will need both the Cadian and Catachan sprues. Use the Cadian torso and arms and remove the shoulder plates. Add Catachan legs and a catachan head. Using Green Stuff, make wooly hats for them. The hats should be the rolled up navy seal style balaclavas. Some of your Logres warriors could even have them rolled down over their faces. The final touch for these guys is the furline on their uniforms. Add furlines to their boots and a large furline on their neck collar.
-Colour schemes: Icey blue and white or grey. The furline should be wolfskin colours.
(Doctrines: Grenadiers, Die Hards, Carapace Armour, Hardened Fighters, Xeno Fighters: Tyranids)
The Attilan Rough Riders
GW have only made Rough Riders for these guys but you can make troopers quite easily. Use the Catachan sprue and make the troopers as normal. Now give them beards and moustaches using Green Stuff. If you wish you can add some furlining to their boots. Using Green Stuff, make their coats around their legs. Take a look at the GW Rough Riders for reference. Now the good thing about Attilans is that they are hardened feral warriors so you can easily use the bare chest torsos as well. These are obviously not wearing coats so you can leave them without. Make sure you give your guys plenty of scars and battle markings. Tattoos are also a good feature for Attilans. If you like, you can add sleeves although this is not always nessisary as Attilans like to show off their tattos and scars and sleeveless longcoats look damn cool! The final (and most important) touch for these guys is the hat. Start off by adding a little 'lump' of Green Stuff on the top of their heads. It should look a bit like a Jewish kippa. Now make a sausage of Green Stuff and froll it around their heads. Don't worry about accuracy here as it can be fixed. Once you are happy with a base for the hat, leave it to dry. Finish the hat with some extra green stuff. Again, use the GW Attilans for reference. Using your sculpting tool, give the hat a wooly effect.
-Colour schemes: Feral, earthy colours. The longcoats can be deep blue with red trim but make sure they look dirty.
(Doctrines: Rough Rider Squadrons, Light Infantry, Hardened Fighters, Priests, Heavy Weapon Platoons)
The Kallistan Rifles
"We'll hold this ridge until We're dead or they are. Why? Because We're here lad, because We're here."
-Sgt Artraxus of the 21st Kallistan Rifles
These guys should not greate much of a problem. Use Catachan minis and make long hair using Green Stuff. You can also experiment with using WFB Empire Militia bits to create concripts.
-Colour schemes: Dark grey or black urban camouflage.
(Doctrines: Ogryn Squads, Conscript Platoons, Hardened Fighters, Independent Commissars, Veterans)
The Arminiun Honus Squads
The lifeless mining world of Arminiun is home to a crack army of miners who form the base of a very tough regiment. Use Cadian minis for these guys and start off by getting rind of the 'coaty' part of the legs by puffing out the trousers a bit using Green Stuff (alternatively, you can use Catachan legs on Cadian torsos). Remove the Shoulder plates from the Cadian arms. Start off bu making a plate around their shoulders and torso. Now add the heads and build up Green Stuff over the entire head so you have a scuba diver look. Now, using guitar string make breathing tubes and attach them to a backpack, use one from the Necromunda range. Finally, make a view slit from green stuff.
-Colour schemes: Use dark, dank colours such as brown or grey.
(Doctrines: Mechanised, Conscript Platoons, Storm Trooper Squads, Carapace Armour, Techpriest Engineseers)
The Xenonian Fighters
The Xenonians are a fierce fighting force of female warriors. To make them, use the Escher minis from the Necromunda range. Using Green Stuff, smarten up their uniforms a bit by giving them shoulder plates and backpacks.
-Colour schemes: Green or grey camouflage colours.
(Doctrines: Independent Commissars, Special Weapon Squads, Light Infantry, Die Hards, Veterans)
The Gryphonne IV Raiders
These bionically modified troopers can be made using the Cadian and Catachan sprues. Use the Cadian torso, legs and arms and Catachan heads. Get rid of the shoulder plates and build up a tunic from green stuff. 'Cyber them up' a bit using green stuff and guitar strings as tubing and other cool bits. The sky is really the limit here. You can also vary between Cadian and Catachan arms.
-Colour schemes: Red and black.
(Doctrines: Mechanised, Cyber Enhancement, Techpriest Engineseers, Carapace Armour, Chem Inhalers)
The Folas Tertus Interfectors
Use the Cawdor minis and backpacks from the Necromunda range for these guys and make use of Green Stuff and guitar strings to make their rebreathers. The classic Redemptionist minis can also be used for sergeants and officers.
-Colour schemes: Dark red and sand colours.
(Doctrines: Priests, Die Hards, Carapace Armour, Veterans, Conscript Platoons)
The Ocanan Phalanx Troops
Use the Catachan minis and Delaque lascannon packpacks from the Necromunda range. If you can, try to get rid of the bandanas and make them look bald. Make a rebreather from Green Stuff and use guitar string to make tubes. Make a large plate-collar from Green Stuff.
-Colour schemes: Dark grey and black camouflage.
(Doctrines: Iron Discipline, Hardened Fighters, Close Order Drill, Heavy Weaopn Platoons, Sanctioned Psykers)
The Rasak 'Bloodpools'
Get hold of lots of WFB Chaos Marauder minis and Catachan arms and heads. Not much more conversion work here. Just be sure to get rid of any Chaos markings. If you like you can use some of the Marauder heads for sergeants and officers.
-Colour schemes: Earthy primitive colours and lots of warpaint.
(Doctrines: Rough Rider Squadrons, Die Hards, Hardened Fighters, Conscript Platoons, Ogryn Squads)
The Tachoman Honorific Order
These over-elegant looking troopers can be made from WFB Brettonian Men-at-Arms bodies and heads. Make cloaks and ornate armour from green stuff if you are up for it. Use Cadian arms and weapons.
-Colour schemes: Golden trims with bright colours such as blue or red.
(Doctrines: Iron Discipline, Conscript Platoons, Close Order Drill, Sharpshooters, Heavy Weapon Platoons)
The Fornus Lix Fire Drakes
A great way to make these guys is to use Cadians as a base and (if you can get hold of them) Cadian respirator heads available from Forge World. The only real conversion work that needs to be done is to get rid of the Imperial Eagle on the helmet. Use Kasrkin minis for the stormtroopers but again, get rid of the eagles on the helmets.
-Colour schemes: Deep red uniforms with black armour.
(Doctrines: Grenadiers, Storm Trooper Squads, Sharpshooters, Ratling Squads, Xeno Fighters: Eldar)
The Kovnia Gharkas
Use Cadian torsos, arms and weapons, and Catachan legs and heads. Carefully cut the head in half where the bandana starts and make a beret from green stuff. Remove the shoulder plates and fix the arms with green stuff.
-Colour schemes: Dark green or brown camouflage and brightly coloured berets.
(Doctrines: Drop Troops, Veterans, Light Infantry, Iron Discipline, Sharpshooters)
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I'll be back with many more Guard Regiments later on...
I have made some of them myself and will be making more soon.
I will be updating this guide as time goes by.
Enjoy
-------
(Necromunda backpacks can be found here. Use the Search option and type 'Backpack' under the 'Necromunda' flag.)
The Death Korps of Krieg
"We're the Death Korp of Krieg, son. Did you think that was just a pretty name? We never retreat. We fight and we die, that's the Krieg way."
-Lieutenant Konarski at the Battle of Erebus
There are several ways of making the most grim and fearless soldiers of the Imperial Guard.
1. Use the Steel Legion figures and, if you wish, make slight conversions by adding spikes to their helmets and even giving them backpacks from the Necromunda Range. If you wish you can lengthen their coats using Green Stuff.
2. The other way is slightly more challenging and time consuming. Use the Valhallan minis and create helmets and rebreathers using Green Stuff. This technique demands some modeling skill but it does provide better greatcoats than the first technique.
I personally use the first technique. Now The Death Korps are roenound for their deadly Death Riders. These can be made using Brettonian warhorses which have been slightly modified with Green Stuff. Use Rough Rider legs and lances and convert your Death Riders using Steel Legion minis.
-Colour schemes: The Death Korps wear dark, grim colours such as dark brown, grey or even black. The also adorn their uniforms and vehicles with skulls and bones and other grim symbols of death.
(Extra tip: Use the Chaos vehicle sprue extensively for these guys. The spikes are perfect for the helmets and the various skulls and chains are perfect for decoration on tanks and other vehicles)
The Harakoni Warhawks
Use Cadian mins for these guys and add extra armour plating and gas masks using Green Stuff. Get hold of lots of backpacks from the Necromunda range to act as grav chutes. Alternatively, you could get hold of the grav chutes released by Forge World.
-Colour schemes: The Harakoni Warhawks wear flat colours such as sand, grey or brown on their armour and black uniforms underneath.
The Tanith First and Only
"In the name of Tanith! Now they are on us we must fight! Hold the line and hold your fire until they come over the mud wall!"
-Colonel-Commissar Ibram Gaunt
Although Tanith minis are around they only exist in a very small range which is not very impressive. I would suggest using Catachan minis or even certain mins from the WFB militian sprue. Also poke round the Mordheim range to find some cool looking minis as the Tanith really are a force that deserves diversion and character. The main feature on these guys (and girls?) is their Cameleoline cloaks which should be made from Green Stuff... remember to gradually build the cloak out rather than just slapping a chunk og Green Stuff onto the mini.
-Colour shemes: The Tanith actually wear flat grey or black uniforms beneath their cloaks. Paint the cloaks a camouflage colour to match the scenery you will be fighting in.
(Extra tip: Use extensive camouflage on these guys. Litchen and static crass as well as othe bits and bobs on weapons and uniforms will really give them a stealthy feel)
The Savlar Chem Dogs
"You can keep that, mate! Won't fetch me more than a few credits on the market anyway. All this death-and-glory crap isn't really my business. I'm in it for the loot."
-Sergeant Joto of the XXII Savlar upon receiving a medal for bravery after the bloodbath at Trenia
These scum and lowlifes of the Imperium are perfect for extensive conversion. Use Catachan minis with a nice blend of Necromunda and Tallarn minis for the base of your modeling. Although some of the standard heads can be used I would recommend getting hold of the Chaos Terminator head with the gas mask (available from mail order) and using that instead.l It really gives the feel of a shaved convict head with a chem-inhaler. Make sure you fix the back of the head with green stuff. Now, as stated earlier you should really use a variety of minis as the Savlar have no fixed uniform (most of what they own is scavenged). The main feature of the Savlar is the massive chem-inhalers fixed with large tubes attached to a pack on their back. For the tubes you can use Green Stuff or red electric wire. The backpacks can be found in the Necromunda range. Again, there is nothing wrong with variety here. Finally, the Savlar trademark which is the large piece of cloth draped around their shoulders. Make thes from green stuff and add tears and holes using a modeling tool. The Chem Dogs also boast Rough Riders. They ride mutant steeds into battle. If you can get hold of the Gorkamorka mutie steeds it would be exellent but anything alien will do.
-Colour Schemes: Paint these guys in drab brown and paint the cloth on their shoulders a yucky yellowish colour as a contrast. the chem-inhaler tubes should be rusty red. Make sure you paint the dark blue penal-arrow tattos on their shoulders and foreheads.
(Extra tip: The sky is the limit with these guys. Let your imagination run wild! There's no way you will get bored when creating and painting these scum.)
The Terrax Guard
"Nothing is more true in life than bravery in the eyes of the Emperor. If you cannot live by that ideal you will die by it!"
-Captain Teel adressing new recruits in the Schola Exubitos on Terrax
These fellas demand quite extensinve conversion. Now there are commissars out there that can be converted but I would suggest using Mordian Iron Guard minis as the base of conversion. Take your Mordians and bulk them up a bit with some 'plates' of Green Stuff on the legs and body to represent carapace armour. Give them more tipped commissar-like hats by filling them out a bit with Green Stuff. If you want them to wear cloaks also make these from Green Stuff. Backpacks from the Necromunda range are also handy when making these guys.
-Colour schemes: Paint these guys the standard Commissar colours - black with red and yellow trim. Maybe you could use white or blue trim to define rank. It is really up to you.
The Kanak Skull Takers
Now one might think that these guys would use the Catachan minis but since they use the warrior-weapons doctrine it would be a lot of work getting hold of weapons and repositioning arms. I recommend using WFB Chaos Marauders and rigging them with bits and bobs such as grenades and pistols. Don't forget the skulls and bones that they adorn themselves with. The Kanak also have Rough Riders. Make these using regular horses or perhaps even the armoured WFB Empire horses. It's really up to you. Dark Elf Cold Ones might also fit the Kanak fluff.
-Colour schemes: Paint these guys in flat grey or brown colours and cover them in barbaric tattos that should be blue or red (or any colour depending on their tribe perhaps?).
The Armageddon Ork Hunters
"This is Helltown, boy. Different rules here. My lads just spent sixteen days in a living nightmare, killed 'em twelve Gorks and eighty-two Morks. They wanna relax. Wanna cut loose. Get outta their faces, or I'll get into yours."
-Lieutenant Barvio of the Ork Hunters adressing a Mordian sergeant who had repremanded his men
-Background info: The Armageddon Ork Hunters are specialised companies formed from veterans of the ork wars on their homeworld. Unlike the standard troops of Armageddon, the Ork Hunters rely on stealth and cunning to take the fight to the enemy and spend months or even years deep in the jungles hunting orks. The harsh environment in which they fight and the conditions they are exposed to make Ork Hunters disturbing individuals who seem to gradually lose their minds. They often adorn themselves with trophies and weapons of slain orks and some even go so far as painting or tattooing their whole bodies green.
-These guys are fairly simple to convert. Use Catachan minis and give them LOTS of ork armour and weapons. Adorn them with trophies such as ork heads and make them as barbaric as possible.
-Colour schemes: Give them black or brown uniforms and paint their skin green (The Ork Hunters mimic orks in their appearance sometimes going so far as to tattoo their entire bodies green). In other words, make them as orky as possible but don't forget to revere the Imperial Insignia as they are some of the most fanatic ork killers in the galaxy.
(Doctrines: Hardened Fighters, Veterans, Warrior Weapons, Light Infantry, Xeno fighters: Orks)
The Asgardian Rangers
"In the duty of watching and recording Ork forces beyond the Hemlock Cordon, the Asgardian Rangers must be the clear choice. No other army on the planet has their skill or knowledge of reconnaissance within enemy held territory."
-Storm Trooper Captain Harkavian of the Armageddon Steel Legion
-Background info: Hailing from the feudal world of Asgard, this regiment is famous for its rough riders. Clad in furs and skins, the Asgardian Rangers are masters at scouting ahead and launching surprise raids on the enemy upon their bionically enhanced steeds.
-These fellas can be made using the Necromunda Ratskin minis. Altarnatively, Catachan minis can be used but make sure you make lots of furs and skins from Green Stuff. The Asgardian Rough Riders are mounted on bio-enhanced steeds. It is really up to you how to model these as I have never seen any description of them anywhere.
-Colour schemes: Green or brown uniforms with lots of fur.
(Doctrines: Rough Rider Squadrons, Light Infantry, Cyber Enhancement, Ratling Squads, Priests)
The Jopall Indentured Squadrons
"I find your military code revolting, your devotion to the Emperor insufficient and your combat morale non-existent, but the accuracy of your marksmen, sir, is the finest I have seen this side of the Galaxy!"
-Captain Kotski of the Krieg Death Korps adressing Marshall Traeg of the 96th Jopall Indentured Squadron
-Background info: The planet of Jopall is controlled by powerful cartels who are responsible for social, educational and medical welfare. As all of these cartels are privately financed every person on the planet owes the government huge amounts of money from the moment they are born. A way to pay off this debt is by serving in the Jopall Indentured Squadrons. Depsite the extreme unbalance in the planet's economy, the Imperium does not intervene as the planet quite naturally supplies massive quantities of troops for the Imperial Guard. Jopall does spend much time and money on marksman training and the men of the Indentured Squadrons are very skilled with a rifle.
-These guys can be made using the archive Cadian minis or alternatively the plastic ones. Not much conversion needed here.
-Colour schemes: Pain these guys in camouflage according to the terrain in which they will be fighting but make sure you keep their helmets and shoulder plates white.
(Doctrines: Conscript Platoons, Sharpshooters, Heavy Weapon Platoons, Close Order Drill, Special Weapon Squads)
The Noctan Strike Forces
"They seem to have a ghostly nature about them. Their appearance and mannerism is enough to chill a man to the bone. Yet this night has proven to me that the sons of Noctan are among the bravest and most loyal men we have seen in this war."
-Commissar Yuliov commenting on the Noctan raid on the Ork-infested Archeron Hive
-Background info: The night world of Noctan is home to one of the most elite night-fighting regiments in the Galaxy. Masters of daring night raids, these dark-skinned soldiers fight with grim determination. They are known for operating for days in complete darkness without a sound.
-These guys can be made using the Cadian plastic minis as the base for converting. 'Bag out' their trousers using Green Stuff and remove the bulky shoulderplates. Fix thee remainder of the shoulder with Green Stuff. Get hold of some Necromunda backpacks and create rebreater tubes from Green Stuff. Attach the tubing to the sides of the helmet.
-Colour schemes: Paint these guys dark blue or black (they are nocturnal fighters after all). The Noctan are actually dark-skinned so the picture is a bit wrong. Also, paint the trim of the uniform in bright red and if you like, you can make a scarlet scarf and wrap it round the waist of your troops.
(Doctrines: Special Weapon Squads, Light infantry, Sharpshooters, Grenadiers, Hardened Fighters)
The Pyran Dragoons
"By the Emperor! Those men do war honour!"
-Commissar Yarrick commenting on the Pyran Dragoons after the Battle for Hell-Town
Background info: The civilised world of Pyran has a stringent and divisive caste-based society, developed and refined over millennia after the initial colonisation of the planet in M34. At the very apex of this elitist world is the ruling Imperial Governor, chosen directly by the Adeptus Terra from one of the leaders of the Greater Noble Houses. The people of Pyran are intrinsically bound by their traditions in a way few off-worlders comprehend and the standing of any one of the noble houses rests almost solely on the social graces of its members, as well as their military achievements within the Dragoons.
-The Pyran Dragoons can be made using Praetorian minis. Using Green Stuff, make a typical 19th century style dragoon hat and make the classic white criss cross belts across their uniforms. For the Rough Riders use Praetorian sergeant minis with rough rider legs. Fix the fur-lined boots with Green Stuff and add ornamentation to the helmet with Green Stuff. Make a cloak with Green Stuff and you have a Pyran Rough Rider.
-Colour schemes: Paint the Pyrans in bright, dress colours. Mostly green, red or blue with white and gold effects.
(Doctrines: Rough Rider Squadrons, Iron Discipline, Close Order Drill, Die Hards, Sharpshooters)
The Semtexian Bombardiers
"Don't you feel down, my lad! So you haven't had a chance to even see a greenskin yet. I can assure you that the Basislisk you've been manning for the last week has killed more of those damned xenos than most guardsmen see in a lifetime!"
-Lieutenant Jelph of the Semtextian 112th Artillery Regiment adressing an eager young trooper under his command
Background info: A relatively new regiment hailing from the harsh mining world of Semtexia. The men of this regiment are organised into mechanised formations supported by perhaps the largest formation of artillery in the Imperium. The regiment goes to war in thick armour plates devised originally for operating deep within the mines of Semtexia.
-Make these guys using the Brettonian men-at-arms minis and give them beards from Green Stuff. Add large spikes to their helmets and use the Cadian sprue for the arms and weapons.
-Colour schemes: The Semtexians come from a harsh mining world and their colours are grey, black and metallic with red trim.
(Doctrines: Mechanised, Techpriest Enginseers, Carapace Armour, Heavy Weapon Platoons, Priests)
The Logres Tundra Fighters
The frozen, krill farming world of Logres houses a regiment of highly skilled winter-war troopers. To make these guys you will need both the Cadian and Catachan sprues. Use the Cadian torso and arms and remove the shoulder plates. Add Catachan legs and a catachan head. Using Green Stuff, make wooly hats for them. The hats should be the rolled up navy seal style balaclavas. Some of your Logres warriors could even have them rolled down over their faces. The final touch for these guys is the furline on their uniforms. Add furlines to their boots and a large furline on their neck collar.
-Colour schemes: Icey blue and white or grey. The furline should be wolfskin colours.
(Doctrines: Grenadiers, Die Hards, Carapace Armour, Hardened Fighters, Xeno Fighters: Tyranids)
The Attilan Rough Riders
GW have only made Rough Riders for these guys but you can make troopers quite easily. Use the Catachan sprue and make the troopers as normal. Now give them beards and moustaches using Green Stuff. If you wish you can add some furlining to their boots. Using Green Stuff, make their coats around their legs. Take a look at the GW Rough Riders for reference. Now the good thing about Attilans is that they are hardened feral warriors so you can easily use the bare chest torsos as well. These are obviously not wearing coats so you can leave them without. Make sure you give your guys plenty of scars and battle markings. Tattoos are also a good feature for Attilans. If you like, you can add sleeves although this is not always nessisary as Attilans like to show off their tattos and scars and sleeveless longcoats look damn cool! The final (and most important) touch for these guys is the hat. Start off by adding a little 'lump' of Green Stuff on the top of their heads. It should look a bit like a Jewish kippa. Now make a sausage of Green Stuff and froll it around their heads. Don't worry about accuracy here as it can be fixed. Once you are happy with a base for the hat, leave it to dry. Finish the hat with some extra green stuff. Again, use the GW Attilans for reference. Using your sculpting tool, give the hat a wooly effect.
-Colour schemes: Feral, earthy colours. The longcoats can be deep blue with red trim but make sure they look dirty.
(Doctrines: Rough Rider Squadrons, Light Infantry, Hardened Fighters, Priests, Heavy Weapon Platoons)
The Kallistan Rifles
"We'll hold this ridge until We're dead or they are. Why? Because We're here lad, because We're here."
-Sgt Artraxus of the 21st Kallistan Rifles
These guys should not greate much of a problem. Use Catachan minis and make long hair using Green Stuff. You can also experiment with using WFB Empire Militia bits to create concripts.
-Colour schemes: Dark grey or black urban camouflage.
(Doctrines: Ogryn Squads, Conscript Platoons, Hardened Fighters, Independent Commissars, Veterans)
The Arminiun Honus Squads
The lifeless mining world of Arminiun is home to a crack army of miners who form the base of a very tough regiment. Use Cadian minis for these guys and start off by getting rind of the 'coaty' part of the legs by puffing out the trousers a bit using Green Stuff (alternatively, you can use Catachan legs on Cadian torsos). Remove the Shoulder plates from the Cadian arms. Start off bu making a plate around their shoulders and torso. Now add the heads and build up Green Stuff over the entire head so you have a scuba diver look. Now, using guitar string make breathing tubes and attach them to a backpack, use one from the Necromunda range. Finally, make a view slit from green stuff.
-Colour schemes: Use dark, dank colours such as brown or grey.
(Doctrines: Mechanised, Conscript Platoons, Storm Trooper Squads, Carapace Armour, Techpriest Engineseers)
The Xenonian Fighters
The Xenonians are a fierce fighting force of female warriors. To make them, use the Escher minis from the Necromunda range. Using Green Stuff, smarten up their uniforms a bit by giving them shoulder plates and backpacks.
-Colour schemes: Green or grey camouflage colours.
(Doctrines: Independent Commissars, Special Weapon Squads, Light Infantry, Die Hards, Veterans)
The Gryphonne IV Raiders
These bionically modified troopers can be made using the Cadian and Catachan sprues. Use the Cadian torso, legs and arms and Catachan heads. Get rid of the shoulder plates and build up a tunic from green stuff. 'Cyber them up' a bit using green stuff and guitar strings as tubing and other cool bits. The sky is really the limit here. You can also vary between Cadian and Catachan arms.
-Colour schemes: Red and black.
(Doctrines: Mechanised, Cyber Enhancement, Techpriest Engineseers, Carapace Armour, Chem Inhalers)
The Folas Tertus Interfectors
Use the Cawdor minis and backpacks from the Necromunda range for these guys and make use of Green Stuff and guitar strings to make their rebreathers. The classic Redemptionist minis can also be used for sergeants and officers.
-Colour schemes: Dark red and sand colours.
(Doctrines: Priests, Die Hards, Carapace Armour, Veterans, Conscript Platoons)
The Ocanan Phalanx Troops
Use the Catachan minis and Delaque lascannon packpacks from the Necromunda range. If you can, try to get rid of the bandanas and make them look bald. Make a rebreather from Green Stuff and use guitar string to make tubes. Make a large plate-collar from Green Stuff.
-Colour schemes: Dark grey and black camouflage.
(Doctrines: Iron Discipline, Hardened Fighters, Close Order Drill, Heavy Weaopn Platoons, Sanctioned Psykers)
The Rasak 'Bloodpools'
Get hold of lots of WFB Chaos Marauder minis and Catachan arms and heads. Not much more conversion work here. Just be sure to get rid of any Chaos markings. If you like you can use some of the Marauder heads for sergeants and officers.
-Colour schemes: Earthy primitive colours and lots of warpaint.
(Doctrines: Rough Rider Squadrons, Die Hards, Hardened Fighters, Conscript Platoons, Ogryn Squads)
The Tachoman Honorific Order
These over-elegant looking troopers can be made from WFB Brettonian Men-at-Arms bodies and heads. Make cloaks and ornate armour from green stuff if you are up for it. Use Cadian arms and weapons.
-Colour schemes: Golden trims with bright colours such as blue or red.
(Doctrines: Iron Discipline, Conscript Platoons, Close Order Drill, Sharpshooters, Heavy Weapon Platoons)
The Fornus Lix Fire Drakes
A great way to make these guys is to use Cadians as a base and (if you can get hold of them) Cadian respirator heads available from Forge World. The only real conversion work that needs to be done is to get rid of the Imperial Eagle on the helmet. Use Kasrkin minis for the stormtroopers but again, get rid of the eagles on the helmets.
-Colour schemes: Deep red uniforms with black armour.
(Doctrines: Grenadiers, Storm Trooper Squads, Sharpshooters, Ratling Squads, Xeno Fighters: Eldar)
The Kovnia Gharkas
Use Cadian torsos, arms and weapons, and Catachan legs and heads. Carefully cut the head in half where the bandana starts and make a beret from green stuff. Remove the shoulder plates and fix the arms with green stuff.
-Colour schemes: Dark green or brown camouflage and brightly coloured berets.
(Doctrines: Drop Troops, Veterans, Light Infantry, Iron Discipline, Sharpshooters)
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I'll be back with many more Guard Regiments later on...
