Customization and Conversions

By LordUrban, in Star Wars: Legion

I played Sisters of Battle for years. I've grown immune to identical poses, because no way in **** was I going to convert an entire army of pewter.

I might head swap the leaders on the rebel troopers, and I might tweak some poses on the Stormtroopers. But probably only as I get more units. Like, if I ever build towards the Grand Army level. Three or four sets of duplicates per army isn't heinous for me.

Just now, kaffis said:

I played Sisters of Battle for years. I've grown immune to identical poses, because no way in **** was I going to convert an entire army of pewter.

I might head swap the leaders on the rebel troopers, and I might tweak some poses on the Stormtroopers. But probably only as I get more units. Like, if I ever build towards the Grand Army level. Three or four sets of duplicates per army isn't heinous for me.

Hmm i too play SoB.. perhaps thats why im not bothered by it. Worry not brother, our day will soon be at hand. Plastic sisters are coming 2019, gw announced it last week!

I'm thinking I'll probably do more conversions on the rebels.. I just feel like stormies all look the same anyways lol. Rebels on the other hand are supposed to be a bit more individual and they reflect more of a rag tag group. An idea popped into my head from the Han solo sculpt thread though. If we ever get endor scout troops we can supplement our rebel commandos with them. Sprinkle in a few scout troopers and ta da! conversions on them are done!

Question from new guy ...

When removing head, normal exacto blade or blade with teeth or hobby saw or Dremel tool?

Then, sort out gaps using something like a Green Stuff

My guess is the blade and type is what matters

Plastic is pretty soft. Straight blade and wiggle.

WATCH YOUR FINGERS!!

2 minutes ago, Nihm said:

Plastic is pretty soft. Straight blade and wiggle.

WATCH YOUR FINGERS!!

Thank you

Hopefully, it turns out better than the last and final time I used a mandollin cutter

Wife ... you using steel gloves?

Me ... nah, I got this

5 minutes later ...

Me ... hey, can you drive me up to the clinic?

And a lifetime of “I told you so”

I like to use a razor saw because I feel it offers more control. Also I think the term razor saw sounds pretty Metal.

So, any news on what base mods are allowed? Usually I have unit leaders and other important figs on some cork or even a resin base topper for ease of picking them out of a crowd.

Are those allowed? I thought I saw something about figure height being important in another thread and I don't want to do a lot of work to have to rip figs off bases later.

I gave Luke a cape and an acrylic blade.

DZHdkEhU8AAbku5.jpg DZHdlQrV4AEW43r.jpg

I also converted one of the female troopers (the one aiming down sights) into a twi-lek, but she's not painted yet. And I also gave one of the duros a goggle rig inspired by Chopper from Rebels.

I'll post pics if we ever get a painting sub forum.

Where did you find the small acrylic rods to use as saber blades?

My Rebels need ponchos. Need a few models to have higher cool factor.

Have something like Green Stuff and told easier to work with. May give it a go. Successfully reparied my AT-RT with it.

My fear with head swap is destroyiny a model. But you learn via failing fast and I can plug it right back on

Razor saw or jeweler's saw. There will almost certainly be a jeweler's supply place in your nearest city and they will stock tons of great stuff for mini builders at usually a good price.

56 minutes ago, Dash Two said:

My Rebels need ponchos. Need a few models to have higher cool factor.

Have something like Green Stuff and told easier to work with. May give it a go. Successfully reparied my AT-RT with it.

My fear with head swap is destroyiny a model. But you learn via failing fast and I can plug it right back on

Just so you can take it into account, the future expansion of rebel commandos is gonna have capes, ponchos and the likes so it might be confusing when fielded at the same time.

2 hours ago, Rogue Dakotan said:

I gave Luke a cape and an acrylic blade.

DZHdkEhU8AAbku5.jpg DZHdlQrV4AEW43r.jpg

I also converted one of the female troopers (the one aiming down sights) into a twi-lek, but she's not painted yet. And I also gave one of the duros a goggle rig inspired by Chopper from Rebels.

I'll post pics if we ever get a painting sub forum.

Cool Crait effect. I was considering this sometime down the line too

Fair point and I saw those. I need the sniper duo ASAP. The missed opportunity was to add the spotter. 2 man crew. I fully intend to deck those 2 minis out in a pseudo Ghille Suit or what I would think that may be in Star Wars.

I am not crafty enough to make some of the changes folks did within minutes of having their core sets. Pretty cool stuff. I think I can pull off a scarf or poncho.

My initial weekend of gaming brought me to a place that cooler is encouraged and, if something is talked through, allowed. Sure, large tourneys may be super strict. Never played in one. Going off what everyone has posted. And, if haggling over a model modification is a large issue in a big tourney, probably won't play in them. My job is stressful enough. Locally, I think some minor enhancements would be welcomed.

Given I have not done this before (gamed), my guess is if you explain it to your opponent, 9/10 times all good.

Complete side note ... anyone have any ideas on making small cargo nets that would scale? If you have made something like that before, what did you use? In terms of texture and appearance need something that would stick; hold form and potentially dangle little bit. Would some sort of craft wire work?

Soft mesh screen door material.

Medical gauze white glue to form

The plastic over mandarins/clementines?

:) just a couple ideas

Edited by Nihm

I've done a really simple one that anyone who wants to run multiple speeder bikes might like; twisting the pilot so he's shooting forwards.

222.jpg

To do this required 4 minor alterations:

  • slice through waist so that the torso can be rotated to a different angle
  • dry fit the waist to the torso to get an angle you like before gluing, and file/cut off any extra bits of belt/holster on the top half that would stick out
  • two slices at the right hand's elbow in order to remove a triangle of plastic from the inner side of the arm, then glue back together so that the arm is bent rather than outstretched
  • remove some of the plastic from the shoulder socket.

It actually only took about 5 minutes. If you want to be fancy, use greenstuff to make the top and bottom holster, belt etc blend together perfectly.

those are nice, i'm glad i'm not the only one who is going to match the bike color to the terrain

Quote

IMG_20180325_032229_zps0jwu0afp.jpg

IMG_20180325_032224_zpsmktlysnk.jpg

I modified my speeder leader to be looking forward while shooting blindly over his shoulder.

Sorry I don't have a better picture of that model handy, but here's an overall view:

i6z6ke58i8o01.jpg

Quote

zt3iTLa.jpg

I used a Bolt Action left arm for the leader.

Edited by Corver
6 hours ago, Nihm said:

Soft mesh screen door material.

Medical gauze white glue to form

The plastic over mandarins/clementines?

:) just a couple ideas

The fruit mesh is probably the right call. Thanks for this.

here are my conversions.

Speeder-Bike Sergeant and Troop Leader that took of his Helmet #badboy

29513153_10216733552157064_4191414030172266289_n.jpg

29541628_10216733552677077_8933827761565628768_n.jpg

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17 hours ago, TechLee said:

So, any news on what base mods are allowed? Usually I have unit leaders and other important figs on some cork or even a resin base topper for ease of picking them out of a crowd.

Are those allowed? I thought I saw something about figure height being important in another thread and I don't want to do a lot of work to have to rip figs off bases later.

No official news about tournament/OP regulations regarding base mods, but considering model height is explicitly used for determining LOS, I'm thinking anything that elevates the model of the base is likely to be disallowed for competitive play.

Ugh, fantastic. So much for the lava/rock base for Vader. :(

1 hour ago, TechLee said:

Ugh, fantastic. So much for the lava/rock base for Vader. :(

You can probably use a thin material like plasticard for the rock Vader is standing on, and build it around his feet to disguise the fact he's standing directly on the base. You'd have to look close to see that his feet are inset into the rock, but the card would give the apparent elevation above the lava you're looking for around the edge.