Conversion work

[Lord of the Dead]

Greetings everyone!

I was just wondering if there is a way of giving point values to custom built models.

[ElectricPaladin]

Greetings everyone!

I was just wondering if there is a way of giving point values to custom built models.

No, there is not.

[Rissan4ever]

ElectricPaladin is right. GW hasn't printed a formula for determining point values since Rogue Trader. You can estimate based on what you see in the relevant codex, but it's ultimately up to you and your opponent. If you err on the side of overcosting, you're more likely to get agreement.

[Col.Gravis]

ElectricPaladin is right. GW hasn't printed a formula for determining point values since Rogue Trader.

Not strictly true, there was the Vehicle Design Rules, but they were somewhat open to abuse if you were that way inclined. They're pretty out dated for doing anything now though, and there was'nt anything for non-vehicular models. Hammering out custom rules within your gaming group is an option, or alternatively using 'counts-as', which is a particularly viable option with the reintroduction of allies rules.

It may not fit something in your codex - but what about another one?

[Denzark]

Easy to give a points cost by simply mirroring an existing model's stats. Damn near impossible to use special rules (not USRs) because whatever alegedly awesome thing you come up with is likely to be imbalanced to the next man.

[Psychosplodge]

Just make sure the loadout is the same as something else a similar size so it can "counts as"

[isotope99]

Counts as is definitely best. You could probably find enough cost data from existing rules to swap round secondary weapon options and some updgrades that fit your theme. Main stats, key special rules and primary weapons should probably stay codex loyal though to avoid argument.

Harder is to figure out how much extra you should pay for 'utility' from importing a unit from another codex. I'd say a 10-20% hike for using the wrong codex.

[Psychosplodge]

Oh I wouldn't allow cross purpose codex importing, but A conversion like a Leman russ turret on a chimera with sponsons, why not?

[Lord of the Dead]

i was thinking about using a predator with legs from a Defiler. it's going to take some interesting mods but i think it will be fun to field with the friends. lascannons with heavy bolter (ss). i play BA so with their background it wouldn't be far out for them to do something like this, also what rules would you put on something like this?

[pgmason]

They're rather outdated now, but in 3rd Edition the vehicle design rules (VDR) were published in WD and then republished in Chapter Approved 2004. These rules were used by Forgeworld to design all the vehicled in the early days of Imperial Armour, and typically result in rather overcosted vehicles. Nevertheless they still make pretty good guidelines for designing your own vehicles.

There's a copy of the article here:
http://inquisitorweb.mygamesonline.org/40k-vdr.html

and a VDR calculator here:
http://inquisitorweb.mygamesonline.org/40k-vdr.html

[Asymmetrical Xeno]

I agree with those saying to use "Counts as", some of us have used that to represent whole armies and factions that arent supported/have no models. With the allies rules, you have even more choice now too.

[L192837465]

Ah yes, VDR... Twin twin linked gatling lazcannon annhialators on a 14/14/10 vehicle for 270* points. Delicious.


(*Point value estimated)

[L192837465]

Or a Land Raider with a gatling blast heavy bolter. 3x d3 twin linked blast templates at s5 ap4 36" range, for 320 points. Bahahaha! You can take blast on the lazcannons too for a measly extra 150 points.

[L192837465]

Or a Blood Angels Predator with 10 dreadnaught close combat weapons on it for 200 extra points. 11ws 4 s10 attacks, plus whatever guns the predator had on it before!

Like the previous guys said, VDR isn't probably the best thing to use. I'd just proxy it as something else that your army can ally with.