Does anyone know any good and effective conversions for BGoBD. And on that note, conversions for any metals. I think I know how to make quite a good sceptre conversion and I'll probably make an article on it if it works out.

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"War does not determine who is right, only who is left."
- Bertrand Russel

Forgive me, but what does BGoBD mean again?

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Hmm... what would a chair look like if your knees bent the other way?

Black Gaurd of Barad Dur I think...

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When you do things right, people won't be sure you've done anything at all.

Backlog Reduction Oath Participant - 6/53

Yup, sorry, I wasn't very specific.

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"War does not determine who is right, only who is left."
- Bertrand Russel

Glad you confirmed that. I had a very boring day so I started mulling over conversion ideas for my army and I remembered your post. So, back on topic, the best thing you could do is to remove the huge tower shields and make a better looking one out of plasticard (which isn't too hard, given how ridiculous their shields are).

Another idea is to do weapon swaps, some Isengard Uruk swords could look quite nice.

Well that's my two cents.

P.S. I'd post a link to a great site which shows you how to make tower shields for dwarf vault wardens but I'm posting this on a DSi and can't remember the name of the site.


EDIT: Here is the link: http://www.hourofwolves.org/?view=articles&which=vaultWardens

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When you do things right, people won't be sure you've done anything at all.

Backlog Reduction Oath Participant - 6/53

Just from looking at the pictures, and not having held any of the figures, I would look at making a phalanx of 8-16 of them. Unlike most orcs that need to look untidy, if this lot are Sauron's Guard, maybe they'd be tough, well disciplined and a bit more uniform. I'd straighten up the shields (keeping the big ones that come with the figures) and do what I could to sort out the arms to produce front, second and rear-rank spearmen. Maybe use relatively simple broad-headed spears, possibly with a black pennant just down from the head, which would mark them as different to every other orkish unit on the table.

Five packs of three, plus the command set, would only set you back £58

I suspect they might cause a bit of distress when they slammed into those girly elves...

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Sometimes you CAN be the only one in step...

OK, should I use Isengard fighting uruk-hai or Isengard scouts. A problem would be if I used Isengard fighties is that I'd have to convert their heads as well.

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"War does not determine who is right, only who is left."
- Bertrand Russel

As replacement for the shields of the black guard check this (scroll down)

http://www.one-ring.co.uk/phpBB2/viewto ... 40&start=0

I did something very similar, i made them out of Greenstuff.

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"I will take it. I will take the Ring to Mordor...though I do not know the way."
—Frodo, at the Council of Elrond

If you take my suggestion then I can see the benefits and draw backs for each.

Scouts
-More of them
-16 of them could be given Tower Shields
-6 of the sculpts (12 models) could have a tower shield added and look really cool.
-More variety
-Less conversion work required for the helmets
But...
-8 of the models are bow armed
-Chainmail may need to be sculpted on.

Fighting
-All of them could potentially be given tower shields
-5 sculpts (10 models) would look great with a tower shield
-Chainmail sculpted onto the model
But...
-You get less heads to add variation
-Conversion work required for the heads
-More chainmail may need to be added
-Heavy conversion work required to give pike armed models Tower shields
-less models for your money.

I would lean towards the Scouts but the Fighties seem more rank and file.

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When you do things right, people won't be sure you've done anything at all.

Backlog Reduction Oath Participant - 6/53

Maybe you could use warhammer black orcs ? They're a lot boxes of those for a good price on ebay.

Raggbur

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We must forgive our enemies...
But not before they are hanged

I guess what look are you going for? Plastic Uruk Scouts have a lot of running and chaotic poses (similar to the metal Mordor Uruks) which is great for a more mixed bunch attacking in mass. But for a uniformed tight-packed fighting force the plastic Fighting Uruks would be more accurate.

Although I've been using my Mordor Uruk Hai ( 3 Companies ) as a stand-in for Black Guard, I'm considering making them out of Fighting Uruk Hai. I like the poses and think they will be a more impressive force. If you trim the peak off of the helm you can wrap a GS hood and cape on them. This will help distinguish them a bit. Some more GS can be used to add additional mail to their armor, and combined with a new shield you will have a pretty unique unit. The Isengard-style sword is really the only carry over but if it bothers you then trim off the spike and file out a point. (and after all this work the overpriced metals aren't looking that overpriced any more ).

The pikemen can be treated similarly and perhaps give them the appearance of holding their shield close-in to create a shield wall. Maybe keep some of the pike staff as a spear for back-rank models or to intermix some banners.

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Wait ye the finish! The fight is not yours.
Beowulf

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