Alternative Tomb Guard, My converted Tomb Guards

I'm not a big fan of the GW Tomb Guard models (and certainly not of their price). I was originally planning not to field any, but then inspiration struck for a way to make alternatives using high elf spearmen.

My plan is to use the spearman body, which has the nice scale armour, plus a TK head and shield and a dark elf spear. The HE spears look too much like spears, but the DE ones I think can pass as halberds. Unfortunately I can't just use DE warriors, because their chainmail doesn't look right for TKs. So the plan will be to buy the HE spearmen and bits order the DE spears.

I think this still works out cheaper than the official Tomb Guard models, assuming I have enough spare heads/shields. The main thing though is having unique models that I like the look of.

I've tried a test model using one of the old static HE spearmen from the 4th edition box set (I have plenty of these lying around, but plan to use the newer multi-part HEs for the rest). What do people think?







(I hope the pictures are ok: this is the first time I've tried my camera's macro function, let alone uploading miniature pictures anywhere.)

As you can see, with this one I just left the original spear in place. Also I had to cut the head off, so I added a putty collar to cover up remaining hair. Things will be a bit different with the rest, but this is only a prototype.

I was worried that it would still look too elvish but I think that, even though it's only a basic head and shield swap, the paint scheme makes it different enough.

I think it needs a skeletal hand/arm holding the halberd, otherwise I think it could work pretty well though I'm personally not a fan of the red (Just seems a tiny bit too bright, but that might just be me) xD

I agree with the skeletal arm comment. I also think that the shield is quite bland compared to the rest of the feel. Perhaps go for TG shields? Or do you hate those as well?

Don't these elves only come in one position? Might be a bit repetitive. Then again, if you like that sort of thing.

Not sure if you missed that part, Maglok, but I think this addresses the 'monopose' issue you mentioned.

I like where you're going with these, but I agree that they do still have a certain 'elvish' feel about them. I think you could overcome that by replacing the elvish hand with a normal TK spear arm and the more halberd-esque DE spear top. You might also consider cutting down the TK scimitar blades to use instead of the DE spear tops as they have a decidedly halberd like quality when atop a spear shaft. I also think that might help people percieve them more as converted Tomb Kings rather than undead elves.

I would also consider swapping the elven boots for skeletal feet on some of the models as well. Additionally, you might consider damaging the scale mail in some areas to suggest an aged quality (and if you can add a skellie leg bone behind the resulting gaps here and there to help sell the idea then so much the better).

I don't think you would need to go to these lengths on all the models, but I think some extra effort spent on at least the front rank will work wonders in terms of the overall effect.

Two other quick points that may help (whilst perhaps falling under the "cool, but not worth the extra effort" category):

1). The gem & sunburst iconography on the belt and breastplate might be better if replaced with one of the tiny skulls from a banner top (it all helps to disguise the models elven ancestry)

2). When you come to paint the conversions, bear in mind that if you use any of the colours that people normally associate with high elves (essentially the GW colour selections), then subconciously that will probably just serve to underscore the fact that the model started life as an elf. If you've already started painting your army then I accept that this may be unavoidable to some extent though.

Hopefully you can pick out a few ideas from that little lot that will help you out.

Keep us posted on these mate, I'd love to see how they turn out.

Thanks for the input everyone.

Yes, this is only a test model. I might use a few more of these guys, in case I need to bulk the unit out, but I certainly plan for most of the unit to be made from the newer, multi-part elves.

Regarding the shield - I have nothing against the TG shields, I just don't have any! I'll try to use the fancier shields on these guys in future, but didn't want to waste one of the better shields on what was only a test figure. (Also I'm seriously considering using the round VC shields on my standard skeletons, so only the TG get these oblong ones - that would make them stand out, though I've not yet decided on that for sure.)

As for the red, it's just Blood Red. There's some Blood Angel Red highlights on the cloth, but not the shield. I did originally put a Sepia wash all over the shield, but it turned out that the gold wasn't quite dry, so it ended up washing sparkly bits on the shield and I ended up re-coating it in red again. So if that hadn't have gone wrong then I might have had it a bit darker/more muted, but I like a colourful look for my guys. (The camera flash may make it look brighter than it is.)

Using skeletal arms or feet might look better, but I thought if probably wasn't worth the effort. Vallah has a good point though, that I don't need to do it for all of them to have some effect. I may look into that once I get my hands on the elf kits.

I'm not sure I follow your point on the paint scheme though Vallah. I agree with the general point, but I don't know whether you think I failed here by using blue or succeeded by using gold and red (instead of silver and white). I think it's enough personally and blue is a standard TK colour as well as HE one.

The front rank will also have a TK command group, which I hope will further integrate them into the army (though I've not yet worked out how to distinguish them from regular skeletons). I'll certainly keep you posted - indeed I might start an army p-log, but it would be a pretty slow-moving one.

I didn't mean to infer that I liked or disliked the colour choices one way or the other, only that it was something to bear in mind if you hadn't yet made a final decision on your paint scheme. It was, as you say, only a general point.

On the subject of colour schemes though, one thing I might consider changing is the colour of the leather bits (shoes, satchel & gauntlets) to something that contrasts a bit more against the red bits. I dare say it looks a lot different in hand than it does in the photos, but from the pictures the leather work looks very similar in colour to the shield etc and makes the model seem very 'red' overall. Might be worth trying out on the next one you build so you can compare the difference, but in the end it only matters wich one you prefer anyway.

A plog would be cool, but it would be nice to see what a unit of these turns out like in any case.

Keep up the good work bud!

It looks all right, and it's a good idea! I think you should mix it a bit up with using skeleton hands and feets as well. Will make it look a bit more dead. But that might end up blowing your budget!

Also, try washing the bits!

Thanks again for the input people. Since there was interest in updates, I just wanted to share the fact that I've now made my first with the 'new' multi-part elves, so this is what I really had in mind for the unit (shield to be added after painting).





I think the proportions look a little wonky, but I think that's true of TK skeletons, HEs and DEs independently and not simply a result of my kitbashing...

And here we have the start of a unit (eight):



I decided to cut the spiky bits off the DE arms. Also, should anyone be trying to copy this idea, I'll mention that it's necessary to add in a neck (I use a small piece of sprue) and usually at least to trim the back of those flaps either side of the skull.

The one issue I still have to resolve concerns the shields. The elf arms go right across the front of the body, so the shield will be in front of and obscuring the figure behind it. With our shields being larger than the elf ones, I'm not sure about this look - particularly because (based on dry fitting) the shield will be rather high up, covering the face, if I use the handles on the back. I may just cut those off, so I can position it a bit lower.

Alternatively I might try using the round VC shields (which I was planning to use on my regular skeletons) on these guys, but then either I won't be using my TK shields at all or the regular skeletons will get the more impressive shields.

I like the idea and you could add some lore in it (the hight elves have helped t.k. in the past maybe some were gifted as a personal guard to a tomb king).

Just a question but are you planing to use a darker wash on the scale? Having made high elves before it really adds a needed layer of definition to the armor (Unfortunately HE armor looks flat without it )

Innovative, well done.

On the painted test model, I used Seraphim Sepia. It does show from close up, but maybe not so well from the photos or tabletop. I've now bought Reikland Fleshshade, which I think looks a bit darker, so I may give that a go. (What I really want is a replacement for the old Flesh Wash that I had been using for my skeletons!)

Thanks others for the comments. Re: theodddore - that's an interesting idea, though I wasn't intending these to be undead high elves. These are supposed to be standard tomb guard, it's just that mine are kept in slightly better shape than the GW ones! I'm sure someone could do undead elves though.

Any suggestions on what to do with the shields?

Now, you will be adding battle damage and time damage to the armour, right? It just wouldn't look right without at least a missing scale or two.

I like what you did. I did something similiar with my GGuard for my VC with men at arms. I used thier haldbierds, bodies, shields, and helemts. I cut the heads from the helmets and topped my skulls so the skulls have the M@A helemts, bent and scratched up the shields, bent them, etc, and replaced the human arm with a skeleton one. The other one is hidden behind the shield. I replaced an occassional boot with a bone foot too. I couldnt find my pics of them :-( Also they cant use halbeirds now (not sure why i did them with halb???) so I ripped them all off to replace them with swords now.

I think yours will look good, esp with those halbierds and skele arms.

J