I was so looking forwards to having a brand new toybox when I learned how easy magnets were. I imagined every tank having a host of swappable bits that would give my armies a new lease of life..
In truth;
pfffffttttssplaaateeek....
General observation? YOU WILL NOT USE THEM AS MUCH AS YOU THINK YOU WILL.
I realised that I barely used any of the magnetised troops that I went to the effort of creating. Most of the people I've given alternative loadouts I instead simply use their stock load out, or stick them with blu-tac.
This might be as a result of not having used many different army variants, but I if you lose the bit, you've got half a miniature.
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Here is what I do and don’t use.
Troop | Magnetised joint | Variant | Use? |
Dreadnought | Arms | Mortis | Sort of |
Ironclad Dreadnought | Weapon mounts | Melta/flamer weapons | No |
Biker sergeant and trooper | Sergeant shoulder. Trooper wrist | Power fist, power sword, chainsword. Special weapons | No |
Tactical Marines | Sergeant shoulders. 2 Troopers wrists | Every available upgrade. Special weapons. Auspex. | No |
Rhino | Gimbal on roof | HK missile | No |
Imperial Guard Command Squad | One shoulder | Plasma/meltagun. | No |
Imperial Guard Sentinel | Weapon mounts and Hk Mounts | Autocannon, multilaser, multimelta, | Yes |
Imperial Guard Stormtrooper | Sergeant shoulder, Trooper shoulder | Vox, Plasma gun. Hotshot gun/Sergeant bits. | No |
Apart from the dreadnought, none of these were done badly, it was simply a case that they weren't needed. I've gone through almost all of these and have now pulled the magnets out for god knows what.
Because I intend to vary the loadout for the Knight a couple of times at least I am going to be part magnetising his bits, predominantly for transportability too. But also because I now have loads of these. No more losing little bits!
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- So far I've magnetised the large shoulder pads so that I can paint them white for a more vivid colour, and allow some movement.
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This is your golden joint, don't magnetise this and you're in trouble.
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- His close combat arms were magnetised too, for a good degree of posability. Three magnets that can be rotated for a longer arm reach if needed.
- For the ranged weapons, I simply hollowed the aperture for the joint further and stuck a magnet at the bottom.
- The carapace Aa mounts are just left with pins.
- His head and torso are free as well. I might want to lean the (pretty) head more prominently forwards too for an aggressive stance.
Two games down with him so far and so a little early to see if he's effective.
Firstly, a Knight Crusader.
Pros
-The Twin linked Battle Cannon was awesome. Ordnance is very handy for glancing vehicles down.
-The Knight rules still were great in Melee even with no offensive capability. 4 S10, Ap2.
Undecided
-The Gatling cannon was fun, but without 2+ targets it was a mixed bag, maybe light vehicles a better target?
Cons
-Price 400+ points is nice but not enough gun for your investment
-Still only AV13 and 6Hps
Secondly; A knight Errant.
Pro's
-Cheapish
-The Chainblade did its job and took out the other Knight (a Cerastus)
Undecided
-The melta cannon still needs 18inch range to be 2d6 Ap1.
Cons.
-Minor but as per other super heavy walkers, it cant shoot its melta cannon and then charge into an existing combat.
Magnets, who knew? Isn’t it? Mmmm-hmm. Marvellous.