Opinions about alternate treekin

[Bisa]

I know this is a fairly old topic, I dislike the look and price of the treekin models, am thinking about starting wood elves as a hobby army (I have always loved them, but only recently got back into the game).

Anyways, I was thinking of using a set of marauders on the appropriately sized bases as a variant "green man" type unit. As they are pretty short in comparison, I was going to model the bases with tree stumps or rocks to both raise them, and help identify them as forest spirits (think the colouration of Orion for how I'd like them painted).

I'd obviously have to work on the models somewhat, remove any thing chaos etc and probably add some forest/sprite things.

So, how are your thoughts to this?

Moved to the Meadow of Arts ~ Beithir

[QuMu]

I dunno, to be honest.

It might look cool if you do the conversions well, but I'd take it a bit further and maybe exchange whole arms for treetrunks and maybe have branches growing from their backs, á la dryad-style. Also, I'd make sure that no fabricated items shows on the minis, ie; model over and hide weapons, armour and clothing... make them more... wild, in a sense.

If you leave the models more human in shape and form, I think you will get just that: humans strolling through the woods..

These are only my opinions of course. You decide what looks best for your army, and in any case,I'd be interested in seeing the result. Don't forget to post pics in the meadow...

Good luck!

//

[Shandrakor]

I just used Dryad models and used two of the back branches to form multi-pronged and neat looking "arms" and then otherwise just used the most menacing looking back branch and ground extras to fill out the model a bit. They look more distinguished than normal Dryads that way, while keeping around the same size as Treekin, costing way less money, and in my opinion, looking WAY better. I don't know anyone who likes the Treekin models and Dryads look fantastic; So adding some spice to an already good looking model makes some fairly good looking Treekin that are easy to make.

[Falconrider]

What works well is using the old metal dryad model and gluing bits of new plastic dryad onto it.

[Bornbm01]

I don't know anyone who likes the Treekin models

I kinda like the Treekin models.
However I really promote the idea of using old dryad/new plastic bash. My one box of new dryads(12) became 18 dryads with a branch wraith by using some old metal bodies. Its a simple conversion and they mix well/add variety to the unit(s).

[Tethlis]

The Treekin statline can be used to represent a wide variety of different units, and I know players who have used the old 5th edition Treeman models, old Dryad models, "golem"-type warriors from alternate miniature ranges, as well as a number of conversions. I think there's also a great opportunity to use animated statues as Treekin, possibly taking heroic-looking models from different ranges you like and painting them like vine-covered statues.

I myself have bitz ordered half a dozen War Lions from the White Lion Chariot kit. A bit expensive, but still cheaper than the Treekin models themselves. A bit of conversion work to add hardwood "armor" plates to them to represent that 4+ armor save, plus their Strength 5, plus some vines and leaves woven into their mains, and I think they'll look quite impressive.

[Hooba]

I hated the treeman model, so I made a Forest Giant out of the giant box. I love it. He's a light green, has twigs coming out, the full deal. I will do the same with Treekin, I believe, except I will use ogres. Its a theme that I hope to grow with my army. I was going to use large animals/creatures, but I like this idea better.

[Hillbilly Carl]

I used the old 5th edition treemen since I had 3 already including Durthu (he makes a good champion) and I didn't feel like spending the money to buy new models. My thriftyness came back to bite me when 8th came along and I decided I wanted to make a unit of 6 though, the old models are expensive and hard to find on e-bay! That said, I am now the proud owner of a very menacing-looking treekin unit.

[Baardah]

As tethlis stated. Look at the statline and go from there. I personally think the marauders will look to small, but I like the idea of using Orion as a base idea. If you go marauder torsos. Add bestir legs and antlers to the heads it could be cool. Just throwing out an idea. I used horsebodies and dryads to make dryad centaurs for my treekin. I've posted pictures.

Love the lion idea too.

[Sylvos]

For my treekin I will be using the Privateer Press Warpborn Skinwalkers. I back up the use of these models as "The Lost Kindred". In games that are 3k, I actually swallow my pride and use my 6 GW Treekin as Treekin and use the 6 Warpborn Skinwalkers as Eternal Guard along with a row of normal GW EG and a highborn. They look pretty neat!

[Guildenstern]

What works well is using the old metal dryad model and gluing bits of new plastic dryad onto it.

I use the old dryads without additional bits as treekin

[Hillbilly Carl]

I just re-fitted all my old dryads with new dryad bits, I don't see how you could use them as treekin though. They are pretty much exactly the same size as the new dryads.

[Mondays]

I'm working on a conversion right now that uses Kroot faces, chests, and legs and Dryad branches, arms, and "hair" pieces.

Here is the unit of six in my latest WIP shot.





So far they are made by removing Kroot hair and replacing with the Dryad hair bits that go behind their heads and using a hobby knife to slice off all the smooth rounded surfaces on the Kroot bodies. I also repositioned some legs. I added two branches to each back (three for my possible Tree Kin Elder) and used sprue for stilts.

Next is GS to smooth out spots where I've cut legs and heads and added branches. Then GS new Dryad-style feet and finish by adding their arms, of which each has four. Two large arms on top and two smaller arms below those. One in the pictures already has the arms glued on.

By the time this is done it will have cost me 20 quid for 16 Kroot while the dryad bits were all leftovers from an already assembled squad of 8. I have 16 more dryads to assemble which leaves me with enough Kroot/dryad bits to make SIXTEEN TOTAL Tree Kin if I wanted.

[Dalanorak Gladeshrike]

I hated the treeman model, so I made a Forest Giant out of the giant box. I love it. He's a light green, has twigs coming out, the full deal. I will do the same with Treekin, I believe, except I will use ogres. Its a theme that I hope to grow with my army. I was going to use large animals/creatures, but I like this idea better.

How easy is it models twigs and tree-like bits onto models such as the giant? I'm now inspired by your ogres as treekin (a box of bulls makes a nice 6-man unit) and i'm wondering how easy it'd be to make them look less ogrey and more twiggy.

A general question to everyone, how would ogres as treekin go down with you?

[Soteks Prophet]

I made mine also :







And my scratch built treeman from balsa wood :

[pearldrums]

I like the fact that you made a treeman out of wood. Kind of feels right don't it?

BTW Balsam wood has an "M" at the end of it, but most people don't notice.

[Herald]

How easy is it models twigs and tree-like bits onto models such as the giant? I'm now inspired by your ogres as treekin (a box of bulls makes a nice 6-man unit) and i'm wondering how easy it'd be to make them look less ogrey and more twiggy.

A general question to everyone, how would ogres as treekin go down with you?

To your first q, as long as you're dealing with plastic only, there is no difficult conversion. The plastic glue gets about as hard as the plastic itself if applied properly.

As for Ogres as TK, they might do. You could, for instance, call them 'forest trolls'. As such they would fit in thematically with wood elves, being a part of the 'underworld' (not to be mixed up with the under-empire... ). A creature like that exists in Norwegian mythology, at least, called 'Støkken'.

Oh, and just a reminder that TK and their alternatives is the theme for the September Modelling Challenge. Glory awaits!

[Elennare1]

BTW Balsam wood has an "M" at the end of it, but most people don't notice.

Actually, "balsam" is a tree sap resin produced from any of several types of trees while "balsa" is a specific type of tree that produces a VERY soft, light weight wood used often in modeling applications (among other things).

[Wych]

I have an other ide. I use this base model
http://www.shop.microartstudio.com/imag ... 0x40mm.jpg
and the I make spirit swarms It will be fun to do and hopfully looks great. here is the ide coming from
http://media.photobucket.com/image/warh ... pites1.jpg

[banzaj]

Is it possible to use old dryads (metal) for treekin as I'm thinking of buying 6 of them. Are the the same size as the new ones or slightly bigger?

[Yuri]

@ Mr. Bisa
Hm, marauders as treekin isn't good idea, by my opinion. They are too small, (too fleshy), and if you put them on 4×4 base, they would look even smaller leaving you with huge space to cover with whatever-you-like. But, if you really want to get rid of marauder models, make dryads out of them. Who says dryads must be female spirits? I say lets make revolution in Loren's glades - vote for male gigolo spirits! Viva la revolution!

Now, as Mr. Tethlis said, start with their stats and their special qualities. They have S5, T5, W3, forest spirit, scaly skin, fear and flammable! Having that in mind it can help you convert your treekin as you like. Make them big (but not bigger than regular 4×4 monstrosity) to represent strength, toughness, wounds and fear effect. Put on them something heavy, like armor out of thick wood or something and something to represent forest spirit (like your idea of Orion-like skins). After all, represent somehow that they are flammable, which I see most of you forgot. You can put lots of wood, like they are living wood, or paper, or just guys who like to bath and get soaked with gasoline. Actually, this is enigma for me too, because I'd like to put my wolfen (from confrontation) as treekin, but dunno how to explain why are they flammable.

In the end, I like to play fair when we are talking about conversions. I don't like to see on my side or opponents side something which can't be recognized, and something which I don't need to ask every turn what they have - if they are big I know they have good strength/toughness/wounds, if they look like tall vicious monsters I know cause fear/terror, if they have long or multiple legs I know they are fast, etc. I guess you know what I mean.

@Mr. Banzaj
They just look more bulkier, like they were going to the gym regularly, but not larger.

[Guildenstern]

I just re-fitted all my old dryads with new dryad bits, I don't see how you could use them as treekin though. They are pretty much exactly the same size as the new dryads.

Just do it I also use the old treeman as treeman. The new dryads are only the same in height, but they look more filigree. I just put them on a larger base. There is no need which says, they have to be bigger and being bigger does not always mean that something is stronger.

[Herald]

But remember that your opponents are the ones who's opinion matter here, besides your own. In 8th, there may be people who deliberately try to field smaller versions of troops to gain advantages to cover and LoS. So try not to deviate too much from the sizes of the standard models, and hear with your regular opponents, if any, if they are ok with it.

[verminlord]

in fury of the forest army list im making, i'm using the following models -

60 old metal dryad models

for treekin - not crazy about the actual models so for my 2 units I'm using -

6 fen beasts - love these models and can see these as rotting trees from the area drycha was affected from.

6 old treemen - 4th ed and 5th ed I think, already on 40mm bases so why not, also about the same height as a treekin as well.

2 treemen - I'm using 2 drytha? the old special char. model, he's bigger and more intimadating model than the older treemen.

1 treemen anicent - undecided either the latest treeman model or maybe an ent from the lord of the rings range, anybody know what size they are - ie same as drytha, or bigger? would like him to be centre piece of army so a large imposing model would be nice.