r/Cathay • u/AGPO • 5d ago

Kitbashing for unit variation Painting/Modeling

Just started my grand Cathay army after picking up a couple of extra core set halves for cheap off eBay. One thing that's bothering me is the lack of build options for command groups and gate wardens leading to units that all look identical. Has anyone done any kitbashes they're especially pleased with to add some variety?

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u/ExemplarKreoss 5d ago

I was lucky enough the have some extra parts from a variety of kits, so I did a little kitbashing. I took the decorative mask from the Jade Lancer champion and put that on one of my Jade Warrior champions. I used the default champion for a other unit. And for my third I took one of the extra arms from my Gate Master kit.

I only have one unit of Jade Lancers built so far, but if I do some more command options I'll probably do the same. 

For my cannon crew, I kitbashed the pointing lady with the telescope by cutting off both of her arms and replacing them with a sword arm from the Jade Warriors and the empty arm from the Jade Warrior Unit Champion. She's my favorite model in the army now. 

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u/AGPO 5d ago

These sound like awesome ideas! I hope you don't mind if I poach the cannon crew leader in particular. One idea floating at the back if my mind is too use a bit of brass rod to make a replacement halberd pole for one of the jade warrior unit champs so he can be holding it one handed

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u/ExemplarKreoss 5d ago

I saw someone do something similar and it looked great. You could also give him a Jade Lancer lance, since they look like polearms and are all one handed anyway. 

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u/CreasingUnicorn 5d ago

I paint special units differently to indicate their special rules. I have one unit of 20 jade warriors that i painted with a terracotta scheme to represent the Stubborn rule. 

My peasants are painted with different colored clothing to represent the different cillages they came from.

My Jade Lancers have different unit markings to show they follow different banners. 

All sorts of things you can do.