WYSIWYG

Is it necessary to model pistol eaters with pistols . The reason I ask no GW maneater model has pistols. Can I use my converted maneaters without pistols as pistol eaters for tournament play

Tough question to answer for all situations : )

I would not 'just' use ogres for my maneater models as it is tough for the opponent to know what they are. However you are spot on the available models from GW as these are more thematic (is this a word?!) and less designed for WYSIWYG gaming, so there is indeed an issue.

Overall I guess you should contact the TO when you want to join a tournament and ask what to do. Likely you are not alone ; )

To the use of normal ogres then conversions are relatively easy to build a box with empire guns (the outrider box is great) or use the two spare guns from the mournfang box. If your ogre models has the brace of ogre guns then you should be good of course, as no official model exists.
Often I have seen that just the front rank of the unit has to have the weapon option which will just require you to have about 3 models with guns made - and less if you also go for command models : ) The good thing is that you will often just run then 3-4 wide so you wont have to make 10+ different models to get started.
The issue then comes when ME can be equipped individually - on this matter the most important thing is clear communication to you opponent stating clearly (and repeatingly if needed) what they are armed with.

I have made my ME with a random setup but with enough models with guns so that I can field the 6x brace of guns pack with command options - never had a problem - and when you get them painted you can give the ME unit colors that clearly make them stand out from normal ogres/guts etc.

In the end, ask the TO and be a good sport with your opponent and enjoy making those ME models (it's both fun and not too difficult)

Good luck!

This is one unit where WYSIWYG should never be enforced. One week they all have BoP the next GW and XHW, too many options to actually model. Make one or two with Pistols then call it a day, anyone who gives you crap is a dumb dumb.

I have a slightly different stance on this (probably because I don't play competitive games or tournaments TBH). Whilst I fully understand the WYSIWYG thing, I am lead to believe that "the model" and "the rule" are two separate things.

The example I use for this is; when I played 40k Orks all my vehicles had the "red paint job" upgrade. It made them go faster in the rules.
Now, my army was a Deathskullz army, which meant they painted everything blue. It would have looked odd me painting all my vehicles red and saying they were still deathskullz.
However, I have paid the points for the "RPJ" so for the purposes of "the rule" I had it. In the case of "the model" I just said for my army blue counts as red.

In the case of the Maneaters without guns, I can understand how this could be confusing to an opponent. But, with lists up-front it is perfectly acceptable to say "these maneaters have the brace of pistols" or whatever. You have paid the points, so the rule is applied.

(you can't really pull the "oh....I forgot to mention all the Maneaters are armed to the teeth with M60's and surface to air missile launchers" that just wont wash and will get you stomped on!)

If it is really an issue for an opponent who wont accept that the ogres, as modelled, have no guns then I would suggest this;

Either buy (or put out a request for) the gun-in-holster bit from the Ironblaster kit. Magnetize it and bung a magnet on the bottom of your maneaters base. When you want to "have guns" just pop the magnetized bit (an gun in a holster on a post) onto the base and pull it off when you don't want the apply the rule. Simple.

That's my two pennies worth. The game/ rules are one thing and the painting and modelling is another.

G_H

The WYSIWYG rule in tournaments is generally used to stop people from fielding proxy units which would make things much more confusing. The most commonly accepted thing is to have the front rank be representative weapon wise, and the rest can all be carrying bananas or whatever.


With Maneaters they're typically a mishmash unit appearance wise, so it can be more confusing. Bringing your list helps people remember, and a friendly reminder when it's relevant also helps (I've cost myself games by pointing out things that my opponents had mistaken or forgotten. Sucks, but I just can't win that way).

Unless you are playing in GW events I'm sure most knowledgable opponents will understand the maneater predicament.  That being said I've modelled 2 with pistols/great weapons/extra hand weapons so variety is the spice of the maw here.

The reason I ask no GW maneater model has pistols. Can I use my converted maneaters without pistols as pistol eaters for tournament play

Actually the Pirate Maneater has a brace of pistols hanging by his gutplate.