There are some model kits out there that are worth considering to purchase purely because of all the conversion and kit bash potential they offer up! I have been avidly customizing my armies with bits for a long time now and have found several box sets that I constantly use to “upgrade” my standard-issue GW minis. For the purpose of this list I am sticking to GamesWorkshop produced kits only and ones that are currently in production- as much as I love the old Empire Militia box set for conversions, it sadly it no longer easily available.
Known for their annoying rules, the Genestealer Cult is also known as being one of the newest model ranges out there and each of their sprues is packed with goodness. The Neophyte Hybrids box in particular has plenty of weapon options and plenty of ways of kitbashing Astra Militarum Infantry and the like.
While most Chaos box sets include a lot of spiky stuff, the Daemon Prince model is a fan-favorite used by many hobbyists. Multiple weapons, are nice, but this kit also has a couple of very useful bits for basing large models. A simple, spiky chaos icon placed on an Imperial Knights base, easily help to make it a Chaos Knight.
Necromunda’s gang box sets each are thematic and a way to add a bit of flavor to your army no matter what the faction. Each of the Necromunda boxes comes with two identical sprues which does limit the variety found in a single box. Yet each sprue if filled with cool bits that won’t be found in any normal 40K box. Orlock and Van Saar are my personal favorite kits.
Basically any of the Ork vehicle boxes can be used to either bolster a basic model with Mad-Max styling or can be used as the foundation for project to be built upon. The Battle Wagon has several build options and is a solid investment for spare parts.
From the wings, to the weapons, the Sanguinary Guard box is another popular box set. Even though it is a slightly order, people still buy it purely for the conversion opportunities.
A box of Dark Eldar / Drukhari Scourges is very cheap and provides a couple really cool things: beautifully detailed feathered AND bat-like wings, dynamic body poses, and some of the coolest helmeted heads in the game.
Games Workshop does sell “upgrade” or “accessory” sprues too, which can be pretty ideal if you are looking for something in particular. A Leman Russ Tank turret Storm Bolter comes on the Tank Accessory Sprue and I am guilty of having bought a few of these just for that one bit. The cool thing though is that the sprue comes with plenty of other extras that have found their way on to my models.
These are just a few of the box sets that I have repetatively used when converting models. What do you think? Do you have a go-to box that you recommend?
And remember, Frontline Gaming sells gaming products at a discount, every day in their webcart!
Seconding Scourges. They’re an absolutely fantastic kit in so many ways.
I’d also add the Sylvaeth Tree/Spite Revenant kit to this list.
Regardless of how you assemble them, you’ll end up with a ton of spares – heads, claws, weapons, even a couple of torsos.
Even in terms of 40k, they seem great for conversions:
https://imgur.com/6JuCo1E
https://imgur.com/CZu4YGZ
Again, some awesome conversions in here!
I’m a big fan of the Raptors/Warp Talons kit. Regardless of which unit you build, you get a ton of useful bits leftover, lightning claws, plasma pistols/guns, meltas, and a ton of super cool chainswords.
Crypt ghouls are what I would go to (although I may be biased as a FEC player), because you get SOOO many arms and head, as well as some femurs for some reason, all of which could be great for chaos or anything else you want some body horror for with just a little bit of green stuff