Classic Archon Conversion Quandary

Gentlemen, I find myself in a bewilderment.

There I were, in my hobby room, building a 700 point army for the upcoming Lemon Painting mystery doubles tournament, when I were startled by a conundrum.

I've had these two "classic" models in my collection for some time (not my actual models in the photos, but those are the models I have). You might recognise them:







Now seeing as I've built my Troop squad using mainly classic Dark Eldar parts, I have a terrible need to use one of these classic models as my Archon. I'm fielding the Archon with Shadowfield (never leave Commorragh without it!), Combat Drugs, Haywire Grenades and a Venom Blade.

I'm confident that I can make some very minor conversions ie sticking something on with superglue, without compromising the old school visual appeal of the models, but I've been stymied by how to represent a Shadowfield.

Short of major conversion work which is to say hacking and drilling to fit bits from the new model range on to make a suitably arcane looking shield device, I'm stuck for ideas.

I do have the option of building a New-style Archon out of leftover Wych and Warrior bits (and such is the glory of our model range that this is perfectly feasible), but I really would like to stick with the classic theme for the "command squad" and Archon.

If you have any advice, suggestions or alternatives, please my fellow Dread Archons and Master Fleshsmiths, do let me know here or on Twitter at @odsox

I humbly thank you for your precious time,

Raucir

It is perhaps significant that when I went to make the first incision on the Sybarite the craft knife leapt from my fingers and cut my shin.

BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD!

are you trying to model a visual shadowfield onto the model? My only Idea is to make a circle out of green stuff that I guess looks like smoke rising from the ground around his feet. It would not alter the model at all but it will give the appearance of something extra. Take out some wax paper smoosh out a bunch of green stuff and morph it into the appearance you want. smokey bubbly whatever. with the bottom flat and the top of it your special texture. You probably don't want it any more than a quarter inch tall. You then take this with the textured side out wrap it around the feet press it in the base, probably around the edge of the base. Wait for it to dry paint it black and highlight purple or grey. There you go personal shadowfield.

I have never tried to model a shadowfield, it's a bit like trying to model a flickerfield onto a Venom.

If you take the old Dracon model and just paint the energy feed to the spear a venomous green, and then add a tint of poison to the blade I'm pretty sure you've got all you need right there.

I'll admit I have little desire to advocate cutting up either of those sculpts.

Nor me, they are nice as they are.

I have never modelled forcefields on Orks, its always assumed that they are in a pouch, or take the form of a belt buckle or the like.

Check out Infinity models, some have a coloured clear plastic dome around them (or segments of one), looking a bit like a plasma ball. That way you keep the field entirely separate

I'd say a shadowfield would look like what Rumble said. Although you may try something like having a shadow at random points around the archon with bullets entering them. That would work.

I've always used that female Archon (she used to be sold as a dracon, right? How times change) with SF + HB, and claimed that the bladesy staff incorporated both. Painted + pitted it to look that way and was pleased with the outcome.
HOWEVER I've always thought that the end of that weapon looks like a very cool shadowfield generator in itself, blades and all, that could float around with her on a bit of flying base or wire stuck to her base. Bit Tau-y but you see what I mean.
Then you could add a different type of blade to the stick you've got left to make a kind of venom spear or venom halberd (!) which you could also take as various power weapons (lance, axe) if you ever felt that way inclined.
Minimal mutilation to the model, just a simple cut and paste, with a little green stuff to cover the scars.

Mmmm, thanks for the advice Commorrites! I have since begun work a new, "dynamic" archon, though with these tips I may just switch back to these lovely old-school models instead!

Raucir

I got thoses. I'm currently modify the female (which is a succubus btw). I cut the base of the staff to be able to turn the arm an get a rather good archite glaive and I replace the old splinter pistol with a new one.