Wargaming: When “Counts-As” becomes “Proxy”

Counts As Battlewagon - Photo: Dakka Forums

OK – so I have to weigh in on a subject that hits pretty close to home for me as I have a full Warhammer 40K Space Marine army built around the counts-as concept.  Recently there have been numerous debates about the topic of when, or even if, counts-as and proxy are OK in wargaming.  A majority of the debates that go on throughout the web, shockingly, tend to be nothing more than the argumentative opinions of trolls that offer little in the way of an actual well thought thesis about the given subject.  But hey, that’s why we have the Internet right?  To express our opinions, no matter how ridiculous and irrational at times.

Now that disclaimer being laid, lets get to this debate.  First things first, lets establish some parameters to work with concerning these two concepts.  Counts-as is a term used when you have models that are not necessarily the actual unit given in the stat line in your respective games rulebook or codex, but the model presents a reasonable representation of the original unit.  Proxy on the other hand, is when you have an item or unit that substitutes for another unit with no regard to any actual resemblance of the original unit.

Counts As Shrike - Photo: 2.bp.blogspot.com

So lets look at a couple of examples of the two ideas.  Lets take the Warhammer 40K army Tyrannofex.  So in typical GW fashion we have a unit with no model released to date.  So all the Tyranid players are forced to build their own models.  Now what they build is a reasonable representation of the model, same base size, similar equipment, etc and looks similar in style to the rest of the army.  So therefore it is a counts-as model.

For proxy lets look at a new game I’m really digging called Dystopian Wars.  It’s a steampunk style navel battle game.  So my friends and I don’t want to dump money into models yet but want to play some test games.  There fore we gather anything we can put our hands on to try the game out.  Those nickels just became fighter squadrons, that Space Marine Rhino is a carrier, etc.  So the items we have representing the fleet aren’t anything close to the actual unit, but it allows us to get a feel for the game or a particular unit without the commitment to the purchase yet.  So therefore it is a proxy model.

So there are a couple of quick examples.  So where does the rub come in?  Well not all examples of counts-as and proxy are so drastic unfortunately.  The problems arise when a player takes an army and uses another army’s ruleset to run that army.  For instance, my 40K Space Marine army is intentionally built as a counts-as army.  It is painted in a custom color scheme so as to not be confused with any other existing chapters.  I primarily play the Codex: Space Marines, however I have built units and unique character conversions to accurately represent units from all of the loyal Space Marine chapters (Blood Angels, Space Wolves, Black Templars, Dark Angels).  So I have one army that can play multiple codecies.  Why?  Well to start I don’t like the idea of dropping lots of money on the same models just to put a different color scheme on them.  Second, I love opportunities to convert models.  Third, I’m not a fan of most of the color schemes\model options for the various chapter codecies.

Proxy for Thunderfire Cannon - Photo: Underthecouch

Now when I’m trying out a new build that may require for me to buy or build a new model, that’s when I proxy.  So I have a Land Speeder with Typhoon missile launchers and heavy bolter, but want to try a load out of heavy flamer and multi-melta?  Well if I didn’t model the unit so I can switch out weapons, then I have to proxy it until I decide to buy or rebuild the unit.  So now my speeder with missile launchers is being proxied for the multi-melta version.  See that isn’t count’s as because it doesn’t adequately represent the intended model, even though it’s built on the same model chassis.  Make sense?  I hope so.  A counts-as example would be if I took a Forge World IG Tauros and modded it with a SM driver and gunner, mounted a multi-melta and two bolters, then substitute it for a SM attack bike.  Takes up about the same space, has same weaponry, matches close to the same design aesthetic.

Proxy Monolith - Photo: Underthecouch

So it should be obvious that I don’t have a problem with counts-as, or proxying for that matter, as long as they are used in the correct circumstance.  It can be a great opportunity to model unique units and multipurpose armies, thereby helping you save money in an already expensive hobby.  However proxying should only be used in a friendly game where you are perhaps trying something new out.  It should never take place in any official format as it is too confusing and, in my opinion (uh oh here comes the troll), bad form in a modeling based hobby.

So that Ork army you want to run with the Imperial Guard codex?  Sorry, nice idea but the equipment just doesn’t equate.  Now you’re proxying.  Have fun with that, just don’t bring it to a tournament and try and get away with it.

What examples of proxy and counts-as have you seen?  How does your local gaming scene deal with these two concepts?