Proxy

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In general, a "proxy" is a substitute or go-between. For example, a proxy server takes web page requests from a computer and transmits in on their behalf, and then passes the resulting page back. Using seven of them at once yields a similar level of defense as sitting in the middle of the Iron Cage.

Why /tg/ cares

In wargames, "proxy" is used as a verb: to "proxy" a model means to use some other model to represent it. For example, Jokaero look rather silly, but AT-43 Karmans look way cool, and they're made to the same scale, so people can and do use them as substitutes. Or, for another, Dark Eldar Mandrakes have awesome models, but crappy rules, so people like to use their models to represent other, better units.

In tabletop terms there are a variety of different approaches to proxying stuff but they fall into three major schools of thought (presented in glorious technicolour and descending order of quality/respectability):

• Conversions

This is the practice of using existing models and making modifications to create either a personalised version of the original, or a different vehicle entirely. In either case the reason is normally to make better looking minis than are official offered. Very minor conversions are extremely common, as practically all players like to customise their dudes and tanks to some degree and most modern plastic kits are built to be flexible and interchangeable so that minor conversions are as simple as glueing on different bits. More aggressive conversions can involve jamming together bits from multiple kits (known as kitbashing) or using practically no official parts of models at all (known as scratch building). Conversions that build from a single kit are practically always acceptable, and kitbashed or scratchbuilt models are normally fine as long as it's clear what they are supposed to be, what things they have on them and they fit the aesthetic. Various companies make conversion kits and parts to work with/around 40k models and specifically to fill in the gaps in terms of weapon options which are either never officially offered or only available from forge world. Of course for Orks you can pretty much please yourself.

• Using other minis to stand in

This is fairly simple approach where you buy models (either from the same game or another) that look better or are cheaper and use them to represent something else. The key to finding acceptance in this school is in finding models that actually work in context. Being in the right scale is critical, and matching the aesthetic of the army is fairly important. Using single minis or a small group of them to represent specific things (characters or veteran units) is generally ok, but using large numbers of them basically because you're cheap is not cool. Vehicles are somewhat trickier, especially 40k vehicles have absolutely no consistent sense of scale and most of them are totally impractical as actual vehicles, but using realistic ones is means using models that totally don't fit.

• Using random objects to stand in

This is normally the go-to for young or poor (or cheap) gamers playing friendly games, and even for veteran grown ups to test of how expensive things play without having to buy the units in question. Obviously these are deeply uncool, but at the same time if its what you have to do to play a game then beggers can't be choosers. Certainly 'official' games can't be played in this manner, but then again if you are doing this you almost certainly don't need to worry about playing those games. It's certainly not unheard of for big games like Apocalypse to be played with 95% of the forces as some kind of proxy simply because people want to play the game but it'll take thousands of pounds and months of dilligent modeling and painting to make the forces most of which won't ever see the table again. Whole games can be played with proxies in this fashion (this gamer suggests using paper instead of random objects so you can write on them so you can't lose track of stuff) because we all get bored and since you're a gamer going outside or meeting attractive women is pretty unrealistic so you do what you gotta do. The absolute master of the random object stand in is the paper warhound titan, plans of which can be found on goggle. Print it out, cut along the dots, fold and tuck in the flaps and boom; a to scale titan.

Look at this. GW LOOK AT THIS.

The degree to which this practice is accepted officially depends on the company and setting. Battlefront Miniatures (makers of Flames of War) is pretty chill about proxies, while Games Workshop forbids them from their official tournaments and stores.

The skill of the conversion can make or break the acceptance: a Land Raider masterfully built out of Lego bricks (like the one built by this guy) will likely be accepted (and maybe even complimented), while a Land Raider represented by a juice box probably won't.

Trading Card Games

In many casual groups for TCGs (most notably Magic: The Gathering), a proxy card is a card that counts as another card. Generally, the proxy card is a land or a "shit common" that both players agree to let be another, rarer or more valuable card. Like above, some companies let you use proxies. WotC (at least used to) allow people who didn't have sleeves to use a card as a proxy at a tournament if damage occurred to a card at an event.

Notable Proxies

These proxies have a special place in our hearts, mostly for their ubiquitous horrendousness:

Proxies can also be an endless source of amusement.

• Soda cans/bottles: The infamous carbonated Drop Pod. New or cheap 40k players often use these, sometimes two or three at a time. Anyone who even thinks of using them in tournaments will have multiple simultaneous and devastating offensive boots shoved up their buttocks.

• Toy tanks: Any suitably scaled Tiger II or Sherman can and has been proxied for any other tank in any other game. Notably, Leman Russes and Land Raiders are the most egregious proxy offenders due to GW's outrageous prices.

• Game non-specific models: Some people try to cash in on other peoples' need for cheap models. These often look neat, and tend to hold enough respect that their owners can get away with only having about two tanks. And using them in every game. For every system. ALWAYS.

See Also

• Counts As