"Bits" is a name that Warhammer 40k hobbyists (and probably most miniature hobbyists) call the pile of leftovers that come with the various kits we buy over time.
Sometimes there are extra head or extra poses in the box, but a limited amount of them, so you can only build the 3, 5 or 10 miniatures that the box intended. However, by keeping the bits, sometimes we are able to craft new models in a combination of these bits.
If this is not possible, then at very least, it allows us the opportunity to create custom characters and heroes, or to decorate the bases and terrain features of our battlefields with interesting parts.
Bits are a to some, trash. To others, they are treasure. My experience is that when you let people know that you own a Dragon Hoard like me, that supplicants come to ask for a missing relic or part that would allow them to finish a project that has sometimes sat on their hobby table for years, waiting for the bits to complete it!
I play Space Wolves. They are super induvidualistic, salvaging and fashioning wargear and creating Sagas around the conflict that brought them that weapon.
Example: The Epid Hero Logan Grimnar is the Chapter Master (Great Wolf) of the Space Wolves Chapter. He wields the Axe of Morkai. Morkai is the Wolf of Death who guards the gates of Hel. But the history of this axe is that Logan claimed it from a Chaos Lord of Khorne. This means that the axe very well could have blessings on it of the Blood God.
However, the Rune Priests(Librarians), Wolf Priests(Chaplains) and Iron Priests(Techmarines) gathered to sanctify the weapon and dedicate it to the Fenrisian God-Legend of Death.
Despite this, there are many Space Marine Chapters, Sisters of Battle and parts of the Imperial Inquisition that would regard this as heresy and corruption. They would not accept it.
At the same time, the Pure and Righteous Grey Knights, psychic Space Marines made from the Emperor's own gene-seed, fought alongside Logan Grimnar and his Axe. Together, 50 Grey Knight Terminators, Logan and his Wolf Guard took battle to the Daemon Prince Angron of the World Eaters, dedicated to Khorne, and eight Blood Thirster Greater Daemons.
Logan did not fall to Chaos that day, indeed, he was the only survivor of that encounter, the Terminators died and the Daemons were cast back into the Warp while the rest of the Imperial Armies fought.
In the aftermath of this battle, Logan nearly started a civil war as the Inquisition decided to execute the surviving Imperial Guard who had survived the conflict. You see, the general population were not allowed to know about the existance of Daemons and foul Warp energies who were strong enough to challenge the God-Image of his Angels of Death, amongst other things.
This was before the appearance of the Great Rift and the Era Indomitus.
See? So much lore and details and it related to this blade that Logan carries.
So pour your eyes through my bits and unbuilt things, my "Pile of Shame" is more a "Pile of History." A "Pile of Relics". A "Pile of Triumph!".
Look to see how many units you can see that can be built up and if you can see some parts that would look good, making some character look cool!
Enjoy!
Thank you for participating in the Scavenger Hunt!
