Lead Adventure Forum
Miniatures Adventure => Fantasy Adventures => Topic started by: Mr. White on January 02, 2022, 04:40:06 AM
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The tail end of 2021 came to a halt as family tested positive for Covid-19. Thankfully, symptoms were mild and all are fine. The silver lining is that it seems one can get a lot of hobbying done when their house is quarantining…
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Midway through 2021, I got the itch to get back into some fantasy gaming and went back and forth between 28mm or 20mm (1:72). I eventually decided on 1:72 as I’ll be the one providing the sides so needed models that didn’t require much assembly and were quick, easy to paint. Small storage footprint is also a consideration. 1:72 met all of those requirements. Plus, I was still on a high from having fun with my Roswell '98 project in 1:72 (or is it 20mm? Are these two the same? I still don't totally know.)
(https://mikeyc222.files.wordpress.com/2022/01/bfc6296b-c7e6-46fd-a99d-daebdbc34070.jpeg)
Expecting to work on this fantasy project in 2022, the quarantine time seemed the perfect opportunity to go ahead and see what painting a Dragon Rampant force would be like at this scale. Using only two boxes from RedBox’s Dark Alliance 1:72 line (Light Warriors of the Dead and Heavy Warriors of the Dead Cavalry) I was able to quickly paint up a more than complete retinue.
(https://mikeyc222.files.wordpress.com/2022/01/b9e30409-2cf4-4ccc-8dde-f99bacaa5a59.jpeg)
I knew when I was going 1:72 that I would incorporate the zombie dragon from the Castle Ravenloft boardgame. I always thought it was a bit undersized for 28mm. Even for 1:72 it could be a little bigger, but it’s very affordable to find online and is an undead dragon that works for this scale as a Warbeast or Single Model Unit.
(https://mikeyc222.files.wordpress.com/2022/01/f52f63bb-d80c-497d-986a-70445cda0d5f.jpeg)
The leader of the army is the Undead Knight from Elhiem’s recent 20mm fantasy range. Clearly he’s a nod to Lord Soth from Dragonlance fame. Well, I think he is. He’s the first thing I thought of when I saw the model. Either way, a fallen knight leading a host of spectral warriors to new glories appealed. Perhaps they’re not evil, but out to right a terrible wrong? Of course, there’s also the clear nod to the Army of the Dead from the Lord of the Rings. Being a hero model, I placed the knight on a larger base. I figure him for 3HPs and the three support models being 1HP apiece so they can function as a Reduced Model Unit of 6HPs.
(https://mikeyc222.files.wordpress.com/2022/01/7c669877-fbfc-4efa-a04e-4c94a5ce2e75.jpeg)
Spectral Undead is not a typical army to start off a fantasy project with, but I was able to paint all this up in about two days and all under about $30. Seeing the whole host on display, there are plenty of options from cavalry, foot, missile and even warbeast units to choose from. I think the next Dragon Rampant army is also going to be another “Finish in a weekend” project. It looks like I can get stuck into some fantasy battles a lot quicker than anticipated.
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I am a big fan of Dragon Rampant and your excellent painting skill. Cool looking army. :o
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Where did you find that round stone “hut”?
Dan
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Great looking army - and in only two days :o
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Thanks, all!
Where did you find that round stone “hut”?
I believe it's Beehive Hut 2 from Fogou: https://www.fogoumodels.co.uk/dark-age
These hut are great! They fit the spectral models too as these minis are undead dark age warriors.
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There is a little flash on some of the figures, but the goal was to do this army in two days or less. See if it could be done. Plus, I’ll just handwave the flash as spectral detritus around them or maybe part of the disfigurement cause by death in battle? Heh, either way it’s more noticeable in the photos, not really seen at all at arms length on the table.
What do y'all think?
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There is a little flash on some of the figures, but the goal was to do this army in two days or less. See if it could be done. Plus, I’ll just handwave the flash as spectral detritus around them or maybe part of the disfigurement cause by death in battle? Heh, either way it’s more noticeable in the photos, not really seen at all at arms length on the table.
What do y'all think?
Jack, It all sounds bloody good to me, it is of course good old electroplasm, is it not! ;) :D
Glen
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Jack, It all sounds bloody good to me, it is of course good old electroplasm, is it not! ;) :D
Glen
Ha! That's exactly right. ;)
Another good feature of 1:72...small blemishes are hidden to the eye moreso than 28mm.
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I didn't even notice the flash. Great work as usual!
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Thanks!
I could also do a unit of light mounted, but this retinue seems plenty big as is. It’s probably a better use of hobby time to start on the next retinue.
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wow, Jack, your painting work is awesome! o_o 8)
Which colors did you use for those Spectrals?
The Undead Knight from Elhiem is also impressive!
1/72 is just an awesome scale :D
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wow, Jack, your painting work is awesome! o_o 8)
Which colors did you use for those Spectrals?
The Undead Knight from Elhiem is also impressive!
1/72 is just an awesome scale :D
Thanks! I agree with the scale, too. I love it.
The ghosts were a pretty straight forward approach:
1) Prime White
2) Wash with Hexwraith Flame
3) Drybrush with Ulthuan Grey (well maybe a little more paint on the brush than a true dry brush)
That's it!
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Thats a nice simple palette to use, but it works well on them.
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They've turned out superbly. :-*
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Yes, the paintwork is brilliant! I'd never have thought of using a light grey rather than white for the final highlight, but it seems to have worked much better than white - avoiding the 'ragged' look that white drybrushing sometimes produces.
I'm going to have to get some of those undead at some point for our 1/72 armies - and steal your recipe!
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Yes, the paintwork is brilliant! I'd never have thought of using a light grey rather than white for the final highlight, but it seems to have worked much better than white - avoiding the 'ragged' look that white drybrushing sometimes produces.
I'm going to have to get some of those undead at some point for our 1/72 armies - and steal your recipe!
Yeah, Ulthuan Grey works perfect. I first used it over the other ghostly citadel paint, Nighthaunt Gloom, when I did these underworlds models.
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I agree that white could contrast too much
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blimey - top job on those nighthaunt. :-*
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Awesome paintjobs :-*.
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Another wave of Covid has rippled through the house, so figured it was time to jump on that second Dragon Rampant warband. I expected this one to take two days as well, but it took a little under four hours so went ahead and put paint to an Elheim warlock figure as well.
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The Cyclopes are a ~$10 box of 1:72 fantasy figures from Ukrainian manufacture Dark Alliance (I think Red Box is the company, but Dark Alliance the fantasy brand). The box came with 12 Cyclopes in four different poses. Mersey Suggests giants as 6pt Elite Foot Single Model Units in the Dragon Rampant rulebook, so four models is a full 24point warband.
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Fielding a full DR army for about $10 (and having models to spare) is an amazing deal in these dark modern times. Gamers of another popular fantasy wargame are buying single Giant figures for $200? Will four of those complete an army?
(https://mikeyc222.files.wordpress.com/2022/01/60beabd4-f3b3-4eee-9e5d-1a9e59395040.jpeg)
My table gaming time is currently on the Blood Bowl pitch where I’m helping commish a six session league. Once that runs it’s course, I’m prioritizing some games of Dragon Rampant. To whet my appetite, above and below are photos of what my two current warbands would look like in action.
(https://mikeyc222.files.wordpress.com/2022/01/d3274c53-309c-4616-b538-f0bf21b09817.jpeg)
I’ve got a few other 1:72 armies I’m hoping to complete before that BB league wraps, so I’m hoping to have a few options to field.
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A great addition to your warbands. They are lovely figures - very nicely painted
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A great addition to your warbands. They are lovely figures - very nicely painted
Thank you!
I agree, the Dark Alliance line has some great little figures. These might not be tied for a particular setting, but after decades of playing in the specifically stylized Old World/LotR/Age of Sigmar sandboxes, it's nice to just do some generic fantasy.
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wow, awesome stuff!
How did you paint the bases of the cyclops? I really like your base painting
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wow, awesome stuff!
How did you paint the bases of the cyclops? I really like your base painting
Thank you!
For the bases, I do an old school sand/gravel glued onto the base with white pvc glue, prior to spray priming so the primer helps it stay on the base. Then, while painting I use:
1: base of Rhinox hide
2: wash of Agrax Earthshade
3: drybrush of Ushabti Bone
I then spray seal the model when it's ready and after dry I apply some static grass with pvc glue and add the occasional tuft if the base is big enough to warrant the extra detail.
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Ok thank you, i'll try this on my figures next time!
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Really awesome! I don’t (and won’t) start another scale (already got 10, 15, 28 and 35mil Fantasy), but some of those Red Box models could work pretty well in 15/18mm settings, too.
I’m especially keen on the cyclopses and not-balrogs.
How did the game go? It’s a pretty asymmetric game, but looks awesome!
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Thanks!
I haven't played a game yet, but just set the models up as a preview. I'm in the process of painting about 2 more warbands and making unit cards. I want to have 4 warbands and cards done before I start playing.
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You'd be breaking the rules fielding four identical units I seem to recall. Can't have more than half your warband the same (or did I imagine that?).
You could make the one with armour Elite foot, the one with the rock heavy missiles and the other two greater warbeasts. At least they would be a bit different. I also think Elite foot is a bad match for a dopey giant and greater warbeast is better as wild charge makes them less controllable. Offensive heavy foot would also work stats/combat wise. It can take a lot of punishment and dish out quite a bit but not as much as a fire breathing dragon.
(nice painting by the way - they look great)
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I think the rule you're thinking of is in Lion Rampant. Dragon Rampant doesn't seem to have a restriction on how many of the same unit you can have, so long as you have a minimum of 4 units. Also, Giants as Elite Foot is an example given multiple times in the book, including in the sample warbands in the back.
However, you are right that they should have some variety and I have created extra unit cards for the giants for just such the occasion...like the giant with the boulder over his head being a Heavy Missile Single Model Unit if wanted. I also like the idea of Offensive Heavy Foot. This exercise though was to see how fast I could do a complete warband, so 4 Elite Foot atm.
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One other way to add variety would be to have the two unarmored ones as Bellicose Foot with the Shiny Armour upgrade (to represent toughness). That takes them to the same points cost as Elite Foot, but with a bit more speed and less control (Wild Charge!).
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Bellicose is also a good idea. I'll add cards of that nature too so that any player running the 'Clan of Cyclopes' can have a few options.
Thanks all!
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They look really good. I have some of the Dark Alliance trolls, which are excellent. I have been wondering about the Cyclops, but looking at your pictures I'll probably give in and get some.
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Those giants look fantastic :-* :-* :-*.
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Thanks!
Been busy lately so haven't had a chance to paint lately, but I have started putting the next warband on bases. I hope to start putting paint to them soon. In the meantime, I've been buying what Dark Alliance fantasy models I can. The tragedy in Ukraine will likely make these wonderful boxes hard to come by in the future. I hope the owners and sculptors of these companies are doing ok...
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Your paint work is wonderful. :)
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Really great! I love the idea of the Cyclopes being a “minimalist” warband. To think you could bring your whole band to battle in a cigar box! That’s right up my alley, I’m always looking for ways to trim down my footprint. As for the rules, how are Dragon Rampant? Is 24 points a “fieldable force”?
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24 points seems to be the default warband size in all these Rampant games.
Though I have all the books, and have begun painting up sides... I've yet to play a game! That'll change as I have games scheduled the first weekend in June.
I expect the games to be a fun time. I like the rule as I read them and all the feedback seems great and right up my alley.
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Hi Jack. I've been really inspired by your posts, and those of Hobgoblin, re 1:72 fantasy miniature gaming, and have started a collection based on this scale. I've managed to pick up Caesar and Dark Alliance sets, and various metal figures from the likes of Splintered Light, Elhiem and CP Miniatures.
One company which I have not seen mentioned much in relation to fantasy miniatures at this scale is Battle Valor (a US manufacturer, but with a UK distributor, which is where I obtained my figures. The Battle Valor Orcians (orcs) and Scalians (lizardmen) work really well with the proportions of 1:72 goblinoids from Dark Alliance. They are supposed to be 15mm scale, so the legs are a bit short, but otherwise the proportions (e.g. head/weapon size) work much better with 20mm/1:72, and I have tried to fix the height issue by attaching them to (1 penny) bases with a blob of green stuff, rather than super glue.
Battle Valor offer 'warbands' with a good mix of figures (my 'orcians' came with some wolf riders and a couple of ogres) for a very reasonable price, and the sculpts are robust and characterful (if not the most sophisticated I've ever seen) - I think they will paint up very well. I am very happy with the Orcian and Scalian warbands that I picked up for the price.
Anyway, I thought I would mention it as another potential option for figures at this scale, which can be challenging to find. I think this is a great shame, as I love the scale - it is cheaper than 28mm, while often (but not always!) the proportions of the sculpts are better than either 15mm or 28mm. I also think that my 1:72 / 20mm fantasy minis are going to work better with 1 inch square D&D-style battle mats (e.g. the Loke books) than 28 mm figures would.
Thanks again to you (and Hobgoblin) for your inspiring miniatures, and please keep posting them - I'd love to see more.
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One company which I have not seen mentioned much in relation to fantasy miniatures at this scale is Battle Valor (a US manufacturer, but with a UK distributor, which is where I obtained my figures. The Battle Valor Orcians (orcs) and Scalians (lizardmen) work really well with the proportions of 1:72 goblinoids from Dark Alliance. They are supposed to be 15mm scale, so the legs are a bit short, but otherwise the proportions (e.g. head/weapon size) work much better with 20mm/1:72, and I have tried to fix the height issue by attaching them to (1 penny) bases with a blob of green stuff, rather than super glue.
Great call! Last year, I picked up a whole load of the 'Orcians' to form a 1/72 Isengard army for HOTT. To my eye, they're perfect for Tolkien's Uruks - significantly smaller than Men but squat and broad. And the short legs fit right in in that context. Also, the wolves are a good size - bigger than the 1:72 hyena-things!
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One company which I have not seen mentioned much in relation to fantasy miniatures at this scale is Battle Valor (a US manufacturer, but with a UK distributor, which is where I obtained my figures. The Battle Valor Orcians (orcs) and Scalians (lizardmen) work really well with the proportions of 1:72 goblinoids from Dark Alliance. They are supposed to be 15mm scale, so the legs are a bit short, but otherwise the proportions (e.g. head/weapon size) work much better with 20mm/1:72, and I have tried to fix the height issue by attaching them to (1 penny) bases with a blob of green stuff, rather than super glue.
oh, nice information. I didn't know that and will take a deep look 8)
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Really great! I love the idea of the Cyclopes being a “minimalist” warband. To think you could bring your whole band to battle in a cigar box! That’s right up my alley, I’m always looking for ways to trim down my footprint. As for the rules, how are Dragon Rampant? Is 24 points a “fieldable force”?
I played 4 games of DR in a day last weekend, and the ruleset is everything I've ever wanted in a fantasy battle game. It plays as smooth as it reads. We had little to now rules referencing. Really, only using the rules to generate leader traits and scenario set up. It helped that we had the units and their abilities written on cards. It probably also helped that my opponent and I are old BloodBowl coaches so this sort of 'risk and fail' activation system felt like a comfy pair of jeans.
On the downside, I think it might mean the end of this 1:72 project though. I wanted to do 1:72 because I thought I'd be doing all the armies. However, after playing DR, my opponent wants in and I think we might be going with the LotR models (we know others with those models as well).
I'm willing to sell the two armies seen here if there's any interest.
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Hmmm...I think my DR 1/72 project might be alive and well. i have to knock out a Khorne Blood Bowl team first, then I think I'm back to a couple of factions here.
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How about you ignore the Blood Bowl, better yet sell it all, and focus on the factions here... lol
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How about you ignore the Blood Bowl, better yet sell it all, and focus on the factions here... lol
GREAT idea! lol
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How about you ignore the Blood Bowl, better yet sell it all, and focus on the factions here... lol
I sold most of blood bowl. So not bad idea. Id never thought of 1:72. This Is quote the inspiration.
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Hi Jack - glad to hear you're thinking about changing your mind re 1:72 / 20mm. It felt like such a shame after seeing those beautifully painted DR warbands. I don't know anyone else who paints / wargames with miniatures, so I figure I'm going to have to provide all miniatures for any gaming with friends or family, which is where the size / price point of this scale comes in handy.
I am a very slow painter (so have only finished 45 or 50 'fantasy' minis to date in this scale (though more are on the painting table). I'd like to be able to share them on the forum, because I know how encouraging it is to see other people's efforts, particularly in less popular scales. Do you have any hints / suggestions on photography techniques, especially for those without any skills/background in this particular area?
As for the intended aim/use of the collection, I am looking forward to skirmish wargaming using (Advanced) Song of Blades and Heroes, and Thud and Blunder, and co-op / solo wargaming with Five Leagues from the Borderlands, Sellswords and Spellslingers, Nightwatch, and Rangers of Shadow Deep. Lots more painting and scenery making needs to take place first!
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NB I say 'fantasy' because I have picked up a fair whack of historical miniatures (mostly medieval), so have vikings and 15th century Caesar knights alongside the Dark Alliance rangers, Cimmerians and Amazons. Obviously there is a whole bunch of other stuff in the boxes waiting for painting / conversions!
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Hi Jack - glad to hear you're thinking about changing your mind re 1:72 / 20mm. It felt like such a shame after seeing those beautifully painted DR warbands. I don't know anyone else who paints / wargames with miniatures, so I figure I'm going to have to provide all miniatures for any gaming with friends or family, which is where the size / price point of this scale comes in handy.
I am a very slow painter (so have only finished 45 or 50 'fantasy' minis to date in this scale (though more are on the painting table). I'd like to be able to share them on the forum, because I know how encouraging it is to see other people's efforts, particularly in less popular scales. Do you have any hints / suggestions on photography techniques, especially for those without any skills/background in this particular area?
As for the intended aim/use of the collection, I am looking forward to skirmish wargaming using (Advanced) Song of Blades and Heroes, and Thud and Blunder, and co-op / solo wargaming with Five Leagues from the Borderlands, Sellswords and Spellslingers, Nightwatch, and Rangers of Shadow Deep. Lots more painting and scenery making needs to take place first!
Thanks for the words of encouragement. I'm also glad it looks like I'll be continuing with this scale.
Regarding taking photos...I don't know any real tricks. I don't own a lightbox or anything fancy and just use my iphone. The two things i keep in mind are 1) use natural light only - so photo when my table is getting decent, but not harsh, lighting and 2) try to make the backgrounds of the the models a little interesting so they look to be standing in their own little world and not on my painting desk. Those are my two guidelines, but I think others will have better advice.
I do hope you share as you're right, seeing the work of others is encouraging. Oddly enough there does seem to be a healthy amount of 1/72 posting here in the fantasy forum lately.
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Thanks for the helpful words of encouragement, Jack, and it's good to know that you're not having to rely on too much specialist equipment. I have some quite well lit space in the house, so will have a crack at taking picture of what I've produced so far. People seem to be very encouraging on LAF re everyone's efforts. which is great.
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Sure thing. LAF is a _great_ community in so far as my experience has been.
I'm not sure if this sort of cross posting is allowed, but if you're really getting keen on 1/72, I've got a long thread on another project at this scale over in the Post Apocalyptic forum: https://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=129236.0
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1:72 is a great scale and for fantasy it makes a lot of sense to use historical ranges to get other types of humans.
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If I was starting to collect fantasy minis today I'd probably go for 1/72, there is so much choice in fantasy and historical sets, plus it's so much cheaper. However, as I already have several thousand 25/28mm little fantasy men, I'm not going to start again now!