Lead Adventure Forum
Miniatures Adventure => Fantasy Adventures => Frostgrave => Topic started by: darthgus on July 29, 2015, 10:17:10 AM
-
Anyone else buy these model?
I was quite keen not to buy more models, and just reuse what I have. But, I failed and I bought a box.
Got to admit while the models look good and the details are sharp though I'm a little disappointed.
Each model is basically a body on to which you stick arms and a head, plus some extra gear. I had hoped to integrate my Mordheim plastics, I guess thats going to be a lot more work than I had expected.
But the biggest disappointment for me is that integral bases, going to be a lot of time with a razor saw.
Also there are only 5 variant bodies and none of them are armoured, sure they might have armour under all that cloth, but none are obvious. Really you have a box of thugs, which is what I need right now I guess.
-
As good as they look, I too was disappointed by the integral bases. I simply do not understand why manufacturers cannot have a peg under each foot - it saves drilling the feet for pins, and they are easy to clip off if you don't want them. The integral bases can be removed (and I know some folks to like them), but if they are going onto plastic bases most of the time anyway, they are certainly not required at all if you stick them together with a solvent-based glue/cement.
With regard to the armoured bodies, I was a bit surprised to see all five "full" bodies too. I would have expected at least one "split" torso in order to offer the chance of having an armoured body, or one with a long coat, etc.
Still, I understand that there is a second plastic kit planned, which will allow you to build more "themed" henchmen (although I have no idea what "themed" means exactly).
An option might be to try combining them with Fireforge Foot Sergeants? It involves buying yet more models ( ::) ) but should give you the extra variety you're missing. I understand from others that the two boxes are a very good match scale-wise.
-
Well I like integral bases and hate the obtrusive platforms known as slottas, so they suit me.
I guess if you're a paid-up member of the slottocracy though, the idea of pegs on the feet and separate integral bases with holes (separate integral!) makes sense. Good idea really. Best of both worlds that way.
I haven't started on my box yet, but hope to soon. I will be mashing-up with Perry and Fireforge parts for sure though, mainly to create more Games of Thrones figures. Not really that interested in Frostgrave itself (sorry!)
I do think there are a lot of nice components for the converter included in the box. The fact that there are only 5 bodies is a bit of a let-down, I agree. And they are also super-chunky - but then I guess they are swaddled against the snows of the frozen city etc etc...
Anyway, I'm looking forward to kitbashing a few of them. I think they'll work out well :)
-
I like the box for what it is. I'm using it to build generic 'henchmen' units of lower level hirelings - thugs, archers, infantry etc. These are expendable and probably won't last long enough to warrant special models etc anyway, and this way they can bulk out the warbands of any type of wizard. The specialists I intend to be more... specialised. And each wizard will probably have suitably themed companions.
The kit mixes will with the Perry and GW parts I've tried on it. My biggest complaint is the way quite a few of the frostgrave arms don't quite merge into the bodies smoothly, but it's a small complaint at most.
-
I guess if you're a paid-up member of the slottocracy though, the idea of pegs on the feet and separate integral bases with holes (separate integral!) makes sense. Good idea really. Best of both worlds that way.
Just to point out here, I'm not a fan of slottas either... :-X Big things stuck to models' feet just adds to the model prep and slows down the process of getting stuff ready to paint for me.
I liked the idea of "separate integral" bases though! I suppose that if you're using Renedra flat bases, you can just trim down the pegs for the same effect. Two snips with some clippers is still easier and faster than any base or slotta tab removal either way.
I haven't started on my box yet, but hope to soon. I will be mashing-up with Perry and Fireforge parts for sure though, mainly to create more Games of Thrones figures. [...] Anyway, I'm looking forward to kitbashing a few of them. I think they'll work out well :)
I can't wait to see what you do with them! 8)
-
I liked the idea of "separate integral" bases though! I suppose that if you're using Renedra flat bases, you can just trim down the pegs for the same effect. Two snips with some clippers is still easier and faster than any base or slotta tab removal either way.
Yes, truthfully there's no real reason for plastic figures to have bases or tabs at all these days, given that a dob of liquid poly cement on the bottom of each foot would allow a secure and permanent bond to either a slotta base, a Renedra-style plastic base, or indeed to any scrap of plastic card that could then be mounted in turn on a washer or coin, if you're that way inclined when it comes to basing (which I am :))...
-
I love multi-part plastic figures, so I am really really looking forward to playing with these guys. And fortuitously this summer I have picked up some of the Fireforge sets.
Eagerly awaiting today's mail...
-
I really like the Frostgrave Soldiers kit, and can't wait to get my hands on them. I think I like them more than the old Mordheim kit even, since they have a more generic fantasy aesthetic.
There is a rumor of another kit which will allow some way to theme your party; I can't wait.
I also hope that we might see a small Wizard kit in the future. Perhaps have four bodies with several heads, arms, and bits and bobs to make a customized Frostgrave wizard. I really hope this happens at some point.
-
I actually like them a lot. I assembled all of them and have pretty good variation. None of my figures look a like and that is a big plus. I also incorporated two Gripping Beast Saxons in for their chainmail and found that they work nicely. I even used some GW stuff on them and that also seems to fit ok.
-
I've built a couple of mine and my irritation is diminishing.
Removing the integral base is a piece of cake with clippers. I was afraid that these would be like the Mantic DeadZone minis where the plastic was hard and brittle, and clipping away the base tended to cause leg snapage.
The Soldiers however are of a softer plastic which has 2 advantages...
1. they don't snap when you cut them
2. You can use polycement to glue them (the Mantic plastics need superglue).
-
For me, the Mordheim human adventurers (later repackaged as Empire militia) have yet to be beat... mainly because the separate legs and torso options made them more flexible than any set I have seen since. That said, there are a lot of nice plastic sets out there now, including (from the looks of them) these Frostgrave fellows.
If there is another "specialist" box later, I hope it includes at least some separate leg/torso bits. For us assembling figures, that is a measly one extra bit to glue together - a small price in time and glue to pay for a substantial increase in flexibility. Since these figures are not intended to be ranked up, I cannot think of any innate advantage to legs and torsos as one piece, unless it saves the company $$ somehow.
-Michael
-
The box set is cool, the soldiers are a bit smaller than I would have liked. I am more disappointed with he lack of equipment couple of bags and rope.
-
I don't have them yet, but what I like is that they are very themed towards cold climates, and I think that it is just something we don't see much in wargames, so it is something original. The same goes for the wizards. I am not very inclined to use models I already own because they don't look like they are well dressed for the job.
-
Daniel36
use a bit of putty and you can make your figure in a winter theme as I am doing.
http://bandit86.blogspot.com/
-
It's an old quote, but you can't please all the people all the time.
I'm very happy that a lot of people like our Soldiers, they took a lot of time to design so it's great people appreciate that. The split torsos was a choice we could have gone either way with, so apologies to those who preferred us to go the other way.
I've heard they are too small for some people. In all honesty, I'm not sure what figures you have that our plastics are too small to go with, but what I can say is whatever figures they are, they were nothing we considered in the design process so this isn't the range for you.
Equally, we chose to put the plastic base on the figures as a design choice. If it's not for you, then I refer to my opening statement.
-
They are small when compared to GW, otherworld and reaper. But they fit great with old citadel, fantasy warriors, and most historical ranges.
-
It's an old quote, but you can't please all the people all the time.
I'm very happy that a lot of people like our Soldiers, they took a lot of time to design so it's great people appreciate that. The split torsos was a choice we could have gone either way with, so apologies to those who preferred us to go the other way.
I've heard they are too small for some people. In all honesty, I'm not sure what figures you have that our plastics are too small to go with, but what I can say is whatever figures they are, they were nothing we considered in the design process so this isn't the range for you.
Equally, we chose to put the plastic base on the figures as a design choice. If it's not for you, then I refer to my opening statement.
Honestly, the Frostgrave Soldiers kit was one of the factors that made me look into Frostgrave, which I kept seeing mentioned at Warseer and DakkaDakka. As a Warhammer Fantasy player, I was left scratching my head with the Age of Sigmar release and was more open to alternatives, since my Empire army is more or less complete. My father and primary opponent purchased the Age of Sigmar boxed set, so I started assembling the finely detailed Stormcast Eternals. Nothing bad can be said of the miniature quality, but the aesthetic wasn't appealing and sometimes a model can be too detailed and fiddly.
The Frostgrave Soldiers are refreshing since they allow for customization but won't require as much cleaning and assembly time. I'm actually glad that they were sculpted with single torsos and legs. I used to like extreme customization, but at this point in my life I just want to paint the model and play the damned game, rather than dealing with single figures composed of 129 pieces for a basic human foot soldier.
I also like that they have a generic fantasy aesthetic for the most part. I don't think that GW has a generic hooded head in their entire fantasy range (only some elves and deformed Bretonnians - I had to use 40K Dark Angel Terminator heads). My only real criticism is that there should have been more left-handed weapons, since some of the pieces, such as the right arm with the pointing finger does not have a normal hand weapon to complement it, but it isn't the end of the world.
Regarding the bases, was the intent to play Frostgrave using only the integral bases, or are they supposed to use the Renedra round bases? I know it technically does not matter, but it seems odd that they come with round bases but all of the photos within the rulebook shows the models on the integral bases.
-
Honestly, the Frostgrave Soldiers kit was one of the factors that made me look into Frostgrave
Same here. Love them!
-
Nick, I have my hands on the figures, and I think they look great!
My comments about separate torsos and legs was not so much a criticism of the current set as wishlisting for the next set!
-Michael
-
Nick, my main man, brother from anotha motha...amigo...how about a mounted version of a few. Ya know a horse or 3 and a mounted version of the foot guys. even if there's no Frostgrave rules for them. Im sure they will still sell for use with other systems...Your multi figure sets are the cows teats...all four of them... or is it one teat and 4 nipples...anyway I digress, great figures...
-
Nick, I have my hands on the figures, and I think they look great!
My comments about separate torsos and legs was not so much a criticism of the current set as wishlisting for the next set!
-Michael
My wishlist is for a smaller, wizard kit. I could see four different torsos with a variety of weapons, heads, scrolls, staves, etc. That would be great.
-
I think I should talk about the world we're from. :) The North Star warehouse has boxes of plastic Perry, Warlord, Gripping Beast, Fireforge, Agema and Victrix on the shelf. All these figures are on integral bases with extra bases included in the box. We were just following suit. We don't give GW and the like a second thought, can you believe that? Frostgrave was playtested with Fireforge figures as henchmen.
This is why I was reading comments about slotta bases and small figures with raised eyebrows. Come to my world boys, it won't cost you a fraction of the price you're paying for your hobby.
In answer to whether you can use integral bases for the game, of course. Thats why the figures are photographed in the book like they are. The round bases from Renedra are included for personal taste, use them or not.
Mounted? Not at first as the author talks about Frostgrave not being an environment for mounted figures. But as the world expands we could look into it.
-
Mounted versions of frostgrave soldiers would be really nice down the road. Maybe for a frostgrave/dragon rampant crossover
-
Hi Nick,
I get that you have made design choices, I have no problem with that.
My initial reaction (and the start of this thread) was as a result of first contact with the contents of the box. Since then I have to admit they are growing on me quite a lot. No, I don't like integral bases, but as I also mentioned the plastic you used makes it easy to remove them... so thanks for that. It is not that I love slota bases, its that I like to mount the model on a base that I've styled myself to suit the warband theme.
I was worried that the models might be to chunky (I'm mostly form the Rackham / Corvus Belli school of miniature proportion), but again I'm please to say they feel right for the game and the heavy cold weather clothing.
Every day I work with these models I like them more than the day before. I think that is testament to your skill and attention to detail when you produced them. I'd like to thank you for that.
-
But as the world expands we could look into it.
I just peed a little.
-
and what happened when you got your "peep" on?
-
I just peed a little.
Whether mounted units are introduced into Frostgrave depends on how the release goes.
-
Well then with all the "Frostgrave" traffic on this and other forums...giddy-up...
-
An option might be to try combining them with Fireforge Foot Sergeants? It involves buying yet more models ( ::) ) but should give you the extra variety you're missing. I understand from others that the two boxes are a very good match scale-wise.
I am pretty sure that some of the Frostgrave soldiers are the same basic sculpts as some of the Foot Sergeants, just with themed stuff added 'on top' (I just compared some of the minis earlier today, as I am starting to do a deviant variation of a Thaumaturge warband).
I also read somewhere, that it is the same sculptor.
Come to my world boys, it won't cost you a fraction of the price you're paying for your hobby.
Been arguing that for years 'round here. VERY hard to get people to listen.
-
I am pretty sure that some of the Frostgrave soldiers are the same basic sculpts as some of the Foot Sergeants, just with themed stuff added 'on top' (I just compared some of the minis earlier today, as I am starting to do a deviant variation of a Thaumaturge warband).
I also read somewhere, that it is the same sculptor.
Been arguing that for years 'round here. VERY hard to get people to listen.
What do you mean by deviant variation of a Thaumaturge? Please share.
-
What do you mean by deviant variation of a Thaumaturge? Please share.
Oh, I just mean that I am going to use some completely different minis - I theme it on crusading monks and knights templar, using Brotherhood miniatures from West Wind and Fireforge Templar Infantry and Foot Sergeants.
I already had the Fireforge stuff, and ordered the West Wind minis earlier this week.
-
I love the Frostgrave soldiers box set, it's excellent! So many bits and pieces to mix and match, which also fit well with many other plastics from other manufacturers, and it is the only box set of plastics that, for me, give a real feel of adventurous theme. Although they are called soldiers for convenience sake, they really do look much more like adventurers and treasure hunters and I love that.
My only single complaint, and it is a small one, is the integral base. I use my own bases, which I made and cast in resin myself, so I always have to cut integral bases off...because these are plastic though, it's not such a big deal, just a small pain in the arse...but nothing that stops me from loving the mini's.
Before we get mounted mini's, I'd MUCH rather see a whole stack of other plastic mini's for Frostgrave. Another Frostgrave Soldiers kit expending on the first would be AWESOME...something that could cater for the specialists, wizards and apprentices and all with the same adventurer/treasure hunter feel would be fantastic and sell really well not only for Frostgrave but also for a great many systems and collectors out there.
-
Hi Nick, thanks for taking the time to comment!
I'm very happy that a lot of people like our Soldiers, they took a lot of time to design so it's great people appreciate that.
I personally think they look great. They have a distinct but subtle fantasy vibe, yet are generic enough that they could find their way into a lot of different projects. Heck, with a little thought and some carefully-chosen spare bits, they might fit nicely into a post-apoc game setting or even something like Necromunda (House Cawdor, or perhaps Scavvies).
The split torsos was a choice we could have gone either way with, so apologies to those who preferred us to go the other way.
Please don't misunderstand my comment on the matter; I was only hoping for maybe one (or perhaps two) of the torsos to have a split, and that was just because it makes it easy to swap in armoured torsos to represent different henchmen types.
Normally, I am an advocate of one-piece body + legs models because the overall motion of the whole model look so much more natural (and therefore a better-looking sculpt overall).
What I learned from the GW 1000-peice plastic puzzle kits is that for all the customisation, the nature of all the parts means that all the models end up looking roughly the same (and similarly awkward) regardless, so why spend hours and hours scraping all those mould lines and assembling that myriad of tiny pieces if they are all going to look equally average in the end anyway?
That doesn't mean that I think the GW kits are bad or badly-made; far from it! But, I do prefer their more recent efforts where they've made the bulk of the models in a box in single one-piece torsos like your Frostgrave soldiers kit.
Hopefully, when the second soldier sprue is made, one or two of the torso will be split in order to allow for a couple of alternative choices (a mail shirt, a breastplate, and a long coat perhaps?).
I've heard they are too small for some people.
Eh, all models are too big or small for somebody's collection. <shrug>
I care more that the models' proportions look sensible and that the weapons/equipment are big enough to be clearly visible on the table without looking far too ridiculous. The models fit with the historical plastics too, so I think that their size is therefore "successful".
Equally, we chose to put the plastic base on the figures as a design choice. If it's not for you, then I refer to my opening statement.
Fair enough. I do hope that you reconsider for any future boxes though. :)
I mean, for a mass-battle game where you have to paint up dozens of the buggers, plopping them squarely onto MDF multi-bases with some filler is sensible. But for a skirmish game where players may only need a dozen figures, it's not unreasonable that many folks will want to lavish some time on more artistic bases than the integral bases would normally allow.
I love the Frostgrave soldiers box set, it's excellent! So many bits and pieces to mix and match, which also fit well with many other plastics from other manufacturers, and it is the only box set of plastics that, for me, give a real feel of adventurous theme. Although they are called soldiers for convenience sake, they really do look much more like adventurers and treasure hunters and I love that.
My only single complaint, and it is a small one, is the integral base. I use my own bases, which I made and cast in resin myself, so I always have to cut integral bases off...because these are plastic though, it's not such a big deal, just a small pain in the arse...but nothing that stops me from loving the mini's.
Before we get mounted mini's, I'd MUCH rather see a whole stack of other plastic mini's for Frostgrave. Another Frostgrave Soldiers kit expending on the first would be AWESOME...something that could cater for the specialists, wizards and apprentices and all with the same adventurer/treasure hunter feel would be fantastic and sell really well not only for Frostgrave but also for a great many systems and collectors out there.
I agree with all of this!
I don't really see mounted troops as much of a priority compared to expanding the range of plastic foot troops either. Besides, mounted troops in a game like Frostgrave will always be a minority, and there are already plenty of historical and fantasy mounted plastic models in other ranges to choose from/mix and match with.
I would love to see a proper wizard sprue too. Probably four or six torsos (an even mixture of male and female please), with lots and lots of wizardly paraphernalia, heads, are robed arms. Probably two or three sprues to a box in order to give you a dozen models, and with parts to make them themed towards the different Frostgrave schools of magic, as well as being able to make apprentice-looking types. Two boxes would let you build a wizard and apprentice for every school, perhaps with a couple of spares to make specialist henchmen with (like apothecaries for example).
A bit like the GW Empire Wizards box, but more extensive and less limiting. I think that this would be a *huge* seller, especially considering how many other games it could be used for (I mean, just think of how many games could make use of plastic multi-part robed mages/cultists/crazies/Jedi/eccentrics!).
-
You want more soldiers? That's fine. So do I, just mounted on horses...a wizard set in plastic would be nice as well, but the line already has some great metal ones...
-
I wasn't going to buy these, because I really don't need the models. I already have loads of suitable things. But it turns out I couldn't resist them, and bought a box today.
I haven't taken any off the sprues yet, but so far I really like the look of them.
-
On the subject of integral bases, I can't stand the damn things. It doesn't matter whether they're these, Fireforge, Warlord, Foundry or any of the other ranges I work with, I'm fed up with having to clip the bases off so I can rebase them. It particularly doesn't make sense when they're supplied with separate bases anyway. It's one thing that GW snd Wargames Factory get right (although they each have their own laundry list of things they get wrong).
Anyway, rant over. Annoying bases aside, the miniatures are excellent. Good detail and lots of options, although a hand holding a staff would have been useful (although easily rectified).
-
While I understand finding the integral bases annoying, it really only bothers me when using resin scenic bases. I use a Vallejo modelling paste to create the earth texture on my GW slotta bases, so it doesn't really matter if there are integral bases on the figures. If anything, it helps to avoid models' feet being lost in the basing.
-
I REALLY like the plastic Frostgrave set. Putting together first 10 soldiers was great fun and reminded me the excitement from my very first plastic sets back in 2002. The number of bonus pieces allow almost endless number of variations and possibilities for kit-bashing.
GW heads look kind of big with them, which is a good sign, as plastic historical ranges tend to be smaller (and more realistic). Also: legs attached to the body are perfectly fine with me. It saves lot of space on the sprue and still every soldier looks very different.
I am desperate to get the future "cultists" set. Really hoping they will be plastic as I plan to use them for my Kings of War project as well :)
-
I am desperate to get the future "cultists" set. Really hoping they will be plastic as I plan to use them for my Kings of War project as well :)
What's this about "cultists?"
-
What's this about "cultists?"
The guys on the teaser page at the back of the book are going to be a new boxed set at some future point.
-
I hope they will arrive together with Thaw of the Lich Lord in November ;)
-
I haven't bought this boxed set but if the "cultists" are going to look like those on the poster, I'm definatelly serving the Lich Lord!
-
Just a quick question - has anyone received a box with only 3 sprues of bodies instead of 4? I remember reading someone complaining about it and it happened to me.
PS - I've already complained to the seller (and no, it wasn't North Star, but another UK store that accepted Paypal) but I'm curious to know where the heck did I read that complaint. I remember the guy asking if the 20 soldiers was something exclusive to the Nickstarter because he had only received 15.
-
My box was fine.
-
My box was fine too :)
I have posted a review of the set in my long-running Game Of Thrones thread: http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=62778.msg754369#msg754369
And a number of new characters I've built using some of the Frostgrave parts.
A couple of examples...
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/22/577_02_08_15_1_00_35_1.jpg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/22/577_02_08_15_1_00_36_4.jpg)
Lots more in the thread shown above :)
-
As usual, some excellent looking figures Captain. I can answer a couple of points you raised in the review, there are two quivers on the sprue for the archers, you used one of them for the crossbowman (Yes, I think they are too short). The crossbowmen get belt sheaths for the quarrels, they were done closed so they could be used as normal pouches as well. This type of thing:
(https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/8b/91/80/8b9180cf43552a673b915e08c1cd0b16.jpg)
-
Ah - okay, thanks Dean. Makes sense :)
I thought they were long crossbow bolts - not short arrows ::)
-
I'm going to have to take a look at the halberd when I get home though. I hadn't noticed it's arm wasn't matched up, but then I haven't used one yet either. I got given some of the test sprues to play with and report back on and they had more serious issues to worry about.
While Nick has given me some of the proper ones, I have to admit to doing very little with them (million other projects)... Aside from a dog handler conversion I'm playing with.
-
I'm going to have to take a look at the halberd when I get home though. I hadn't noticed it's arm wasn't matched up, but then I haven't used one yet either.
Well I couldn't make the allegedly matched arm fit, and I tried it against several bodies... The spare single crossbow arm is a perfect fit however... Maybe they went the wrong way round onto the frame.
I'll have to try that arm as a pair with the crossbow arm and see if that works...
-
Nice to see such a wide possibility for variety thanks for sharing
-
I had the same issue with the halberd arm. It took me ages to realise the arm next to the crossbow was the correct one.
That aside, I really enjoyed assembling my soldiers.
-
Mis-matched arms? Bugger. That could have gone wrong at Renedra, bless 'em, they did have 25 different arms to sort out. Way too expensive to sort out now, I just hope most people will come here and read about it.
I did read on an earlier post about our figures being built on Fireforge bodies. Most assuredly not. But if the designer had said 'I can use this body and save you a Grand' I'd have jumped at the chance. ;D
Fireforge own their master figures and they are in Italy. The similarity is purely because we used the same designer, Bob Naismith, and we sat in the initial design meeting with a sprue of Fireforge Foot Sergeants in front of us. With their blessing of course, Fireforge are great pals of mine, I've visited them in Naples and they've been gaming in Nottingham with me. The author playtested Frostgrave with Fireforge figures, and they were well aware of this project from early days. And they are big hobbyists, they'll be as delighted by Capt Bloods mash-ups as I am.
-
Admittedly, I was scratching my head for a minute trying to figure out the Halberd arm mystery, but the arm next across from the crossbow is the only valid choice. In fact, the official images of the Frostgrave Soldiers shows the crossbow variant with an arm reached over, palm down, on top of the crossbow as though his is loading it. I think it is only problematic if someone assembled the crossbow first.
-
My take on the Frostgrave Soldiers is rather positive. I have a few issues with the kit, but overall, I consider it to be a good one.
My main grieve with the box is: it consists of four identical sprues, each building five models. That's just too much repetition for me, considering Frostgrave is about warbands of individuals. I wonder why the sprues were not designed to hold eight models (i.e. boxes of 16, or maybe 24); there could be more variety on each sprue, while reducing the "sameness".
What I also really don't like are the connected bodies. I accept that this was a deliberate design choice, and it has its upsides - i simply think split bodies/legs are better. The split parts result in so much more choices for poses, and especially with the "four identical sprues" you are left with... just five poses and different heads/arms. Meh.
Apart from that: great kit. There are still lots of options, and with the warbands size limited to only ten models (where a maximum of eight can be "regular dudes") the issue of repetition in parts and/or poses is not that drastic. The technical quality of the sprues is solid - the details could be sharper, but I have no major complaints here. You get a cool kit to play around with, and lots of things for any historical or low-fantasy setting miniature game in 28mm.