Wednesday 4 November 2015

Frostgrave? Wizards!

Introduction

A month or so ago, I ordered the Frostgrave rulebook.  This was almost an accident, as it was only purchased to increase the value of my order to the point where free postage would kick in.  However, when the book arrived I did read it through, just to see what all the fuss is about.

Since then I've been rooting out many of my old fantasy figures and rebasing them (if already painted) or painting them (if not).  I've been using my Basius II Dungeon pad to make both treasure markers and also bases suitable for a ruined city until my fingers are sore from mixing green stuff.  I've dug out some long-ignored terrain kits and more pieces are on order, so I think I've got that covered too.  My younger son is off designing wizards and their entourages on paper, so soon we'll be all prepared to actually play a game.  That'll be good!

The Wizards

Please accept my apologies for the poor quality of the pictures.  I'm out at work long enough that I don't see daylight at home at this time of year, and the lights in the house just aren't very good for taking photographs...


So, many years ago, Games Workshop released a box of 8 plastic wizards.  As well as the 7 I'm showing here, there was also a female (Dark Elf?) sorceress.  I know that I've got her around somewhere but I'm unable to locate that model for now.

I managed to get one of these boxes quite some time after they were released; they were fairly scare by then.  My intention was to use some of the wizards for my Warhammer Dogs of War mercenary army (which is pretty large, but has never been used.  At least, some of its models have occasionally made it into other games, but the bulk of this force is still virgin).

When I first got these models, I undercoated all, started to paint most and finished a few of them.  Then they were ignored for a decade or more...

In the last couple of weeks, I've finished off all these wizards and rebased them in more interesting ways (previously they were on square slotta-bases with plain, green flock).


The sculpts for these figures are showing their age, for certain.  They tend to suffer from huge feet and very big heads.  Additionally, they are somewhat 2-dimensional and a bit stilted (there are only so many ways that a sword, staff or sickle can be waved sideways, I suppose).  Finally, because of the technology of the time, the mouldings lose a lot of detail around the edges.


Despite not being the most modern of figures, I'm quite pleased with these.  Firstly, it's a considerable satisfaction to have completed these models after all the years they've been waiting.  Secondly, they give me a considerable choice of characters for Frostgrave, or indeed for any other game where a wizard is required.  And finally, they're a reminder that one doesn't need brand new figures all the time; sometimes it's better to look at the resources one already has!

So, what do you think?  Love, hate or indifferent?  Any particular favourites or dislikes?

24 comments:

  1. I see no reason not to use them and be happy. They also give you as good variety of wizards. Just pick one for the wizard "type" you want and one for an apprentice (you'll want an apprentice as well) and get playing

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    1. Thanks, Clint. To me, these all look like the main man - none of them are young and scrawny enough to be an apprentice. Still, who knows what a wizard's apprentice is like?

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  2. Old plastics they may be, but I like them. I've painted the Light Wizard for my own Dogs of War army, but I'm envious that you have the full set. Should be great for Frostgrave.

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    1. Thanks. I really need to locate the elf sorceress that is part of this set. I know I've got her somewhere...

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  3. I like them C6, I had some of them back in the day too, no idea where they are now though...

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    1. Ah, that happens, doesn't it? I know I had something, but I just cannot remember whether I misplaced it, gave it away, sold it...

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  4. Nice work on classic minis. :)

    I have always had a soft spot for Light Wizards and their aesthetic.:)

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    1. I never really was into the whole GW back story and so I'm not even sure which one is the Light Wizard (middle of the bottom picture, with the snake staff?). But I like the variety of different wizards presented here - they don't all have long robes, a conical, wide-brimmed hat and a staff...

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  5. I rather like these, there is something reassuringly familiar about the sculpts.

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    1. Thanks, Michael. They're somewhat old-style sculpts and perhaps a bit caricatured on account of that, but you can tell immediately what they represent!

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  6. Really nice to see some classic figures C6! I love the dude in the bearskin cloak with the bear claw weapon, Sweet!

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    1. Thanks, Bob. The bearskin-wearing guy isn't particularly tall, but he's bulky! His hands, feet and head are all very chunky indeed.

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  7. Wonderful vintage minis and some great paint-jobs to boot. They'll be perfect for "Frostgrave" C6 :-)

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    1. Thanks, Blax. I now realise that I've got a good selection of wizards, but virtually no common soldiers for them to lead!

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  8. Always good to see a new use for older figures especially when there's nothing inherintly wrong with them

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    1. Thanks, Joe. I like some of these models better than others, both on aesthetic and on technical grounds, but they'll all be useful for Frostgrave.

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  9. Some wonderful classic miniatures. Brings back fond memories and nice to see people still using them.

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    1. Thanks, Simon. Mind you, I don't know about *still* using these classic miniatures - in my case i've only just *started* to use them!

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  10. The lighting looks good enough and that's some great detail paint work you did on the trio. My favourite is the mini with the snake headpiece.

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    1. I also like the guy with the scroll and the magician with the crystal ball, but I agree: the snake staff & headdress are good!

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  11. Ahhhh, the memories. I played a lot of Talisman games with those guys. :)

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    1. Nice! As a family we've played a lot of a more recent Talisman (3rd edition?) and kept records of wins, losses and significant events. But we've never had models for the playing pieces...

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