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?