Friday 14 September 2018

"The Necromancer's Lips Moved Without Sound..."

"...As he caressed the intricate runes and magical symbols carved into the door."
This 28mm scale Skeleton Warrior is one of the "twenty six detailed and fully assembled miniatures in coloured plastic" found inside the "Dungeon Saga: The Dwarf King`s Quest" boxed game by "Mantic Games". One of two identically sculpted figures found within the starter set, the scythe-welding soldier forms part of the Necromancer's initial welcome for Rordin and Orlaf, as the Dwarf and Barbarian heroes undertake their first "introductory" adventure "Journey From The West".

Primed with two coats of "Vallejo" Iraqi Sand, the Undead creature was shaded using "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade and subsequently dry-brushed with (more) "Vallejo Iraqi Sand. I then pigmented his farming tool's curved blade with a combination of "Citadel " Ironbreaker and Nuln Oil, and later dry-brushed that with (more) Ironbreaker in order to give it's curved edge something of a lethal-looking glint.
"Dungeon Saga" WIPs - A nearly finished Skelton Warrior, Ghost and Elshara
The scythe's shaft was picked out using some "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna and Strong Tone Quickshade by "The Army Painter". Finally, I dotted the skull's deep-set sockets with a dab of "Vallejo" Black and then tidied up around their edges with a little line of Iraqi Sand.

Considering the impressive quality of the "Mantic Games" Skeleton Regiment I own for "Kings Of War", alongside the 28mm hard plastic skeletons I've previously built and painted using pieces taken from the Frostgrave Cultists boxed set by "North Star Military Figures", I've found these "Dungeon Saga" skellies to personally be rather flimsy and underwhelming. Something which has greatly disappointed me considering that one of the main reasons I initially pledged on the game's kickstarter was because of the Nottingham-based company's suggestion the game's figures could be used with their large-scale tabletop fantasty wargame.
Intercessor Space Marine WIP - The Adeptus Astartes has been assembled and primed
In contrast to "Mantic Games" "fantasy adventure for up to five players", I have also built and primed the "free" space marine which comes as part of the "Games Workshop" "Getting Started With Warhammer 40,000" soft-backed book. I actually picked the surprisingly hefty yet cheap tome up during a recent visit to the manufacturer's Portsmouth store and rather enjoyed assembling the 'push-fit' six piece plastic model together.

With my enthusiasm for "Kill Team" currently riding rather high, I'm keen to see just how well this 'larger' Adeptus Astartes model turns out, as it may well be the start of an appropriately-sized Intercessor squad. In addition, as my "Age Of Sigmar" Chaos Host readily transfers over to "Warhammer 40,000", I wouldn't be opposed to building a few hundred points worth of Ultramarines to give the rule-sets latest edition a try-out or two...

22 comments:

  1. Nice work dude. The rest are coming along nicely especially the ghost.

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    1. Thanks Simon. The ghosts and banshee should be finished ready for posting next week, as should the Skeleton Warrior.

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  2. Great work on the skele Simon, the other pieces are progressing well. I'm guessing by the base colour of your primaris marine your doing tax collectors, I mean Ultramarines ! LOL

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    1. Cheers Dave. The "Dungeon Saga" stuff is proving nice and easy to paint currently, but I'm pretty sure the Ultramarines won't be ;-)

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  3. Good work on the "Dungeon Saga" figures. As you well know, I'm a big fan of the undead.

    That's a nifty looking Space Marine. I still have a huge army of Ultramarines and despite my general disdain of Games Workshop, I do like the look of "Kill Team" and "Rogue Trader". I'm undecided about whether to invest in it. The "Kill Team" boards and scenery would work well with "Necromunda" and I like the idea of fighting with small forces. What are your thoughts on "Kill Team?"

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    1. Thanks very kindly, Bryan. I'm not sure the "Dungeon Saga" minis are the best Undead sculpts out there, tbh, but they'll do.

      I've not particpated in a game of "Kill Team", as I'm currently focusing more on "Necromunda" - whose WIP posts should finally start seeing the light of day next week I hope. But I do own a few of the "Kill Team" expansions, as I love the scenery and the fact that 5 minis is enough, so I can explore all manner of "Warhammer 40K" armies without needing to buy loads of models :-)

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  4. The skeleton looks very good, but not sure about the sculpt. Although the new Vanguard minis up for pre-order look awesome. I am very fond of the Ultrasmurfs so good luck with that model.

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    1. Cheers Undercoat. I'm hoping to have the bulk of my current "Dungeon Saga" project finished by the end of the week :-)

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  5. Great work on the Skeleton, better than mine are looking, hope to have a post up in the next few days but time is just running away from me at the moment. Like your take on the banshee too.

    Are these the space marines in that new weekly mag they are advertising on the telly at the moment? I know you were up for this last time before it was shelved, nice figure, but a bit on the big side.

    Cheers Roger.

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    1. Thanks Roger, I wondered where my weekly instalment of "Rantings From Under The Wargames Table" had got to...

      The Primaris Space Marine is like the ones in the weekly you mention, but instead comes with a thick introductory guide as opposed to the booklet the weekly does. I will be covering "Warhammer 40,000: Conquest" in future postings as I've been lucky enough to be sent the first two issues for free :-)

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  6. Great Scott, a skeleton holding a scythe makes it look enormous! I like it 😀 That ghost with the ball and chain is pretty neat too!

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    1. Cheers Ivor. I’m afraid I’m not particularly enthused with these “Mantic Games” sculpts but they’re rather straightforward to paint :-)

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  7. Not entirely sure why all manufacturers of skellies insist on producing figures armed with scythes, as it's not a particularly effective weapon. Probably the whole 'grim reaper' thing...

    But at least the scythe is relatively realistic looking, unlike the old HeroQuest skellies, as they were diatressingly chunky.

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    1. I was always a big fan of the old chunky “Hero Quest” stuff, but admit it looks very crude alongside some of today’s sculpts, Jez. Sadly, I’m not a fan of this particular mini as I think the Shellie is too thin. Great scythe though as you say :-)

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  8. I must admit I do like a skelly or two, very nice!

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    1. Thanks very much indeed, Fran. Good to see you back commenting too :-)

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  9. Regardless of the quality of the minis, the finished skeleton does look good mate. I also like the ghostly green of the banshee.

    Ultramarines Simon? :( Apologies, but I despise that vanilla chapter, always have. But then, I like Space Sharks, and most people think they are silly, so perhaps my take on this might be one better ignored! LOL

    In KT, pure Intercessor teams are tricky to play. So few models in the team compared to most others and no true heavy weapon aside from the Aux Grenade Launcher makes it hard to tackle heavier armoured targets. I'd advise picking up some Reivers too? Their mobility with their grapnels and grav shutes are fun.

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    1. Cheers Dai, that's much appreciated. The Skellies are a little underwhelming though; albeit the ghosts and banshee are a lot better.

      I love the Space Sharks, Dai, but to begin with I'll be following the booklet to the letter - I do own some of the new Primaris Space Wolves though for "Kill Team". I'll take your advice Ref the Reivers, although 2019 looks set to be "Kill Team" with the rest of this year looking at "Blood Bowl" and "Necromunda" ;-)

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    2. BB and Necro17 are both great projects. Trying to pick up the Necro17 rules sans box as I don't need all that stuff, or the big price point of yet another starter set.

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    3. I know what you mean, Dai. Far too many Starter Sets out there currently, and no-where near enough money to cover them all - "Games Workshop" are on a serious drive currently with great goodies - but their release schedule is killing me!!

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  10. Love the skeletons, almost worth buying the game for joust those.
    I still haven't seen anywhere here that has got the GW mag in.

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    1. Thanks Joe. Glad you like the Skeleton. I bought the "Getting Started With Warhammer 40,000" soft-backed book in a "GW" store. I've not seen the "Conquest" weekly books any where though myself.

      Btw I don't seem to be able to comment on your excellent website anymore, as it keeps saying I'm not a member of it!?! Not sure what the issue is there as I'm a loyal follower :-)

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