Wednesday 24 July 2019

"Warlord Games" Open Day - Part Two: "Doctor Who" Miniatures Game Preview

"I'm the Doctor and this is Ace. You must be with the military."
Continuing my account of my recent visit to the "Warlord Games" Head Office site at the Lenton Business Centre, Nottingham, where the company provided its customers with a "whole day packed with previews, gaming, demos, tours and game designer... talks", I was also able to find out about some future developments" for the "Exterminate: Miniatures Game". Indeed, I was not only able to simply browse at some of the stand-out, soon-to-be-released "Doctor Who" display models in a glass cabinet but had an opportunity to watch studio painter Kirsten Williams carefully progress a handful of figures taken from Ben Aaronovitch's October 1988 televised four-parter "Remembrance of the Daleks". 

Foremost of these models was undeniably a sculpt of Sylvester McCoy's Seventh Doctor carrying the unwieldy-looking gizmo he assembled so as to save his companion at the start of Episode Three; "It works. It works!" The detail on this miniature is simply breathtaking, with Williams' mind-blowing paint-job picking out every line in the Time Lord's heavily-patterned trousers, scarf, tie and cardigan.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the Group Captain is expecting us."
In addition, its interesting to see "Warlord Games" finally produce an incarnation of the Time Traveller actually armed with a weapon, as opposed to just waving about his sonic screwdriver or standing in an iconic posture, such as Peter Capaldi's "Hell Bent" guitar-carrying stance. I appreciate that there have previously been some criticism of the Doctor's role within what has been described as a "fast-paced tabletop" battle-game, so I'm personally really pleased to see such a dynamically-posed Gallifreyan leading the charge for a change.

Equally as enigmatic are the sculpts of Ace, Sergeant Mike Smith and The Girl. There was arguably little chance that the Time Lord's travelling companion was ever going to appear in any position other than wielding her famous super-charged baseball bat. However, it was encouraging to see the traitorous Smith menacingly cradling his machine-gun so tightly, as well as the Dalek's innocent young pawn standing mid-zap rather than simply just standing with her hands in her pockets (or skipping)...
"Now I've not taken to seeing things. At least I don't think I have."
Just as exciting though was the significant sight of a substantial number of Second Doctor themed miniatures, most notably one based upon Patrick Troughton's incarnation and a large Yeti from the 1968 serial "The Web Of Fear". Firmly holding his Five Hundred Year Diary, the detail found upon the 'Cosmic Hobo' is excellent, whilst the fur upon the Great Intelligence's shaggy robot looks made for dry-brushing. One can only hope that the Abominable Snowmen will be available separately from Professor Travers (seen at the show but not photographed), possibly in some form of battle-pack like the Sontarans, and that perhaps one will be sold carrying their web-guns. 

Somewhat surprisingly, whilst there were some splendid models of companions Ben Jackson, Polly Wright, Zoe Heriot and Jamie McCrimmon on display, there wasn't a trace of Victoria Waterfield. Nonetheless, the inclusion of the Royal Navy Seaman and Professor Brett's Secretary means that there will shortly be some companions suitable canon-wise to team-up with the "Gale Force Nine" resin figure of the William Hartnell's First Doctor.

18 comments:

  1. Some great looking models on show Simon, better clear your existing queue before the new releases ! LOL

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    1. My queue for "Warlord Games" "Doctor Who" miniatures is pretty extensive already, sadly Dave, but quite a few of these will easily jump the queue :-)

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  2. Oh my, the collection is going to get bigger!

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    1. Indeed, Michael. Fortunately, "Warlord Games" have been rather slow in their "Doctor Who" releases this year, so the collection isn't as big as it could have been! LOL!!

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  3. I'm so glad to see these new figures. Suffice to say, I want them all. What with the new Judge Dredd figures and my foray into "Bolt Action" my wallet is weeping.

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    1. You're welcome, Bryan. Alongside the U.N.I.T. releases, these should fast become essential "Doctor Who" purchases this year.

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  4. Another great preview. Thanks for your efforts once again.

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    1. You're very welcome, Undercoat. These'll all be essential purchases upon their release ;-)

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  5. Ace was my fav companion as a lad. Thought she just kicked arse. These are some more damned fine sculpts. Excited to see you paint them up!

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    1. I was a big Ace fan too Dai, and having met Sophie Aldred a few times am pleased to say she's very nice in person too. I'm very much looking forward to these being released.

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  6. I'm looking forward to the sixth Doctor.

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    1. Me too, Phil, as Colin Baker's incarnation is my fave. But there's no news on that front yet...

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  7. Mc Coy ? Looks more like Patrick Troughton to me, but what do I know ?
    Htray looking scults and superb paintjobs one and all.

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    1. Thanks Joe. The top series of photos contains the models of both McCoy and Troughton :-)

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  8. Great additions, there are some really good models among there. Great brushwork mate!

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    1. Cheers Wouter. They do look good, and I'm looking forward to getting my hands upon them when released. I wish I could paint half as well, and as fast as Kirsten Williams, as she was rattling through these minis as you can see.

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