Update: To follow the casting process and that part of the project: CLICK HERE
Original post
As per thread title, would you? Prices could perhaps be roughly like MaxMinis, maybe more, maybe less.
A lot of people use Gretchin, Gnoblar or Goblin heads for their Hobgoblin conversions. Particularly impressive ones are pulled out of Stormvermin bodies. Yet none of these heads have the facial structure or headgear of the old Hobgoblins. Are you enough of a fan of old Hobgobbos to equip choice bodies with such heads?
Keep this question in mind over the coming months if you’d be interested in such a kit, and keep an eye on my log for updates on a joint Scandinavian project, once I’ve got a scheapskate scanner and/or a camera working…
I’m about to convert my 30 Hobgobs + 10 Wolf Raiders (as soon as some Ungor arms arrive from eBay) using the popular Stormvermin bodies as a basis. Currently I’ve got a mix of Gnoblar, Goblin, and 40K Gretchin heads, but none of them “feel” quite right… they’ll do, but they’re not quite right.
I would be open to considering dedicated Hobgob head conversion parts… but only if I felt they were better than the existing option of Gnobs/Gobs/Grots. (In much the same way that I prefer the FW Chaos Dwarfs to the old big hats, I’m not that fussed about the old Hobgobs, so any such conversion kit wouldn’t necessarily have to look anything like the old ones. It’d just have to look… right, for whatever definition of “right” I feel like when I see them).
I would be open to considering dedicated Hobgob head conversion parts... but only if I felt they were better than the existing option of Gnobs/Gobs/Grots. (In much the same way that I prefer the FW Chaos Dwarfs to the old big hats, I'm not that fussed about the old Hobgobs, so any such conversion kit wouldn't necessarily have to look anything like the old ones. It'd just have to look... right, for whatever definition of "right" I feel like when I see them).
Bitterman
Let's see what the wizard can pull out of his hat. :hat
I asked maxmini about this a couple of years back and he said that they don't do fantasy.
But yes, I would be very interested (depending on how they came out).
Grimstonefire
Sad thing about Maxmini. However, here you'll have the privilege of directly influencing the project as it gets documented in my log, step by step. Though I have decided to take out no profit from this bunch of Phrygian hat heads (maybe a little from a second set with different headgear), I'm keen to know our potential customers' critique and own ideas.
The project is launched as of today. Basic steps already undertaken. Quite fast update pace planned.
Personally I think the best first kit would be one that actually would look good as a regiment. Which I know sounds contradictory (as most people may presume this is what you’re making), but sometimes head kits look too individual to make a decent unit.
Good input. That balance is crucial to the project. I may have evaluated it wrong, but do you estimate the heads could look uniform enough with a majority of 7/10 having Phrygian headgear (of which one would be a helmet, another probably a champion hat), with the other three having lower or no headgear? If the answer is “more Phrygian hats” I could up the number to twelve.
I’m trying to achieve a sufficiently unified look whilst breaking it up enough to show individuality as would be typical of levied troops or Greenskins in general. The Phrygian hat majority will be most prone to receive eye patches, fake noses, knives clenched between teeth, warts and the like. One of them will have stitches in his hat, another a patched area, yet another studs on it.
The heads with more unique headgear will otherwise have less distinguishing features in order to make them melt into the unit better and make the variety an improvement in looks. I find some variety in headgear generally helps a unit, as did the conical helmet face in the 5th/6th edition Dwarf Warrior box from GW, or the conical helmet in the Orc box from the same period.
I prefer uniformity in regiments. 20 guys with 1 different hat is fine, 20 guys with 4 or 5 different I don’t like. Its like cloaked bodies in dwarf warrior regiments really get to me.
Like here, planned to feature on one head. Two eyepatches are also planned, on other heads. All those knife fights are predestined to leave common scars. :)
torn
Thank you for putting this forth. I promise to take your feedback into consideration. I've suspected this is a common opinion, but can't know even roughly how common it might be among potential customers before they say so themselves.
This is hardly the most disciplined troop in the world and (depending on one's taste) could benefit from some variety in headgear. After all, a lot of people use both Sneaky Git and Hobgoblin models in the same unit in Warhammer, despite different headgear.
If the headgear variants prove unpopular (I'll sculpt them first to see reactions) we could always drop them and replace them with new heads with Phrygian hats.
Then the variants either drop out of the casting process completely or are complemented with a few more to form an add-on set of 5 or so "variety heads", useful for command groups or for those wishing a less uniformed look. One thing which tempts me to try out a kit like this in the first place are my ideas for fitting headgear variants, keeping in that "ancient" style, being realistically varied for a non-standardized unit and developing a theme.
Nevertheless, I'll drop back the number of low headgear heads from 3 to 2 as a start and make one more Phrygian hat.
I’d say whether variety in a unit is good or bad depends on what unit it is. On a High Elf or elite Emipre unit, more uniformity is better because it helps re-inforce their regimented nature, whereas for Skaven or Hobgoblins, more variety is better because it shows their rabblous nature. That said, I think you also have to be careful with how you make each head different - if it’s too strikingly unique, that’s when it starts looking bad because they all stand out and because there’s five or six it makes it obvious they’re duplicates.
I’d recommend try to keep variations subtle e.g. have two or three with stitching on their hats but with slightly different stitching on each (e.g. one could have stitches that all slant / while head two has \ for all stitches and the third could have X stitches)
Thank you for the feedback. It is much appreciated.
I’d say whether variety in a unit is good or bad depends on what unit it is. On a High Elf or elite Emipre unit, more uniformity is better because it helps re-inforce their regimented nature, whereas for Skaven or Hobgoblins, more variety is better because it shows their rabblous nature. That said, I think you also have to be careful with how you make each head different - if it’s too strikingly unique, that’s when it starts looking bad because they all stand out and because there’s five or six it makes it obvious they’re duplicates.[/QUOTE]
Indeed. This will be a matter of balance and judgement. And not least of trial and error! I’ve some special ideas I want to try out, though some of them might not survive till the end run, if we succesfully gets to casting (this is a first time for me, after all).
Dînadan
Thanks for the tip, I’ll do that. I’ve done something similar in my converted headtaker unit to tie in every conversion in the unit by making at least two similar ones. It seemed to work.
Has there been any thoughts for another head style similar to those of oglah khan’s wolfboys? Might be a cool to have some hobgoblin infantry to match for those of us to rock his wolfboys.
Has there been any thoughts for another head style similar to those of oglah khan's wolfboys? Might be a cool to have some hobgoblin infantry to match for those of us to rock his wolfboys.
Zanthrax
Zanthrax
Yep! And with a slap of that fabled new Hobgoblin artwork thrown into it. We'll first see how succesful the Phrygian hat kit is, then move on. Thanks! :hat off
I would be happy to see hobgob heads made, i would pick up a couple if there affordable.
gIL^
I'm pretty sure they'll be. You'll have to turn to the Danish department (Bloodbeard and a friend of his) for prices once the heads are done, but this isn't much about profit. Primarily the goal is to get some damn Hobgoblin heads up on the market, because they've been sorely missing for years! :cheers
After all, we who are involved in the project will benefit greatly from having to get only 10 or so heads sculpted (for casting) instead of sculpting 50+ each on the models to be converted!
a set of 5-10 in soft caps for line infantry and a set of 5 in mongolian helmets with mustaches for wolf riders is what is needed.
I bought a whole heap of recast heads some time ago, otherwise it would be something I need!
It's easy to convert bodies from skaven and beastmen parts. Just the heads are needed.
fattdex
I agree. The Mongolian heads might grow in number to 10 in order to be more useful for infantry.
I’ve been meaning to sculpt and cast some heads to go with my stormvermin bodies for a few years now, but never got around to it. I’d only cast them for own use though.
Maybe I’ll get around to it someday or maybe I’ll take the easy way out and buy yours
