So I’ve come here now because after many years of eyeing up the hugely expensive Chaos Dwarf models available out there and always wanting to start an army, I found the various 3rd party manufacturers such as Russian Alternative and others. So I’ve finally decided to take the plunge and get started.
Here’s the trouble, I’m not really sure what to buy! I’d like to get enough models right off the bat to have a nicely playable (though not huge) army. I’d also like it to be playable in both 9th Age and Kings of War. I’d love some advice on must have units, if possible.
I’ve already purchased some artillery and a Kadim Titan from Titan-Forge during their black friday sale, so I can check those off the list.
Without a doubt I’d recommend a healthy dose of the The Dwarves of Fire Canyon with Harquebuses. They are pretty indispensable units in both KoW (as Decimators) and as the Hellglaive equivalent Dwarves in 9th Age. Get two to four boxes of those and they will serve you well anywhere you take them.
Without a doubt I'd recommend a healthy dose of the The Dwarves of Fire Canyon with Harquebuses. They are pretty indispensable units in both KoW (as Decimators) and as the Hellglaive equivalent Dwarves in 9th Age. Get two to four boxes of those and they will serve you well anywhere you take them.
Carcearion
Oh perfect... they're some of my favorite models. I like them even more than the Fireglaives from FW. Thanks!!
I reiterate what Carcearion says. I’d recommend metal over resin, as their resin is fairly brittle (could have been my batch), but it looks absolutely stunning.
If playing both 9th and KoW, I’d recommend their hand weapons unit and recently released Hobgoblin wolf-riders and wolf-rider champion. They are amazing. Use them as Goblin Sniffs in KoW and as the appropriate unit in 9th.
As the others have said artillery + Dwarfs with both Flintlock Axes & Hand weapon & Shield are a solid start!
If you want to add heroes then a Battle Standard Bearer is a must for the 9th Age, as well as a fighty character and a wizard, possibly mounted on either a Lamassu or a Taurus. All these models are available at Russian Alternative, although Avatars of War has its own amazing version. For ridden monsters instead, take a look at Raging Heroes’ website.
Apologies for hijacking the thread (and who knows, maybe this is useful to Napalm), but I have a question about the Lamassu head from Raging Heroes. I have seen it out of stock a lot, although I do see it’s in stock right now, but I’m waiting for the Sisters of Eternal Mercy to come out before making an order with Raging Heroes. So my question to Skink, or anyone else who knows, how often are those Lamassu heads in stock? Is it usually, or rarely, and I should grab one when I can?
Great advice, and I’ll likely purchase this week. I see Raging Heroes is having a sale so I may pick up their Manticore and Shedu head. What model do you recommend as a rider?
Apologies for hijacking the thread (and who knows, maybe this is useful to Napalm), but I have a question about the Lamassu head from Raging Heroes. I have seen it out of stock a lot, although I do see it's in stock right now, but I'm waiting for the Sisters of Eternal Mercy to come out before making an order with Raging Heroes. So my question to Skink, or anyone else who knows, how often are those Lamassu heads in stock? Is it usually, or rarely, and I should grab one when I can?
Slavemaster Hod
They are in stock regularly. It used to have a slightly different look, more akin to a modern CD look, but GW sent a Cease & Desist, so they changed the design.
They will probably be in stock when the Sisters of Eternal Mercy come out.
Great advice, and I'll likely purchase this week. I see Raging Heroes is having a sale so I may pick up their Manticore and Shedu head. What model do you recommend as a rider?
Napalm Backflip
If you are based in the UK and can get to Nottingham, I would reccomend the "store only" Legion of Azgorh Daemosmith. He fits rides perfectly.
Otherwise any model will do, just snap their feet off and glue them back a little bit apart!
Perfect! That’s ordered… had to take advantage of their deal that was still running.
I’ll likely be ordering some greatweapon dwarves from RA as well just because I absolutely love the models. Do they fill a role well? Or should I stick primarily to sword and board dwarves?
Perfect! That's ordered... had to take advantage of their deal that was still running.
I'll likely be ordering some greatweapon dwarves from RA as well just because I absolutely love the models. Do they fill a role well? Or should I stick primarily to sword and board dwarves?
Napalm Backflip
I can't say about Kings of War, but in the 9th Age Infernal Warriors with great weapons are a viable choice. Still, be sure that you have a lot of board & sword stunties, as they are going to be your main block.
For cheap, good looking, heavily armoured Chaos Dwarfs I recommend you to check out these guys.
Tons of great advice that I hugely appreciate! I’m prepping for a purchase now that will give me a total of the following items once it’s all delivered:
3 Heroes / Champions / Wizards
1 Manticore + Shedu Head
20 Great Weapons
20 Sword and Shield
20 Flintlock Axe
2 Command Groups
3 Artillery Pieces (one of each from Titan-Forge)
1 Infernal Golem / Kadim Titan
Are my numbers right for a start?
I’m still pondering a few questions before I pull the trigger. The first is Bull Centaurs. The mantic models are just ok but I don’t know if I want to spend the major dough on the gorgeous FW Renders. How necessary are these guys? And I’m still debating the Hobgoblins. I LOVE the heresy models, but they’re a pretty penny, especially with the extra shipping to the US. But definitely not sold on Mantic goblins either. So that part may take some more thought.
Defiantly recommend metal over resin. I have purchased the Russian Alternative range in both resin and metal, metal is much better.
From a collectors point of view, old metal models are still better even at a high price, if you troll eBay as much as i do you would see some of the 3rd edition go for decent prices (watch ebay.co.uk it has more). But if your more interested in how they paint resin is so much easier to get a more smooth flow and finish, I suck at priming the miniatures, really need to figure out what I am doing wrong. Russian alternative are great models for a great price, although I wonder about the Kings of War mega pack of abyssal dwarves? seems even better value but i don’t overly enjoy the models as much as the 4th edition ranges.
I'm still pondering a few questions before I pull the trigger. The first is Bull Centaurs. The mantic models are just ok but I don't know if I want to spend the major dough on the gorgeous FW Renders. How necessary are these guys? And I'm still debating the Hobgoblins. I LOVE the heresy models, but they're a pretty penny, especially with the extra shipping to the US. But definitely not sold on Mantic goblins either. So that part may take some more thought.
Napalm Backflip
The problem with Bull Centaurs is base size. In Kings of War they are mounted on a 25x50 base, but in the 9th age they are on a 50x75 one. As a result, the Forgeworld models are waaaaay bigger than the Mantic ones. What you could do maybe is buying from Mantic, and make a double base for them.
Regarding Hobgoblins, well, they are a must in the 9th age! Have you checked the Russian Alternative's ones that I posted above?
Re: Metal vs Resin, I’m planning to get with Resin where possible. I usually have much better luck working with resin than metal. Personal preference. And from pictures I’ve seen RA’s resin at least is very very good.
Skink, I’ll probably just give in and get the Heresy ones. I really really like them. And hey, it’s only money right? Haha! I’ll figure something out about the BC’s. I may just get the FW ones and use them as BC’s in 9th age and Abyssal Grotesques in KoW. We’ll see.
And I’m definitely excited for the Lost Kingdoms stuff to go retail! I really like those models.