The purpose of this thread is to highlight the many alternatives to Games Workshop for miniatures and fantasy wargames. Whether put off by GW's ruthless business practices, the egregious pricing, or simply want a more unique army, I'll go through the numerous options Ive uncovered in my research.
To start off, here is an overview of companies whose miniature ranges could offer substitutes for Warhammer Fantasy Battles army lists. After this Ill go into alternatives and proxies for individual armies.
(It's going to take a while to get all these lists up and then links, so bear with me as I do this in sections)
AVATARS OF WAR
Daemons, Dwarves, Elves, Lizardmen, Orcs & Goblins, Skaven, Vampire Counts, Warriors of Chaos
BLACK HAT MINIATURES
Dwarves, Orcs & Goblins
BLACK SCORPION MINIATURES
Dwarves, Skaven
BLACK TREE DESIGNS
Beastmen, Dwarves, Elves, The Empire, Orcs & Goblins, Skaven, Tomb Kings, Vampire Counts
BRIGADE MINIATURES
Dwarves, Elves, Orcs & Goblins, Vampire Counts
CALVACADE WARGAMES
Beastmen, Bretonnians, The Empire, Lizardmen, Ogre Kingdoms, Orcs & Goblins
CIPHER STUDIOS
Bretonnians, Daemons of Chaos, The Empire, Lizardmen, Warriors of Chaos
CROCODILE GAMES
Tomb Kings
CRUSADER MINIATURES
Bretonnia, The Empire
DARK SWORD MINIATURES
Bretonnians, Elves, The Empire, Lizardmen
DWARF TALES
Dwarves, The Empire
EM-4-MINIATURES
Dwarves, Elves
ENIGMA MINIATURES
Daemons of Chaos, Dwarves, Elves, The Empire, Orcs & Goblins, Vampire Counts, Warriors of Chaos
FENRYLL
Daemons of Chaos, Dwarves, Elves, The Empire, Orcs & Goblins, Vampire Counts
FREEBOOTER
Dwarves, Elves, Vampire Counts
GAMESZONE
Beastmen, Dwarves, Elves, The Empire, Orcs & Goblins, Vampire Counts
GRIBBLY MINIATURES
Warriors of Chaos
GUILD OF HARMONY
Elves, Orcs & Goblins
HASSLEFREE MINIATURES
Dwarves, Elves, Orcs & Goblins
HERESY
Beastmen, Bretonnians, Daemons of Chaos, Elves, Ogre Kingdoms, Orcs & Goblins, Vampire Counts
LEAD ADVENTURE
Dwarves, The Empire
MAJESTIC BEAR MINIATURES
Elves
MANTIC
Dwarves, Elves, Orcs & Goblins, Skaven, Vampire Counts
MILITON MINIATURES
Beastmen, Bretonnians, Daemons of Chaos, Dwarves, Elves, The Empire, Orcs & Goblins, Skaven, Tomb Kings, Vampire Counts, Warriors of Chaos
OTHERWORLD MINIATURES
Beastmen, Daemons of Chaos, Dwarves, Elves, Lizardmen, Skaven, Tomb Kings, Vampire Counts, Warriors of Chaos
PRIVATEER PRESS
Beastmen, Elves, Orcs & Goblins, Warriors of Chaos
RAFM MINIATURES
Beastmen, Dwarves, Elves, Lizardmen, Orcs & Goblins, Vampire Counts
RAGING HEROES
Daemons of Chaos, Elves, Orcs & Goblins, Warriors of Chaos
REAPER MINIATURES
Beastmen, Bretonnians, Daemons of Chaos, Dwarves, Elves, The Empire, Lizardmen, Orcs & Goblins, Skaven, Tomb Kings, Vampire Counts, Warriors of Chaos
RED BOX GAMES
Bretonnians, Dwarves, Elves, Orcs & Goblins, Warriors of Chaos
RUSTED HEROES
Bretonnians, The Empire, Warriors of Chaos
SCIBOR
Beastmen, Dwarves, Elves, The Empire, Skaven, Vampire Counts
SPELL CROW
Dwarves, Elves, The Empire, Orcs & Goblins
TROLL FORGED
Beastmen, Bretonnians, Daemons of Chaos, Dwarves, Elves, Lizardmen, Vampire Counts
ULTRAFORGE MINIATURES
Daemons of Chaos, Elves
VALIENT ENTERPRISES
Dwarves, Elves, The Empire, Warriors of Chaos
WARPLOGUE MINIATURES
The Empire
THE WARGAMES FOUNDRY
Beastmen, Bretonnians, Dwarves, Elves, The Empire, Orcs & Goblins, Tomb Kings, Vampire Counts
WEST WIND PRODUCTIONS
Daemons of Chaos, Dwarves, Elves, Orcs & Goblins
BASIC SUPPLIES
Generally speaking, your going to pay double to triple cost for any supplies with the GW logo on it. All these items can be found with a bit of smart shopping for a fraction of the cost.
Dollar Stores often carry hobby knives, magnetic tape, cheap brushes (for large areas and dry brushing), nail files, superglue, and occasionally basing material like stones and sand (check the floral decorations area. Styrofoam for scenery can also be found in this section).
Michaels and other craft stores are cheap sources for brushes, basing materials, Testor's Dullcoat (a great and affordable finish that avoids that glossy fake look), paint pens (good for detail work like eyes, banners, and books/scrolls), and various scenery materials.
Paying $20 to $30 for spray primer for GW or alternatives like The Army Painter is generally a waste of money when you can pick up cans of spray primer from Home Depot or other hardware stores for $3 to $6. My personal favourites and highest recommendation goes to Krylon Ultra-Matt Camoflage primer, for black, grey, or brown. Other colours are available in Krylon's Fusion line, specifically good for plastic minis.
Movement Trays are essential for any army, and you can make your own easily enough for next to no cash. I use DVD cases cut to size, then trim off and file the sides of used sprues as borders. Plastic glue works fine for both, then a coat of paint and basing material (sand and/or flock) and you've got a very nice movement tray. If you're into magnetizing your bases, grab a sheet of magnetic tape or for around $15 you can pick up a can of magnetic paint from Home Depot (warning: this requires 6-8 layers typically to be effective).
Other basing alternatives include thick cardboard, plasticard sheets, or metal sheets, all of which can be found for under $20 for more than you'll probably need in your lifetime. If in a pinch, cd jewel cases are also passable for small units.
PAINT ALTERNATIVES
Colour New Citadel***** Old Citadel Vallejo Game Color Vallejo Model Color Rackham Reaper Master Privateer Press P3**** Coat D'arms*** Hex Code
White Scar Skull White Dead White (001) White (951) Eternal White (1) Pure White (9039) Morrow white White (101) FFFFFF
Ceramite White Smelly Primer* White Primer (002) Foundation White (919) Brush-on Primer (9108) Menoth white Highlight Grey Primer (141) FFFFFF
Bestigor flesh** Pallid Flesh* Pale Flesh (003) Light Flesh (928) Pearly Flesh (31) Rosy Highlight (9069) Ryn Flesh Flesh (213) EEC8C7
Kislev Flesh Elf Flesh Elf Skintone (004) Flat Flesh (955) Craggy Skin (30) Rosy Highlight ** (9069) Elven Flesh (123) F7BD7B
Dorn yellow** Bad Moon Yellow* Bad Moon Yellow (005) Lemon Yellow (952) Clear Yellow (9095) Dusky Yellow (146) FFF700
Flash Gitz Yellow Sunburst Yellow Sunblast Yellow (006) Flat Yellow (953) Lahn Yellow (40) Sun Yellow (9008) Sun Yellow (103) FFE700
Yriel Yellow Golden Yellow Gold Yellow (007) Golden Yellow (948) Royal Yellow (39) Marigold Yellow (9007) Golden Yellow (159) FFCE00
Tallarn Sand Desert Yellow Desert Yellow (063) Dark Yellow (978) Faded Khaki (9129) 9C8855
Fire Dragon Bright Fiery Orange * Orange Fire (008) Light Orange (911) Merin's Fire (38) Fire Orange (9006) Flame Orange (105) FF7B00
Troll Slayer Orange Blazing Orange* Hot Orange (009) Scarlet (817) Fusion Red (37) Phoenix Red (9005) Burnt Orange (147) FF3108
Evil Sunz Scarlet Blood Red* Bloody Red (010) Vermillion (909) Rackham Red (36) Clear Red (9094) Blood Red (104) CE0018
Wazdakka Red Red Gore* Gory Red (011) Cavalry Brown (982) Natural Leather (34) Carnage Red (9135) Vampire Red (129) 940008
Khorne Red Scab Red* Scarlett Red (012) Carmine Red (908) Arcavia Red (35) Deep Red (9002) 990033
XV-88 Terracotta* Terracotta (065) Clotted Red (9134) Bloodstone 793721
Emperor's Children Tentacle Pink* Squid Pink (013) Pink (958) Friend Flesh (33) Pale Violet ** (9027) Carnal Pink Shocking Pink (144) EF9CB5
Screamer Pink Warlock Purple* Warlord Purple (014) Magenta (945) Celestial Pink (46) Pale Violet Red (9027) Warlock Purple (157) 9C004A
Xereus Purple Liche Purple* Hexed Lichen (015) Royal Purple (810) Divine Purple (6) Clear Plum (9132) Beaten Purple (93051) Poison Purple (118) 5A005A
Imperial Purple* Royal Purple (016) Royal Purple (810) Deep Amethyst (9079) Amethest Purple (160) 562F7E
Nauseating Blue * Sick Blue (017) Violet ** (960) Clear Purple (9099) Nauseous Blue (162) 412A7A
Storm Blue * Stormy Blue (018) Blue (925) Migol Blue (5) Ritterlich Blue ** (9115) 27357E
Midnight Blue* Night Blue (019) Dark Prussian Blue (899) Abyssal Blue (3) Ultramarine Shadow (9187) 000031
Kantor Blue Regal Blue* Imperial Blue (020) Royal Blue (809) Brilliant Blue (9116) Royal Blue (110) 08085A
Caledor Sky Enchanted Blue* Magic Blue (021) Dark Blue (930) Ephren Blue (4) Cyan Blue ** (9117) Wizard Blue (114) 31639C
Altdorf Guard Blue Ultramarine Blue Ultra Marine Blue (022) Ultramarine (839) Wizard Blue ** (7) Ultramarine Highlight ** (9189) Marine Blue (148) 29397B
Lothern Blue Ice Blue Ice Blue (095) Azure ** (902) Glacier Blue (9) 6B9CCE
Teclis blue Lightning Bolt Blue * Electric Blue (023) Sky Blue (961) Sacred Blue ** (8) Sky Blue ** (9018) High Elf Blue (117) 8BB9DD
Sotek Green Hawk Turquoise Falcon Turquoise (024) Light Turquoise (840) Precious Blue (12) Marine Teal (9077) Aquamarine (132) 006B5A
Vile Green * Foul Green (025) Park Green Flat (969) Antique Green (13) 82C59C
Jade Green* Jade Green (026) Light Turquoise (840) Reptilian Greens Triad ** (9184/9185/9186) Jade Green** (158) 069B7D
Scaly Green * Scurf Green (027) Emerald (838) Chitin Green (19) Clear Viridian (9131) 026B67
Caliban Green Dark Angels Green* Dark Green (028) Deep Green (970) Diisha Green (18) Pine Green ** (9010) Gnarls Green ** Dark Elf Green (111) 005221
Warpstone Glow Snot Green* Sick Green (029) Intermediate Green (891) Avagddu Green (17) Clear Green (9096) Bogey Green (121) 106B21
Warboss Green Goblin Green* Goblin Green (030) Pastel Green (885) Chasm Green (16) Field Green ** (9167) Goblin Green (108) 63B521
Elysian Green Camo Green* Camouflage Green (031) Olive Green (967) Camoflage Green ** (9177) A5A542
Moot Green Scorpion Green* Scorpy Green (032) Light Green (942) Quithayran Green (14) Pale Green (9012) Scorpion Green (152) A5D610
Bilious Green * Livery Green (033) Yellow Green ** (954) Mystic Green (15) Spring Green ** (9146) A9D171
Castellan Green Catachan Green* Cayman Green (067) Olive Grey (888) Muddy Olive (9034) 455440
Ushabti Bone Bleached Bone* Bonewhite (034) Buff (976) Wildcat Gray ** (42) Yellowed Bone (9143) Menoth white base Bone (112) EFD9A8
Nurgling Green Rotting Flesh* Dead Flesh (035) German Yellow ** (806) Dead Flesh (11) Pale Olive (9036) Jack Bone Putrid Green (125) E7EFC6
Bronzed Flesh * Bronze Flesh (036) Dark Flesh (927) Burnt Orange ** (9111) Tanned Flesh (115) F7944A
Tau Light Ochre Vomit Brown* Filthy Brown (037) Beige Red (804) Tanned Skin (29) Tanned Leather (9031) Rucksack tan Bilious Brown (130) DE9408
Leprous Brown* Scrofulous Brown (038) Gold Brown (877) Saffron Sunset ** (9182) Leprous Brown (156) D88E2D
Zamesi Desert Bubonic Brown* Plague Brown (039) Yellow Ochre (913) Forgotten Gold (25) Palomino Gold (9074) Moldy ochre Festering Brown (126) C68400
Balor Brown Snakebite Leather* Cobra Leather /Leather Brown (040) Brown Sand (876) Kalliene Yellow (23) Chestnut Gold (9073) Barbarian Leather (116) 9C6B08
Ratskin Flesh Dwarf Flesh* Dwarf Skin (041) Brown Rose (803) Rosy Skin (9068) Dwarven Flesh (124) F78C5A
Skrag Brown Vermin Brown* Parasite Brown (042) Orange Brown (981) Syhar Soil (24) Chestnut Brown ** (9071) Rat Brown (119) 843910
Mournfang Brown Bestial Brown* Beasty Brown (043) Flat Brown (984) Soil of Avagddu (22) Intense Brown (9138) Bloodstone Hairy Brown (120) 663300
Steel Legion Drab Graveyard Earth* Earth (062) English Uniform (921) Uniform Brown (9127) Gun corps Brown 655138
Karak Stone Kommando Khaki* Khaki (061) German Cam. Beige WWII (821) Terran Khaki (9122) 9B8C7B
Doombull Brown Dark Flesh* Dark Fleshtone (044) Mahogany Brown (846) Beastly Flesh (21) Chestnut Brown (9071) 630808
Bugman's Glow Tanned Flesh * Tan (066) Antique Rose (9139) Khardic Flesh A95C3E
Rhinox Hide Scorched Brown* Charred Brown (045) Burnt Umber (941) Dirty Leather (20) Muddy Brown (9028) Umbral umber 390008
Ulthian grey Ghostly Grey * Ghost Grey (046) Flat Aluminum (993) Ghost White (9063) C3C6CD
Fenrisian Grey Space Wolves Grey* Wolf Grey (047) Pale Greyblue (907) Snow Shadow (9021) Lupin Grey (151) CEDEE7
The Fang Shadow Grey* Sombre Grey (048) Oxford Blue (807) Twilight Blue (9020) Shadow Grey (150) 4E5067
Administratum Grey Fortress Grey* Stonewall Grey (049) Pale Grey Blue (907) Sharp Gray (43) Weathered Stone (9087) B5B5B5
Dawnstone Codex Grey* Cold Grey (050) Basalt Grey (869) Gray of Darkness (45) Rainy Grey (9038) 999999
Abaddon Black Chaos Black* Chaos Black / Black (051) Black (950) Accursed Black (2) Pure Black (9037) Thamar Black Black (102) 000000
Runefang Steel Mithril Silver* Mithril Silver / Silver (052) Silver (997) Polished Silver (49) Polished Silver (9054) Quicksilver Enchanted Silver (106) B5B5BD
Ironbreaker Chainmail* Chain Mail (053) Natural Steel (864) Honed Steel (9053) Cold steel Chainmail (109) 7B737B
Leadbelcher Boltgun Metal* Gunmetal / Gunmetal Metal (054) Gunmetal Grey (863) Shadowed Steel (9052) Pig Iron Gun Metal (142) 393939
Auric Armour Gold Burnished Gold* Polished Gold (055) Gold (996) New Gold (9051) Brass Balls ** E7BD42
Gehenna's Gold Shining Gold* Glorious Gold (056) Old Gold (878) Antique Gold (9050) Bright Gold (107) CCCC33
Hashut Copper Dwarf Bronze* Bright Bronze (057) Bronze (998) Ancient Bronze (9049) Dwarven Bronze (143) 9C5221
Runelord brass Brazen Brass * Brassy Brass (058) Brass (801) Tarnished Brass ** (9198) Brass (131) 735A21
Brass scorpion Beaten Copper * Hammered Copper (059) Copper (999) Coppery Orange (9102) 73372D
Warplock Bronze Tin Bitz* Tinny Tin (060) Scorched Metal (9125) Magic Metal (113) 393121
Black Ink * Black Ink (94) 000000
Dark Green Ink * Green Ink (89) 108473
Flesh Wash * Ink Wash - Flesh (133) CE8C42
Magenta Ink * 513D3C
Purple Ink * Violet Ink (87) 513D3C
Mechanicus Standard Grey Adeptus Battlegrey* Russian Uniform (924) Military Green (9176) Great Coat Grey 7C8286
Celestra Grey Astronomicon Grey* Heavy Bluegrey (144) Pale Blue Grey (905) Weathered Stone (9087) 96A5A9
Mournfang Brown Calthan Brown* Heavy Siena (154) Flat Brown (984) Dark Highlight (9042) 6D5044
Stormvermin Fur Charadon Granite* Heavy Charcoal (155) German Grey (995) Pure Black (9103)** Bastion grey 4D4A4A
Rakarth Flesh Dheneb Stone* Heavy Warmgrey **(148) B9ADA1
Deathworld Forest Gretchin Green* Heavy Khaki (149) Middlestone (882) Worn Olive (9159) 6A6445
Daemonette Hide Hormagaunt Purple* Heavy Violet (142) Violet (960) Nightshade Purple (9022) 4F566C
Averland Sunset Iyanden Darksun* Heavy Goldbrown (151) Goldbrown (877) Green Ochre (9128) Sulferic yellow 9C8A53
Baneblade Brown Khemri Brown* Heavy Brown (153) Us Field Drab (873) Woodstain Brown (9160) 705E48
Loren Forest Knarloc Green* Heavy Green (146) Luftwaffe Ca. Green (823) Olive Drab (9158) 434F38
Jokaero Orange Macharius Solar Orange* Heavy Orange (152) German Orange (805) Phoenix Red (9005) A4593D
Mephiston Red Mechrite Red* Heavy Red (141) Red (926) Clotted Red (9134) 793638
Macragge Blue Mordian Blue* Heavy Blue (143) Prussian Blue (965) Breonne Blue (9055) 2D567C
Kantor Blue Necron Abyss* 273E51
Waaagh! flesh Orkhide Shade* Heavy Blackgreen (147) Black Green (980) Jungle Moss (9082) 384E49
Balor Brown Tausept Ochre* Heavy Ochre (150) Ochre Brown (856) Half Orc Highlight (9204) 976F3C
Cadian Fleshtone Tallarn Flesh* Heavy Skintone (140) Brown Sand (876) Leather Brown (9030) 8D736C
Drakenhof Nightshade Asurmen Blue Wash* Blue Shade Wash (73207) 273E51
Carroburg Crimson Baal Red Wash* Red Shade Wash (73206) 630808
Nuln Oil Badab Black Wash* Black Wash (73201) Armor Wash 0
Agrax Earthshade Devlan Mud Wash* Umber Shade Wash (73203) 393121
Seraphim Sepia Gryphonne Sepia Wash* Sepia Wash (73200) 843910
Druchii Violet Leviathan Purple Wash* **** Pale Grey Shade Wash (73202) 842994
Reikland Fleshshade Ogryn Flesh Wash* Fleshtone Shade Wash (73204) CE8C42
Biel-Tan Green Thraka Green Wash* Green Shade Wash (73205) 434F38
(* = discontinued, ** = approximate, *** = coat d'arms match the OLD citadel colours so there might be some difference. Shining gold has the most noticeable difference,
**** P3 Paints did not really match very closely with the old GW range, but a detailed explanation of each paint can be found here: http://www.brushthralls.com/pre-painting-prep/color-theory-10p3.html
***** GW's new range matches with the old range are the matches claimed by GW. However, many of the paints do not match very closely at all and some mixing will be required to get close to the original colours. If you are trying to match old GW with new GW, you'd be better just getting Vallejo game color or coat d'arms for the closest match )
[Edit]
References
This table has been compiled using data from the following sources:
http://home.att.net/~katamaran/vallejo.html
http://myminiaturepainting.com/conversion/citadelgame.html
http://www.nugaming.com/html/vallejo_paints.html#CitadelVallajoConversionTable
http://www.ttfxmedia.com/vallejo/cgi-bin/_modelis_carta.asp?p1=ing&p2=modelcolor&p3=1&p4=0
http://www.ttfxmedia.com/vallejo/cgi-bin/_modelis_info.asp?p1=ing&p2=modelcolor&p3=1#modelcolorinfo
http://www.ttfxmedia.com/vallejo/cgi-bin/_modelis_carta.asp?p1=ing&p2=gamecolor
http://www.ttfxmedia.com/vallejo/cgi-bin/_modelis_info.asp?p1=ing&p2=gamecolor&p3=1#gamecolorinfo
http://uk.games-workshop.com/storefront/store.uk?do=List_Models&code=300952&orignav=300810
http://colors.silicon-dragons.com/full_line.php
http://www.balagan.org.uk/war/paint.htm
http://www.reapermini.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=17678&st=0&p=266494&#entry266494
http://www.dakkadakka.com/s/i/at/at2/2010/4/8/d08819ffe37e45c97ce2e5b4770e92a7_4435.jpeg
http://www.acrylicosvallejo.com/en_US/media/e588d28183cec31ffd6dcee6d3718fc3.cms/equivalencias-rev05.pdf
Awesome thread, pet shops also do some incredible buildings and ruins for fish tanks which can be slotted right in to most games, usually very cheaply.
Quote from: The Traveller;703594Awesome thread, pet shops also do some incredible buildings and ruins for fish tanks which can be slotted right in to most games, usually very cheaply.
Yeah , good one. There's some great looking Aquarium stuff that's perfectly to scale. I use some Colloseum esque pillar ruins I found at Petsmart.
Also, those ceramic Halloween Town and Christmas Town buildings can be picked up after the holidays for like 80% off, and with a bit of sanding and repainting can make great Warhammer buildings. I liked breaking them will a ball peen hammer to make ruins.
The PAINT RANGE COMPATABILITY CHART (http://www.dakkadakka.com/wiki/en/Paint_Range_Compatibility_Chart)compiled on DakkaDakka is an invaluable resource. My personal preference is Vallejo, which are not only $2-3 cheaper than GW, but also come in very convenient dropper bottles. Some plastic paint containers with snap lids from the dollar store are great for mixing and washes.
SKAVEN are perhaps one of the hardest armies to find alternatives for, and as its my personal army choice I'll start with this one.
SLAVES
First off, for the last two editions of WFB, Skaven Slaves have become the staples of any Skaven army. At 2 pts a model, you can field a unit of 50 slaves with musician for 102 pts. Unfortunately the GW slaves kit is only 10 models for a ridiculous price. Clanrats offer a slightly better deal, with a box of 20, 10 of are obviously intended to serve as slaves. The cheapest GW route is however the Island of Blood set, which comes with 40 Clanrats (with shields) , half of which come unarmoured and work great for slaves. Blitz stores sell the Clanrats for this set for $13-15/20, and you can stretch these even further by taking the Clanrats w/o helmets and painting them as wearing leather armour.
Clanrats Spue
(http://z6.ifrm.com/4812/86/0/p1020235/m530076a_99120206007_SkavenClanratsSprue1_873x627.jpg)
Perhaps the best route with slaves though came for me through the realization that there's no need for them to be Skaven specifically. Mixing in numerous other models can make for a great looking and unique Slave unit:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v244/Bengges/Figuren/Skaven/Sklaven.jpg)
SKAVEN
Black Tree Designs (http://www.blacktreedesign.com/uk/product.php?productid=23701&cat=2343&bestseller=Y) does a line of Skaven proxies called Ver'Men. The sculpts aren't beautiful but the prices are decent.
So far, Avatars of War only have one "Skaven" figure, The Vermin Clan Lord. It's nice enough, but I couldn't imagine buying more than 1 or 2 for an army, and the prices are comparable to GW's really.
(http://www.beastsofwar.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Avatars-of-War-Vermin-Clan-Lord.jpg)
The Anthropomorphic Historical Wargame Brushfire has a rodent-themed army called the Vandalands. I quite like these figures, especially the Warlord, which reminds me of one of the rats from the Secret of NIMH. Also, if you want to spice things up, Hamster Beserkers!
(http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2012/5/20/368535_md-Brushfire,%20Hamster%20Berserker,%20Vandalands.JPG)
Obelisk Miniatures (http://www.obeliskminiatures.com/) has a line called, I kid you not, Hum-Rats, that I think is a bit crude looking, but would probably go well with an Oldhammer army.
Black Scorpion miniatures does a Skaven Bloodbowl line called Vermin, that are quite nice and easily converted.
(http://www.blackscorpionminiatures.com/images/vermin-lnemen.jpg)
Mantic Games (http://www.manticgames.com/mantic-shop/dreadball/veer-myn.html) also does a Skaven Bloodbowl line called Veer-Myn. These tend to be a bit more "futuristic" looking, but still could make for some great conversions. The "Nightmares" team in particular would be great for Plague Monks, and Ive thought of adapting the Skittersneak Stealers into a Gutter Runners Skirmishing unit.
Mirliton Miniatures (http://www.mirliton.it/index.php?cName=fantasy-2528mm-ratscum) does a Skaven-proxy line called 'Ratscum' that re quite decent.
Mierce Miniatures, makers of Bane-Beasts and Darklands have a number of options for Skaven characters and monsters. Three-Face, The Verminous Horror is obviously intended as a Hell Pit Abomination proxy, just as thier Scar-Scath model is a popular alternative for a Vermin Lord. Blunt-Claw and Flint-Fang would make for quite unique Warlords, Chieftains, or Champions.
(http://www.thewarstore.com/media/BLG/BLGBNL032.jpg)
This guy is pretty well the most badass Skaven model you will ever see. He wears a banner on his back made from a skinned elf, he's got wolverine claws, he's got a meat cleaver, and he's got..uh, pots. For cooking his enemies I guess.
Reaper Miniatures has a pseudo-Skaven line called "Oh, Rats" that are also, as of the latest Kickstarter, getting a Bones version. Reaper also does a line called "Mouslings", which I personally find just a wee bit too cute for my Skaven, but it would still be interesting to see a Skaven proxy army of these guys.
(http://images.frpgames.org/products/product_62621.jpg)
You could also stop by SCIBOR miniatures to check out thier Rat Warrior model. But it's not great, there's no unit for sale, and I really can't recommend it.
Also, if you know a place that sells individual D&D minis, there were two Wererat models released. However, they're a bit small for a Stormvermin...
Also, I'd be remiss not to mention the LEGO Doomwheel...
(http://images.wikia.com/lego/images/a/a8/7041_Battle_Wheel.jpg)
Fire Forge's crusaders would make fantastic Bretoninans.
Perry Miniatures War of the Roses figures make fantastic Empire troops and knights.
Warlord Games Celts work great for Chaos Maurauders.
Quote from: TristramEvans;703597Yeah , good one. There's some great looking Aquarium stuff that's perfectly to scale. I use some Colloseum esque pillar ruins I found at Petsmart.
Also, those ceramic Halloween Town and Christmas Town buildings can be picked up after the holidays for like 80% off, and with a bit of sanding and repainting can make great Warhammer buildings. I liked breaking them will a ball peen hammer to make ruins.
I haven't done it in a long time but we used to make futuristic ruins out of packing styrofoam/polystyrene melted in places, then stabbed with various bits and bobs before painting. The melting should probably be done outdoors.
I have to mention Wargames Factory (http://www.wargamesfactory.com/webstore). They don't make games, just minis, usually about 20-35 soldiers per plastic box. This is THE BEST deal for your wargames, hands down - no matter what you play.
- 12 Cavalry = $20 USD
- 32 Multipose / Multiweapon Infantry = $20 USD
- 2 Cannons and Crew = $20 USD
There's such a wide variety of models you really just have to check them out. These are cheap, awesome and interchangeable. Really just top notch. Here's a few examples.
(http://wargamesfactory.com/Images/ProductImages/boxsets/wgf-ml001/wgf-ml001-front-sml.jpg)
(http://wargamesfactory.com/Images/ProductImages/boxsets/wgf-df003/SurvivorsFBBanner.jpg)
(http://wargamesfactory.com/Images/vikings_images08.jpg)
(http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m146/CiaphasCain_album/Zulu/Picture079.jpg)
I love Wargames factory but those are some fantastic paint jobs on the British Infantry there. They're one of the earliest sets and the detail's pretty soft.
I especially like Wargames Factory's samurai line
I have wargames factory vikings & saxons and love them. The only set I got from them that I didn't care for were the skeletons. They were so flimsy and in so many pieces that assembly turned out to be a nightmare.
I still plan on using the bones as base material and perhaps "filling" for a clearcast resin gelatinous cube.
Quote from: Exploderwizard;707921I still plan on using the bones as base material and perhaps "filling" for a clearcast resin gelatinous cube.
Wow, what a creative idea.
Wargames Factory has retooled their skeletons, they're a bit beefier and on a single sprue now. Supposedly the zombies are next up.
Quote from: David Johansen;708074Wargames Factory has retooled their skeletons, they're a bit beefier and on a single sprue now. Supposedly the zombies are next up.
Good to hear, thanks. I might give the new box of skeletons a try. :)