The Dwarves from The Hobbit An Unexpected Journey by Gamesworkshop

Well we did go see the Hobbit an Unexpected Journey on opening day and out of everything the dwarves were the most unexpected of all. They were not as lack luster as Tolkien originally wrote them . These guys were very inspirational in their dwarfishness (is that a word?) and would never be stuffed into a sack. Thorin Oakenshield and the dwarves really got into the thick of things with axe, sword, hammer and yes even a bow. The movie gives you  a great deal of background information on the dwarf culture and their lot in Middle Earth.

Games Workshop currently only offers these mighty heroes in the "Escape from Goblin Town" box set. Hopefully they will be made available in a set of their own in the near future. Lets take a look at them one by one! The Leader of this illustrious band of adventurers is Thorin Oakenshield. The front of the model is pictured above wielding Orcrist, or Goblin-Cleaver.

And here is the back of the model. You can see the beautiful scabbard, which is what caught Thorin's eye in the troll lair.

Next in the line is Balin. Balin appears older and more scholarly but can dish it out in a pinch

Dwalin carries a mighty dwarven hammer  and wears some nasty "Brass Knuckles" for dishing out additional damage.

Here you can see the nicely sculpted features like the knife worn on his belt and axes carried on his back.

Bifur uses what could be called a pole arm for a dwarf. It is a sweet combination of spear and halberd rolled into one and carved on the figure in a fierce pose.

Wearing a wonderful hat and swinging his war hammer, Bofur also strikes a grand pose

What troop of dwarves would go anywhere without food and a cook? Bombur fills the roll in a large way. He also utilizes his  iron ladle along with butchers cleaver to handle any goblins that get to close!

Another deceptively grey bearded dwarf is Oin. Yes, he is hard of hearing and his "ear trumpet" can be seen slung on the miniatures belt. he wields his iron shod staff with great force.

The back of the figure shows his dwarfish sword.

Gloin is the closest thing to Gimli you'll see in the movie and as a sculpted figure too. Hear you can see his axes careening wildly and effectively. He also has a full compliment of metal beard ornaments. Quite a family resemblance wouldn't you say?

Dori is finely crafted swinging his sword and mace. The dwarven sword and scabbard are unique to the character.

The rear of the miniature shows the detail in hair and clothing.

The unmistakable "tri peak" hairdo sets Nori out from the rest of the band. The model completes his look with the three braids in his beard. He has his long handled mace raised and poised for an attack on a luckless goblin.

On Nor's back is sculpted his twin swords.

The youngest of the dwarves is Ori. He is carved in a slingshot release, no doubt taking down another goblin. His weapon did not fair well against the wargs!. His knife is seen strapped to his belt and his book bag slung from his shoulder.

Fili is one of the more adventurous dwarf characters and always ready for action. this miniature has a nice fighting pose. His throwing knives can be seen sculpted into his gauntlets..

and his sheaths carved on his back.

Kili is also a younger more adventurous dwarf. Here he is sword raised for the strike. This model has some nice features like the studded gauntlets and belts, extra knife...

and his bow and quiver worn on his back. The figure has a lot of motion carved into it like the coat swirling behind him.

Kili is probably my favorite one in the bunch and overall the sculpts are very nice. They have a good amount of detail but are missing some extra pouches and the likely assortment of paraphernalia a dwarf would have on an adventure. We've also come to expect more from Games Workshop and Citadel miniatures.

With that said, we do look forward to seeing these guys in their own box set and will probably add them to the never ending miniature collection.

Have a Great Battle,
The Old Crow

New Release: The Hobbit Trolls, Hunter Orcs and Fell Wargs Oh My!

Here  we have it, Games Workshops renditions of the Hobbit an Unexpected Journeys bad guys, Trolls,  Hunter Orcs and Fell Wargs. I think the most anticipated figures, other than Bilbo and the dwarves, would be the Trolls who capture Thorin and company. Well Tom, William and Bert are ready to waylay travelers to satisfy their considerable appetites. They are large, tough and exceedingly dangerous.

These Stone Trolls are colossal in nature and are wonderfully detailed models. Their skin is thick, creased and weathered like rocks, and they are garbed in simple clothing such as loin cloths and straps.

They're sculpted in dynamic poses, looming forward with an outstretched arm or towering over their foes, and they carry a range of items - one of them holds up a huge piece of tree, ready to smash it down on someone.

Another clutches a spoon (though there are options for it to be armed with a fork or piece of timber if a spoon isn't vicious enough). The kit comes with a piece of meat roasting over a fire, which is surrounded by rocks.

There is also a small pile of tools and weapons suitable for significantly shorter people, as well as items of luggage.

This kit will run you a whopping 85 USD and contains 44 components, three 60mm round bases, with which to make three Stone Trolls.

To add to the mayhem, you can pick up a kit full of Hunter Orcs! For 35 USD you get 28 components and twelve 25mm round bases with which to make 12 Hunter Orcs.

Hunter Orcs are the fast-moving and fanatical right hand of Azog, a relentless band who will stop at nothing to slay his quarry.

These Hunter Orc miniatures come in an array of dynamic poses. They sport mainly bald heads with tufts of hair in the centre, lending them a savage appearance. They possess muscular torsos with limited armour across their thighs and upper bodies.

They carry bows and a quiver full of arrows is slung over their shoulder, while some grip curved, crude blades.

Hunter Orc on Fell Warg miniatures, as we might expect, also come in an array of dynamic poses. These Hunter Orcs are sitting atop the Wargs, which are sculpted to have the appearance they're on the run. In a variety of poses, the creatures possess a prominent spine, with thick fur covering the front of beast. Each one has a ferocious head, snarling expressions and exposed teeth.

Powerfully muscled, with thick matted fur, Fell Wargs would be considered fearsome even before one saw the dark glow in their eyes and realised that they are possessed by a sinister eldritch force.

This kit costing 40 USD contains 44 components and six 40mm round bases with which to make 6 Hunter Orcs on Fell Wargs.

Let us know what you think of these models and the game. Are you excited for its release and the model range or is it what you expected from Games Workshop.

Thanks for stopping!

Have a Great Battle,
The Old Crow

The Hobbit an Unexpected Journey and Unexpected Game?

The Hobbit an Unexpected Journey is less than a month away and fans are eager to see what Peter Jackson can cook up to make an entire trilogy. Much speculation has been discussed on forums and blogs all across the internet.

Also in the pot is the fact that Games Workshop once again has hold of another money making opportunity. If you've been paying attention at all, you'll know in August there was an "accidental" release of miniatures they'll be producing. The release date of the Hobbit Strategy Battle Game? You can expect it to be announced soon in the next issue of the White Dwarf on November 24th.

The exhaustive list of figures made it's way about the internet and raised more speculation on what might be in the movie. We know Games Workshop took liberties with the Lord of The Rings trilogy movies and could expect the same for the Hobbit.

Mithril Miniatures, a subsidiary of Prince August has been making Hobbit and Lord of The Rings figures since the 1980's. A couple samples are Cirdan the Shipwright and a vignette of Bilbo Surrendering the One Ring.

Models from Mithril are produced in 32mm and 54mm scales. Games Workshop Lord of The Rings line was produced in 25mm and we'd assume the Hobbit figures will be too.

If you have not seen the list of Games Workshop Hobbit miniatures, we've included them here by catagory.

Have a Great Battle,
The Old Crow


Dwarves: Dáin Ironfoot & Iron Hill Boar Riders
Dwarves: Kili & Fili & Longbeard Archers
Dwarves: Bombur with Kettle
Dwarves: Dáin & Iron Hill Berserkers
Dwarves: King Thráin & Longbeard Vanguard
Dwarves: Young Thorin & Longbeard Mattockguard
Dwarves: King Thrór
Dwarves: Dís, Mother of Kili and Fili
Dwarves: Gimli (Stubble)
Dwarves: Samwise Gamgee (Red Book)
Dwarves: Dragon Mithril Company of Dwarves
Dwarves: Drogo Baggins & The Tavern Maid

Men of Esgaroth: Bard & Greystreak Bowmen
Men of Esgaroth: Bain & Quickstrings Gang/Trout Guild Militia
Men of Esgaroth: King Girion
Men of Esgaroth: Fram the Watchman
Men of Esgaroth: The Master of Lake-Town
Men of Esgaroth: Alfrid & Loyal Town Guard
Men of Esgaroth: Garf & Footsoldiers of the Dale

Silvan Elves: Legolas & Mirkwood Fire Archers
Silvan Elves: King Thranduil (Battle Garb)
Silvan Elves: Tauriel (Mounted)
Silvan Elves: Castellan Amroth
Silvan Elves: Mirkwood Warhost

Beornings: Meneldor & Swiftbeak Flock
Beornings: Gorm & Woodmen Axethrowers/Skin-Changers
Beornings: Whisperbark/Gnarlfir
Beornings: Black Bear Pack
Beornings: Woodmen Healer
Beornings: Fair Daughter
Beornings: Enraged Beorn
Beornings: Grimbeorn (Greataxe)

White Council: Mounted Rivendell Nobles
White Council: Lindir the Harper
White Council: Radagast with Roäc & Swoop
White Council: Galadriel (Water Steed)
White Council: The War Council
White Council: Arwen & Estel
White Council: Galadriel (Barrel)
White Council: Galadriel & Lórien Drumhooves
White Council: Chief Aravir & Dúnedain Rangers
White Council: Dúnedain Runecaster
White Council: Elrond & Rivendell Spearguard
White Council: Elros & Rivendell Outriders
White Council: Radagast's Chariot/Spellfire Cart
White Council: Cirdan the Shipwright

Mountain Orcs: Azog & Orc Needlers
Mountain Orcs: Azog (Wounded)
Mountain Orcs: Bolg & Great Goblin Bodyguard
Mountain Orcs: Armoured Hill-Trolls/Frenzied Trolls
Mountain Orcs: Orc Stone Thrower

Grey Mountain Dragons: Fire-wyrms
Grey Mountain Dragons: Braga & Goldscale Worshippers
Grey Mountain Dragons: Venomblade Assassin
Grey Mountain Dragons: Goldscale Priest
Grey Mountain Dragons: Bofur on Cold-Drake
Grey Mountain Dragons: Dragon Thrall
Grey Mountain Dragons: Money Bags & Hired Knives
Grey Mountain Dragons: Fell Hatchlings

Dol Guldur: Leaping Spiders/Shiverfang Spiders
Dol Guldur: Spiderlings
Dol Guldur: The Necromancer/Flesh Avatar
Dol Guldur: Narzug & Orc Summoner Coven
Dol Guldur: Tomb Wights
Dol Guldur: Mounted Tomb Wights
Dol Guldur: Bloodwraiths
Dol Guldur: Gwethil
Dol Guldur: The Willowhags
Dol Guldur: Saruman & The Ringwraiths
Dol Guldur: Vampire Bat Swarms

Adventure: Gandalf's Quest
Adventure: The Battle at the East Gate
Adventure: Assault on the Aerie
Adventure: The Clearing of Foul Roots
Adventure: Assault on the Barrows
Adventure: Clash of the Beasts
Adventure: Raid on the Wizard Hut
Adventure: The Last Stand
Adventure: The Belltower
Adventure: A Thief in the Night
Adventure: The Fall of Dale
Adventure: The Raven Hill
Adventure: Thorin's Folly
Adventure: The Battle of Five Armies
Adventure: Breaking the Siege
Adventure: Revenge of the Goblin King
Adventure: Blacksoil Slope
Adventure: The Clouds Burst
Adventure: The Ritual
Adventure: The Final Onslaught
Adventure: The Haunted Tombs
Adventure: Gollum's Escape
Adventure: The Blight Breach

Wargs: Feral Wolf Pack
Wargs: The Werebeast
Wargs: Orc Chieftain on Warg
Wargs: Orc Wolfbone Shaman
Wargs: Lagdush & Orc Wolfcloak Warrior
Wargs: Narzug & Orc Warg-Riders
Wargs: Dol Guldur Orc Overlords
Wargs: Grinnah & Mirkwood Werewolves
Wargs: Dire Warg

Smaug the Golden
Gandalf (Dual Sword)

Boys and Men, War-games then and now

I stopped by a friends house to help with a project and discovered this fine set up on the coffee table. Everything was there. The fortifications, infantry, mobile artillery, armored vehicles and even air power. His grandson had been over the night before and was going at it.

Then I wondered if he'd wind up playing war-games like the rest of us do. Painstakingly building and painting soldiers for an army. What will he choose? Historical dark age vikings for SAGA, Winged Lancers for Pike & Shotte, British Paratroopers for Bolt Action? Maybe he'll traverse to fantasy games like Warhammer and Lord of The Rings or Sci-Fi games like Firestorm Armada or Warhammer 40k. Who knows.

I remember back to the days of cardboard box houses and if we hit it right, confiscating some O gauge train buildings from our dads stash. We'd set it all up and battle all night long. We used plastic army men, misc space figures, animals, Vikings and even some Cowboys and Indians.

Usually we set up a town and had the locals round up some mercenaries to help with their defense. Then the evil army would show up and try to take the place over. It was always a desperate struggle but the defenders would always rally and make the town safe once again.

It had me wondering. I went to the basement and rummaged through some boxes and came up with some of the very soldiers we played with as boys 30-35 years ago. And today we use more sophisticated rules and miniatures but in essence are still playing war-games

So what will the next generation come up with? We had a variety of things going on and the big one was no computer games. Unless Pong counts. It's a busy disconnected world and table top gaming is a great way to bring friends together and meet new ones for fun and socialization.

If Facebook and texts are the only ways you communicate, get out to a local hobby shop where some good old fashioned toy soldiers are on the table and have at it! Many shops have open nights and are more than willing to teach a new player. Old timers are always eager to share the love of the game with others.

Well if you know a new player, a memory of war-games from the old days or have a son carrying the torch, let us know. We'd love to hear about your story!

Have a Great Battle,
The Old Crow

How to Build a Viking Lodge or Trading Post for SAGA, Warhammer, Lord of the Rings or Historical Wargames

It seems like it's been a good bit of time since we showed you a "how to build" something, so here's a great Viking lodge for or trading post SAGA!

You can use it with any other historical wargames like Hail Caesar or Clash of Empires or break into the fantasy genre with Warhammer or Lord of The Rings.

The materials we started with were a piece of polystyrene for the base, some card stock for the basic structure, heavier cardboard for the roof, craft sticks and a small wood dowel for the columns.

We first built the four walls from the cardstock and glued it together. The base was cut to size and a step notched from the front. The dowel was cut into two in order to create columns for the overhang in the front.

The structure was glued to the base and the roof was cut to size from the cardboard. Besides the overhang, two other supports were cut for the roof. We want it to be removable so figures can be garrisoned inside to defend it. We used hot glue on the roof supports.

We carved beams with a little style for the front and back to add support and enhance the buildings appearance.

With the roof fitted on, it was time to start the walls.

We had pieces of craft sticks, or as we called them "pop-cycle" sticks, left from previous projects so just trimmed them up and glued them to the side walls with white craft glue. Spaces were left for two windows on each side.

The back wall was the full height so needed sticks cut to size. Tape the sticks together and draw your back wall onto them so you can make precise cuts. The tape should hold them together so they can all be cut at one time.

Once you've glued the back on too, you structure should be starting to firm up.

The front has a low wall like the sides and the front overhang. Cut a triangle template to get it sized correctly, cut the sticks and glue it all together.

Now we turned our attention to the base. We wanted the building to be on a stone platform. This would have been done to keep goods up off the wet earth. Starting in the front and working around, we "carved" grooves in the base to simulate the blocks of stone.

You can use an old ball point pen, an expensive carving tool or a toothpick like we did!

The final touch was a few flagstones cut out of a heavy weight paper. These will add dimension to your finished trading post. Everything was then primed with black. Be careful as some spray primers will dissolve the polystyrene.

The walls and columns were painted with burnt umber, coffee bean and then drybrushed with barn wood. This should give you a nice weathered and rustic feel.

The base was given three shades of grey and then some slate was added to a few stones here and there to spice it up. For the roof we used craft fur. You should hot glue it to the roof because you'll want to apply some watered down craft glue to matt it down and create the appearance of straw or thatched roof.

And there you have it! Add some extras and miniatures to dress it up and you have a snazzy centerpiece for your gaming table.

Have a great Battle!
The Old Crow