Yoda

 

Yoda himself! This time of year I like to post some of my West End Games Star Wars collection, and this tiny model is one of the biggest characters I have posted to date (excluding Lord Vader, of course). When I say tiny, I mean tiny - Yoda is a shorty in 25mm "scale" and is small even on a 20mm base. The details are really great for a model made in 1989, which tracks given that the The Empire Strikes Back box insert credits either Bob Charrette or Julie Guthrie for the sculpting work (model SW45). I really enjoy this whole line; the sculpts really capture the character of the original trilogy in a way that more contemporary versions don't. They take paint really well, push my skills with the fine details, and take me to a simpler time, a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away...

Kobold Archers (2)

In the interests of keeping things moving along, here are two more diminutive representatives of my kobold warband (see the "kobold" label for more). Despite being some of my oldest pieces, they still hold up pretty well. In fact,  I am considering adding to them in the near future to round out the force and make sure I have enough to run "The Sinless Citadel" module.  

 

These archers tend to be just behind the magic-users in terms of the threat they pose within the warband. Small, crafty, and fast, with the ability to pump out damage at impressive range, they are far more dangerous than they might seem at first. The kobolds are a unique and fun gaming option  because of how differently they play from other warbands; they are individually weak, but coordinated attacks and sacrificial plays can draw the opponent into an overwhelming kill-box. More often than not, it is these archers who end up playing a key role in those tactics.

 

 

 

Huge Snow Golem and Friends

The biggest of the bunch! This huge snow golem is truly a massive threat, and represents the apex of my current snow golem project from Schlossbauer. I really enjoy that it appears to be an amalgamation of the other forms - distinguishable heads of small golems cover its body, which mirrors the shape of the medium golems, and it has a crown of ice from the large golem. There was some fun discussion surrounding whether the other forms coalesced into the huge boss, or were shed from it, or both - no matter what it seems like a fun series of encounters to run. As with the other snow golems, I wasn't totally happy with my execution, but I'll look to improve in future cold themed monsters (e.g. the ones missing from this current series). The combined effect is pretty satisfying, though, for such a speedy project.

 

St. Patrick's Day Bae

 

Happy St. Patrick's day! This is a little something different for my blog, a holiday mini with a very different vibe. Normally I  avoid "cheesecake" type minis, but after years of painting monsters and undead I thought it would be fresh to shake things up and try something a little .....softer. I wont make NSFW content a regular habit, but it was more fun than I expected - I really had to focus on skin tones and painting makeup on a tiny little face. Making a mini clean, bright, and cute is definitely a different sort of challenge for me. despite being pretty rusty with humans, I think she turned out pretty nice. 

Ill definitely be adding in more themed minis from time to time, to break things up, but the wont (always) be so risqué.  

This piece is from Vae Victis minis - their "Bae" minis are a regular part of their monthly releases, and often keep things a bit lighthearted, with both male and female thirst traps available on the regular. 

How about that beer, though?! It's making me thirsty myself.....

Wishing you some Irish luck. 

 

Large Snow Golem

This big fellow is clearly a threat. The cute grins of the small snow golems and the oafish maws of the medium snow golems have shifted to a grimace of cold malevolence. The spines, crown and tusks of ice and slush, along with sheer size clearly mark him as as leadership. Given how scary the normal sort are, this thing looks to be a TPK in the shape of a snowdrift. A perfect post for a winter day.

 

The progression of this series from Schlossbauer is fantastic; the pieces are simple but gradually ratchet up the interest level.

 

This model was painted similar to the others, but has some semi-transparent effects. The method needs work, but that's the hobby! 

 

Snow Golems (2)

These brutes are the big brothers of the Small Snow Golems I posted last week. While they are "medium" sized they represent a significant increase in mass relative to the small versions. Their considerable bulk overhangs even a 32mm base - much bigger than your average snowman. The stat blocks on these monsters are pretty threatening, with heat sources being their only real vulnerability, and their frosty fists capable of pulverizing even experienced snowboarders. 

They were painted as before, only bulkier - very quick to the table with a solid end result for something with such a simple composition. I was pleased with the depth I managed - shades of white are surprisingly difficult. In retrospect I should've made at least one additional medium snow golem, if not more, as they are typically encountered in groups (drifts)? Fortunately it should be relatively straightforward to add some additional poses in the future. 

 Despite being much bigger and more dangerous than the smaller snow creatures, they are dim witted and slow to mobilize;  something else must be directing their coordinated attacks on travelers in mountainous areas......