WHFB: DE Dark Riders

As commented previously I have availed myself of some of the new DE Dark Rider/Warlocks kits, enough for twounits of 10 each. The kits are dual purpose and come on three plastic sprues along with transfer sheet.

As with all of the recent plastic kit releases, an instruction booklet detailing how to build the models is provided, and its obvious that these models are mostly if not wholly designed using CAD.

The booklet needs reading as the parts seem to be specific to each model so you can’t just go charging in and snipping bits off like you used to. There are options listed but these are more limited. It may be that there is greater variability between models but this is just the first box I’m playing with. The models are however quite fussy with a large amount of small parts so not suitable for younger people, nor the ham fisted.

Having now built all five models, there are a few key differences between these models and the old plastic/metal ones.

Three important tips:

Firstly, make sure the bases of the horses are totally smooth. As three of the horses have only one hoof on the base any excess plastic will make them look very drunk leaning one way or another.

Secondly, build the horses with two hooves on the base. These can then be used to support/prop up those with only one hoof on the base.

Thirdly, the reins are very delicate, clip the part off at the most delicate part first, then the more robust connection to the sprue.

Overall

The horses are smaller and much sleeker giving much more of an impression they are fast. The hunched down riders are much more dynamic, again re-inforcing the idea that they are getting a shift on.

The downside is the complexity of the kits, you have to be careful following the instructions.

As Dark Riders can now come with shields with no effective penalty I’ll be using shields a lot more to give a 4+ Armour save.

Next the alternate build of the Warlocks.