For a couple of years now, I have been aware of Tabletop World, a producer a highly-detailed, fantasy wargaming buildings. From what I could tell, they were the best resin pieces on the market. However, I was always put-off by the high-cost of shipping to the UK. Well, now there are a couple of places to get them in the UK, notably Zealot Miniatures and Element Games, so I decided it was high time to see if they were as good as they looked. So, I ordered Townhouse I.
When I first pulled it out of the box, and viewed it in its yellow resin, I must admit, I wasn't hugely impressed. It was nice, but didn't look special. Then I started to paint it...
This piece was an absolute dream to paint. All of the detail is sharp and heavy. And what detail. If you look closely, you can see a lot of the nails in the roof tiles and support beams - not that I bothered to paint them. I mainly just dry-brushed and washed, and the results were fantastic.
It also has a detailed interior, which I didn't paint, because I find doing so awkward and not much fun, and I never end up using the interior anyway.
Really, I can't praise it enough. I like it so much that I immediately ordered another cottage to go with it!
The only point I'm not sure about is the height. The miniature it is pictured with is on the smaller side of 28mm, and it looks a fine. Bigger figures look a bit tall. This is mainly because of the GW bases I mount most of my figures on, so I might need to put a piece of wood or something on the bottom of the house to give it a bit more height. (Or maybe not, it's not that big a deal.)
If you want top notch fantasy buildings, these are them.
Joe, I agree these are amazing. There is a great video from LukesAPS on YouTube where he paints one and the details are ridiculous.
ReplyDeleteNice building. MDF terrain really can't compare to the look of resin buildings. And it does look amazing.
ReplyDeleteThat is a lovely looking building. Your paint job has really brought it to life.
ReplyDeleteVery nicely painted Joe, as everyone has said they are lovely models.
ReplyDeleteNo post related(but where is the better place to ask such things other the author himself blog?): I want to start Frostgrave campaign with my two boys - 5 and 7 yo - but I want to make short RPG-like sessions between FG scenerio/fights. Can You guys recommend me any (quite) simple rule sets to do that? NOT some 100+ pages to read, but shorter, designed for similar setting/theme. There will be bonus if there will be easy way(concept?) to map/transfer wizard stats between this RPG and FG - so they will have similar abilities/strength in both systems. I'm quite sure you know what I mean. Will be very thankful!
ReplyDeleteOf course I welcome answer not only from The Author Himself but the whole community :) In other worlds I'm looking for RPG system that have similar "feel"/concept to Frostgrave - have everything necessary to be fun, but no more, leave space for our imagination and is light on rules, but they are interesting and elegant.
DeleteWould your in-between games involve the Wizards or their minions? Would it be a game of political manoeuvring in the safe zone, or maybe some henchmen sneaking off on a little side job of their own?
DeleteI mainly was thinking about Wizards, as you know... they are the cool ones ;) With Perillus Dark available there could some co-op fights with the "bad guys". Or some training fights between them "in the academy". But that would be in FG rule set. What I wanted to have in more "RPG style" was:
Delete1. You always have to have some information, some map, or some ancient puzzle-map-information:) before you go to the frozen city - so you know where to look and for what. Some people have them. Sometimes they will provide it for some services, sometimes you have to "convince" them.
2. When they arrive at their destination and finally find this artefact/person/mysterious golden city enterance:) - after all this exciting fighting - that they have put so much effort to find it they don't just take it, there are some puzzles to solve, or some guards that are to strong to fight, so have to be convinced, some returning nemesis.
3. Building the base, not just buying but also building, fighting, reserching/finding proper people for the team.
That was my plan for FG, but now I think that Ghost Archipelago will be much more suited for my plans, but I thing it also will go in such direction.
Hey Pedro, In truth, I'm not sure what you really need to turn Frostgrave into an RPG. If you haven't seen it, you might want to check out Ranger of Shadow Deep - it's another of my games that uses most of the same rules, but adds a skill systems and is a tad closer to an rpg.
ReplyDeleteThanks I will buy Ranger of Shadow Deep in the future, now I'm even more so inclined to do so.
DeleteWhat I need? I wanted to have some pre-mission stories with lite rules, and after fight resolutions - like using the artefact to find new map part(like in The Mysterious Cities of Gold... :) ) that will tight it more into ongoing story. I have done some research already and have some candidates(RPG lite-systems) for this. But now I'm more looking forward to Ghost Archipelago then FG, as it should provide more elastic settings for my needs. Also... I changed conception for how should RPG for children be build, considering that I want it be also some platform not only for fun but also some learning important life aspects, but this is other story:)
That's a nicely painted model.
ReplyDeletevery nice. stick it on a bit of board and the height thing might go away.
ReplyDeleteHi Joe. I hope all is well in these mad times. This is the first time I have visited your blog. I scanned all the way back to past the first Oathmark reference. One thing I am struck by is you are quite a good modeler and painter. The other thing I wanted to do is thank you for Rangers of Shadow Deep...my son and I have been playing it using Zoom, as we are 5000 or more miles apart.
ReplyDeleteI wanted to let you know that being an old man living in a remote place, i have still managed to build a pint-size gaming group and we play Kings of War, Warlords of Erehwon and, yes, especially now, Oathmark. We have small games, we have massive games. It is just a fine game for 10 to 14 year-olds...keeping four boys that age engaged demands alternate activation. Thanks again, Joe, really. Retirement has been weird...I would just as soon be raising livestock...but Oathmark and the hobby have been great. I hope the game is a huge success.
Thanks Kris. I'd be lying if I said the times weren't getting to me a bit, just emotionally more than anything else, but I carry on! Thanks for the compliments about my modelling and painting. I've been at it a long time! It's wonderful you can play Rangers with your son - especially at that distance! I'm glad the games are helping you adjust tot retirement.
DeletePS...the resin models for terrain are the best...nice paint job, great detail
ReplyDelete