Introduction
first:
I really like Frostgrave plastics that North Star and Rendra are
releasing. They are affordable and provide loads of options and are mostly
compatible. They works well with each other and give you a lot of options.
But Ive
decided to do my subjective top listing of the sprues I own.
As to date
they are: Soldiers, Cultists, Barbarians, Snakemen, Soldiers II and Wizards.
I don’t have
Crewmen, Tribals and Wizards II
I will discuss
bodies and posing, arms and available poses, weapons in the set, heads ad extra
decor on the sprue.
Disclaimer:
FG sprues are not the same size. Standard box com es with 4 identical spries
and Wizard box comes with just pair of the sprue but Wizard sprues are much larger larger.
First boxes (Soldiers Cultist and Barbarians) were standardized but then they sizes started to grow. Gnolls and Soldier II
grew 25% and Snakemen sprue grow a little more, Wizards sprues are 1.5 of the
standard sprue. Still most of 4 sprue boxes cost 20 pounds but Gnolls and
Snakemen costs 22ł (Strangely Soldier II box with sprues identical in size to
Gnolls sprue cost 20ł). 2 sprue Wizard box cost 15 pounds each and as the sprues
themselves are 50% larger than standard Soldier/Cultist/Barbarian sprue we are
getting 3 standard sprues equivalent in them so the pricing is in perfect match
with standard sets and Soldier II arebest value for money placticwise :>)
Ok so after
this introduction I will review all the sprues I have awarding them points in 5
categories mentioned earlier: bodies and posing, arms and available poses, weapons in the set, heads ad extra decor on the sprue.
Part 1
Soldiers and cultists
Soldiers Sprues.
Its your
basic Frostgrave sprue, first to be released and was meant to provide most of
the basic soldier types (more exotic types were made in metal)
This basic sprue has 5 bodies that are dressed in rugged multi layered clothing for cold weather but they are not to overdressed. 2 have strange loincloths. 4 of the m are standing more or less still facing forward. This is least dynamic set and bodies are a little stubby (each later set is better proportioned and little taller but thy all work well) but they are boring but universal. - 2
Arms are also quite static, although this sprue includes my favorites arm stretched axe arm and knifing hand (useful for the thieves - every band going into Felstad needs them) and the lantern, some of the arms are held in unnatural ways to close to the body, all of the left hands ends in fist and one right hand is pointing - 2
We are getting 2 bows, 2 crossbows, 6 one handed weapons (Sword, axe-my favorite, primitive mace, 2 shorter swords and knife) and pair of two handed weapons (awkward held sword and large axe) there are pair of shields and hand held lantern (again one of my favorite bits) - 5
There are 10 heads in the set some of them in helmets but none of them memorable - 2
We got 2 small pouches, scroll bag, 2 ropes, 2 quivers (one crossbow and one bow- but to short), backpack, burning torch and a sack -4
Final score 15
Soldiers II Sprue
This is much later and larger sprue - it is recreating most of the options from the soldiers sprue but more streamlined.
Again standard 5 bodies this time dressed mostly in longer coats. Bodies are more slim and better proportioned and they are posed in more dynamic way, 4 are moving and there are both moving side wise towards viewer -5
Arms are static but better proportioned,weapons are held more naturally and we got 3 open hands and 3 fisted left arms. No pointing arm. All of the arms have shorter coat sleeve with furry cuffs -4
We are getting 2 bows and 1 crossbow, 4 one handed weapons (2 fist with knifes to convert to existing arms, pair of two handed axes (on a bit wimpy) pair of shields identical to soldier sprue and a spear. No weapon is very interesting (but the axes are ok) and very nice lantern - 3
There are 10 heads in the set (one with extra braid) Few heads are very nice but some are lacking. There is one ethnic head - 3
There are 2 smal pouches, bag, backpack with rolled blanket, 2 ropes, 2 quivers (again smal for a bow provided) burning torch a great cape -5
Final score 20
Cultist sprue
This was second released sprue and if my favorite overall. It is meant to provide cultist but with options for some zombies and skeletons in one set.
5 bodies in most dynamic poses from all of the sets. They are wearing long robes and galligaskins some bodies have extra padded surcoat. Bodies are very dynamic thanks to longer robes/coats they are flowing. 4 bodies are moving and the are both moving side wise towards viewer, worth mentioning are holes in some of the garments that may not be universal but they easy to fill with green stuff -5
Arms are well posed and add to the dynamic posing of the set, but due to multi types nature of this set we have limited amount of arms available. 2 pairs of empty arms are meant for undad options and are skeletal or close to skeletal, there is also one skeletal arm with long sword and one shield arm that could work both as undead and cultist arm. There are only 4 cultist left arms (not counting shield arm that could work for cultists, 2 handed weapon is cast with both hands -4 (5 if you want to built some undead)
We are getting One bow and crossbow, 4 hand weapons (2 vicious swords, one axe and one skeletal arm katana), 3 extra fists (2 knives and a chain), one buckler, one shield, one spear and 2 handed mace. All weapons are cool and sword are unique and great - 4
There are 16 heads in this set. we got 7 masked hoods, 2 skull shaped helmets masking half of the face, 3 hooded heads with visible faces and pair of zombie and skeletal heads. -5
On the sprue there ar 2 sets of cultist decor (bones and whatnot) one smal bag with small knife and two small flasks (with a skull and chain) and there are 2 quivers, one for crossbow and one for reflex bow - this time it could work with it more of less) -3
Final score 21 (22)
All of those 3 sets are completely interchangeable and works great with each other. You could build anything need for Frostgrave warband from them, and you can even build yourself Wizard and apprentice (althought somehow bland which could be improved by some heads and gadgets from bits box (Ive built me my first Wizard and Apprentice from Cultist set + 2 heads, skull and some green stuff
Here are Cultist Guide and Soldier treasure hunter with Barbarians for scale (heads on treasure hunter and barbarian are from GB Goths, shield and armored arm are from GW)
