Frostgrave Plastic Sprues review and comparison Part 1

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 I've 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 sprues and Wizard box comes with just pair of the sprues but Wizard sprues are much larger.
First boxes in the line (Soldiers Cultist and Barbarians) were standardized but then then  sizes started to grow. Gnolls and Soldier II sprue grew 25% and Snakemen sprue even more, Wizards sprues are 1.5 of the standard sprue size and packed with bits. 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 are best 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  overdressed. 2 have strange loincloths. 4 of them are standing more or less still facing forward. This is the least dynamic set in line and bodies are  a little but stubby (each later set is little better proportioned and minimally  taller but they all work very well). They are boring but universal. - 2

Arms are also quite static, although this sprue includes  my favorites  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 a 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 for a bow it accompanies), 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 is more streamlined (also is all female).

 
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 (and extra 2 fists with knives to change  any other  arm into the knife arm with a simple cut), 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) but we are getting 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 looking head - 3

There are 2 smal pouches, bag, backpack with rolled blanket, 2 ropes, 2 quivers (again smal for a bow provided) burning torch and a great cape -5

Final score 20

Cultist sprue

This was second released sprue in the line and its my favorite overall. It is meant to provide cultist crew but with options for some zombies and skeletons in one set.

 
5 bodies are in most dynamic poses. They are wearing long robes and galligaskins some bodies have extra padded surcoat. Bodies are very dynamic thanks to longer robes/coats that are flowing. 4 bodies are moving and they 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 mode nature of this set we have limited amount of arms available. 2 pairs of empty arms are meant for undead option 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, but 2 handed weapon is cast with both harms -4 (5 if you want to built some undead)
We are getting One bow and crossbow, 4 hand weapons (2 vicious looking swords, one axe and one skeletal arm katana), 3 extra fists for conversions (2 knives and a chain), one buckler, one shield, one spear and a 2 handed mace. All weapons are cool and swords are unique and great looking - 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  sets are completely interchangeable and work great with each other. You could build anything needed for Frostgrave warband from them, and you can even build yourself Wizard and apprentice (although somehow bland which could be improved by extra heads and gadgets from your bits box. I've built me my first Wizard and Apprentice from Cultist set + 2 GW heads, skull and some green stuff

Here are Cultist Guide and Soldier treasure hunter with Barbarian (Oathmark skelleis? or old GW skellies shield) for scale (heads on treasure  hunter and barbarian are from GB Goths, shield and armored arm are from GW)