Review of Gripping Beast Plastic Vikings

I am not great at making models or putting figures together and this is the box of hard plastic figures I have been waiting for and it gives you an army right off the bat! I have been tempted by the Gripping Beast line of figures for a long time and when I read an Dux Bellorum article in Wargames Illustrated # 299 that featured at the end of the article how to build a Late Saxon era and Viking army with 2 boxes of Gripping Beast plastics I knew that this is what I wanted to do. 

You have probably guessed already, this is the box that the components for 44(!) unpainted and unassembled screaming horde of figures come packaged. I found the box and instructions extremely useful for putting the figures together, painting schemes, plus the added bonus of paper banners that can be cut out of the instructions and added to spears to give you extra banner men. The two banners in the first picture came with the instructions. I wish that I had taken a picture of the instructions so you could see the banners that come with the box, but I'll point them out in the photos below. So what do you get?

The small banner in the rear came with the box; the large banner I printed off the internet

I think the Gripping Beast Website says it best: Inside you will find parts to assemble 44 finely-detailed ferocious Viking Hirdmen, armed with either axes, swords, spears or dane-axes, suitable for use in Swordpoint. The box also contains extra parts to assemble two of your warriors as Viking Lords, as well as two horn-blowers or standard bearers. The Hirdmen were the professional fighting men of a Viking Lord's household. These fearsome warriors would be well equipped with the finest weapons and armor. A favored weapon was the mighty dane-axe which was wielded with both hands and quite capable of severing a horse's head with one blow. The figures are sculpted by the talented Bob Naismith. The box also comes with comes with sixteen 20x20mm bases, two 20x100mm bases, two 20x40mm bases and two 40x40mm bases from Renedra. I did not use the bases as I put the figures on round 25mm based to fit the movement trays I already have.

Again, I'm kicking myself for not taking pictures of the sprues, so the following pictures belong to Gripping Beast and are copyright Gripping Beast Ltd. 2020:

When I put the Vikings together, I did them 8 at a time to ensure that they fit on the bases together. Later I found out that this was not really necessary, as there was plenty of room on the movement trays. By doing this, however, it did organize the figures so that it looked like leaders were in the front rank and I could make some (sorta) mini-vignettes.

Note that I cut of the hilt of the scabbard for those figures that were carrying shields. If you can't find it, it's the second figure to the left in the front rank wielding an axe and sword. Highly unlikely but it looks cool!

I failed to mention earlier that I mounted the Vikings on round 40mm bases which all came from extra bases I had from GW products. I used masking tape to cover the slots. Note that I have not mounted any shields! I decided to paint the shields off of the figures and then add them later.

I wanted to have some big banners to represent the big guys. Working in plastic makes this easy and the figures were perfect. All I had to do was drill a hole in one of the arms that held a shield. I used a brass rod for the shaft and the spear head from some Old Glory spears I had lying around in the bit box.

A quick search of the internet will get you some cool "Viking" banners for free.

Gripping Beast has some really nice metal figures and a bought a few for leaders and extra's to round out my army. Did I mention that I made these for Dux Bellorum? Of course they can be used easily for just about any Dark Age set of rules.

The Big Boss which is a metal Gripping Beast Viking figure. He also has the +2 Stare of Intimidation.

Here are some samples of what you can do with the box:

For me the Dane axe was the hardest to put together. You have to get those arms on the body just right.

As I mentioned earlier, I found it MUCH easier to paint the shields separately before gluing them to the figure.

I'm a firm believer that you can never have enough Vikings! Easy to paint and very colorful with different shields. The Gripping Beast box of Hirdmen will definitely get you going on the right path.

Financing the Hobby: Yep, Auction Time again.

 

As many of you know, I use eBay auctions to finance my gaming hobby (unless I get a special grant from my beautiful bride who is Chief of Staff and Minister of Finance). Here are the latest:

Gripping Beast Vikings

 

 

Herati Afghan Regulars

 

 

Afghan Regular Infantry

Pulp Heroes!

Pulp Nazis!

 

Pulp Villains!

IHMN: Some thoughts for the Beginner in Designing an Adventuring Company, Part 12a (Adventuring Companies I have created)

Professor Moriarity and his highly efficient band of criminals.

Believe it or not, I usually design an Adventuring Company when I am struck by the shiny new Toy Syndrome - or if I have some spare figures lying around and I think these would look cool together. Just remember to have a theme for your company and don't forget about baselines - no one wants to play against an entire Adventuring Company of Supermen.

1. Theme: My favorite Character. I'm going to try and present them in chronological order based on my faulty memory and my blog posts My first Adventuring Company was built around one figure and one figure only: Teddy Roosevelt. Thus I invented Teddy Roosevelt and Friends. Looking back, the Company is a bit of a cop-out and not "strictly" a real company. It's just who ever is a good guy that I want to put TR on an adventure. It is constantly changing as Teddy gets around a lot.

 Teddy Roosevelt and Friends.

2. Theme: 19th Century Chinese Army forces with "Hong Kong" Hollywood. Next up is the first "real" Adventuring company I did in January 2016: General Ronglu's Imperial Chinese Army. In the last quarter of 2015 I was on an extended business and found some miniatures from Copplestone and Pulp Figures. Plus if you throw in a Reaper Yeti you are all ready for mischief and mayhem. The company features firepower and mystical martial arts Hong Kong Hollywood style.

General Ronglu has begun to build the first modern infantry military force of the Manchu Empire. As a favorite of the Dowager Empress, he has access to modern technology and other exotic resources. Ronglu is not sympathetic toward the Boxers as he feels it is not time to move against the Western Powers. He is not on good relations with the leader of the Black Dragon Tong, the Dragon Lady, but cooperates with her so as not to antagonize the Dowager Empress. Though appearing to be "hefty" Ronglu is a master of armed and unarmed combat and is dedicated to free China from the influences of the foreign devils.

 The Sons of Astragard.

3. Theme: Lost Civilization. I had a bunch of Gripping Beast Vikings lying around getting out of shape while their Saxon counterparts were getting their team together. I remember watching a movie about a lost Viking Colony discovered by a scientific expedition and with the magic of Google I found the Walt Disney Movie Island at the top of the World. As you can guess, this Adventuring Company, from the mythical island of Astragard, is a close combat Company with some Nordic type mystical powers (ancient armor, bards, etc.). Fum to play and definitely different for IHMN games. If I remember correctly they win about half the time.

 Erik Niallson and Fenrir.  Erik is a metal Gripping Beast miniature and Fenrir is a Space Marine War Poodle from Games Workshop.

 On the left is Bersi Skáldtorfuson the skald or bard of Astragard.  Figure is from Wargames Foundry's Late Roman range. On the right is Gunnbjorn the Beserker.  Gunnbjorn is a hard plastic Gripping Beast figure from their Viking Box set.

 4. Theme: Lost Civilization . . . again! In 1890 the famous Professor George Nightengale accidentally discovered The Hidden Kingdom of Natagala.  Our hero journeyed up to the big curve in the Merowe river that flowed out of Batal Colony and then west into the Great Desert, where he eventually found a rich, primitive culture in a hidden valley on the other side of the Great Desert; the Kingdom of Natagala. 

The meeting of Professor Nightengale and King Mehluli.

  

Though long isolated, they are a vibrant and rich kingdom that is starting to adopt and use modern technology.  The backbone of the kingdom are it's fierce and formidable warriors - and the occasional witch doctor doesn't hurt either. I based part of this Company on the official list for Zulus and part of it on the world I was creating. In addition, I was learning to respect low tech with a bit of Mystical Powers Adventuring Companies.

(Paid Political Announcement: Have you noticed that virtually every figure is a historical figure? Don't worry, Victorian Sci-Fi and Steampunk will be coming up.)

5. Theme: A non-British Colonial Adventuring Company with a bone to pick. I did not care that much for the Society of Thule and I figured that there might be dissensions and political maneuvering about the experiments with animated flesh that are heinous to the Victorian Gentleman or Woman. Thus I designed a German Imperial Marine Infantry and Schutztruppe force led by the famous Herr Doktor Professor Kernal von Sanders. 

German Imperial Marines protecting an ancient temple and artifacts from the troglodytes of the Witch King of Sokar.

A strong nationalist and humanitarian, von Sanders is vehemently opposed to the Society of Thule and uses his influence with the Imperial family, the court, his former military comrades (yes . . . he is that Oberst (Colonel) von Sanders) and the academic world. Schutztruppe (literally "protection force") was the official name of the colonial troops in the African territories of the German colonial empire from the late 19th century.  Similar to other colonial armies, the Schutztruppe consisted of volunteer European commissioned and non-commissioned officers, medical and veterinary officers. Most enlisted ranks were generally recruited locally.

6. Theme: Cannibals! One of the most dangerous encounters in and around the Lost City of Opar are the cannibals of Niam-Niam. The term Niam-Niam appears to be of Dinka origin, meaning in that language “great eaters,” with reference, as is supposed, to their cannibalistic propensities.  “These beings,” remarks the German explorer Herr Doktor Professor von Sanders, on his first introduction to them, “stood out like creatures of another world . . . a people of a marked and most distinct nationality, and that in Africa and amongst Africans is saying much.” 

A cannibal war party. 

  "Eating people is wrong!" exclaimed Theodore Roosevelt as he takes aim at the dangerous cannibals of Niam-Niam.

The leader of the masked warriors (known as "The Chopper"), the king (he gets more than his fair share of food) and the witch doctor.

7. Theme: Eccentric Do-Gooders. I already went into detail about the famous (or infamous) Lady Prudence Fiona Throckwaddle and the Anti-Slavery League in a previous blog. Her Adventuring Company uses many different figures to put together a unique, and fun unit to play.

 Lady Prudence Fiona Throckwaddle - Scourge of the Zanzibari and Arab Slavers.

 British Naval Brigade on loan to Lady Poppington.

  Freed slaves that have pledged their lives and honor to Lady Poppington.

 The Fearsome Female Four (L to R): Tuppence Middleton, Eunice Montjoy, Baroness Grete Wölfflin (who also happens to be a werewolf) and Lady Imogen Campbell-Scott.

The Lady Throckwaddle Archers.

8. Theme: The Master Criminal. If you have Sherlock Holmes in your world, you have to have Professor Moriarty. Professor Moriarty is highly ruthless, shown by his steadfast vow to Sherlock Holmes that "if you are clever enough to bring destruction upon me, rest assured that I shall do as much to you".  Moriarty is categorized by Holmes as an extremely powerful criminal mastermind who is purely adept at committing any atrocity to perfection without losing any sleep over it. It is stated in The Final Problem that Moriarty does not directly participate in the activities he plans, but only orchestrates the events. As Holmes stated above, what makes Moriarty so dangerous is his extremely cunning intellect.

I wanted Moriarty's Company to be a combination of ruthless thugs and high-tech steam age technology. After collecting what I thought were some cool figures, the gang came together.

 Baron Maupertuis:
"It was some time before the health of my friend Mr. Sherlock Holmes recovered from the strain caused by his immense exertions in the spring of '87.  The whole question of the Netherland-Sumatra Company and of the colossal schemes of Baron Maupertuis are too recent in the minds of the public . . ."

 Colonel Sebastian Moran:
 Although there was no open scandal after his turning to crime, he was obliged to retire from the army and return to London. Outwardly respectable, with an address in Conduit Street, Mayfair, and membership of the Anglo-Indian Club, the Tankerville Club and The Bagatelle Card Club, he was nevertheless recruited by Professor Moriarty, and serves as his chief of staff. Ultimately he is used solely for assassinations that required his peculiar skill with the rifle; Holmes mentions the killing of a Mrs. Stuart in 1887 which he suspects (but cannot prove) Moran was involved.

 The Grave Digger:

There are some men (and women) that do the dirty work of the criminal underworld - and The Grave Digger is one of them. He carries no weapon except his shovel; yet, he wears the sash of an officer in Her Majesty's service. Formidable in a fight and discreet when you need a body to disappear  . . . or reappear.

Captain Cold:

 Harold Snart joined up with a group of small-time thieves and in planning out a robbery, each was issued a gun of advanced design and a visor to protect their eyes against the flashes of gunfire. As he was finishing his part of the robbery, a security guard surprised Snart. Intending to use his gun only to scare the guard, he inadvertently pulled the trigger and discovered that his weapon had been altered in a way he had never imagined. The moisture in the air around the guard froze. Intrigued by this twist of fate, Snart donned a long jacket and the aforementioned visor and declared himself to be Captain Cold - the man who mastered absolute zero.

Next: More Companies I have created . . . and maybe some more weirdness!