Sunday, February 24, 2013

AToFG: Circle Orboros February Painting Woldwyrd


Here is my painting set for the month of February for 'A Tale of Four Gamers' painting challenge:

Set #10: Woldwyrd (light warbeast)



Unboxing: The Hobbit Escape from Goblintown


As promised last December, I present in this post the unboxing of the Games Workshop boxed set for the Hobbit: Escape from Goblintown.

The box is the typical size of the starter sets from GW for Fantasy or 40K (it is the French edition that I have received):


The box is pretty full upon opening:


 There is a starter guide with quick start rules and introductory notions to the Hobbit the game. Also included is the A5 full rulebook. These are the complete rules for The Hobbit the Strategy Battle Game which is basically Lord of the Rings, the Strategy Battle Game 2nd Edition. Most of the rules are similar, there are a few changes for the Heroes with an increase of heroic actions possibles as well as some other changes (monsters, magic, etc):
 
Then there is a quick play reminder sheet, a special sheet for Radagst and a couple of assembly guides: 

 
In terms of minis, here is Radagast, a beautifully detailed plastic piece:  

 
Then the first sprue for the Good with Gandald and the whole company of Thorin. Again I was amazed by the details on the minis:
 

 

Then you get two identical sprues for the goblins. Personally I am not a great fan of their look:


On the last minis sprue you get the Goblin King in all its horror as well as some scenery pieces extremely detailed:

 

Then you get two identical sprues of boards and walkways to recreate Goblintown:


And finally you get baggies of bases, dice and a new type of ruler in inches (much better than the wippy sticks of old):

Overall, I like this kit very much. Even after 13 years in the hobby I was amazed by the details on the minis. The facial expressions, every nook and cranies scuplted lavishly all contribute to get looking models. Games Workshop really have surpassed themselves here. The only disappointment I have is the look of the goblins but that is really more a choice from the artistic development team of the movie. I hope this kit gets the fantastic LotR SBG a new breath of fresh air and new players.