Wargames Factory Vikings Review

Happy New Year. My new years resolution is to stop taking on quick little projects that I erroneously think won’t interfere with my current projects. I actually haven’t taken on that many, yet, but those I have took more time than I thought. These reviews for Wargames Factory have been more of a distraction than a real time waster. I didn’t spend a long time on assembly and painting. However every time I sat down to paint, or thought about painting it nagged at the back of my brain.

Thankfully the first miniature is assembled and painted. I can review it and put it aside for a while. Meanwhile I will assemble and paint the next two miniatures, Zulu Warrior and Ancient German at the same time. The real time suck was the Warlord Games Big Wullie. I was trying to get him finished in time for a forum painting competition. Unfortunately I’ve missed my deadline so the time spent was a waste. He’ll remain unfinished until I’m ready to return to him. In a way I’m relieved, I really want to get back to my WWII Canadians.

A painted example of Wargames Factory’s Vikings

So, on to the actual review. When I first received the box of review samples from Wargames Factory I was very impressed. When you put your money down and get a hefty block of plastic back in return it feels good. The packaging is an example of how product should be packaged. Each sprue is a standard size with integral pegs that allow the sprues to be stacked without damaging the miniatures. This is then wrapped in a tough, clear plastic. A cardboard insert provides the colour advertising shoppers will see on the shelf. It wraps around the block of sprue and gives the normal information one would expect. The end result is a colourful attractive package that doesn’t result in a lot of waste and allows you to see the contents easily.

The Vikings came on three sprue, one weapon sprue and two body sprues. The two body sprues are split between four armoured or unarmoured viking bodies. There are also two sets of six right and left arms, for a total of 12 pairs for four bodies.

The weapon sprue has eight shields, 12 heads, two pairs of watched arms in a double-handed-grip pose, two bows and quivers, three naked swords, four sheathed swords, a horn, four spears, one long spear, two small axes and two large axes. This is a good selection of weapons. I think only skirmish gamers with specific equipment needs would find fault with the selection. If you just need eight viking archers you will be somewhat dissapointed, although the full set of 24 will presumably have three weapons sprues.

There are a good selections of options and I had no trouble choosing bits when assembling a test figure. Painting was as usual, although in this case I experimented with a dip-like wash. Overall, the detail and anatomy was good, though the mail shirt was soft in detail and execution. The weapons are all to scale although potentially a little flimsy during use. The axe I chose looks like it may be a little thin for actual battle.

If I was looking to build an army of vikings I would look to Wargames Factory. Large units of these models would be affordable, but best of all show a variety and animation that only a well designed plastic set can offer. I cannot speak to accuracy, Viking Age isn’t my period, but the simple dress seems correct. Wargames Factory does include a horned helmet with the set as a nod to Hollywood’s version of vikings, but there are enough correct heads that someone looking for historical accuracy can not use it, or cut the horns off.

In case it isn’t clear, I was sent free samples of these miniatures by Wargames Factory for review purposes.

Next review will be Wargames Factory’s Zulu Warriors. I’m looking forward to putting one together.

Tyler