The Mortarchs Join Nagash For Warhammer Fantasy!
August 30, 2014 by brennon
Games Workshop are adding to the range of villains that will be aiding Nagash as he heralds in The End Times. See what you think of his Mortarchs - Neferata, Mannfred Von Carstein and Arkhan the Black!
Once again I am a big fan and I would love to see these on the tabletop for myself. With Nagash swinging in at 1000 points let's hope these guys are just as mighty and could act as partners for him on the battlefield. Put all three of these into the same army alongside Nagash and let's have some fun!
While you might think that these are three different kits these are actually all from the same one meaning you will have to choose which one of them you want to make. It does mean you're going to have some cool additional beasts if you really wanted to by three packs.
I think my favourite of the three is Arkhan because I like both his beast and the rider himself is an ace sculpt.
Which is your favourite?
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Ok…. would anyone like to explain how the Hell you could carry any of these around without breaking them to pieces? The words frail, awkward, finicky, infinitely breakable etcetera come to mind and they are not exactly small. I assume you might need a custom carrier for each (more expense…)
While no fan of Warhammer, I do think these are intriguing sculpts. But other than as display pieces, very likely to be utterly impractical.
There is a spell in the Nagash book which you cast over the models, which protects them from damage in transit.
That is why you have to fork out £50 for them
Hmm so those mounts are like necrons in fantasy or something? They look mechanical -especially the black one with the bat head.
I wonder if the skull intestines could be removed for a wholly skeletal appearance.
Mortarchs – undead Primarchs … it’s petty but it grates a bit 🙂
I don’t think they’re meant to play on Primarch. Archon is a Greek word meaning ruler (amongst other things) so mashed up with Latin, Primarch is first ruler and Mortarch is dead ruler. I get what they’re going for, but Mortarch is an ugly word.
Mortarch The trajectory of a bomb lobbed out of a metal tube
I have a serious weakness for female vampires, so i have to make that pretty model of Neferata. I think that i will use Arkhans mounts head though.
If you buy the three of them, you’ve spent more than for an entire army (and that’s calculated from GW’s own site). There’s even less plastic than for their big beasties, and they’re already more expensive.
Technically it’s all very well done, but it looks like something out of an anime (look at the mount’s face…) and it’s INCREDIBLY overpriced.
Compare this to the price of proper dragons and huge resin figures, you’ll see the quality I’m looking for at that price… And this is clearly not it.
More £ than an entire army is bullsh…, well I guess “an entire army” is a relative term, but a normal sized game is around 2000 – 2500 points. Try getting an army that size for £150. I think you get a lot of model for the cost. With just magnetizing the monster heads and saddle with character models, you get three different special characters, or a normal lord on a abyssal terror mount, or convert the many leftovers to heroes, lords, champions on any type of mount you like.. That’s what I pay for when I gladly buy these… Read more »
There is not a lot of model for £150.
Seriously, you could spend that sort of cash on a Tamiya 1/32 kit and have some left over to by resin upgrades.
That is a lot more plastic than these spectral specimens
in fact some of the kits cost £60-70
No comparison. GW are a rip off
You do realize that £150 was the cost for three models? one kit cost £48..
Yes.
But if tamiya don’t provide you kits you like the look of, it doesn’t matter how much you get if you don’t want it in the first place. Christ I could get double the amount of food for my money in morrisons for the amount I spend in M&S/waitrose. So what’s more important, quantity of a product you don’t want, or paying more for the one you actually want? One mans rip off is anothers pocket money. End off.
@deaddave Have you tried Waitrose toulouse sausages? Awesome! My missus won’t buy any other type now.
I wouldn’t mention Ocado on these forums @erastus , it seems to offend people for some reason…
You are missing the point.
The question was whether the amount of plastic you get is worth the bucks.
If other companies can bung far greater quantities of plastic in a box for less cash, it follows that GW is vastly overcharging.
The value someone might attribute to their toys is another matter
Try equating Tamiya to Selfridges rather than Morrisons for a more accurate analogy
So @chibi regardless of quality or aesthetics or whether people just simply like it, you think minis should be sold by weight?
Clearly that is what I said Jon.
Try again
@deaddave I don’t think it is Ocado people object to, its arrogant douchebaggery that gets up peoples noses 😉
See what you’re being subject to @chibi … not suspicious at all…
Thanks for bringing some sanity to everything. People sometimes need to realise that the higher the cost of these items the less players there are. It’s not rocket science. Part of 40K’s popularity is that it is significantly cheaper than Fantasy I have always felt. And 40K isn’t exactly cheap (but does feature far more boxes with reasonable price tags).
http://www.manticgames.com/mantic-shop/kings-of-war/army-deals/product/ilonas-black-wolf-templars-ultimate-undead-army-deal-206-figures.html
That is 206 Good quality models for £150.
I have not calculated the points, but would call that an army.
I agree, that is an army – actually, all my zombies in my vampire army is brought from Mantic, but that’s because I like them better than GW’s zombies. 🙂
Too bad Roman said the army was calculated from GW site; that’s why I reacted.
Well, that’s what they call it on the website : an army. Regardless of the fact that it’s not enough points for some…
Congratulations. For being all high and mighty…
You do know some one likes these?
Not being “high and mighty”
here is what I said below
“If you like the models and can afford them, good for you. Just buy the things and get them on the table. “
My little pony for teenagers 😀
A pony is also a slang term for a turd…
Hooray! The weekly dose of negativity and bitching! Yaaay! \o/
… now I’m going to another thread to post something positive about something I like.
Ribs in the forearms?
Of course, to hold yet more SKULLZ tm
Christ. Is there no where one can go to get away from the typical gw tropes.
Reading “it looks like a toy” “it costs moneys” is getting really old.
You have joined the hater crowd. Congratulations. We get it. Move on please.
No, no, no … GW threads are for posting the same crap ad nausium and feeling smug cos you’re thought of a witty way to insult a piece of plastic. These people are so cool, I wish I could be like them 😉
I have made a fair criticism.
Because you disagree you call it an insult.
The comments about hating are not constructive either.
There are just as few fans willing to make a positive critique of why they like the aesthetic of these models.
The criticism is limited to calling people “haters” which is nothing but a juvenile ad hominem.
That or to hit the thumbs down button which is just as juvenile.
FYI Not saying that you do either of those things
It is not about being cool, it is about being honest .
Seriously or in jest.
Quite puzzled by why you have fled at Happi for repeating Romain’s posting. I was looking at these latest offerings myself as a nice set piece. Not really for gaming as such. Before I looked the possible price considering size and complexity and adding in GW cash grab was working out at a bout £35. When I found each model priced at £50 I had the fleeting idea of finding another hobby. The cost value to GW for this little epic could really be no greater than £15 all in so the rest is pure profit. I stand to be… Read more »
And the souls so destroyed are depicted as skulls in the belly of the beast! lol
I do apologise to @vetruviangeek
Couldn’t resist the reference 😉
Haters gota hate. Humping each others legs while they pat each other on the back.
“well done chaps, we managed to raise the ire of other people by slagging off products that we don’t approve of, we sure showed them, let the browning of the nose commence!”
Funny you should mention that since GW has a special department handing out brown noses specifically 😉
The models are embodiments of fantastical 1980’s cartoons, most notably He-Man. The aesthetic is one of highly stylised angular forms painted in garish colours, to appeal chiefly to the younger customer. The amount of plastic in the box has little relationship to the price charged. The added value being as imaginary as the worlds in which the figures are set. This is not hating, it is an opinion. Like it or not. Maybe the same old tropes are repeated because GW are churning out the same style of models, which does not appeal to all. People will continue to express… Read more »
1980s cartoons were the best, so nerrrrrr.
So many better cartoons than the 80s.
Unless you include the likes of Chorlton and the Wheelies stop frame puppets
It were reet graydlee.
I agree, but works best in their respective cartoons
@chibi if you don’t like GW models that’s fine. What I object to is the same few people making the same crappy posts and filling up these threads with your drivel. It would be nice if in EVERY thread on BoW, the people who did like the models or game or whatever were able to discuss them without having to wade through the same shite.
Basically, I think you and your mates are just effing rude and are showing absolutely zero respect for other BoW users.
You probably now think it’s hilarious that I’ve posted this.
Rolling in the aisles As for mates? who they? As for being rude, you are being over sensitive. Rude for daring not to be impressed with GWs products? For daring to express an opinion other than fawning adoration? Where is the positive critique of the models? Nowhere. because you just want instant “love” instead of instant “hate”. Neither are particularly useful Why is it rude to question why the forearms have ribs? Why is it rude to be unimpressed with the pose of the mounts? It would be nice if for once someone would post why they like the models… Read more »
See you’re doing what all haters do. Because I call you out on your behaviour you think I must be some rabid fanboy because you cannot conceive of the idea that I might actually not like this miniature and still not be impressed by your behaviour. No, you’re not rude because you express an opinion. You’re rude because you just post several comments in the same thread, time after time which are simply piss taking. It’s the easiest most juvenile thing in the world to take the piss out of something and you then attempt to pass it off as… Read more »
Yes you are correct. I did type a critique and thought I had posted it.
My bad. That is the only thing you are right about.
Show me where I accused anyone of being a “rabid fanboy”
Since when was I not allowed to reply to comments in one thread?
Yes I take the piss. I do the same with stuff I like if I see something that amuses me. Including my own work.
It gets me through the night.
It’s alright, it’s alright.
For example
“Mortarch The trajectory of a bomb lobbed out of a metal tube”
A simple pun to which you have taken offence.
Someone asked what a Mortarch was. A Mortar + Arc the trajectory of a bomb, which is an arc
No criticism of the model involved. Just a simple joke.
Not a good one I grant you, but an innocent bit of whimsy.
Again, afaik, there is no site rules against the telling of bad jokes.
Sorry if any offence was caused.
@chibi not offended at all. I find your GW posts predictable and repetitive but never offensive.
Honestly “Paul”, post what you like. I’m past caring.
Don’t make models that look like toys, that are so overpriced children can’t afford them and are so expensive it shrinks the pool of players who will play the bloody game then thus hurting the entire company in the long run .. then.
It gets old. But if it’s still accurate, it will be said, again and again and again. Not just by me.
They say I repeat myself… well, I’ll repeat myself until the situation changes. What else is there to do but urge people to vote with their wallets ?
And given GW’s latest numbers, they have finally started to do that.
100% correct .. *encouraging pat on the back and an upvote*
For once – the mass of skulls is something I don’t mind. I kinda like em, fore arms are a bit chunky, and I don’t think the paint scheme is doing the models many favours. However, won’t be rushing out to buy as I have a backlog and they are not that stand out to be a must paint item. Plus side looks like with some clever magnet use you could do all three from one kit – head, chest plates and riders all appear separate pieces. Cost thing is the cost thing, they sell enough then GW got it… Read more »
They’re impressive… I like some parts of them… but they do look like toy, and just as I thought I could possiblt do something with them I saw the price tag and it dissuaded me completely. That’s it for me.
I can really imagine these beasts in “reality” and being scared ****less. In a sort of Lovecraft sort of way, horrifying !
from looking at the rules each of them is just the same creature so i think it would be up to you what you wanted it to look like and at about 650pts they will not be fielding them all together unless you where doing some sort of scenerio any way.all you would need is thecharacters to say who was battling at the time.but anyway i like mannfred’s undead black panther
They do have a creepy charm to them, a little pricey but no more than I’d expect from GW.
If they are highly customisable (magnetised) then that should provide better value.
Not too shabby GW.
I have checked out the 360 degree pictures on GW site and they look very customisable. I’m looking forward creating my own characters out of this kit. Arkan is my new master necromancer, Mannfred will become my new knightly vampire lord and Neferata will be kept as-is, all the while I can still field any of the special characters when I want. Thinking the monster can also be used as a vargulf when not used as a mount… Been in this hobby for 20 years, and these types of kits is the best thing that has happened to the hobby… Read more »
exactly 😉 I remember what kits were like back then too 😛
… it’s like night and day now 😛
remember that old metal Nagash model, it looks so goofy these day 😛 ha ha
Yes, the Metal Nagash was quite terrible… This one IS much better. Still… this is a hobby for little rich boys.
… yeah, the price factor is what has been limiting my GW intake these last few years, normally these days, I just save my GW purchases for centerpiece fantasy minis or characters, but even I’m struggling to justify £50 for this, when a huge Thundertusk costs £35 : / … this is just on my “if I find it cheap on ebay list” 😛 ha ha and I agree that they really need to start rethinking their price tags now, … it’s starting to become really difficult to attract new players when the price tag is so out of range… Read more »
“This is a hobby for little rich boys”.
Could you possibly sound more arrogant and condescending?
Oh the glaring insecurity ..
Actually, @erastus, this is a hobby for little rich WHITE and STRAIGHT boys, it seems… but I promised myself I wasn’t going to talk about GW racism and homophobia, since we don’t have any evidence of it on these miniatures.
@elromanozo I would love to hear you talk about GW’s racism and homophobia, because I’ve honestly yet to encounter it. I hear allegations of racism levelled at GW but what is this based on? If it is the simple fact that every Cadian or Space Marine you ever see coming out of the ‘Eavy Metal team appears to be Caucasian then I agree that this is odd and slightly worrying. However, I don’t think it’s racism but simple lack of thought and awareness. If I were in charge of the painting at GW, I’d do something about it. People of… Read more »
“The collective failure of an organisation to provide an appropriate and professional service to people because of their colour, culture, or ethnic origin. It can be seen or detected in processes, attitudes and behaviour which amount to discrimination through unwitting prejudice, ignorance, thoughtlessness and racist stereotyping which disadvantage minority ethnic people.” The Macpherson report “Institutional racism is that which, covertly or overtly, resides in the policies, procedures, operations and culture of public or private institutions – reinforcing individual prejudices and being reinforced by them in turn.” A. Sivanandan, Director, Institute of Race Relations Note: attitudes and behaviour which amount to… Read more »
@chibi institutional racism is simply not the same thing as racism. Yes, you could argue that GW’s practise of painting every Cadian white is an occurrence of institutional racism. On the other hand the range of characters of various ethnicities in the Horus Heresy novels is evidence of inclusion and awareness of racial diversity. Companies and organisations need to be aware of possible instances of institutional racism so that they can address them. Throwing around accusations like GW are racist is both disingenuous and pretty offensive to everyone who works there.
You said, “However, I don’t think it’s racism but simple lack of thought and awareness.” Which by definition is institutional racism. Are you suggesting that Romain has to prove every individual playing Warhammer to be racist for his comment to be valid? Furthermore, Romain said the game is FOR, “little rich WHITE and STRAIGHT boys, IT SEEMS” (my emphasis except where it isn’t). I have seen plenty of evidence on other forums to back that observation, and quite frankly, some of the people that comment are thoroughly abhorrent in their lack of humanity. GW don’t exactly push multi racial units… Read more »
Whether it’s casual, institutionalised, or overt, racism is racism. I’m not passing any comment on GW and whether they are racist or not, but institionalised and casual racism are both racism, are both real, and are both issues that need to be dealt with every bit as much as overt racism. To diminish them is just as dangerous as diminishing date rape as not being “proper” rape.
Sorry, but no. Institutional racism is not the same thing as personal racism. If you think it is, then you actually don’t understand what institutional racism is. I am not for a minute defending the GW painters practise of painting all minis white, but to jump from all these minis are white to GW is racist? Really? I don’t see any black faces in the BoW team, is BoW racist? Of course it effing well isn’t. Please stop devaluing the word racism by bandying it round at anything and anyone you don’t like. Yes, you can point to a White… Read more »
Btw @redben I don’t think your rape analogy holds water. The reason date rape is as bad as aggravated rape if that the effect on the victim is just as terrible. Even if we accept that GW is institutionally racist, what’s the effect that this is going to have on any BME person who reads a White Dwarf or looks at the GW website? Is it going to make them go to bed and not get up for three days, crying continually like the last time my other half was racially abused? Institutional racism was brought to the public attention… Read more »
I am making no comment on GW. I stand by everything I wrote. Racism of any kind is a serious problem that should never be diminished or ranked, just like rape.
*Just like rape of any kind is a serious problem that should never be diminished or ranked.
The thing is @redben (and I know you did not intend this) when I see statements like GW are racist and blanket statements about racism which say that all racism is equally bad, I think about the vile racism that I actually have experience of. I think about the times (three occations in fact in the 11 years I have known her) that the woman I love has been devistated by genuine racial abuse and I get upset. Upset because there is an equivalency being drawn between the time my wife was called the ‘n’ word to her face and… Read more »
@elromanazo @chibi @redben I’m sorry, I will let this drop, but I have to say one last thing before I sod off for good, because I can’t stand it round here anymore. I want you to try to imagine how it feels when somebody tells you that all racism is equally bad and that what colour you paint your miniatures is an example of such racism. It makes you feel like the racism which has had an awful effect on people you love is as important as what colour GW paint their miniatures. It makes you feel like your wife… Read more »
because the constant low level background noise of exclusion, insults and repression based on the colour of skin or gender or creed, or sexuality is just not enough for some people. It is the stuff that feeds the hatred and fear and prejudice that creates the obviously nasty racism. Ignore it if you want. There are plenty of poor bastards that have to put up with it every waking moment of their lives. The slow drip feed of bile is nothing to be blasé about. I thank whatever happenstance of fate made me white, male and straight, because it is… Read more »
Seriously @chibi did you actually read anything I wrote. You think you can lecture me on racism when I DO live it everyday. I have lived with some of the consequences of racism everyday for the last 11 years, ever since I had the good fortune yo fall in love with a beautiful woman how happens to be black. I have seen first hand what’s it’s like yo be followed round a shop by the store detective cos your wife is the only black person in the shop. I have witnessed the look of shock and surprise when a plumber… Read more »
And yes, my typing IS shit when I’m upset too.
nope. Why would I read through a text wall when I have a dreadful headache and as a consequence, the attention span of a gnat? I get enough of a gist that you seem to think that it is only the symptom that needs attention rather than deep rooted causes Yesterday, someone on Facebook posted three busts of non-GW space marines. Which is okay because as we know, GW do not own the IP for space marines. One called “Leader” was a Negroid, with a Caucasian and possibly a female Asian. See it isn’t hard It isn’t even a question… Read more »
@chibi I give up. What is the point when you admit you haven’t even read what I wrote. Instead you make assumptions which have nothing to do with anything I have said.
Btw @chibi nobody says “negroid” anymore. It’s considered a bit, you know … racist.
But no @chibi instead of actually reading what I’ve written, you make up what you think I’ve written, use a term that many people consider racially offensive yourself, then make a joke of it … And you accuse me of being blasé.
I rather like the Mortarchs and their mounts, especially Arkhan and his Dread Abyssal which has the best pose and the most effective head of the three in my opinion, though the bat like head of Mannfred’s mount also appeals (yes, I like the floaty death ponies, so sue me 😉 ) The titbits of lore from the most recent White Dwarf also help to explain why the Dread Abyssals are sculpted in the way they are; according to the fluff, each abyssal is a spectral creature of the underworld that has been summoned into the land of the living… Read more »
Not going to buy them as I no longer play fantasy but I really love the models. Undead was and still would be my faction of choice so yeah, if I got back into the game, I’d buy one of these or nagash to lead an army. Would be a stunning centre piece. 🙂 just wish I could paint that well!
… ok, I get that some people may think it’s a bit expensive, … but either way that mini is f**king amazing (☆ ____ ☆) have you checked out that 360′ on the website , it looks incredibles as usual, the centerpiece Warhammer Fantasy sculpts just blow anything 40k out of the water, in my opinion 🙂 … they just need to bring in more fantasy players now 😉 … maybe an alternate rules set for smaller scale battles would help tempt people 🙂 and P.S. there’s nothing wrong with making something look like it’s too 80’s cartoony, or too… Read more »
Personally, I think they look like GW have taken a few inspirations from Privateer’s Cryx – those mounts have the same kind of angular, mechanical look about them. I don’t mind them too much as miniatures, but I really don’t thinki they fit in with the undead aesthetic from Warhammer.
Mind you, the Undead are segregated these days I’m not even sure they have a cohesive aesthetic anymore.
Very GW with one or two skulls on the figure not my cup of tea but they will look good with Nagash & undead army around them.
£48 is taking the piss a bit, but with the standard 25% online discount the price is brought down to how much it should be: and in an area most people can probably afford/are willing to pay.
Pretty great models to paint and keep safe in a Display Cabinet. A very slight threat in looking cartoonish but I think that might be how you paint it.
Terrible for actual gaming models, they’ll break like a mother *******
Whether you like the minis or not one thing is for certain – GW style has changed. The newer minis are more like a videogame or anime. This style began in the early 00s and has escalated ever since. The newer minis to my mind look far too posed and artificial. Of course some gamers may like the look of them.
I have to admit, I absolutely love these latest minis for Warhammer, they look absolutely brilliant, in the cheesiest 1980’s ‘saturday morning cartoon’ kinda way!!! 😀 Price is a bit of a stumbling block but with a twentysomething percent discount from a third party retailer It makes it all a bit more palatable. The Black Host army deal has me sorely tempted too, sadly looks direct only. 🙁 Buy a shed load of cheap Mantic skeletons and zombies, fill out the larger monster spots with the lavish GW creations and you’re on to a winner I reckon, an undead army… Read more »
Aesthetics are debatable, but my concern, looking at the 360 view is the tiny amount of surface area attaching it to the base.
The base of the tail and possibly one ghost, which is right next to the tail base are the only attachment points that I can see. For something that top heavy and with as many grabby/jabby bits sticking off of it, that seems very very unstable.
Even if one ghost was connected with the front claws or torso it would be much more stable.
If the vertebrae are hollow then some wire could be used to strengthen the tail. Somehow I doubt that will be the case. Which means drilling The problem is the curvature needed to create a bigger area of contact on the base will make that near impossible. One solution might be to hollow out the tail halves very carefully with a Dremel, place the wire inside and dry fit, until there is a good fit. Not sure if there would be enough space to fit in a sufficiently sturdy wire, and it is not going to be an easy process,… Read more »
Battlecat/Transformers aestethics fit the warhammer world now?
Have done for a few years now. I think their new style look like a cross between WoW-esque computer animation and 80s action figures. You pays your money, you takes your choice.
Yeah i just think they ruined the feel of things .. a good example is 1st edition skaven vs current. Current skaven arent bad at all, its just the classic models are part of a world thats more “raw” so to speak
That maybe because in the early days, while GW designers may have referred to various contemporary sources, they had to develop the style from scratch.
Know, I feel, the references are too knowing, too self parodying. They have become a pastiche.
IMHO The over stylisation of the models do not tally with the dark background that drew me into WHFB in the first place.
Once again I love the models and once again they take the piss with the prices.
I said over a year ago when they brought the slaughterbrute out it was way too much it’s just sad to see the game become more elitist and excludes the average wargamer.
If it was priced at £30 to £35 I would be quite happy to buy it.
Look at it this way:
If you pick the kit apart you will get 3 characters and 1 monster + any left overs for future conversions. That’s 4 different pieces for £12 each. Considering this is character detailed and one big monster included, I think £ 48 is very reasonable.
They are nice models but as others have stated the price is too much again, I am certain GW are losing sales and money due to their pricing strategy.
For every Waitrose shopper ( seriously guys, keep talking about where you shop as if it’s relevant lol) there are two or three people on the fence who just cant justify that kinda money for essentially a toy.
You forget ha ha that a significant amount of “Waitrose” shoppers i.e people of some wealth get there because they are very careful with their money and know when they’re being fleeced. Which is even more customers GW will lose.
Yes and some “people some wealth” get there because they worked bloody hard to get there and have earned the right to spend their money on whatever they want if it makes them happy.
Working hard to get money and being careful with money to get more money are not mutually exclusive.
You lose significant wealth if you throw it aimless away – no matter how hard you work.
I’ll be sure to consult you everytime I buy anything then @poosh
@erastus do as you please. But a lot of wealthy people maintain their wealth because they are careful with their spending. They don’t allow a single person to rip them off. They treat every penny they earn or accumulate like gold pressed latinum. We should all incorporate this attitude when appropriate.
Just because you can afford to spend £4.50 on a regular coffee doesn’t mean you should.
Of course not @poosh but we are talking about aesthetics here. I don’t actually like this miniature so I wouldn’t want it even if it was free, so let’s talk about something I do like. I’m waiting for an order of some Forgeworld Horus Heresy marines to arrive. They cost a lot more than standard plastic GW marines and a heck of a lot more than some miniatures by some other companies. However I’m not buying 5 FW marines because I want any 5 random miniatures. I’m buying 5 FW marines because I want 5 FW marines. If I just… Read more »