The Games Workshop Alternatives Thread

[TristramEvans]

The purpose of this thread is to highlight the many alternatives to Games Workshop for miniatures and fantasy wargames. Whether put off by GW's ruthless business practices, the egregious pricing, or simply want a more unique army, I'll go through the numerous options Ive uncovered in my research.

To start off, here is an overview of companies whose miniature ranges could offer substitutes for Warhammer Fantasy Battles army lists. After this Ill go into alternatives and proxies for individual armies.

(It's going to take a while to get all these lists up and then links, so bear with me as I do this in sections)

AVATARS OF WAR
Daemons, Dwarves, Elves, Lizardmen, Orcs & Goblins, Skaven, Vampire Counts, Warriors of Chaos

BLACK HAT MINIATURES
Dwarves, Orcs & Goblins

BLACK SCORPION MINIATURES
Dwarves, Skaven

BLACK TREE DESIGNS
Beastmen, Dwarves, Elves, The Empire, Orcs & Goblins, Skaven, Tomb Kings, Vampire Counts

BRIGADE MINIATURES
Dwarves, Elves, Orcs & Goblins, Vampire Counts

CALVACADE WARGAMES
Beastmen, Bretonnians, The Empire, Lizardmen, Ogre Kingdoms, Orcs & Goblins

CIPHER STUDIOS
Bretonnians, Daemons of Chaos, The Empire, Lizardmen, Warriors of Chaos

CROCODILE GAMES
Tomb Kings

CRUSADER MINIATURES
Bretonnia, The Empire

DARK SWORD MINIATURES
Bretonnians, Elves, The Empire, Lizardmen

DWARF TALES
Dwarves, The Empire

EM-4-MINIATURES
Dwarves, Elves

ENIGMA MINIATURES
Daemons of Chaos, Dwarves, Elves, The Empire, Orcs & Goblins, Vampire Counts, Warriors of Chaos

FENRYLL
Daemons of Chaos, Dwarves, Elves, The Empire, Orcs & Goblins, Vampire Counts

FREEBOOTER
Dwarves, Elves, Vampire Counts

[TristramEvans]

GAMESZONE
Beastmen, Dwarves, Elves, The Empire, Orcs & Goblins, Vampire Counts

GRIBBLY MINIATURES
Warriors of Chaos

GUILD OF HARMONY
Elves, Orcs & Goblins

HASSLEFREE MINIATURES
Dwarves, Elves, Orcs & Goblins

HERESY
Beastmen, Bretonnians, Daemons of Chaos, Elves, Ogre Kingdoms, Orcs & Goblins, Vampire Counts

LEAD ADVENTURE
Dwarves, The Empire

MAJESTIC BEAR MINIATURES
Elves

MANTIC
Dwarves, Elves, Orcs & Goblins, Skaven, Vampire Counts

MILITON MINIATURES
Beastmen, Bretonnians, Daemons of Chaos, Dwarves, Elves, The Empire, Orcs & Goblins, Skaven, Tomb Kings, Vampire Counts, Warriors of Chaos

OTHERWORLD MINIATURES
Beastmen, Daemons of Chaos, Dwarves, Elves, Lizardmen, Skaven, Tomb Kings, Vampire Counts, Warriors of Chaos

PRIVATEER PRESS
Beastmen, Elves, Orcs & Goblins, Warriors of Chaos

RAFM MINIATURES
Beastmen, Dwarves, Elves, Lizardmen, Orcs & Goblins, Vampire Counts

[TristramEvans]

RAGING HEROES
Daemons of Chaos, Elves, Orcs & Goblins, Warriors of Chaos

REAPER MINIATURES
Beastmen, Bretonnians, Daemons of Chaos, Dwarves, Elves, The Empire,  Lizardmen, Orcs & Goblins, Skaven, Tomb Kings, Vampire Counts, Warriors of Chaos

RED BOX GAMES
Bretonnians, Dwarves, Elves, Orcs & Goblins, Warriors of Chaos

RUSTED HEROES
Bretonnians, The Empire, Warriors of Chaos

SCIBOR
Beastmen, Dwarves, Elves, The Empire, Skaven, Vampire Counts

SPELL CROW
Dwarves, Elves, The Empire, Orcs & Goblins

TROLL FORGED
Beastmen, Bretonnians, Daemons of Chaos, Dwarves, Elves, Lizardmen, Vampire Counts

ULTRAFORGE MINIATURES
Daemons of Chaos, Elves

VALIENT ENTERPRISES
Dwarves, Elves, The Empire, Warriors of Chaos

WARPLOGUE MINIATURES
The Empire

THE WARGAMES FOUNDRY
Beastmen, Bretonnians, Dwarves, Elves, The Empire, Orcs & Goblins, Tomb Kings, Vampire Counts

WEST WIND PRODUCTIONS
Daemons of Chaos, Dwarves, Elves, Orcs & Goblins

[TristramEvans]

BASIC SUPPLIES

Generally speaking, your going to pay double to triple cost for any supplies with the GW logo on it. All these items can be found with a bit of smart shopping for a fraction of the cost.

Dollar Stores often carry hobby knives, magnetic tape, cheap brushes (for large areas and dry brushing), nail files, superglue,  and occasionally basing material like stones and sand (check the floral decorations area. Styrofoam for scenery can also be found in this section).

Michaels and other craft stores are cheap sources for brushes, basing materials, Testor's Dullcoat (a great and affordable finish that avoids that glossy fake look), paint pens (good for detail work like eyes, banners, and books/scrolls), and various scenery materials.

Paying $20 to $30 for spray primer for GW or alternatives like The Army Painter is generally a waste of money when you can pick up cans of spray primer from Home Depot or other hardware stores for $3 to $6. My personal favourites and highest recommendation goes to Krylon Ultra-Matt Camoflage primer, for black, grey, or brown. Other colours are available in Krylon's Fusion line, specifically good for plastic minis.

Movement Trays are essential for any army, and you can make your own easily enough for next to no cash. I use DVD cases cut to size, then trim off and file the sides of used sprues as borders. Plastic glue works fine for both, then a coat of paint and basing material (sand and/or flock) and you've got a very nice movement tray. If you're into magnetizing your bases, grab a sheet of magnetic tape or for around $15 you can pick up a can of magnetic paint from Home Depot (warning: this requires 6-8 layers typically to be effective).

Other basing alternatives include thick cardboard, plasticard sheets, or metal sheets, all of which can be found for under $20 for more than you'll probably need in your lifetime. If in a pinch, cd jewel cases are also passable for small units.

[TristramEvans]

PAINT ALTERNATIVES


Colour   New Citadel*****   Old Citadel   Vallejo Game Color   Vallejo Model Color   Rackham   Reaper Master   Privateer Press P3****   Coat D'arms***   Hex Code
     White Scar    Skull White    Dead White (001)    White (951)    Eternal White (1)    Pure White (9039)    Morrow white    White (101)    FFFFFF
     Ceramite White    Smelly Primer*    White Primer (002)    Foundation White (919)         Brush-on Primer (9108)    Menoth white Highlight    Grey Primer (141)    FFFFFF
     Bestigor flesh**    Pallid Flesh*    Pale Flesh (003)    Light Flesh (928)    Pearly Flesh (31)    Rosy Highlight (9069)    Ryn Flesh    Flesh (213)    EEC8C7
     Kislev Flesh    Elf Flesh    Elf Skintone (004)    Flat Flesh (955)    Craggy Skin (30)    Rosy Highlight ** (9069)         Elven Flesh (123)    F7BD7B
     Dorn yellow**    Bad Moon Yellow*    Bad Moon Yellow (005)    Lemon Yellow (952)         Clear Yellow (9095)         Dusky Yellow (146)    FFF700
     Flash Gitz Yellow    Sunburst Yellow    Sunblast Yellow (006)    Flat Yellow (953)    Lahn Yellow (40)    Sun Yellow (9008)         Sun Yellow (103)    FFE700
     Yriel Yellow    Golden Yellow    Gold Yellow (007)    Golden Yellow (948)    Royal Yellow (39)    Marigold Yellow (9007)         Golden Yellow (159)    FFCE00
     Tallarn Sand    Desert Yellow    Desert Yellow (063)    Dark Yellow (978)         Faded Khaki (9129)              9C8855
     Fire Dragon Bright    Fiery Orange *    Orange Fire (008)    Light Orange (911)    Merin's Fire (38)    Fire Orange (9006)         Flame Orange (105)    FF7B00
     Troll Slayer Orange    Blazing Orange*    Hot Orange (009)    Scarlet (817)    Fusion Red (37)    Phoenix Red (9005)         Burnt Orange (147)    FF3108
     Evil Sunz Scarlet    Blood Red*    Bloody Red (010)    Vermillion (909)    Rackham Red (36)    Clear Red (9094)         Blood Red (104)    CE0018
     Wazdakka Red    Red Gore*    Gory Red (011)    Cavalry Brown (982)    Natural Leather (34)    Carnage Red (9135)         Vampire Red (129)    940008
     Khorne Red    Scab Red*    Scarlett Red (012)    Carmine Red (908)    Arcavia Red (35)    Deep Red (9002)              990033
     XV-88    Terracotta*    Terracotta (065)              Clotted Red (9134)    Bloodstone         793721
     Emperor's Children    Tentacle Pink*    Squid Pink (013)    Pink (958)    Friend Flesh (33)    Pale Violet ** (9027)    Carnal Pink    Shocking Pink (144)    EF9CB5
     Screamer Pink    Warlock Purple*    Warlord Purple (014)    Magenta (945)    Celestial Pink (46)    Pale Violet Red (9027)         Warlock Purple (157)    9C004A
     Xereus Purple    Liche Purple*    Hexed Lichen (015)    Royal Purple (810)    Divine Purple (6)    Clear Plum (9132)    Beaten Purple (93051)    Poison Purple (118)    5A005A
          Imperial Purple*    Royal Purple (016)    Royal Purple (810)         Deep Amethyst (9079)         Amethest Purple (160)    562F7E
          Nauseating Blue *    Sick Blue (017)    Violet ** (960)         Clear Purple (9099)         Nauseous Blue (162)    412A7A
          Storm Blue *    Stormy Blue (018)    Blue (925)    Migol Blue (5)    Ritterlich Blue ** (9115)              27357E
          Midnight Blue*    Night Blue (019)    Dark Prussian Blue (899)    Abyssal Blue (3)    Ultramarine Shadow (9187)              000031
     Kantor Blue    Regal Blue*    Imperial Blue (020)    Royal Blue (809)         Brilliant Blue (9116)         Royal Blue (110)    08085A
     Caledor Sky    Enchanted Blue*    Magic Blue (021)    Dark Blue (930)    Ephren Blue (4)    Cyan Blue ** (9117)         Wizard Blue (114)    31639C
     Altdorf Guard Blue    Ultramarine Blue    Ultra Marine Blue (022)    Ultramarine (839)    Wizard Blue ** (7)    Ultramarine Highlight ** (9189)         Marine Blue (148)    29397B
     Lothern Blue    Ice Blue    Ice Blue (095)    Azure ** (902)    Glacier Blue (9)                   6B9CCE
     Teclis blue    Lightning Bolt Blue *    Electric Blue (023)    Sky Blue (961)    Sacred Blue ** (    Sky Blue ** (9018)         High Elf Blue (117)    8BB9DD
     Sotek Green    Hawk Turquoise    Falcon Turquoise (024)    Light Turquoise (840)    Precious Blue (12)    Marine Teal (9077)         Aquamarine (132)    006B5A
          Vile Green *    Foul Green (025)    Park Green Flat (969)    Antique Green (13)                   82C59C
          Jade Green*    Jade Green (026)    Light Turquoise (840)         Reptilian Greens Triad ** (9184/9185/9186)         Jade Green** (158)    069B7D
          Scaly Green *    Scurf Green (027)    Emerald (838)    Chitin Green (19)    Clear Viridian (9131)              026B67
     Caliban Green    Dark Angels Green*    Dark Green (028)    Deep Green (970)    Diisha Green (18)    Pine Green ** (9010)    Gnarls Green **    Dark Elf Green (111)    005221
     Warpstone Glow    Snot Green*    Sick Green (029)    Intermediate Green (891)    Avagddu Green (17)    Clear Green (9096)         Bogey Green (121)    106B21
     Warboss Green    Goblin Green*    Goblin Green (030)    Pastel Green (885)    Chasm Green (16)    Field Green ** (9167)         Goblin Green (108)    63B521
     Elysian Green    Camo Green*    Camouflage Green (031)    Olive Green (967)         Camoflage Green ** (9177)              A5A542
     Moot Green    Scorpion Green*    Scorpy Green (032)    Light Green (942)    Quithayran Green (14)    Pale Green (9012)         Scorpion Green (152)    A5D610
          Bilious Green *    Livery Green (033)    Yellow Green ** (954)    Mystic Green (15)    Spring Green ** (9146)              A9D171
     Castellan Green    Catachan Green*    Cayman Green (067)    Olive Grey (888)         Muddy Olive (9034)              455440
     Ushabti Bone    Bleached Bone*    Bonewhite (034)    Buff (976)    Wildcat Gray ** (42)    Yellowed Bone (9143)    Menoth white base    Bone (112)    EFD9A8
     Nurgling Green    Rotting Flesh*    Dead Flesh (035)    German Yellow ** (806)    Dead Flesh (11)    Pale Olive (9036)    Jack Bone    Putrid Green (125)    E7EFC6
          Bronzed Flesh *    Bronze Flesh (036)    Dark Flesh (927)         Burnt Orange ** (9111)         Tanned Flesh (115)    F7944A
     Tau Light Ochre    Vomit Brown*    Filthy Brown (037)    Beige Red (804)    Tanned Skin (29)    Tanned Leather (9031)    Rucksack tan    Bilious Brown (130)    DE9408
          Leprous Brown*    Scrofulous Brown (038)    Gold Brown (877)         Saffron Sunset ** (9182)         Leprous Brown (156)    D88E2D
     Zamesi Desert    Bubonic Brown*    Plague Brown (039)    Yellow Ochre (913)    Forgotten Gold (25)    Palomino Gold (9074)    Moldy ochre    Festering Brown (126)    C68400
     Balor Brown    Snakebite Leather*    Cobra Leather /Leather Brown (040)    Brown Sand (876)    Kalliene Yellow (23)    Chestnut Gold (9073)         Barbarian Leather (116)    9C6B08
     Ratskin Flesh    Dwarf Flesh*    Dwarf Skin (041)    Brown Rose (803)         Rosy Skin (9068)         Dwarven Flesh (124)    F78C5A
     Skrag Brown    Vermin Brown*    Parasite Brown (042)    Orange Brown (981)    Syhar Soil (24)    Chestnut Brown ** (9071)         Rat Brown (119)    843910
     Mournfang Brown    Bestial Brown*    Beasty Brown (043)    Flat Brown (984)    Soil of Avagddu (22)    Intense Brown (9138)    Bloodstone    Hairy Brown (120)    663300
     Steel Legion Drab    Graveyard Earth*    Earth (062)    English Uniform (921)         Uniform Brown (9127)    Gun corps Brown         655138
     Karak Stone    Kommando Khaki*    Khaki (061)    German Cam. Beige WWII (821)         Terran Khaki (9122)              9B8C7B
     Doombull Brown    Dark Flesh*    Dark Fleshtone (044)    Mahogany Brown (846)    Beastly Flesh (21)    Chestnut Brown (9071)              630808
     Bugman's Glow    Tanned Flesh *    Tan (066)              Antique Rose (9139)    Khardic Flesh         A95C3E
     Rhinox Hide    Scorched Brown*    Charred Brown (045)    Burnt Umber (941)    Dirty Leather (20)    Muddy Brown (9028)    Umbral umber         390008
     Ulthian grey    Ghostly Grey *    Ghost Grey (046)    Flat Aluminum (993)         Ghost White (9063)              C3C6CD
     Fenrisian Grey    Space Wolves Grey*    Wolf Grey (047)    Pale Greyblue (907)         Snow Shadow (9021)         Lupin Grey (151)    CEDEE7
     The Fang    Shadow Grey*    Sombre Grey (048)    Oxford Blue (807)         Twilight Blue (9020)         Shadow Grey (150)    4E5067
     Administratum Grey    Fortress Grey*    Stonewall Grey (049)    Pale Grey Blue (907)    Sharp Gray (43)    Weathered Stone (9087)              B5B5B5
     Dawnstone    Codex Grey*    Cold Grey (050)    Basalt Grey (869)    Gray of Darkness (45)    Rainy Grey (9038)              999999
     Abaddon Black    Chaos Black*    Chaos Black / Black (051)    Black (950)    Accursed Black (2)    Pure Black (9037)    Thamar Black    Black (102)    000000
     Runefang Steel    Mithril Silver*    Mithril Silver / Silver (052)    Silver (997)    Polished Silver (49)    Polished Silver (9054)    Quicksilver    Enchanted Silver (106)    B5B5BD
     Ironbreaker    Chainmail*    Chain Mail (053)    Natural Steel (864)         Honed Steel (9053)    Cold steel    Chainmail (109)    7B737B
     Leadbelcher    Boltgun Metal*    Gunmetal / Gunmetal Metal (054)    Gunmetal Grey (863)         Shadowed Steel (9052)    Pig Iron    Gun Metal (142)    393939
     Auric Armour Gold    Burnished Gold*    Polished Gold (055)    Gold (996)         New Gold (9051)    Brass Balls **         E7BD42
     Gehenna's Gold    Shining Gold*    Glorious Gold (056)    Old Gold (878)         Antique Gold (9050)         Bright Gold (107)    CCCC33
     Hashut Copper    Dwarf Bronze*    Bright Bronze (057)    Bronze (998)         Ancient Bronze (9049)         Dwarven Bronze (143)    9C5221
     Runelord brass    Brazen Brass *    Brassy Brass (058)    Brass (801)         Tarnished Brass ** (9198)         Brass (131)    735A21
     Brass scorpion    Beaten Copper *    Hammered Copper (059)    Copper (999)         Coppery Orange (9102)              73372D
     Warplock Bronze    Tin Bitz*    Tinny Tin (060)              Scorched Metal (9125)         Magic Metal (113)    393121
          Black Ink *    Black Ink (94)                             000000
          Dark Green Ink *    Green Ink (89)                             108473
          Flesh Wash *                             Ink Wash - Flesh (133)    CE8C42
          Magenta Ink *                                  513D3C
          Purple Ink *    Violet Ink (87)                             513D3C
     Mechanicus Standard Grey    Adeptus Battlegrey*         Russian Uniform (924)         Military Green (9176)    Great Coat Grey         7C8286
     Celestra Grey    Astronomicon Grey*    Heavy Bluegrey (144)    Pale Blue Grey (905)         Weathered Stone (9087)              96A5A9
     Mournfang Brown    Calthan Brown*    Heavy Siena (154)    Flat Brown (984)         Dark Highlight (9042)              6D5044
     Stormvermin Fur    Charadon Granite*    Heavy Charcoal (155)    German Grey (995)         Pure Black (9103)**    Bastion grey         4D4A4A
     Rakarth Flesh    Dheneb Stone*    Heavy Warmgrey **(148)                             B9ADA1
     Deathworld Forest    Gretchin Green*    Heavy Khaki (149)    Middlestone (882)         Worn Olive (9159)              6A6445
     Daemonette Hide    Hormagaunt Purple*    Heavy Violet (142)    Violet (960)         Nightshade Purple (9022)              4F566C
     Averland Sunset    Iyanden Darksun*    Heavy Goldbrown (151)    Goldbrown (877)         Green Ochre (9128)    Sulferic yellow         9C8A53
     Baneblade Brown    Khemri Brown*    Heavy Brown (153)    Us Field Drab (873)         Woodstain Brown (9160)              705E48
     Loren Forest    Knarloc Green*    Heavy Green (146)    Luftwaffe Ca. Green (823)         Olive Drab (9158)              434F38
     Jokaero Orange    Macharius Solar Orange*    Heavy Orange (152)    German Orange (805)         Phoenix Red (9005)              A4593D
     Mephiston Red    Mechrite Red*    Heavy Red (141)    Red (926)         Clotted Red (9134)              793638
     Macragge Blue    Mordian Blue*    Heavy Blue (143)    Prussian Blue (965)         Breonne Blue (9055)              2D567C
     Kantor Blue    Necron Abyss*                                  273E51
     Waaagh! flesh    Orkhide Shade*    Heavy Blackgreen (147)    Black Green (980)         Jungle Moss (9082)              384E49
     Balor Brown    Tausept Ochre*    Heavy Ochre (150)    Ochre Brown (856)         Half Orc Highlight (9204)              976F3C
     Cadian Fleshtone    Tallarn Flesh*    Heavy Skintone (140)    Brown Sand (876)         Leather Brown (9030)              8D736C
     Drakenhof Nightshade    Asurmen Blue Wash*    Blue Shade Wash (73207)                             273E51
     Carroburg Crimson    Baal Red Wash*    Red Shade Wash (73206)                             630808
     Nuln Oil    Badab Black Wash*    Black Wash (73201)                   Armor Wash         0
     Agrax Earthshade    Devlan Mud Wash*    Umber Shade Wash (73203)                             393121
     Seraphim Sepia    Gryphonne Sepia Wash*    Sepia Wash (73200)                             843910
     Druchii Violet    Leviathan Purple Wash*    **** Pale Grey Shade Wash (73202)                             842994
     Reikland Fleshshade    Ogryn Flesh Wash*    Fleshtone Shade Wash (73204)                             CE8C42
     Biel-Tan Green    Thraka Green Wash*    Green Shade Wash (73205)                             434F38


(* = discontinued, ** = approximate, *** = coat d'arms match the OLD citadel colours so there might be some difference. Shining gold has the most noticeable difference,
**** P3 Paints did not really match very closely with the old GW range, but a detailed explanation of each paint can be found here: http://www.brushthralls.com/pre-painting-prep/color-theory-10p3.html
***** GW's new range matches with the old range are the matches claimed by GW. However, many of the paints do not match very closely at all and some mixing will be required to get close to the original colours. If you are trying to match old GW with new GW, you'd be better just getting Vallejo game color or coat d'arms for the closest match )

[Edit]
References

This table has been compiled using data from the following sources:

http://home.att.net/~katamaran/vallejo.html
http://myminiaturepainting.com/conversion/citadelgame.html
http://www.nugaming.com/html/vallejo_paints.html#CitadelVallajoConversionTable
http://www.ttfxmedia.com/vallejo/cgi-bin/_modelis_carta.asp?p1=ing&p2=modelcolor&p3=1&p4=0
http://www.ttfxmedia.com/vallejo/cgi-bin/_modelis_info.asp?p1=ing&p2=modelcolor&p3=1#modelcolorinfo
http://www.ttfxmedia.com/vallejo/cgi-bin/_modelis_carta.asp?p1=ing&p2=gamecolor
http://www.ttfxmedia.com/vallejo/cgi-bin/_modelis_info.asp?p1=ing&p2=gamecolor&p3=1#gamecolorinfo
http://uk.games-workshop.com/storefront/store.uk?do=List_Models&code=300952&orignav=300810
http://colors.silicon-dragons.com/full_line.php
http://www.balagan.org.uk/war/paint.htm
http://www.reapermini.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=17678&st=0&p=266494&#entry266494
http://www.dakkadakka.com/s/i/at/at2/2010/4/8/d08819ffe37e45c97ce2e5b4770e92a7_4435.jpeg
http://www.acrylicosvallejo.com/en_US/media/e588d28183cec31ffd6dcee6d3718fc3.cms/equivalencias-rev05.pdf

[The Traveller]

Awesome thread, pet shops also do some incredible buildings and ruins for fish tanks which can be slotted right in to most games, usually very cheaply.

[TristramEvans]

Awesome thread, pet shops also do some incredible buildings and ruins for fish tanks which can be slotted right in to most games, usually very cheaply.

Yeah , good one. There's some great looking Aquarium stuff that's perfectly to scale. I use some Colloseum esque pillar ruins I found at Petsmart.

Also, those ceramic Halloween Town and Christmas Town buildings can be picked up after the holidays for like 80% off, and with a bit of sanding and repainting can make great Warhammer buildings. I liked breaking them will a ball peen hammer to make ruins.

[TristramEvans]

The PAINT RANGE COMPATABILITY CHART compiled on DakkaDakka is an invaluable resource. My personal preference is Vallejo, which are not only $2-3 cheaper than GW, but also come in very convenient dropper bottles. Some plastic paint containers with snap lids from the dollar store are great for mixing and washes.

[TristramEvans]

SKAVEN are perhaps one of the hardest armies to find alternatives for, and as its my personal army choice I'll start with this one.

SLAVES
First off, for the last two editions of WFB, Skaven Slaves have become the staples of any Skaven army. At 2 pts a model, you can field a unit of 50 slaves with musician for 102 pts. Unfortunately the GW slaves kit is only 10 models for a ridiculous price. Clanrats offer a slightly better deal, with a box of 20, 10 of are obviously intended to serve as slaves. The cheapest GW route is however the Island of Blood set, which comes with 40 Clanrats (with shields) , half of which come unarmoured and work great for slaves. Blitz stores sell the Clanrats for this set for $13-15/20, and you can stretch these even further by taking the Clanrats w/o helmets and painting them as wearing leather armour.

Clanrats Spue


Perhaps the best route with slaves though came for me through the realization that there's no need for them to be Skaven specifically. Mixing in numerous other models can make for a great looking and unique Slave unit:

[TristramEvans]

SKAVEN

Black Tree Designs does a line of Skaven proxies called Ver'Men. The sculpts aren't beautiful but the prices are decent.

So far, Avatars of War only have one "Skaven" figure, The Vermin Clan Lord. It's nice enough, but I couldn't imagine buying more than 1 or 2 for an army, and the prices are comparable to GW's really.


The Anthropomorphic Historical Wargame Brushfire has a rodent-themed army called the Vandalands. I quite like these figures, especially the Warlord, which reminds me of one of the rats from the Secret of NIMH. Also, if you want to spice things up, Hamster Beserkers!


Obelisk Miniatures has a line called, I kid you not, Hum-Rats, that I think is a bit crude looking, but would probably go well with an Oldhammer army.

Black Scorpion miniatures does a Skaven Bloodbowl line called Vermin, that are quite nice and easily converted.


Mantic Games also does a Skaven Bloodbowl line called Veer-Myn. These tend to be a bit more "futuristic" looking, but still could make for some great conversions. The "Nightmares" team in particular would be great for Plague Monks, and Ive thought of adapting the Skittersneak Stealers into a Gutter Runners Skirmishing unit.

Mirliton Miniatures does a Skaven-proxy line called 'Ratscum' that re quite decent.

Mierce Miniatures, makers of Bane-Beasts and Darklands have a number of options for Skaven characters and monsters. Three-Face, The Verminous Horror is obviously intended as a Hell Pit Abomination proxy, just as thier Scar-Scath model is a popular alternative for a Vermin Lord. Blunt-Claw and Flint-Fang would make for quite unique Warlords, Chieftains, or Champions.

This guy is pretty well the most badass Skaven model you will ever see. He wears a banner on his back made from a skinned elf, he's got wolverine claws, he's got a meat cleaver, and he's got..uh, pots. For cooking his enemies I guess.

Reaper Miniatures has a pseudo-Skaven line called "Oh, Rats" that are also, as of the latest Kickstarter, getting a Bones version. Reaper also does a line called "Mouslings", which I personally find just a wee bit too cute for my Skaven, but it would still be interesting to see a Skaven proxy army of these guys.


You could also stop by SCIBOR miniatures to check out thier Rat Warrior model. But it's not great, there's no unit for sale, and I really can't recommend it.

Also, if you know a place that sells individual D&D minis, there were two Wererat models released. However, they're a bit small for a Stormvermin...

[TristramEvans]

Also, I'd be remiss not to mention the LEGO Doomwheel...

[David Johansen]

Fire Forge's crusaders would make fantastic Bretoninans.

Perry Miniatures War of the Roses figures make fantastic Empire troops and knights.

Warlord Games Celts work great for Chaos Maurauders.

[The Traveller]

Yeah , good one. There's some great looking Aquarium stuff that's perfectly to scale. I use some Colloseum esque pillar ruins I found at Petsmart.

Also, those ceramic Halloween Town and Christmas Town buildings can be picked up after the holidays for like 80% off, and with a bit of sanding and repainting can make great Warhammer buildings. I liked breaking them will a ball peen hammer to make ruins.

I haven't done it in a long time but we used to make futuristic ruins out of packing styrofoam/polystyrene melted in places, then stabbed with various bits and bobs before painting. The melting should probably be done outdoors.

[Blackhand]

I have to mention Wargames Factory.  They don't make games, just minis, usually about 20-35 soldiers per plastic box.  This is THE BEST deal for your wargames, hands down - no matter what you play.  

• 12 Cavalry = $20 USD
• 32 Multipose / Multiweapon Infantry = $20 USD
• 2 Cannons and Crew = $20 USD

There's such a wide variety of models you really just have to check them out.  These are cheap, awesome and interchangeable.  Really just top notch.  Here's a few examples.

[David Johansen]

I love Wargames factory but those are some fantastic paint jobs on the British Infantry there.  They're one of the earliest sets and the detail's pretty soft.