Lots of Grots

I’ve sojourned so far down the goblin rabbit hole that I’m starting to look for non-Games Workshop sources for interesting, new miniatures. There are, as one would expect, a variety of interpretations of “goblin.”

For example, I have two different varietals from my Reaper Bones Kickstarters — one set look like I imagine D&D goblins to be, and who aren’t at all green, and another look like cinematic gremlins carrying torches. I am definitely partial to the slightly-silly, of course green, pointy-nosed, Old World aesthetic.

Alternative Armies has a 28mm High Fantasy range which includes a Goblin and Orc Horde. The Goblin Knights, of which there are a variety, don’t do it for me. There are Cros Goblins which are quite nice, but have a more small-nosed, D&D vibe. Of more interest to me are:

• Coblynau Lesser Goblins, 11 for £12,
• Goblin Archers, 5 for £8,
• Goblin Warriors, 5 for £8,
• Goblin Elite, 5 for £8,

Black Tree Design , if I understand this correctly, sells “Harlequin Miniatures by Kev Adams” Goblins. These were initially Kickstarted here and here. Kev Adams sculpted Warhammer goblins back in the day, so these are delightfully old school. Note that BTD has “Nightlings,” too, which are clearly Night Goblins, but I have so many and they are easily sourced, so I’ll leave them for others.

Also, I must append a caveat emptor that I have run across reports by some customers who were less than satisfied with BTD’s service in 2019. I’ll make a small order (as the $6.38 process below are for items on sale) and report on my experience.

• Goblin Fighters I, 3 for $6.38,
• Goblin Fighters II, 3 for $6.38,
• Goblin Fighter Command, 3 for $6.38,
• Goblin Shaman, 1 for $2.63,
• Goblin Wolf Riders I, II, and Wolf Rider Spearmen, Archers, Standard Bearer, Musician, or Axemen, 1 each for $3.75,
• Goblin Command I and II, 3 for $8.50,
• Goblin Raiders I, II, and III, 3 for $8.50, and
• Goblin Fighters I, II, and III, 3 for 8.50.

Impact! Miniatures has a resin Kev Adams 31 Goblin Army, 31 figures for $35. Impact also do many Blood Bowl teams, should one be in the market.

Old Glory Miniatures seem to have two separate lines of goblins, both under the West Wind section of their website:

• Under the Dwarf Wars heading, we find the Gallowskrie Goblins. They appear sufficiently goofy.
• Directly under the West Wind heading, we find the Terronus, Isle of Goblins collection. Alas, most of the pictures for these guys are broken — I’m especially intrigued by the Goblin Villagers.

Rebel Minis has a Dark Hold Fantasy Setting “to try and fill what we see is a void in RPGs and Tabletop Games, namely Goblin characters, personalities and classes.” They are 28mm metal, and I would lament, a tad pricey. Many come in packs of 4 unique sculpts for $14.95. You’ll find:

• Knight Goblin Cavalry (on pigs), 3 for $21.95,
• Jester, 1 for $4.95,
• Goblin Adventurers I and II, 4 in each pack, $14.95 each,
• Goblin Villagers, 4 for $14.95,
• Goblin Militia, 4 for $14.95,
• Drunk Goblin Guard, 1 for $3.75,
• Knight Goblin Jousters (on pigs), 2 for $14.95,
• Goblin Henchmen, 3 for $10.95, and
• Goblin Minions, 10 10mm identical sculpts for $7.99.

Shieldwolf Miniatures has recently Kickstarted a range of plastic Forest Goblins. They come from Greece, and I’ll list the prices in Euros as exchange rates vary:

• Infantry, which one can build with hand weapons, spears, or bows, 25 for €27.75;
• A Master Archer for €9.90;
• A Master Spearman for €9.90;
• A Master Butcher for €9.90, who, I’ll note, is wearing an apron and looks menacing, but also looks like he really could work behind a meat counter;
• A Shaman for €8.90;
• And Goblin Hero A and Hero B, for €8.90 each.

Warmonger Miniatures, sister company to my old favorite Wargames Foundry, has a vast collection grotty goodness. I shall make no attempt to list them individually as they are all so good.