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Monday, 2 December 2013

So, Marauder miniatures were actually pretty good...

Marauder miniatures for me were always a poor relation to Citadel miniatures. If you don't remember, back in the late 1980s and early 1990s Marauder released a large number of figures for use alongside Citadel's output for Games Workshop games. I remember their adverts in White Dwarf quite distinctly as "figures I probably wouldn't buy". The line drawing catalogue pages passed me by, and the photographed models always seemed a little bit cartoony, lacking perhaps a little bit of elegance, or maybe just in weird poses.

However, I've been struggling to locate suitable models to use as coaching staff for my WIP Dark Elf Blood Bowl team. After much searching on ebay through the lovely (but too fantasy-esque) Jes Goodwin Wood / High Elves, I stumbled on these 3 fine fellows:

Marauder Wood Elves

What I love about these 3 models is that they are characterful, but also fairly neutral stylistically. They are billed as Wood Elves, but with weapons snips they could comfortably sit into a range of different settings - Elven townsfolk, or (as is my plan) Dark Elf Blood Bowl coaches. The middle guy is my particular favourite - he even has a fur lined coat rather reminiscent of the football sheepskin coat cliche.

Sheepskin coat tastefully modelled by British football commentator John Motson
So what else did Marauder offer? I took the time to check out the ranges on Stuff of Legends. Goodness me, there's some cracking models in their ranges! Empire citizens, dwarfs, elves, trolls and great big monsters. Some of these were assimilated into the later main Citadel ranges of course, but there is a wealth of figures here that I had previously overlooked. Here's a selection of my favourites:

 
Splendid beasties and characterful figures.

So for those of you more enlightened than me, what Marauder figures make it to the top of your lists?

EDIT: It's been pointed out that there's a long and extensive debate on this very topic over on the Oldhammer forums, should you wish to check out other peoples' views.
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6 comments:

  1. Asslessman2 December 2013 at 15:27

    Dude ! Where's the marauder giant? I got one for cheap to add it to the tradefodder but now it's in my hands I want to keep and paint him, definitely a splendid model.

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  2. Blue in VT2 December 2013 at 15:35

    The giant is certainly a favorite of mine too. But my favorites are the MM15 dwarfs. As you know I'm a sucker for puff and slash and these are the best ones going IMO.

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  3. Blue in VT2 December 2013 at 15:36

    Oh...and the ogres too...particularly the commander.

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  4. axiom2 December 2013 at 16:12

    You see - more and more fabulous models just waiting to be re-discovered. The minotaurs are rubbish though!

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    Replies
    1. Asslessman2 December 2013 at 16:40

      Just look at the marauder thread on the forum and you'll see how the subject is a delicate one!

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  5. Evo Von Himmel3 December 2013 at 20:43

    My Dark Elf Army has a lot of Marauder DE's in it, I love 'em, even though they rank up appallingly in units together!

    I used to be the mail order guy for Marauder, back when the first army deals were being released in the early 90's, so I have a soft spot for 'em.

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