The Grand Alliance
Overall the more complex half of the game pieces to paint. I enjoyed the creativity and vision that went into each sculpt. It's more work, but ultimately more rewarding to see it all come together. The diversity of the models really helps push the sense of individual identity.
The sails alone are worth talking about. From a painting standpoint the represent the largest time sink but from a modeling standpoint they are a technical marvel. Getting such a high degree of precision on a curved surface with no mold-lines and nearly limitless detail shows everyone else out there who is boss. Games Workshop doesn't make the best rule systems, their tournaments could use some help, and their PR policies need to throw a hard 180. That being said, no one, and I mean no one, does models better than GW.
The one complaint I have about these ships is the heavy repetition the painter has to deal with. I get that we're working on a very grandiose scale with lots of over-the-top moments, but 176 cannons is just too many.
The Dreadfleet
I would say offhand that it took roughly half the time to paint this half of the box as it did for the Grand Alliance. Practice was definitely a factor, as I did these models second. But where the alliance ships relied on rows and rows of neatly arranged cannons and bolt throwers to convey a sense of power, the ships of the Dreadfleet instead look to overwhelming scale of force. It's appropriate when you consider the armies they're meant to represent from Warhammer Fantasy Battles. The Empire doesn't get to bring monstrous creatures, but instead packs in a metric ton of soldiers (except for Nuln of course). But when you think about the massive warmachines of the Chaos Dwarves, the towering monsters of the Tomb Kings, it makes sense that they would bring equally impressive titans with them on the high seas.
The variety of influences in the sculpture really help to keep things fresh. I worked on this project for roughly ten weeks, but I never felt the standard battle-fatigue I usually get when working on other projects of this scale. What kept it from becoming painfully repetitive was that every week I knew I was getting into something that was brand new, which really ups the value for potential painters out there.
In the negatives for this part of the box I really only have two nitpicks. The Bloody Reaver is a pain to assemble, and no where in the book or the box or the website can you find images of the auxiliary ship for the Black Kraken.
Everything Else
The rest of this box is a collection of awesome tokens, islands, and a few monsters to boot. I really have nothing to add about these pieces, except that they really are something special. My big tip for potential painters is to definitely break it up by throwing in just a few pieces alongside each ship you paint. That way when you're finally done with the 10th ship you don't have a mountain of mountains to paint.
Who should get this box?
I feel like this is a box every painter should work their way through. For a long time I've heard a lot of guys complain that they don't want to work at this scale because the models are garbage, but the rules have changed with this box. GW has proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that it is possible not only to make sub-28mm scale models in plastic, but in razor-sharp detail. Anything that would have held you back with older metal models just is not a factor here. If you're looking for a fun challenge that will help grow your artistic skills, this box has a lot to offer.
What does this mean for the future of Warhammer Fantasy Battles?
I think that given the high degree of correlation between each of these ships and the factions they represent, we can expect to see this box as a roadmap for GW moving forward for the next few army releases. There are already rumblings of an updated to the empire, and I wouldn't be surprised if the Heldenhammer and Flaming Scimitar held clues to future design elements.
But more importantly, I see this box as a further acknowledgement that Chaos Dwarves are returning to WFB proper, and I'm not just talking forgeworld. I'm going to go out on a limb and say that this isn't the last time we'll be seeing Evil Stunties from the Citadel.
What does this mean for the future of miniature wargames?
If you're producing plastic miniatures, consider the bar raised. Plain and simple, this is going to serve as the standard by which all other miniatures are judged for a long time. Unless these other companies pull off a miracle, I just don't see anyone measuring up.
Conclusions?
This box is filled with awesome and win.
Teh End.
