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Deep Thought: GW Branches Out Mini Design With Warcry Range

3 Minute Read
Jul 15 2019
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For years Games Workshop minis have had a particular “look” to them. They have expanded out in all new directions with WarCry. Take a look.

GW is very, very good at establishing a visual dictionary and sticking with it. You can look at pretty much any Space Marine from 1988 to today and easily identify what it is. That is no easy thing to pull off.  Even with races as diverse as Tau and Sylvaneth – there is still a “GW Feel” to everyone. Most of that has to do with consistent scaling, detailing, and devotion to the heroic scale dimensions.  You didn’t think actual people are 4.5 heads tall, did you?  Once you understand what Heroic scale is, it is difficult to unsee.

The GW Heroic Ideal (4.5 heads tall)

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The Greek Heroic Ideal (8-9 heads tall)

More than Proportions

But the GW style has more than just a proportions canon. It is and always had a very European-focussed aesthetic. This is completely unsurprising considering for the entirely of Warhammer Fantasy’s run; it was set in an analog of Medieval Europe. 40K is also set in a very specific version of a high-gothic Europe-Imperial Roman visual universe. While yes there have been some little experiments here and there, such as the hard sci-fi lines of the T’au, and the Meso-American themes of the Lizardmen-Seraphon – those are exceptions to the rule.

Hello Warcry…

Then these guys came along:



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And – wow where to start.  These are sticking to the GW Heroic scale, but are taking some liberties in a few cases.  While the rank and file clearly stick to the canon, some of the leaders have a disturbing exaggerated length of limbs. Things like the individual carrying the serpents, the Crow leader on stilts and the mutilated leader with scythe arms are pushing GW’s design in new exciting directions. We’ve seen some other companies like Kingdom Death more overtly delve into the visual horror genre, and it looks like GW is dipping a toe in that direction under the rubric of Chaos.

From a cultural point of view, I see some art-historical visual cues in there from places as far-flung as Japan, Native America, Africa, and more.

And in my book that’s a great thing – opening up GW’s models to global influences and cultures. It’s something I hope to see more of as we explore more unseen vistas in both the Grimdark and the Mortal Realms.

~What do you think of the design of the new Warcry minis? What do you see that you want to see more of from GW?

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Author: Larry Vela
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