"Wargames Factory Celt Review" Topic

(Sorry about the repost, but I felt this deserved its own topic)

Airplane glue fest about to start… is it actual aroma-therapy or is it still bad for me??

My box of Wargames Factory Celts arrived all safe and sound. On first glance these are superior to their initial release of Romans in both engineering and appearance. This is great news as it means that the folks at Wargames Factory are definitely getting ahead of the learning curve, these Celts are an excellent product for gamers and dioramists.

I can in fact hold them up to the competitor's "Warlord Games" earlier release side by side. First off they are completely mixable in scale, which must make plastic miniaturists squeal with little girl glee right there. Both include some fancy transfers for sticking on or rubbing onto the shields. (I hate stick-ons and rub-ons so I won't go there, I prefer decal-ons).

Both have active strutting Celtic dudes running around in trousers, and shirtless, or in mail. The Wargames Factory has less mailed dudes than Warlord, but the poses of the Wargames Factory set are superior for gaming purposes as too many off the Warlord figures are in an open armed stance jumping of the ledge, or running down the hill, for my tastes.

Both are cleanly molded in grey plastic. Both have great detail. Both have many detailed separate heads, and it seems the new Wargames Factory figures have deeper neck sockets to help place their multiple heads, so that's a great improvement.
Both have plenty of extras, curved bladed spears, swords daggers and bits. Warlord has some severed heads.

Where they diverge…

Wargames Factory gives you 32 and Warlord gives you 30 figures, although admittedly the command figures are repeated in the Wargames Factory set, so the count will come out even. I expect that I can get 24 figures out of each box for gaming. So that's a push.

Wargames Factory gives you slings and javelins so you can make skirmishers out of your Celts, this is a very nice idea and extends their usefulness. Warlord has plenty of javelins. That's a big plus in Wargames Factory column.

Warlord has some extra trophy heads, which are nice, but I like the slings!

Wargames Factory has enough nicely detailed shields to outfit everybody, if the fancy ceremonial shield is used, that is a big plus for them.

Warlord dropped the ball on the shields and neither has enough (only 15), and they are small.

Wargames Factory has shields with long javelins; Warlord has a few shields with short javelins, kind of a push there.

Wargames Factory command figures are solid as they are based on a popular Angus McBride painting. Both sets allow the eagle helm in two pieces.

Where Wargames Factory shines is their command equipment, their Cornyx is based on reconstructed historical models as are their standards. Warlord's standards are a bit big but useful for a Chieftain's standard. Warlord's Cornyx is way huge and fanciful and could not be carried by Arnold with his M60 in the other hand.

So my nod goes to Wargames Factory as the winner of the plastic Celt competition in a close race, mainly because of shields, versatility, and numbers out of the box.

The real serendipity is that with both boxes together one will be able to mix and match… the flailing Warlord figures (the ones I don't have shields for) might work best with Wargames Factory's slings…

So in my book the real winner here is the gamer who can now put about 48-60 figures together with these two boxes for less about a buck a model. Now I just need to set aside the time to build some and see how that goes.

JJ

Nice review. Thanks.

Pictures?

link

This will have to do until I post something on ancientbattles.com
JJ

Thanks for the review, I hope mine will arrive shortly

Great review thank-you.

Many thanks for the review Jeff

Are you using these for Galatians?

I received a Wargames Factory box yesterday, and after fighting off the zombies (I have no idea how a couple of their sprues got in there), I have come to similar conclusions as Jeff, except that I don't have the Warlord counterparts to compare.

As I fit these into the queue, I'll try to post some WIP shots.

Allen

How do they compare sizewise to metal celts, like Foundry, Newline or Old Glory?

I don't own any plastics (yet), but now there is a box with a shield for every miniature, I might bite…

Without putting heads on torsos, and torsos on legs, I'd be hesitant to be specific about size; but these aren't the big guys like the WF Caesarean Romans. More along the lines of old-mid Foundry, Newline, Gripping Beast--which is fine by me.

I'll go out into the garage and get a GB armored Gaul to compare to the mailed WF leader. Back in a minute…

Allen

Yep, that's not far off. Comparing the headless WF mailed dude on the "command" sprue to a bag of GB mailed Gauls and leaders, the plastic figure is a hair taller and more bulky. Likewise, by comparing the unarmored WF leg and torso sections and head sizes to another bag of GB unarmored dudes: pretty much the same. The plastics are just a tad larger, but quite compatible.

That also makes them a good match for Newline's Gauls and Galatians, now with SHQ. And I like that: the GB/Newline combination comprise what are perhaps my favorite Gallic figures.

The one big bruiser on the WF command sprue is more in the ballpark with BTD, A&A, or Renegade, all of which go together to my eye.

Allen

Warlord; smaller Romans, bigger Celts.
Factory; bigger Romans, smaller Celts.

Life is strange…

Simon

You know it makes me want to cry, cry, cry…

link

Allen

The Romans are a bit smaller than the Celts. The Celts average around 24-25mm from bottom of foot to shoulder – the Romans are around 23mm.

I think Allen might be thrown off by the fact that the Celts are less broad-shouldered than the Romans.

28mm figures tend to have VERY narrow shoulders -- and we strived (strove?) to emulate Crusader, Artizan, Perry, etc. in those proportions.

But they are definitely a bit taller than our Romans and a good match for all of the above!

Thanks to Jeff for his review!!

Tony

Tony Reidy
Wargames Factory
wargamesfactory.com

Nobody mentioned price. Given that JJartist thinks the Wargames Factory Celts are better than the Warlord ones…

Wargames Factory – 32 Celts – $17.99 USD (Warstore)

Warlord Games – 30 Celts – $29.38 USD (Warstore)

So not only are they better, but cheaper to boot!

Nice review, JJ – thanks.

Just reporting what I see. I don't have any of the WF Romans, but they have been consistently reported (and shown in "comparison" photos/renders) as matching the Foundry Caesareans. And the WF Gauls are by no means as bulky as the latter.

Measuring to the shoulder is… unusual. Mr. Meier may have a stroke.

To what point does one measure on the "shoulder"? If I pick the acromion (on the scapula), then yes, the WF mailed leader measures 25mm to that point. I will be surprised if the unarmored dudes, once assembled, are as tall. We shall see.

Allen

So, Wargames Factory's Celts work out to about $0.60/figure and Warlord's works out to $0.98/figure; that is what you're saying, right Bill? Well, any figure under $1.00, especially when they look this good (I received mine yesterday from Wargames Factory) is great news. Keep it up WF!

I will double check to size up the Galatians to their Roman counterparts, and other suspects tonight. Yes I will use these as Galatians they are perfect for them. The Eagle helmet was found near the Danube (as I recall), not the Rhone!

As seen on the cover of the famous Angus Osprey:
picture

JJ

Sorry Allen – we've started measuring "to the shoulder" here as we tend to have separate heads on all the figures! It just makes it easier to be consistent across the ranges (more on that coming!)

The really interesting thing about 28mm figures (whatever that means!) is that they tend to have incredibly narrow shoulders. As we worked on our sculpture we realized to match up with the great metal ranges out there (Foundry, Artizan, Crusader, Eureka, etc) we needed to really pay attention to the frankly strange proportions that make miniature figures look "right" on the tabletop.

So the Celts are actually taller (by a bit!) than the Romans – but might appear less so because they have been proportioned to match up with Crusader, Artizan, etc.

Just measuring some of my (badly) cobbled together Celts on my desk -- the shortest assembled one is 23 1/2mm to the shoulder (the running bare chested pose) up to 25mm for the straight legs/throwing bare chested pose. The mail body is slightly over 25mm – and the "big boy" -- who we call "Angus" is 26 1/2mm. (those last two are single pieces)

One other piece on "consistency" -- the figures have open hands with separate weapons for maximum conversion potential. All hands/weapons across our ranges are consistent – so that you will be able to use Celt weapons with Zulus if you like, etc!

Thanks all!

Tony

Tony Reidy
Wargames Factory
wargamesfactory.com

I'd love to see some comparison photos; seems to be the best way of sorting it out.

Simon

aecurtis wrote:

"You know it makes me want to cry, cry, cry…

link"

The drummer in that band looks an awful lot like the pic of Allen on his web site … just sayin'…

Comparison photos please Jeff!

Dave

Where are mine? I hope to get them in the mail soon. I ordered 4 of the original boxes, along with 4 boxes of the Romans. My Romans can't wait to get into battle…where's the enemy?

Great review.

Good figures for under a buck. Alllllriggggght!

picture

Old Glory figures flank a Wargames Factory Roman and the big Celt from their new Celt Warband pack.

The Wargames Factory Celts are equal to or bigger than the Wargames Factory Romans (which unlike the dis-information posted on some messages are as tall as Companion or Foundry Romans, but not as thick).
JJ

Thanks JJ, that's useful.

Simon

Thanks JJartist for the review and the helpful comparison between the 2 lots of plastic Celts.

I have avoided the rash of Warlord Games vs Wargames Factory threads. I have no connection to either company, just a potential customer.

I had an initially poor impression of WF- they appeared to lack focus, releasing incompatible figures andfailed to meet any release schedule. I had heard mixed reviews of the figure quality, especially lack of detail.

For WG by contrast I was imressed by the release schedule and the previews they showed of the actual sprues. I bought the plastic EIR Legionaries and some of the metal auxiliaries. I liked them as immediately compatible with my Wargames Foundry and Perry figures. So for me it was no contest- WG all the way.

But the last couple of WF releases makes me think they have turned a corner. They are slowly releasing compatible figures and the quality appears to be improving as thy are learning. Nice one WF!!

I will end up sticking with WG for my EIR Romans but will look to get a mixture of WG & WF for some Celt allies/adversaries.

For me WG win on price and acessability:
-WG Celts retail at UK£17 vs WF £21.50- must be affect of weak £ and transatlantic shipping charges.
-WG figures are sold by several places including my favourite online retailer and also gaming store in Sheffield.

However the WF would appear to win on poses and shields:
-it annoyed me that WG did not provide full selection of shields and pleased that WF did not make same mistake.
-I was concerned as to what several people have said about WG poses. I like the idea of using WF slings with some of the more extreme WG poses.

Overall I think this is good for hobby as allows me to collect periods/armies which I otherwise could not have afforded. I don't think they will replace metals but certainly think good as complement. This review has changed my mind about WF and hope they continue to improve and develop.

Cheers

James

The Wargames Factory Celts are equal to or bigger than the Wargames Factory Romans

Which is how it should be, right? Am I misremembering things, or weren't the Romans impressed by the height of Celts?

Quote: "…weren't the Romans impressed by the height of Celts?"

Ah, yes, but, THAT was in the real world. Here, among figures, every single one has to be *exactly* the same height and build, just like real people always are…

Good review – thanks, I'll pick up a box a Salute to mix with my WG Celts.

I got my boxes today, I only wish that I could sell some of my older Celts. These are great figures, I will be buying more to mix with my other Celts! Good Work W.F. mIKE aDAMS