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The Burnt Bugbear Reviews: Guards of Traitor's Toll "Guardhouse Heroes" Expansion by Grey for Now Games

Note: The product reviewed below was bought with my own coin, which was rightfully collected by gate guards enforcing just and fair sumptuary laws. 

     Some reviews are grand, planned affairs. This one is not that: it’s mostly the result of being highly impressed with the material and casting quality of some minis I recently managed to acquire. We’re doing it live!

     I picked up Guardhouse Heroes on a whim as I work through the collection of minis I need to play Guards of Traitor’s Toll. Though my guard squad is done and dusted, I thought it might be fun to play with some of the special characters that have been added by the “wave 2” releases for the game. 'Tis a shame that the NPC box with some more distinct personalities (a vampire to suck the life out of the city, an assassin to terrorize its fancy pants nobility, etc.) was out of stock at my FLGS, but I suppose I can track it down in the new year.


A fine box: I find the "sketchy" style appealing enough.

    

     On top of that, I thought the female guard captain (“Captain Belough,” if memory serves) and the gnome/ogre dynamic duo were especially flavorful sculpts, and I’m always on the lookout for neat PC/NPC minis to use in the TTRPG campaigns I’m running. The lady would make a fine cleric of Tymora in my Realms games (the coin/sword heraldry on her shield could make a decent local interpretation of the Goddess of Luck’s holy symbol, I think), and the gnome? Now that’s a gnomish investigator-type if I’ve ever seen one.


How things look inside the box. Note that the three other minis are missing, as I built them in a flurry of excited activity!

     What surprised me most about these minis was how clean they were. Resin can be either gorgeous or wretched, sturdy or shatter-prone, and I’m pleased to report that the former of both spectrums is the case here. Whatever blend of resin Grey for Now games is using is superb, and a breath of fresh air after working on a few less-than-ideal castings of late. Look for yourself: they’re gorgeous!



Three of the four minis. I'll get around to building the horse-mounted guard when I have need of him. His model looks good and is also finely cast!


The ogre guard, looking mighty mean. I suspect many will find this guy the most impressive mini of the bunch!


The gnome guard, who is paired with the ogre in Guards of Traitor's Toll. He brings the brains, the ogre brings the brawn, and Grey for Now Games brings darn good castings to the table.



The lady-guard in all her glory. Another good sculpt cast with expert skill: I didn't have to do anything but trim some very modest mould lines to get her ready for the table!


     These lads and ladies will have to sit on the painting table for a bit, as there are a few more civilians to paint before I turn my attention to them. Nonetheless, if you're looking for some guard/adventurer minis with a bit of character, I'm pleased to report you could do far worse than picking up "Guardhouse Heroes." As far as the Burnt Bugbear is concerned, Grey for Now Games has hit it out of the park with Guards of Traitor's Toll, and this little expansion continues that trend in style!
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