Collaboration: Mordheim Chaos Dwarf painted

Miles drowned rivers. Seek eyeless dwarf. Ridden headless horse. Arrive reverse echo. Deliver skinless prize.

Earlier this year, I started collecting Chaos Dwarf models to create a warband for Mordheim. Rather than extensively convert the warband, like I did with my Sister's of Sigmar warband, I wanted to create this one using old miniatures from the 80s, leaning into the Oldhammer theme. After scouring eBay, I collected a group of six of the ancient models. Rather than paint the first model in the warband, we got one of our favorite painters and friends, Koltti, to paint it! We think that you will agree that the model turned out wonderfully! Also, make sure to follow Koltti on Instagram and consider supporting him on Patreon so that he can continue to create miniature works of art.

We are excited to continue to build and paint this warband. It also seems quite timely, as Games Workshop reintroduced the Chaos Dwarves into one of their main games, this time to Age of Sigmar with the Helsmiths of Hashut. Overall, the new models look pretty nice, taking elements from the other dwarf ranges and elements from the Warhammer Chaos Dwarves over the years, namely the big hats from the 90s era models. The scale of the models remains to be seen, but I suspect, like most Age of Sigmar models, they will be quite large, towering over the Marauder Chaos Dwarf models we are using for this Mordheim warband. Even if they were scaled appropriately, I think the new designs lean too much into the high fantasy stylings Age of Sigmar is known for, making it difficult to adapt any of the models to the older style. Many of the visual elements on the Chaos Dwarf models look too similar to those in existing Age of Sigmar ranges, such that the range lacks a clear identity and feels a little uninspired.  

Koltti did a wonderful job painting the dwarf a vibrant pink!

Of all the old Chao Dwarf models, this one might be my favorite. It also allowed me to use a shield I sculpted to resemble some of Wayne England’s artwork.

As is traditional for Games Workshop models, the weapons for the new models are extremely exaggerated and over the top. The worst offenders in the new Chaos Dwarf range are the firearms. The Infernal Razers wield Grizmalok blunderbusses that are roughly the size of the dwarves themselves. It is evident that the extreme size of the weapon was problematic for the sculptors because there is no natural way for the dwarves to even hold the weapon. One hand holds a tiny pistol grip that looks at odds with the rest of the weapon. The other hand awkwardly grips some handle at the side of the weapon which would make the gun a nightmare to hold let alone aim.

Nearly all of the older ranges of Chaos Dwarves had some air of comedy to them, making it easier to overlook some of the weird proportions of the models (huge feet and a lack of a torso). The new range of models still have some of the more comical elements like the huge feet, but an effort was made to make them look more believable. Their heads and hands are much smaller which look quite strange when compared to their feet. The weapons and shields the dwarves hold looks surprisingly similar to those seen in other Age of Sigmar ranges (Ossiarch Bonereapers and Stromcast), making them appear uninspired and blend into the background.

Although maybe not technically sculpted better than the new Age of Sigmar Chaos Dwarves, I think this model has more character and is generally more interesting looking.

The Dwarf captured on Kodak Tri-X 400 film!

Despite our reservations about the new models, it is still exciting that Games Workshop is revisiting the Chaos Dwarves. The new designs make us even more certain that creating a warband using old 80s era models is the way we want to go for Mordheim, with Kollti’s evocative paint job selling it further. In the future, however, it might be fun to try to convert one of the newer models for the warband. Time will tell, but keep watching this space!

- Adam Wier