another fine terrain company that deserves attention: Tabletop World: http://www.tabletop-world.com/ It's two folks from Croatia. They started with a tower, one guy cutting scale stones from ... stone, the other one building a tower from this and made a resin cast, because only stone looks like stone. Sadly, most of the old stuff isn't for sale anymore, as they just bought a new casting machine making the old moulds useless. But today they released a variant of said first tower, and I am sure more of the old stuff will be resurrected. Be aware that these buildings are truescale, so don't mix well with models of symbolic/reduced size. And they are not cheap, but have full interior.
Yeah Im also a fan of these... I was browsing the previous stuff they did, not long ago, and they seem to have discontinued almost everything? Thats rather strange.
Unfortunately, most of our older buildings had to go. We acquired new vacuum casting mashine and our casting technique has changed, making our old molds useless.
Their prospect:
Our next project is under way and it goes by the working name "town house". It will be medium size highly detailed exterior/interior fantasy looking building. Hope you'll ike it!
If only they found a way to sell them cheaper. I really cant justify buying a watch tower for $150 USD when GW makes one for $30. Granted, its not as grand, but it does the job.
Right, I have no need for a fully sculpted interior to a building like that, even if it is really cool. I'm sure all that extra fanciness is what drives the price up.
Holy McJebus those are fantastic buildings. If I had the cash to spend stupid money on terrain (or indeed anything), I would fill my table with such terrain
Those are really incredible. Pity about the cost, but from the looks of things worth every penny. Proper luxury terrain.
It's the details that make the kit worth it, IMHO. It's got everything to make it look like people actually live there, right down to swords on the rack and a hitching post and spare wheel and bottles on the table. It's little touches like those that are so rare on most Warhammer tables I've seen and can really make the difference between stuff to block LOS and stuff to create a narrative campaign. I like the GW tower, but in comparison it just kinda looks like a box with stuff tacked on.
What I'd really love to see is a plastic kit (not resin, not metal) of detail bits like those that are not a part of any larger terrain piece. Kinda like GW's buckets and barrels pack, only not the insane price of $20 for 6 metal buckets. I'd also love to see something like that for 40K, only not military gear but civilian stuff that would be left behind a battlezone.
Unfortunately, most of our older buildings had to go. We acquired new vacuum casting mashine and our casting technique has changed, making our old molds useless.
Their prospect:
Our next project is under way and it goes by the working name "town house". It will be medium size highly detailed exterior/interior fantasy looking building. Hope you'll ike it!
That explains it, a shame really since those kits were quite special.
As for he price yeah its high but also is the quality and attention to the detail. The interior should also be very cool for small skirmish games or rpg. THis is really a outstanding product.
Impressive stuff but for that price tag I will have to pass, unless I win the lottery or rob a bank.
The Forgeworld tower came out years before the Warhammer one, and whilst the Warhammer one is better in every sense FW are not going to discontinue their version whilst the mould is still good and costing them nothing to sit on a shelf until some maniac does stump up 50 notes for one.
Some answers by Tabletop World, esp. on the question about a rerelease of the old models:
Next building will be in the spirit of old Merchant's House. Similar in size and based on this model. We haven't decided yet if it will go under the same name.
We are planing to recreate some of the stuff, just like we did with the guard tower. Of course, the old models are just a starting point from which we want to develop new and more complex buildings.
The old molds are not efficient enough. It takes too much time to cast a model with our old molds. They are not paying out as much as they should.
(...) A world-wide distribution is our next goal (currently we are in the process of designing art for our boxes intended for stores).
Tomorrow, Tabletop terrain will release their second kit after the restructuring of their model range.
It's the announced new version of the merchant house (old OOP version can be seen here http://www.tabletop-world.com/oldMerchantsHouse.html ):
May I present my begging letter for a share of the spoils please Silver.
Won't ask for much just a few buildings
This one and the factory would do nicely, and maybe a couple more please if you are feeling generous.
Thanks in anticipation of your kind generosity
Chibi Cupinhand
I know it's obviously not what they are aiming for, but it seems to me they could sell a second (cheaper) version of each model if they had made them in such a way as to not need the interior details.
The ruined inn (and to a lesser extent, some of the others) remind me strongly of the buildings Craig Gallant made for the Dakka Dakka store's Mordheim table ten years ago. Though his walls weren't made out of individual stones like these, so these are even better.
They do some amazing pieces.I just wish they would release the furniture and scenic pieces seperatley.
The amount of work that goes into their pieces is amazing.They have also posted pictures of when they are painting the models.
Tabletop World wrote:There's a slight change of plan. Windmill project is put aside for a while. We decided to concentrate on building the "core" of the town first, meaning that we are going to build 3 town houses next. In size they will be similar or a bit smaller then the Merchant's House and less fancy. You will be able to buy them as a set at a better price or each one separate.
After that, we are going to make more specialized buildings like windmill, blacksmith's forge, inn, marketplace...
We will remake most of our old stuff, but we are not going to make new molds of our old models.
Kirasu wrote:Very nice models.. Not sure how useful they are mostly due to extreme cost
But still very cool.. Theyre like dollhouses for men!
They're not dolls, they're toy sol-... miniatures!! Now if you'll excuse me I have to make my MIGHTY DREADLORD look pretty.
Back on topic, these things are truly works of miniature art. I honestly can't imagine how long these things would take to paint with the sheer amount of model and detail given on each one. That might be a large price tag but just one building is a month long project!
GW only has two towers and a chapel, the latter more symbolic than a real building.
Tabletop World makes real-scale buildings that don't mix well with more symbolic sized buildings from other manufacturers. The OOP old inn ruin from the first page is a very big hole in the tabletop battlefield, acceptable for Mordheim but too large for normal tabletop games. And the GW skull fetish also doesn't mix well with more realistic buildings.
Here a small WIP pic from a commission that will also be available for all later:
Tabletop World wrote:OK guys, we have some photos for your of our current side-project that we are doing as a commission for one of our customers. However, It will be available for everyone once it is finished.
It is a ruined temple. It the middle, there will be a sacrificial altar decorated with Cthulhu-like statue. Altar will be surrounded by many pillars. The ground will be elevated by few stairs and covered with decorated stone pavings.
Throughout the temple there will be snake-like and Aztec motifs in form of reliefs. Snake motif can also be found on the capitals of the pillars.
For now we are working on the pillars and upper stone blocks so here are some pictures:
Having Greek columns with Aztek motifs is not my cup of tea, but hey, it's a commission. Hope they do their usual stuff again after that.
Having Greek columns with Aztek motifs is not my cup of tea, but hey, it's a commission. Hope they do their usual stuff again after that.
It's not exactly Aztec, they are rather clearly Corinthian style columns...with a twist...
Anyway all of them are amazing, even unpainted they show real craftsmanship and effort put into them. Excellent find, thanks!
If you squint a bit the "snake" motif might be confused with Egyptian lotus flower capitals.
Anyway, it's fantasy.
I think they are doing really good craftsmanship even if people disagree with some of the art concept details.
I just love the houses. If you come to some places in the UK, like York and Chester, you can see ancient houses still standing which are a bit like these fantasy houses.
Wow, the supplies and furniture look perfect for any fantasy setting. Finally, a cart I can use! The detail is fantastic and I can wait to add it to my terrain collection.
Typical timber-framed medieval town house. The hall extends the full height of the building and is used as a general living room for everyone in the house. There is very little privacy. Everyone needs somewhere to keep warm, to enjoy recreation, to eat and to sleep. A central hearth provides the location for a blazing fire. Smoke escapes through a brick-chimney on the rear of the house.
Highly detailed building, with both interior and exterior. A great addition for any medieval or fantasy table. The model is very easy to assemble and fully accessible.
This kit contains many accessories:
1 x fireplace
2 x barrel (closed and empty one)
1 x small wooden box with supplies
1 x laying sack of grain
1 x table with food
1 x wooden door
1 x lantern
1 x small closet with pots on top
1 x bench
1 x set of hanging ladles
1 x bed
I think without a doubt some of the most finely crafted, downright gorgeous terrain I have ever seen.
I like it that the hobby is now big enough that this kind of 'high level' product actually sells, for experienced modellers and those who are prepared to spend the time to make something truly special for the tabletop.
It's pretty but at £82 I would expect it to be bloody good. However It depends what game you aree using it for. I't fine for skirmishes but you'd have to leave out a lot of detail or make blocked out inserts if you wanted to use it for WHFB. I love what these guys do but it's way pricey I'm not complaining about the price as it is high quality but I'd rather buy the GW scenery and not panic every time someone touches it.
That would be Playskul? Anyway what sort of example is that spelling school with a k?
Love that graveyard but as per the cost is too high for my empty pockets *boo hoo*
To be fair walls and railings don't come cheap unless you can get some suitable Halloween ones.
In fact I was watching some Playskool park sets on ebay and even secondhand were not cheap. So factor in the chapel and masonary etc and the price ain't far off the mark.
Wow, this stuff is amazing. Makes me wish mordheim was still active and popular as I loved playing that on tables with jam-packed fantasy city terrain like this.
Yep, I thought the same thing. Would love to have a whole city of this stuff. Have always wanted something like this. Might have to resurrect Mordheim next summer for a campaign. Need time to paint first.)
Just sent these boys a long letter, a starting order, and a plea for a wholesale account to carry their line in my store. Now that we've moved up to bigger digs, I've got space available to devote to more showcases and high end gaming bits. This stuff is fantastic.
mikhaila wrote:Now that we've moved up to bigger digs, I've got space available to devote to more showcases and high end gaming bits. This stuff is fantastic.
I am sad every time you post something about your store because it is not near me and sounds (and looks from pictures) awesome
Too bad the graveyard walls are part of the model base could have sold me that instead of the Garden or Morr if it was more modular. I will be getting those houses, supplies and furnature though. Don't know how long I've been looking for generic cart models, fantastic!
Was kind of assuming that was the case Kroot, but you could potentially use the walls seperately.
If they have nice flat bottoms.
That would leave the base sides open if you wanted and use the walls somewhere else as required.
Not saying it would be too easy or people might not want to mess around when the cost is high but for the creative mind attached to a hand with a razor saw... MWHAHAHAHAHA! *mad scientist*
mikhaila wrote:Yep, I thought the same thing. Would love to have a whole city of this stuff. Have always wanted something like this. Might have to resurrect Mordheim next summer for a campaign. Need time to paint first.)
Just sent these boys a long letter, a starting order, and a plea for a wholesale account to carry their line in my store. Now that we've moved up to bigger digs, I've got space available to devote to more showcases and high end gaming bits. This stuff is fantastic.
Let me know how this goes.. I might have to pick up some demo stuff from you
Caboose wrote:If only they found a way to sell them cheaper. I really cant justify buying a watch tower for $150 USD when GW makes one for $30. Granted, its not as grand, but it does the job.
Good point on price..and quality. In this case I think the quality is above gaming standard. It seems to be more diorama/scale model level than gaming grade. In this case I actually see that as a negative...its just too nice for gaming...if that makes any sense.
Some very nice stuff but at nearly €100 for the GY kit its a definite pass.
You can nearly get 3 Garden of Mors for that and despite the subtle GW bashing going on, the kits quality wise do not have that much difference, espeically if you had 3 GoMs that you could arrange in various ways. The best thing about the TTW kit is the tree.
The Garden of Morr is a nice plastic kit by a big company, this is a small run resin kit by two guys in a garage or something. The resin kit was startet before GW announced the plastic kit. I think both are valuable additions to Fantasy gaming tables.
Tabletop World wrote:The Blacksmith's Forge was finished yesterday. Now we have to make molds of it. Hopefully it will be released by the end of the next week.
We like all of your suggestions but we decided that our next few projects will slightly differ from what we've done so far. We'll make series of more simple buildings that will be much more affordable to gamers and hobbyists. When we say more simple, we don't mean that it will be less detailed, the level of details will be on the same level if not even better. What we mean is, these buildings have to be designed in a way that they allow fast casting and remolding. That is the only way to significantly lower the price of the models. These models will have interior but it won't be fully modeled. We find that modeled interior is not of big importance to most of the gamers and in the same time, it is what makes the buildings hard to cast and remold thus more expensive. We are aiming for worldwide distribution with these products 'cause we will finally be able to offer good enough margin to distributors and retailers.
However, in the future we do plan to continue with more complex and exclusive buildings with multiple parts as well - buildings like Ruined Coaching Inn. These buildings will be available exclusively through our webshop.
I have little problem with the pricetag, the buildings have full interiors and some are as big as Titans. Anyone imagine what Forgeworld would charge for them.
The guard tower is massive, its taller than a Forgeworld Reaver, and nearly as wide.
I am glad that they are going towards tabletop gaming instead of RPG etc.. The interior detail on 99% of WHFB terrain is wasted labour really.
I hope that they continue to do the whole village in this "Less Detailed" version.. Brings the price down to a level that us fantasy players can actually afford.
So long as they keep doing the "details" seperately so us RPG/skirmish players can get them if we want. While I don't think I'll get to many buildings from them (as I like to have destroyed versions of my buildings incase they get lit on fire/catapulted) I will be getting the insides and placing them in buildings by these guys: http://www.4ground.co.uk/Default.aspx?page=284
Aduro wrote:Right, I have no need for a fully sculpted interior to a building like that, even if it is really cool. I'm sure all that extra fanciness is what drives the price up.
This, pretty much. Those buildings surely look extremely well-made, but...well...in a tabletop, I don't really have a good use for well-made interior and at that price I can get quite a few normal buildings :(
With this kit, Tabletop World is starting their line of affordable tabletop buildings with reduced interior detail, reduced part numbers and reduced price. Expect more of these coming.
Tabletop World released their second house in the new very affordable line. It is a townhouse for 32€ (and a Windmill will follow in about a month):
http://www.tabletop-world.com/townHouse.php
I love how this is one company that consistently never, ever fails to impress.
I do hope they make some more ruins, though, I'd love a Mordheim table and am still kicking myself for not buying the ruined coaching inn when it was on sale.
I managed to get the ruined coaching inn and the Factory ages ago - we've used it for Malifaux a lot and even though it's such high-detailed resin the pieces do stand the test of time (and heavy handed gamers) - they are really worth the investment if you can manage it. I'll be after a few more pieces (once I've saved up enough spare cash / paypal). The best thing is that for Skirmish games like Malifaux or Freebooter's fate having a decent interior works well for the games too. For 32 / £26 it's a nice house and the windmill could prove very useful
Really, really tempting to get all 3 of those, the pricing is good since those are the new affordable line of buildings, and the extra freebies are really sweet.
Small update:
Guard Tower and Blacksmith Forge are currently unavailable, as the mould has worn out. A new mould will eventually be made, but not sure when, as they are busy ATM.
Next project will be a shop. It will be a two storey building which will have a shop on the ground floor and a home for the shopkeeper's family in the upper storeys.
Well I decided to go ahead and make an order for some supplies and groceries.
Anyone able to give an estimate on how good they are on payment to dispatch (do they cast on order? Are they usually very prompt/tardy?)
I don't think we've yet seen any posts in this thread actually detailing what people have received from them (some information and pictures would be nice).
Huh, yeah, those prices aren't as cheap as they first appear. If you're in the UK and you want the Merchant Shop with Groceries, it might say 63 Euros, but it's 100 Euros after you add 17 Euros to ship it and another 20 Euros in VAT. The Well is actually 26 Euros, delivered. The Townhouse, 55.
They're lovely buildings, certainly, but their "affordable" range is hardly that.
The 2013 enlargement of the European Union saw Croatia join the European Union as their 28th member state on 1 July 2013.
so no VAT to be paid
(but I agree they're not cheap, but then quality rarely is)
There is VAT to be paid, because the prices they list on the website are ex-VAT, it isn't added to the total until you put something in your cart and select a delivery destination, then you find out the real price.
Alpharius wrote: You need a skirmish scale fantasy game to maximize you enjoyment of these excellent terrain pieces!
They'd be wasted on a WFB table!!
I wouldn't go that far. While you wouldn't get the interior detail out of a WHFB game, they'd make a much nicer table than the Skullhammer terrain GW make.
Sneak peek on the upcoming new version of the Coaching Inn, due around 15th November: "It will be by far the biggest, most detailed and complex model we did so far."
Just realized that I don't play any games that would fit these anymore. Maybe the Confrontation reboot in 2018 will blow my mind and give me an excuse.
I received the Coaching Inn for Christmas and I'm very happy with it indeed. It is well worth the price (even with the sales tax & P&P), the detail is incredible, very "crisp".
I have dealt with large resin kits before, so I was expecting to have to deal with some warping of parts but this was not the case; the cast is flawless. I also own a couple of the OOP houses, I wish that I had bought the Guard Tower while it was still in production.
I would strongly recommend them to everyone, they really are the best fantasy scenery on the market IMHO.
Undead_Love-Machine wrote: I received the Coaching Inn for Christmas and I'm very happy with it indeed. It is well worth the price (even with the sales tax & P&P), the detail is incredible, very "crisp".
That's a hell of a Christmas present - I am jealous!
I bought this and it came to Australia at the start of the month, by far the best piece of terrain I have ever seen let alone owned. Need to start painting these for display
My wife bought me the Coach Inn, the Blacksmith shop, Merchant house, and I got the Townhouse for free. Merry Christmas to me. I have several pieces of the oop buildings including the Guard Tower. These pieces are fantastic and paint up bueatifully. I'm trying to build a town using Tabletop World buildings. I plan on using them in a RPG I'm working on.
Thatguyoverthere wrote: These models are amazing. I wish they were in my price range. the 140 eur level with shipping comes out to about 280 usd.
I know.... that's the math I always end up with and just can't bring myself to order. That Blacksmith forge is really, really making me reconsider though.