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Looking for suggestions for new or alternative models for the main characters in the game HeroQuest. Maybe not a direct swap for each of the dwarf, barbarian, elf or wizard but a cool or otherwise representation of a hero. Also is there any other models that could fit in with the evil side of the game. Have searched the GW website and can find one or two decent models that might fit as good substitutes. Knowing that HeroQuest was a MB and GW collaberation it should be easy for any of the fanasty range to fit in but now not so much( yeah i know the game is 30 years old!!)

I would look at the Reaper Miniatures Bones line - inexpensive and very sturdy miniatures, that can survive being shut in a box and shaken around. (There are YouTube videos of Bones miniatures surviving being hit with a hammer... seriously. )

The Auld Grump

Look into Impact miniatures! Who makes chibi figures of classic dungeon models. Their original KS had a figure pack explicitly designed for hero quest. I was able to get a complete HQ game without models so the chibi models filled in the blanks perfectly. (Goblin, Orc, zombie, mummy, gargoyle, evil warrior, fimir, they got it all)

Reaper is also good. I am almost positive I could recreate the entire model line via bones figures by now which is going to be cheap and durable for boardgame play.

If you're looking for retro style minis you might want to check out the heroes from the Dark World boardgames. Dark World was a competitor to Hero Quest in the 90s, it has some really nice sculpts. If you want to really change things up to a more modern look, then you could have a look at the Super Dungeon Explore minis from Soda Pop.

Statuesque miniatures have an awesome adventurers set - Dwarf, Wizard, Elf and Barbie

http://www.statuesqueminiatures.co.uk/c/4421221/1/fantasy.html

Red Box Games have a squillion things that would fit too

Heroquest models are basically GW sculpts circa early 90's Vintage GW can be expensive, but there's plenty to be had on ebay.

However, if you're looking to find currently produced, affordable models in a similar style I can recommend two wargaming lines from the 90's that were intended as direct competitors to GW.

The first is "Fantasy Warriors" by the now-defunct Grenadier Miniatures. Much of the line was even sculpted by a former GW employee Mark Copplestone You're lucky in that Merliton in Italy is still producing the entirely of this very large and well done line of miniatures.
http://www.mirliton.it/index.php?cName=fantasy-2528mm

I have a fair number of these figures notably some Chaos knights and Barbarian Horsemen who fit in very well with the size and style of Citadel Chaos Warriors and Mauraders respectively. I really like their style which is very simliar in size and proportion to GW, but not so covered in skulls. My figures are either original Grenadier or acquired from EM4 who makes them in the UK (cheaper postage to the USA) but I've heard that Merliton's casts are well done and every bit as good as EM4. They also carry much of the range that EM4 doesn't.

The Second is Harlequin Fantasy. Currently in production from Black Tree Games (BTD).
http://eoeorbisuk.com/collections/fantasy
They recently dropped the "Harlequin" name and mixed the line (still separated by faction though) with another GW'ish 90's fantasy line.

I've bought minis from this line from BTD's USA branch which I gather is a separate operation, but I was pleased with what I got. Between Harlequin and Grenadier, I think Grenadier miniatures are the better sculpted of the two. However, the BTD fantasy line is good also and is on super-sale right now, so check them out also.

It looks like work on the Anniversary Edition of HeroQuest has actually started moving forward.....

Only a year and a half late or so..

The Auld Grump - if this actually delivers then I will have no crowdfunders that have failed to deliver after completion....

Another line you might want to check out is Iron Wind Metals.

They have been re-producing the lines from Ral Partha from back in the day. Most of Ral Partha's line was sculpted by former GW sculptor Tom Meier.





For other classic styles, you can delve deep into Reaper's line- they've built up a lot of great sculpts over the years in a variety of styles- most of it at a better quality level than the old Ral Partha stuff we're looking at here.

Also, if you'd like some updated versions of Tom Meier's work, he does some fantastic sculpting for Darksword Minaitures, and his own line Thunderbolt Mountain- both lines are way better sculpted than the old Heroquest minis were, however.

Tom Meier is a truely brilliant artist and most of his earlier work still holds up today. However most of his output and the stuff at Iron Wind Metals (formed from the ashes of Ral Partha) is more realistic in proportion than GW's "heroic" aesthetic. Still, there are definitely workable sculpts in there.

One minor difference in emphasis if not specifics. Tom Meier was doing nearly all the sculpting for Ral Partha from the beginning, long before he did any work for Citadel, Reaper, Darksword and the host of other companies that have made use of his talents since then.

If you're interested in the Ral Partha minis offered by Iron Wind Metals in the USA, the european entity producing and distributing these is "Ral Partha Europe".
http://www.ralparthaeurope.co.uk