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Personally, I'm kinda liking the almost anime style of the Vampires, although that may be down to how much I enjoy the Castlevania netflix run.

I can't say I'm thrilled with either of these vampire models, tbh.

I mean, I find myself looking back at some of the old vampire models:





Granted, Vlad's sculpt is showing its age a bit in terms of the limitations of the mould. However, look at all the details - look how much work went into the armour, the decals, the faces on the cloak, the faces on the armour etc.

Same with Isabella. Particularly her hair and dress. I actually like that they're not practical but instead look like the clothes of high-society. It gives the impression that she is either confident enough to not wear proper armour, or else that maintaining her regal appearance is simply more important even than her own protection.

The newer vampires have sleeker sculpts... but that's really about it. They both just look really bland. Neither have any interesting details or obvious character.

I don't know, just seems kinda low-effort to me, which makes me wary of what the actual vampire Battletome will be like.

So much for the wonder of 3d sculpting

Well there is clearly no accounting for taste. I think that Vlad model is one of the worst gw have ever done. The model is swamped in detail. He way too short and the cloak is terrible.
Isabella is better with a better balance of detail that doesn't break the overall profile of the mini.

As for the new minis there more interesting design work in the cross guards of the new vampire's swords than anything on those old models.

I liked Vlad at the time, but now he just looks weird. Isabella is and always was great though.

I love both the new Vampires. Can’t wait to see the rest of the warband. I hope there’s only 3, they should be strong elite fighters.

 vipoid wrote:
I can't say I'm thrilled with either of these vampire models, tbh.

I mean, I find myself looking back at some of the old vampire models:

Spoiler:

Spoiler:

Oh wow, agreed.

Then again, you could say the new scupts are more realistic because they look soulless

Vlad, a supposed towering giant of a man, was always a tiny model even accounting for being hunched over.

Damn Isabella really looked terrible back then. Boobs pushed up as high as they can go and then let's armour her waist and legs, but leave her walking around with an exposed crotch and panties. Amazing.

I think the up-armoured moulin rouge dancer look is actually pretty cool, each to their own I guess.

 insaniak wrote:

 GaroRobe wrote:

Stolen off reddit, but a more traditional color scheme does wonders. Im indifferent to the hand swap

Better, but honestly, I'd go for something more like this:

I'm glad the rest of you like those old vampires so much, but I never did. I FAR prefer this new one with a few modifications. Removing the bats and clipping the rocks is all it needs to look excellent. The sword is better, but I like the mace enough I wouldn't bother weaponswapping it. The new stuff has a more Castlevania look to it that I find more appeasing. Not enough to start an army (yet) but maybe a Warcry warband depending on how it shakes out

I didn't think GW would release, in quck fire succession, sculpts that would be just as eye catching as those Slaaneshi monster riding archer thingies but I'm pleasantly surprised with and really enjoying the gothic direction of the vampires, sauron mace, ridicilous mammalian fused hairstyles an' all.

Can't wait to see more of the range, quite excited for GW's releases lately which I haven't been for a long time.
I see the vampire with the shield being the base for many, many cool conversions.

The Vampire with mace might be the winner, all-time, of the Most Unnecessarily Standing on a Rock Award!

There is a huge variety of vampire models which is great.

Some of my favs are:

There are some elements in the Underworlds Vamp in these - but pleased that there are two new vamps - I assume one will be a generic "Lord" and the other a named character as Underworlds are also always individuals. Looking forward to seeing who is with her!

 Alpharius wrote:
The Vampire with mace might be the winner, all-time, of the Most Unnecessarily Standing on a Rock Award!

But without a huge scenic base and unnecessarily long flowing hair full of bats, how can GW justify making him cost $35?

 GaroRobe wrote:

 Alpharius wrote:
The Vampire with mace might be the winner, all-time, of the Most Unnecessarily Standing on a Rock Award!

But without a huge scenic base and unnecessarily long flowing hair full of bats, how can GW justify making him cost $35?

He is just taking the high ground since the polar ice caps are melting and water levels have risen. It's all to blame on the other Vampires who used far too much hairspray and have depleted the Ozone layer. At least there is more cloud cover blocking the sun more so they can venture out more often.

 BlackoCatto wrote:
So much for the wonder of 3d sculpting

you still need somone who can sculpt the material to do it does not matter

and as long as copy&paste basic models with a new overlay are used to save time, also the best casting mold techique does not help

I admit I'm no fan of the vampire hair-pulled-by-bats, more because it looks like something that will keep clinging to clothes when you move your arm too close.

Yet, I somewhat see the reference here. It's some kind of dark humor for sure.

Real trouble with 3D scupting is that I feel sometimes the sculptors lose sight of game practicality. Something you can also see in the competition. It's one thing to make awesome dynamic miniatures, it's another to be afraid of touching it too much in game because of some frail looking parts.

Otherwise, they look like vampires enough to me.

Curious to see what's the rest of the faction...

 GaroRobe wrote:


Stolen off reddit, but a more traditional color scheme does wonders. Im indifferent to the hand swap

Definitely no accounting for taste. That looks disgusting

Im putting my two cents in, I love both Vampires.
Bat HAir Included

Lol, I can't stop laughing at the second one who's cutting off her own excessive hair. I hope that is some rebellious employee taking the piss, because otherwise, it's pretty remarkable.

 Arbitrator wrote:
MUCH better paint job on this one.

First Sir Slicer, now Marceline the Vampire Queen. Which Adventure Time character will GW bring out next?

I don't get all the "cutting her hair" remarks, that sword would have to be incredibly sharp to have that effect just from running it through her hair, she'd need to hold the hair down and kind of saw back and forth or the hair would just move out of the way surely

 vipoid wrote:
I can't say I'm thrilled with either of these vampire models, tbh.

I mean, I find myself looking back at some of the old vampire models:

Spoiler:

Spoiler:

Granted, Vlad's sculpt is showing its age a bit in terms of the limitations of the mould. However, look at all the details - look how much work went into the armour, the decals, the faces on the cloak, the faces on the armour etc.

Same with Isabella. Particularly her hair and dress. I actually like that they're not practical but instead look like the clothes of high-society. It gives the impression that she is either confident enough to not wear proper armour, or else that maintaining her regal appearance is simply more important even than her own protection.

The newer vampires have sleeker sculpts... but that's really about it. They both just look really bland. Neither have any interesting details or obvious character.

I don't know, just seems kinda low-effort to me, which makes me wary of what the actual vampire Battletome will be like.

Those are named characters, they are supposed to be more decked out with bling. I want my generic characters to be smooth and simplified to there is a canvas for customization. If I want more detail I can add more detail, far easier than removing it. I think at the end of the day a simple model for generic heroes is better because people who want that can get it and people who want more bling can add it. Putting out models with a bunch of extra all over them means people who would prefer a simple version are out of luck if they don't want to get into some serious cutting & resculpting. Not to mention GW is more likely to charge us for it *looks at stone mage*.

 Mr Morden wrote:
There is a huge variety of vampire models which is great.

Some of my favs are:

Spoiler:

There are some elements in the Underworlds Vamp in these - but pleased that there are two new vamps - I assume one will be a generic "Lord" and the other a named character as Underworlds are also always individuals. Looking forward to seeing who is with her!

These were my faves of the old lot

This would be one of those very rare times I like the older aesthetic more. I do like the older vampire stuff over what little has been shown of the Gravelords. However, two models is hardly definitive. In either case, the faction isn't my jam. So don't think my opinion matters much on the subject.

I do wonder if what I am guessing something like werewolves are going to be in with Gravelords faction making it more of a Monster Squad type faction.

Ah, yes, the old Blood Dragon line. Blood Dragon 3 Lance was probably the best Lance bit available at the time imho and still one of the best.

Vampires is the AOS faction I’ve been waiting for. I wonder what units will get included. I really want to lean into an army of elite vampires so I hope blood knights get a rework.

 Alpharius wrote:
The Vampire with mace might be the winner, all-time, of the Most Unnecessarily Standing on a Rock Award!

Well, I like the pose. But if I buy him, I will put him on the top of a destroyed pillar - the rock is just too small.

ImAGeek wrote:I liked Vlad at the time, but now he just looks weird. Isabella is and always was great though.

I love both the new Vampires. Can’t wait to see the rest of the warband. I hope there’s only 3, they should be strong elite fighters.

Totally agree, I'm a big fan of fthe two new vampires, they are at least the equal of Isabella. I love the anatomy, far more realistic than the older GW vamps. Even the bats are growing on me

yukishiro1 wrote:Lol, I can't stop laughing at the second one who's cutting off her own excessive hair.

 Saturmorn Carvilli wrote:
This would be one of those very rare times I like the older aesthetic more. I do like the older vampire stuff over what little has been shown of the Gravelords. However, two models is hardly definitive. In either case, the faction isn't my jam. So don't think my opinion matters much on the subject.

I do wonder if what I am guessing something like werewolves are going to be in with Gravelords faction making it more of a Monster Squad type faction.

Werewolves have always been much rarer in fantasy for GW - they are in the lore and in Blood Bowl but I can't recall a AOS werewolf model or reference.

As a Vampire/Cat person thats fine but it would be interesting to see them and I do love the old Devourers for Confrontation - they would be a cool faction for AOS