Now that Warhammer: The Old World has been out for a year or so, I’ve decided it’s time to rebase my dwarf army from 20mm to 25mm, preparing it to march in all its square-based glory. This project is a labor of love, as it’s the same army I built and painted for the 2023 NOVA Open Squarehammer event, which I wrote about here. Revisiting this force not only brings back great memories but also sets the stage for new battles to come.
A Nod to the Old Core
My original army was built around a sturdy core of dwarves from a few Battle for Skull Pass boxes, including miners, thunderers, and warriors. These iconic models were supplemented by tons of metal slayers, gyrocopters, and cannons, which formed the backbone of my list for years. Over time, I painted up additional units like runesmiths, engineers, an anvil of doom, quarrelers, metal hammerers, and ironbreakers, expanding the army into something truly formidable.
Growing the Collection
Since the NOVA Open, I’ve continued adding to the army. Recent additions include a classic metal unit of Thunderers, some iconic 1980s GW and Marauder dwarves, and standout models like the Goblin Hewer and Doomseekers. My artillery train has expanded further, now including flame cannons, organ guns, and bolt throwers, supported by a growing roster of characters and engineers.
This month, I picked up the Dwarfen Mountain Holds supplement from the Warhammer web store as well as a box of plastic Irondrakes. You can grab your own Dwarfen Mountain Holds book and plastic Irondrakes. I’ve heard great things about Irondrakes in this edition, and I can’t wait to paint and field them.
Rebasing for The Old World
For the rebasing, I’ve stuck with the same basing technique that served me well during the NOVA Open project. My bases come from Wargames Base World on AliExpress, a cost-effective alternative to Games Workshop’s offerings. Here’s the step-by-step process:
- Apply Texture: Cover the base with PVA glue and sand to create texture.
- Paint: Once dry, basecoat with Vallejo Chocolate Brown and drybrush with Vallejo Iraqi Sand for added depth.
- Finishing Touches: Add static grass for realism and paint the rims black for a clean, polished look.
This method strikes a balance between simplicity and effectiveness, giving the army a cohesive battlefield presence.
Painting with Zenithal and Contrast
All of my dwarves are painted using Citadel Contrast paints applied over a black-and-white zenithal undercoat (the slap chop method). This technique is quick and efficient, making it ideal for painting large armies while still showcasing the rich details of these classic sculpts.
The Old World in Gozo and Malta
While preparing my army, I’ve also been reconnecting with the community here in Gozo and Malta. There’s a small but dedicated group of us on Gozo diving into The Old World, and plenty more players on Malta, many of whom have been active for years. The heart of the Maltese community is The Realm of Pure Fantasy, a fantastic club and store located in Mosta. It’s a great place to connect with other players, share hobby ideas, and dive into games.
On Gozo, Noel, a veteran player, has both dwarf and chaos armies, while Matt is a newcomer building a Bretonnian army with the starter box released last year. Personally, I haven’t played The Old World since I left Virginia last July due to the move, but now that I’m more settled, I’m eager to roll some dice again.
If you’re in Gozo or Malta and want to play The Old World—or older editions of Warhammer Fantasy Battle—reach out. Whether it’s a casual game or an epic campaign, there’s nothing better than bringing these iconic armies to life on the battlefield.
Let’s keep the spirit of Warhammer Fantasy alive, one square base at a time!