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Writer's pictureBlaxkleric

"This Horned Urz Cub..."

"...Has to be restrained with a zencollar and muzzle for safety."

This 28mm scale metal model of a Horned Urz Cub is sold by “Crooked Dice Game Design Studio” and can be bought as part of their Alien Pets 2 deal. Sculpted by Andrew May, and originally produced as a freebie to all backers of the company's Colony 87 - The Third Wave - 28mm Sci-Fi Civilians Kickstarter, the creature is designed to be used with the company's other "Colony 87" sci-fi civilian miniatures "for any RPGs and tabletop wargames."


Over twenty foot tall when fully grown, the prized extra-terrestrial bear was initially undercoated using "Vallejo" Heavy Brown, before dabbing the creature's fur in "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna using a piece of torn foam. The entire animal was then washed with "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade and dry-brushed using (more) "Vallejo" Heavy Brown.

"North Star Military Figures" WIPs - The two Shrieking Wolves have been primed, shaded and 'distressed'

The ferocious predator's zencollar and muzzle were 'picked out' using a combination of "Citadel" Abaddon Black and "Vallejo" Gunmetal. This restraining device was later shaded in "Citadel" Abaddon Black and carefully highlighted with a touch more "Vallejo" Gunmetal. Finally, the Horned Urz's eyes were spotted with a couple of dabs of "Vallejo" Heavy Red and later washed using a little "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson.


Stepping away from the dizzying heights of "Colony 87" and making a frosty return to the snow-laden ruins of Felsted, I have spent some considerable time recently rummaging through my collection of unpainted models looking for a number of old "Frostgrave" miniatures I own by "North Star Military Figures". It's true that I intend to allocate this fantasy skirmish rule-set's second edition a considerable consignment of my valuable hobby-time over the next few months, in the hopes of pigmenting both a sizeable bestiary and some adventurous warbands.

"Kitbash Games" WIPs - Big Bot and The Shark are slowly having their details 'picked out'

However, I have also been spurred on by the announcement of it's science-fiction sequel "Stargrave" and the somewhat imminent release of a whole raft of new sculpts to specifically support it. This year I am absolutely determined to see through my New Year pledge of painting at least two models for every new one bought, so with this in mind, I thought I'd best get cracking on churning my way through my "North Star Military Figures" backlog; especially as I'm aware that the Nottingham-based company has already announced they'll be producing three twenty-figure strong boxes of plastic multi-part miniatures to go alongside their official metal range.


In addition, I've been plugging away at some more of my "Supers Unlimited" resin heroes by "Kitbash Games". such as Big Bot and the long-neglected Shark. I've still got quite a few of these super-heroes and villains to finish before I dare visit the manufacturer's store again, but hope to 'break the back' of this particular pile of shame by the end of next month...

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undercoat2670
Mar 25, 2021

Another great alien pet. I really like this one. 20 feet tall when fully grown! Blimey this one must be very young? Nice sculpt, well painted. Really good.

The WIPs look good, I too really like the spangly trousers on Shark. Great initial colour!

I think I am going to pass on Stargrave initially as I just have too much other stuff at the moment. Maybe at some point in the future?

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Blaxkleric
Blaxkleric
Mar 25, 2021
Replying to

Thanks Undercoat, Just one more alien pet to post and that's the lot - until Crooked Dice release some more that is. Stargrave does look a bit of an expensive investment if you go in for the book and its 'official' line of miniatures. I'm not sure what I'm going to buy yet myself, tbh, but am using it as a good motivator to get my Frostgrave backlog whittled down a little bit over the next month or so.

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wsd50
Mar 24, 2021

I'm not even going to look at Stargrave (or anything else) for at least six months, hopefully the rest of the year as I've blown my wargames budget for the year already! (sort of).


Any new major additions will have to be for Dead Zone (I almost sound convincing don't I!)


Anyway, lovely work on all the figures, I especially like your bronze dogs 😀, and Shark pants are a great colour.


Cheers Roger.

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Blaxkleric
Blaxkleric
Mar 24, 2021
Replying to

Cheers Roger. Yes, I can see Stargrave being rather expensive with its three plastic boxes of figs and range of metal minis. I might stick to just getting the book as a starter, although there's going to be a Nickstarter apparently at the start of April which could prove too tempting...


I thought you might like the Shrieking Wolves - which are already finished btw. I have a host of metallic paints to try out, so hope to have the Shark completed soon too.

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wargamesterrainworkshop
wargamesterrainworkshop
Mar 24, 2021

Great work on all Simon, good to see your new goal is working and helping to clear your backlog

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Blaxkleric
Blaxkleric
Mar 24, 2021
Replying to

Thanks Dave. April will see me really focusing upon my "Frostgrave" backlog, as some of those plastic "Stargrave" kits look awesome. Plus I need to get finish off all my Warcaster models before the third wave hits - so there's some busy times ahead, LOL!!!

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