Faction Focus: Forge Guard

The armour worn by the elite warriors known as the Forge Guard epitomises the qualities that set the Forge Fathers apart from other races. Fully enclosing its wearer, the armour provides a complete suite of life support, targeting and environmental data systems and combines them with the strength and protection of an armoured vehicle. The armour is capable of protecting its occupant from extremes of temperature and environment, and its sophisticated onboard systems will even allow them to operate underwater or in the hard vacuum of deep space for limited periods. The original design was for miners operating in frontier environments, but has been modified heavily to make the warplate seen today.

Forge Guard painted by Curis Webb

A variety of weapon systems are employed, depending on the tactical requirements of the given mission. Standard armament is a Hailstorm rifle – capable of discharging a volley of shells at a high enough velocity to shred durasteel, and a Forge Hammer – a weapon which discharges a seismic pulse on impact, shattering armour and pulping organic matter. The rifle is physically bonded to the armour at the wrist, allowing the wearer to fire using impulse-based systems, whilst leaving the hand free if required. The armour’s capacity allows it to carry sufficient rounds for prolonged firing, ensuring that the wearer need never worry about running out of ammunition in the middle of a firefight.

Developing the Forge Guard

As we mentioned with the Asterians, what we wanted to do with Deadzone is really hone in one some of the details of the races in the Warpath universe. The Forge Fathers perhaps have the biggest range and with Deadzone there was an opportunity to do a hard plastic kit that can fulfill the nature of Deadzone as a skirmish game, but provide enough options to make units for Warpath, with tons of weapon options and bits.

It’s a subtlety that some people miss – what can be used in Deadzone can also be used in Warpath.

With that in mind we started with the Forge Father army list and looked at the options available before the miniatures started being designed. Once again they were digitally and being a dwarf-nut Curis quickly stole the models off Dave and painted them himself. He even did an early prototype in his own Nethyr’s Edge Forge Father colour scheme, though was keen to show off the studio models in a more robust and military colour scheme. Gone is the blue of the Forge Fathers from Warpath.

A sprue of hard plastic Forge Guard are included in the Forge Father Faction Starter alongside the Brokkrs. There’s also a 6^th figure on the frame – the Huscarl.

Let us know what you think in the comments.