3d Printing A Dwarf Army for Warhammer Fantasy & The Old World | Highlands Miniatures

In a bit of a follow up video to my recent one discussing nostalgia for Warhammer Fantasy, here is the 3d Printed Dwarf army from Highlands Miniatures that I plan to 6th Ed, while I'm waiting fro Warhammer The Old World to be released.
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#warhammerfantasy #warhammertheoldworld #highlandsminiatures #theoldworld #warhammerfb #warhammerfantasy6thed #dwarfs #warhammerdwarfs #warhammerdwarves #dwarves #3dprinting #3dprinted #warhammer #paintingtutorial #paintingwarhammer
Music: Grundar by Alexander Nakarada (www.creatorchords.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons BY Attribution 4.0 License
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[@LordGriebenschmalz]

Exactly the miniatures Im planning to print for my dwarf army as well. Best design out there

[@MiniatureRealms]

I agree, I’ve not found Dwarf models I prefer to these.

[@wasadamsg01]

ohh, they are gorgeous. I could use them for Kings of War as well and yeah, nostalgia city for sure from the good old days (many moons ago). We are so spoilt these days with 3D printers and so many talented sculptors out there. Thanks for the Vid. I will check out highland minis for sure.

[@MiniatureRealms]

Oh yes absolutely, so many amazing new ranges and miniatures.

[@mattwright778]

Im definitely up for more videos on this! Those dwarves are lovely 😃

[@MiniatureRealms]

Cheers mate, I will very likely do some updates along the way, and painting videos for definite.

[@benkochskamper3092]

Excellent, looking forward to seeing the progress!

[@MiniatureRealms]

Thank you Ben

[@ssxe7776]

They are such beautiful sculpts!

[@MiniatureRealms]

They’re lovely

[@graemehay6814]

Great project and figures. Looking forward to seeing them progressing!

[@MiniatureRealms]

Cheers Graeme

[@sooutofhere]

Yes! Really looking forward to your content and tutorials

[@MiniatureRealms]

Thank you Chris

[@danharris8805]

Just subscribed! I think it is really nice that you are going to be playing with your son! I've got an 18month old lad & I day dream about maybe one day me & him rolling dice together! Good luck with your army & i wish you & your son many many many happy times together in the hobby! Have a goodun!

[@MiniatureRealms]

Thank you Dan. We had our first little teaching game last week, and I think he’s going to be fine, we definitely had lots of fun. Still a few years off him writing his own lists and reading all the rules himself, but just playing games together is amazing. I hope your little man will grown up to do the same with you (and isn’t tiring you out too much in the meantime - I remember those days 😬).

[@danharris8805]

@Miniature Realms hey there mate! That's lovely to hear that your first game went well! I always think the funnest part of our wonderful hobby is the actual game playing so if he enjoyed that I think you are on to a winner 😀 I wish him many passed animosity rolls & I hope that the runes of the ancestors show you favour! Haha! Take care mate! Look forward to more updates you upload!

[@paulbrockhurst8397]

...no wonder the Perry twins went solo. So reasonably priced. Will love them for all their days! Affordable gaming rules!

[@MiniatureRealms]

Yep not many bad Perry sculpts out there.

[@WolfpriestCjarl]

whoa!! that was inspiring!!! so awesome

[@MiniatureRealms]

Some really lovely models, can’t wait to paint them.

[@stephenritchie9581]

Prints look fantastic Stu. Already purchased the figure of the lord being lifted on the the 2 shields of the shielbearer(was in the mesbg vid I sent earlier all painted up). Can’t wait to see some of these badboys painted up 👍

[@MiniatureRealms]

Cheers Stevie

[@tarnocdoino3857]

I’ve been a patron for Highland since 2021 and have all these files. Love them. Printed everything. Now to paint the pile of shame…

[@MiniatureRealms]

They are the best around, amazing sculpts.

[@MrGunnar177]

Just started mine too! Eagerly looking forward to seeing your hobby vlogs!

[@MiniatureRealms]

Thank you 🙂

[@MrGunnar177]

Got my ironguard and thunders and quarrelers printed! Scaled them down to 87.5 percent to match my old dwarves. Printing a bolt thrower currently. Onto long beards and the slayers after that

[@MiniatureRealms]

That’s brilliant, they scale down so well don’t they, I’ve gone 88% so almost exactly what you have. I printed my Slayers last week, think I might have to paint them first.

[@allanburt5250]

So glad I found this one. I'm getting back into warhammer myself and dug out my old Dwarf army. I will look up Hoplite and Highland for sure as I need a second army to play against. I don't have a printer and they look fantastic miniatures.. cheers

[@MiniatureRealms]

Thank you, glad you enjoyed it Allan.

[@allanburt5250]

Look forward to seeing more

[@dm51964]

Highland Miniatures are superb. Have been getting some recently for a Mordheim project

[@MiniatureRealms]

They’re so so nice, perfect for Mordheim as well.

[@NordicMiniaturePainting]

[@MiniatureRealms]

Cheers dude, and thank you again for all the printing advice. Getting a new printed has helped as well 😂

[@Ethnarches]

I'm very particular with my miniature taste and really I'm only doing Warhammer Fantasy models from 4th to 6th edition and I don't think I'll ever 3D print anything nor buy any 3D printed models, but I have to admit that this miniature range looks very nice. It's certainly much better than the 7th to 8th ed GW Dwarf range, it's taken the earlier 5th to 6th ed look and feel of the army and modernized it. Very nice! Personally I like old-fashioned miniatures, especially metal ones, so I'm sticking with vintage GW originals. My next project will be a Dwarf army with models of that era, I already have quite a bit of those classic models, but I'll first need to finish my 6th Ed Tomb Kings project. Anyway, I really appreciate this channel, I think it's the best one out there for general Warhammer Fantasy hobby content along with Rogue Element Gaming for battle reports.

[@MiniatureRealms]

I completely agree, this range seems to do a very good job of capturing 5/6th Ed look. I’m very fond of the older ranges too, I’m a little sad I sold mine off now. And thank you for the kind words, I really appreciate it, there will certainly be lots more Warhammer Fantasy related content going forward, I have lots of plans.

[@tarnocdoino3857]

So I was a player of dwarves in 5th and then I got out post house fire. I have printed everything here shown. I love them all. They have that classic feel and I have no regrets doing so.

[@Ernzt8]

Very cool mini's!

[@MiniatureRealms]

They’re lovely sculpts

[@skreechverminking2227]

Love the models

[@MiniatureRealms]

Best Dwarves out there right now I think

[@paintingpanzers]

This is fantastic mate, so crazy how far things have come! I wonder if we will start to see similar things for LOTR! I'd love to get back into LOTR but the old plastic sculpts just turn me off. Also, it's so awesome that you can do something like this with your son :) hopefully we will have another youtuber to add to the list in the years to come!

[@MiniatureRealms]

😂 I can imagine him with his own channel one day actually. There are some 3rd part LoTR based things, some have some IP issues, especially with Warner Bros film rights etc.

[@redberry33]

Medbury Minis, Davale Games, Khurzluk Minis(KZK), and The Printing Goes Ever On(TPGEO) are some pretty great designers for LOTR mini files!

[@paintingpanzers]

@@redberry33 oh really? I'll check them out! Thanks :D

[@jmaccsarmiesofmiddleearth]

They look the part! I cannot waitttt for old world. Wonder what the rules will be like!

[@MiniatureRealms]

I hope they’re familiar, similar turn structure and feel. But modernise profiles, reduce them down, more built in and less tables.

[@liamfishwick2943]

The army is looking great. Looking forward to seeing the army grow. Also go take a look at Avatars of war. If I remember properly they have stl file for warhammer fantasy style orcs.

[@MiniatureRealms]

Ah awesome thank you, I’ll go and check them out, I remember their sets from years back, but haven’t looked recently.

[@sagebrother]

Not my normal thing but the sculps look great. Yes, it would be great to see how you paint them up.

[@MiniatureRealms]

Working on a tutorial now, hopefully out in a few days 🙂

[@ckwasneski]

“Let’s talk about warhammer fantasy dwarves” as my project backlog starts crying

[@MiniatureRealms]

Mine has been in tears for a long time 😅

[@thel1chking]

The best dwarves on the market

[@MiniatureRealms]

Absolutely, love them.

[@snugian]

Thanks for the video 😊👍 Can you please confirm base sizes and if you might have to upgrade any from 20mm to 25mm??

[@MiniatureRealms]

The ones in the video are all 20mm. I’ll definitely be upgrading to 25mm for the old world, they’ve said all 20mm will go up to 25mm, it’s the only size fully confirmed yet. 🙂

[@paulbrockhurst8397]

Duuuuude! GW prices are beyond obscene! All hail 3D prints! Wake the hobby & eschew the sales curve lobby! Urrrrah! This stuff looks awesome!

[@MiniatureRealms]

😂 Cheers dude, I love these sculpts so much.

[@paulbrockhurst8397]

@@MiniatureRealms Amen bro

[@wc9109]

I’m not a Warhammer player, I prefer Kings of War style games which I play in 15mm but I’d love to see update and progress videos Great channel

[@MiniatureRealms]

Thank you 🙂

[@stevenlawther4750]

Found Hoplite to be fantastic recently started a n Empire army from him :)

[@MiniatureRealms]

Ah awesome, they do look tempting, will have to decide which way I go when I start Empire.

[@pixelprimitive3162]

Highland are great. Was thinking of printing the same models. Did you change the scale at all before printing? I was thinking they need to be scaled down slightly to match with old 28mm range. Looks great. Edit: you answered this question already - scaled down to 88%

[@MiniatureRealms]

Yep 88% seems a good match, I was pretty happy with the size at that scale.

[@seanclarke8015]

I love Highlands Minis. The Empire stuff is amazing. This is why I'm not wholly against the whole idea of 3d printing, the skill of these indie sculptors should be celebrated and if you're playing at home or painting that dream army you could never afford as a kid, why not!

[@MiniatureRealms]

It can be tricky sometimes, especially with IP, and I’m sympathetic with companies protecting theirs, but don’t feel too bad with these. Most fantasy Dwarves are just that, could fit in many worlds, some bits are close to the line, but most of those OOP anyway.

[@matthewlove927]

Love your channel. I've been looking at the dwarves for a while, what scale are yours? 25mm or 32mm?

[@MiniatureRealms]

Thank you 😊. I printed mine at 88% of the file size which makes them 28mm.

[@Max-oj9qt]

Dragonslake miniaturas has also awesome dwarf minis...i Mixed few Things from Highland into my dwarf Army but mostly it's dragonslake

[@MiniatureRealms]

I’ve not seen those ones, will go and check them out, thank you.

[@paintingforglorystudio7309]

very good video, the miniatures use 20mm bases? is it necessary to rescale?

[@MiniatureRealms]

Thank you. You can rescale, I printed at 88% I think (been a while now), slightly reducing them means they work well with GW miniatures. These are on 20s, will be rebasing to 25s for The Old World at some point.

[@battleknights9636]

Yeah i love highlands ! 🙂 ... i have just been working on an Estalian army for the old world ! ...... may do a southlands lizardmen next !? 🤔

[@MiniatureRealms]

That sounds like a great idea. You’re playing WAP aren’t you?

[@battleknights9636]

@@MiniatureRealms yes for now as i dont think the old world ( comeback) will have a list for Estalia but with some modifications i think i can make it work !? 😉

[@MiniatureRealms]

Absolutely, there’s always a way. Might even be something of a project for the guy who writes the stuff for WAP.

[@juliodolmus5720]

I'm curious, what's the recommended layer height for printing these models?

[@MiniatureRealms]

Honestly I’m not sure, I used the standard settings for my printer and resin at the time. Highlands miniatures may offer some advice on this.

[@GunnbriktRailways]

Agree that the metal dwarf miniatures are so nuch better than 8th plastics. The latter are alrught but the metals had so much character. Luckily quite a few are returning, Slayers, Grudgethrower and Flame cannon top pics for me.

[@MiniatureRealms]

Yes we should have some real classics back.

[@troykiefer7632]

Great video! I never played fantasy, but like you, I’d very much like to get a dwarf army started. I have the whole highlands miniatures dwarf line just because I enjoy dwarves so much. Do you have a suggestion on what to print to have a good start at an army? Edit: Ha! Was listening to your video in the car and didn’t realize that you did a pretty good job of showing all the models that you printed. I’ll take a closer look. But if you are able to briefly list what you printed and post it someplace that might be helpful. Thanks!

[@MiniatureRealms]

So far printed I have (more added since the video): 2x 20 Warriors 1x 20 Longbeards 1x 20 Miners 1x 20 Slayers 1x 20 Thunderers (I’d only use as units of 10 really, and probably just the one). Cannon Bolt Thrower Stone Thrower Gyrocopter Runelord with Anvil 7 or 8 other Lords/Runlords/Runepriests/Heroes etc What you ‘need’ really depends on what edition you’re playing and what kind of way you’d want to play. You may want bigger units, but I’m building this for fun games with my son, so enjoying just the 20 man units. You also can’t/hard to run all of the above at the same time depending on rules/editions etc. I’ve written 3x 2k army lists to play at 6th Ed, using different combinations of that collection. Many players would want Ironbreakers and or Hammerers, so no doubt I’ll print those as well one day, along with adding an Organ Gun and Flame Cannon.

[@troykiefer7632]

@@MiniatureRealms Thank you!!

[@ivans5245]

I would would like to see how you paint them.

[@MiniatureRealms]

I’ve started a tutorial this week for the Highlands Miniatures Dwarf Slayers, so hopefully out in the next week or so 🙂

[@Miki-hk6vy]

Hello, great video. Have you checked out Artisan Guilds warf miniature army?. They have some awesome models(they aren't called dwarfs but you can find them very easily since they're aa new release). So hyped for Old World as a new player and can't wait to get the release box, just feels like GW is a long long way off from release after seeing how little they showed

[@MiniatureRealms]

I’ve not seen that range, I’ll go take a look. It’s hard to tell really, they’ve never teased something so far out before, so doesn’t really fall into the usual patterns. I don’t think it will be any later than next year, and I hope if it is it’s early.

[@michaelhockey6770]

How did you find the size compared to the GW stuff, did you have to adjust anything?

[@MiniatureRealms]

I printed at 88%, that seemed to fit the GW sizes more closely (though that obviously varies quite a lot over the years).

[@Ahkmaru]

Try Bloodfields from TitanForge Miniatures, awesome awesome game

[@MiniatureRealms]

Thank you, I’ll look it up.

[@DLimit]

Hey mate! I got these files now myself, just wondering if you settled on a size that works best closest to GW? :) I've done skeletons at 90% maybe were a bit small, so went for 95% but with the dwarves haven't done a first print yet and nothing to compare them to! Thanks!

[@MiniatureRealms]

I did my Dwarfs at 88% and that seemed pretty good, I know a few people have gone with 85% as well.

[@DLimit]

@@MiniatureRealms I printed a few at 88% and they kinda look like short fat beardy blokes, might drop it a bit more! Unfortunately no GW models to compare to!

[@MiniatureRealms]

Yeah just play around until you find a size you’re happy with.

[@Mockthenerd]

What a world we live in where you can't even enjoy a game for fear of being shunned by GW police for not owning their sacred plastic.

[@MiniatureRealms]

Sadly it’s mostly people on the internet not being able to behave themselves. It also works both ways as well, for every person who says 3d prints are wrong/bad etc, there’s someone who’s the opposite and takes verbal swipes are people who prefer to buy GW miniatures. Swings and roundabouts, but yes it’s a shame.

[@maciej3]

u use 32mm highlands minatures scale or 28mm (wfb) ?

[@MiniatureRealms]

I printed at 88%, which seems a closer match to GW (newer stuff I guess).

[@mickbrilliantfootballeroft327]

GW missed a trick with Mordhiem.. Bring back as was an incorporate all as long as base accetable an in with rules. So many people would come into the fold. What the hobby was originally about. Imagination. They wouldn't lose out.

[@MiniatureRealms]

I have a feeling that it will come in a few years. The Specialist Design Studio is small, and they’re working there way through some classics. AT has been hugely popular, and we’ve now seen the Epic teaser, Necromunda does very well. With the Old World that gives them a platform to do Mordhiem if it does well.

[@MichaelWCannon]

Are the movement trays from Litko Aero or another third party or did you do them?

[@MiniatureRealms]

They were from Warbases in the UK.

[@joacoinsua659]

did you scale them down? because they are kind of tall compared to the gw ones

[@MiniatureRealms]

Yes printed at 88%

[@Julius_Caesar69420]

Which 3d printers did you guys use

[@MiniatureRealms]

I did some on an Elegoo Mars 2 Pro, but have now replaced that with a Anycubic Photon Mono 4k (they’re super cheap right now).

[@Julius_Caesar69420]

@@MiniatureRealms perfecto, thanks very much

[@mullenio4200]

What was the name of the 3D printer? Sounds like you're saying Hot Right or hot white miniatures.

[@MiniatureRealms]

Hoplite Miniatures 🙂

[@DeusMachina71]

I've been 3d printing for a while now.. my biggest issue is 3d creators make their models with such varied scales even in the same range.. it's a lot of work to get them perfectly sealed, My Empire minis by Highlander don't scale well on square bases with the old GW or mantic ones and when you scale down it often compromises the strength and models integrity.. it's a total pain in the ass

[@MiniatureRealms]

I’ve printed their Dwarves, Goblins and a few Skeletons now, they all looked very good printed at 88%, I’ve not tried the Empire minis however. Definitely sounds like a pain, but I guess even regular miniature ranges have some scale issues. I’m using a tough resin which I find really helps the strength a bit.

[@walterdimmick653]

I think the commercial success of the old world project will hinge on the use of square or round bases and if they return to units needing to wheel etc per the whfb rules. I really just do not see the last couple of cohorts of table top gamers or future ones wanting to deal with big blocks of units in movement trays. I am fine with either method because that was how things were, skirmish in 40k and traditional blocks in fantasy. If the old world launches with square bases, commercially it will be DOA. If it launches as a setting compatible with current ranges I think it could be very successful.

[@MiniatureRealms]

I think it’s aiming for a smaller market than you might think, very much specialist games/older gamers (on average), won’t be cheap, expensive Forgeworld heroes, shiny big books. Almost the Fantasy version of the original Horus Heresy market (that’s undoubtedly gone more mainstream now). I don’t think that target market would accept anything but square bases. I can see the rules been streamlined and modernised in some ways, especially the profiles, they can be reduced and have tables removed/reduced. You could simplify movement and still keep the feel of rank and flank, but don’t think they need to do that too much, the player base might quite like that it’s not AOS.

[@paulbrockhurst8397]

...Wouldn't touch GW with a bargepole, however much I'd like to hit them with one. Re rolling ones and ignoring any kind of reasonable resolution. Plus one helmets aside. ;)

[@MiniatureRealms]

🤣 Thank god we have a lot of choice these days, many cheaper options for those who want them, I’ll definitely buy from them lots more in the future though.

[@MrCaryk]

Did you print these at 32mm?

[@MiniatureRealms]

At ‘Heroic’ 28mm, 88% of regular file size.

[@MrCaryk]

@@MiniatureRealms damn I just got my army. I had it printed at 32mm. I hope it doesn't cause too many problems

[@MiniatureRealms]

@MrCaryk If you’re planning on using them for the old world then the increase in base size to 25mm will help, they might look a bit chunky, but I’m sure they will be fine.

[@MrCaryk]

@MiniatureRealms yes these guys will be for old worlds. That's a good point you have there. Thank you. Time to start painting

[@paulbrockhurst8397]

GW is as McDonalds is to nutrition! Beyond the rainbow bridge of super expensive Icky pap!

[@MiniatureRealms]

🤣 Well as long as it part of a balanced diet you’re ok, and I guess that analogy could fit with GW miniatures and using others as well. Not sure it works well with any pricing analogy though, McDonalds is cheap compared to its competitors. I do like McDonalds and GW though.

[@conway5481]

I would stick with the 6th ed. If, and it's still a big if, Warhammer does return to the old world, the price of Games Workshop figures is going to make the collection of large Warhammer armies almost impossible. The days of boxes of twenty plastic Dwarves for twenty quid has long gone. Unless they do a radical price reduction, it looks like the price for ten figures might be around £40. No, I think if they do produce it, it will be just a large skirmish game similar to Warcry, on 20mm bases. The only way it would work, IMHO, would be for Games Workshop to allow proxy manufaturers, and I can't see that happening

[@MiniatureRealms]

I’ll happily keep playing some 6th Ed if the new version isn’t quite what I want. You’re undoubtedly right about the cost, it will be very expensive using GW models based on their current prices, I’m glad I go most of my sons army on eBay relatively cheaply. They have confirmed square basing, so I don’t think it will be skirmish, in fact I think that’s confirmed also. It’s a mass combat game with some flavour from all the old editions.

[@JB-zw3pl]

Scribor miniatures has some amazing sculpts, especially for hero characters. They are pretty expensive if you ask me though, but very nice.

[@MiniatureRealms]

They do some lovely miniatures, had some a few years back.

[@paulbrockhurst8397]

For example: One could buy a GW army or have a loft conversion to game in, buy a decent car or put your kids through private education. No brainer!

[@MiniatureRealms]

😂

[@paulbrockhurst8397]

Hi again dear fellow; sorry to over comment: but please to try Penguin Cafe Orchestra when painting. I would not steer thee wrong. It's very ohm to get into the zone. TC hombre!

[@MiniatureRealms]

Oh please don’t apologise. Not only have you made me chuckle, you’re also helping the algorithm by commenting 😂. I’ll check them out, not familiar at all, anything in particular to listen to first? Might be a bit more chill than my normal painting music.

[@ja37d-34]

Yeah Rogue Elemental Gaming is great. :) Nice to see some Stunties. Always like the models and fluff but not really enjoyed playing them.. orcs & Goblins for me all the way now. The old, metal dwarfs are great, agreed. Also sold mine and regret it as it would have been ncie to paint atleaast. I think the current are way too over the top in steam punk and shit.

[@ja37d-34]

Damn, that stuff looks great though, especially on that wonderful gaming table. :)

[@MiniatureRealms]

Yep I just can’t get too excited by the more recent stuff, I don’t hate them, but don’t have the character of the older stuff, and I’m usually a fan of newer sculpts.

[@ja37d-34]

@@MiniatureRealms Yeah.. I don´t like them at all. Too busy.. Too steam punky.. So different from the ones I love.. I don´t mind the 4th Ed ones but I really love the late 5th Ed early 6th Ed. The stuff from Grudge of Drong and the 6th Ed army book. :) The hammerers, the metal cannon, the LONGBEARDS.. :) But the stuff you have printed actually look nice too. Really look forward to see more of them. And perhaps your son´s O&gs..? ;)

[@MiniatureRealms]

I think I like everything from 3rd to 6th in the Dwarf range, not sure that kind of mix makes a cohesive looking force though. I’ll definitely have more of the army on the channel, maybe my sons O&Gs as well, but he’s painting it all himself, so may be a long slow process (much like it is for me 😅).

[@ja37d-34]

@@MiniatureRealms I guess not, but all models there have character. :) A buddy still has 3rd Ed - 4th Ed Dwarfs and they are fun to see.. Imperial Dwarfs, some with spears, those old Longbeards, some with swords iirc? Cool stuff.. Ah he is, wow, good job lad! He was like 8 or something? I was painting Airfix kits at that age, not very well.. ;)