Fell Bat Alternatives

[TheOtherJosh]

So, the model quality for the Fell Bats is not optimal... they're an older sculpt, only available via direct order and are finecast sculpts. And not inexpensive at $49.50 (USD) for three models.

 

While I am sure that there are plenty of non-GW alternatives, playing them in GW stores can be problematic.

 

Here's one alternative that I ran across.

 

But please post up alternate suggestions, and feel free to include non-GW options.

 [mention=3454]Kyriakin[/mention] mentioned that more options would be good as did [mention=3960]Tzaangor Management[/mention]

 

 

No, you're right, the GW Fell Bats are terrible, as is the Black Coach. Does anyone know of any cool alternatives?

 Tyranid Gargoyles (built without guns) perhaps with some greenstuff fur and a modified head.

 

Something like this:

 

 

(Pulled from http://www.lounge.belloflostsouls.net/photopost/dark-eldar/p2153-de-beast-host-tyranids.html )

 

 

[TheWilddog]

Here are the ones I use:

Vampiric bats from titan forge - http://titan-forge.com/fantasy_miniatures_gravehaunt_hills_vampiric_bats

I have also seen the Night Terror kit from Malifaux done well for these.

[Warboss Gorbolg]

Ghouls with wings would look pretty cool I think, and would blend into a Soulblight force.  I imagine that you can be pretty creative as there isn't anything within the Death Grand Alliance to confuse them with.

[TheOtherJosh]

Direwolves with Wings?

 

 

 

[Cordova]

@TheWilddog: Those are some very nice models!

[MacDuff]

Those Vampiric Bats look mighty cool to me. Best I've seen, so I wants them.

[Kyriakin]

Those TitanForge models are listed as having four components (i.e. Bat A, Bat B and two scenic bases). So, are the bat's feet initially not attached to the scenic base? This would solve the Reaper Bat Swarm issue of the two options looking a bit repetitive in larger numbers, as well as the whole square base thing.

With the Masquerade Miniatures bats - and the company itself, for that matter - long OOP, these look to be the best non-converted Fell Bat option I have seen that remains in production.

Still leaves the problem of playing in GW stores, though. Perhaps if we have dozens of their super-bargain Blood Knights, the staff may be willing to let it pass - especially since not even a loyal staffer could claim that the current official Fell Bats and Bat Swarms aren't "interesting" sculpts.

[TheOtherJosh]

It's not "interesting" it's merely an old sculpt that hasn't aged well.

 

And to be very upfront, I'm seriously not a fan of Finecast. Yes, it has substantially improved from the original iteration, and pieces that aren't thin and delicate aren't as full of bubbles as they used to be. But working with resin is not as easy/enjoyable as working with the new plastics.

 

Is it "better" than the old metal casts? It's easier to paint ... metal has a "fondness" for chipping due to a lack of proper primer adhesion so the paints tend to chip off. [emoji20]

 

I've seen alternates with gargoyle wings on Ghoul Bodies as well.

 

These (what look like) Ghoul heads (or vampire heads) on the Tyranid Gargoyle bodies look pretty good in this YouTube video:

 

 

 

[TheWilddog]

14 hours ago, Kyriakin said:

Those TitanForge models are listed as having four components (i.e. Bat A, Bat B and two scenic bases). So, are the bat's feet initially not attached to the scenic base? This would solve the Reaper Bat Swarm issue of the two options looking a bit repetitive in larger numbers, as well as the whole square base thing.

Yes the bats come not attached to the 2 scenic bases.

[Jamopower]

This seems to be a common topic. This alternative was brought in a similar thread at Finnish forum, and I think they'll be my choice when I eventually go along with my Vampire project:

 

https://hexy-shop.com/shop/fantasy-miniatures/living-death-vampire-bats-3/