Multipart Plastics: Zvezda VS Games Workshop

I am always looking for something different to put on the wargame table, something that will fit in with the scale I already use (28mm give or take) but will illicit "oohs" and "ahhs" from the jaded gameboys I so often play against. Of course, anything I can buy that also "sticks it to the man (Games Workshop)" is a plus. Here is one possible outlet: "Ring of Rule" figures by Zvezda.

I am always looking for something different to put on the wargame table, something that will fit in with the scale I already use (28mm give or take) but will illicit "oohs" and "ahhs" from the jaded gameboys I so often play against. Of course, anything I can buy that also "sticks it to the man (Games Workshop)" is a plus. Here is one possible outlet: "Ring of Rule" figures by Zvezda.

Zvezda is a Russian company, probably better known for its models of planes and tanks, etc…. but they also have their own 28mm wargame "Ring of Rule." As of the writing of this article, I can tell you very little of the game or it's nuances, as Zvezda's web site is horrible and vague. They don't even have pictures of their own product, just of the "artist's conception" box art! I did manage to see some of the sprues in an eBay auction though, and my curiosity got the better of me and I bought one.

Shown above is the troop sprue, the command sprue, the movement trays (which are pretty cool and can link together) plus the assembly instructions, a brief army list, and some decals. There are bases, we will deal with those later. Pretty standard stuff here, but let's look at the raw numbers: This particular box was purchased from www.squadron.com for $26.21 (including $5.25 for shipping) and makes 24 "Cursed Legion" (skeletons dressed as Roman Soldiers) including command. They have lots of extra weapons, so you can make them spearmen (2 kinds), hand weapon (gladius), or archers. There are also plenty of little bitz like shields, scabbards and quivers to finish the job. 20 Skellies from GW are $30, but can be bow, hand weapon, spear or flail.Lets break down a standard soldier:

Wow, look at all those tiny pieces! Yeah, with separate hands and feet (!) assembly is no easy job. This is no box for amateurs, but the level of detail is pretty striking. The plastic is nice and hard, with a minimum of flash, so cleanup was easy. During construction, you begin to wonder if extra flash would be worth not having to assemble the HEAD (2 pieces) but someone somewhere thought this was a good idea, and the final product looks good.

As you can see, size isn't really as issue, either, they are pretty close. For those used to the "heroic" scale of Games Workshop (oversized heads/hand/weapons) the fig looks odd, but the scale is much more realistic. The accurate scale may be the figure's downfall, though, as they are also a lot easier to break. Having to glue tiny skeletal hands onto bony wrists was no picnic either, and seemed to be an unnecessary step to insure the figs are "completely customizable." Most of the figs stand on both feet, this one is a bit more dynamic, with one foot slightly lifted. For this model, dynamic = weak. Summary: I am pleased with the look and options available to this unit, and would be proud to field them, but the time required to assemble them, and then the worry that they will be smashed by picking them up wrong detracts from the fun factor inherent in most GW models. The models in this box are all wearing "light armor" at the very least, which may fly in the face of the WYSIWYG mavens out there, but it isn't extreme. The low cost should encourage you to pick up a box and try it out, but put on your 'patience hat', and don't lose any of the parts in the sink when you wash off the mold release. 🙂 The bases included are a little smaller than the GW 20mm bases, so be sure to pick up a bag before you get started. The movement trays are weird and bulky, but are still interesting to look at. Enjoy!

hamster boy