WIP Dwarf Rangers

After a recent Fantastic Battles game on October 5, 2025 at my local games club I decided it was time to upgrade my Dwarf Long Beard unit from eM4 (Originally made by Grenadier) and make them Foresters.   The Dwarfs were defending a pass against Dark Elf and Viking attackers.  The Long Beards looked a lot like Rangers in the rough terrain area with their axes and brown trim on their chainmail so I decided to make them Rangers.  The leader in particular (back of formation) needed some repainting and the bases need work.

 Dwarf Rangers in combat with Witch Elves and Vikings

 

 

Various Stats card options for the Dwarf Rangers

 

All of the above Fantastic Battle card options have merit, but I like the one in the middle best, as the independent woodsmen may not be the epitome of reliable  (as listed on the card on the left) and while they could be a Formed Company, I have always seen Rangers as more elite troops plus the figures don't have thrown weapons modeled on them a trait that the card on right gives them. 

I decided the first priority was to repaint the Dwarf Leader who came already painted from eM4, but the paint was chipped in various spots and the cloak and hat were a steel colour with a thin green stain - very strange.  See below.

 

eM4 pre-painted Dwarf leader back

eM4 pre-painted Dwarf leader front

The Boxed Set Dwarf Axe Patrol

Painted Dwarf Axe Patrol from eM4 

 

I have seen the Dwarf leader from Grenadier painted in a number of different styles, some even resembling Santa!

 

Santa like Dwarf Leader

Grenadier Dwarf Leader blue livery

I opted for a more woodsman like paint job using green and brown.  I have repainted the cloak and hat Vallejo primer bronze green and the fur trim with Vallejo primer light sand-brown. Next I will shade and  highlight these areas, possibly with Woodland green for the cloak.

 

Rangers leader in process of repainting

Vallejo paints used 

The next step in painting the leader figure is to pin wash the low green creases with black wash, and dark brown wash for the fur, then a mix of  Bronze Green and buff to highlight / dry-brush his cloak  The fur still needs some dry-brushing and some tidying up on the cloak highlights.

After washes and highlight on the green areas