Unboxing The Drowned Earth starter sets – let’s dive in?

• Posted on 9 February 2022
• By Simon Thurtle
• Posted in 35mm, The Drowned Earth, Unboxing
• 0

Unboxing two of the starter sets of The Drowned Earth miniatures game

Unboxing The Drowned Earth starter sets – let’s dive in?

Now you’ve read our review of The Drowned Earth, you’re going to want to know if the minis are really as good as the pictures suggested.

Never a team to leave you with questions, we’ve done the hard job of getting new minis and taking a look just for you. We know, getting new toys is selfless, but we’ve done it. Don’t thank us, just read on to see what’s in the box!

The Militia Faction Starter Set review

Armed with all sorts of ranged weapons, the Militia are best at long-range.

The Militia start includes five miniatures, bases for each and the two-sided stat cards for each. The units in the box are:

Forek - Leader

Hove - Scout

Ranelle – Tough... yes, that is a gorilla with a minigun…

Juchita - Medic

Kraytssk – Mech

These come in to exactly 100-points so perfect for your first games. The set also includes a two-sided leader ability card.

Opening the box and digging into the packing beans we get to the good stuff. Every miniature is in its own bag, containing the separate parts and base.

The cards are in a separate bag in with the minis. The cards are well printed, clear, with lovely artwork but the card they’re printed on is a little thin for regular use, so we recommend transparent card holders to keep them looking their best.

Each miniature is in multiple parts and can only be put together one way. The miniatures had minimal mould lines and flash, so they were quick to clean up and get ready for construction.

Forek

Hove

Ranelle

Juchita

Kraytssk

As with all metal miniatures, we recommend giving them a was in warm, soapy water to remove any residue of the production process. This will help with both the building and painting process of your miniatures.

We recommend good quality superglue to assemble these miniatures. The construction process is fair simple, with a ball and socket or similar arrangement where each piece needs to be. Note that you may find the pieces stick together slightly better if you lightly score or roughen the contact points before gluing.

All-in-all, for the price, this starter box is very good quality and value. With many games delivering starter boxes which can’t be used in a “proper” game, TDE delivers a balanced, useful force for you to play your first games.

The Bondsmen Faction Starter Set review

Kings of armoured close combat, the Bondsmen starter is for you if you like up-close violence and shrugging off shots.

The Bondsmen starter includes five miniatures, bases for each and the two-sided stat cards for each. The units in the box are:

Limossk - Leader

Gersla - Scout

Fancagne - Tough

Alaya - Medic

Jorra – Mech

These come in to a 99-point army, so a great place to start. The set also includes a two-sided leader ability card.

Sliding the box open, you’ll find the box full of protective packing beans. Each miniature is in its own bag, containing the separate parts and base.

As with the Militia, the cards are in a separate bag in with the minis and could benefit from card protectors, just to keep them looking this good.

The miniatures are finely detailed, have little flash or mould lines and only go together one way.

Limossk

Gersla

Fancagne

Alaya

Jorra

As with all metal miniatures, we recommend giving them a was in warm, soapy water to remove any residue of the production process. This will help with both the building and painting process of your miniatures.

You’ll need superglue to build these miniatures. We recommend a good quality glue, over the cheapest, however. You may also find that you achieve a stronger bond if you lightly cut or roughen the contact points before gluing them.

The Bondsmen box contains lovely, detailed miniatures which form a viable, useful force for your first games. For the price, you won’t find many games offering starter boxes with this quality of items and game play. Now, where’s my glue…?