Once I had sketches and a rough idea of how I was going to build this thing, it was off to the client for his approval. Approval in hand, it was time to get to work. After getting the actual models, I sat down and began to convert my concepts into a real model.
Now for the reality of building this guy. Aside from the other requests, there were two things I needed to do with this model.
PROBLEM: Make the Skulltaker interchangeable between his chariot and a regular 40mm base.
SOLUTION: Make the chariot big enough to nest the 40mm base inside it so it can be removed and the Skulltaker can be played as mounted or on foot.
PROBLEM: Make the whole thing fit on a base that wasn't so big it caused problems during game play.
SOLUTION: Scratchbuild a bullnose base (similar to Space Marine bike bases) that is 60mm wide by using a 60mm round base and cutting it in half and extending the middle slightly.
And here's the first attempt at mocking up the chariot itself.
What a huge failure.
I don't have a chariot here, I have a boat! The scale of this thing makes the Flesh Hounds pulling it look like kittens. It borders on looking like he's riding on a parade float.
This was so pathetic looking it nearly killed me to see my idea sitting there.
Time to start over from scratch.
And then it came to me... I remembered seeing a pack of "display bases" at my FLGS where there's a removable 25mm base set inside a 40mm base. The texturing is the same on both bases and you can mount your model on the 25mm base for play and then set him in the 40mm display when you want to look at him on the shelf.
(Base from Dark Art Miniatures)
Perfect! I'll do that... or something similar.
I decided to mount the Skulltaker on a 25mm base and then make it so that he could be set inside the chariot or a 40mm base. This way, he could be used on foot or mounted. A few magnets to keep things together where needed and I was back in business.
Project Link: Follow my Skulltaker project
Additional FTW Basing links:
Dual purpose bases for 40k and Fantasy by Santa Cruz Warhammer
