28mm Downwinder Mutant Warband

Worlds End Publishing produced This Is Not a Test, a set of post-apocalyptic wargames rules with skirmish level combat in mind. To support the game, they have a number of single and multi-figure packs that may be purchased. One of these is the Downwinder Mutant Warband, a collection of survivors whom have been changed by the effects of radioactive contamination.

Mutants are an uncommon, if not unwelcome, sight among the majority human survivor communities of the Tri-State Wasteland, the main setting for the game. Minor mutations are quite numerous and account for the majority of mutant-kind. But some mutants cannot easily hide their mutations and so chose to live apart from most humans.

There are 8 high quality pewter cast miniatures that represent one of the more ‘civilised’ mutant factions in the game. The figures are basically humans that have been altered with a range of mutations. The sculptor has chosen to depict a variety of mutations, with tails, tentacles, bone spurs and deformities in evidence. There are some very characterful types here, ranging from the cyclopean woman with a crab claw and shotgun to the large mutant with tentacles and a street sign as a weapon. These are at the more ‘fantastical’ end of the PA mutant market, rather than the more realistic, but the overall look is great.

A quick note on basing – the packs come with slotta-bases and the figures have the appropriate slotta ‘plugs’ connected to their feet, but it takes quite a bit of work with file and/or knife to fit the two together – the plugs have really been made a little too thick.

Each character conforms to a basic archetype in the game and the whole set provides a balanced starter ‘Warband’. This approach to rules support is always welcome but can lead to a fair few of the same figures making their way onto the same battlefield. However, This Is Not A Test is a pleasingly open background where any suitable miniatures may be used, and there are numerous single figures in the range which may be added to provide additional elements.

These miniatures would suit a number of different backgrounds, from battles on far-flung planets to denizens of the Cursed Earth and more. Well sculpted and thoughtfully created to enhance their playability using the core This Is Not A Test rules, these are the exact type of mutants that many gamers may have been looking for.