Harald Hardradra and the Varangian Guard

MANUFACTURER: Gripping Beast
RANGE: SAGA (pack SZ11, SZ12 and SHVA14)
SCALE: 28mm (1/56 true scale)
SIZE: 26mm foot-to-eye

grippingbeast.co.uk
There are three packs in this part of the SAGA range, comprising of 4 figures with long handled Dane axes, 4 with sword and shield and a single figure pack of the young Harald Hardradra himself depicted during his time as a Captain in the legendary Varangian Guard.

PROS: All of these figures are sharply sculpted with believable poses. The castings received need very little in the way of clean-up. Each figure is packed full of character, although Harald is excellent, wearing a mix of Western and eastern armour and wielding both a hand axe and slightly curved sword.

CONS: The Dane axes (long handled) on the relevant figures proved to be quite fragile and two of them broke when being handled during photography. The shafts will need strengthening to protect them during gameplay.

SCOPE: These figures all have a little blend of the West and East to create some fairly unique miniatures for tabletop use as the intended warriors. The depiction of these hardened, feared warriors on offer is perhaps a good benchmark for others to follow.

Ch