Warhammer: Dark Omen is a real-time tactical game set in the Warhammer Fantasy universe, following the adventures of the Grudgebringer Mercenary Company, a hardened band of sellswords led by Commander Morgan Bernhardt. After distinguishing themselves in earlier campaigns, the Grudgebringers are drawn into a desperate struggle against the forces of undead and chaos seeking to unleash an ancient evil upon the world. Combining disciplined leadership, powerful magic, and elite troops—including the company’s iconic Grudgebringer cavalry and cannon—the mercenaries fight across brutal battlefields for honor, gold, and the survival of the Old World.
If Steve loves two things, it’s 90’s Warhammer and retro video games. No surprise then, that Warhammer Dark Omen was his jam back when it came out, and has consistently been in his gaming rotation since. So much so, in fact, that he decided it would be a good idea to create a Warhammer Fantasy army for it! This project was meant to celebrate the awesome video game and Warhammer’s wonderful miniature range through the ages both. Let’s take a look!
Taking their name from their Commander’s powerful sword ‘Grudgebringer’ these mercenaries form the core of the army known as the Grudgebringers. They are skilled in combat and ride into battle on mighty warhorses. This 3D printed unit features Commander Bernhart and a converted Klaus Zimmerman, his loyal friend and former leader.
These warriors are highly experienced and proficient fighters led by Lieutenant Gunther Schepke, Bernhardt’s second in command. As part of the respected mercenary army known as the Grudgebringers they are completely loyal to their Commander. Steve used the henchmen from Advanced Heroquest for this unit.
After the events of the Shadow of the Horned Rat, these former outlaws have become a respected part of the Grudgebringers force. Led by Corporal Willem Fletcher they are armed with powerful crossbows, which have a long range but require line of sight to their target. Although they wield their crossbows with considerable skill, they are not particularly effective in hand-to-hand combat. These miniatures were proudly purloined from the excellent GW and MB partnership board game, Battle Masters.
We round out the core of the force with the Grudgebringer Cannon. This machine fires heavy cannonballs which can tear through enemy regiments and light buildings with ease, but is progressively more inaccurate the further it fires. Its enormously long range is only equalled by Orc Rock Lobbers, but it requires line of sight to its target as the cannonball is fired in a very shallow arc. Armour is useless against hits from a cannon.
Some Wizards up next, Luther Flamestrike and Vladimir Stormbringer! Returning once more to aid Bernhardt, Luther is still as arrogant as ever. Having spent years studying his art at the Bright College in Altdorf, the Bright Wizard is able to control magical energy to produce spells of flame and heat. Although extremely powerful in battle, Luther does not fare well in hand-to-hand combat. A Wizard may never wear armour. Personal advisor to Tzarina Katarin of Kislev, Stormbringer joins Bernhardt’s quest to stop the Undead once they invade Kislev. A wielder of Ice Magic, a native form of Magic practised in the northern regions of Kislev, he is able to produce deadly spells of ice and cold.
Like all warriors of the Empire these Helmgart bowmen, led by Franz Erikson, are highly trained in their art. They are armed with standard bows which have a medium range. Although they wield their bows with skill they are not particularly effective in hand-to-hand combat.
Charged with the protection of Emperor Karl Franz’ cousin Countess Isabel. Led by Captain Heinz Klemper, these halberdiers, like all the Empire’s heavy infantrymen, are highly trained and proficient melee fighters. The halberds they wield are heavy weapons which hit with great force. Halberdiers are skilled in combat, but because their weapons must be wielded with both hands they are limited in the amount of armour they can utilise.
Led by Bernhardt’s friend Azguz Bloodfist, they are determined and confident, are immensely strong and resilient although slow on their feet. They will flee in only the most desperate circumstances, and their hatred for Orcs and Goblins makes them even less likely to rout when fighting them. This unit of classic plastic dwarf warriors features a champion miniature that was offered to customers at the opening of the original Birmingham store, many decades ago!
Like all swordsmen of the Empire, thy are highly trained and proficient fighters. Led by Dieter Schaeffer, the swords they wield are so large they must be swung with both hands and therefore strike with great force. Due to this fact these troops are limited in the amount of armour they can utilise. These represent some of the newer miniatures in Steve’s vast collection.
Led by Urblab Rotgut, these massive creatures stand twice as tall as a man and are far more strongly built. Although they are not particularly intelligent, they are strong and tough and fight ferociously. They are notoriously indiscriminate about who they fight for, as long as they are rewarded. Due to their large and threatening appearance Ogres provoke fear.
These highly trained Outlaw Infantry were once swordsmen of the Empire. However, under the influence of their leader Jurgen Muntz, they have abandoned the cause of the Empire to fight outside the law for greater material gain. These miniatures represent some of Steve’s favourite rogues, swashbucklers and thieves from the original Citadel range.
Led by the Sigmarite priest Eusebio the Bleak, these Flagellants are men who have been driven over the edge of sanity by some personal disaster or catastrophe, causing them to travel the Empire preaching their nightmare visions of doom. Their madness gives them superhuman strength and resilience, and they fight with outstanding fury. Flagellants wear only tattered robes and will not wear armour.
Led by Ludwig von Uberdorf, this machine is in effect a mobile cannon and is very heavily armoured. In battle it cannot be engaged in hand-to-hand combat as it would simply run over any troops in its path. The cannon, which has a very long range but is progressively more inaccurate the further it fires, launches heavy cannonballs which can tear through an enemy regiment with ease. Armour provides no protection against hits from cannonballs.
Led by Darius Flugenheim and Uter Blomkwist, these Imperial War Machines are offered to Morgan by Karl Franz, but you can keep only one!
These Winged Lancers are placeholders for Ragnar’s Wolves, who fight under the command of Eric Ragnar, their leader and a personal friend of Bernhardt. Famous for battling Trolls, they ride into battle on mighty warhorses and are skilled in combat.
Led by the Wood Elf Galed, these Wood Elf Archers accompany Morgan on his journeys. The miniatures used here are one of the original RR Regiments of Renown, Oreon’s Archers.
An absolute classic Marauder Treeman to represent Gnarlroot!
If you’re still here, thank you so much for taking at look at one of Steve’s many Warhammer passion projects, and holler up if you want to see more of his goblin green, red phase ridiculousness!
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