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Varagyr modification learnings


Jackalwolf

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So just a little of an update to help out any fellow VI fans who are planning to buy and convert the Varagyr:

jNFxCHI.jpgch

Key learnings:

  • It is possible to remove the heads but it does require for sure a Dremel and some precision, would be impossible or too long without it due to the amount of resin to take away in a very awkward placing to reach with conventional tools
  • Even when successfully removing the heads, the braided beards are a massive problem and must be carved out very carefully with an X-acto knife, some of the sculpts will need some rebuilding of the studs in the collar since they´ll be impossible to save
  • To re-sculpt the fur, first flat out the area by cutting the horrible fur, otherwise it´ll be too prominent
  • I´ve found it extremely hard to sculpt fur accurately since the area is hard to access and the fang charms in the middle get in the way for the smooth downwards motions required to do good fur
  • So unhappy with fur sculpting that will finish this since fur sculpting needs several layers for it to work and if I don´t like will proceed to clip out and replace with 3rd party fur loincloths
  • Any Cataphractii arms work well with the kit

 

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Thank you for the update, especially regarding removing the head!

 

I have a torso from eBay just for test but honestly I'm probably just going to keep the legs (with 3rd party fur) and plop on a normal Cataphractii upper torso.

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Pleasure mate. How do you intend to work around the fur? It's the one item I'm still not happy with.

 

Also the torsos look really cool and unique whilst still maintaining the cataphractii feel once heads are removed but as mentioned, Dremel is essential.

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I planning to remove the "fur" completely and use the Spellcrow fur tabards. They are great since they all are difference shape and nicely fit different leg positions (I already done it on 20 standard Cataphractii legs :smile.:)  . Then just model or replace the other trimmings on top of the fur.

 

The upper torso is not bad overall but I'm not so fond of the lack of a real gorget/bevor in front of the face. If I do keep the torso I have to both remove the head and build up a gorget/bevor from scratch. The upside of that is that i can tailor the front to a bearded head but it's a lot more work. Haven't decided yet though.

 

I'm also planning to extend the stomach a bit for more true scale size so regardless the upper part have to come off..
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I hadn't bashed them too hard so far and in fact the varagyr kit was even growing on me but these close ups are just showing off how weird the legs are. They also seem low detail, I've been working with resin mkIII armour recently and the sculpting and definition is so so good by comparison to these.

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Legs are what I like most of the kit actually! They're very dynamic and reminiscent of Russ armour.

 

If you don't like the legs though really skip this purchase though! The torsos are cool too but you'll be limited to 5 unless you're ready to do a lot of modification.

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Legs are what I like most of the kit actually! They're very dynamic and reminiscent of Russ armour.

 

If you don't like the legs though really skip this purchase though! The torsos are cool too but you'll be limited to 5 unless you're ready to do a lot of modification.

 

I like the style just not the proportions. They are just not quite good enough to be a "must have" under my current budget. 

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You've done a good job of improving the Varagyr Grieux. I was gonna say if you were struggling to sculpt around the fetishs then you could simply remove them and replace them with plastic ones from the GW SW kits after you've sculpted the new fur. The third party pelts work just as well though :-)

 

Even with the replacement and removal of the offending fur, the proportions are still very off (primarily of the legs, with their knees being in the wrong place, though the head and torso height are still not ideal) but I doubt there's much you can do about that at this point. They really should have never made it through quality control.

 

You've made the best of them though! What are you planning for the frost weapons?

Edited by Fenbain
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There  are many things I can say about the Varagyr :wink:

 

But proportionally it's actually one of the best terminators FW has done. If we check against the trusted Vitruvian man we see that the knees, hips, shoulders and head are in the right place. 

 

 

 

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If there was going to be anyone that could save these dudes it'd be you! Great work mate. Using normal arms is working a treat!

 

Removing the awful fur immediately makes the models look presentable. I think had the originals been traditionally sculpted the fur would have been much more natural looking. FW really should have made the heads separate as it does limit individuality.

 

Really happy to see Rollo finally get a body....

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If there was going to be anyone that could save these dudes it'd be you! Great work mate. Using normal arms is working a treat!

 

Removing the awful fur immediately makes the models look presentable. I think had the originals been traditionally sculpted the fur would have been much more natural looking. FW really should have made the heads separate as it does limit individuality.

 

Really happy to see Rollo finally get a body....

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Is it just me or is the detail on the knees really soft?

 

Yes, unfortunately it does look more like patterns made in wet clay than etchings in ceramite. I'm visualizing that it's a leather facing over the knee pad to make it look better in my head :smile.:

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Is it just me or is the detail on the knees really soft?

Yes, unfortunately it does look more like patterns made in wet clay than etchings in ceramite. I'm visualizing that it's a leather facing over the knee pad to make it look better in my head :smile.:

Bats a function of the silicone mold. Take a piece of hard metal, but not a modeling knife, like a probe or sculpting tool and carefully drag it through the design. It’ll sharpen up.

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