Dogs of War

Hi,
I'm wondering if anyone can give me a rundown of the differences between Empire Knight models and the Venator models.

$96AUD is a bit steep for 5 figures when I can get 8 Empire Knights for $50AUD (In fact, less than that since I've already bought them second hand on sprue!). So I figure, I'll check out the differences between Empire Knights and Volands Venators and try and sculpt heads, etc.

From images on the GW website, I can obviously tell the Helms are different. The shields of course, have the signature V on them. Is there anything really noticeable other than the helms and shields that can't be seen on the images?

Actually, the only real difference between the two is that Venator's carry salads (helmets) without any symbols on them, but with feathers instead. So if you use Knights Panther helmets, cut of the top, GS back what is missing and glue a feather from the Empire State Troops or HE Spearmen boxed sets and you have your Venators. And of course you need to paint V's on a flat shield.

Take a look at my mercenary blog on here. I do have the set of 5 venators but I also bought some empire knights, and glued extra venator shields on them. They look just as good as the normal ones.

Cheers for the info guys.
I think I'll give what you M4cR1II3n a shot, as I'd like to keep the helm style if possible (But also go for some heads with bandages, etc like in the Dogs of War 5th ed book).

@Slick
You're right, they do. I think if I can't manage to get the heads style to work, I'll fall back on that and use the comb-over head from the new Empire Soldiers box for Voland. But I'll see how sculpting goes first.

Empire Knights are on the ends.

i always thought that volands unit would be one of the easiest units to convert from plastics,i have collected up all the empire horse heads with plumes that i could find in empire bits lots on ebay,along with the knights arms holding their helmets under their arms, the empire have agreat selection of heads that can then be stuck on ,but i have just bought some micro art resin heads one of them looks like richard branson (virgin airlines etc) another looks a lot like lord bath (longleat safari park) anyway was going to call mine virgins venators instead will post a picture soon, probally next week as i have a lot on this weekend,

I actually think if you can get access to the Greatsword heads, the Venators are a piece of cake to convert. Some of the Greatswords have like perfect heads for the Venator style helmet. Just need to slap a feather on it and you're done.
Just a pity that the Greatswords are so expensive, and getting their heads as bits seems to be as well.

If you want Voland Venators buy the normal KO box and horse heads from old chaos knights. With a bit of converting you should get something like this:

Nice great job Sultan

Are there any designs molded on the Knights' shields? The V would be easy enough to paint if not, but I've never seen the knights in person and it's kinda hard to tell.

From the looks of the Venator's on the GW site, I'd say the 'V' is a moulded attachment to the shield like the skull, winged bird, and all the other ones you could glue to the shield on the 6th ed Empire Soldiers kit.

For mine, I sculpted the V's. Perhaps doesn't look the greatest, but I am always trying to improve (And I wanted a slightly more special shield for Voland).
In fact I'll be posting mine as soon as I finish painting the shields, as that's all that is left for mine.

Yes, the "V" is moulded, unfortunately there isn't any skulls on them

Sorry, what I meant was are there any designs molded on to the shields from the Empire Knightly Orders box?

Well, why didn't you say so?

Yes, there are skulls and laurels moulded on half, and on the others there are panthers.
If you want shields with a flat surface I suggest you get some of the old empire soldiers shields, they still sell them.

Or shape some out of Sheet Styrene (plasicard) or green stuff.