Updated 4/12/2024 with the recent Errata
The ghoulish models that Games Workshop included in White Dwarf 497–498 are so indistinguishable that even GW got mixed up and didn’t include all of them in the magazines.
I’ve gathered the brightest minds of our generation to make sense of what is necessary to acquire the models to play the game (though rules for the Crypt Haunter Courtiers are completely omitted from the scenarios).
If you haven’t seen Always Board Never Boring‘s take on the magazines, they’re right here:
It’s pretty pricy to get into this. Keep in mind, the entire base game costs $199.00 (+tax) and can be found for less everywhere besides the GW webstore. If you buy all kits separately, you’re looking at $318.50 plus tax.
The Model breakdown:
| Quantity | $ Per Model | Total | Description |
| 1 | $35.00 | $35.00 | Royal Decapitator |
| 1 | $35.00 | $35.00 | Marrowscroll Herald |
| 1 | $33.50 | $33.50 | Abhorrant Archregent |
| 1 | $45.00 | $45.00 | Abhorrant Gorewarden |
| 1 | $20.00 | $20.00 | Crypt Infernal Courtier |
| 1 | $20.00 | $20.00 | Crypt Haunter Courtier |
| 2 | $20.00 | $40.00 | Crypt Flayer |
| 2 | $20.00 | $40.00 | Crypt Horrors |
| 20 | $2.50 | $50.00 | Cryptguard |
| Avg: $10.62 | $318.50 |
You can save $75 if you go with a Dawnbringers box and spend a total of $243.50.
| Quantity | $ Per Model | Total | Description |
| 1 | $4.81 | $130.00 | Jerrion’s Delegation |
| 1 | $35.00 | $35.00 | Royal Decapitator |
| 1 | $33.50 | $33.50 | Abhorrant Archregent |
| 1 | $45.00 | $45.00 | Abhorrant Gorewarden |
| Avg: $8.12 | $243.50 |
Proxy Options
So what are you options here? Do you spend between 1.5x and almost 2x the cost of the core game on 33 models for four Cursed City adventures? Probably not a great idea. You can definitely proxy in models you already have. That’s easy but not quite as satisfying.
If you have a 3D printer, I recommend checking out the great old school styled models by Monstrous Encounters. His $10.00 Ghouls set is just what you’re looking for. You can make any of the big ghouls (Crypt Horrors, Crypt Infernal Courtiers, Crypt Flayers, Crypt Hunter Courtiers, and both Abhorrants) with this set! I found some accessories to make them more exciting and similar to the GW models. I’m including Desmondu as an Abhorrant Archregent because I was done working on this project. Though this model from FleshOfGods would fit in great.
Here’s what I did for only $10 and some time working in Microsoft 3D Builder.
| Use | Total | Description |
| Everything | $10.00 | Ghouls x7 |
| Decapitator | 0 | Ghoul Executioner |
| Herald | 0 | Hooded Ghoul |
| Archregent | 0 | Desmondu |
| Accessories | 0 | Spikes |
| Accessories | 0 | Monster Wings |
| Accessories | 0 | Keys |
| Accessories | 0 | Skull |
| Accessories | 0 | Femur |
| $10.00 |
A note about scale
- Scale Decapitator (Ghoul Executioner) and Herald (Hooded Ghoul) to 120%
- Scale the 32mm Monstrous Encounter ghouls to 200% to stand in for Crypt Horrors, Crypt Infernal Courtiers, Crypt Flayers, and Crypt Hunter Courtiers.
- I scaled a 32mm ghoul to 135% for the Abhorrants.
- The Cryptguard can probably stay 32mm, you are welcome to experiment, but I already have enough small ghouls and don’t plan to add any more.
- Add wings, spikes, keys, and skulls as you like and scale appropriately.
Neat to see Monstrous Encounters being used. He has a very old school vibe.
I’m a huge fan of his work. I have a ton of his stuff. His dungeon tiles are the most versatile ones out there, too.