During the early days of the pandemic, in the first couple of weeks of the nation wide lockdown, the urge to paint minis again led me to Alternative Minis on Etsy. Their models were cheaper than official Citadel miniatures and they look unique. The decision was easy to make.

However, because of the pandemic, the Chaos Warrior Cypheria The Fallen arrived almost two months later. But I was not disappointed.

The model is described as made from smooth-on smooth-cast polyurethane resin. My eyes immediately went to resin because I have worked with that stuff before with the dreaded Fine Cast range. I expected a roughly cast model on a sprue that would need a lot of work. 

For the price, I wouldn’t complain. Even with shipping, this is half the price of what I would have to pay for a Warhammer character model.

What I received exceeded by expectations. Each component needs little to no cleanup and the details are crisp.  

Chaos Warrior Cypheria The Fallen is made in Ukraine under the Grim Skull brand. You can find them on Etsy, like I did, or go to their online store at Wargame Exclusive. 

Despite the plethora of models on offer, all of which are unique, choosing this model was easy. 

At the time, I was adamant to start painting Sisters of Battle, an all female warrior nun faction in the Warhammer 40,000 universe. However, because of the lockdown and Games Workshop monopoly on online sales of their own products, I could not get the models I want anywhere.

At the same time, I wanted to paint Cypher, a Fallen of the Dark Angels, my favourite Space Marine Chapter in the Warthammer 40,000 universe. The same problems stated above apply here as well.

Chaos Warrior Cypheria The Fallen combines the two things I was looking for in my next hobby project: a female model and a giant sword, dual weapon wielding, outcast with a skeleton motif armour. 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

The model comes in seven parts: a detailed base, two weapon wielding arms up to the elbows, a backpack, a giant word in a scabbard, the lower half of the cloak/cape, and the main body of the mini with legs and head.

I have never seen the material the model is made out of before. It feels almost the same as the plastic Citadel models.

I plan to paint each component separately with the best that my rusty skills can muster, before assembling it all together. This is the most inefficient way to do it, but in my head, it is the only way I could get to all the intricate detail. 

After a two month wait, you’d think I would start this hobby project right away. However, all my tools, brushes, and paints are 200km away, in another state and the local hobby shop is still closed so I can’t get the supplies I need.