The forges of Hashut burn again! The Helsmiths of Hashut, Age of Sigmar’s long-awaited revival of the Chaos Dwarves, are finally here — and they’re everything we hoped for. Twisted armor, infernal guns, sneering hobgrots, and bull-headed monstrosities dripping with molten fury. These models ooze attitude and craftsmanship, and for players of the Gangfight Chronicle setting, they’re a goldmine for new warband ideas.
They look like the kind of warriors who never stop hammering metal, even when the battlefield itself is melting. Painting them feels like bottling volcanic heat — blackened iron, glowing runes, and smoke-stained beards.
TL;DR Summary
The Helsmiths of Hashut bring the Chaos Dwarves back from the depths, perfect for evil dwarf warbands in Gangfight Chronicle.
Quick Takeaways:
- Helsmiths = modern Chaos Dwarves, ideal for Chronicle warbands.
- Bull Centaurs count as Mounted Heavies; Infernal Razors use flintlock rifles.
- Hobgrot Vandals make hilarious and deadly goblin-style Scouts.
Who It’s For
Painters who love black iron and glowing lava. Kitbashers who enjoy converting ancient evils into something tabletop-ready. Gangfight players who want to bring the grim fire-worshipping dwarves of legend to life.
What’s new?
The Helsmiths of Hashut range (the new Chaos Dwarves of the Mortal Realms) gives you everything you’d want for a small, character-driven warband:
- Hobgrot Vandals: Goblin-sized raiders armed with crude blades and a gleeful disregard for safety.
- Infernal Cohort: Heavily armored dwarves swinging brutal forge-weapons — the beating heart of your force.
- War Despot: The warlord, master of slaves and forges alike.
- Demonsmith: Part wizard, part blacksmith — pure evil craftsmanship.
- Bull Centaurs: Half-dwarf, half-bull heavies that thunder through your enemies.
- Infernal Razors: Chaos Dwarf gunners with smoke-belching rifles perfect for long-range dominance.
How Could These Models Fit into Gangfight?
In the Chronicle setting, the Helsmiths slot perfectly as an infernal dwarven warband — Chaos Dwarves reborn as artisans of destruction.
| Model / Unit | Setting | Role | Loadout | Traits | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| War Despot | Chronicle | Leader (Captain) | Great Weapon or Flintlock Rifle | Fearless, Grit | High |
| Demonsmith | Chronicle | Specialist (Acolyte) | Hand Weapon, Alchemy Kit | Alchemy, Healing | Medium |
| Infernal Cohort | Chronicle | Operative (Champion) | Hand Weapon, Shield | Grit, Fearless | Medium |
| Bull Centaur | Chronicle | Heavy (Mounted) | Great Weapon | Mounted, Fearless | High |
| Infernal Razor | Chronicle | Specialist (Champion) | Flintlock Rifle | Overwatch, Tracking | Medium |
| Hobgrot Vandal | Chronicle | Scout (Acolyte) | Hand Weapon, Throwing Knives | Quick Draw, Fearless | Low |
Why Are They Great for Conversions or Dioramas?
Because Chaos Dwarves have always been about excess — the more metal, horns, and smoke, the better. The Helsmiths’ detailed armor plates and cruel facial masks practically beg for creative conversions. Add chains, glowing runes, or molten bases and you’ll have models that look ready to step off a heavy-metal album cover.
For dioramas, picture a lava-lit forge scene — Bull Centaurs hauling cauldrons of magma while Hobgrots dance around tossing explosives. It’s industrial fantasy at its absolute best.
How Would You Paint Them for Maximum Impact?
Prime black. Drybrush dark steel. Add heat — orange, yellow, red — glowing from vents and weapon seams. Wash with brown or purple to cool it down, then re-highlight the edges with silver.
For Hobgrots, lean into grimy greens and stained armor. They’re comic relief with a death wish — a splash of color in a sea of soot.
Pro tip: for a molten look, blend red to yellow inside weapon barrels and eye slits, then hit it with a touch of gloss varnish. Instant forge-fire effect.
Is This a Good Value Set for Collectors?
Absolutely, however the army set seems to be sold out online. You may be able to find it at local retailers. Between the variety of poses, character models, and the nostalgia factor of Chaos Dwarves reborn, this range is a dream for painters and kitbashers alike. You can build a complete Gangfight warband straight from the box — or spread them across multiple themed teams.
Even if you never roll dice, these sculpts belong in every fantasy painter’s collection.
Scenario Hooks
Engagement: A corrupted forge deep underground has gone silent. The Helsmiths’ molten creations wander free.
Complications: Rivals seek the forge’s heart — a demon core still burning. The Chaos Dwarves will destroy anyone who approaches.
Conclusion: The War Despot seals the cavern in fire, swearing that Hashut alone will decide who’s worthy to wield his flame.
Homebrew Suggestion: Add a “Lava Flow” event each round — the ground shifts, dealing damage to anyone standing still for too long. Mobility becomes survival.
FAQs
Q: Are the Helsmiths basically new Chaos Dwarves?
A: Exactly — they’re Warhammer’s reimagined Chaos Dwarves, dripping with the same dark forge-energy fans have loved for decades.
Q: Can Bull Centaurs be mounted units in Gangfight?
A: Yes! They count as Mounted Heavies and gain the Mounted trait.
Q: What’s the best loadout for Infernal Razors?
A: Flintlock Rifles — long-range, heavy-impact weapons that suit their stance perfectly.
Q: Can Hobgrots fight alongside dwarves in Gangfight?
A: Definitely. Treat them as low-cost Scouts or Acolytes for chaotic variety.
Q: Are these models good for kitbashing?
A: Fantastic. Swap heads, add pipes, or build mechanical limbs to blend them into Aeon or First Strike settings.
Q: What’s the easiest way to get a lava effect?
A: Use contrast paints over a bright undercoat, then drybrush the cracks with light yellow or white.
Glossary
Chaos Dwarves: The corrupted, forge-obsessed kin of classic dwarves; now reimagined as Helsmiths of Hashut.
Kitbash: Mixing parts from different kits to make something unique.
Wash: Thinned paint used to bring out details and shadows.
Pigment: Dry powder for realistic weathering.
Trait: Special ability defining a model’s strengths or tactics.
Author / E-E-A-T
Written by Tim Kline — founder of SkirmishGames.com and Gangfight Games.