Some boxes feel like a game. Others feel like a parts bin. Darkwater feels like a story engine. The moment you lay the miniatures out on the table, you can already picture the scenes: heroes slogging through flooded ruins, corrupted figures dragging themselves out of stagnant water, weapons pitted and armor scarred by rot.
What makes Darkwater especially fun for Gangfight’s Chronicle setting is how naturally it splits. The heroes look like a complete adventuring band without feeling generic, and the enemy models drip with decay and menace. You are not forcing these miniatures into Chronicle. They already live there.
TL;DR
Darkwater’s miniatures translate cleanly into Gangfight’s Chronicle setting as two opposing forces.
• A ready-made heroic warband with clear roles
• A pestilent demon horde full of character and menace
• Models that reward both tabletop play and hobby creativity
Who This Is For
This is for painters who like telling stories through weathering. For kitbashers who see spare arms as opportunity. For Chronicle players who want warbands that look like they belong in grim legends instead of tidy army lists. If you enjoy skirmish games where every model feels like a character, this box does a lot of work for you.
What’s in the Box?
Darkwater provides a full cast of fantasy miniatures split between named heroes and a large group of corrupted enemies. The heroes are distinct in pose and equipment, clearly meant to feel like individuals. The enemies range from swarm-level threats to larger, more imposing figures that look perfect as champions or brutes.
The variety is the real value here. You are not getting repeats that feel like filler. Every model adds either personality or pressure to the table.
How Could These Models Fit into Chronicle?
Chronicle works best when roles are obvious at a glance. Darkwater’s sculpts already communicate who is in charge, who hits hard, and who survives by speed or cunning.
The Heroes as a Chronicle Warband
The hero models naturally form a balanced Chronicle group. They look like survivors, explorers, and protectors rather than parade-ground knights.
| Model / Unit | Setting | Role | Loadout | Traits | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Veteran Hero | Chronicle | Leader | Hand Weapon | Fearless | Medium |
| Armored Champion | Chronicle | Heavy | Great Weapon | Grit | High |
| Ranged Explorer | Chronicle | Scout | Bow | Tracking | Low |
| Mystic Adept | Chronicle | Specialist | Hand Weapon | Healing | Medium |
| Loyal Companion | Chronicle | Operative | Hand Weapon | Fearless | Medium |
On the table, this feels like a classic Chronicle party: durable but not invincible, capable of holding ground while still needing to maneuver carefully.
The Villains as a Pestilent Demon Horde
The enemy models lean hard into corruption and decay, which makes them ideal for a demon or plague-tainted force in Chronicle.
| Model / Unit | Setting | Role | Loadout | Traits | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plague Champion | Chronicle | Leader | Hand Weapon | Fearless | High |
| Bloated Enforcer | Chronicle | Heavy | Great Weapon | Grit | Medium |
| Corrupted Adept | Chronicle | Specialist | Hand Weapon | Alchemy | Medium |
| Infested Stalker | Chronicle | Scout | Spear | Tracking | Low |
| Rot Thralls | Chronicle | Operative | Hand Weapon | Grit | Low |
They work equally well as demons, cult-corrupted mortals, or something halfway between. Chronicle does not require hard labels. The table tells the story.
Why These Models Are Excellent for Conversions and Dioramas
The heroes are clean enough to leave untouched, but flexible enough to personalize. Weapon swaps, head changes, and added trophies instantly create veteran versions or alternate characters.
The pestilent models beg for kitbashing. Extra texture, torn cloth, exposed bone, and layered grime all enhance their look. These are models where imperfections make them better. A crooked weapon or uneven base only adds to the narrative.
Painting Them for Maximum Impact
For the heroes, contrast does the heavy lifting. Bright steel against worn leather. Cloth colors that pop just enough to draw the eye without looking clean. Drybrush dust and mud onto boots so they feel grounded in the world.
For the pestilent horde, embrace mess. Multiple washes. Stained armor. Greens, yellows, and bruised purples layered until the surface looks unhealthy. Pigments around feet and weapons make it feel like corruption is spreading wherever they walk.
Is This a Good Value Set for Collectors?
From a Chronicle perspective, yes. You are effectively getting a full hero warband and a complete enemy force in one box. Even if some models end up as display pieces or scenario objectives, the rest still see regular table time.
It is the kind of box that keeps paying off the longer you play skirmish games.
Scenario Hooks
Engagement: A flooded ruin where a cure is rumored to exist.
Complication: Pestilent growth reduces movement in low ground.
Conclusion: Cleanse the source or escape before reinforcements arrive.
Engagement: A half-sunken shrine at twilight.
Complication: Corrupted scouts emerge from the mist each round.
Conclusion: Hold the shrine long enough to complete the ritual.
FAQs
Can I get two full Chronicle forces from this box?
Yes. The hero models and corrupted enemies split cleanly into opposing warbands.
Do I need to invent new rules?
No. Everything maps to existing Chronicle roles and traits.
Are these models beginner-friendly to paint?
They work well with simple techniques and reward extra effort.
Do they need rebasing?
No, they are perfect right out of the box.
Are they better for play or display?
Both. They look good on the table and in a cabinet.