The new year is here and the Wave 2/Rise of Buccaneers: Jamaica Kickstarter is fast approaching! In this article we’ll look at some of the new Maroon miniatures coming out in this project.
The Maroons became a full fledged faction in the Raise the Black expansion to Blood & Plunder, but they have not been fully supported with a line of models from Firelock Games. That is changing! In fact, we are basically getting two sets of Maroon models in the upcoming Kickstarter: one for the 18th century Maroons, and another full set of models for the earlier 17th century Spanish Maroons or Cimaroons on Jamaica in the 1650-60’s.
We don’t have all of them painted up yet, but let’s take a look at the some from each set.
Maroon Musketeer
We finally have a n African maroon model with a musket! We’ve relied on the African Warrior model with the bow for a long time, but we’re finally getting some great looking Maroons with muskets.
These should be useful for the Maroon faction, along with the Black Caribs, the Miskito Zambo, and any other faction that can take that African Warrior unit that has the ability to swap bows for the muskets.
In this set of 4 we have one figure shooting, one crouching, and two on the move. The two running figures are my favorites. They take up space and are very dynamic!
This running model with the red pants is clearly based on the famous 18th illustration that you find on the cover of Mavis Campbell’s landmark work on the Jamaican Maroons.
We have some interesting variety in hair styles in these models. Two have beards of some sort, and one has hair that is less short than usual.
Cimaroons or Maroons with Melee Weapons
This will actually be a new unit within the Rise of the Buccaneer: Jamaica book, but it will be helpful for older forces as well. This is a African warrior dressed in Spanish clothes and armed with basic melee weapons.
We have knives, machetes and an axe. The African Warrior can be downgraded to Standard Melee weapon, and this model will perfect for that option. The Black Carib faction has always needed this model! It will be a key model in the “Cimaroon” faction in the upcoming expansion.
I may have had too much fun with the blood effects here…
Maroon Commander
This generic Maroon commander is a welcome addition since there really wasn’t a good commander for any African forces until now. This model is armed with both a bow and lance, and he’s built like tank.
He’s clothed in Spanish style clothes but they’re pretty ragged.
Queen Nanny
We finally get a Queen Nanny model! Queen Nanny is an 18th century commander released in the Raise the Black expansion book. The Local Guide model kind of worked for her, but now we’re getting a dedicated model for this legendary commander.
She’s got knives and the abeng that the Jamaican maroons used for signals and communications.
Maroons with Lances
The basic “Cimaroon” model can be upgraded from Standard Melee Weapon to be armed with Lances. I don’t have these painted, but here are some WIP shots from the sculptor. Again, these are the early Spanish “Cimaroons” , so they are better dressed than the typical 18th century escaped slave Maroon.
Cimaroons with Bows
The “Cimaroon Archer” will be a new unit within the Rise of the Buccaneer: Jamaica book as well. These Cimaroons aren’t quite as fast and slippery as the African Warrior model, and they aren’t as accurate with their bows as the Warrior Archer unit, but they have a solid resolve, which is an unusual feature for a archer unit.
More Maroon Commanders
There is a Legendary Maroon Commander, Juan de Serras, as well as possibly a model for Juan Lubolo. These are still works in progress. There will be plenty of great options for commander models for Maroon/Cimaroon/Black Carib factions now! This is a great addition to the Blood & Plunder miniature line.
Maroon Faction Box
Our understanding is that there will be a Maroon faction box of some sort. We don’t know the exact contents of this faction box, but probably some musketeers, archers and melee models along with a commander.
Final Thoughts
Wave 2 is going to be a tsunami of minis and the African factions in Blood & Plunder are really getting some great new options! Maroon Musketeers, Cimaroons, Cimaroon Archers, Queen Nanny, Juan de Serras, Juan Lubolo, a generic commander or two, and full faction box!
What unit or model are you looking forward to most from these African minis?
We will do a faction preview of both the Cimaroons and Juan de Serras’s Karmahaly Maroons soon!
My wallet is going to hate this new expansion.
I cannot wait to get my hands on these models!
Well, this is mean to be in my collection. I’ll need to start saving money.
Brilliant….just what I’m looking for 😀