They are far from “new,” but we have finally painted up Firelock Games’ sculpts for the Spanish Hostigadores unit.
The Hostigadore unit was released early in the game’s life, but it lacked dedicated models for years! We have models for the unit now, and they are really great sculpts!
Spanish Hostigadores Models
Each of the 4 models for the set has plenty of personality. We have plenty of Iberian facial hair, a variety of dress, and some fun weapons, nicely representing their option of swapping out Matchlock Muskets for Matchlock Carbines.
Our first model has a very long matchlock musket, and is striding forward with it held across his body.
This guy obviously have a rigorous hair-care routine and it’s paying big dividends. Possibly a Dapper Dan Man.
Our second sculpt is firing a short carbine.
His 12 apostles are very prominent, along with a length of match cord looped into his belt.
My paint job came out very Christmasy!
Next we have another model with a long matchlock. This guy is all geared up with a fancy coat and gloves!
I may have missed that he’s supposed to have a moustache… Garrett’s paint jobs feature a nice moustache and somehow I missed it!
This sculpt looks very alert, as he moves through the woods, ready to ambush some unsuspecting English militia in the hills of Jamaica.
If you look closely you will see the signature Miquelet lock on the musket here.
Our final model again features the short matchlock carbine.
This guy is lightly clad with a very short carbine which would be easy to handle in the thick underbrush that would be ideal for laying in wait in ambush.
Painting the Hostigadores
Both Garrett and I used primarily paints from the Monument Hobbies paint set for Blood & Plunder.
The green and red that comes in the set are really nice, especially compared with the brighter tones that you might find in a fantasy orient line like Citadel.
You can still order this set of paints through Firelock Games. Highly recommended by Joseph, Garrett, and the Master Painter himself, Dr. D.
Hostigadores in Blood & Plunder
The Hostigadore is a fine skirmishing unit in Blood & Plunder. While the Spanish Milicianos unit has a 8 Shoot Save, the Hostigadore has the coveted 6 Shoot Save, making him much harder to take down, especially while in cover.
Hostigadores also have the option to trade their Matchlock Muskets for Matchlock Carbines and gain the Scouts Special Rule. When a Shoot Skill of 7, it does hurt losing the Extended Range that comes with the Matchlock Musket (Carbines cannot hit with 10’s at up to 24″ like a musket can), but gaining Scouts is usually worth it.
The Hostigadores also lack the Drilled rule, but they usually want to use those actions to keep moving rather than stand in one place and deliver heavy volleys. If you can bring Ruthless to bear instead of relying on Drilled for bonuses, you’ll be in better shape anyway.
If you upgrade the Hostigadore to Veteran, the Skirmishers Special Rule starts to shine. Being able to move, shoot, then move back for free can keep this unit safe and out of line of sight while it reloads. Adding Quick to the unit through a Local Guide or Gaspar de Oviedo with the Mobile rule that gives Quick to all his men can stack more advantages on to the Hostigadore.
With the Skirmishers rule, the Hostigadore can be placed outside of a normal deployment zone using the Spanish Militias Lay in Wait faction rule. It is a bit risky and you might need an Officer or Commander with them since they have to start with their match cords for their clunky Matchlocks, but it can be a decent option in some cases.
Hostigadores in The Rise of the Buccaneers: Jamaica
With a heavy focus on the guerilla war in Jamaica, the Hostigadore is featured as a core unit in two new Spanish factions in the upcoming expansion for Blood & Plunder.
The Spanish Guerillas have the option to Lay in Wait and the ability to sift their opening hand to make sure they get the jump on their opponent with whatever unit they have out in front. And, being a Trained (or possibly Veteran) unit, the Hostigadores unit will gain the Hidden Special Rule making them even harder to take down at range.
Cristobal Arnaldo de Issasi gets his own special faction that also focuses on skirmishing and laying in wait. In this Faction, Hostigadores gain the Evade rule, making them very difficult to charge into (they are weak in melee), and Issasi can even pull them out of melee if they somehow happen to get caught in a fight they don’t relish.
With this expansion scheduled to deliver near the end of 2026, all Spanish players should pick up a couple packs of this excellent set of sculpts so they’re ready to skirmish with the opposing English forces.
Final Thoughts
The Spanish Hostigadore is a great little unit that is a good alternative to the Miliciano. These are fantastic sculpts with lot of Spanish character. Printed in high quality resin, they have the amazing detail we have come to expect from Firelock’s premium line of resin minis.
You can mix one or two sets of these minis into your Milicianos (or upcoming Wave 2 Milicianos) and use them for either the Miliciano or Hostigadore unit.
Rumor has it there’s a sweet sale coming any day, so keep an eye on Firelock website and throw some of these models into your cart when the sale hits!
Additional Recommended Reading
- Spanish Militia Faction Review
- Spanish Nation Overview
- Preview of Cristobal Arnaldo de Issasi
- Wave 2 Milicianos Preview
- Wave 2 Lanceros Preview
- Wave 2 Milicianos Indios Preview
- Wave 2 Spanish Commander Preview