Building a Dwarven Host: Assembly and Painting Tips

By Wargames Atlantic | Published: 2026-10-19

Category: Product Reviews

Learn how to assemble and paint a Dwarven Host with practical, step-by-step advice. Avoid common mistakes and get your dwarves tabletop-ready.

Quick Answer

Start by cleaning and dry-fitting your Dwarven Host sprues, then assemble in sub-assemblies for easier painting. Use a simple layering approach for stone and metal to get strong results fast.

Why Sub-Assemblies Matter

Dwarf miniatures often have shields, axes, and beards that block access to the face and torso. If you glue everything together first, you will struggle to paint those areas cleanly. By keeping the arms and shields separate until after the base coat, you can reach every detail without awkward brush angles.

This does add a little time at the start, but it saves you from touching up missed spots later. The trade-off is worth it for a unit you will field again and again.

Choosing a Paint Scheme

Dwarves look great in earthy tones: browns, greys, and muted blues. These colors match the stone and metal of their holds and help the models feel grounded on the tabletop. You can add a single bright accent, like a red plume or a gold clasp, to make characters stand out without overwhelming the unit.

If you are painting a whole host, stick to a limited palette. It speeds up batch painting and keeps the army looking cohesive.

Assembly and Painting Steps

Clean the sprues: Remove each part with a hobby knife or clippers and trim away mold lines. Use a fine file to smooth any rough spots. Check for leftover flash on the underside of shields and beards—these are easy to miss.
Dry-fit before gluing: Press the parts together without glue to see how they align. Adjust any gaps or awkward angles before committing. If a joint feels loose, sand the contact points slightly for a snugger fit.
Assemble in sub-assemblies: Glue the legs, torso, and head together, but leave arms and shields separate. This lets you paint the face and chest without obstruction. Keep track of which arm goes with which body—label them with a marker if needed.
Prime with a neutral color: Use a grey or black primer to establish shadows and provide a good base for your paint. Shake the can well and spray in short, even bursts. If the primer looks grainy, you are too far away or the weather is too humid—strip and re-prime.
Paint in layers: Start with the deepest areas (skin, cloth) and work outward. Use a base coat, then a wash, then a highlight. For metal, use a dark silver base and a light drybrush. Keep your paints a little thinner than you think—two thin coats beat one thick one.
Finish the base: Glue the finished dwarf to a base and add texture paste or sand. Paint the base a neutral brown or grey and drybrush it to match your army's theme. Seal the model with a matte varnish to protect the paint during handling.

Product Spotlight

Dwarven Host: The Dwarven Host box contains plastic dwarves designed for fantasy wargaming, with options for weapons and poses. The multi-part plastic kit gives you flexibility to build a unique unit while following the assembly steps in this guide.
Dwarven Host