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Painting the Warhammer Quest Darkwater Box

I bought Warhammer Quest: Darkwater almost exclusively for the miniatures. As a hobbyist, sometimes a sculpt just speaks to you, and the characterful, twisted designs in this box were impossible to resist. What’s even more surprising? This was my first time ever painting Nurgle models, and it will be my first time ever playing a game of Warhammer Quest.

Looking at the finished set now, I can say it was one of the most rewarding painting experiences I’ve had in years!

Discovering the Gritty Joy of Nurgle

Since I had never painted Nurgle before, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Coming from the clean lines of my Adeptus Custodes, diving into rot, rust, and decay was a total shift in mindset.

The quality of these miniatures is the absolute hammer. The design is incredibly strong. Every model feels unique and packed with expressive, grotesque details. I quickly realized that Nurgle is incredibly forgiving and fun to paint. I was able to experiment with a wide range of techniques:

  • Heavy Weathering: I went all-in on rusted metal and corroded brass for the armored units.
  • Speed Painting: Techniques For the massive horde of enemies, I used a mix of oil washes and quick highlights to get them table-ready without losing that "slimy" look.
  • Organic Textures: Painting bruised skin, sores, and tentacles was a gross but satisfying challenge!

Showcase of the 49 Warhammer Quest Darkwater miniatures

Completing a full boxed set is always a milestone, but the sheer variety in Darkwater kept the burnout at bay. I managed to finish all 49 push-fit plastic miniatures, and seeing them all together is a sight to behold: 

  • The Heroes: 7 brave souls (Edmark Valoran, Bren Tylis, Inara Sion, Drolf Ironhead, Kelthannor, Drasher Vorn, and Jacobus Vyne with his companion Wisper).
  • The Villains: The big names like Gelgus Pust, Belga the Cystwitch, Mulgoth the Cleaver, and Shaman Foulhoof. These were the absolute highlights for me!
  • The Enemy Horde: 33 enemies, including Cankerborn, Blight Templars, Mire Kelpies, Pestigors, and 14 Pox-Wretches.


2026_03 Warhammer Quest Darkwater painted Villains Gelgus Pust

2026_03 Warhammer Quest Darkwater painted (Edmark Valoran, Bren Tylis, Inara Sion, Drolf Ironhead)Heroes (

2026_03 Warhammer Quest Darkwater painted villains Gelgus Pust

2026_03 Warhammer Quest Darkwater painted heroes vs Villains Gelgus Pust Edmark Valoran Bren Tylis

2026_03 Warhammer Quest Darkwater painted Blight Templars Mulgoth the Cleaver

2026_03 Warhammer Quest Darkwater painted heroes vs villains

2026_03 Warhammer Quest Darkwater painted heroes vs villains

2026_03 Warhammer Quest Darkwater painted heroes vs Villains Belga the Cystwitch

2026_03 Warhammer Quest Darkwater painted heroes vs Villains Belga the Cystwitch

2026_03 Warhammer Quest Darkwater painted (Edmark Valoran, Bren Tylis, Inara Sion, Drolf Ironhead)Heroes (

2026_03 Warhammer Quest Darkwater painted

2026_03 Warhammer Quest Darkwater painted Villains Cankerborn

2026_03 Warhammer Quest Darkwater painted Villains Gelgus Pust

2026_03 Warhammer Quest Darkwater painted Villains Pestigors Pox Wretches Shaman Foulhoof



My First Journey into Warhammer Quest Darkwater

I finally had the chance to take my painted Nurgle horde to the table for my very first session of Warhammer Quest, and I was genuinely impressed. Coming from a background of larger tabletop games (Warhammer Fantasy, Age of Sigmar, Warhammer 40k, Infinity, Malifaux, etc.), I didn't have high expectations or a direct comparison to other dungeon crawlers, but the experience was fantastic.

What stood out most was how an "Act" is randomly assembled. This creates a lot of possibilities; every encounter feels completely different, with its own unique mechanics, goals, and dynamics. This variety makes the cooperative approach incredibly fun, as you work together with your friends to reach your objectives.

We played through three to four encounters with a group of three, and we had an absolute blast. I’m already looking forward to finishing the rest of the first Act with my group. The synergy between the beautifully painted models and the unpredictable gameplay makes Darkwater a true highlight of my collection.


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