The Dungeons & Dragons fandom extends well beyond its tabletop roots. There's much more merchandise for D&D fans to keep up with besides dice and handbooks. Along with video games, comics, and novels, D&D also has a presence in the collectibles space.
While miniature figures can be a big part of the experience of playing D&D, action figures are available for players who want to take their fandom from the gaming table to the toy shelf. Forgotten Realms icon Drizzt Do'Urden recently received the deluxe action figure treatment from Hasbro. The latest D&D figures come from high-end toy company NECA, whose licenses include everything from Gargoyles and to The Boys. They're like a remaster in action figure form.
Who Are Warduke & Grimsword?
Warduke and Grimsword are modern updates of classic D&D action figures. Both characters were part of LJN's line of D&D figures in the early '80s. Warduke made his debut in the figure line in 1983. That same year, he and the other characters from the figure line were introduced to the game in the accessory The Shady Dragon Inn. That established Warduke as the opposite number to heroic knight Strongheart.
Warduke would go on to appear in 1984’s XL-1: Quest for the Heartstone. Beyond the game's lore, Warduke also made an appearance in the '80s D&D animated series, where he kidnapped the Dungeon Master. Aside from his action figures, Warduke has also been recreated as a pre-painted War Drums miniature and an upcoming GameStop exclusive Funko Pop! Vinyl.
Grimsword doesn't have Warduke's presence in the wider D&D mythos, likely owing to the fact that he didn't appear in the animated series. His action figure backstory establishes him as a powerful fighter with ambitions to rule. Despite his many allies, or "evil friends," Grimsword isn't a trustworthy fellow. He's willing to betray anyone for more power. Like G.I. Joe's Serpentor, he makes him more intimidating by integrating a snake into his armor.
What's Included With Warduke & Grimsword?
NECA took the LJN character models for Warduke and Grimsword and updated them to modern action figure standards. Both characters stand at 7 inches tall. While the LJN Dungeons & Dragons figures were detailed for their day, NECA has used all of the nearly 40 years of advancement in the field to create highly detailed figures. That includes digital and hand sculpting and more than 20 points of articulation. NECA's Ultimate Figures also come with "photoreal" face printing. That seems like a superfluous detail for two characters known for wearing helmets, unless fans get to see what's under them.
No deluxe action figure worth its salt comes without accessories, and Warduke and Grimsword certainly aren't lacking in that department. Warduke will come with a sword, a dagger, a knife and a shield. Grimsword comes with a mace, a sword, and a shield. Owners will be able to kit their warriors out with whatever weapons they choose, assuming they take them out of the 5-panel display boxes.
Warduke and Grimsword retail for an MSRP of $36.74 apiece. As of now, no one is offering a package deal for both figures, with NECA's website only offering wholesale ordering for retailers. Their website doesn't currently offer orders for either figure, though; pre-orders for each figure can be made at outlets like Wizkids, Big Bad Toy Store (for $37.99), and Entertainment Earth (for $34.99). The figures are scheduled for release in March 2022, giving D&D fans some time to make room on their shelves (and in their budgets) if they decide to give these two villains a good home.