Highland Miniatures Dwarves: Sons of Ymir Dwarves Guide
Highland Miniatures Dwarves: Sons of Ymir Dwarves Guide
Highland Miniatures Dwarves, known in the catalog as Sons of Ymir, are one of the most complete and thematically flawless armies in the catalog. Inspired by Norse mythology with Renaissance touches, Highland dwarves are the best Dwarves proxy alternative for Warhammer The Old World and Age of Sigmar available today. In this guide, we review the 36 available miniatures, from kings on thrones to steam-powered flying machines.
Who are Highland's Sons of Ymir?
Highland Miniatures, founded by a Spanish couple based in Edinburgh, has developed the Sons of Ymir as an army of classic dwarves with a strong Nordic identity. The aesthetic captures all the traditional Dwarven feeling: braided beards with runes, inherited plate armor, double-edged axes, heavy cannon engineering and steam-powered flying machines, runic priests with sacred staves, and supreme kings on ceremonial thrones carried by huscarls.
The catalog is exceptionally complete: it includes not only all the classic units (warriors, ironbreakers, longbeards, slayers, cannons, organ guns) but also unique units such as the pair of Flying Machines (light and heavy), Dwarf Sea Pirates, and the iconic King Ulric of Thrym-Heim, their own legendary character.
Equivalences with wargame systems
- Warhammer The Old World – Dwarfen Mountain Holds: total direct equivalence. Rune Lord = Runesmith. Runic Priest = Runelord. Huscarls = Longbeards. Royal Guard = Hammerers. Seekers (Demonseeker, Trollseeker, Giantseeker, Deathseeker) = Slayers. Miners = Miners. Dwarf Cannon = Cannon. Organ Gun = Organ Gun.
- Age of Sigmar – Kharadron Overlords / Cities of Sigmar Fyreslayers: compatible with various lists. The Flying Machines fit particularly well with the Kharadron feel.
- Kings of War – Dwarfs: perfect equivalence.
- OPR – Mountain Defenders: 100% compatible standard list.
The 36 Miniatures of the Dwarf Army
Kings and Characters (12 minis)
The Great Dwarf King on Throne is the supreme ceremonial piece: supreme king of the mountains on a throne carried by huscarls. King Ulric of Thrym-Heim is their own legendary character: king of the dwarf kingdom of Thrym-Heim, veteran of the wars of the end of the world, his hammer is a sacred artifact.
The Dwarf Prince with Hammer is the heir to the throne. The Dwarf Lord with Battle Standard carries the clan standard, inspiring courage in his troops. The Mountain Hero is the legendary veteran.
Unique characters: Dwarf Brewmaster (veteran brewer of the sacred breweries, hammer in hand), Dwarf Engineer (guild machine specialist), Dwarf Sea Lord (captain of the dwarf pirate fleet), Dwarf Warrior (individual hero among the troops).
Sorcerers: Rune Masters and Ancient Forge (forging legendary weapons in a sacred forge, one of the most detailed pieces in the catalog) and the Dwarf Runic Priests (communicate with dead ancestors through runes on sacred stones).
Line Troops (5 minis)
The Dwarf Huscarls are the elite of kings: inherited plate armor, double-edged axes, oath not to retreat. The Dwarf Royal Guard Unit is the king's personal guard with ornamental armor.
The Dwarf Veterans are the elite troops with a hundred battles under their belt. The Dwarf Warriors with Two-Handed Weapons are the hammerers/longbeards equivalent. The Dwarf Pikemen Unit offers a wall of pikes against cavalry charges.
Specialist Troops (5 minis)
The Dwarf Miners are the dwarf tunnels: emerging behind enemy lines with devastating effect. The Dwarf Pirates are the sea dwarves with cutlasses and pistols. The Dwarf Scouts operate outside the mountains with leather cloaks. The Dwarf Crossbowmen Unit and the Dwarf Shooters Unit (with long rifles) are the ranged troops.
Suicidal Hunters / Slayers (4 minis)
The Hunters are Highland's version of the Slayers: dwarves who have sworn to die killing specific enemies. Demon Hunter (runic tattoos, blessed axe), Dragon Hunter (dragon scales in beard), Giant Hunter (hammer marked with names of fallen giants), Troll Hunter (axe in consecrated oil), Death Hunter (the supreme among seekers, sworn to die killing).
Cavalry (2 minis)
The Mounted Dwarves are light cavalry on sturdy mountain ponies. The Heavy Mounted Dwarves are heavy cavalry on giant mountain rams with heavy spears and heraldic shields.
Artillery and Engineering (6 minis)
The Dwarf Cannon is the heavy bronze cannon reinforced with engraved runes. The Dwarf Catapult is the siege artillery. The Dwarf Ballista is the giant crossbow operated by a team. The Dwarf Organ Gun is the iconic piece: multiple barrels firing devastating volleys. The Dwarf Organ Flamethrower fires flames in a fan.
The Dwarf Firebreather is the portable flamethrower specialist: partially burned beard, pride intact.
Steam-Powered Flying Machines (2 minis)
The most distinctive piece of the Highland army are the two Flying Machines: the Heavy Dwarf Flying Machine (with steam propulsion, a crew of three dwarves firing rotating cannons from the air, a technical marvel) and the Light Dwarf Flying Machine (a single dwarf pilot, aerial reconnaissance and small bombs). These pieces give the army a unique steampunk touch.
Why Drakholm for your Highland Dwarves
- Official Highland Miniatures licensed.
- Saturn 4 Ultra 16K + Drakholm custom resin: every rune, beard braid, and machine gear perfectly printed.
- Impact resistance: axes, hammers, and machines with fine parts that withstand transport without breaking.
- Variants with CG in infantry.
Comparison with Games Workshop Dwarves
- Catalog: Highland offers 36 products. GW Dwarfen Mountain Holds in TOW is comparable. Highland has unique units (Flying Machines, Dwarf Pirates, Brewmaster) that GW does not produce.
- Price: an official box of 16 Dwarf Warriors GW costs around €35. An equivalent Highland unit in Drakholm costs less.
- Quality: comparable. The Saturn 4 Ultra 16K captures beard and armor details that injection-molded plastic cannot replicate to the same level.
- Aesthetic variety: Highland blends classic feel with unique elements (steampunk, pirates, developed runic priesthood).
Initial Dwarf List (1500 points)
- 1× King Ulric of Thrym-Heim (legendary general)
- 1× Rune Masters and Ancient Forge (support)
- 1× Rune Priest (wizard)
- 2× 16 Dwarf Warriors with Two-Handed Weapons
- 1× 16 Dwarf Veterans
- 1× 10 Dwarf Crossbowmen
- 1× 10 Dwarf Shooters
- 1× Dwarf Cannon
- 1× Dwarf Organ Gun
- 1× Troll Hunter
View full Dwarf collection at Drakholm →
Legal notice: Drakholm is an official Highland Miniatures licensee. Mentions of Warhammer, Warhammer The Old World, Dwarfen Mountain Holds, Kharadron Overlords, and Games Workshop are descriptive editorial references. Drakholm is not affiliated with Games Workshop.