Dragon Models “Timeline” Lord Arnaut:

This review is written by someone who has not seen the movie, and doesn’t really care if they do.

The first thing we must do is ignore the fact that this guy is French, and thus, cannot be much of a fighter.  If you can successfully quell your French Military jokes long enough to open the box, you will be impressed.  When I first saw these figures, I thought “overpriced and underequiped.”  I can't say that anymore about all the figures in the line, because Arnaut has shown me the error of my ways.  This figure is not underequipped,  once you see the level of detail and the items hidden by the packaging. It is certainly worth owning.  Buy one, and you will want more.

My kudos to Dragon.  Someone finally got chain/link mail right, and DML nailed it.  This is molded plastic/rubber, but the detail is so fine, you can see the individual links in every section.  This has the look, texture and detail of real metal chain, without the actual weight (and this is from someone who has made real chain link for himself AND his action figures).  Top notch, superb, terrific only begin to describe this stuff.  Sure, it’s rubber, but as long as you don’t play Stretch Armstrong with it, it looks terrific.  Included in the set is a COMPLETE set of chain armor; that means the chain shirt, armlets, leggings, and hood.  The arms and leggings are separate pieces, meaning they can be removed fairly simply.  I have no idea how DML got the chain shirt onto the body, the fit seems too tight.  It is amazing.

Lord Arnaut comes with two hoods, one with the chain hood in place over his head, and the other thrown back like a hooded sweatshirt used to be before it became popular in Gangsta Rap.  Luckily, the rubber material stretches a bit, but do use caution when taking the real hooded one on and off.  Too much force, and you might tear the material. It’s pretty tough, but like the old Hasbro Rubber Diving suits, it will only take so much force.

Arnaut’s bits of plate mail come with leather straps and buckles, and fit nicely.  I tore the glue from one strap while stretching his arms, but a bit of superglue fixes it firmly without trouble.  He comes with two shoulder guards, his shin/leg plates, and nicely done pointy “knight” boots, armor plated of course.  All the pieces are well weathered and look nicely used.  His gauntlets are molded as part of his gloved hands, a nice touch.  The detail is so nice, I thought at first his finger joints were articulated, but that is simply an illusion of the paint job.  Terrific hands,

Also coming with the figure are a nice shield (needing some dents and weathering though), a sword and scabbard, knight’s belt (molded plastic, with a molded knight’s knot in both belts), dagger (or reive gauche, in French), necklace/medallion, and a green skullcap.  I have to admit the skullcap is the oddest part of the set, and even then, I liked it.  Nicely detailed, well done, it looks perfect. I wouldn’t let Arnaut wear it, but if I had an advisor, priest, monk, vizier, or chamberlain, it would be a perfect fit.  Keep it to round out your court!

If  you already have a knight figure, get this one to upgrade his gear.  If you don’t, make this your first one.  You will not be disappointed.