What the actual Frog is this thing? Well, aside from being my first submission for the Monster MayHem ’23 painting challenge, it’s something called a Chaos Toad Savage. In response, you might say something like this:
Firstly, dumbass. I can read. I saw that name up top in the header of the post.
Secondly. That doesn’t exactly explain what the hell a “Chaos Toad Savage” really is. Or does. Or why. Where it fits in. Or to what. Capiche?
Well, I mean.. it’s a Reaper model, innit? We all know that Reaper produces several genres of models – Sci-Fi/Chronopia, Modern, Licenced Pathfinder Fantasy, “Generic” Fantasy – leaning hard into “Not-D&D” models, and then batshit random models.
I figure that this thing fits into one of the last two of those categories. Given it’s rather large size, I don’t feel like it’s a “Were-Toad”, and I can’t seem to find something like a “Dire Toad” in D&D. If any of the more D&D-knowledgable readers out there recognise what this thing is supposed to be, please speak up and I’ll adjust the post! 🙂
edit – thanks to reader Xander for pointing out that the model is most likely a “Slaad” proxy – which is kinda embarassing for me – not because I know much about D&D but because I have a couple of unpainted Slaad models here, one of which is even next to the painting desk. Thanks again, Xander! 🙂
As far as the painting, this model was originally assembled, based and spray-primed over a year ago for this very challenge, though the 2022 edition. So a few days ago I decided to get rid of the thing by painting it out of the plastic storage tub and off the desk. I took a look at some pics of toads and settled on the kind of mottled look. Not bad for a first attempt at something like that, though I can see where I’d do some of it differently next time.
Which is really the biggest use (for me) of these random models – low-stress experimentation of new ideas and techniques and patterns. What will I actually use this thing for? Uh… the best thing I can think of is as “something Nurgle” in either Sigmar or 40k.
Azazel's Bitz Box. 
Pretty sure it’s supposed to be a slaad. They’re an old school D&D monster that are basically killer demon toads made from pure chaos.
https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Slaad
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Ahhhh…!
I’ve even got a couple of the Nolzurs’ models for them – completely went over my head! Thanks!
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Spot on! And my first guess as I was reading Az’s post! I can’t recall how tall they are, but I did remember seeing the art for those beasties in Fiend Folio way back when. 😃
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The Nolzurs’ Slaad figures are pretty big – certainly in the ogre size range so while I obviously don’t know if they were always that size, they certainly seem to be these days! 🙂
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From Fiend Folio, 6-11 feet depending on color type. From 5e, Med-Large, so I’m assuming about the same. 👍
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Makes sense – a range from med-tall human-sized through to twice that!
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Great result with this model!
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Thanks Dave! 🙂
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Excellent work on the skin tones they look very toad like.
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Thanks Dave! I’ll try and do a slightly better version next time I do another one of these things!
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I don’t really care what it is – it looks really good (and more than a bit mean)! 🙂
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Thanks John! Much appreciated!
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Well, when you say ‘Slaad’ you can easily say ‘Slann’ and will also make sense, I guess 😀
No, seriously, what a monster, I love how you treated the skin and the whiole mini, fantastic job
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Another excellent observation that went completely over my head!
In my defence, I think of Slann as either fat sedentry toads or the very old WHFB Slann/40k Space Slann which were human-sized as opposed to giant-sized bastards like this guy, though Faust has since clarified the 6-11′ height range.
I’ll be tempted next time I have t paint a frog/toad to try a similar scheme, but “better” – but thanks for the compliment! 🙂
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Nice work on the patterned back. As mentioned, could definitely be used as a Slaad or Nurgle thing. Also there’s a Blood Bowl Frog Star Player. I picked up a Reaper mini that seemed close for him. I don’t think it was this one though. I kinda like when companies release random
stuff and early miniature companies seemed to do that quite a bit. If I like the mini and it doesn’t match anything in particular then it can be fun to make your own stats for it too. 😃
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Oh, now that’s something I completely missed – do you have a link for the Frog BB player? And, erm, the Reaper mini as well? 🙂
I do like the random stuff from Reaper, and if I ever figure out 3d printing, there’s effectively an endless number of cool random minis to pront across all genres!
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Here’s the BB Star: https://blood-bowl.fandom.com/wiki/Gobbler_Grimlich. I imagine ForgeWorld would put something out someday. But, I think my plan was to take the Chaos Toad you have here and slap a different head on him. Possibly a Reaper Giant Frog. Just preliminary plans for a conversion.
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Thanks! I’ve got that magazine somewhere, but I have to assume that all of the older Spike SPs have had their rules superseded in the new edition while those players without rules have been quietly excised…
This froggy dude is pretty big, and his tri-point stance makes him look pretty American Football, but also increases his “footprint” for basing quite a bit. Would probably still work well enough, though!
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That’s a nice Battletoad there, mate! 😉 For some reason the idea of a chaos frog is pretty entertaining to me. I enjoy learning about these D&D minis as you paint them up because it is generally all new to me. You did a great job with the textures of the sculpt and making this bad dude look lifelike!
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Too kind on it, mate – it’s a pretty quick and dirty paintjob on a middling sculpt but there’s a little bit of value in the model as a learning piece with the skin techniques.
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That’s brilliant mate – almost looks friendly until you notice the teeth! Lovely work on the skin 🤘
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Thanks Alex! I’d do it a bit differently if I were painting it again but I’m happy to have it done!
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