Best Oathmark Sets: What to Buy for Your Army
Best Oathmark Sets: What to Buy for Your Fantasy Army
Building a fantasy army does not have to mean buying expensive unit boxes one regiment at a time. Oathmark has developed a strong following among fantasy wargamers because its plastic kits combine large model counts, useful weapon options, and a traditional fantasy aesthetic that works well both within Oathmark itself and for other miniature gaming projects.
If you are wondering which are the best Oathmark sets to buy first, the answer depends on the army you want to build. Humans, dwarves, elves, goblins, orcs, undead and cavalry options all offer different possibilities.
Quick recommendation: For most players, one of the 30-model plastic infantry boxes is the best place to begin. Choose the race you want as the core of your army, build a substantial infantry regiment, and add specialist troops, cavalry and characters afterward.
You can browse the Oathmark miniature range at TistaMinis to compare the available armies, infantry boxes, cavalry, characters and other units.
What Is Oathmark?
Oathmark: Battles of the Lost Age is a fantasy mass-battle tabletop wargame designed by Joseph A. McCullough and published by Osprey Games. Rather than forcing every army into a completely isolated faction, Oathmark was designed around kingdoms that can include different fantasy races.
That means an army does not necessarily need to be exclusively human, dwarf, elf or goblin. Mixed kingdoms are an important part of the game's identity, giving players considerable freedom when designing both an army list and the background of their kingdom.
The official miniature range is produced in partnership with North Star Military Figures and includes extensive plastic and metal options. The plastic kits are particularly attractive for players building mass-battle armies because many infantry boxes provide enough components for 30 miniatures.
2026 update: Osprey has announced Oathmark: Second Edition, a revised and expanded version of the game incorporating new and expanded rules, additional unit types and revisions based on years of player feedback. The second-edition hardback is scheduled for release in August 2026.
Best Oathmark Sets at a Glance
| Oathmark Set | Best For | Why Consider It? |
|---|---|---|
| Human Infantry | Best all-around starter | 30-model plastic kit and a versatile foundation for fantasy armies. |
| Dwarf Infantry | Dwarf armies | Classic armoured dwarf aesthetic and excellent rank-and-file army core. |
| Goblin Infantry | Large hordes | Ideal for building numerous fantasy goblins without relying on small boxes. |
| Elf Infantry | Traditional elf armies | A strong foundation for a classic disciplined elven battle line. |
| Orc Infantry | Weapon flexibility | 30 models with options for spears, bows, or hand weapons and shields. |
| Skeleton Infantry | Undead armies | 30 skeletons make it easy to establish a sizeable undead force. |
| Revenant Infantry | Elite-looking undead | Ancient undead aesthetic with multiple melee weapon options. |
| Goblin Wolf Riders | Fast goblin units | Adds mobility and visual variety after establishing your infantry. |
1. Oathmark Human Infantry – Best Overall Starting Set
If you are completely new to the range and do not already have a faction in mind, Oathmark Human Infantry is one of the safest places to start.
The plastic set contains enough components to build 30 human infantry. That is significant for a mass-battle game: instead of finishing a box and discovering that you have only assembled a small portion of your army, you immediately have enough miniatures to create a substantial battlefield formation.
Why Human Infantry Is a Good First Purchase
- Builds 30 plastic fantasy soldiers.
- Provides a useful foundation for a human kingdom.
- Traditional medieval-fantasy styling works across many settings.
- Easy to expand with heavy infantry, light infantry, cavalry and characters.
- Useful for conversions and other fantasy tabletop projects.
Humans are also a good choice for hobbyists who enjoy kitbashing. Their relatively grounded medieval appearance means shields, weapons, heads and accessories from compatible fantasy or historical kits can potentially produce distinctive units.
For a human-focused army, start with standard infantry before adding more specialized units. You can find human kits alongside the rest of the Oathmark range.
2. Oathmark Dwarf Infantry – Best for a Classic Dwarf Army
Few fantasy formations are more recognizable than a line of heavily equipped dwarves standing shoulder-to-shoulder. Oathmark Dwarf Infantry is therefore an easy recommendation for anyone who wants a traditional dwarf kingdom.
The appeal here is not simply individual models. Dwarf miniatures become particularly effective visually when ranked together. Repeated shields, armour and helmets turn individual warriors into the kind of disciplined shield wall that suits mass fantasy battles.
Who Should Buy Them?
Choose Dwarf Infantry if you prefer:
- Traditional fantasy dwarves.
- Compact, heavily equipped infantry formations.
- Armies dominated by rank-and-file troops.
- Earthy metallic paint schemes and heraldic shields.
- A force that can later incorporate light or heavy dwarf infantry.
Oathmark also offers Dwarf Light Infantry and Dwarf Heavy Infantry, making the standard infantry kit a logical centrepiece around which to develop a broader dwarf force.
3. Oathmark Goblin Infantry – Best for Building a Horde
Goblin armies should look numerous, and that makes large plastic kits especially useful. Oathmark Goblin Infantry gives players an efficient route toward filling the table with ranks of goblins.
They are particularly attractive for hobbyists who enjoy individualized models. Small changes in colours, shields, equipment and skin tones can give a goblin regiment plenty of personality without destroying the unified appearance of the formation.
How to Expand a Goblin Army
Once you have enough basic goblins, adding something faster makes the army more visually and tactically interesting. Goblin Wolf Riders are a natural follow-up because they contrast the massed infantry with mounted troops.
Character models such as goblin leaders, musicians and wizards can then help give the army its own identity.
Hobby tip: Do not feel that every goblin in a large regiment needs a completely unique paint scheme. Establish two or three repeating cloth and leather colours, then vary shields, equipment and smaller details. It keeps the army cohesive while avoiding a monotonous appearance.
4. Oathmark Elf Infantry – Best for a Traditional Elf Army
Oathmark Elf Infantry is one of the strongest choices for players who want elves that retain a recognizable traditional-fantasy appearance without becoming excessively ornate.
The set works particularly well when the goal is a complete army rather than a handful of individual display miniatures. Large ranked formations suit the disciplined character associated with fantasy elf armies.
Elf Light Infantry and Elf Cavalry provide obvious expansion paths, allowing a player to introduce lighter troops and mounted units after establishing the main battle line.
Who Are Oathmark Elves For?
They are worth considering if you want an army that feels:
- Disciplined and organized.
- Rooted in traditional fantasy imagery.
- Suitable for woodland, high-fantasy or ancient-kingdom themes.
- Easy to expand with infantry, cavalry and characters.
5. Oathmark Orc Infantry – Best for Weapon Options
Oathmark Orc Infantry is one of the most flexible plastic boxes in the range.
The box builds 30 28mm-scale Orc Infantry and includes weapon options allowing them to be assembled with spears, hand weapons and shields, bows, or a mixture. The frames also provide officer and standard bearer options.
This flexibility is particularly valuable if you do not want thirty nearly identical models. You can divide the box into formations with different battlefield appearances or create one large cohesive regiment.
Why the Orc Box Stands Out
- 30 plastic miniatures.
- Multiple weapon configurations.
- Officer and standard bearer components.
- Good potential for conversions.
- Strong value for players building sizeable fantasy forces.
It is one of the first sets we would examine if the main goal is getting plenty of modelling possibilities from a single purchase.
6. Oathmark Skeleton Infantry – Best Undead Army Starter
Undead armies often need bodies—a lot of them. The Oathmark Skeleton Infantry set addresses that requirement by providing enough components for 30 Skeleton Infantry.
Skeletons also offer an advantage to anyone intimidated by painting a large army. Bone, aged metal, worn cloth and weathered shields respond extremely well to washes, drybrushing and batch-painting techniques.
That means a 30-model regiment does not necessarily need to become a months-long project.
Best For
- Large undead armies.
- Necromancer-themed forces.
- Players who enjoy weathering and aged equipment.
- Batch painting.
- Generic fantasy skeleton armies outside Oathmark.
If you need paints, brushes, basing materials or modelling tools to finish a regiment, browse the hobby supplies collection and miniature paint range.
7. Oathmark Revenant Infantry – Best Alternative Undead Set
Skeletons are not the only route into an Oathmark undead army. Revenant Infantry offers a different visual concept: ancient warriors returned from the dead and bound by old loyalties or curses.
The plastic set builds 30 Revenant Infantry and allows them to carry hand weapons and shields or two-handed weapons. Banner bearer and officer components are also included.
Compared with straightforward skeletons, revenants can create an army that feels more like the resurrected remains of an ancient kingdom.
Skeletons or Revenants? Choose Skeleton Infantry if you want the classic necromantic horde. Choose Revenants if you prefer ancient undead warriors with a more heavily martial appearance. There is also no reason a larger undead collection cannot use both.
8. Oathmark Goblin Wolf Riders – Best Cavalry-Style Expansion
Once you have painted several ranks of infantry, another infantry box may not be the most exciting next purchase. This is where mounted units become valuable.
Goblin Wolf Riders immediately change the silhouette of a goblin army. Wolves, riders and movement-focused poses create a strong visual contrast against blocks of infantry.
They make the most sense as an expansion rather than your first purchase. Establish a reliable infantry core first, then use Wolf Riders to broaden the army.
What Oathmark Set Should a Beginner Buy First?
For most beginners, the answer is straightforward: buy one plastic infantry box belonging to the race you most want to paint.
You do not need to plan an enormous collection immediately.
- Choose your main race or kingdom theme.
- Buy one core infantry box.
- Build and paint the regiment.
- Add another infantry type or specialist formation.
- Add cavalry or another mobile unit.
- Add characters and command models.
- Expand into additional races if your kingdom concept calls for them.
This approach keeps the project manageable and reduces the common wargaming problem of buying an entire army before painting the first regiment.
Best Oathmark Sets by Player Type
| If You Want... | Start With... |
|---|---|
| A versatile first army | Human Infantry |
| A classic dwarf shield wall | Dwarf Infantry |
| A huge goblin horde | Goblin Infantry |
| A disciplined fantasy army | Elf Infantry |
| Lots of build options | Orc Infantry |
| A traditional undead horde | Skeleton Infantry |
| An ancient undead kingdom | Revenant Infantry |
| More movement and variety | Goblin Wolf Riders or other cavalry |
Are Oathmark Miniatures Only for Oathmark?
No. Although the range is designed for Oathmark, one of its biggest attractions is its usefulness as a broader collection of fantasy miniatures.
The kits can potentially be used for other miniature wargames, roleplaying encounters, dioramas, conversion projects or custom fantasy armies, provided the model size, basing and equipment are appropriate for whatever rules you intend to play.
This is especially useful for hobbyists who care more about building their own fantasy world than following a single manufacturer's setting.
If you are comparing systems rather than building exclusively for Oathmark, the wider wargames collection at TistaMinis is a useful place to explore other tabletop ranges.
What Do You Need Besides the Miniatures?
An army is only one part of getting a mass-battle game onto the table. You will also need the appropriate rules, dice, measuring tools and a suitable gaming area. Terrain makes a particularly large difference because hills, woods, ruins, walls and settlements transform rows of miniatures into an actual battlefield.
For assembling and painting the models, useful basics include:
- Plastic cutters.
- Hobby knife or mould-line remover.
- Plastic cement or appropriate model glue.
- Primer.
- Miniature paints.
- Brushes.
- Basing texture and scenic materials.
New hobbyists can find many of these essentials in the TistaMinis hobby supplies section, while experienced painters can browse the dedicated paint collection for expanding an existing colour range.
Common Oathmark Buying Mistakes
Buying Too Many Boxes Immediately
A 30-model box represents a substantial painting project. Buying five or six boxes before completing the first one can quickly create an intimidating backlog.
Choosing an Army Only for Its Rules
Rules change. The miniatures on your shelf do not. For a large army project, choose models you genuinely want to build and paint rather than selecting a faction purely because you believe it currently performs well.
Ignoring the Mixed-Kingdom Concept
One of Oathmark's distinctive features is the ability to create kingdoms incorporating different fantasy peoples. You do not necessarily need to purchase every unit from a single racial range.
Buying Specialists Before Core Troops
Characters, cavalry and unusual units are tempting, but a mass-battle army needs a foundation. A basic infantry box usually gives a new player a more useful starting point.
Forgetting the Hobby Supplies
Thirty unpainted miniatures require considerably more work than one character model. Make sure you have enough primer, paint, glue and basing materials before beginning a large batch.
Building an Oathmark Army?
Browse the full Oathmark collection for infantry, cavalry, undead, characters and other additions to your kingdom.
You can also explore hobby tools and modelling supplies, miniature paints, and the wider wargaming range when preparing your next tabletop project.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best Oathmark set for beginners?
A plastic infantry box is generally the best starting point. Human Infantry is particularly versatile, but Dwarf, Elf, Goblin, Orc or undead infantry may be better if you already know which style of army you want to build.
How many miniatures are in an Oathmark infantry box?
Many of the major Oathmark plastic infantry sets build 30 miniatures. Always check the individual product description, however, because model counts vary between infantry, cavalry, characters and specialist sets.
What scale are Oathmark miniatures?
The core Oathmark range is designed around 28mm fantasy miniatures. Compatibility with miniatures from another manufacturer can vary depending on sculpt proportions, model height and basing.
Can I mix races in an Oathmark army?
Yes. Mixed kingdoms are a major feature of Oathmark. The game was designed to allow players to create their own fantasy kingdoms rather than requiring every force to consist exclusively of a single race.
Are Oathmark miniatures plastic or metal?
The range contains both. Many rank-and-file infantry and cavalry kits are plastic, while numerous characters, champions and specialist miniatures are available as metal models. Check each product description before purchasing.
Can Oathmark miniatures be used in other games?
They can be useful for many fantasy miniature projects. Whether they are suitable for a specific game depends on that game's miniature, base-size and tournament requirements, so check the relevant rules before building the models for another system.
Are Oathmark sets good for kitbashing?
Yes. The multi-part plastic format and relatively traditional fantasy aesthetic make many Oathmark kits useful for conversions and custom fantasy armies. Compatibility between components from different kits should still be checked before planning a large conversion project.
Should I buy infantry or cavalry first?
Infantry is generally the better first purchase because it establishes the core visual identity of your army. Cavalry is an excellent second or third purchase once you want additional speed, battlefield roles and visual variety.
What is the best Oathmark undead set?
Skeleton Infantry is the natural choice for a classic undead horde, while Revenant Infantry is better for players who want ancient, heavily armed undead warriors. Both can form part of a larger undead collection.
Is there a second edition of Oathmark?
Yes. Osprey Games announced Oathmark: Second Edition as a revised and expanded edition incorporating new and expanded rules, additional unit types and revisions informed by player feedback. Its release is scheduled for August 2026.
What should I buy after my first Oathmark infantry box?
A second troop type is usually the most practical addition. After that, consider cavalry, characters, spellcasters or specialist units. Building the army gradually makes it easier to keep the project painted and playable.
Final Verdict: Which Oathmark Set Is Best?
There is no single Oathmark box that is right for every army, but the large plastic infantry sets offer the strongest starting point for most players.
Human Infantry is our general-purpose recommendation for a first set. Dwarf Infantry and Elf Infantry are excellent foundations for traditional fantasy armies, while Goblin Infantry suits players who want massed hordes. Orc Infantry stands out for its weapon options, and Skeleton Infantry or Revenant Infantry provide two distinct ways to begin an undead collection.
The more important decision is choosing an army you will enjoy building and painting. Oathmark is particularly well suited to players who want to create their own kingdom rather than simply reproduce a predetermined faction.
Canadian hobbyists can browse the Oathmark range available from TistaMinis, then pick up additional hobby supplies and miniature paints as the army grows.