You know that feeling when you open a Flesh-eater Courts box and realize you have to choose between a Zombie Dragon or a Terrorgheist? It’s a hobbyist’s nightmare. But the real kicker is that the kit gives you the parts for a Ghoul King, yet if you build the beast, the King usually just sits on the base or stands awkwardly on a rock. Honestly, the standard pose is fine, but it lacks that "centerpiece" energy. A ghoul king on terrorgheist kitbash is basically a rite of passage for any serious Age of Sigmar player who wants their army to look like more than just a stock photo from the Games Workshop webstore.
Most people think kitbashing requires a massive bits box or a degree in sculpting. It doesn't. You’ve already got the plastic. The goal here is to make the Ghoul King look like he’s actually part of the monster, not just a passenger. We're talking about shifting the silhouette, changing the weight distribution of the model, and maybe—if you’re feeling brave—using some tactical jewelry chain.
Why the Stock Ghoul King on Terrorgheist Needs a Rework
The "out of the box" build for this unit has the Ghoul King perched on a piece of ruined masonry. It's iconic, sure. But it doesn't always translate well to the tabletop because it makes the model incredibly tall and prone to snapping during transport. Plus, there is zero physical connection between the rider and the mount. They look like two separate models sharing a lease on a 100mm base.
When you start a ghoul king on terrorgheist kitbash, you’re solving a narrative problem. These are the Abhorrant Archregents of a delusional court. They should look like they are leading a charge or, better yet, like they are physically fused to the madness of their mount. Some hobbyists, like those frequently featured on the Goonhammer hobby segments or Sprues & Brews, have pointed out that the scale of the Ghoul King is actually quite small compared to the massive wingspan of the beast. If you don't anchor him correctly, he disappears into the gray plastic.
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Getting the Pose Right
Forget the instructions for a second. Look at the Terrorgheist’s neck. It’s a long, curved expanse of rotting muscle and bone. This is your prime real estate. By shaving down the "seat" of the Ghoul King—basically clipping the small protrusions on his underside—you can glue him directly onto the neck or the upper shoulders of the beast.
You’ll need a sharp hobby knife. Be careful. One slip and you're kitbashing your own thumb. Once you’ve flattened the contact point, you can use a tiny bit of Green Stuff (epoxy putty) to fill the gap. Don't worry about making it perfect. This is a death-faction model. Disgusting, uneven flesh is actually a feature, not a bug. If the skin looks lumpy, just tell people it's a tumor or a piece of hanging skin. It works every time.
Advanced Bits and Texture Hacks
If you want to go beyond just moving the dude around, look at the extra bits in the kit. The Terrorgheist box comes with a bunch of optional skeletal remains and grave markers. Don't just glue them to the base. Try hanging them from the Terrorgheist's ribs.
I’ve seen some incredible work where people use thin florist wire to create "reins" made of flayed skin. You take a bit of leftover plastic sprue, shave it down into thin strips, and heat it up slightly with a hair dryer to get some organic curves. This connects the Ghoul King’s hands to the creature's head. Suddenly, your ghoul king on terrorgheist kitbash looks like a frantic cavalry charge.
The Base is Half the Battle
A massive model needs a story. If your King is leaning forward, the base should reflect that momentum. Use cork bark to create tiered cliffs. Because the Terrorgheist has such a wide footprint, you can actually hide a lot of the support struts inside the terrain.
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- Pro Tip: Don't use the flying stand if you can avoid it. It’s a clear plastic nightmare that yellows over time.
- Alternative: Use a sturdy piece of driftwood or a 3D-printed ruin to support the body of the beast.
- Variation: Mount the Ghoul King on the base underneath the Terrorgheist, making it look like the beast is his guardian spirit rather than his horse.
Dealing with the "Scale" Issue
There is a common complaint in the AoS community that the Ghoul King model is a bit dated. He’s a bit "squat" compared to the newer, leaner sculpts like the Abhorrant Gorewarden. If you feel he looks too small for the Terrorgheist, you might want to swap the rider entirely.
Using an Abhorrant Archregent as the rider is a popular move. The Archregent has a much more commanding pose. You’ll have to do some "surgery" on his legs to get him to sit flush against the Terrorgheist's spine, but the result is a much more intimidating leader. This specific ghoul king on terrorgheist kitbash variant is what you see winning "Best in Show" at local tournaments because it breaks the expected silhouette of the army.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Over-gluing: Plastic glue melts the detail. When you're kitbashing, you're often joining small surfaces. Use a tiny dot of superglue for the initial "tack" and then reinforce with a thin line of plastic glue.
- Ignoring Weight: The Terrorgheist is top-heavy. If you move the rider too far forward, the whole thing will tip. Always weigh down your base with lead weights or large stones hidden under the texture paste.
- The "Floating" King: Make sure there are at least two points of contact between the King and the monster. If he’s only held on by a butt-cheek, he’s going to snap off during your first game.
The Fine Details: Chains and Gore
Once the structure is done, it's time for the "grimdark" aesthetic. Jewelry chain—specifically 1mm or 1.5mm scale—is your best friend. Wrap it around the neck of the Terrorgheist and have the King holding the ends. It adds a physical texture that plastic just can't mimic.
For the gore, "Blood for the Blood God" technical paint is the industry standard for a reason. But don't just slop it on. Apply it to the joints of the kitbash. If you’ve joined two pieces that don't quite fit, a "blood-filled" gap looks intentional. It looks like the King has literally clawed his way into the beast's back to stay mounted. It's metal. It's gross. It's perfect for Flesh-eater Courts.
The beauty of the ghoul king on terrorgheist kitbash is that there isn't a "wrong" way to do it. These creatures are supposed to be horrific amalgamations of bone and madness. If a limb looks a little crooked, that just adds to the charm of a creature that shouldn't be able to fly in the first place.
Essential Next Steps for Your Project
To get started on your own version, stop looking at the instruction manual and start dry-fitting. Hold the Ghoul King in different spots along the Terrorgheist's back and wings until you find a silhouette that looks fast and aggressive.
Invest in a small tub of Milliput or Green Stuff. You don't need to be an artist; you just need to be able to roll small sausages of putty to fill the gaps where the plastic doesn't meet. Once that's dry, prime the whole thing in a dark brown or zenithal gray. The shadows will hide any of your "hack jobs," and the highlights will make your custom positioning pop.
The final step is the most important: gaming. Get that model on the table. There is nothing more satisfying than sliding a custom-built centerpiece across the mat and watching your opponent realize they aren't playing against just another "out of the box" army. Your kitbash tells a story before you even roll the first dice.
Start by clipping the Ghoul King off his tactical rock tonight. Once that first cut is made, the fear of "ruining" the model vanishes, and the actual hobbying begins. Focus on the connection points first, worry about the paint later, and always remember to sub-assemble the wings if you want to keep your sanity during the painting phase.