Critical Role Factions of Wildemount: Kryn Dynasty Box Set Guide

Quick answer

The Kryn Dynasty & Xhorhas Box Set gives you high-quality, RPG-compatible figures straight out of Wildemount. Wash them, prime them, paint in sub-assemblies if needed, seal them, then store them in foam. The biggest mistake is skipping the wash—mold release agent will cause paint to bead and flake.

What you get and why prep matters

This box set contains Kryn Dynasty and Xhorhas miniatures made by WizKids, designed to be compatible with popular tabletop RPGs. They arrive pre-assembled in most cases, but the surfaces carry mold release agent and may have small seam lines. Prepping is not optional if you want paint to stick and details to read clearly on the table.

Before you touch a brush, decide whether you are painting for display or for play. Play pieces can be primed, base-coated, and sealed in an afternoon. Display pieces reward sub-assembly work and careful gap filling. Either way, the same first three steps apply.

How to wash, prime, and base-coat

Fill a bowl with warm water and a drop of mild dish soap. Scrub each miniature gently with a soft toothbrush, paying attention to deep recesses and undercuts. Rinse thoroughly and let them air-dry completely—overnight is safest. Any moisture trapped in a crevice will ruin your primer coat.

Once dry, mount each figure on a painting handle or a pill bottle with removable putty. Prime with a thin, even coat of grey or white spray primer. Hold the can 8–10 inches away and use short bursts. If you see fuzzy or gritty texture, you were too far away or the humidity was too high. A second thin coat after 20 minutes is better than one heavy coat.

For base-coating, work from the inside out: skin, then cloth, then armor, then leather and metal. Thin your paints with a little water so they flow into recesses without obscuring detail. Two thin coats always beat one thick coat. If you are painting the Kryn Dynasty's signature dark armor, start with a dark blue-grey and layer up rather than starting with pure black.

Painting tips specific to Xhorhas miniatures

Xhorhas faction miniatures often feature layered robes, chitinous armor, and glowing accents. Use a size 0 or 1 round brush for detail work and a size 2 for larger areas. Keep your paint consistency like skim milk—if it runs into the recess and pools, it is too thin; if it leaves ridges, it is too thick.

For glowing eyes or runes, paint the area white first, then apply a thinned fluorescent or bright contrast paint. Do not overload the brush. A common mistake is trying to paint glowing effects with thick, opaque paint, which kills the illusion. Build the glow in two or three translucent layers.

If you plan to use these as Wildemount RPG miniatures on a battle mat, keep your color scheme readable from three feet away. High contrast between armor and cloth helps players identify friend or foe quickly. Save the subtle blends for display pieces.

Sealing and storage that protects your work

After your paint is fully cured—at least 24 hours—apply a matte varnish in thin coats. Spray in low humidity and moderate temperature. A gloss varnish first, then a matte coat, gives extra protection without a shiny finish. Let each coat dry completely before the next.

Store your Critical Role tabletop minis in a foam-lined case or a compartment box with soft dividers. Do not toss them loose in a bag. Resin and plastic can bend or snap at thin ankles and weapon hafts. If a piece does bend, warm it gently with a hair dryer and reshape it, then hold it under cool water to set.

Step-by-step: prepping and painting your Kryn Dynasty minis

1. Wash with mild soap and water: Scrub each miniature gently with a soft toothbrush and a drop of dish soap. Rinse and air-dry completely overnight. Checkpoint: no water droplets remain in recesses before you prime.
2. Prime in thin, even coats: Mount on a handle, shake the can well, and spray from 8–10 inches using short bursts. Avoid humidity above 60%. Mistake to avoid: spraying too close or too heavy, which fills in detail.
3. Base-coat from the inside out: Thin your paints and apply two thin coats rather than one thick coat. Start with skin, then cloth, armor, and leather. Checkpoint: recesses still show detail and no brush strokes are visible.
4. Paint glowing effects in translucent layers: Paint the area white first, then apply thinned fluorescent or contrast paint in two or three layers. Mistake to avoid: using thick, opaque paint for glow effects.
5. Seal with matte varnish: After 24 hours of curing, spray a thin coat of gloss varnish, then a matte coat. Let each dry fully. Checkpoint: no shiny patches remain and the surface feels dry to the touch.
6. Store in foam or a compartment box: Keep minis separated with soft dividers. Do not store loose in a bag or box where they can rub together. Next step: label compartments by faction so you can grab the right minis quickly during play.

Product facts

• Critical Role: Factions of Wildemount - Kryn Dynasty & Xhorhas Box Set: Critical Role has partnered with WizKids to create high quality figures that are compatible with the most popular tabletop RPGs. You can use these miniatures in D&D 5e, Pathfinder, and other d20-based systems without conversion.
• Garden Nation: Garden Nation is a base game about construction, majority, and objectives where your choices directly impact the next player. A lighter, interactive option for game night when you want player interaction without miniatures.
• A'Writhe: A Game of Eldritch Contortions: A'Writhe: A Game of Eldritch Contortions is a team game for two players—one cultist and one Great Old One—where the cultist instructs their deity to place an appendage on an Arkham landmark. A quick, low-cost filler that works well between longer RPG sessions or as a warm-up.