D&D Miniatures retirement of sets

[Glyfair]

I know there are a lot of 4E threads already. However, given side ramifications, I think this merits a new thread.

The Inquest Article states:

So Fourth Edition will be a new rule set based on d20, but not remotely compatible. What’s that mean for the minis game? Effectively, this is D&D Minis 2.0 as well. Starting with Dungeons of Dread in April of 2008, D&D Minis sets will use Fourth Edition rules. According to Slavicsek, “All your plastic will still be usable, but your stat cards will need to be updated.” However, you’ll be able to get updated stat cards for free on Wizards’ website for Unhallowed and the sets printed since. In addition, there will be a sort of all-star set of updated cards available for download that will include updated stats for the figs getting the most tournament play. And of course, there’s always room for re-releasing popular figs in post-Fourth expansions of the future.

So it looks like pre-Underdark figures will be leaving DDM, except for a handful of figures.

 

[TerraDave]

Beat me to it, Dire Sheep

It also means:

-new edition of minis game
-Dungeons of Dread will be a "preview" for 4th ed.

 

[Sammael]

Although I doubt it will affect the tournament scene much, I think this will be a big turn-off for casual players.

For selfish reasons of my own*, I am very glad for this change.

*I haven't kept up with the current meta, and the new rules are coming only a few months prior to the European championship - which means I will have more chance of winning, since the playing field will be more level.

 

[blargney the second]

Huh. I wonder what this will do to the value of old minis on the secondary market.

 

[amethal]

*I haven't kept up with the current meta, and the new rules are coming only a few months prior to the European championship - which means I will have more chance of winning, since the playing field will be more level.

I hadn't realised Hades had finally decided to enter a team for the European Championships.

Glad to see they've finally gotten over their offence at that unfortunate "Axis of Evil" speech.

 

[Sammael]

Huh. I wonder what this will do to the value of old minis on the secondary market.

Very little. Their prices are driven by role-players' and collectors' demand, and not skirmishers' demand.

 

[IanB]

Although I doubt it will affect the tournament scene much, I think this will be a big turn-off for casual players.

For selfish reasons of my own*, I am very glad for this change.

*I haven't kept up with the current meta, and the new rules are coming only a few months prior to the European championship - which means I will have more chance of winning, since the playing field will be more level.

You may want to reconsider, since the 'current meta' figures are the ones that are likely to make the cut for new stat cards and thus are likely to stick around. Start practicing now IMO.

 

[Sammael]

They will stick around, but their stats will be changed to fit the new rules. Thus, I will have a chance to catch up - and the amount of data I will have to memorize will be reduced.

 

[blargney the second]

Very little. Their prices are driven by role-players' and collectors' demand, and not skirmishers' demand.

I'm not sure about that... all three currently play a role in determining a figure's price on the secondary market. Skirmishers make up a larger section of the market than you give them credit for. Have you seen the price of DCoLs, HEBIs, and Orc Champions?

 

[Sammael]

DCoL = not a skirmish piece
HEBI = no longer a skirmish piece
Orc Champion = skirmish piece that is no longer widely used

Incidentally, it's pretty easy to tell how popular Skirmish is - all you have to do is check the DCI list of tournament participants (which is not all that big). I very much doubt that casual skirmishers spend big bucks on out-of-print pieces.

I'd say that collectors are the ones that drive the prices up sky-high, although role-players certainly contribute for pieces such as popular monsters (Umber Hulk, D-Beast, etc).