D&D Miniatures

[Storminator]

I'll be buying some random packs. Then I'll write some adventures using every single mini!

I call it the home edition of Iron DM.

PS

 

[maddman75]

Now that wouldn't be a bad idea for a convention event. Get a pack of these minis, each DM has an hour to write a quick scenario that uses all of them.

 

[Angcuru]

Well, we don't use miniatures in my group. The DM keeps a mental note of who is where in reference to whom, and it works out fine.

 

[Drakron]

We use tokens, D&D is already expensive as it is to bring up another thing to keep spending money into.

 

[Renaissance Man]

I'll be buying some random packs. Then I'll write some adventures using every single mini!

I call it the home edition of Iron DM.

PS

Amen to that! The randomness is mildly annoying at first, but there's an opportunity here. It could just spur my creativity in a direction I might not otherwise go. In any event, it's not enough to dissuade me from picking up at least a starter kit.

 

[Green Knight]

The randomness doesn't much bother me, either. I can expect a secondary market at the LGS, so if I want any specific Common or Uncommon monsters it'd be no big deal in finding them. As for PC's or rarer monsters (Like Demons or Mind Flayers), for that I'll stick to Reaper. Especially for PC's. Even IF I could pick out miniatures, why would I want a pre-painted miniature for a PC, unless the paint job suited my needs exactly? Can't have someone with Shadow Full Plate who's got silver armor on. So just for that reason alone the PCs aren't any use to me. Though if I DO stumble on a PC that not only is armed as I'd like but has an appropriate paint job then I'll use it. But Reaper suits me just fine.

BTW: It's approximately $1.25 for miniature. After thinking about it, that's an even BIGGER deal. Why? Because it's pretty clear that we'll be getting large creatures in these packs. Things like the Minotaur, Owlbear, and Troll. And the Dragoneye Expansion Pack will have some small dragons. That's one hell of a deal if you get one of those (And while I expect the dragons to be rare, I think the Owlbears and Trolls will be at least Uncommon).

 

[whydirt]

I wouldn't mind randomness if it was somewhat controlled: i.e. you got a random assortment of humanoids, but you knew it would be humanoids. Or you could have a beasts pack or a aberrations pack or whatever. But with completely random, I wouldn't buy any.

 

[ced1106]

As for PC's or rarer monsters (Like Demons or Mind Flayers), for that I'll stick to Reaper. Especially for PC's.

There ya go.

Painters of GW armies will tell you that they concentrate their painting work on the "stars" and do a base paint on the "rank and file" miniatures. D&D miniatures are compatible with existing metal miniatures, so you can hand-pick your "star" figures, while using the random figs for rank-and-file miniatures. Of course, this assumes you paint your figures.

If you don't paint your figures, one thought is to cherry-pick your figures from a **Mageknight** player. MK figures use the same sculpts and paint jobs for all of its rarities, except Unique. Trade a D&D common for a MK common, saw off the MK figure from its base, and give it back to the MK player. You have a figure you want, the MK player has the novelty of a new figure on an old dial.

I don't see how players will end up buying the miniatures, although they sure make easy gifts for a GM. The GM will have to tailor his adventures for his miniatures, which should be a minor PITA. ("What? We're fighting five orcs AGAIN???")

OTOH, Idiots like myself who enjoy collecting mass-produced art will eat this stuff up like... we used to do with dice! Can't wait for my bday to place an order with Potomac. $.75 per painted miniature? No contest!


Cedric.
aka. Washu! ^O^

 

[bwgwl]

Why would I want a random mini? This is an RPG, not a CCG or Mage Knight.

actually, i think you're only half-right. my perception of the D&D Miniatures line is that it is both an aid for the RPG and a collectible miniatures game in its own right.

seeing how blazingly successful Mage Knight, Heroclix, and Mechwarrior are, perhaps WOTC is on to something. there's a reason why MK fanatics call the figs "plastic crack."

i'm already resigned to buying quite a few of these. i'm a collector by nature...

 

[Daredevill]

So we're gonna get painted miniatures of all the official D&D monsters for about a buck apiece? OMG! Sign me up.

I don't even care if the distribution is as bad as Mageknight... No more pulling monsters off the clix base to mount on 1'' bases... Beholders, Rust Monsters, Ropers, Trogs, Treants, Umber Hulks, and Dragons! I can hardly wait.

I don't know, I'm thinking WotC might be on to something here. With the changes coming in 3.5 with more emphasis on miniature use, this could be a needed hit for them. I'm going out on a limb and predicting a winner on this one.

Now, would anyone care to make a wager? (jk)