DDM: Demon Web figures

[El Mahdi]

I doubt it was intentional (at least as a direct intent). One thing I heard from my association with WizKids is that quality often takes a dip annually.

I was told that a lot of employees at the factories in China tend to leave around the Chinese New Year (or take long periods of time off). The factories have to hire and train large percentages of their work force and that tends to lead to regular dips in quality.

I don't think it was intentional in that they're intentionally making them with less quality. I just think somewhere along the way they decided on a cheaper way to make them and the painting suffered as a consequence. At least that seems like the most plausible theory to me (of course this is by no means a statement of what I think is fact, just my theory, I could very well be wrong - my wife could definitely attest to the fact that does occasionally happen).

And I do agree with you, pukunui. There have been some good minis in every set. In fact IMO, there have been some really good ones in each set. It's just the ones I've seen so far in the previews haven't had paint jobs that impress me very much (however, there may be some I've missed - I seem to be spending less and less time at the WoTC site).

 

[pukunui]

I don't think it was intentional in that they're intentionally making them with less quality. I just think somewhere along the way they decided on a cheaper way to make them and the painting suffered as a consequence. At least that seems like the most plausible theory to me (of course this is by no means a statement of what I think is fact, just my theory, I could very well be wrong - my wife could definitely attest to the fact that does occasionally happen).

You're most likely right in that it's not a deliberate "let's make these things look bad" but rather a "let's save some money."

They're doing the same with the actual books ... just look at how many people get smudged text. I smudged my brand spanking new FRPG at lunch just a little while ago. It made me very sad. None of my 3.5 books ever smudged.

And I do agree with you, pukunui. There have been some good minis in every set. In fact IMO, there have been some really good ones in each set. It's just the ones I've seen so far in the previews haven't had paint jobs that impress me very much (however, there may be some I've missed - I seem to be spending less and less time at the WoTC site).

Me neither. When I want to know about minis, I prefer to look over at the DDM Spoilers site.

 

[El Mahdi]

. . . Me neither. When I want to know about minis, I prefer to look over at the DDM Spoilers site.

What DDM spoilers site? (I'm assuming you aren't talking about a WoTC page?) Got a link?

 

[frankthedm]

Dragonborn Paladin of Bahamut: Grumble. I loathe medium figures in the rare slot as it is. This is just a “Ha-Ha screw your wallet” to dragonborn fans if this is the set's only PC size dragonborn.
Kuyutha, Exarch of Bahamut: Ok mini.
Viscious Bearded Devil: Rare!? Come on! These should not be as hard to get as a pit fiend!
Solamith WTF! this could a far better mini with just a little more detail. The Two tone color scheme really completes the Evil Fisher Price look. Here is what the fiend should have looked like. http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/dx20070705_previews_solamith.jpg
Draegloth Favored One: Looks sooo spindly. It even looks like the mini is holding out its arms to justify its base size.
Shadow Flayer: This does not look like it had to be a rare.
Black Dragon: Looks fine for a black Dragon, though it really peeves me that there will never be a large uncommon dragon because of marketing reasons.
Concord Illithid: Another rare illithid...
Skull Lord: Cool fig.
Yuan-ti Malison Incanter: Shame this is a rare.
Ogre Pulverizer: Finally some large uncommons! Looks better than some of the other DDM ogres, even if it is a throwback to the 3E style of ogre.
Stormrage Blue Dragon: Ok, this one looks badass. I actually like the scorpion stance.
Spiretop Drake: should have been a common.
Autumn Wind Ranger: Did this really need to be rare?
Blood Slaad: Better than the last red Slaad
Curse Slaad: Thank gods they tried this one again. No more Kermit.
Cyclops Hewer: Nice though I sure hope we see some large uncommon Cyclope minions.
Ettin Spirit-Talker: looks good. We did just have an ettin, but that one kinda looked like a He-Man foe.
Minotaur Warrior: AUUUUGH! If minotaurS are going to be resized to medium, how about providing a few non rare ones!
Hobgoblin Warcaster: looks darn good for a common. Pretty easy to repurpose too.
Kruthik Hive Lord: Yay! Been waiting for the larger breeds of the D&D Tyranids!
Crazed Kuo-Toa: I loves fish men.
Deathcap: Uhhm…
Kruthik Adult: Sweet.
Stirge Drone: Should have been a common! But at least wotc heard the demand.

 

[El Mahdi]

What DDM spoilers site? (I'm assuming you aren't talking about a WoTC page?) Got a link?

Gaaaahhh! I saw the link further up-thread. I now feel quite stupid.

There are a few that are reeeeeaaaaly good. Then there are some that have paint jobs which are really lacking. ("The Two tone color scheme really completes the Evil Fisher Price look." - FranktheDM - I love that, you perfectly described what's wrong with a lot of these bad paint jobs. That was awesome.)

 

[pukunui]

Gaaaahhh! I saw the link further up-thread. I now feel quite stupid.

No worries!

There are a few that are reeeeeaaaaly good. Then there are some that have paint jobs which are really lacking. ("The Two tone color scheme really completes the Evil Fisher Price look." - FranktheDM - I love that, you perfectly described what's wrong with a lot of these bad paint jobs. That was awesome.)

The worst one so far, paint job wise, that I've seen up close and personal is the goblin picador. Yuck. But I haven't gotten all of the new ones, so there may be a worse one than that.

I really like the Eye of Flame and the Angel of Valor. They're both new ones. One of my absolute faves is the medium black dragon from ages back. The paint job on that one is superb (right down to camoflaged wings!). Same with the second man-at-arms (Archfiends) and the human crossbowman. The other one I really like is the Bonded Fire Summoner. Oh and the old Large Red Dragon. All of those guys I've just mentioned have pride of place on my computer desk (all my other minis are in boxes).

Of the Demonweb ones, I'm most looking forward to the Skull Lord (mainly because it's cool but also cos there's one in H2: Pyramid of Shadows, so I'll need that mini) and the kuo-toa cos I love the makeover they got for 4e. They used to look ridiculous. Now they look badass.

 

[chaotix42]

There's a mushroom mini? I'm in.

 

[GAAAHHH]

Gaaaahhh! I saw the link further up-thread. I now feel quite stupid.

There are a few that are reeeeeaaaaly good. Then there are some that have paint jobs which are really lacking. ("The Two tone color scheme really completes the Evil Fisher Price look." - FranktheDM - I love that, you perfectly described what's wrong with a lot of these bad paint jobs. That was awesome.)

Don't look at me.

I may buy a pack or two, but I really don't like random miniatures. I bought a dragonborn single for $20 (including shipping), and one booster pack of Against the Giants (got a Red Dragon in it). I have a few boosters of Dungeons of Dread and the starter set.

I have enough warhammer minis to make up for most of the others I would need.

 

[lrsach01]

I could be wrong, but it looks like there are 24 listed as rare. Isn't that a LOT of rares? That is over 30% of the new figures.

 

[Festivus]

I suspect I am done buying boxes. I'll likely buy a couple figs that I might like from the set but I am at a point where I have almost every figure I need for tabletop play.