Disappointed with Minis

[Wombat]

The random aspect is the major reason I stayed away from the line

The next is that I actively like to paint my minis

Third is I don't use a battleboard -- the minis I paint are as gifts or as "totem figures" for the characters, rather than use in play.

But above all else, the random element is annoying.

 

[KnowTheToe]

The first handful of random packs are great. I have several common town guards and hobgoblins, but after that it gets very tedious. Undead are also a favorite of mine as I hate painting undead. I have received this armored halfling in every box. I think I have 5 or six of the buggers. I want more monsters, those I don't mind multiples of.

 

[DaveMage]

The one change in 3.5 that I find to be absolutly disgusting was the declaration in the introduction of the 3.5 PHB that says under "what you need to play" is:

"Miniatures to represent each character and the monsters that challenge them."

The 3.0 version says: "A miniature figure, or at least something to represent your character in the game (even if it's just a mark on paper)."

I hate the change because what it's telling a newbie player is that miniatures are required when that's simply not true. There was no reason to change the language.

Yes, I know that EN-Worlders and the like know better, but I have a family friend who is not wealthy and she is introducing her 9-year old son to the game. I would hate for similar parents to read the intro and be scared off from the hobby with the thought that they have to buy more than they really do.

That said, however, I love 3.5 and I love the minis. I do agree though, that one should be able to buy the ones desired without having to resort to the secondary market. I really don't need the 6 human commoners I have.

 

[Melkor]

I agree - I own hundreds of the figures.....I would just buy a pack whenever I stopped by my local game store. I own very few that are "rare", and even fewer that I have found useful in my games (I say that in the past tense because I no longer play 3.5 with miniatures).

Anyway, I think I would have been a lot happier if they would have released "packs" of figures like they had originally planned - an Orc warband, or a "dungeon encounters" basic set.

As it stands, it doesn't matter all that much because I'm not using minis - but the "gotta catch em' all" thing still bugs me.

Cheers.

 

[Ranger REG]

Hmm. I'm curious...

How is it that Wizkids managed to achieve success with their "clicky" collectible minis, but WotC can't with theirs? Is it because of the stats that included with the minis? After all, you only know what your minis (or in TCG, cards) can do (powers, skills, abilities) when you acquire them for play, whereas D&D you already have the stats (a "Monster Manual" supplement) and now you're just trying to complete the set with the matching mini.

 

[Dreaddisease]

Agree and disagree. Why?

First, background. I was an avid hotwheels collector and with hotwheels it is obvious what you are getting when you pick up the carton. The only problem was that the rare ones (which is inevitable with any collection set) are always purchased by the first people in the store, then resold at 25x the original price. Unless you plan on being an avid diehard collector who is willing to wait in a KMart for one hour for the stock boy to get the item to the shelf you were not going to get the rare cars.

That being said I think the randomization factor helps even out the chance of finding something special. For those who want the complete set there is more dough to dish out, but in my opinion that is much better than waiting for hours on end in local gaming shops hoping to be the first in line to get that red dragon (if the guy in front of you doesn't buy all 20 of them and then turn around and offer it to you for 50 bucks on e-bay.

Either way has its advantages and disadvantages. I don't really mind because there is ways of getting other types of figures if you really want them. (Or, if you are really adventurous) create your own business creating these and sell them yourselves. At $4000 for a mold and 40,000 for an injection molder (or other type of molder) you will be hard pressed (pun) to find a good ROI.

2 cents and a bowl of potato chips.

 

[Nathal]

I find your attitudes here a bit bizarre, honestly. It is almost like you are looking for justifications for why you should not like 3.5 D&D. If you do not want to play D&D- 3.5 or whatever version- then don't. But, trying to link it to WOTC's miniatures line is really silly.

You misunderstand. I already bought 3.5, and there is much that I like about it. My point was I was excited and looking forward to using the new plastic minis, but it didn't turn out quite the way I had hoped. The emphasis in 3.5 was placed more on minis, and while I can use counters or whatever, it didn't have quite the same feel. Somebody mentioned buying metal figures and having a friend paint them. I hadn't thought of that, actually. Good idea. The link between my feelings on the miniatures line and the 3.5 is emotional, not rational. I'm not trying to say what "ought to be". However, it did occur to me that I could enjoy the game without buying any more books or minis. I was not trolling, honestly. :\

If you like the plastic minis, buy them. If you do not like random selections, buy them from your local game store or on-line- there are lots of singles for sale. If you prefer pewter minis, buy them- they sell at the same places. If you do not want to play with minis, don't. If you do not want to play 3.5, don't. Are you seeing a trend here? You are looking for arguments where there really are none. Some might call that trolling... :\

I'm not looking for arguments. I just wanted to know if anybody else had been disappointed with the minis line, enhanced perchance by the growing emphasis on figures in the 3.5 rules. I am NOT trying to tell people what they ought to enjoy, or how they ought to play their game.

 

[Ranger REG]

Personally, who cares about feel? I just want a visual reference diagram of the melee, with movable parts so I can see the placement and position. I take that visual aid and convert it into a 3D movie in my head.

 

[Nathal]

Anyway, I think I would have been a lot happier if they would have released "packs" of figures like they had originally planned - an Orc warband, or a "dungeon encounters" basic set.

That would have been cool, I agree. I use round or square foam counters. I got the foam in all different colors at a craft store and cut them out to scale for the battle mat. I numbered them and created a battle sheet with corresponding number & color. It has worked great! The plastic minis offered much more "flavor", but I'll do without them. I also play Lejendary Adventure, GURPS, and Palladium Fantasy, and my "foamitures" work just fine for any of those systems.

 

[Nathal]

Personally, who cares about feel? I just want a visual reference diagram of the melee, with movable parts so I can see the placement and position. I take that visual aid and convert it into a 3D movie in my head.

Hmmm...that's a practical point of view. Can't say I'd have any grounds to disagree.