D&D 5E Elemental Evil Miniatures are Pretty Cool

[vandaexpress]

I will say that, once you know the hot water trick mentioned above, which is all but required to securely mount the new dragons to their bases, I am absolutely in love with their decision to have all of the dragons flying, rather than sitting on the ground like in previous sets. It really makes dragon battles feel much cooler.

 

[justinj3x3]

Really, though, my biggest complaint is the size of the dragons. Based on what I've researched online, I'm not alone. Apparently, for example, the blue dragon in the Tyranny of Dragons set is supposed to be an adult blue dragon, and the one in the Elemental Evil set is supposed to be a young blue dragon. This works okay with the blue dragon wyrmling from the earlier set, but I have to say, I wish the bases would take up the correct amount of space for the size category. Especially when you consider the ancient silver dragon's base correctly represents it at 4x4", whereas the adult red dragon's base is literally half the size and the mini itself is even less than that.

It's really confusing and overall I was expecting the figures for, say, a young blue dragon, to be significantly larger than a medium-sized orc, but it's not. It doesn't even look like an adult dragon from these sets could swallow an Orog or an Orc. I don't know if there was a conscious canon decision by WotC to make dragons smaller in this version of D&D or what, but it's a little jarring when the PCs go up against an adult White Dragon and he's about the same physical size as an every day ogre or the horse ridden by the Zhentarim Cavalry.

I'm still deciding how I feel about the dragon size, but they are definitely skewed. Another nit-pick is the base size of the frost giant and stone giant. Why are they only on large bases??

 

[vandaexpress]

I'm still deciding how I feel about the dragon size, but they are definitely skewed. Another nit-pick is the base size of the frost giant and stone giant. Why are they only on large bases??

I'd forgotten about that—you're right. It's gotta be due to packaging limitations if I were to guess. I mean it's not a huge deal (get it? Oh man), I still like the way they look, but half the reason I get minis is to intimidate the PCs when I bring them out. The size needs to account for that, ideally. I've found myself resorting more and more to the GF9 minis when I need something awesome and size appropriate—I have a Remorhaz getting painted up right now.

How do you feel about the ancient silver dragon being the same size as Tiamat and Bahamut?

 

[Dire Bare]

I'd forgotten about that—you're right. It's gotta be due to packaging limitations if I were to guess. I mean it's not a huge deal (get it? Oh man), I still like the way they look, but half the reason I get minis is to intimidate the PCs when I bring them out. The size needs to account for that, ideally. I've found myself resorting more and more to the GF9 minis when I need something awesome and size appropriate—I have a Remorhaz getting painted up right now.

How do you feel about the ancient silver dragon being the same size as Tiamat and Bahamut?

I'm fairly sure the smaller size of the dragon figures is because they are scaled for Attack Wing, and not really for RPG play. Wizkids reuses the same sculpts for the RPG mini line, Attack Wing, and the EE board game. Which, I'm okay with, other than the dragon size issue.

 

[Dire Bare]

Gods yes.

I looked into Attack Wing for purposes of getting specific D&D minis, but even when you consider the markup for nonrandom, they're insanely priced.

For example, the Sun Elf Wizard (from the D&D Icons of the Realms starter pack) is 1/5th of $20 in the starter pack, but $11 for the attack wing version (which AFAICT, is the same mini but with the game stats.) $20 for six minis (even if they are the same mold) is ok, but 10-12 for 1 medium sized mini is crazy.

If you are collecting for RPG play, then yes, Attack Wing minis are not a good deal . . . except for perhaps the multipacks of "common" critters like the elf spearmen or orc warriors. But the higher price point isn't just for "stats", but for all the cards and cardboard tokens that come with each mini, which is quite a bit. I think it's reasonable if you are playing the Attack Wing game itself.

Which I don't, as I started with X-Wing and was spoiled by FFG's excellent quality. I purchased the Attack Wing green dragon and was underwhelmed with the paint job, and the graphic design of the cards and tokens. I'm sure the game is fun to play, X-Wing certainly is, but FFG spoiled me on quality. Wizkids spams too much mediocre quality (and in quantity) that I have a hard time getting into any of their miniature lines. They did sucker me in on D&D Dicemasters though . . .

 

[Jeff Carlsen]

I'd forgotten about that—you're right. It's gotta be due to packaging limitations if I were to guess. I mean it's not a huge deal (get it? Oh man), I still like the way they look, but half the reason I get minis is to intimidate the PCs when I bring them out. The size needs to account for that, ideally. I've found myself resorting more and more to the GF9 minis when I need something awesome and size appropriate—I have a Remorhaz getting painted up right now.

How do you feel about the ancient silver dragon being the same size as Tiamat and Bahamut?

The silver dragon is a great size. Bahamut and Tiamat were far too small. And too expensive.

 

[Ridley's Cohort]

I will say that, once you know the hot water trick mentioned above, which is all but required to securely mount the new dragons to their bases, I am absolutely in love with their decision to have all of the dragons flying, rather than sitting on the ground like in previous sets. It really makes dragon battles feel much cooler.

They look impressive, but storing them seems like it would be too much of a pain.

 

[Queer Venger]

Try heating bent swords.
Fill a bowl full of ice water and put the kettle on. Pour some boiling water into a different bowl and dip the weapon in. Wait a few seconds and then remove, bend the weapon into position, and dip immediately into the cold water while holding the weapon straight.

This is what I do, works like a charm. I too am liking the selection with this series

 

[justinj3x3]

I've found myself resorting more and more to the GF9 minis when I need something awesome and size appropriate—I have a Remorhaz getting painted up right now.

How do you feel about the ancient silver dragon being the same size as Tiamat and Bahamut?

I haven't been able to afford Tiamat or Bahamut yet, and I'm trying real hard not to use credit cards lately. I did have to take down my gargantuan dragons from the icons series because it just looked off next to him.

I'm working on painting Nerelas right now to finish up the Scourge of Suderham set. Then on to Drelzna from Iggwilv's Treasure.

 

[justinj3x3]

I figured I'd ask this question here rather than make a new thread (You're welcome TerraDave!)

Does anyone know if the Attack Wing dragon miniatures come with the regular round black base from the miniature lines or do they just have that square clear base? Thanks in advance for any info!