Future of D&D Miniatures

[frankthedm]

I very much doubt we'll ever see a non-rare mind flayer, because the sculpt needs to be intricate due to tentacles.

the Star wars quarren Assassin & half Illithid lizard man were uncommon, so it could be done.

 

[Alaxk Knight of Galt]

I'm a little baffled by the DDM product line.

I get that it was designed to be a competitive game and the rarity system works well for that. This structure makes limited environments interesting, drives sells for those wanting rare minis, and helps the after market thrive on chase rares. It worked brilliantly for Magic the Gathering.

However, magic isn't a dual use item like DDM (unless you count putting them in your bike wheels to make noise). The minis game may be the greatest thing since sliced bread, but I've got little interest in it. I am interested in getting goblins, kobolds, dragons, horses, drow, and a variety of other minis for my DnD game. I'm very much baffled by WotC's inability or unwillingness to meet this desire. I don't care what goblins are in the goblin pack, I care that they are goblins. Likewise for the Lizardfolk, drow, magical beast, etc.

Give me miniature theme packs and I'll snatch them up!

 

[Tortoise]

I very much doubt we'll ever see a non-rare mind flayer, because the sculpt needs to be intricate due to tentacles. Plus, I don't really see the point of a non-rare mind flayer, most mind flayer attacks are a single MF + thralls anyway.

As pointed out, the half-illithid lizard man and SW Quarren Assassin (thanks for the name of that, Ebay here I come! ) were uncommon so the tentacles aren't an issue preventing non-rare status.

Also, depending on the adventure/encounter and campaign specifics multiple mind-flayers in one location could well be reasonable.

 

[Stormonu]

I think WotC shot itself in the foot canceling the DDM game, and they have now decided that shooting themselves in the head will relieve the pain of the first shot.

Unless they change tactics to follow the release of more battle packs like the beholder set, I expect the entire line will be canceled after the failure of the next set.

 

[frankthedm]

(thanks for the name of that, Ebay here I come! )

Google shopping and abPrices.com - Star Wars Miniatures - Quarren Assassin are your friends. Shop around & hunt for free shipping.

 

[Sammael]

I haven't seen the Quarren, but Half-Illithid Lizardfolk looks a lot cruder than the Mind Flayer minis I own. Admittedly, I completely skipped the new mind flayers from several recent sets, because they looked really awful.

Mind Flayer Sorcerer from Aberrations remains the best one, IMO.

 

[MortonStromgal]

I'm feeling very out of touch; I managed to miss some major announcements about the future of D&D and the D&D Miniatures line. Oh well, I'm catching up now.

Hasbro owns Heroscape and D&D minis. The D&D minis line is seen as competition for Heroscape and the D&D minis do not sell as well. D&D minis are currently going onto Heroscape bases and sold as Heroscape minis in a trial period. If its a success with the Heroscape people D&D minis will be no more and the models will be made for Heroscape. Which adds a new question of will D&D 5e move to hexes because Heroscape is in hexes or will Heroscape move to squares. My guess is D&D will be altered to fit more inline with Heroscape come 5e.

 

[Tortoise]

Google shopping and abPrices.com - Star Wars Miniatures - Quarren Assassin are your friends. Shop around & hunt for free shipping.

Awesome Frank, thanks!

 

[Dausuul]

Hasbro owns Heroscape and D&D minis. The D&D minis line is seen as competition for Heroscape and the D&D minis do not sell as well. D&D minis are currently going onto Heroscape bases and sold as Heroscape minis in a trial period. If its a success with the Heroscape people D&D minis will be no more and the models will be made for Heroscape.

Is this speculation, or can you link us to a source? (Or are you, yourself, the source?)

 

[frankthedm]

Is this speculation, or can you link us to a source? (Or are you, yourself, the source?)

Heroscape is part of the wotc line up. Wotc has discontinued product lines for being too similar to another line. Wotc is cannibalizing DDM sculpts for the 3rd Heroscape base set and an upcoming expansion.