Davelozzi
Explorer
I have 264 of them (1 starter pack of 16, 31 boosters), or roughly 1 pack per week since they came out. Previously, we used metal minis (painted) for characters, and whatever we had for monsters, which often meant counters or unpainted minis.
They've been useful since the git go, but more so the more I get. For example, in tonight's session, I should have a good, painted mini for every single opponent my players face (unless the bearded devil summons some lemures - I'll need to use counters for them), and without having to choose opponents based on minis.
I'm pretty happy with them. My players and I can find the time to paint up some metal minis for characters, animal companions, and familiars when a new campaign starts up, but it's way too much for me to keep it up with the opponents as time goes on. Occasionally I might take the time with a major opponent (I'm painting a nice dragon now -Deathsleet from Reaper), but by and large, the D&D minis let me have most of what I need. There's no doubt that plunking down a painted vrock or bone devil mini has a better effect on the players that the equivalent counter.
So I'd say the more the merrier, but 8 or so packs is a good starting point at which you'll probably start feeling like you have the basics covered.
They've been useful since the git go, but more so the more I get. For example, in tonight's session, I should have a good, painted mini for every single opponent my players face (unless the bearded devil summons some lemures - I'll need to use counters for them), and without having to choose opponents based on minis.
I'm pretty happy with them. My players and I can find the time to paint up some metal minis for characters, animal companions, and familiars when a new campaign starts up, but it's way too much for me to keep it up with the opponents as time goes on. Occasionally I might take the time with a major opponent (I'm painting a nice dragon now -Deathsleet from Reaper), but by and large, the D&D minis let me have most of what I need. There's no doubt that plunking down a painted vrock or bone devil mini has a better effect on the players that the equivalent counter.
So I'd say the more the merrier, but 8 or so packs is a good starting point at which you'll probably start feeling like you have the basics covered.