Need help finding minis for unusual characters!

[ForceUser]

I'm trying to find minis for some rather bizarre characters in my gaming group, but I've had no luck. Does anyone know where I might find a mini for

• A male african psychic warrior who dual-wields vampiric claws. He spends a lot of time in stone giant form, and will likely spend time in the future in fire giant form. In either alternate form, he still fights unarmed with huge vampiric claws.
• A male dwarven wizard/earth elemental savant.
• A male half-orc cleric in plate with a spear and tower shield.
• A male asian monk wielding a tai chi sword.
• A male asian sohei with a naginata.
• A male non-Japanese asian fighter in heavy armor with a spear, or scimitar and shield.
• Two male asian spellcasters, one young, one old.
• A female asian rogue.

There are a ton of mini companies out there, but few support Oriental characters, and all of those supported that I have found are Japanese. Does anyone know of (or work for ) a company that makes minis remotely similar to the characters described above?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Mark Plemmons]

Well, HackMaster's Dwarven Battlemage would work for a dwarven wizard, though I don't know about the 'savant' bit.

Mark Plemmons
Kenzer and Company
www.kenzerco.com

 

[Wicht]

Those are tricky.

for the african psychic warrior you might check out the marsh zombie or the flesh golem from Mage Knight. They would need some work and a new paint job but both have big claws and stand tall, (the flesh creature could easily be a creature who's body is morphing.)

What weapon does the dwarf wizard use?

 

[ForceUser]

Wicht: right now, the dwarf wizard wields a club and a light crossbow, though he'll likely eschew those things for something more wizardly as he gains levels. I will have to take a look at the Mage Knight figs and see what can be done; I'm not much of a modeller, however, so hopefully the alterations wouldn't be much more than a fresh coat of paint.

Mark, thanks for the tip! Your mini is MORE than adequate. Woot!

Anyone have any suggestions for the asian characters?

 

[kengar]

For the asian minis try here it's Japanese, but it's the most extensive list I found (also, since the naginata is a japanese weapon, it's your best bet there too).

The Chainmail Drazen's Horde Hobgoblin Fighter Might work as a half-orc cleric if you paint the skin tone differently. He's got a spear & shield and armor at least

Reaper Minis are good for characters too. they have a couple asian style ones, but I'm not sure how many.

The problem with really specific character images for minis is that minis were originally for wargames; and wargaming isn't about the individual "character." So sometimes a general representation is as good as it gets. Good luck though!

Hope this helps.

 

[MeepoTheMighty]

The problem with really specific character images for minis is that minis were originally for wargames; and wargaming isn't about the individual "character." So sometimes a general representation is as good as it gets.

No, the problem with really specific characters for minis is that they won't sell well, so companies tend to shy away from them. There aren't that many people who want african psychic warriors who transform into stone giants.


However, I hear there's quite a demand for one-legged dwarves with crossbows and magic rings on their finger.

 

[ForceUser]

No, the problem with really specific characters for minis is that they won't sell well, so companies tend to shy away from them. There aren't that many people who want african psychic warriors who transform into stone giants.


However, I hear there's quite a demand for one-legged dwarves with crossbows and magic rings on their finger.

Yeah, I understand that, and it makes total sense from a business perspective. That said, there are so many minis out there that you can almost always find one that bears at least a passing resemblance to your character.

Kengar, thanks for the links. Looks like the Rokugan minis will be my best bet for the asian characters.

Miniatures companies: Monks are really popular in 3rd edition D&D. I bet if someone out there made a line of monk figs, both male and female, with a couple of alternate races, displaying monks using weapons from tai chi swords to sai to quarterstaves to open palm, they'd make a nice profit. If such a line existed, I'd guarantee that I'd buy at least one mini of each type, and probably multiples of some. I need more monk minis for my OA campaign!

 

[Thorntangle]

In this hobby, especially mini-centric d20, it pays to know miniatures. It's a lot of fun to collect minis and learn how to paint and convert them.

In 3e there are so many possible class/race/equipment combos, most minis will never precisely match your conception of your character. It's handy to have the ability to use file, pins, x-acto, epoxy putty and superglue to transform that off-the-shelf Reaper Dwarf Warrior into a spectacular Dwarf Sorceror/Monk with a shaved head, a cloak of displacement and dual magic gauntlets.

I can recommend a ton of websites with tutorials if you are interested.

 

[Zappo]

ForceUser, I suggest you to start modding! Pick up a miniature which has about the same shape as the one you want, pull out a small saw, tough scissors and some glue, and you'll have exactly the mini you want in no time. Use some putty (you can buy it in minis shops) to fill any gaps. It isn't difficult at all, and it isn't even costly (provided that you keep all leftover bits). And it's lots of fun!

• Take anything that looks like an african male, and anything that has vampiric claws. Cut and paste.
• This is tricky. Take any dwarf with crossbow (I'm sure there are some). If it has armor, take any dwarf without armor, and cut&paste the crossbow on him. For the rings, use a bit of putty.
• Get anything that resembles a half-orc in full plate, and add to it the spear and shield.
• Get anything that resembles a monk, and add the sword.
• Have no idea of what a sohei is, but there's got to be something resembling it. Add the naginata.
• Take any asian fighter, add the weapons you like.
• Etcetera...

 

[ForceUser]

I can recommend a ton of websites with tutorials if you are interested.

I'm interested in learning more. Thanks.