Non-random D&D Miniatures

[Endur]

The Heroes of the Lance.

A box of the heroes would be awesome.

 

[Agamon]

Heroes of the Lance seems unlikely, seeing as they already put out a "Tanis", but didn't even call the mini that....

 

[Nifft]

Okay, back on topic: I suspect they'd do fine if they released sets of critters and sets of humanoids. People could pick which they wanted, and the humanoids could be boxed in smaller boxes, to take up less space (or could be filled with more minis and thus cost more per unit).

Cheers, -- N

 

[MerricB]

Kinda the problem, here. I'm making a point that something I'd like to see available, isn't available. Then folks keep claiming it is, when it isn't. Then when they finally listen to what I am saying, specifically, they seem to argue that I shouldn't be wanting it in the first place. It's quite confusing.

Mark, what you are asking is for an Orc with Falchion. You don't care about the pose, but you're being very, very specific about what it is armed with.

The trouble is that there hasn't been one in production for a while. The question is much like asking "can I have a one-legged dwarf from Reaper" when they don't have one in production: No, you can't. It's not being made.

All miniatures lines have this problem. (Some allow customisation, but that's not possible for DDM, but if you want prepainted, then it's not possible).

The secondary market allows for cheap purchase of common - and occasionally uncommon - DDM miniatures, mostly from recent sets. If I want Orcs, not caring about the weapon, I can find a lot of them very cheaply.

The way the market works, common miniatures are almost certain to be sold for *less* then they cost to make. That's the amazing thing about having a rarity system. The rare figures attract the big values!

(You can really see it in CCG: all cards cost the same to make. Why then are commons $0.20 and some rares $10+? Rarity)

 

[Mark CMG]

Mark, what you are asking is for an Orc with Falchion.

Nope. I'm saying that if those were available on the secondary market in abundance I would not really need to ask for what I am actually asking for.

You don't care about the pose, but you're being very, very specific about what it is armed with.

Ah, I see where you've gone astray. I'm suggesting, in general, what I would like to see them armed with but more simply saying that any four poses, two with missile weapons and two with spears/swords/falchions (if you must, but whatever) are what I have in mind for my ideal 20-pack-for-around-$20.00. Don't need the cards (or maybe one for each pose, if necessary). Don't need the opaque box (since it isn't random). Don't need additional printed paperwork inside. Plastic bag, stapled at the top through a folded-over piece of cardboard with the words "20 Orcs" on it. Cheap, simple, a money-maker (I think).

(You can really see it in CCG: all cards cost the same to make. Why then are commons $0.20 and some rares $10+? Rarity)

Golly.

 

[Agamon]

I'm suggesting, in general, what I would like to see them armed with but more simply saying that any four poses, two with missile weapons and two with spears/swords/falchions (if you must, but whatever) are what I have in mind for my ideal 20-pack-for-around-$20.00. Don't need the cards (or maybe one for each pose, if necessary). Don't need the opaque box (since it isn't random). Don't need additional printed paperwork inside. Plastic bag, stapled at the top through a folded-over piece of cardboard with the words "20 Orcs" on it. Cheap, simple, a money-maker (I think).

No one's saying this is a horrible idea. I'd probably pick one up if I saw it in the store. You don't need to convince me, though, I don't make these things. The hurdle would be that WotC have tried a few times making non-random mini lines. I can see why they might not want to do it anymore.

But if this is as easy and profitable as you say, it should be a pretty easy sell. That sounds factitious, but honestly, WotC would be dumb to not produce something that's easily created and should be popular. Either that, or it's a) not that easy or b) not that cheap. Still would be nice, though.

 

[Mark CMG]

No one's saying this is a horrible idea. I'd probably pick one up if I saw it in the store. You don't need to convince me, though, I don't make these things. The hurdle would be that WotC have tried a few times making non-random mini lines. I can see why they might not want to do it anymore.

We've recently announced a new concept we're working into the DDM Icons line - scenario packs. The Legend of Drizzt Scenario Pack http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=products/dndmin/9780786943500 is the first of these. Now that you've seen what we can do, what other suggestions do you have? I've heard talk of [highlight]Iconic war bands[/highlight], famous battles from DL/FR, multiple huges, [highlight]sets of like monsters[/highlight], etc. What else would you want? Keep in mind the product has to be profitable (duh!), marketable (it's gotta appeal to LOTS of people), sized such that the shipping costs aren't outrageous, and the MSRP has to be reasonable. Bring on the ideas - I'm listening!"

(The feedback thread is here: http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=796534)

(Bold and highlighting courtesy of me.)

But if this is as easy and profitable as you say, it should be a pretty easy sell. That sounds factitious, but honestly, WotC would be dumb to not produce something that's easily created and should be popular. Either that, or it's a) not that easy or b) not that cheap. Still would be nice, though.

Well, they are asking the public and I am using my voice to encourage them to look into it. I don't think they were ever serious about trying it before (since DDM), for fear of potentially damaging their DDM cash cow. But I think they've become more comfortable with the strength of DDM and are willing to entertain the notion that making a little money elsewise, even if it isn't quite up to the same margins as regular DDM, won't be problematic for their main line. No one is suggesting they try to reproduce Chainmail (which I believe is what you are harkening back to with your assertion, no?

 

[Hussar]

Way, way back, I bought a set of plastic minis (unpainted) from a company that I forget at the moment, that had pretty much exactly what Mark is asking for - about 20 orcs and 20 dwarves (maybe more). It had orcs with swords, spears and dwarves with pikes and crossbows. Can't for the life of me remember the company, but, I know that it is possible.

 

[Kae'Yoss]

In the secondary market I'm seeing prices like three to four dollars a figure for the standard orcs (plus shipping).

What's a standard orc? Just because the MM orc has a falchion doesn't make him "standard orc". What's the standard dwarf? Standard human?

In fact, I don't consider orcs with falchions that common. For me, orcs wield greataxes all the way. That's as close as you get to "standard orc" for me.

Saying the secondary market doesn't work because you can't get 20 orc warriors from the earliest set is just being difficult.

 

[Fester]

What's a standard orc? Just because the MM orc has a falchion doesn't make him "standard orc". What's the standard dwarf? Standard human?

In fact, I don't consider orcs with falchions that common. For me, orcs wield greataxes all the way. That's as close as you get to "standard orc" for me.

Saying the secondary market doesn't work because you can't get 20 orc warriors from the earliest set is just being difficult.

Really. There's a whole range of orcs out there that can be purchased really cheap and to suggest there isn't just simply because they don't fit the exact sculpt required for a specific game is disingenious and unreasonably argumentative.

If someone wants that level of control over the range of figures they use in their game, then they'll need to cough up the money and pay for it. You can buy a whole range of cheap, generic orc figures on ebay for around $0.50 each, with postage on top. If you want more specfic ones, go buy some Reaper minis (or whoever) and paint them up.

Basically, what is being asked for is a bag of 20 orcs (or whatever) for $10. Could it be done? Sure. But they would be very simple, easy to mass produce sculps, in a single color plastic like the old plastic toy soldiers I had as a kid (and which they still presumably produce). I prefer the ones I've got, thanks.