Non-random D&D Miniatures

[Mark CMG]

You may find some alternatives to WOTC's minis here:

http://www.nobleknight.com/ViewManuf.asp?CategoryID=5


Though cheap pre-painted plastic (fantasy similar to D&D) minis just by browsing around I couldn't find, but I didn't check every single listing. I did notice a lot of old stock metal minis at clearance prices.

Thanks. I've looked those over sometimes. I guess I am hoping that this new WotC initiative will help reduce the amount of time needed to search around haystacks for things that are somewhat comparable to the needles I seek.

 

[Kae'Yoss]

While we're in the general area of the subject, what have been the ramifications of a bunch of Angelfire sets suddenly becoming available on the market again? Did they retool and go back into production or were a bunch of skids found in a warehouse somewhere?

There was a reprint of Underdark. They also have now stated that no set is ever out of print.

As far as I know, Underdark was one of the most popular sets, if not the most popular set, so it makes sense that it returns first.

 

[Mark CMG]

There was a reprint of Underdark. They also have now stated that no set is ever out of print.

As far as I know, Underdark was one of the most popular sets, if not the most popular set, so it makes sense that it returns first.

Thanks for the correction. I wonder what this does to the secondary market?

 

[Jefe Bergenstein]

I have a number of questions about the whole issue:

1. Would non-random 'common' minis (perhaps with no or subpar wargame stats) really eat into WOTC's DDM margins?

Yes. Most of the people buying them are using them for RPG use. The skirmish side is very marginal.

2. Are people who spent hundreds or thousands of dollars on random minis just to get enough trolls (and who may still not have enough) just dreading the notion that their expenditures were premature or unnecessary?

ANyone who buys boosters to get a *specific* figure is either ignorant of the secondary market, a tin-foil hat wearing technophobe, or has more dollars than sense. I bought my troll slashers for like 2 bucks each. If WOTC can package and distribute them cheaper, I'll happily buy them instead, but I dont really dont think even the non-random crowd believes that will happen.

3. Are there really so few people who would buy non-random packs that it would be worthless to make them?

Are stores willing to carry another entire wall of stuff they have to order individually, keep inventory of, etc? Thats the issue. And still they would be more expensive than what anyone remotely savvy to the secondary market can get for the vast majority of figures.

 

[stonehill_troll]

Thanks for the correction. I wonder what this does to the secondary market?

Hmm, I imagine that the speculators that were hoarding discontinued and out-of-stock minis sets for the inevitable price increase would not be pleased. Like what happened with Magic the Gathering card sets, notably about the time Legends came out and many sets afterwards.

 

[Jefe Bergenstein]

Perhaps the happy medium would do.

Currently they sell packs of what 8, guranteened one Rare.

How about up it to a pack of 10, guranteened one Rare, and 2 specific common critter/characters of the same type. Then you can have a pack of Blood War with 2 Orcs, or a pack of Blood War with 2 Elves, and so on.

What do stores do with the packs no one wants? When the orcs prove to be faster sellers than the elves, and the store is stuck with loser packs?

The current model is VERY friendly to stores. They order product. Its all the same. They dont have to display a lot at once. It moves off the shelf quickly. Check your gaming store to see how much GW or Reaper models they have from years ago. Check how much SPACE those displays are taking up. Note the DDM shelf, and how little product from 3+ years ago is on the shelf. Theres no guesswork involved over how many hobgoblin archers, dervish swordsmen, and dark elf ballistas to keep in stock.

Losing out on the guys who dont buy non-random minis and who wont buy secondary singles is preferrable to having tons of your money tied up in product you might or might not sell years down the line.

 

[Agamon]

I imply no such thing. I do however suggest that marketing a product such as I have described above is unlikely to burst the bubble of the DDM scheme. And they seem to agree since they have put out the call for suggestions along the lines of the one I personally put forth.

I'm just saying that this has been asked for a lot since DDM was first announced. If it is both easy and profitable, my personal opinion is that they're pretty crazy not to have at least looked at the feasability, if not done it, by now. That's the one thing that makes me scratch my head at this. I'm not against it, and if it is doable, then they should do it. But why has it taken so long?

 

[TheYeti1775]

Basically the issues blocking it are mainly:

1. Your brick & mortar being hurt by shelf space limitations.
2. Profitablity of these singles, not everyone wants 'orcs'


I would love to goto WOTC's site say I want 20 Orcs, 40 Goblins, 2 Beholders, etc and make a single purchase. But I can't do that. Instead I get the Giant Toads (which I do like considering T1 was my first D&D experience), Kobold Fighter, and Royal Guard. (Was just pulling names off the top of my head.) When I buy a box, I expect at least one of the eight to be somewhat useable in a standard game. But currently we are lucky when we get one that goes well in a standard game.
Yes I know without the randomization, we would not have many of the diverse minis we do get now. But I still want that option without having to rely on my Ebay Bidding Skills to get what I want. The only time I used Ebay where it wasn't the BUY IT NOW option was on an old GI Joe Torpedo to torment my little brother with (long story of classic brotherly torments). I found it on the internet at a slightly high price and so I set my bid at below what with shippping it would cost me, took me 5 different auctions as I kept getting sniped. So I don't want to use an Ebay system, I want a set price for something and I'll buy it. If it raises the overall costs I'm fine with that. The market will dictate what something sells for.

And guess what if I don't have the mini I make due. The average post-it pad in my office is perfect square coverage for a huge. And a poker chip makes for a good large base for enlarge spells.

 

[TheYeti1775]

What do stores do with the packs no one wants? When the orcs prove to be faster sellers than the elves, and the store is stuck with loser packs?

The current model is VERY friendly to stores. They order product. Its all the same. They dont have to display a lot at once. It moves off the shelf quickly. Check your gaming store to see how much GW or Reaper models they have from years ago. Check how much SPACE those displays are taking up. Note the DDM shelf, and how little product from 3+ years ago is on the shelf. Theres no guesswork involved over how many hobgoblin archers, dervish swordsmen, and dark elf ballistas to keep in stock.

Losing out on the guys who dont buy non-random minis and who wont buy secondary singles is preferrable to having tons of your money tied up in product you might or might not sell years down the line.

Then why do a good many of those stores simply open them open up and sell them on EBay themselves?

 

[Agamon]

Then why do a good many of those stores simply open them open up and sell them on EBay themselves?

That's their choice. It's not forced upon them by the manufactorer. And selling on eBay takes up no shelf space.