Seen the Dreamblade minis? Like/don't?
- Thread starter Abstraction
- Start date
JustKim
First Post
I bought some of the original set while I was really into DDM. I had heard about folks rebasing them for D&D and I thought it would be an easy way to add some unique monsters to my collection. A few things turned me off to them.
First, there is no scale. They're not the same size as DDM and they're not to scale with other Dreamblade figures, each one is just a representation of something in whatever size will fit on the base. So not only do they not look good next to DDM miniatures, they don't look particularly good next to other Dreamblade miniatures.
The sculpts are all done with a tongue-in-cheek anachronism that lends well to a crazy wargame but not so well to D&D. I guess they would be more appropriate for a d20 Modern game, but I really have no interest in that.
Finally, they just look cheap. I'm sure others feel this way about DDM, and it's hard to deny that the early lines were crude, but for DDM it was easier to ignore because I am already pretty familiar with the creature the miniature is representing. With Dreamblade, all you have is the figure itself. When it looks like something out of a vending machine that's all a person has to go on.
From the packs I bought, there was only one figure I thought might make an okay monster. It ended up being so difficult to cut from the base that I decided it'd be easier to simply learn how to paint metal miniatures.
So I did.
First, there is no scale. They're not the same size as DDM and they're not to scale with other Dreamblade figures, each one is just a representation of something in whatever size will fit on the base. So not only do they not look good next to DDM miniatures, they don't look particularly good next to other Dreamblade miniatures.
The sculpts are all done with a tongue-in-cheek anachronism that lends well to a crazy wargame but not so well to D&D. I guess they would be more appropriate for a d20 Modern game, but I really have no interest in that.
Finally, they just look cheap. I'm sure others feel this way about DDM, and it's hard to deny that the early lines were crude, but for DDM it was easier to ignore because I am already pretty familiar with the creature the miniature is representing. With Dreamblade, all you have is the figure itself. When it looks like something out of a vending machine that's all a person has to go on.
From the packs I bought, there was only one figure I thought might make an okay monster. It ended up being so difficult to cut from the base that I decided it'd be easier to simply learn how to paint metal miniatures.
So I did.
I love them (prefer them to most of d&d's mins)sculpts are far better,) and am using them now. Many of them inspire unique critters for me as well.
Scale isn't an issue for me,and I am not one who has to use the exact mini for what the pcs are facing. Just designate one corner, say top left, as the square they're in if using for med or smaller size. The bases are flat enough that reg sized minis will sit nicely on them as adjacent opponents. Large size is the closest to their base size so they work fantastic for large creatures.
Scale isn't an issue for me,and I am not one who has to use the exact mini for what the pcs are facing. Just designate one corner, say top left, as the square they're in if using for med or smaller size. The bases are flat enough that reg sized minis will sit nicely on them as adjacent opponents. Large size is the closest to their base size so they work fantastic for large creatures.
Asmor
First Post
The game itself was a seriously fantastic game. Shame it didn't succeed, although it did have a surprising amount of expansions put out for it.
The minis are equally fantastic, though as has been mentioned the scale means that you can't really use them for common PC races, but for monsters they're perfect.
The minis are equally fantastic, though as has been mentioned the scale means that you can't really use them for common PC races, but for monsters they're perfect.
Scale is only an issue if you are obssessed with every ogre or giant being the same height. There are some great singles for Far Realms' type creatures, smallish dragons, and giants and Ogres and Trolls. There are some real clunkers.
I never played the game, but many, many people I trust said it is a fun game.
You should be able to pick up singles, packs, and collections fairly cheaply someplace on line or at a game store (though a few stores here in town still have the boxes at full price, I've seen one where the boxes are $3-5). I've picked up quite a few to use in D&D RP.
I never played the game, but many, many people I trust said it is a fun game.
You should be able to pick up singles, packs, and collections fairly cheaply someplace on line or at a game store (though a few stores here in town still have the boxes at full price, I've seen one where the boxes are $3-5). I've picked up quite a few to use in D&D RP.
frankthedm
First Post
Well, just want to mention Dreamblade minis are still sold in a few places. This seller has been good on combined shipping charges in the past [$5+10 cent per mini is decent, especially nowadays on FeEbay], though double checking is always a good idea.
Nebulous
Legend
I picked up a bunch of Dreamblade, even before the line was cancelled, but only for generic fantasy monsters, so i was pretty picky about which ones i wanted. As others have mentioned, removing them from the base is extremely difficult and dangerous, so for Large ones, i just paint the base black and leave it at that. For medium figures...well, if it's just feet attached, that's not too hard to cut off. If it's a significant amount of plastic attached, i wouldn't even bother.
Still, i have to say that although much of the set was too "weird" for D&D, they had a lot of really standout models. There was this truly awesome 2 or three headed giant that would make a great fomorian.
Still, i have to say that although much of the set was too "weird" for D&D, they had a lot of really standout models. There was this truly awesome 2 or three headed giant that would make a great fomorian.
Mark
CreativeMountainGames.com
Mark
CreativeMountainGames.com
Someone told me once that if you get them good and cold, as in leaving them in the freezer for a while, they can be snapped off the base fairly easily. I haven't tried it yet, but if you do I would suggest trying it with a lesser figure (one you can spare) as a test. Anyone else tried this?
Similar Threads
