Upcoming Changes to D&D Minis Line

[jasonbostwick]

Hey all. As the subject implies, I’m here to clear up any confusion about the PH3 Miniatures set and the future of D&D minis. First off, D&D Minis are not going away. We have a lot of great releases this year, including Orcus, and we’ll have more information on those releases as the year moves on.

Now as to the PH3 minis set specifically, it has indeed been canceled. We’re making some exciting changes to minis this year, and while I can’t tell you exactly what those changes are yet, the PH minis series didn’t support the new vision. As always, I’ll come back as soon as I have any new info, and if you have any questions, send them my way and I’ll answer whatever I’m able.

Trevor Kidd
D&D Community Manager

From WOTC Forums

Interesting development. I'm not too surprised that the PH Minis line didn't have much traction. At least in my case, I only use plastic minis for monsters and the PCs are usually a metal mini that more closely fits their character concept.

I'm curious if they will move back to incorporating the PC minis in with the monster minis, or scrap them entirely.

 

[Nebulous]

For the sake of Dark Sun character minis, i really hope they don't scrap the line entirely.

 

[Holy Bovine]

For the sake of Dark Sun character minis, i really hope they don't scrap the line entirely.

I think they may go with a 'monster line' and a 'PC line' both fully randomized. I really think the days of even partially visible minis is at an end.

 

[jasonbostwick]

I think they may go with a 'monster line' and a 'PC line' both fully randomized. I really think the days of even partially visible minis is at an end.

You're probably right - I don't think they did the best job of making the visible minis equal in value. If you look at the secondary market, there is a fairly wide spread in prices between some of the boosters from the newer MM sets.

Just from MiniatureMarket,the Balor Boosters are 18.50 vs 8.50 for a Frost Titan or Goristro.
The price obviously reflects increased demand, as they only have 10 Balors in stock vs. 60 of the other two.

I haven't been in a game store in a while but I wouldn't doubt that this is reflected on the shelves as well, with a bunch of Unicorn and Storm Titan boosters sitting unsold.

The idea was that you could put must-have minis that everyone would want one of as visible if half of the people would want two of the less desirable ones. It seems like this strategy isn't really working out.

 

[Dausuul]

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[Stormonu]

I think the D&D minis peaked at just before the Dragon Queen set. Quality was good, price wasn't too bad. After War of the Dragon Queen, they started getting too expensive and the quality started dropping shortly thereafter. I stopped buying altogether by (edit: the set after Unhallowed - the first 4E set, whatever that was), though I did pick up a Balor & Remoraz from the latest sets.

I don't know if they can salvage the line at this point - price just doesn't seem worth the poor quality (on the monster side), and I've got copies of most of the monsters I'll ever use already. I never bought any of the PC packs, and like others I see, I'd rather buy an individual metal miniature for a PC and paint it anyway.

 

[DaveMage]

We’re making some exciting changes to minis this year, and while I can’t tell you exactly what those changes are yet, the PH minis series didn’t support the new vision. As always, I’ll come back as soon as I have any new info, and if you have any questions, send them my way and I’ll answer whatever I’m able.

Trevor Kidd
D&D Community Manager

I really hate this market-speak crap. "I can't tell you what the changes are or the vision, but trust me, the changes are exciting."

Good lord.....

*facepalm*

Where's Garnfelllow?????

 

[Shazman]

Yeah, it soundsl ike we went back in time to just after 4E was announced. How many times did they say, "We can't tell you why, but it's awesome!" Do they realize how stupid and patronizing that sounds? Quite frankly, if the minis are as "awesome" as 4E and the last few sets of minis, I'll pass.

 

[Pour]

I love minis but they're just too expensive. $21.99 is outrageous, even with the inclusion of a huge mini, and even $14.99 is pushing it for just 5. I want, and call me crazy, 10 quality minis for $10. If I am going to spend over 20 bucks, I want to know what I'm getting, and make it good, say a quality, detailed demon lord and 4 underlings, arch devil and lieutenants, or something.

I also want racial lines, like orcs, goblins, zombies, elves, devils, etc etc, and let that double for PC minis. Then have mash-em-up monster boosters.

On a random note, I recently opened a booster to find my draconian with his arms glued on backwards...

 

[El Mahdi]

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