WizKids to Release Amethyst Dragon Miniature

WizKids has announced the latest in their line of extra-sized D&D minis, this time bringing the 2014 version of the Amethyst Dragon to life. Announced today, the Amethyst Dragon wraps up the 2014 version of the gem dragons, as they were depicted in Fizban's Treasury of Dragons. WizKids specifically points out that this is the 2014 design as opposed to the newer version of the dragon. The amethyst dragon is depicted in mid-flight, with translucent wings. A painted version of the miniature will retail for $99.99, while an unpainted version sells for $79.99.

Like the chromatic and metallic dragons, the gem dragons received an updated look as part of D&D's 50th anniversary. While the other dragons appear in the Monster Manual, the gem dragons redesigns appear in the third-party produced Book of Dragons. The Amethyst Dragon notably loses its clear underbody and wings and adopts a halo-like mane around its face, floating around it thanks to its psionic powers.

 

[MonsterEnvy]

None of these are adult dragons at my table...

Oh yeah I would just use them as an ancient

 

[Von Ether]

It's a shame that it's another render image, when the actual minis are often disappointing in comparison. I have the BIG Tiamat and a couple of smaller Tiamats from Wizkids, as well as three Dracoliches. They look fine in person, but when you look at the digital renders, they are disappointing. Especially the seems that don't fit as well as they should...

The industry in general should start using a disclaimer of some sort. "Digital render, actual product may differ."

 

[Clint_L]

The industry in general should start using a disclaimer of some sort. "Digital render, actual product may differ."

“The industry” is Wizkids. No one else does pre-painted miniatures on a meaningful scale. Your point is accurate, though I feel most collectors know that what they are actually getting falls well short of the illustrations.

 

[Nathaniel Lee]

Oh yeah I would just use them as an ancient

Yep! And I'd use Arveiaturace as a great wyrm and the older Wizards minis as a homebrew "Wyrm" category of dragon.

 

[Von Ether]

“The industry” is Wizkids. No one else does pre-painted miniatures on a meaningful scale. Your point is accurate, though I feel most collectors know that what they are actually getting falls well short of the illustrations.

It's happing in adjacent wargaming hobby as well. CGL's Leviathan's Kickstarter had great 3D renders of their flying battleships but evidently the manufacturer requested the detail be scaled back on some of the pre-painted ships. Until more companies learn how to adjust for for manufacturing, there is a chance it's going to happen more often.

 

[Cergorach]

“The industry” is Wizkids. No one else does pre-painted miniatures on a meaningful scale. Your point is accurate, though I feel most collectors know that what they are actually getting falls well short of the illustrations.

Most of those that were in the pre-painted minis 'space' have left it. One of the biggest ones left is Renegade Studios with Heroscape and it's line of prepainted miniatures. They actually show bot the drawn illustration and a photo of the painted miniature on the front cover of the box. Archon Studios is also doing stuff with terrain being printed on (not so much painted), but compared to Wizkids they are a far smaller niche. Wizkids doesn't just do the D&D prepainted minis, but also the Pathfinder, Critical Role, Heroclicks (Marvel & DC), Magic: The Gathering miniatures, etc.

Personally, I prefer the old WotC D&D minis over the Wizkids ones...

 

[Xeviat]

All I can say is... thank f'n G-d! Ever since they announced the newer, smaller black dragon, I was convinced that we'd end up in a similar situation as when WizKids took over the miniatures line and no big green dragon was released for the old Wizards line. I actually just posted to WizKids' social media a few days ago asking if we were ever going to get this.

I waited years for the gargantuan green, and it never happened. Then I got the 5 new chromatics, and they started releasing Metallics. I'd had the anniversary Sapphire dragon for a while, but I assumed they'd never make gem dragons.

The wait from the crystal dragon to amethyst dragon made me worry I'd have a new gap in my collection.

 

[Stormonu]

Odd, I thought they'd already done this dragon.

And agreed on the Green - I'd love it if Wizkids did a "retro" Lockwood Gargantuan Green Dragon (with battlemat and miniature's card, no less).