WotC announced non-randomized minis

[Fifth Element]

So don't close up shop and go away... just continue to listen to what we want to buy; instead of what the Hasborg wants to sell.

Yeah, I can't believe they made 16 series of random minis when no one wanted to buy them. You'd think they would have learned.

 

[El Mahdi]

Quote - S'mon - Bit of a problem though that I don't run 4e and I'm only interested in minis I can use for my 3.5 game; which excludes some of the new monsters.

Kinda doubt Wizards of the Coast is going to make decisions about their product lines based on what will keep Third Edition holdouts happy.

What do Minis have to do with any system? I'm pretty sure there are more game companies and systems than just WoTC, and I've used a lot of them in my D&D games (Reaper, Ral Partha, Games Workshop, Warhammer, WoTC, Star Trek figures, Diablo, even Dreamblade, and more that I'm not even sure who made them). Reaper minis are made with absolutely no "system" in mind that I know of. They make figures based on themes (fantasy, Sci-Fi, pulp, etc.), but definately not for a specific "system". I'm reasonably sure WoTC (or TSR) have never made minis to be system dependent or specific. In fact, one could probably make the argument that, if anything, the entire line of D&D pre-painted miniatures were made for the DDM game, not roleplaying specifically. Of course that doesn't stop people from using them for roleplaying, or being limited in how they can use them.

Let's see: does 3.xE have Orcs - check, does 4E have Orcs - check; does 3.xE have dragons - check, does 4E have dragons - check; etc, etc, etc.

Just because new "4E" monsters are statted for 4E, doesn't mean they can't be used for 3.xE. I use monsters from all sorts of sources in my games, be it novels, movies, TV, or even other game systems, genres and settings - and I don't play 4E. I just don't see the logic here.

Guys, this is about WoTC product press release about their upcoming minis, and what we as a fan base want out of it. Please don't make this into an edition war.

 

[JVisgaitis]

This is great news. The aftermarket for singles works fine (i.e. Auggies), but it is kinda a pain. I'd love the convenience of non-random minis. My one question is how will this affect the D&D Miniatures Game? Personally, I don't care as I'm not a fan of the minis game, but having a Collectible Game go Non-Collectible is pretty significant. Unless of course the non-random minis have nothing to do with the minis game...

 

[sfgiants]

"I guess we should stop trying and close up shop then"

Sorry to derail. This quote rubbed me the wrong way. It is sarcastic and somewhat rude. Forums like this are all about stating opinions. The original poster was a wotc customer and I am sure wizards has stats that show even lapsed customers occasionally make a purchase (even if it is dungeon tiles etc).

I guess I expect more from one of the leaders of wotc. I guess I want customers to be treated with some respect even when wotc isn't always given the same regard. The company should be above sarcastic jabs at its customer base.

I am sure some will disagree but oh well. Just my 2 cents

PS: On topic. Seems like a good idea to have non-random miniatures. I don't play 4e but I do still buy minis on occasion.

 

[Treebore]

Quote - S'mon - Bit of a problem though that I don't run 4e and I'm only interested in minis I can use for my 3.5 game; which excludes some of the new monsters.



What do Minis have to do with any system? I'm pretty sure there are more game companies and systems than just WoTC, and I've used a lot of them in my D&D games (Reaper, Ral Partha, Games Workshop, Warhammer, WoTC, Star Trek figures, Diablo, even Dreamblade, and more that I'm not even sure who made them). Reaper minis are made with absolutely no "system" in mind that I know of. They make figures based on themes (fantasy, Sci-Fi, pulp, etc.), but definately not for a specific "system". I'm reasonably sure WoTC (or TSR) have never made minis to be system dependent or specific. In fact, one could probably make the argument that, if anything, the entire line of D&D pre-painted miniatures were made for the DDM game, not roleplaying specifically. Of course that doesn't stop people from using them for roleplaying, or being limited in how they can use them.

Let's see: does 3.xE have Orcs - check, does 4E have Orcs - check; does 3.xE have dragons - check, does 4E have dragons - check; etc, etc, etc.

Just because new "4E" monsters are statted for 4E, doesn't mean they can't be used for 3.xE. I use monsters from all sorts of sources in my games, be it novels, movies, TV, or even other game systems, genres and settings - and I don't play 4E. I just don't see the logic here.

Guys, this is about WoTC product press release about their upcoming minis, and what we as a fan base want out of it. Please don't make this into an edition war.

It sounds to me like S'mon is saying there are completely new monsters in 4E that weren't in 3E. Is that true? Are there completely new monsters?

 

[S'mon]

Kinda doubt Wizards of the Coast is going to make decisions about their product lines based on what will keep Third Edition holdouts happy.

Well, I think they were foolish overall to drop so many long established monsters from the MM.

 

[S'mon]

It sounds to me like S'mon is saying there are completely new monsters in 4E that weren't in 3E. Is that true? Are there completely new monsters?

That's right. Although thinking about it, I don't use any 3e Monster book other than the Monster Manual; so I'm unlikely to want monsters from MM IV etc either. What I do use are monsters from Red Box and 1e AD&D. As mhac so astutely noted, WoTC may not be inclined to base their marketing on my preference. OTOH I do suspect that too many new & obscure monsters may lose them sales.

 

[Shroomy]

It sounds to me like S'mon is saying there are completely new monsters in 4E that weren't in 3E. Is that true? Are there completely new monsters?

Yes, there are completely new monsters, though the majority of monsters released so far have appeared in earlier editions.

 

[JVisgaitis]

It sounds to me like S'mon is saying there are completely new monsters in 4E that weren't in 3E. Is that true? Are there completely new monsters?

Yeah. And even if we aren't talking new, a lot of the monsters have multiple variations that haven't been seen before. It's not like we need a different miniature for each version, but it some cases (like kobolds, orcs, goblins, etc.) it would help.

 

[El Mahdi]

It sounds to me like S'mon is saying there are completely new monsters in 4E that weren't in 3E. Is that true? Are there completely new monsters?

What Shroomy said, and, what is there stopping anyone from using the new 4E creatures in a 3.xE game. Creatures are more than just stat blocks. If a miniature looks cool, I usually want to get it (whether I actually do or not - or can afford every miniature I want). Even if I don't have stats for it, a cool, unique creature will give me ideas. That's how I used Dreamblade miniatures, and those came with absolutely no RP stats whatsoever.

I'm a lot less concerned if a miniature is "designed" for 4E than I am if a miniature just isn't sculpted very well or has a less than stellar paint job.