Loving the idea of the PF minis... though I think I way wait til the singles are available (outside of the respective boxes).
Got my set today, I think those are amazing.
The only peeve I have is that my Merisiel looks like she has no eyes, but has painted black stripes right under where her eyes should be.
Based on the other figures, I doubt those two thick black bars are supposed to be her eyes, so I think my mini is missing something. Or are they all like that?
PSST! Wrong minis thread. I think you want this one over Here.
But I do think mine is like that as well. But I haven't tried staring that closely into her eyes/eye slits.
Yeah, I had both open and clicked the wrong reply button.
Yeah, I had both open and clicked the wrong reply button.
I guessed, but wasn't sure. But I did stare at my Merisiel recently specifically because of this and found mine looked more like slits than eyes.
Since I rarely pay that close attention to faces, I'm not overly concerned. The rest of her looks awesome, which matters more to me. :)
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Will these be available for collection/sale at Gen-con 2012? It saves us a lot of money if we collect them in person at the event, rather than pay import taxes to the UK.
:)
Ta.
The only issue may be availability. Gen-con will be six months after the the first full set is released. If Wizkids sells out of the print run, having miniatures for sale at Gen-con could become iffy and/or expensive in the after market. It is way too early to tell if that will be a problem. But the certain way is to pre-order. I know that is hard for many people. And even more so for those in countries with high import taxes. (I love the UK. I hate their taxes.)
Later,
Mazra
Chief Technical Officer
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The only issue may be availability. Gen-con will be six months after the the first full set is released.Will these be available for collection/sale at Gen-con 2012? It saves us a lot of money if we collect them in person at the event, rather than pay import taxes to the UK.
:)
Ta.
Hopefully, the set will be released in early January, and since Gen Con is August 16–19, it's really seven months... but that just makes your point even *more* valid.
Though even if it does sell out before then, I'd still expect to be able to buy singles and packs from some third-party vendors at the show, though possibly marked up.
Will these be available for collection/sale at Gen-con 2012? It saves us a lot of money if we collect them in person at the event, rather than pay import taxes to the UK.
:)
Ta.
The only issue may be availability. Gen-con will be six months after the the first full set is released. If Wizkids sells out of the print run, having miniatures for sale at Gen-con could become iffy and/or expensive in the after market. It is way too early to tell if that will be a problem. But the certain way is to pre-order. I know that is hard for many people. And even more so for those in countries with high import taxes. (I love the UK. I hate their taxes.)
Later,
Mazra
Also, if you are not able to find Heroes and Monsters at Paizo's booth for Gen Con, I am pretty certain you will find cases/bricks/boosters sold at other booths through third party sellers.
And don't forget, even if you aren't able to get ahold of H&M, the RotRL set releases in June (thereabouts) and should be readily available at Gen Con.
buy singles and packs from some third-party vendors at the show, though possibly marked up.
Speaking of which: Do you have anything you can tell us about the pricing of those singles you're going to sell in your store?
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Let's see. What have we not seen?
Actual sculpts of the following previously seen in a digital format:
Dire Rat
Gnome Fighter
Half-Orc Barbarian
Lich
Medusa
Selah, Iconic Human Paladin
Succubus
Troll
Vampire
Critters known but not yet seen:
Gargoyle
Goblin #3
Goblin #4
Critter seen but not painted:
Lizardfolk Champion
Orc Warrior
Let me know if I missed something.
I posted this in the latest Friday Blog originally, but it really needs to be here.
Later,
Mazra
Or, you could just go here:
Thank you Kor! That is full on rocking there!
Of *where* own???
No, I'm pretty sure they've said the rest will be sprinkled here and there, one or two at a time, in the upcoming Heroes and Monsters sets (like they have done with Seelah in the first set).
Or, you could just go here:
Great site! I believe you may be missing the Large Caveweaver Spider.
Later,
Mazra
Uh oh. It was there, and they were all alphabetized. This could mean I saved an old page over top of the new page.
Thanks for noting that.
** EDIT: All fixed now.
Looking forward to today's preview.
Also Eric or Vic (or any Paizo in the know), any more details on the release date for the set yet? I know it's been in flux for awhile, but I can't remember seeing any more fully committed date.
... but after looking at the figures, I'm VERY disappointed in the quality of the figures esp considering the random factor and the price...
Oh well..
I suspect you are alone there, and likely others will mention that as well (unless you came here to troll?).
I am a semi-professional miniature painter. I feel confident in my ability to critique both paint jobs and sculpts.
With regards to the paint jobs, it depends on your frame of reference. I could spend 30-60 minutes per mini and make these look so much better. So from my background, I could say the paint job looks poor. On the flip side though, I was contemplating approaching Paizo with a business proposition of making pre-painted miniatures. I did some background research on this and realized that any more than 3 paint steps involved on a mini, and the price goes significantly up. (Far more than a proportional increase). Given the amount of paint steps involved (which is about double of WotC's) and their use of washes, I have to conclude that the paint jobs on their minis are very well done for pre-painted mini standards.
With regards to sculpts, it also depends on what your frame of reference is. A metal mini mold and a plastic mini mold are two completely different things. You cannot compare a Reaper sculpt to a Wizkids sculpt. Since these minis do not have bases attached as part of the mold, it allows a little more versatility in demolding than the the WotC minis. There are some great sculpts, and some sculpts that look almost a little amateurish (like the werewolf). Of course, we haven't seen the final product for many of these, and seeing one in your hand is different that seeing a picture.
This is also a completely new line that was put together very quickly. The "bumps" I'm sure will get ironed out. Erik has an eye for detail and I am confident in his abilities to ensure quality control in the line (such as the rejection of the Goblin Mystic).
Comparing these to other pre-painted minis, these either meet or exceed the quality of the others. I'm unsure why you feel the quality is not there, but I suspect you are not comparing apples to apples (or in this case goblins to goblins).
I suspect you are alone there, and likely others will mention that as well (unless you came here to troll?).
I am a semi-professional miniature painter. I feel confident in my ability to critique both paint jobs and sculpts.
With regards to the paint jobs, it depends on your frame of reference. I could spend 30-60 minutes per mini and make these look so much better. So from my background, I could say the paint job looks poor. On the flip side though, I was contemplating approaching Paizo with a business proposition of making pre-painted miniatures. I did some background research on this and realized that any more than 3 paint steps involved on a mini, and the price goes significantly up. (Far more than a proportional increase). Given the amount of paint steps involved (which is about double of WotC's) and their use of washes, I have to conclude that the paint jobs on their minis are very well done for pre-painted mini standards.
With regards to sculpts, it also depends on what your frame of reference is. A metal mini mold and a plastic mini mold are two completely different things. You cannot compare a Reaper sculpt to a Wizkids sculpt. Since these minis do not have bases attached as part of the mold, it allows a little more versatility in demolding than the the WotC minis. There are some great sculpts, and some sculpts that look almost a little amateurish (like the werewolf). Of course, we haven't seen the final product for many of these, and seeing one in your hand is different that seeing a picture.
This is also a completely new line that was put together very quickly. The "bumps" I'm sure will get ironed out. Erik has an eye for detail and I am confident in his abilities to ensure quality control in the line (such as the rejection of the Goblin Mystic).
Comparing these to other pre-painted minis, these either meet or exceed the quality of the others. I'm unsure why you feel the quality is not there, but I suspect you are not comparing apples to apples (or in this case goblins to goblins).
He's not alone (but artistic merit is pretty subjective, let's be frank). I'm not particularly enamored of the style (though I dont put much store in pictures, this is based purely on the four iconics I've actually held).
I dont think they're bad and they're definitely good value from my perspective (as a non-painting, multiple case subscriber). I'm not in the 'these are the best minis ever!' camp though.
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Steve Geddes,
Here is what I do not understand, you say that you are not in "these are the best mini's ever camp" and you are not particularly enamored with the style of the minis either.. yet you ordered multiple cases though?? Why if i might ask?
I am a painter as well like the person mentioned above and while I do not consider my self a professional but as an amateur that has sold more then a few miniatures though. I could repaint some of these mini's and probably will do so when the mod strikes me and even rebase them. With that being said though for the most part these will be left alone.
What I am liking about these is that the bases are separate and the mini's are designed for encounters and not just ohh that looks cool lets make that one common (unicorn) and give them 15- 20 of them and then make some of the orcs rare. I got tired of that actually and Wizkids/Paizo seem to keep that in mind and keeping the ones we WANT multiples of, such as undead and goblins and even orcs, and the rare ones rare like the dragons and such.
This is what I like!! Because of that very fact I will buy multiples of!!
Steve Geddes,
Here is what I do not understand, you say that you are not in "these are the best mini's ever camp" and you are not particularly enamored with the style of the minis either.. yet you ordered multiple cases though?? Why if i might ask?I am a painter as well like the person mentioned above and while I do not consider my self a professional but as an amateur that has sold more then a few miniatures though. I could repaint some of these mini's and probably will do so when the mod strikes me and even rebase them. With that being said though for the most part these will be left alone.
What I am liking about these is that the bases are separate and the mini's are designed for encounters and not just ohh that looks cool lets make that one common (unicorn) and give them 15- 20 of them and then make some of the orcs rare. I got tired of that actually and Wizkids/Paizo seem to keep that in mind and keeping the ones we WANT multiples of, such as undead and goblins and even orcs, and the rare ones rare like the dragons and such.
This is what I like!! Because of that very fact I will buy multiples of!!
I certainly agree with you about the decisions regarding rarity and which minis to include. I think the choice of minis they are providing is great. I have around 1500-2000 figures (been a while since I counted) and the reason I'm buying these is to add to that collection (I'll be buying cases of the WoTC sets too). I also think they're excellent value, at least if you buy by the case.
My only point was that art is subjective. I like the Wayne Reynolds artwork so common in PF books, but I like my figures to be more realistic (or something else I can't quite put my finger on). I'm glad they included a fighter, magicuser, thief and cleric. They just look a bit cartoony to me. I was a little disappointed, probably just a result of over expecting more than anything else, but nonetheless that was my reaction. This concern may not be so true for monsters as for people. I'll have to see.
I prefer less cartoony miniatures as well, but then again I also use Yu-Gi-Oh and pokemon miniatures so while I prefer less cartoony, I am willing to purchase them. After seeing the images, I think this will be the only case I'll pre-order. I'll wait till the other sets come out and just purchase individuals on the secondary market. I am a bit disappointed that 4 goblins became 2 goblins with two different color schemes. I wish they had at least had given them different weapons, but C'est la vie.
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Chief Technical Officer
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Also Eric or Vic (or any Paizo in the know), any more details on the release date for the set yet? I know it's been in flux for awhile, but I can't remember seeing any more fully committed date.
WizKids is still expecting sometime in the first half of January. As always, until they're in the warehouse, it's subject to change.
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Chief Technical Officer
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I am a bit disappointed that 4 goblins became 2 goblins with two different color schemes. I wish they had at least had given them different weapons, but C'est la vie.
Unfortunately, by the time we realized we had a problem with the Goblin Mystic, resculpting anything would have delayed the set, so we had to go with strategic repaints.
You will see quite a few goblins with different weapons in the Rise of the Runelords set, though!
Given the circumstances, I'm not too concerned about the other two goblins being re-paints. You can never have too many Goblins anyway. Ever. Perhaps the absence of the Goblin Mystic in this set just means we'll see him or her at a later date. Meanwhile, we have more Goblin mooks to throw at the PCs. I call it a win-win situation.
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Unfortunately, by the time we realized we had a problem with the Goblin Mystic, resculpting anything would have delayed the set, so we had to go with strategic repaints.
You will see quite a few goblins with different weapons in the Rise of the Runelords set, though!
Thanks Vic. I appreciate how "up front" you and the Paizo staff are about the trials you have encountered in putting out this first full set. I am looking forward to the Heroes and Monsters set, but I have to admit I am doubly looking forward to the RotRL set. For in that set, I anticipate we will see miniatures in pre-painted plastic that we have never seen before.
Later,
Mazra
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Chief Technical Officer
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What materials of the packaging are able to to be recycled?
For Heroes & Monsters, individual minis are set into little clear plastic trays; I haven't actually seen one of these myself yet, but assuming they're the same as the ones WizKids uses for HeroClix, there's no recycling category stamp on them. Other than the tray and the shrinkwrap, everything else is cardboard.
Have you made any decisions (or even vague leanings) as to whether future sets will be geared more towards past adventure paths or whether there'll be some attempt to release sets co-currently (or shortly after) the new APs?
If that's one of the things being mulled over/debated, I'd like to put in a request for trying to tie in with concurrent/contemporary APs, the way you have been recently with the other PF lines and gamemastery products. I'd love to see a Shattered Star set in December next year (for example) if that's achievable, rather than going back and trying to mesh with Kingmaker or similar (which would seem to me to be another obvious choice).
Thanks Vic. I appreciate how "up front" you and the Paizo staff are about the trials you have encountered in putting out this first full set.
I am pretty impressed at how quickly it all came together. It seems like it was only 3 months ago that I remember people posting to request more minis to be made, and seeing Paizo staff reply that such a possibilty would depend on the sales of the Beginner Box Minis. Obviously they sold well :)
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Have you made any decisions (or even vague leanings) as to whether future sets will be geared more towards past adventure paths or whether there'll be some attempt to release sets co-currently (or shortly after) the new APs?
If that's one of the things being mulled over/debated, I'd like to put in a request for trying to tie in with concurrent/contemporary APs, the way you have been recently with the other PF lines and gamemastery products. I'd love to see a Shattered Star set in December next year (for example) if that's achievable, rather than going back and trying to mesh with Kingmaker or similar (which would seem to me to be another obvious choice).
I suspect the problem with doing it matched is the same as doing the map packs- concurrent development. To do a Shattered Star set in December, they'd have to know the minis in August/September, which would mean that they'd have to be tied down by then, and since I'm reasonably sure that that's before the development/editing gets done on the later issues, you'd then be in the unenviable position of having something that you'd got in the Adventures that had to stay because a mini was being done for it, even if it would be best to remove it or replace it. Also the art for the monster would be being done at that time, so probably wouldn't be available for the sculptors to do, which could lead to the mini and the art looking totally different.
It also presumes that every set will be AP themed. I could easily see them doing 1 AP set and 1 more general set a year.
I suspect the problem with doing it matched is the same as doing the map packs- concurrent development. To do a Shattered Star set in December, they'd have to know the minis in August/September, which would mean that they'd have to be tied down by then, and since I'm reasonably sure that that's before the development/editing gets done on the later issues, you'd then be in the unenviable position of having something that you'd got in the Adventures that had to stay because a mini was being done for it, even if it would be best to remove it or replace it. Also the art for the monster would be being done at that time, so probably wouldn't be available for the sculptors to do, which could lead to the mini and the art looking totally different.
Yeah, I take your point - I actually meant to say Skulls and Shackles, not Shattered Star (and even then, wondered if I was pushing it). My main point though was I'd prefer 'vaguely contemporaneous' versus 'ancient history'.
It also presumes that every set will be AP themed. I could easily see them doing 1 AP set and 1 more general set a year.
I also didnt mean to imply this. I'm very much hoping for some 'keyed' sets and some 'generic'. Although, in my perfect world, the 'generic' set would include several monsters from the modules put out in the preceding eighteen months or so as well.
.I'm an enormous fan of the recent increase in cross-productlines tie-ins. It adds a value to being a subscriber to multiple lines and increases the 'all-in-one' nature of shopping at Paizo. If I can get an adventure, a complementary Campaign sourcebook, a theme-appropriate player guide, some flipmats and map packs and now some miniatures...All I need is some extra spare time and I'm set.
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Chief Technical Officer
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Have you made any decisions (or even vague leanings) as to whether future sets will be geared more towards past adventure paths or whether there'll be some attempt to release sets co-currently (or shortly after) the new APs?
If that's one of the things being mulled over/debated, I'd like to put in a request for trying to tie in with concurrent/contemporary APs, the way you have been recently with the other PF lines and gamemastery products. I'd love to see a Shattered Star set in December next year (for example) if that's achievable, rather than going back and trying to mesh with Kingmaker or similar (which would seem to me to be another obvious choice).
At this point, I don't even think we know the ideal number of sets we can release each year. I'm hopeful that we can come up with a mix of products that lets us at least occasionally tie in to popular and current APs while still providing non-AP players with a broad range of useful minis.
At this point, I don't even think we know the ideal number of sets we can release each year. I'm hopeful that we can come up with a mix of products that lets us at least occasionally tie in to popular and current APs while still providing non-AP players with a broad range of useful minis.Have you made any decisions (or even vague leanings) as to whether future sets will be geared more towards past adventure paths or whether there'll be some attempt to release sets co-currently (or shortly after) the new APs?
If that's one of the things being mulled over/debated, I'd like to put in a request for trying to tie in with concurrent/contemporary APs, the way you have been recently with the other PF lines and gamemastery products. I'd love to see a Shattered Star set in December next year (for example) if that's achievable, rather than going back and trying to mesh with Kingmaker or similar (which would seem to me to be another obvious choice).
No worries. It's no doubt a fine line to walk (and purely AP monsters would no doubt not be optimal). I guess it's not entirely up to Paizo anyhow.
.Nonetheless, as a multiple productline subscriber, some cross-subscription tie-in is certainly something I recognise as 'added value'. I figure voicing that now is going to be more useful than in twelve months.
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Chief Technical Officer
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I guess it's not entirely up to Paizo anyhow.
Not entirely. The frequency and size of releases will mainly be up to WizKids; what goes *in* each set will mainly be up to Paizo. For example, they might say "We'd like to do a 60-figure set in June," and then we'd say "Let's make it Rise of the Runelords!"
I guess it's not entirely up to Paizo anyhow.Not entirely. The frequency and size of releases will mainly be up to WizKids; what goes *in* each set will mainly be up to Paizo. For example, they might say "We'd like to do a 60-figure set in June," and then we'd say "Let's make it Rise of the Runelords!"
Good call. :)
I'd love to see a set based on Second Darkness, personally. (Now that RotRL is going to happen--that would've been my #1 choice!) I may need to go back through my old APs and see which ones would make for good sets...
Of course, Skull and Shackles sounds really promising in that regard as well...
Of course, Skull and Shackles sounds really promising in that regard as well...
Most certainly! This would be the AP I would most anticipate having themed minis for.
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As I understand it, the RotRL miniature set will nearly coincide with the Rise of the Runelord Anniversary Edition. So the RotRL miniature set is corresponding with a newly released AP of sorts. It is really a nice tie in for those that have never run this AP, or would like to run it again with the revised Pathfinder rule sets.
Later,
Mazra
Is this post 2000? Wow. That's Incredible.
Product description has been updated with the set list.