**Special Note For Anyone Using My Review**
1. I review individual miniatures based on their quality, not what I think their rarity slot should be.
I've seen a couple reviews that, after praising a piece with a solid sculpt and paint job, knock down the rating a couple stars seemingly because they feel it would fit a better rarity slot. That is nonsense to me. I don't think it helps anyone looking at reviews trying to determine the actual quality of a piece in hand. I keep that type of conversation reserved for Erik's weekly Friday Preview blog or the review of the set as a whole.
2. For those new to pre-painted miniatures, please understand that no piece is going to look as close to quality as the digital 3D render. It just isn't going to happen. Think of the renders as what to expect conceptually. But in practice digital renders don't have to deal with real world techniques such as shading, washing, and other methods used to make a miniature look more than just a shiny cartoon once it is on the table. **
My Official Grade For Goblin Vulture Pilot:
Quality of Sculpt: 2 out of 2 Stars:
Every part of this piece is very well sculpted. The pose of both the vulture and the goblin are great. You can clearly see the feathers on the outstretched vulture wings, both on top and underneath. The goblin's scarf is sticking straight out, as though caught up by the wind. The goblin is holding a bomb in his right hand and a splash weapon (potion) in his left hand. Both items are very well crafted and easily discernible. As with other Pathfinder goblins, the face on this little guy is very well sculpted, allowing for a very distinguishable expression.
This is a great example of the type of well done sculpt that sets up a great paint job.
Quality of Paint Job: 2 out of 2 Stars:
A very well painted miniature. The precision of the sculpt allows for the painters to really take advantage of the different layers of surface area, and the ones who painted mine did not disappoint. They even managed to get some shiny armor in there, adding to the appeal of the character.
You'll be impressed with the goblin's face, his red eyes (that match his scarf), and the two items he has in his hands. The vulture, too, is very well painted. The beak doesn't bleed onto the face, and you even make out the vulture's eyes on this piece.
Overall appeal and usefulness: 1 out of 1 Star:
This is without a doubt one of my favorite miniatures in The Rusty Dragon Inn set. I'm not sure if it's the great sculpt and paint job, the concept of a goblin bomber on a vulture, or both that does it for me. Regardless, one of my favorite pieces.
As for usefulness, I'm not sure how you don't find use for a piece like this. Goblins as bombers is actually a common thing in Pathfinder. Adding one that can take to the skies on a vulture against your party is just icing on the cake.
My Advice For Cherry Pickers:
If you like monsters, get this guy. Heck, even if you are a bit fatigued from all the goblins that Paizo puts out, I still recommend this piece. We've got a cool looking goblin riding a mount in an earlier set. We don't have an airborne goblin, to the best of my knowledge.
Even if all you want is a vulture, you can pull the goblin off its back and voilà, you've got yourself a vulture.
(based on 3 ratings)
