Things Get Weird

It's been over a month now. I'm really hoping for a preview at some point today.

The Starfinder minis packs are out in stores and they look gorgeous.
They will also have reached most of Europe by next week.

You will have to trust my word as we sadly didn't get any pictures here and get them while they last, as i don't think there will ever be a reprint or any other prepainted Starfinder minis from Ninja Division.

The Starfinder minis packs are out in stores and they look gorgeous.

They will also have reached most of Europe by next week.

You will have to trust my word as we sadly didn't get any pictures here and get them while they last, as i don't think there will ever be a reprint or any other prepainted Starfinder minis from Ninja Division.

I agree. The ones I saw were really meticulously painted. I had the odd issue with colour choices and the faces were a bit underdone, but imo it is far superior to err on the side of undetailed faces as opposed to the heavily made up clown look you see from time to time. The ships looked good too, though I expected that as they’re a little simpler.

Like Marco, I’m also very doubtful there’ll ever be a reprint.

It's been over a month now. I'm really hoping for a preview at some point today.

Just to add another datapoint - I’m also missing the regular mini preview blogs.

In my case they don’t affect my purchasing habits. However, they have resulted in me dropping by the site less often (a bit less often, anyhow).

I used to make a point of settling in with a coffee a few hours after Erik’s weekly blog hit. After reading the blog, I’d then browse the site and maybe pick up a thing or two.

My point being that fifteen minis every five weeks isn’t equivalent, from my perspective, as three every week. Even if from the Paizo side it may feel as though that’s “the same amount” of previewing. (I appreciate there’s probably a dozen wheels all turning in the background which we don’t see. This isn’t criticism so much as customer feedback that perhaps isn’t noticeable from your side).

Pigraven wrote:

It's been over a month now. I'm really hoping for a preview at some point today.

Just to add another datapoint - I’m also missing the regular mini preview blogs.

In my case they don’t affect my purchasing habits. However, they have resulted in me dropping by the site less often (a bit less often, anyhow).

I used to make a point of settling in with a coffee a few hours after Erik’s weekly blog hit. After reading the blog, I’d then browse the site and maybe pick up a thing or two.

My point being that fifteen minis every five weeks isn’t equivalent, from my perspective, as three every week. Even if from the Paizo side it may feel as though that’s “the same amount” of previewing. (I appreciate there’s probably a dozen wheels all turning in the background which we don’t see. This isn’t criticism so much as customer feedback that perhaps isn’t noticeable from your side).

Like you, it doesn't directly affect my miniature purchasing habits. And that goes double this time around, as I've already decided to hang and grab the last (we assume) of the PF1 sets. For me, it's more a matter of "why not?" at this point.

But as I've posted here before, everything matters. Perception matters. I currently sit squarely on the fence as to whether I'll step forward with Paizo into Pathfinder 2, or step away. While the official release of that source material will ultimately be the deciding factor on such a jump, my miniatures subscription is one that could survive either outcome. In theory.

But here we are fast approaching 2019, and I'm not even sure it has been confirmed the Battles line will continue after Ruins Of Lastwall? And if it does, will it be a line dedicated to PF2? Such a dedicated line would mean we'd be seeing all new versions of the tried and true creatures that usually make a first bestiary. Or would such a line split between PF2 creatures from the PF2 Bestiary 1 and PF1 Bestiaries 2-6?

This blog series hasn't seen an update since a week before Halloween. As far as I'm aware, there was no "we'll be taking an extended break before continuing with Ruins of Lastwall previews" announcement. It's just been five weeks of interwebs silence. I get it, this blog is way down the list of important issues for Paizo. But we've already been informed several times now that the miniature preview blogs are written out and completed well ahead of time. So if that is the case, isn't it just a matter of turning it in and posting it?

Again, I'll be getting the case itself regardless, but the small bit of fun and excitement that used to accompany these weekly blog posts seems to have completely eroded. I've seen and heard enough trepidation from PF1 players about making the jump that if it were my company, I'd want to do everything I could to maintain a "business as usual" atmosphere throughout as many different product lines as I offered. I don't know if that makes sense to anyone else, but it's how I feel.

Unlike you, Pigraven, the previews will definetly make a difference whether I continue my subscription for Lastwall. Now, Idon’t need to be fed weekly previews, and actually, the information doesn’t have to come from Paizo’s site directly. I do enjoy hearing what insights Mark (and previously Erik) have to offer about the sets. But, ultimately, I’lljust need to see something about set composition and hopefully an “unboxing” before I OK my subscription.

Unlike you, Pigraven, the previews will definetly make a difference whether I continue my subscription for Lastwall. Now, Idon’t need to be fed weekly previews, and actually, the information doesn’t have to come from Paizo’s site directly. I do enjoy hearing what insights Mark (and previously Erik) have to offer about the sets. But, ultimately, I’lljust need to see something about set composition and hopefully an “unboxing” before I OK my subscription.

I am at the same point as you, Berk.

Why not more Orcs and other races (like Kitsune)?
I also want 30+ monsters in a set and not more than 33% human(oid)s.

There are lots and lots of creatures that are the same in PF & Starfinder (It was great to have 4 Akata minis) - produce them instead!

The Ruins of Lastwall renders need to be previewed asap, if they are not mostly shown until february, i'll just order one brick & the incentive.

I also won't continue to buy boosters after that set and just grab singles, if i don't know how PF 2.0 will change things in the future far enough in advance.

As it is, i am missing under 20 creature minis from the Pathfinder Bestiary, most of them huge or tiny and D&D looks to be producing most of the huges soon.

I hadn't thought about Lastwall being the last 1st edition set. Hopefully the 2E Bestiary will be different enough from 1E that the next PFB set won't just be Heroes and Monsters with new sculpts.

For all its faults, 4E changed the MM so much that the DDM sets that followed were just as varied as the 3E sets.

Are this may be a stretch, but I wouldn't mind if Starfinder got a set in lieu of a regular PFB set or if some SF figures were sprinkled into PFB.

Since we don't seem to get any Pathfinder Battles renders,
here are some pictures of ACTUAL minis from february's Icons of the Realms set:
minisgallery.

Shown are 4 HUGE minis & 2 large minis from the set:

-BALOR (HUGE in 5E)
-BEHIR (HUGE)
-FROGHEMOTH (HUGE)
-GORISTRO (HUGE/D&D exclusive)
-Death Tyrant (large/D&D exclusive)
-Tobriant the Metal Mage (large Iron Golem with Wizards soul inside)

I already know i'm ordering a case!

I'm also in for a case for sure.

In the past it was a case of PF Battle and 2 or 3 brick of Icons of the realms. I will probably switch this in favor of Icons for the early 2019 releases.

I think the absence of blog hurt. More so after a not so good set like the last. In the past I would have bought a case without knowing what was in the set.. but I'm not as confident now.

In fact I'm not yet done unboxing my cae of Kingmaker...

Like others have said, more monster and less humanoid(the common one) would be more appealing...And the next Icons of the realms seems to go that way... and the huges are a bonus.

When I know what's in the next set I may change my mind and go for a case, but I'll wait to see.

Creatures that exist in both Starfinder & Pathfinder which havn't been done (from Distant Worlds, Alien Archive, Alien Archive 2 & Starfinder APs #1-10):

-Aballonian/Anacite (DW/AA&AA2)
-Android (B5/Starfinder CRB)
-Behirs (DW)
-Bone Sage/Necrovite (DW/AA)
-Brethedan/Barathu (B4/AA)
-Cerebric Fungi (B3/AA2)
-Color out of Space (B4/AA2)
-Contemplative (B4/AA)
-Crysmals (B2)
-Death Worms (B2)
-Devil, Warmonger (B5/AA2)
-Dragon, Lunar (B4/AA2)
-Dragon, Solar (B4/AA2)
-Dragon, Void (B4/AA2)
-Dragon, Vortex (B4/AA2)
-Dragonkin (B5/AA)
-Drow (AA)
-Flumphs (B3)
-Formians (B4/AA&AA2)
-Ghoran (B5/AA2)
-Giant, Moon (B5/AA2)
-Girallons (DW)
-Gloomwing (B2/AP#10)
-Goblin, Space (AA)
-Gray (B5/AA)
-Grick (DW)
-Kurobozu (B5/AA2)
-Kyton/Velstrac (B/Signal of Screams)
-Lashunta (B5/AA)
-Mobats (B2)
-Mohrgs (B/AA2)
-Moonflowers (B2/AA2)
-Nosferatu/Emotivore (B4/AA2)
-Pale Stranger (B3/AP#6)
-Plasma Oozes (B3)
-Reptoid (B5/AA)
-Ryphorian (Reign of Winter/AA)
-Sarcesian (DW/AA)
-Shadow Mastiff (B3/AP#11)
-Shantaks (B2/AA2)
-Shobhad (B4AA)
-Shipmind (Iron Gods/AA2)
-Shoggoth (DW)
-Svartalfar (B4/AP#11)
-Tenebrous Worm (B2)
-Trox (B4/AA2)
-Vampire, Jiang-Shi (B3/AP#3)
-Witchwyrds (B2)
-Xorns (DW)

Wizkids has updated it's release schedule:

FEBRUARY 2019:
-"Falling Star Sailing Ship"
-Icons of the Realms #11

APRIL 2019:
-Pathfinder Battles #16 "Ruins of Lastwall"

MAY 2019:
-"Pathfinder Battles Iconic Heroes Evolved"

I’m actually happy we are getting a little more breathing room between sets.

With the next Pathfinder Battles set coming out in about 4 months and Paizo seemingly not wanting to advocate the Ninja Division Starfinder minis more than they already did (which i can understand), i don't think we will see any more blogs in 2018.
I'll gladly be proven wrong, though.

The preview images of the Faerie Dragon do not do it justice. It is a gorgeous little figure. The fingernails are even painted!

I mostly just picked up all the figures for the Big Bad Guys of Kingmaker, but they all look great, are sturdy and have excellent paintjobs.

Finally!!! A long overdue update on the next Pathfinder Battles line. I was beginning to think we'd never see you Paizo folks again.

Finally!!! A long overdue update on the next Pathfinder Battles line. I was beginning to think we'd never see you Paizo folks again.

That's sarcasm, right? ;-)

I expect the first preview for "Pathfinder Battles (set #16): Ruins of Lastwall" by the second week of january 2019.

February's "Icons of the Realms (set #11): Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage" will probably start showing previews around the same time.

Pigraven wrote:

Finally!!! A long overdue update on the next Pathfinder Battles line. I was beginning to think we'd never see you Paizo folks again.

That's sarcasm, right? ;-)

I expect the first preview for "Pathfinder Battles (set #16): Ruins of Lastwall" by the second week of january 2019.

February's "Icons of the Realms (set #11): Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage" will probably start showing previews around the same time.

Most definitely sarcasm.

That's when I expect previews now, too. Interestingly enough, as I was sitting here reading your opinion of when the previews will start up again, I realized I just don't care anymore. Don't get me wrong, it's been a bummer not having previews of the next set. But for me it's been the radio silence I find most disappointing. It's like Paizo has just given up on this line. I'm not saying they have, it just...feels that way to me.

About every week or so I would check the site, to see if there was a new Battles blog. I always see blogs for other product lines, and on a rather routine basis. Between the PF2 stuff, Kingmaker CRG, and all the love Starfinder is getting, it feels like PF1 stuff in general has already gone the way of the Dodo. And I get it, it does make some sense with the transition from PF1 to PF2 about eight months away. But still, that's eight months of product.

And most importantly, for this Battles line, what comes after Ruins of Lastwall? Will the line continue exclusively as PF2, like all other lines? Or will they try and straddle the PF2 Bestiary 1 and PF1 Bestiaries 2-6? Presumably most of PF2 Bestiary 1 will be creatures also found in PF1 Bestiary 1, the vast core of which have already been done in the Battles line (and in the D&D Icons line). Does that mean we can expect yet another onslaught of Manticore, core Elementals, and common Undead? Or will some of the Battles line be supplemented with the likes of the PF1 Bestiary 2 elementals, or creatures such as PF1 Bestiary 5's Crystal or Lead Golem?

And if the Battles line should continue, what of the Huge-sized miniatures that folks have been craving from this company for years? Will WizKids continue to undercut the upside and lower the ceiling of the Battles' potential by refusing to make Huge creatures part of regular sets for yet another edition of the game? While Wizards is busy dropping long-requested PPM's like the Froghemoth in early 2019, will Pazio be reduced to starting their PF2 miniature sets later in the same year with slight re-makes of the same popular Small, Medium, and Large miniatures we've already seen? Are we set up for another six years of begging, mostly in vain, for Huge miniatures to round out our Pathfinder monster lines? This company has so many good looking Huge creatures, many of which are rather unique but extremely fantasy flavorful. It would be a shame if Huge creatures failed to appear as regular PPM pieces in yet another edition of the game. Possibly, and, perhaps even probably--for me, at least--it could be a deal-breaker for me.

Will Paizo attempt to sate the PPM appetite of both Pathfinder and Starfinder fans--let alone fans of both--by embracing your brilliant idea of putting out a set that contains only miniatures of creatures that crossover into both lines? Browsing that list you submitted a few weeks ago, Paizo could make an incredible Battles line that makes sense for both parties while they figure out what to do about the Battles line for PF2.

There are a number of potential reasons why the Previews line hasn't re-started for Ruins of Lastwall. Maybe Paizo just wants to give them too us hot and heavy closer to release date. Maybe WizKids has asked them to hold back on any more previews until the start of 2019. Maybe they find that showing off a new set so soon after the release of a current set can dent initial sales. All of those reasons, to me, seem very solid. But it's been radio silence since October 23rd, now two full months ago. As disappointing as 2+ months of no new previews is for this line, it pales in comparison to not hearing anything at all. Paizo seems eager to involve everyone regarding Pathfinder 2 in all other facets. But unless I missed it, we haven't heard anything about this line's future--which will for sure be linked to PF2 in some way.

Now combine the lack of discussion about the future of this particular line with the lost opportunities to promote their recent Starfinder minis release, and how does it not feel like they've given up on Battles?

And again, these things do matter. I'm fighting like crazy to hang onto my enjoyment of Pathfinder. Or rather, I'm trying to embrace the enjoyment that Pathfinder 2 will potentially offer. Before the PF2 announcement, most of my time spent with my gaming groups was about 90% Pathfinder (either with Adventure Paths or, usually, self-created campaigns but using all PF1 stuff), 5% D&D 5e, and 5% Wheel of Time.

We didn't get around to the Playtest until late, but once we did it started out about 75% PF2 Playtest, 15% Pathfinder 1, 5% D&D, and 5% Wheel of Time.

But within the last couple weeks, I'd say my gaming groups have shifted towards 50% PF 2 Playtest, 25% D&D 5e, 20% Pathfinder 1, and 5% Wheel of Time.

I guess my point is that most of my groups, which make up close to 40 people at this point, already seem to be slipping a bit from the comforts of Paizo. I'm grasping at reasons to stick with this company, and I can't help but feel like they've either given up on this line, or it has fallen so far down the list of Paizo priorities that I'm not sure we're going to see much improvement beyond Ruins of Lastwall. And that's a shame, not just for the long history I've had with the line, but because it remains the most likely out of all my subscriptions that will make the jump with me from PF1 to PF2.

Or, as TL;DR:

My group and I are losing faith in Paizo, and I'm trying like heck to find ways to hold on. 8 weeks of radio silence doesn't exactly inspire confidence for the future.

Or, as TL;DR:

My group and I are losing faith in Paizo, and I'm trying like heck to find ways to hold on. 8 weeks of radio silence doesn't exactly inspire confidence for the future.

Yeah, it's the same with my group & me.

We love Starfinder, but feel that it isn't getting enough love from Paizo (choosing Ninja Division despite multiple warnings has cost Paizo a lot of sympathy, but having next to zero minis is worse).
The Beginner Box in april 2019 is nice, but no hardcover in the first half of 2019?
There could also be more flip-mats taken from the inside illustrations of the APs.

We were very excited for the Pathfinder Playtest, but that shifted to the exact opposite once we played it.
Now nobody is excited for PF 2.0 anymore.

Personally i notice that updates and previews are taking much longer than usual and although i know this has to be because PF 2.0 takes up manpower and has priority & the holidays do their thing too, i feel that communication has reached an all-time low.
And Paizo has become such a great and well-loved company because of their willingness and time to talk to their fans and customers.

Personally i think it wouldn't be a problem at all to do a weekly minis blog (i could write one in about an hour with the Deep Cuts line, if nothing else) or to give a statement like, for instance: "We are planning a Pathfinder Battles set of some sort after "Ruins of Lastwall", but we havn't worked out the details yet."

Fact is, that Wizards of the Coast is doing a better job with communications these days than Paizo and that makes me sad, as i like Paizo much better and want them to stay my favorite games company for the future.
But there needs to be more frequent communication.
Happy holidays, everyone! :-)

I've said the following more eloquently elsewhere, but I agree with you folks that engagement and excitement is at an all-time low right now. I don't understand why this is, but Paizo has chosen to not capitalize on the PF2 hype, and now we're just in this... lull.

I bought 3 more boosters of "Pathfinder Battles: Kingmaker" today (in addition to the two bricks i already bought when it came out) to to fill some holes in my collection & also one brick of "D&D Icons of the Realms: Guildmasters' Guide to Ravnica" & the case incentive.

These two sets are not even close in quality.
While both sets have good sculpts and the minis are comparable sturdy, the paintjobs of the D&D minis are of a much higher detail, especially when i compare the faces.
You can also easily see that a lot of the large Pathfinder minis have been glued together from multiple different parts, which isn't the case with the large D&D minis.

I really hope that Paizo is able to get a better quality of paintjobs out of Wizkids with the next set and that this was a one time only drop in quality.
I know that Wizards of the Coast is able to apply more pressure, but the retail price for both lines is the same, even if sales for D&D are stronger than for Pathfinder.

The five different "Pathfinder Battles: 2018 Promotional minis" are now available from Paizo.com!

These are repaints from the "Jungle of Despair" set:

-Atomie (#01 Sprite)
-Crimson Vine (#17 Creeper Vine aka Assassin Vine)
-Mold Boss (#03 Mold Runt aka Vegepygmie)
-Serpentfolk Slayer (#22 Serpentfolk Rogue)
-Serpentfolk Warrior (#23 Serpentfolk Cleric)

They all cost $5.

Thanks to Rick Kunz for the first new PB minis preview of 2019! ;-)

Wizkids will (probably) update their release schedule on wednesday 10th of january.
We'll get the exact february release dates for the "Falling Star Sailing ship" & "Icons of the Realms 11: W:DotMM" then.
Wizkids should then start previews soon afterwards.

I hope we'll get our second preview blog for "Ruins of Lastwall" (after the initial copy from the IcV2.com article) in the coming week.

...

I hope we'll get our second preview blog for "Ruins of Lastwall" (after the initial copy from the IcV2.com article) in the coming week.

That's sweet of you, Marco. But this is the place where hope comes to die.

Wizkids will (probably) update their release schedule on wednesday 10th of january.

We'll get the exact february release dates for the "Falling Star Sailing ship" & "Icons of the Realms 11: W:DotMM" then.
Wizkids should then start previews soon afterwards.

I hope we'll get our second preview blog for "Ruins of Lastwall" (after the initial copy from the IcV2.com article) in the coming week.

I've been trying to collect all the official releases for both Pathfinder Battles (at least for PF1) and the Icons of the Realms sets. The Falling Star Sailing Ship looks cool, but is it fully operational? $200.00 is a bit steep for me for a single miniature that never gets used at my table. I thought I remembered pictures showing the different levels of the ship. But then I read somewhere that you can only use the top deck for miniatures?

Marco Massoudi wrote:

Wizkids will (probably) update their release schedule on wednesday 10th of january.

We'll get the exact february release dates for the "Falling Star Sailing ship" & "Icons of the Realms 11: W:DotMM" then.
Wizkids should then start previews soon afterwards.

I hope we'll get our second preview blog for "Ruins of Lastwall" (after the initial copy from the IcV2.com article) in the coming week.

I've been trying to collect all the official releases for both Pathfinder Battles (at least for PF1) and the Icons of the Realms sets. The Falling Star Sailing Ship looks cool, but is it fully operational? $200.00 is a bit steep for me for a single miniature that never gets used at my table. I thought I remembered pictures showing the different levels of the ship. But then I read somewhere that you can only use the top deck for miniatures?

It's actually $250 & yes, it looks like you can only access the upper deck and the two cabins and the three lower decks are thick cardboards stored under the ship.

..shortened for space..

It's actually $250 & yes, it looks like you can only access the upper deck and the two cabins and the three lower decks are thick cardboards stored under the ship.
Here is a video of the prototype.
The "cannon hatches" do actually open.
There are still some little changes to expect, but i don't think anything major.

Thanks for the video.

I know suggested retail is $250.00, but a couple websites have it going for just about $200.00 USD with free shipping (within the US). It's still wildly expensive for a miniature that I'm rarely, if ever, going to use at my table.

Hey folks. Thanks for keeping the watchfires burning. I'm submitting a few weeks worth of blogs to the web team today, so look for Ruins of Lastwall previews to start up in the very near future.

Thank you for the update, sir. ^_^

Thank you, Mark!
That's great news and enough to get my excitement level for PFB minis slowly rising again. :-)

Great news!