Pathfinder Battles Ongoing Case Subscription

So I subscribed and part of the order (which is in my cart) still included the case premium with the black dragon, which I ordered... does this mean I must wait and see if I still get it or am I pretty much guaranteed since it was in the order?

So I subscribed and part of the order (which is in my cart) still included the case premium with the black dragon, which I ordered... does this mean I must wait and see if I still get it or am I pretty much guaranteed since it was in the order?

Pretty sure you're fine given the subscription was still possible. As I understand things, once they run out of black dragon stock and/or unopened cases, they will no longer allow you to subscribe starting with this set.

As much as I would like to add a sub to my list of many other pathfinder subs and support Paizo directly ... my wallet just kicked me in a painful place and said "NO!".

I will unfortunately have to wait and purchase on the secondary market from another website that sells such things at hugely discounted prices. (Thanks to my previous D&D minis addiction I've built up a huge discount with the folks at coolstuffinc.com)

I'm not ashamed to admit that I really just want tons and tons of pathfinder pre-painted goblins. I just love the little guys.

So I subscribed and part of the order (which is in my cart) still included the case premium with the black dragon, which I ordered... does this mean I must wait and see if I still get it or am I pretty much guaranteed since it was in the order?

If you mean it's in your *sidecart*, there's no need to worry; one has been reserved for you. If you mean that it's still in your *shopping cart*, and that you haven't completed checkout yet.. you'll need to do that to reserve one for you.

[Edit: I just checked your order, and it is indeed in your sidecart, so you're all set.]

Ahh yes sidecart it was! Great news! Now to design a rockin' encounter around the dragon for my campaign! :D

So it occurs to me I may want to reap the benefits of Pathfinder Advantage - I understand, from the looks of it that it won't apply to this case, but If I subscribe starting with Skull & Shackles, will I qualify for the discount on future cases in this subscription?

Hey Vic,
I've just ordered a one case sub, it is showing the dragon in my side cart, does this mean I get one?

So it occurs to me I may want to reap the benefits of Pathfinder Advantage - I understand, from the looks of it that it won't apply to this case, but If I subscribe starting with Skull & Shackles, will I qualify for the discount on future cases in this subscription?

Whilst you have an active AP supscription you get 15% off everything in the store except 3pp PDFs and possibly a couple of other things. The minis are part of that everything.

Hey Vic,

I've just ordered a one case sub, it is showing the dragon in my side cart, does this mean I get one?

Since you subscribed to the Battles subscription and chose to place the black dragon in your sidecart, then yes, there will be one for you. When there are no longer black dragons to offer as a subscription premium for the Heroes and Monster case, we will stop offering the Heroes and Monster case as the start for the Battles subscription.

So it occurs to me I may want to reap the benefits of Pathfinder Advantage - I understand, from the looks of it that it won't apply to this case, but If I subscribe starting with Skull & Shackles, will I qualify for the discount on future cases in this subscription?

The first volume of Skulls and Shackles is estimated to be released in February 2012. If you subscribed to the Battles subscription now, you won't get the Advantage discount until your first volume of the Adventure Path subscription ships. But as soon as that first AP volume ships you'll start getting the Advantage discount.

So what you mean to say is there may be a second case by then?! :P I suppose I could buy the first volumes of Jade Regent sep'rate like then get in on the sub now... (unless the sub doesn't start half way through a path)

So what you mean to say is there may be a second case by then?! :P I suppose I could buy the first volumes of Jade Regent sep'rate like then get in on the sub now... (unless the sub doesn't start half way through a path)

You can subscribe or cancel to/from any of their lines on an issue by issue basis. You can start an AP subscription right now with either issue 51 or 52 here.

EDIT:And the second case is current set to be the Rise of the Runelords set in June '12

Ghastlee wrote:

So it occurs to me I may want to reap the benefits of Pathfinder Advantage - I understand, from the looks of it that it won't apply to this case, but If I subscribe starting with Skull & Shackles, will I qualify for the discount on future cases in this subscription?

The first volume of Skulls and Shackles is estimated to be released in February 2012. If you subscribed to the Battles subscription now, you won't get the Advantage discount until your first volume of the Adventure Path subscription ships. But as soon as that first AP volume ships you'll start getting the Advantage discount.

Thanks Carebear, sorry I called you Vic ;)

Dear Paizo,

please include to FAQ how to cancel ongoing subscription. This line is so horribly expensive, so I want to make sure I wont get any unwanted cases.

Anyways, making subscription now, cause I have learn to trust ye.

please include to FAQ how to cancel ongoing subscription.

It is...

How do I cancel a subscription?

Just contact our customer service department at customer.service@paizo.com or call us at (425) 250-0800. Please note: if we have already started to process your next shipment, we may not be able to stop it.

Wouldn't hurt to have it on FAQ for Pathfinder Battles Case Subscription as well. For me, it is the very first subscription and I did need fellow forum reader to be guided forward, didn't I?

It is all good, thank you.

Hello,

I've never subscribed to anything with Paizo before - this is a first. I had a case on preorder but I subscribed to get the black dragon. It canceled the first case (which is good) but the new case and black dragon appear in something called a sidecart. Is that normal? Thanks in advance.

Cheers,

Asphere

Edit: Never mind I see a similar question a few post up. I think I am okay.

Hello,

I've never subscribed to anything with Paizo before - this is a first. I had a case on preorder but I subscribed to get the black dragon. It canceled the first case (which is good) but the new case and black dragon appear in something called a sidecart. Is that normal? Thanks in advance.

Cheers,

Asphere

Edit: Never mind I see a similar question a few post up. I think I am okay.

Yep. Sounds like you're set. That's completely normal.

(Rather than threadjacking the product thread, I moved this here)

So ... about the encounter packs.

It was said that there's no subscription "because there's no way to offer a bonus for subscription." (I'm going from memory here)

I really don't spend a lot of time looking at release schedules (because I'm a subscriber eight ways from Sunday and because there's a lot of stuff out there) ... I'm not looking for some super gimme or extra perk (like the discount on case premiums or the free PDF) ... I just want the simplicity of subscribing rather than going "Oh crap, what did I miss now?"

What prevents Paizo from having an encounter pack subscription? It's clearly not "they're not made by Paizo," since there's a Pathfinder Battles Case Subscription.

Hehehe ... epic fail in the attempt not to threadjack the Heroes and Monsters thread; Sara Marie's too efficient.

gbonehead wrote:

What prevents Paizo from having an encounter pack subscription? It's clearly not "they're not made by Paizo," since there's a Pathfinder Battles Case Subscription.

Vic mentioned this earlier in the thread:

Vic Wertz wrote:

Nope. Since WizKids minis are produced by WizKids, not Paizo, we don't have our usual profit margins on them, which means that it's difficult for us to provide subscribers with meaningful benefits without reducing our profit to zero. With the case subscription, the existence of the case premium made for a sensible benefit, but with the Encounter Packs, we don't really have a decent potential benefit to offer.

So, you might ask, if we're able to offer case subscribers a discount code for an Encounter Pack, why can't we just offer a discount on the Encounter Pack itself? The answer is that the Encounter Pack discount is subsidized by the profits from the case, which is only viable because it's a high ticket item. (Basically, a non-discounted case plus a discounted case premium plus a discounted Encounter Pack gives you value while still making us some profit.)

Okay, so I'm hearing two things here:

1. Paizo feels some sort of benefit (over and beyond the 15% you get off for being a subscriber and the convenience) is necessary.

I understand, but don't think it's necessary. I will happily sign up for a subscription, even with no additional benefit. Because there is a long-term benefit - it supports the viability of the line.

2. Furthermore, Paizo will give a discount code for encounter packs if you're a case subscriber.

So here's where I get confused. If I subscribe to the cases (which I do), I get a discount on the encounter packs, and can buy them that way, but the encounter packs (at that exact same discounted price) can't be part of a more general "minis" subscription)?

That's where I get lost :) Paizo would have the exact same cash in hand for the exact same products, and would even be able to plan ahead better due to automatic preorders ... I can't see what makes this a non-option.

I'll let Vic answer number 1.

Number 2 is answered in Vic's earlier response. Specifically this part: "The answer is that the Encounter Pack discount is subsidized by the profits from the case, which is only viable because it's a high ticket item."

Having an encounter subscription would mean people without case subscriptions could subscribe and without the case subscription we wouldn't be able to subsidize the encounter pack discount.

For question number 1, we just don't offer subscriptions that we can't come up with viable benefits for. That's why there's also no PFS Scenario subscription, and no Pathfinder Tales short fiction subscription. We realize that there are some people who'd happily sign up for such subs for the sake of convenience, but I think the potential dissatisfaction we'd see from other customers ("Your subscriptions don't give me benefits! You suck!") makes it non-viable.

For question number 2, if you're asking about why we can't offer a sub that includes cases and *all* encounter packs with discounts, it's because, as I mentioned, in the current sub offering, the discount for the case is subsidizing the discount on the Encounter Pack... which it can do for *one* Encounter Pack per case. WizKids and Paizo have not yet finalized Encounter Pack plans, but at this time, there's a very good possibility that there may be two or more Encounter Packs between some case releases, and the margin we make off of a single case can't subsidize discounts on multiple Encounter Packs.

Believe me, we spent a couple days going over many, many potential sub options for the minis line and trying to make things work—these were some of the most difficult meetings we had all of last year, actually—and the case sub that gets you a discount on singles and on *one* Encounter Pack per case is really the best we can manage.

Are we supposed to have received a discount coupon or something with our cases? (so we can gift them, for example) or is it something you handle at your end - you'll just apply the discount automatically when we order encounter packs?

Are we supposed to have received a discount coupon or something with our cases? (so we can gift them, for example) or is it something you handle at your end - you'll just apply the discount automatically when we order encounter packs?

We include the code in your shipping confirmation email, and you'll also find it on your My Subscriptions page.

Thanks, Vic. Shows how much attention I pay to those.

For question number 1, we just don't offer subscriptions that we can't come up with viable benefits for. That's why there's also no PFS Scenario subscription, and no Pathfinder Tales short fiction subscription. We realize that there are some people who'd happily sign up for such subs for the sake of convenience, but I think the potential dissatisfaction we'd see from other customers ("Your subscriptions don't give me benefits! You suck!") makes it non-viable.

Understood. A shame, but I understand. People can be stupid sometimes :)

For question number 2, if you're asking about why we can't offer a sub that includes cases and *all* encounter packs with discounts, it's because, as I mentioned, in the current sub offering, the discount for the case is subsidizing the discount on the Encounter Pack... which it can do for *one* Encounter Pack per case. WizKids and Paizo have not yet finalized Encounter Pack plans, but at this time, there's a very good possibility that there may be two or more Encounter Packs between some case releases, and the margin we make off of a single case can't subsidize discounts on multiple Encounter Packs.

Aha! Okay, gotcha - that's the part of the picture I just wasn't seeing. And since you want to be able to provide a benefit, you can't just include them in the line with no other benefit than convenience. Again, a shame, but I understand.

So since I have a double case subscription, will I be getting two discount codes when my cases ship with my monthly shipment?

Believe me, we spent a couple days going over many, many potential sub options for the minis line and trying to make things work—these were some of the most difficult meetings we had all of last year, actually—and the case sub that gets you a discount on singles and on *one* Encounter Pack per case is really the best we can manage.

It may not sound like I appreciate the work you guys put into this, but I really do. Really!

So since I have a double case subscription, will I be getting two discount codes when my cases ship with my monthly shipment?

Yep... *each* case you get as part of your sub gets you one 20% discount code for an Encounter Pack and the ability to buy one case premium at 75% off.

So, I have 2 cases for my prescription along with the dragon premiums.

I plan on buying a third case next moth. My question is can I get another dragon at the discount price?

And if not, if I cancel my subscription after my 2 cases arrive and then start up the subscription again next month will I be able to get the case and a dragon at the discounted price?

About that 20% off an Encounter Pack...

Any forknowledge on when the encounter packs will go on the market? I'm interested to see what's in them, and am holding off on purchasing single minis until I know what they will be. However, I don't want to wait too long...

I'm hoping that my fears are unfounded...

Will the cost of a case substantially increase for the next set, because the amount of minis per booster is increasing? Or will there just be less boosters per brick/case to offset this?

If a case costs much more than a case of Heroes and Monsters, I think most people will drop subscribing. Unless maybe the subscription changed to Bricks...

So, I have 2 cases for my prescription along with the dragon premiums.

I plan on buying a third case next moth. My question is can I get another dragon at the discount price?

Yes (assuming we still have cases and dragons left to sell you). Just contact customer service when you're ready to order so that they can make the necessary adjustments.

Any forknowledge on when the encounter packs will go on the market? I'm interested to see what's in them, and am holding off on purchasing single minis until I know what they will be. However, I don't want to wait too long...

We announced the first Encounter Pack here.

I'm hoping that my fears are unfounded...

Will the cost of a case substantially increase for the next set, because the amount of minis per booster is increasing? Or will there just be less boosters per brick/case to offset this?

If a case costs much more than a case of Heroes and Monsters, I think most people will drop subscribing. Unless maybe the subscription changed to Bricks...

We don't have specifics on Rise of the Runelords yet. (But the subscription will remain case-only.)

We don't have specifics on Rise of the Runelords yet. (But the subscription will remain case-only.)

If subscriptions and premiums remain with cases, and the price of a case increases by much, I'm sure there will be a lot less people subscribing and getting premium minis.

I'd also like to add that for WizKids HeroClix, they have had a Buy-It-By-The-Brick promotion many times, to get a premium figure, never for getting a case...

Vic Wertz wrote:

We don't have specifics on Rise of the Runelords yet. (But the subscription will remain case-only.)

If subscriptions and premiums remain with cases, and the price of a case increases by much, I'm sure there will be a lot less people subscribing and getting premium minis.

I'd also like to add that for WizKids HeroClix, they have had a Buy-It-By-The-Brick promotion many times, to get a premium figure, never for getting a case...

WizKids has been doing case incentives for ages, and we expect that to continue, which is a big part of the reason why our subscriptions will remain case-based—so that we can (in turn) incentivize subscriptions with those case incentives.

If WizKids decides to offer brick incentives in the Pathfinder Battles line—which is certainly a possibility—we'll pass those incentives on to case subscribers as well, in whatever multiples are appropriate for the case they're buying.

I wouldn't worry *too* much about the price of a case going up significantly due to product configuration—remember that retailers buy from distributors in case units as well, and the concept of, say, a $500 case is probably almost as much a turn-off to them as it might be to you.

WizKids has been doing case incentives for ages, and we expect that to continue, which is a big part of the reason why our subscriptions will remain case-based—so that we can (in turn) incentivize subscriptions with those case incentives.

If this is the case (pun intended) then it must be at the retailer level, not the consumer level. I've only ever seen promotions for buying a brick, not a case.

Vic Wertz wrote:

WizKids has been doing case incentives for ages, and we expect that to continue, which is a big part of the reason why our subscriptions will remain case-based—so that we can (in turn) incentivize subscriptions with those case incentives.

If this is the case (pun intended) then it must be at the retailer level, not the consumer level. I've only ever seen promotions for buying a brick, not a case.

I don't know the entire history of WizKids promotions, but my understanding is that most of the case incentives have been at the retailer level, and most of the brick incentives have been at the customer level.

Keep in mind that when incentives happen at the retailer level, there's nothing that automatically makes that connection obvious to customers. Like the Black Dragon—it's a retailer incentive because retailers could order one dragon per case ordered from their distributor, but you wouldn't learn that just by seeing it on your retailer's shelf.

As subscriptions are for consumers, not retailers, I would have thought incentives/subscriptions would have taken that route. Oh well.

As subscriptions are for consumers, not retailers, I would have thought incentives/subscriptions would have taken that route. Oh well.

That's actually one of the *reasons* we went to the case level for subs—any incentives WizKids offers at the customer level aren't actually potential subscription benefits. That is, if you *already* get X when you buy Y, then offering you X when you buy Y is not a perk!

At the case level, we *can* offer you something you don't already get.

We don't have specifics on Rise of the Runelords yet. (But the subscription will remain case-only.)

Hello,

When the "Pathfinder Battles: Rise of the Runelords Standard Booster Case" is expected, roughly ?

Vic Wertz wrote:

We don't have specifics on Rise of the Runelords yet. (But the subscription will remain case-only.)

Hello,

When the "Pathfinder Battles: Rise of the Runelords Standard Booster Case" is expected, roughly ?

August

Really? Was it pushed back? I thought it was originally slated for June?

If true, I hope it's out in time for Gen Con, so I can pick up my subscription cases.

I expect this was answered somewhere (I even have a vague memory of asking it, embarassinlgy) but the various mini threads are a little long...

Is the Encounter Pack discount tied to an encounter pack from the set we subscribed to? Or could I (for example) use one or two encounter pack discounts I "earnt" via a heroes and monsters subscription to purchase a RoTRL encounter pack? (subject to the expiry date)

Pathfinder Battles case subscribers can use their Encounter Pack discount codes on *any* Encounter Pack.

(At the moment, only one has been announced.)

Cheers. I have a feeling you've told me that before, in fact. :/

Do you have any ideas as to how many Encounter Packs are likely to be released from the Heroes and Monsters set? Is it likely that they will all have been announced (if not released) by the time the Rise of the Runelords set is available?

From the Blog Post Thread -

I think you misunderstood what Erik said. To be clear here, retailers will be able to order two types of cases: cases of Standard Booster Packs (which contain 4 minis that are Large, Medium, or Small) and cases of Huge Booster Packs (which contain 1 Huge mini). So Huge figures should be readily available at retail for a reasonable price.

For this set, the Gargantuan figure is the incentive, tied to the Standard Booster case

How will this work for case subscribers?

How will this work for case subscribers?
Will there be a choice between Standard and Huge cases?
If we pick a Huge Case, will we not be eligible for the Gargantuan figure?

See THIS thread for more details. In it, Vic mentions that subscribers will be getting 1 case of each, Standard and Huge.

Wow, that's some big bucks for those cases. If those prices hold true, that is.

Still, plan to get my two standard and Huge cases.

Also, how many Huge minis will be in a case? Am I guessing correctly in there will most likely be four of them, one of each in the set?

And a question on the subscription, let's say if bought 2 standard booster cases, and 3 Huge cases, I know I would get 2 Rune Giants at 75%, but would I get a third Rune Giant due to the third Huge case? However, it would be full price?

Wow, that's some big bucks for those cases. If those prices hold true, that is.

Still, plan to get my two standard and Huge cases.

Also, how many Huge minis will be in a case? Am I guessing correctly in there will most likely be four of them, one of each in the set?

And a question on the subscription, let's say if bought 2 standard booster cases, and 3 Huge cases, I know I would get 2 Rune Giants at 75%, but would I get a third Rune Giant due to the third Huge case? However, it would be full price?

With a subscription, the number of cases are linked: You cannot get three huge cases and only two standard cases.

The only way to do this would be to purchase a third huge case outside of your subscription, and that would not qualify you for a third Rune Giant.

So the only way to get a Rune Giant is to have preordered one of each case?