I play in an "on again, off again" HarnMaster campain which is about to resume sometime in the near future (1-4 months), which has reintroduced a problem i've forgotten about: my character doesn't have a good mini!
He's a young "brave when he and his friends outnumber the other guy"/"coward the rest of the time" bard type of character. All the miniature's i've found so far are either to "high fantasy" or to rich looking.
Examples:
The heads of This and this miniature is quite good but the sword and high fantasy adventurer vibe rule them out.
This guy from Dark Sword miniatures is pretty close with his sly smile and dagger but his clothes are way to fancy.
A male version of this character without the sword would be almost perfect.
This is probably what i'll go with if i don't find anything better.
This is almost perfect except that he's fat.
Is there anybody out there that can help a miniature geek in need?
I play in an "on again, off again" HarnMaster campain which is about to resume sometime in the near future (1-4 months), which has reintroduced a problem i've forgotten about: my character doesn't have a good mini!
Here are a couple...
Here's another:
http://www.reapermini.com/FigureFinder#detail/02873
And another, though I don't know if his clothes are too nice:
http://www.reapermini.com/FigureFinder#detail/02637
Can always clip the staff out and bend the arm for another pose, or glue in a dagger or instrument in its place.
What exactly constitutes a "high fantasy" looking mini from a "low fantasy" looking one?
Thanks for the suggestions, Marshall, but i'm afraid that i've already looked at those and ruled them out. Actually i'm pretty certain that i've seen all that reaper have to offer on this subject and none qualify :/
Eli Quick Night
Looks abit to old and grizzled. Also i personally think that mini looks more like a NPC than a PC :)
Torin the Stealthy
Better than the above but has some of it's weaknesses. Also looks abit to much like a thief with the coin sack, and the beard is a ill fit.
Dub Bullock
Another good option except that he seems abit to tough. With one of two first exemples i posted heads on it and some duller clothes it would be a hit.
Franc Jeaunoir
Another one that nearly made it to the list but he looks to much like an assassin. Abit to experienced and capable.
Druss Darkblighter
I actually bought this miniature for with my HarnMaster character in mind some time ago but have since ruled him out since he looks way older than my character.
Okay, then let's start over then:
What does your character look like?
You've talked a lot about what you DON'T want, but what ARE you looking for? The best I've been able to get out of your posts so far is you want a clean-shaven, not-fat individual in average-looking, non-elaborate clothing. And maybe a dagger?
What else? Should he be cloaked? Uncloaked? Carry a lot of gear? No gear? Musical instrument? Skinny? Muscular?
And again, I still don't understand what "low fantasy" looks like compared to "high fantasy," so could you please elaborate?
Also, are you willing to do conversions--and if so, what are you capable and equipped of doing? It sounds like you are looking for something very, very, particular given your dismissal of the suggestions offered so far. And specific, and when it comes to minis, that often means being willing to convert---or pay someone to convert for you--to get what you want. Some conversions are very easy--you don't want that model to have a sword? Cut it off and file around the hand to smooth it up. Some are harder--sculpt on extra hair, or sculpt on a cloak, or give it a new weapon can sometimes be tricky, etc.
For example: you liked Fergus the Weaver, save some superficial aspects and the sword. So: clip off the sword and sheath, clean up around his hand and leg respectively, and then use some green stuff to obscure some of the "prettier" details on his clothing, maybe also sculpting on some patches while you're at it. Maybe put a musical instrument in his hand while you're at it.
The bard in this set might be a good choice.
You could snap off the sword, cut it down, and glue on as a dagger.
Thank you for the suggestion. It comes close and could work. I'll add it to my list of possibilities. Sadly it comes prepainted and is most likely plastic. I would prefer a metal mini with the detail level of reaper miniatures or higher.
And another, though I don't know if his clothes are too nice:
Marcus Starsong would be a good choice with the staff removed but looks abit to wizardry and falls into the "high fantasy" category.
What does your character look like?What else? Should he be cloaked? Uncloaked? Carry a lot of gear? No gear? Musical instrument? Skinny? Muscular?
And again, I still don't understand what "low fantasy" looks like compared to "high fantasy," so could you please elaborate?
He should not be carrying alot of gear. Cloaked or uncloaked doesn't really matter, but going with the Samwell-miniature a cloak would be prefered. The character is actually kind of strong but he shouldn't look muscular, more athletic.
The problem is i don't really have a good explanation as to what a "low fantasy" character looks like as apposed to a "high fantasy". It mostly comes down to feeling, which is purely subjective. I'll see if i can elaborate more later.
The key things i think are:
* the miniature should not be in "combat pose"
* be unarmed or carrying a knife
* not wearing anything visible armor past maybe some chainmail, but shoulder pads and such are out
* the miniature should not look authorative. either sly and arrogant or uncertain
How about this guy? This is Alfred Redlute and he apparently also comes in a combat pose as well.
Starsong, if you carefully removed the staff, you could bend his arm to take him out of a combat-ready look. Maybe use a file or greenstuff to take the braiding off his vest. Would probably look a little more gritty.
How about this guy? This is Alfred Redlute and he apparently also comes in a combat pose as well.
I have the second version of that model... it's a nice model and not too flashy. I cut the sword off to use with another model, and without it, you can bend the arm to take him out of "combat pose." The particular one I have needs a new hand though.
|
Thank you for the suggestion. It comes close and could work. I'll add it to my list of possibilities. Sadly it comes prepainted and is most likely plastic. I would prefer a metal mini with the detail level of reaper miniatures or higher.The bard in this set might be a good choice.
You could snap off the sword, cut it down, and glue on as a dagger.
It is metal/pewter and the pre-paint job on mine is pretty good.
If you want the pleasure of painting it yourself then you're not going to get thi, but it is not a plastic mini.
Thank you for the suggestion. It comes close and could work. I'll add it to my list of possibilities. Sadly it comes prepainted and is most likely plastic. I would prefer a metal mini with the detail level of reaper miniatures or higher.The bard in this set might be a good choice.
You could snap off the sword, cut it down, and glue on as a dagger.
It is metal/pewter and the pre-paint job on mine is pretty good.
If you want the pleasure of painting it yourself then you're not going to get thi, but it is not a plastic mini.
If it is pre-painted metal, presumably one could strip the paint with some simple green and/or a brass brush?
It is metal/pewter and the pre-paint job on mine is pretty good.If you want the pleasure of painting it yourself then you're not going to get thi, but it is not a plastic mini.
Oh, in that case i think i'll take a look. Thanks!
How about this guy? This is Alfred Redlute and he apparently also comes in a combat pose as well.
I actually have the "combat pose" one already on my shopping list. I have considered the "non combat" one but decided that i don't like the face. Thanks for the suggestion though!
I have the second version of that model... it's a nice model and not too flashy. I cut the sword off to use with another model, and without it, you can bend the arm to take him out of "combat pose." The particular one I have needs a new hand though.
Moving slightly off topic: I have considered trying to get involved with converting miniatures but i don't really know how. I haven't got any sculpting skills so i can't cut off a hand an make a new one out of green stuff so mostly i feel that my options are down to (for example) clip the blade at the hilt and then glue another one in it's stead. Doesn't seem to be the preffered method though since the weapon packs reaper sells have the whole weapon intact. I can't imagine that i'm supposed to cut it to pieces.
Is there an easier way of removing/adding weapons to miniatures than cutting off the hand and sculpting a new one?
Try Magnificent Egos.
I do custom mini painting and conversion. I have had some totally crazy requests for weapon swaps and such and most are doable with a bit of thought. Use a jewelers saw to cut the weapon off the hand flush. Drill a small hole and insert wire Clip the hilt off the weapon and drill a hole in that and the wire in weapon and hand will keep them sturdy enough for gaming]
The reaper weapons and accessories are provided in their whole form so they could be used for dioramas etc as well. You almost always have to cut the hilt of a sword, shorten the axe handle, and remove the grip on a pistol to make it work.
here are a few conversions I have done for customers
http://entertainment.webshots.com/album/572239672mzNCma
Good luck!
I actually have the "combat pose" one already on my shopping list. I have considered the "non combat" one but decided that i don't like the face. Thanks for the suggestion though!
For a different face of a similar character from a different company, have you checked out the "minstrel" figure from Hasslefree's villagers line? (I think it was sculpted to look like a young Mick Jagger in medieval garb.)
I have the second version of that model... it's a nice model and not too flashy. I cut the sword off to use with another model, and without it, you can bend the arm to take him out of "combat pose." The particular one I have needs a new hand though.Moving slightly off topic: I have considered trying to get involved with converting miniatures but i don't really know how. I haven't got any sculpting skills so i can't cut off a hand an make a new one out of green stuff so mostly i feel that my options are down to (for example) clip the blade at the hilt and then glue another one in it's stead. Doesn't seem to be the preffered method though since the weapon packs reaper sells have the whole weapon intact. I can't imagine that i'm supposed to cut it to pieces.
Is there an easier way of removing/adding weapons to miniatures than cutting off the hand and sculpting a new one?
Yes.
But before I get to that: since you are getting Alfred Redlute and you don't mind models with a knife, you could simply clip and file down the sword into a dagger, and maybe use a little putty to obscure the detail on the hilt.
But for reference on how to preserve the hand or not have to sculpt a hand:
Version one is why my Alfred Redlute doesn't have a hand--I removed it to add both it and the weapon it was holding to another model. It's a lot easier to glue the hand with weapon attached--especially if you pin it on (see below).
Version two involves preserving the model's hand: Using clippers or a jeweler's saw, CAREFULLY remove the weapon from the top of the hand, leaving the hand intact. Remove any bits from the bottom of the hand as well. File the hand to smooth out where you cut off the weapon. If done carefully enough, you might just be able to leave it as it is (though the hand might be holding a "rod" from the remainder of the weapon's haft).
You could also, if you feel comfortable enough with putty, use putty to turn the remaining bit of haft in the model's hand into something else--a wand, a rod, a ball, or a fireball. It's easier than sculpting a whole new hand!
If you want to add a weapon, the least-tool method is to likewise cut up a new weapon and glue it to the top of the hand. Note that the weapon may be prone to breaking off.
A more secure way is to drill a hole into the hand with a pin vise, about the size of a small paper clip. Some weapons you may be able to insert completely without any other work. Some weapons with large hafts you may still have to cut into pieces, drilling a hole into the top of the weapon and then sticking the paper clip inside, then inserting the other end of the paper clip into the hand. If you look at the guy wielding the axe in this picture, that's what I did here. I used just an axe haft from a spare weapon bit I had--the haft you see is in fact the paper clip, just painted gold, with a little bit of putty at the end of the weapon to cap it off (you can tell because I was a little uneven with it).
For a very easy magic wand, you could use the drilling method, then just glue in a toothpick. :)
It's work and requires tools--and is definitely something that requires practice--anyone who is good at conversion has been doing it a very long time. I suggest it because you seem so very specific about what you want out of your minis, it may be an alternative to consider rather than driving yourself crazy trying to find the exactly right one. OTOH, the other fine folks in this thread have also found some good, no conversion needed alternatives.
Thank you for the suggestions, i think i'll will have to try it when my load of unpainted miniatures lightens up. It's so much easier to buy stuff then to do something with them. No wonder capitalism is so popular :)