Our minis range well with e.g. AoS new miniature range if that's of any help.
Frostgrave TMK are smaller scaled (28mm true) while ours are 28mm heroic (more like 32mm to the eyes).
In a perfect world we would create a hard plastic kit that can change scale to fit everyone's needs but unfortunately that's not how it works. Our miniatures are used in a lot of games (e.g. AoS, KoW, Frostgrave etc) and a great reason must appear in order to change an already proven and functioning business model in our opinion. Even if someone doesn't support we honestly appreciate the consideration (from everyone) all the same :-)
And since you brought up scale, here's an appropriate image for today's teaser!
StygianBeach wrote: If these guys are Fireforge Northmen/Greatsword height then I am in.
If they are as tall as the Shieldmaidens/Paladins then I am out.
I am guessing these will be shieldmaiden sized, as it wouldnt make sense to invalidate their existing range with "reinforcements"
Automatically Appended Next Post: For what its worth, I use them in the same "armies" as I do Frostgrave/ Oathmark, Fireforge and older GW. The shield maidens pictured below use Frostgrave and Northmen bits. But yeah they are a full head taller than the Fireforge Northman. Though the Frostgrave knight compares favorably to the Northman.
StygianBeach wrote: If these guys are Fireforge Northmen/Greatsword height then I am in.
If they are as tall as the Shieldmaidens/Paladins then I am out.
I mean, sure - spend only on what you like (I didn't back the last couple SW campaigns myself), but it's also a little unreasonable to expect that Shieldwolf's new kits would be in a different scale to their old kits.
What @Azazelx says, apparently they work well enough for people to use so the range expands as is. We have been growing with your help all these years and we are greatful for this, perhaps @StygianBeach we'll manage to entice you with one of our non-human kits. Got a lot planned for, we have been working on this for over a year so you can imagine... :-D
Well, so far I am interested in the Araves, Arivises, Ogres, Goblins, Trolls, and Valkyries. Plus there was rumored to be new shield maidens.
I’m not sure if I will be trying for 1 box of everything or just focusing on one of the new sets with maybe an add on of something else. The Araves/Arivises right now have my attention most… but valkyries and more shield maidens do too. I could skip the goblins, trolls and Ogres… but I do like them…
StygianBeach wrote: If these guys are Fireforge Northmen/Greatsword height then I am in.
If they are as tall as the Shieldmaidens/Paladins then I am out.
I mean, sure - spend only on what you like (I didn't back the last couple SW campaigns myself), but it's also a little unreasonable to expect that Shieldwolf's new kits would be in a different scale to their old kits.
The Shieldmaiden and Paladins are very tall and this kickstarter is for a different army, so I posed the question.
So far I have 1 box of Orcs, Shield Maidens and Sister Paladins. So I may get 1 box sometime down the line, but for a kickstarter I would prefer something shorter.
Oh this is going to get expensive the more Goblins the better. Hopefully the heads are ball and socket rather than the flat panel of the forest goblins
Im in for a a Garrison army for the Arivises... But i want to add some Valkyries and some other stuff too. I am not too fond of the transparent resin that was shown in the scifi kickstarter. Are the camel riders and heroes in that transparent resin? Or are they the gray resin that the cavalry and heroes were in during the shield maiden kickstarter?
Edit: Shield wolf responded. "The transparent resin was the Wolfcast, which will not be used ever again in our KS projects. So yes, everything will be hand-cast in the "white-chocolate" resin like the one you mention like the camel riders, Ogres etc."
Smokestack wrote: Im in for a a Garrison army for the Arivises... But i want to add some Valkyries and some other stuff too. I am not too fond of the transparent resin that was shown in the scifi kickstarter. Are the camel riders and heroes in that transparent resin? Or are they the gray resin that the cavalry and heroes were in during the shield maiden kickstarter?
Edit: Shield wolf responded. "The transparent resin was the Wolfcast, which will not be used ever again in our KS projects. So yes, everything will be hand-cast in the "white-chocolate" resin like the one you mention like the camel riders, Ogres etc."
This makes me happy.
That's the cream-coloured resin? They're not using the grey resin anymore? That's unfortunate. My Yetis had issues that I ended up not mentioning to them but just fixing myself while I never had any issues with the grey.
Hmmm. I dont think I ever got any of the cream colored resin. I assumed the "white chocolate" was the grey... Will ask them if I see them in the comments again.
I hope they consider adding some left arms with swords/knives and open right arms to the Aravises. At present there are no left arms with weapons - it would be great for dual wielding weapons, combining bows with knives or just more variety if using a single weapon. Also that drummer arm is a bit awkward as is I think the arm should wrap around the drum. Very glad there's enough quivers to go around Forest Goblins are short on quivers (which is okay if you have multiple boxes but not ideal)
highlord tamburlaine wrote: Garrison of the Araves for me, but definitely want a box of Valkyries as well.
Should have had a "new plastics two player starter" pledge with valks versus araves.
That's a bloody good (and obvious) idea. I've bought the last two KoW Starter sets for that very reason - getting their new HIPS models, but not too many, and not a bunch of extra resins I'm not that interested in.
Automatically Appended Next Post:
DaveC wrote: I hope they consider adding some left arms with swords/knives and open right arms to the Aravises. At present there are no left arms with weapons - it would be great for dual wielding weapons, combining bows with knives or just more variety if using a single weapon. Also that drummer arm is a bit awkward as is I think the arm should wrap around the drum. Very glad there's enough quivers to go around.
DaveC wrote: I hope they consider adding some left arms with swords/knives and open right arms to the Aravises. At present there are no left arms with weapons - it would be great for dual wielding weapons, combining bows with knives or just more variety if using a single weapon. Also that drummer arm is a bit awkward as is I think the arm should wrap around the drum. Very glad there's enough quivers to go around Forest Goblins are short on quivers (which is okay if you have multiple boxes but not ideal)
This was asked in the comments. Shield wolf responded...
Shieldwolf MiniaturesCreator
about 3 hours ago
You mean any swords/knives left arms, yes? Well, there are so many we can simply "mirror" (that's how we call it) a couple of them to be left handed. With so many it's a non-issue for us (not only because it's a very easy switch but also the sprue space remains the same), BUT we'll need to hear it from everyone before altering anything promised during the project :-)
I saw that okay and added a comment backing the idea but KS comments can disappear down the list quick enough. I guess they want enough backers to ask for it before committing to a change.
Also saw a post on Ninth Age forum that if it gets far enough they'll swap the 5 camels for 15 HIPS ones but it needs serious funding to happen.
Azazelx wrote: Well, if they're keeping track, I'll put my hand up for arm swaps to make the kit a lot more versatile.
How about a bit of a poll (with thanks to Smokestack)
Shieldwolf MiniaturesCreator
13 minutes ago
Yes, we'll ask you all on the very first update, at first glance it's a good/solid suggestion and that's what we like about crowdfunding;
Hi everyone!
We try monitor most forums and read the feedback; it's true we have been more rigid to changes in the past, mainly due to our not wanting to risk going out of schedule and derailing from what we have initially promised. That said, we have learned to listen and with the augmented experience in delivering projects we are much more comfortable now in small deviations from our initial planned schedule.
highlord tamburlaine wrote: Garrison of the Araves for me, but definitely want a box of Valkyries as well.
Should have had a "new plastics two player starter" pledge with valks versus araves.
They do now €100 starter sets added although it’s basically 2 €50 sets put together with double Valkyries instead.
Spoiler:
With very slight variations this is also true. The main draw to the 2-player starter sets is they are eligible to the Gold rewards instead of the Silver ones, so when a miniature unlocks for a certain faction these are more probable to be added it for free to their pledge.
As for the left handed weapon option, we will have a poll in our very first update (going up after the first 24 hours since launch), it's best we have the OK from everyone at the very start so nobody misses it! It was a very solid suggestion and we would be happy to apply the change should all backers ask for it.
Once again we appreciate the consideration and support!
The first update is up and has a poll for some left handed options.
Also interesting note from Shieldwolf that the valkyries will deliver this July!
"..we will be delivering everything (including the Valkyries plastic kits) this July, it's only the Araves faction that's going to be delivered on December this year."
Smokestack wrote: The first update is up and has a poll for some left handed options.
Also interesting note from Shieldwolf that the valkyries will deliver this July!
"..we will be delivering everything (including the Valkyries plastic kits) this July, it's only the Araves faction that's going to be delivered on December this year."
I see you asked and they answered about split shipping. Shipping is low enough that if you have 2 KS accounts it might be worth putting the Araves on one account and the rest on another. I might do that myself as I have a second account.
Also thanks to Shieldwolf for taking the feedback and suggestions appreciate it.
Smokestack wrote: I am wondering if the Valkyrie wings will fit on the paladins to make some battle angels.
The arivises dont have cloaks or backpacks, so I am guessing the wings wont fit on them.
response from Shieldwolf. "We haven't tried that but our guess would be yes, size wise at least. Probably not an "exact" fit, but with a tiny greenstuff work they should match nicely. Do you have something in mind?
Blizzard's Tyrael comes to mind, using wings from the Valkyries, body and weapons from the paladin Sisters and one of the cloaked head versions from the Shieldmaiden kit?"
I think not having at least renders and (realistically) 3d prints of the Valkyries - both "raw" as well as assembled and professionally painted before the campaign was an unfortuate choice. Just having silhouettes (and now, a week or so into the campaign, half-painted assembled models in an awkward angle) isn't the best way to sell people on giving their money.
Having the same finished raw-and-painted prototypes for the Araves would also have made a lot of sense...
Azazelx wrote: Hm. Not funded yet. That's a real shame. :(
I think not having at least renders and (realistically) 3d prints of the Valkyries - both "raw" as well as assembled and professionally painted before the campaign was an unfortuate choice. Just having silhouettes (and now, a week or so into the campaign, half-painted assembled models in an awkward angle) isn't the best way to sell people on giving their money.
Having the same finished raw-and-painted prototypes for the Araves would also have made a lot of sense...
But wasn’t that the original intent of Kickstarter? To get funding to bring projects to life. Sure it’s been highjacked for years as a preorder system by most companies, but, shouldn’t it be silhouettes and prototypes being shown as concepts of what they want to achieve.
I completely agree on the half painted and poor angle shots. If you are going to show something off, leave the potato at home and get quality pics of completed work at the sprue, assembled, painted and polished phases.
I am not backing again as it is an overload for me. Too many choices to scroll through and decide. I might be getting way too old, but I like seeing things organized by groups. All the different armies and bundles clustered together makes me look for filters. When I shop GW, Mantic or others I can limit the page to one army so I can clearly see what I’m getting. Here it’s just mashed up like a rummage sale, which devalues the brand to me.
I am a little confused on the way the kickstarter is being presented.
Shieldwolf said that everything will be delivered in July, including the Valkyries... except the Arivises which will be December.
That is great, but we have a clear look at the parts for the Arivises, but not for the Valkyries that will be delivered 6 months sooner. The project still looks great and I am still excited for it, but that part seems strange. Since the Valkyries are delivering first, it would have made sense to have them be more of the show case here.
I am mostly interested in the Arivises so I am glad they are the spotlight, but the teasers had the Araves, Drots and other things which likely wont be reached at the rate of funding.
Shieldwolf is a good company, solid history of delivering what they have funded (mostly on time) and have a good quality product. It does surprise that they dont reach the levels of funding other companies do and it takes them longer to do it... Just like Fireforge.
Azazelx wrote: Hm. Not funded yet. That's a real shame. :(
I think not having at least renders and (realistically) 3d prints of the Valkyries - both "raw" as well as assembled and professionally painted before the campaign was an unfortuate choice. Just having silhouettes (and now, a week or so into the campaign, half-painted assembled models in an awkward angle) isn't the best way to sell people on giving their money.
Having the same finished raw-and-painted prototypes for the Araves would also have made a lot of sense...
But wasn’t that the original intent of Kickstarter? To get funding to bring projects to life. Sure it’s been highjacked for years as a preorder system by most companies, but, shouldn’t it be silhouettes and prototypes being shown as concepts of what they want to achieve.
Sure it was, but to be blunt - thats nice aka "who cares?"
In this case, where they have models (presumably 3d prints?) that they've been able to assemble and start to paint a week into the campaign, theres no reason that couldn't (shouldn't) have all been completed before hitting the big red "go" button.
Viagra was originally a heart medicaton. Doesn't matter what the original intent of KS was when we're looking at how it's used today in actual practise. And especially so if you, ya know, have the capacity to present them in the same way that CMON does rather than as mysterious silhouettes.
I mean, we're not just having a philosophical discussion on the nature of crowdfunding - it's a real campaign that I would have very much liked to see well funded by now, and I'm highlighting what I personally believe is a critical misstep - especially if the Valkyries are supposed to arrive to backers in July then they should be fully ready to show off in all their painted/assembled/sprue-laid glory.
That would sell a lot more people on them Day 1 than the silhouettes or any number of potato-photos of half-done models. We know a lot of people look at a campaign once and make a decision immediately...
We don't have pictures for everything and some items were hand sculpted, we do trust we have portrayed things as best as possible (there's so much it wasn't the easiest of tasks) but we will have time to reflect after the project ends.
For the time being we are moving slowly but steadily. Admittedly slower than we would have liked, but at this pace we should fund; we are strongly hoping to have funded before the 48 hour emails go out so we may make it on time to unlock as many stretch goals as possible.
Shout-outs and spreading the word is the best way to make this happen. We so much appreciate the 150+ backers that are holding on this with us, we put in so much work. Much gratitude!
Videos and more teasers to follow, but the best stuff is yet to be revealed. We have learned from the past and won't show anything that's still a very long way from showing up however.
Let's see what we end up with! :-)
Wonder if shieldwolf would consider doing a mixed box
One sprue of each line to tempt people, or just as a way to get bits. So many people would get a sprue of A, or a sprue of B and C. Maybe if they did one of each it would interest people wanting to make stargrave, frostgrave or other groups to pick it up and try the different lines.
DaveC wrote: Some more Valkyrie pics from the comments
So there are actual sprus pictures.
That aren't on the KS main page, but hidden in comments.
So new/prospective backers won't see them - just the people picking through the comments.
There's 2 Valkyrie sprues but it's not clear how many of each you get perhaps Shieldwolf can clarify? It would need to be 5 sprues to have 20 wings? if it's 4 sprues you have 20 bodies but only 16 wings. Depending on the mix you could also be short spears for a unit of 20 and possibly only have 6 winged helms.
5 sprues total (like all of our kits, Valkyries won't be an exception).
A single box will allow 20 Valkyries to be equipped with spears and 16 of them can have the helmeted option.
A single sprue will supply the 17 head versions from the original Shieldmaiden sprue, we find the "windy" hair fits the aesthetics of Valkyries but we felt we had to include the winged helmeted version. It's more "Valkyrie" the way we imagine them at least.
And yes, we will deliver in July, our reputation is important to us!
A single box will allow 20 Valkyries to be equipped with spears and 16 of them can have the helmeted option.
A single sprue will supply the 17 head versions from the original Shieldmaiden sprue, we find the "windy" hair fits the aesthetics of Valkyries but we felt we had to include the winged helmeted version. It's more "Valkyrie" the way we imagine them at least.
And yes, we will deliver in July, our reputation is important to us!
Thanks for the clarification so there's some bonus shieldmaidens in there as well
Sorry i love your products an all, but we shouldnt be waiting 13 days, pretty much half the length of the campaign to see the sprues or built pics of the Valkyries via some random 3rd party reviewer, they should have been shown on the KS on day 1 along with the renders as they are one of the main selling points of the KS, theres no excuse why they were not shown there 1st!
Copy pasting the answer to @Original Timmy (but always very glad fr the constructive criticism)
That's true Tom but allow me to explain :-)
The Valkyries were not possible to be shown as renders since these were partly hand sculpted. We had to make sure the fit was precise in order to match the existing bodies of the shieldmaidens. This was not possible only via 3d sculpting as I will illustrate below
On the contrary to the weaponry which was fairly easy
The wings are these
The heads too, I don't know if I can scoop a jpeg to show you
Not exactly a "selling" image, I think you'll agree. It is a very practical one however since now the finished parts are an *exact* fit.
We should have had these painted and illustrated within the first week of launch. Poland is next to a country now at war however and that didn't help since one of our two painting studios commissioned is there. The second studio in Thessaloniki Greece tried their best to speed their delivery but it was not agreed in prior so we can't blame Dirty Brushes studio either. They were mostly to show an alternative paintjob.
The date could no longer be delayed, we had stalled already due to us wanting to first *fully deliver* on the previous project first before launching this one. Heck, there are people who still don't appreciate the length we went to first service them (unfairly penalising perhaps) ourselves in the process.
On the next update we'll post a detailed explanation why the Valkyries hadn't been shown yet. Backers can always pull back before the project ends, we promised pictures and we will show you before the project ends.
"Here are pictures for those who have haven't seen them. These were back on 2014, the comparison is... *miles* away from what we have now!
Araves Infantry (first 2 pics)
Araves Slaves (3rd and 4th pic)
We'll post them also on the next update for those who don't follow the Comment section, but we won't be showing new renders (we've done so before with stretch goals very far away, it's of absolutely no use and a mistake we won't be repeating)."
I hope we get to these guys... They look pretty good. And in hard plastic would definitely be useful.
The infantry are exactly what I’ve wanted from a fantasy Arabian force. The slaves….if those bindings are optional, they would make a great Sinbad-style crew.
Well I'll up it by €8 for the Chieftess, swords a bit thick but I get that it's designed for resin and it's an easy swap for a plastic one. Hopefully she's the same size as the plastics the larger resin Goblins makes sense here though not so much.
Shieldwolf Miniatures wrote: Copy pasting the answer to @Original Timmy (but always very glad fr the constructive criticism)
That's true Tom but allow me to explain :-)
The Valkyries were not possible to be shown as renders since these were partly hand sculpted. We had to make sure the fit was precise in order to match the existing bodies of the shieldmaidens. This was not possible only via 3d sculpting as I will illustrate below
...
On the next update we'll post a detailed explanation why the Valkyries hadn't been shown yet. Backers can always pull back before the project ends, we promised pictures and we will show you before the project ends.
You didn't really answer that question. The next update skipped it entirely but the following was filled with hurfblurf. Even that's not important.
You sent them to youtubers all over, but you didn't think to take a photo of them and post them on the KS main page.
They're actually better than renders.
But, you didn't show them.
Lyla Mev had the sprues, but you didn't show them to your backers on Day 1. You could have photographed the very same physical sprues you sent her before posting them and had them ready for the front page, instead you showed silhouettes.
It's just... I don't even...
What frustrates me (and I presume others) so much is that you guys clearly have talent and ethics, but you seem to so constantly to take aim at your own feet with cripplingly poor or blind decisions. Then you explain them with a half page of stuff that often doesn't matter because you can't see the wood for the trees.
We'll discuss what has gone wrong after the project has ended with a clear head. Perhaps it's as you say Azazelx, perhaps the Aravises plastic kit alone should have sufficed.
25K is not a huge sum for KS and it is the minimum we needed if we meant to keep the next couple of plastic kits within reasonable range and the offers we offered in our opinion were solid without the need for stretch goals to get to the value making it worth it.
Whether we manage to fund or not some things clearly have gone wrong and we will be asking current backers for their input.
Shieldwolf Miniatures wrote: We'll discuss what has gone wrong after the project has ended with a clear head. Perhaps it's as you say Azazelx, perhaps the Aravises plastic kit alone should have sufficed.
....
Whether we manage to fund or not some things clearly have gone wrong and we will be asking current backers for their input.
It's good to get feedback, BUT be sure you listen so you're getting the message being sent. Not a different message.
Whether you choose to act on any given bit of feedback or not, understanding it is important.
I didn't say or insinuate that the Aravises alone would have sufficed. I don't even see how you got that from my post. I'm not offended, but it does imply a communication/understanding gap.
But, as you say - discuss that when you''ve had a chance to rest after the campaign finishes.
I ended up dropping out as Common Goblins, which I'd get another 150 of on top of my 150 Forest Goblins from last time, didn't materialize and dealing with KS isn't worth it for just a box of Aravises I wanted just because they're pretty but probably also out of scale with everything I own.
I does seem to me also that pretty much all SW camapigns are mismanaged in some fashion.
I did not back. From the begining I am overloaded with options on the kickstart page. It should be to release one kit/faction, but when I scrolled it just looked like too many choices and no primary purpose. It's the problem I have seen with most of their kickstarters that I have watched.
I get wanting to show off all your goods and hoping people will throw more at you, but it becomes noise drowning everything out when there is too many choices.
We just drop by to say thank you all for your consideration and support.
We read your (much appreciated) feedback and will implement all necessary changes :-)
Here at Shieldwolf Miniatures we have always stood by our supporters. We wholeherteadly believe that profitable companies must show their love for the hobby actively, and give back to the Community whenever possible since it's because of them that we are where we stand today.
We have therefore decided to currently absorb ALL additional costs that have crushed in the economy instead of passing them over to you!
I am in for the Garrison level araves again, but they have the 8 men deals for $10. So basically 2 plastic Sprues for $10. May get some goblins and Valyries too. Maybe some of the scifi paladins.
Hi guys, it's a stretch goal designed for gold reward levels to the Araves faction. We need the additional funding to get these created and rewarded to backers for their support.
The only hard plastic kits for females in this project are the Valkyries, the Valkyries cavalry, the Aravises.
Everything else [Barbarians, common Goblins, Araves, Qamar,Descendants of Amir, Orcs of the Valleys] is male *(Orcs and Forest goblins being considered male I guess)].
Well now update 3 changes things a bit I like that it’s leaning into the demon forms.
Probably going to swap to €50 battle party plus the Qamar add ons - lose a box of Aravises but I don’t need 60 anyway only helps the total by €15 though until the Ogre unit gets unlocked.
Question: Will it be possible to purchase the "3 Araves Ogres/25 $" as an add-on once the KS is completed? So far the only way I've seen of getting the Araves Ogres is through the pledge levels.
Question: Will it be possible to purchase the "3 Araves Ogres/25 $" as an add-on once the KS is completed? So far the only way I've seen of getting the Araves Ogres is through the pledge levels.
If we reach $25,000 then the ogre pack will be available as an add-on.
Thank you @Azazelx, your feedback is always appreciated (and support naturally)! Fixed!
Hehe, thanks @Esmer, it's what @Smokestack said. And since we have reached it, with your help, they have now been added to the optional add-ons.
This is where we stand 10 hours before the finish line, it's not much but it's honest work
This is where we currently stand, 10 hours before the end!
...and so much more!
Come have a look, and vote for the next stretch goal! We are doing this, together!
That's an interesting take on the idea of a troll though, for me personally, it looks a bit too much like a goblin/ogre half breed. YMMV. Regardless, congratulations!
Thank you for supporting our company (directly or indirectly, we appreciate both)!
We'll do our very best to prove you right and hope you all like the end results!
The entire team is almost out due to common cold, so we are going to rest this week as we need much needed sleep! Then we must get to work, service our 310 supporters and examine again what could have been done better to improve for the next project.
Keep safe and have a great day!
you'll be presented with 2 selectable options for your pledge. YOU SHOULD ONLY PICK ONE (although the interphase will let you select both)
choose the option you want, leave the other set to NONE and your sorted
I screwed it up initially (and had to go back and fix it) and i imagine lots of other folk will too. Hopefully shieldwolf don;t have to chase too many folk who have got it wrong
Azazelx wrote: Three days before Christmas? Possibly not the best timing.
Good point.
And a needlessly complex pledge manager too.
Just had a thought, does Greece use the Gregorian calendar for business and secular matters? Because I do know that the Julian calendar is used by the Greek Orthodox Church, and they celebrate Christmas in early January: I think it will be 7th January this season. If Greece as a whole uses the Julian calendar, then I can see how they might forget that for most of Europe and the Americas, Christmas is 25th December, and so 22 December is difficult for us.
It is true (except for the Julian calendar since we use the Gregorian one), and we appreciate the feedback.
The Pledge Manager (PM) also opened just before Black Friday, so it is bad timing.
That said, our delivering on a timely manner remains a priority. Being morally correct towards people who have already supported us with their hard earned money will always defeat making more money from others, that's the policy of the company anyway. Not the fastest way to become rich but I guess we feel just fine with how we are doing :-D
Since we are already lagging 3 weeks behind the original schedule (should have the PM ready early November and ending it early December) we wish to speed things up as much as possible so there were no second thoughts on the decision.
Just wanted to address the concerns but we do hear you and you are right regarding bad timing. It is what it is.
Wanted to drop this here (that's why I logged in TBH in the first place today), it's the only time of the year that the company offers discounts, hence doing our best to support our collaborators worldwide.
Thank you! :-D
Edit: I forgot to address the "complicated" pledge manager. When offering so many pledges and choices in order to accomodate all our backers, there's no way around it. Still, we feel most people (if not all) will have absolutely a very easy time submitting it, the smoke test showed zero issues :-)
Got my pledge invitation today. Filled out no problem. The only complicated part was I got a Horde army. There is the option to use it as a Horde army or a Garrison army... You have to choose the one you want and check "none" on the one you dont. But that was addressed in the update so not too bad.
Added 10 goblins, another 20 araves and the 5 ice wolves.
Shieldwolf Miniatures wrote: It is true (except for the Julian calendar since we use the Gregorian one), and we appreciate the feedback.
The Pledge Manager (PM) also opened just before Black Friday, so it is bad timing.
That said, our delivering on a timely manner remains a priority. Being morally correct towards people who have already supported us with their hard earned money will always defeat making more money from others, that's the policy of the company anyway. Not the fastest way to become rich but I guess we feel just fine with how we are doing :-D
Since we are already lagging 3 weeks behind the original schedule (should have the PM ready early November and ending it early December) we wish to speed things up as much as possible so there were no second thoughts on the decision.
Just wanted to address the concerns but we do hear you and you are right regarding bad timing. It is what it is.
Honestly, it's both bad timing and bad planning/implementation.Black Friday and Christmas were always on the calendar in their existing locations. Starting 3 weeks earlier than Black Friday or even Ending 2 weeks after Christmas would have been much less of an issue for many people, Dropping a PM at this exact time of year...
Playing it off as a moral decision is an ...interesting way to look at it, as it also very much affects the people who did "already supported us with their hard earned money" as well, as you know as well as the rest of us that people like to add more in a PM - which is why PMs exist - good for the business and the customer.
Hopefully it's more of a situation where you plan to extend it by a few weeks at the end, but want/need most people to be wrapped up before then so the PM doesn't bleed into February...
Azazelx wrote: Three days before Christmas? Possibly not the best timing.
Good point.
And a needlessly complex pledge manager too.
Just had a thought, does Greece use the Gregorian calendar for business and secular matters? Because I do know that the Julian calendar is used by the Greek Orthodox Church, and they celebrate Christmas in early January: I think it will be 7th January this season. If Greece as a whole uses the Julian calendar, then I can see how they might forget that for most of Europe and the Americas, Christmas is 25th December, and so 22 December is difficult for us.
I live in the third largest Greek city in the world, and I know that the Diaspora celebrates Christmas here at the same time as everyone else. Easter on the other hand, is much more important and so when it's on a different date, it either gets celebrated twice (one with everyone else) as well as more importantly on the Orthodox date.
@Shieldwolf Miniatures: If I have given offense, I apologize.
I have filled out my pledge manager with a minimum of difficulty, so it wasn't as complex as it looked initially. It would not take my credit card information until I turned off the AdBlocker, but that's at my end.
As for the calendar issue, that's good to know. Most of my knowledge of your country is dated, being of the Classical period, so Marathon, Salamis, and the Peloponnesian war.
I live in the third largest Greek city in the world, and I know that the Diaspora celebrates Christmas here at the same time as everyone else. Easter on the other hand, is much more important and so when it's on a different date, it either gets celebrated twice (one with everyone else) as well as more importantly on the Orthodox date.
I stand corrected. I see that my personal experience has deceived me. Firstly, a high school classmate whose family did celebrate Christmas according to the Julian calendar, and a special Christmas Mass at the Getty Center when the Icons of Sinai exhibit was there. A Greek Orthodox church had applied for permission to hold Christmas mass using these ancient relics of their faith. It was granted, and I was working that night, which was in January, thus the Julian calendar again. I don't know if the priests actually got to take the icons out of the cases, or simply conducted services in close proximity to them.
@Ancestral Hamster
No offence taken whatsoever, you are making good points and next time we'll make sure to plan the timing better. We are not "playing it off" as a moral decision, it is what it is and we are being honest about it.
Like I said though, timing should have been better calculated, therefore it is we who stand corrected.
I live in the third largest Greek city in the world, and I know that the Diaspora celebrates Christmas here at the same time as everyone else. Easter on the other hand, is much more important and so when it's on a different date, it either gets celebrated twice (one with everyone else) as well as more importantly on the Orthodox date.
I stand corrected. I see that my personal experience has deceived me. Firstly, a high school classmate whose family did celebrate Christmas according to the Julian calendar, and a special Christmas Mass at the Getty Center when the Icons of Sinai exhibit was there. A Greek Orthodox church had applied for permission to hold Christmas mass using these ancient relics of their faith. It was granted, and I was working that night, which was in January, thus the Julian calendar again. I don't know if the priests actually got to take the icons out of the cases, or simply conducted services in close proximity to them.
I'm sure in some places/some greeks celebrate Christmas on the Julian date (or twice) - and even moreso if it simply means attending a special mass, but it's not the predominant case here.
Shieldwolf Miniatures wrote: @Ancestral Hamster
No offence taken whatsoever, you are making good points and next time we'll make sure to plan the timing better. We are not "playing it off" as a moral decision, it is what it is and we are being honest about it.
Like I said though, timing should have been better calculated, therefore it is we who stand corrected.
I think that reply was to me rather than to AH, but regardless - a good move keeping tyhe PM open a bit longer. I've just now been able to send you guys a bunch of moneys.
Posting this here more as an update in case anyone else on Dakka was unable to afford to use Christmas-time money on this KS and wants to hit the PM before it closes up...
The review of the Valkyries looks good. I didnt actually get any of them though. I focused on the Araves...
Speaking of which... the last update had some bad news. None of the "non-veiled" heads made it on the sprue... the sculptor apparently misrepresented their ability... so they are putting the shield-maiden heads on the sprue... with the veiled heads. I am pretty disappointed by that, but it is what it is. Any way, update linked below and relevant text pasted as well...
"...For that to happen, we are casting in-house the resin miniatures (almost done) and awaiting for Renedra to tool the hard plastic kit of the Aravises; this will be by late summer. Due to the fact non-veiled heads did not work for the tooling, we decided to add the Shieldmaiden versions to allow for more variety (also because in our lore the Charemises and Aravises must be distinct plus we promised a dual kit so we had to figure some way to provide it). That way each box will include 15 unveiled heads (15 different sculpts) and 27 veiled heads (9 different sculpts) for a total of 42 heads per box."
A backer only update posted today. They made the heads without veils available as an STL download since they wont be on the actual sprue... I dont have a 3D printer but appreciate the gesture.
So, Black Friday is upon us and that's the only time in the year that Shieldwolf Miniatures traditionally has sales, so if you wanted something now is the time to grab it!
The Aravises are in the process of delivery. Can anyone who has received theirs post some pics? Would like to see the sprue and some assembled models. Haven't gotten mine yet. But hopefully soon.
Well, my kickstarter stuff cleared customs and is about to leave NY, so should be here soon...
Still no unboxings or assembled minis anywhere. I did read in the KS comments that the Araves are a bit smaller than the shieldmaidens. Someone stated 30mm vs 32mm. If so that makes these better for me.
Ok, I finally got a few together. I put them next to the first 28mm mini I could find, a Death Fields Grognard. They might not be as tall as the Shieldmaidens, but they seem to fit well with WA’s 28mm scale.
Automatically Appended Next Post: Just a note: I had to cut down all of their necks a little bit.
The pics look good Either my googlefu is lacking or yours are the only pictures of them on the internet,
From your pics, Size-wise they look good. And the bodies look nice. I am not sold on the weapons. May see if WA Afghan arms look better. But I may still put daemonette arms on them and make them alternate daemonettes...
Tracking says mine are in Maryland... so hopefully delivery tomorrow or Friday.
They look great, a shame some of the heads didn't work and they had to use the shield maiden heads. I would love to have some maskless versions of the masked faces.
Each faction has an iconic animal to ride into battle! Fantasy yeah, ftw! Hehehe!
This is the nordic version below. For those who are asking we will have a black friday discount yes, but that gets revealed next week :-)
The ONLY time of the year we offer a discount.
Well, all feedback is welcome, we find they'll fill nicely in various armies, the pricing remains as always competitive and it supplemements the Forest Goblins (one of our most renowned factions) with BIG guys it had been missing.
Not having seen any of your stuff in real life, how do the alien camel riders compare scalewise to 40k?
(I'd like to use them as new Rough Riders/Death Korp)
Not having seen any of your stuff in real life, how do the alien camel riders compare scalewise to 40k?
(I'd like to use them as new Rough Riders/Death Korp)
And I'm curious how close they are to traditional 28mm. I'd be curious to use them for Boudins in Baron's War.
The tariffs may have caused headwinds to anyone producing in China or some other non-Western countries but for companies like ours that produce in-house it's obviously good news.
We are announcing that all production slots have been filled and Shielwolf Miniatures will not be taking in any other for the rest of 2025!
@lord_blackfang Our company indeed produces all plastic sprues in England via Renedra Ltd with whom we are very pleased all these years (first kit produced was released way back in early 2014!).
However all hand-cast resin production is done in our HQ. This is not only for our own miniature range but also for all the other companies whose ranges we are producing on their behalf. These are the production slots we are referring to.
