I haven't painted any of mine yet but overall I'd say it's good boardgame miniature quality. Not miniature game miniature quality. Some of the faces/details are a little washed out.
Clean up isn't hard and I've seen some painters do great things with them but it's a board game miniature piece.
I also got Conan and was fairly impressed. IMO, they are roughly equivalent to Black Plague, but I think BP slightly edges them out due to the faces being better sculpted with the medium in mind (ie, more heroic scale/exggerated features). There are a few duds, but totally worth it for the cost and I backed Mythic Battles with no hesitation. With cowls/masks, the facial issues should be diminished as well.
The plastic honestly IS translucent, which makes some detail look weaker. A primer/wash/dip does a lot, even if you arent intending to fully paint the figure.
MLaw wrote: Another awesome thing.. If you don't like a figure.. there's like a gajiliion Heroclix and other figures you can pull from for... lots of the things you might need. While most HC would probably need a repaint, I've found quite a few Batman related sculpts to be pretty nice.. including a Harley and a Joker that are both among my favorites for those characters.. the Clayface is pretty sweet too.. being based on the BTAS incarnation.. So we'll see.
Hmm. So why pick up the Monolith Batman game over WizKids, aside from gameplay? I guess I'm wondering at what price it would be better to back the Monolith Batman game, rather than buying bundles of HeroClix off eBay. Is the assumption that the Monolith sculpts will be that much better than HeroClix? I haven't stripped any HeroClix yet, and the prepaints aren't as good as I could repaint them. OTOH, The Monolith figures may be more expensive, and I'd still have to paint them. Thoughts, anyone?
Alpharius wrote: Did Knight Models really seriously jack up their prices recently?
If so, that is too bad, but I suppose that will actually 'help' here a lot too...
Looking on Element games, the new gangs for Knight Models have gone from £28 to £42, no justification or explanation as to why from Knight, its insanity, not even GW in their insane phase has raised the prices that much in one swoop. Monolith has just secured a heck of a lot of funding I'd say without even trying as people will turn from BMG.
I'd wager we don't start getting actual dates until Mythic Battles is either close to shipping or actually in people's hands.
Then again they do seem to be plugging away nicely at Mythic Battles, so who's to say? Maybe they'll get the base game out quick and then start the Bats.
Conan plays brilliantly with its gem management framework, dice, gear, etc. It's only issues was a missing point system for alternate characters and gear.
As this is hero vs villains, with fewer characters, I'm assuming there will be a point system. This is an auto buy with batman and the conan playstyle...
I'm extatic! I might pass on zombicide for once just for this!
455_PWR wrote: Conan plays brilliantly with its gem management framework, dice, gear, etc. It's only issues was a missing point system for alternate characters and gear.
As this is hero vs villains, with fewer characters, I'm assuming there will be a point system. This is an auto buy with batman and the conan playstyle...
I'm extatic! I might pass on zombicide for once just for this!
Watching the video (and having not actually played my copy of Conan) the system seems pretty straightforward. I'm not a fan of weird dice but it strikes me as a bit less complicated than it seems. I have seen a few people saying they hope that Monolith diverges from the gem thing for this.. and thematically I have to agree. I would hope they would go with something like charge token, endurance counter, energy marker.. etc.. I even saw a suggestion for batarangs.. which I don't think I'm crazy about.. but bat symbols (the full emblem) or similar might be cool.
All of that is just cosmetics though..
How about POWer tokens , or crash, bang, boom all shaped like the old tv show symbols.
I have to admit, I always go to 'first unread post' so updating the OP alone does not really pass on the info for me and the others who read multi-page topics the same way. I appreciated the clear concise new info post Alpharius made.
CptJake wrote: I have to admit, I always go to 'first unread post' so updating the OP alone does not really pass on the info for me and the others who read multi-page topics the same way. I appreciated the clear concise new info post Alpharius made.
Well, I don't work for dakka or get paid to maintain a thread.. so you're welcome to repost any of the info into new posts for people to read in sequence.. OR.. you could just click the subject and load it OP first.. not to be rude but c'mon man.. that's just lazy..
CptJake wrote: I have to admit, I always go to 'first unread post' so updating the OP alone does not really pass on the info for me and the others who read multi-page topics the same way. I appreciated the clear concise new info post Alpharius made.
Well, I don't work for dakka or get paid to maintain a thread.. so you're welcome to repost any of the info into new posts for people to read in sequence.. OR.. you could just click the subject and load it OP first.. not to be rude but c'mon man.. that's just lazy..
There's really no reason to click anything but "first unread" unless you're going through every OP of every thread every time you click it in the hope that something has been updated Very few OPs are as diligent as you!
I'm hoping the same for Clayface and a really awesome Man-Bat... and Bane..
I have no clue if the scope of this is stringently limited to Batman related properties or if they could do.. say.. Flash and Gorilla Grodd..
That said, Man-Shark is a Suicide Squad member and they have dealings with the Gotham nightlife.. so who knows really.
I'm also interested in what kind of scenery and terrain they will include in this. It's potentially a great opportunity all around though..
In regards to other heroes and villains, they will all be restricted to the Batman universe.
Flash and Superman are WAAAAAY to powerful for the systems to work with. Balancing issues would arise.
There is no word on terrain, but as Frederick Henry is a Heroquest fan, expect doors and safes. Maybe even computer terminals and bombs.
What can I say...Apart from "Crime fighting never looked so good"
Batman has been taken to another level with the very first pictures of a miniature from our upcoming board game, painted by Martin Grandbarbe. From the resin cast sculpt by Arnaud Boudoiron and the painting is inspired by Jim Lee's Hush
I own their conan stuff... most of the minis are detailed like that (warlord conan, etc). The plastic was glossy and light, but a coat of primer with zenith white/black brought out all the subtle details.
Sure there were a couple rushed minis (mainly minions), but their minis are awesome quality.
I'm guessing the batman plastic will be close to that, without that amazing paint job of course.
If you have seen the Mythic Battles minis (I did at Essen last year, and I have a few of them too) the detail on them are at least 20% better than the ones from Conan. It may be because they are using a darker plastic, but Leo reassured me that the plastic is even better than the Conan minis. More ridged, with means staffs and swords are not bendy and more detail can be etched into them. Batman should be using the same plastics, so your minis will have a great Wow factor.
I liked Conan a lot. Great game system and very fun and quick to play ( once the long set up finnished)
I am turned off though by the reskin of Bateman on the same system though. Feels less like a new game and more of just to sell models. Doesn't feel genuine and fresh like Conan is/was.
str00dles1 wrote: I liked Conan a lot. Great game system and very fun and quick to play ( once the long set up finnished)
I am turned off though by the reskin of Bateman on the same system though. Feels less like a new game and more of just to sell models. Doesn't feel genuine and fresh like Conan is/was.
Pass for me
Do we actually already know enough about the game to say this/pass judgement on it?
Anyway, D&D always bring out a new edition of the same thing...Warhammer too...Descent was turned into Imperial Assault...The list could go on. (I won't mention trick taking games =D )
Here is a image of the minis being printed ready for the UK Gaming Expo.
str00dles1 wrote: I liked Conan a lot. Great game system and very fun and quick to play ( once the long set up finnished)
I am turned off though by the reskin of Bateman on the same system though. Feels less like a new game and more of just to sell models. Doesn't feel genuine and fresh like Conan is/was.
Pass for me
Do we actually already know enough about the game to say this/pass judgement on it?
badgerthebrave wrote:You need to try before you buy...
Anyway, D&D always bring out a new edition of the same thing...Warhammer too...Descent was turned into Imperial Assault...The list could go on. (I won't mention trick taking games =D )
Here is a image of the minis being printed ready for the UK Gaming Expo.
'
The beauty of it is I don't need to actually try it. The gameplay vids are enough, and more so when someone buys it and shows how it plays, which will be like Conan. I like Batman, and I like Conan. I don't care for the reskin of it.
Descent became Imperial Assault because Descent 2nd has a ton of issues with it, and Star Wars is literally them just printing money.
455_PWR wrote: Awesome minis! I wonder how the average joe who can't get to conventions could get their hands on some resin prototype goodness....
There will be time. Lots of festivals and conventions will get to see Batman in the future. It's just kicking off here in France. Seen as it will probably be two years before it is in your homes
I had a look at them on the games expo. I'd say they were closer to 40mm. - they looked significantly larger than, for example the Knight models Batman model who is in a similar pose. He looked bigger than Wild West Exodus minis too.
Maybe there will be shrinkage or stuff going on for production minis or whatever but the Batman I saw was definitely not 35mm
Why do you say this? Is it because the bigger they are, the more paint you will have to use? Help this confused mind, of mine understand
Probably hoping they would match minis already in the collection, if 40mm turns out to be true (rather than just down to allowance for shrinkage in the eventual plastic compared to the resin prototypes) they're not going to fit with anything else
It is worth saying in Monoliths defence, I was looking at the minis in a glass cabinet, devoid of any immediate references and most certainly not side by side with, for example, my Knightmodels miniatures.
However, I'll stand by me saying Batman definitely looked far larger than my "Arkham Origins Batman."
Actually, now that you mention it. Yeah. That's totally the lizard from Marvel. I'd seen the pics before and that's exactly what I was thinking of, not Batman at all
That's way more Lizard then it is Croc. I think due to the coat and pose perhaps?
Probably would help to look at the size of the figure- Croc was always supposed to be larger than a normal human, whereas Lizard was usually about human sized.
Still think his Lego incarnation was the best one yet.
My interest will awaken when we see sculpts for Knightfall Batman or Azrael...
I'm not sure if you will think this as good as the Black Canary mini, due to it being very blurry.
A little bit hard to paint if you ask me. But then again, Clark Kent moves very fast...
I've really been impressed with Monolith's product so far. Amazingly, it looks like their Mythic Battles kickstarter may actually ship on time in December, which is a rare feat indeed. They've communicated every step of the way too. This one is going to be friggin huge. Maybe they can set their sights on a Marvel game next!
Thinking about the gaming possibility that this figure brings to the game that would make it vastly different from Conan...
* There could be a protection mission. Get Oracle from A to B safely.
* A collection mission where the Batman team have to pick up items and get them to Oracle so she can upgrade their gear.
* A stealth mission. The Batman team are hidden on the board and the Overlord has to abduct Oracle without crossing the heroes.
I rather like that Joker. It's got a bit of a BTAS feel but with sensible proportions that fit with the rest of the models, unlike KM's BTAS stuff.
All the other stuff looks good too, with KM continuing to make questionable decisions (new edition, resin models good, making half the existing range direct only to do it, not so good) this could be the way I go for Batman hobbying in future. A decent deal on the KS and I'm all in!
Monolith have announced, at GENCON, that Batman the Boardgame will be coming to Kickstarter in February 2018. And they are looking at a 10 month turnaround in the the production of the game, much like Mythic Battles: Panteon. So, it should be on your shelf's by Christmas 2018.
The price point, kicking around at the moment is $130 for the base game. This higher price is due to the royalty's that have been and have to be paid to Warner, for the licence. A serious amount of money has already been invested into the project. Meaning that this could be a make or break project. As Fred Henry (the designer and founder of Monolith posted on BGG) said that if it makes less than than Conan ($3million) they would pull the plug...But I can't see that happening, can you?
I wish it was a tactic, but it's an honest response to the questions that people are always asking...
"I don't back Kickstarters" or "You should go to retail"
You want the game, back the Kickstarter. And with the pedagry that Monolith already have and Batman in the title, that this will be one of the biggest KSever
Biggest for Monolith or gaming in general because if you mean the latter then that's a tall order to beat, what's the current biggest? Kingdom Death atm?
If you've been following various "boutique" KS, such as KDM and Cthulhu Wars, these games pretty much price themselves out of the retail market -- yet clearly show demand from gamers. Distributors require at least a 40% discount -- and are still under no obligation to carry it. You hear gamers *say* they will wait until retail, but who's going to buy a $200 or $400 boardgame? Or, rather, what retailer would carry such a game when they could be selling more Magic or Star Wars Destiny? Monolith's experience with Conan and retail was a bust, so it's no wonder Monolith has given up on retail. IMO, Retail has failed to support this niche of hobby gamers. Until there's some way to bridge the gap between the 1940's retailer-distributor model and KS, KS will remain the only way some hobbyists will be able to obtain stuff they want. Miniatures enthusiasts already know that retailers will not carry $50 resin sculpts, so buy them direct from the manufacturer. Boardgames are now doing this as well.
Also, of course, if you want a Batman miniatures game, you don't have to take the KS route. I'm sure someone's going to say how plastic isn't as good as metal, so get your Batman Miniatures Game miniatures, only $16 for a model. And, fwiw, HeroClix also has a ton of DC models retail.
It's worth mentioning I guess that KM are moving to coloured resin at potentially a cheaper price point. There's also bundles that are essentially 3 models for 2 now.
Verging off topic though, but still, that is the primary reason I'm watching this game and kickstarter.
ced1106 wrote: If you've been following various "boutique" KS, such as KDM and Cthulhu Wars, these games pretty much price themselves out of the retail market -- yet clearly show demand from gamers. Distributors require at least a 40% discount -- and are still under no obligation to carry it. You hear gamers *say* they will wait until retail, but who's going to buy a $200 or $400 boardgame? Or, rather, what retailer would carry such a game when they could be selling more Magic or Star Wars Destiny? Monolith's experience with Conan and retail was a bust, so it's no wonder Monolith has given up on retail. IMO, Retail has failed to support this niche of hobby gamers. Until there's some way to bridge the gap between the 1940's retailer-distributor model and KS, KS will remain the only way some hobbyists will be able to obtain stuff they want. Miniatures enthusiasts already know that retailers will not carry $50 resin sculpts, so buy them direct from the manufacturer. Boardgames are now doing this as well.
Also, of course, if you want a Batman miniatures game, you don't have to take the KS route. I'm sure someone's going to say how plastic isn't as good as metal, so get your Batman Miniatures Game miniatures, only $16 for a model. And, fwiw, HeroClix also has a ton of DC models retail.
This is correct. Here is another way of putting it (not using exact figures)
- Conan was on KS for $90. Conan went to retail. Asmodee wanted to a share for bringing it to retail, which bumps up the cost to (around) $130. Then the store owners wanted their cut, which means that they sell it for anything from $160-$200. Would you pay that price?...NO!
Now work it backward. The store owner wants to sell Conan at $90. Which means that they bought it from Asmodee for $50. Which means Monolith makes $20-$30 per game. And the game costs more than that to manufacture! Let alone the staff, and recuperate the costs of the prepaid art.
To make the game and sell it in retail store for $90 and Monolith be able to pay their staff and make more games would have ment that the final product would have been not the same quality. Cheaper plastics used. Less components in the box. And would you want that?
This is why Monolith have decided to keep purely to Kickstarter. They can use the profits to invest in the next project (remember Batman is a licences title and does not come free, neither is producing artwork and minis) as well as make a product that they can be proud of and be treasured by us.
MLaw wrote: Watching what just happened with Spartan.. and that Halo was mentioned directly has given me pause. Hope this doesn't break Monolith so early in their infancy as a gaming company.
There has already been a years work put into this game. I think it will be a great hit. I demoed it at the UK EXPO and everyone that walked away said they loved it. 70% have never played Conan. And there were kids as young as 10 saying, "look daddy, Batman. Can we play?" And that, they did. Picked up the rules easily and enjoyed. There is a whole other market that is tapped into with the licence and this will reach a wider audience that what Conan did. Plus Kickstarter has a great reputation than in 2015.
Wasn't part of Spartan's mistake having four similar game lines? Their customers were unhappy after buying $$ of miniatures and painting them, only to find Spartan lessening support and putting out another game line.
*Sorta* like the reaction to FFG from Imperial Assault gamers of FFG's Legion miniatures (not the same scale, gonna have to buy more miniatures, gonna have to paint more miniatures, etc.).
Now, if Monolith puts out a 25mm Batman: The Animated Series boardgame KS, a 32 mm Batman Beyond boardgame KS, and a 15mm Batman: The Television Series boardgame KS, all within a few months of each other, okay, maybe something to be worried about.
ced1106 wrote: Wasn't part of Spartan's mistake having four similar game lines? Their customers were unhappy after buying $$ of miniatures and painting them, only to find Spartan lessening support and putting out another game line.
*Sorta* like the reaction to FFG from Imperial Assault gamers of FFG's Legion miniatures (not the same scale, gonna have to buy more miniatures, gonna have to paint more miniatures, etc.).
Now, if Monolith puts out a 25mm Batman: The Animated Series boardgame KS, a 32 mm Batman Beyond boardgame KS, and a 15mm Batman: The Television Series boardgame KS, all within a few months of each other, okay, maybe something to be worried about.
Neither FFG or Monolith are miniature companies. They make boardgames with PVC figures. I think maaaaybe your examples of similar games may also be a bit too on the nose. It would more likely be something like.. Batman.. then I dunno something similar to Sin City.. then something like Daredevil. Putting out repeats can work if it's done properly though.. look at Zombicide.. I'm being given pause though because it's no doubt an expensive property license coupled with a buy-in that might be too high for casual gamers in the "hey dad, can I play Batman" boardgame crowd.. and.. it's more or less restricted to a niche consumer avenue (crowd-funding). I am hopeful that the strength of the brand + their success in previous ventures + the quality they're able to achieve means this will be a strong addition though. Definitely not trying to be doom and gloom on this.. just really hope they haven't put all their eggs in this one dark and broody basket.
I think if you are going to back a horse, the biggest selling Superhero of all time is a good choice, Knight miniatures did and look at how that line exploded over the past 5 years. This will break a million or two at least.
ced1106 wrote: Now, if Monolith puts out a 25mm Batman: The Animated Series boardgame KS, a 32 mm Batman Beyond boardgame KS, and a 15mm Batman: The Television Series boardgame KS, all within a few months of each other, okay, maybe something to be worried about.
This shouldn't happen. Fred Henry is a respected board game designer, role player and nice guy. I don't think that he would do that to us.
Now, if it was Wizards of the Coast or Fantasy Flight, I would have the same douts as you.
endtransmission wrote: The second kickstarter is just another book with lots more scenarios to use the KS1 models
Mostly, but there are also going to be some extremely limited pledges letting you pick up the stuff from the first KS.
I was thinking of trying to nab one, as I managed to completely miss it first time around, but I think I need to save my money for Batman (I've got a feeling it could get expensive).
endtransmission wrote: The second kickstarter is just another book with lots more scenarios to use the KS1 models
Mostly, but there are also going to be some extremely limited pledges letting you pick up the stuff from the first KS.
I was thinking of trying to nab one, as I managed to completely miss it first time around, but I think I need to save my money for Batman (I've got a feeling it could get expensive).
If you are short of funds, weigh it up. It won't be long until Batman comes to Kickstarter.
It's like if a new Avengers films comes to the cinema the same time as a Gardiens of the Galaxy film, and you have money to watch one, but not the other
Yep, that looks exactly how he has been drawn recently. He doesn't appear that often but he has worked for Hush in the past and a lot of the character designs for this game have been taken from the Hush storyline.
Uh-oh. Looks like the major villains might have their own add-on packs of them and their themed thugs. I'd rather have a generic set of thugs which could be used with villains. Cheaper and less figures to paint...
Not only are Jim Lee and Georges Clarenko works of are being use in the design of the game. Now David Finch joins the team.
Active since 1993 in the comics world, he quickly forged himself a solid reputation, becoming a star-artist of his generation. He regularly pencils the adventures of Batman since 2010 and started with Batman #700 and Batman: The Return.
He was also the lead artist and co-writer of the monthly issue Batman: The Dark Knight and one of the artists working with the writer Tom King on the Rebirth serie.
He had the chance to design many of the secondary characters like White Rabbit or the heroes Gotham and Gotham Girl.
He created an EXCLUSIVE ORIGINAL ARTWORK for Batman: The Boardgame depicting the rooftops of Gotham City. David included Batman, of course, the Bat-signal and also some of the closest allies of Bruce Wayne. Such collaborations with artists who are part of Batman's legend testify Monolith's will to offer the core of what the Dark Knight is to the fans!
Alpharius wrote: So, nothing official for Many vs. The Game, but we can hope for unofficial add-ons?
It is also possible that Monolith will create a solo mode. But not at this time. They do not wish to spend more time working something into the game as the KS date is approaching.
Average Joe's arrive in Gotham...And I'm not talking about the Gym!
We now have some civilians that will be populating Gotham. People for the Dark Knight to watch over.
Will they be cannon-fodder for those big bad, bad guy? Will the they block the route and hamper the good guys? Or will they be hostages to rescue and keep safe?
Just got back from Essen. The Batman booth was packed for 4 days. We saw many people being turned away but coming back.
Rules have been tweaked. Art has be upgraded and everyone said how good the game felt. Just a few criticisms about the art and icons, but that's all. Take a look for yourself.
Monolith have just posted some new images, showing off the ACE chemicals plant, Red hood and the Joker.
Showcasing the graphic novel side of the game. Where you will play out certain scenes from some of the Dark Knights greatest story-lines. In this case, The Killing Joke. Maybe Red Hood will fall into the vat of acid, scaring himself into the Joker. Will Catwoman be the one that pushes him into the green abyss? Or will the tables be turned and Robin takes a swim? All of this can be written by you...
Then there will possibly be the chance of the Joker having his revenge in a second showdown in the plant. February can't come quick enough.
If they can run this as ridiculous as Joan of Arc was run, I'll have to be in, and I'm not even much of a fan of Batman out of a few select graphic novels.
I do have to admit I like the Court of Owls designs.
Probably won't be as many opportunities for giant figures with Batman though... will there? Outside of guys like Clayface, Killer Croc, Bane... Batman's rogues don't tend to be the giant types.
Aeneades wrote: This game is from Monolith. Joan of Arc was Mythic. Think you are getting them confused as they previously worked together on Mythic Battles.
I am not expecting this to be as generous as Joan of Arc.
Monolith also Conan, which were pretty generous. The Conan license probably isnt as steep as Batman's, but I still expect this one will be well worth the money. Monolith is really good at communication too. Pantheon is even expected to deliver early, which for a multi-million dollar KS is quite impressive.