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https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/524168246/rise-of-the-draconids

AntiMatter Games ran a Kickstarter that ended just a little over a week ago that came very close, but sadly didn't quite reach its funding goal. Well, they're back, and this time the focus has shifted to the Draconid Legion. It's a simple setup, with the main funding goal of $3,000 for the first of the Draconids, and with stretch goals up to $10,000 where the Deluxe starter set will be released. A 40 page painting guide will also be produced which looks pretty sweet; many of the paint jobs on the minis from this range are absolutely spectacular.

Just like in their previous campaigns, they have a whole bunch of stuff available from their existing ranges; ShadowSea, DeepWars, and the old Dragonblood line. Coupled with the fact that they have a trading system where you can basically swap around as you like with the various pledge levels makes it a very flexible campaign. There's a lot of nice stuff available, and even though I went in big on the last campaign (and got a nice box of gorgeous resin and metal that I'm very pleased with), I could easily go in pretty deep on this one too and not run out of goodies to pick.

As you can trade in the deluxe starter sets for 6 points, the softcover rulebook for 4 points, and the hardcover for 7 points, the main pledge levels are basically worth as follows:

Captain ($55) - 6 pts, plus PDF rulebook and PDF painting guide
Major ($125) - 18 pts, plus PDF rulebook and PDF painting guide
Gamemaster ($225) - 30 pts, plus PDF rulebook and printed painting guide
Gamemaster Pro ($300) - 47 pts, plus PDF rulebook and printed painting guide

Additionally, if you backed the original ShadowSea project at $50 or higher and back this one at $50 or higher you get 1 bonus point, and if you backed the original ShadowSea project at $225 or higher and back this one at $225 or higher you get 2 bonus points.

Here are some examples of minis that are available from their existing lines through this campaign. I got most of these from their last Kickstarter; this is top notch stuff.













https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/524168246/rise-of-the-draconids

That was a quick turn around!

Just give me some land based Ancients and I'll throw all my money at it.

Yup, they're right back up in the saddle; I applaud them for it.

BTW, here's a step-by-step painting tutorial that Eric Louchard (the guy running AntiMatter) made, so it's an example of what you might expect to see in that painting guide. I picked up this Giant Anglerfish in the last Kickstarter (and it's available here too); it's an absolutely epic model:

http://forum.reapermini.com/index.php?/topic/51736-giant-anglerfish/?hl=antimatter

Wish they'd get the bloody skullcracker bird back in stock.

If I pledge for existing models only... do I still need to wait till 2015 to get them?

Nice that they opened up their whole catalogue for this!

The main page states that if you order currently produced stuff, it ships 1-2 weeks after the KS.

Arrived home, pledged, fell asleep, woke up, saw it funded. Good job!

Yay for funded!

 MeanGreenStompa wrote:
Wish they'd get the bloody skullcracker bird back in stock.

That's one of the models that I'm most definitely getting through this Kickstarter.

 RiTides wrote:
If I pledge for existing models only... do I still need to wait till 2015 to get them?

Yeah, as Alex C said, it says 1-2 weeks if you only pledge for stuff that's in stock. I was actually very happy with how he handled shipping of my rewards in the previous ShadowSea campaign. First I was on a long vacation when he started shipping, so I asked if he could hold my stuff a couple of weeks; that was not a problem. Then, when I was home and told him he could send it, he got it out the door right away and I had it in Sweden a week later. There was a slight snag in that my box was missing two models (that I had added post-KS), but when I emailed him about that he replied immediately and I had them in hand five days later. Maybe this kind of customer service is what should be expected, but for me it was a pleasant surprise; I have pledged on several Kickstarters where "we have started to ship out rewards!" has turned into a long painful drag with "still working on it..." a year later.

So I guess what I'm saying is... get in there and grab those Nautiloid Chrysalids!!!

Nice stuff, as usual!

I really do hope we get to the $10K and $12K unlocks - but that was a stretch last time around too...

 Alex C wrote:
The main page states that if you order currently produced stuff, it ships 1-2 weeks after the KS.

 Trodax wrote:
Yeah, as Alex C said, it says 1-2 weeks if you only pledge for stuff that's in stock. I was actually very happy with how he handled shipping of my rewards in the previous ShadowSea campaign. First I was on a long vacation when he started shipping, so I asked if he could hold my stuff a couple of weeks; that was not a problem. Then, when I was home and told him he could send it, he got it out the door right away and I had it in Sweden a week later. There was a slight snag in that my box was missing two models (that I had added post-KS), but when I emailed him about that he replied immediately and I had them in hand five days later. Maybe this kind of customer service is what should be expected, but for me it was a pleasant surprise; I have pledged on several Kickstarters where "we have started to ship out rewards!" has turned into a long painful drag with "still working on it..." a year later.

So I guess what I'm saying is... get in there and grab those Nautiloid Chrysalids!!!

Ah, excellent . I've gone ahead and backed it now, thanks for the heads up!

Digging the the iron conqueror and azealta mistress of the apocalypse figures, interesting designs overall

 Jehan-reznor wrote:
Digging the the iron conqueror and azealta mistress of the apocalypse figures, interesting designs overall

Yeah, I got Azcalta in the last Kickstarter; she was actually one of the reasons I got sold on that campaign. She's great.

I've updated the OP with images of just some of my other favorites that are available here, all-in-all I just think it's great stuff.

Another stretch goal passed! This is my third funded KS by antimatter. All of my dealings with them in the past have been very pleasant - Eric is very professional, and he takes his deadlines very seriously. If you back this project, I would expect some great figures that will be delivered as close to on time as possible.

Signed up too, at Major level. Going for existing Deepwars product so I can get my shiny new toys sooner!

At time of posting, the KS is just $80 away from $6,000. Certainly would like to see this one hit $12K and so we can get Lithiana, Queen of the Deep.


Azcalta is an interesting figure gamewise. If I'm reading the cards right, if you pay for her handmaiden, Lunea, the handmaiden automatically follows her mistress. So I'm guessing you don't have to activate Lunea to move as if you successfully activate Azcalta, Lunea rides for free. Although I assume you have to activate Lunea to use her abilities.

This campaign is moving along slowly but surely, and we're closing in on $10K where the full Draconid deluxe starter set will be unlocked. Interestingly, some more stuff has found its way to the add-ons section; these are a bunch old goodies from the Dragonblood line that Eric managed to dig up the molds for. I think I'm in for all of these actually, I really like em, my favorite probably being the Outlaw chic.



There are some more detailed pics of these in update #4, showing how extremely customizable some of them are (like the wizard who can be young, old, or Gandalf, and the female fighter who can be an elf or a Spartan, and armed with either spear or sword).

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/524168246/rise-of-the-draconids/posts/945062

There's also one more Dark Mariner that has been added; Golgatha, the Cephalid Remote Viewer:

Some bonus goals have been added, throwing in a few extra points to the higher pledge levels.



I'm thinking at least the 100 backer goal should be reached, it would be really nice with the other ones too, but we'll see. The campaign is struggling along at $9,000 right now, it could really use some more support!

I've got to say, the Major pledge level is looking like a pretty good deal here to me; if another point is added for the 100 backers it will be worth a total of 19 points if you trade in the book and two deluxe starter sets. At $125, that means you're paying around $6.50 per point, i.e. basically $6.50 per medium-sized mini. Considering that most of these retail for at least $10-12, that's a pretty good savings (there are also a couple of 1-point minis among the older Dragonblood Dark Mariners that retail for $20, so there are some absolute steals to be found here too).

I agree about the savings, and these are such excellent miniatures. They sell well at my FLGS, not sure why their Kickstarters don't garner more attention!

 RiTides wrote:
I agree about the savings, and these are such excellent miniatures. They sell well at my FLGS, not sure why their Kickstarters don't garner more attention!

I've been wondering that myself. Needs more boobs/zombie boobs?

They're super flexible on how you pledge, reward backers from previous campaigns with extra points, have reliably been on time with shipping, and can ship existing items almost immediately after the campaign ends (and will split shipments too). I'm always baffled they don't do better.

I think we'll hit 10k easily, and probably at least 12. I do want that triceratops though!

I think we'll get the 100 backers, and I'm hopeful this can at least hit 15,000, becasuse at that point if you're in for a hundred you're getting yourself a pretty solid deal.

If I end up refinancing on my home this month, I may just have to splurge on this since I wouldn't be having to pay anything out of pocket on the mortgage for a bit.

At the very least I'm getting my Draconid starter, and possibly the Sunless Kingdom set.

The Cephalid Remote Viewer is a cool little figure. I got one last time- nice resin casting, and all kinds of fun surface detail on both him and his base.

I prefer some of the other Cephalids, personally. I got the Animist, Telepath, and Yochloth from the last campaign, and the Cephalid Scientist locally. This last was because I needed 3, and unfortunately the Telepath is really undersized! The rest are absolutely awesome, though.

You are quite lucky to find any of this stuff locally. I've given up on our local places- it's either GW, PP, Bones, or nothing. The closest shop steadfastly refuses to carry ANY other lines, as he can't be bothered keeping inventory of them. What's really stupid about that attitude is that they're a pretty big shop, and do a LOT of hobby business outside of tabletop games. But that's neither here no there, and has nothing to do with Shadowsea.

Of the Mariners, I'd say the Animist is probably my favorite of the bunch. He's a decrepit old octopus man with back problems and a cane!

When I'm not busy this weekend chauffeuring my wife all over Southern California in the name of shopping, I plan on taking some photos of my guys now that I've got a semi decent camera built into my phone.

 RiTides wrote:
They sell well at my FLGS, not sure why their Kickstarters don't garner more attention!

That's cool to hear, the shops in my parts carry only GW, PP and Flames of War, and my first exposure to Antimatter Games was actually through Kickstarter. Also not sure why their campaigns aren't more popular. Are they too niche? I dunno, some of their minis might be, I mean I guess perhaps not that many people need an anglerfish, even though it's a fantastic model. But they have a lot of general purpose stuff too; in their last campaign I picked up a whole bunch of their lizardmen which will be put to good use in my D&D games. They also have some really sweet beastmen, and I'm thinking I'll utilize one or two of their Amazonian priestesses next time I start up a Conan RPG campaign. Dark Mariners could be excellent evil aberrant monstrosities in D&D, or some kind of Nurgle spawn if you're so inclined. They've got the quality down, and in all my interactions with them they have been super professional and seem very reliable.

This is kind of in a mid-campaign lull right now (damn I wish it was more succesful!), but we are slowly edging in on the $10K stretch goal, for the final Draconid and the full deluxe starter set. After that, 'Lithiana, Queen of the Deep' is up at $12K, which looks like it could potentially be a pretty sweet model. As for what happens post-$12K, Eric is thinking of maybe putting up either a couple snakemen or Kalath the Reaver, the Triceratops-riding dragonman. He's taking suggestions in the comments section, so if you have any thoughts please weigh in (if you're not a backer I can pass them on).

Here is the original Kalath, the idea is that he'll make retooled version with a slightly better fit between the rider and the dino's head-shield. It's a pretty cool model I think.

Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

Trodax is slow, so I will keep everyone informed!

So the current plan is:

10k Draconid box

12k Dark Mariner Queen

13k Fungal Growth scenery- piles of mushrooms to do with as we please (2 points of $16)

14k KALATH (5 points or $40) in RESIN

Tossed my cash in the pot for my next ARMORED DINOSAUR! We need more of these things people!

 highlord tamburlaine wrote:
Trodax is slow, so I will keep everyone informed!

I was sleeping man, sleeping! Occasionally even one such as I must retreat to the cave for a brief period of dreamless slumber!

Kalath at $14K is a very, very interesting stretch goal; I'm thinking it should definitely be doable. Come on now people, you know you need a dinosaur-riding lizardman, right?! Here are the various ways you can get him if you want in on this Kickstarter:

* Pledge at the Basic level at $15, and add $40 for Kalath for a total of $55. This will get you Kalath and an additional medium-sized mini.

* Pledge at the Captain level for $55, and trade in the deluxe starter for 6 points. This will get you Kalath (5 points) and an additional medium-sized mini.

* Pledge at the Major level for $125, and trade everything in for a total of 18 points. This will get you Kalath (5 points) and 13 points to spend on other stuff. If we reach 100 backers (and we should I think) this will go up to 19 points, and potentially even more with further stretch goals; if you can afford it this is really looking like the sweet spot of this campaign

Sorry if people around here think I'm promoting this too aggressively; I honestly just think AntiMatter deserve more success with their Kickstarters!

 Trodax wrote:

Sorry if people around here think I'm promoting this too aggressively...

We don't think that at all!

I definitely appreciate your efforts, and that pledge breakdown was quite nice too!

 Trodax wrote:
...I honestly just think AntiMatter deserve more success with their Kickstarters!

Me too!

They certainly deserve to be getting more attention, and funding, then they currently are at!

Alright, thanks Alpharius. It just kind of makes me feel for the guy seeing him soldier on, quietly and professionally (he's not one to use wordy updates filled with exclamations of awesome!!!), while other projects rake in the $$$ by promising the moon in terms of quality and delivery dates. Especially those two campaigns that came so ridiculously close to funding but failed on the finish line must have been painful, but he hasn't given up. I respect that.

Absolutely!

And basing his games of off the SOBH set makes for some good times, and more importantly, some damn fun games!

 Alpharius wrote:
And basing his games of off the SOBH set makes for some good times, and more importantly, some damn fun games!

Cool. I actually haven't played, am just picking up the minis for painting, collecting, and to put to use in other games (I'm pretty much exclusively an RPG'er these days). But based on some recommendations I picked up the ShadowSea hardcover in the previous campaign, and it's really very nice (setting would be great for an RPG campaign). System does seem like a lot of fun too; I can see why Song of Blades and Heroes has received so much praise. My plan is to get DeepWars through this present KS to complement it.

DeepWars is the only one I've demo gamed, so I don't have a ton of experience, but those demo games were a lot of fun.

And SOBH gets a lot of good press/reviews/etc. too...