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So I was thinking of ordering some of the BA shoulder pads, and noticed they are metal. So are the brand new Flesh Tearer pads.

My question is, why? Why metal? the pads of the Sang guard and the DC, and pretty much every other SM sprue are MORE detailed. Why are we paying for metal when, clearly, the platic would be just as good for the basic shapes on them?

MOAR MONEY!!!1! Thats basically it they can charge more for metal and do. $20 for LCs yeeeaaah.

Its because those pads were made way back in 3rd. They are just rereleasing them now for those who may want them.

It comes to down basic economics.. pewter models are cheaper to make than plastic since the technology is like a century old.. Therefore they are able to sell pewter model CHEAPER than plastic.. wait that cant be right?!

Sorry, theyre cheaper to make thus the price must be jacked up to 2x the cost of plastic models

Kirasu is right about it (sort of )

Metal models are cheaper to produce in small quantities, it requires economics of scale to make plastic cheaper. That's why special characters and other things they expect to sell less of tend to be metal.

Jack

Because metal is the music of the GRIMDARK!!1! future!

:reads OP:

Oh, wait...

Iron_Chaos_Brute wrote:Because metal is the music of the GRIMDARK!!1! future!

+1 million to that.

Plastic shoulder pads weren't available when the metal ones came out. At least for sure not the ones in like tactical squads. Decals don't look as good as specially molded pads.

Iron_Chaos_Brute wrote:Because metal is the music of the GRIMDARK!!1! future!

+1 internets for you.

L. Wrex

It must just be me, but I like metal minis...

But then again I am old

it is difficult (and impractical) to cast up a mold for small plastic shoulder pads.

"But all plastic kits have shoulder pads"

yes, but there is more then just shoulder pads there. there are bodies, weapons, arms, extra bits, heads, helmets.....

metal molds are like said before, simpler technology, less mantainence(plastic molds are more delicate)

metal molds make intricate designs easier. be glad they are metal,

more detail = better looking models.(one reason i don't want them to replace the metal Grey Knights completly with plastic)

I don't know, the level of detail on plastic minis has increased dramatically in just the last couple of years. Heck, even back in the day. Look at metal Cadians and then look at the older plastic Guardsmen. Yeah, the plastic guys had wonkier looking equipment, but their level of detail was definitely superior.

Look at Battle for Black Reach! That Warboss is beautiful!

Metal molds are cheaper and easier to make and replace, however the nature of metal models is inferior quality (though I would guess, superior reliability) of detail. Plastics definitely seem to look better.

Skinnattittar wrote:Metal molds are cheaper and easier to make and replace, however the nature of metal models is inferior quality (though I would guess, superior reliability) of detail. Plastics definitely seem to look better.

This is an age-old debate between gamers - plastic or metal? On one hand, a lot of gamers like feeling the heft of a nice, weighted pewter metal model. On the other hand, plastic is much easier to work with, and allows for much more ability to make conversions, kitbashes, and options in a single kit.

As for the OP's question, Darkness said it all - they're just 3rd Edition remnants that are being rereleased for those who want them.

When I drop a metal mini, it breaks, and I cry. When I drop a plastic mini it bounces, and I pick it up.

Dr. Ew wrote:

Iron_Chaos_Brute wrote:Because metal is the music of the GRIMDARK!!1! future!

+1 million to that.

It's over 9000!!

Plastic are more detailed (generally) because they have many smaller pieces to put together. Metal ones are typically one or two pieces. Fewer options, but easier to put together and paint and more detail per piece. Not counting the price factor. Plastic is cheaper if you do a large amount. Otherwise metal is cheaper. So plastic kits for everything with metal bits to customise things.

ZoomDakkaDakka wrote:

Dr. Ew wrote:

Iron_Chaos_Brute wrote:Because metal is the music of the GRIMDARK!!1! future!

+1 million to that.

It's over 9000!!

Thanks, I just LOL'ed in class.

whalemusic360 wrote:

ZoomDakkaDakka wrote:

Dr. Ew wrote:

Iron_Chaos_Brute wrote:Because metal is the music of the GRIMDARK!!1! future!

+1 million to that.

It's over 9000!!

Thanks, I just LOL'ed in class.

I'm not sure I get it. Maybe if I just smile and nod no one will notice...

DBZ referance. Gotta be a special kinda nerd to get that one.

whalemusic360 wrote:DBZ referance. Gotta be a special kinda nerd to get that one.

Whew, I can finally unclench my anus.

Darkness wrote:Its because those pads were made way back in 3rd. They are just rereleasing them now for those who may want them.

This.

It was cheaper use an existing mold and selling the stock they might have, than designing a new one in plastic.

Obviously, GW did it to piss evrybody off, like around 62% of everything they do. The rest is accidental.

Why metal?

Why not.

Some of us like working with metal - finding plastic just not enough of a challenge sometimes. It's more rewarding to bend a metal piece to your will.

chromedog wrote: It's more rewarding to bend a metal piece to your will.

yeah that'll show it for getting upity

Because metal is the music of the GRIMDARK!!1! future!

maybe
but when you ring the Manufactorium about the Bolt Gun you ordered 5 weeks ago, which still hasn't been delivered, you will be put on hold and it will still be Vivaldi that you hear!

Whalemusic360 tried to kill the metal.
But he failed, as he was smite to the ground.

Dr. Ew wrote:

whalemusic360 wrote:DBZ referance. Gotta be a special kinda nerd to get that one.

Whew, I can finally unclench my anus.

Hey, what dose the scanner say about his power level?

*crunch*

ITS OVER ninethooooooooooooooooousand.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That ^

LOL

I'm starting to prefer metal.A little harder to glue,but whatever. They feel so much better. Like...when you have to move them.

Dr. Ew wrote:When I drop a metal mini, it breaks, and I cry. When I drop a plastic mini it bounces, and I pick it up.

This is about 50% of why I prefer plastic. The other 50% is the ability to kitbash/convert. If a metal model drops from the table, something is probably going to fall off. It doesn't even take much more than the model rattling around in its case, or falling over (had Njal's arms come off after doing nothing more than tipping on his front) to make pieces come off. Add in a clutzy friend or two at the FLGS, and you'll come to appreciate plastic far more than metal for the durability.

I do like metal for the sheer detail and heft of the model, but sometimes plastic just looks much better when properly converted.