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First off, let me say I love your guys' stuff! I've crawled your website and been very impressed.

However, this mini misses the mark for me. It looks like a fantasy model kit-bashed into a scifi proxy rather than a proper scifi model. I think largely this is because of the pose of the figure, which screams old-school fantasy figure to me.

The sculpting is excellent and the detail is beautiful, but the rather generic pose, while it facilitates head/weapon swaps seems to miss out on actually packing some oomph into the concept behind the character.

Not sure if I am being coherent - stupid head cold.

I'm pretty sure the goal was to be SciFi much like the recent Archon and Incubi models, or some of the Inquisition models are SciFi.

Of course, those models came under similar criticism of "Looks like medieval fantasy with a wire/gun/whatever" so clearly that look is not for everyone. I love both the idea and the execution, myself.

Kirbinator wrote:I'm pretty sure the goal was to be SciFi much like the recent Archon and Incubi models, or some of the Inquisition models are SciFi.

Of course, those models came under similar criticism of "Looks like medieval fantasy with a wire/gun/whatever" so clearly that look is not for everyone. I love both the idea and the execution, myself.

I think you're right, and I don't mind the mix of genres, it's just that the pose says "commander rallying massive army on a medieval battlefield" vs. the Incubi who look like they're gonna use their swords, and the Archon, who is just stone cold chillin'.

It might just be a personal association for me, having started collecting minis back in the day when every WHFB hero model had the same hands in the air pose.

It's a great mini. I love the face. Very rare to see a face with an actual expression. But I have to agree, it's not very sci-fi even if it could fit in with up to 3 different GW armies.

I would say part of the problem is not just the lack of techie details, but the pose. I know GW loves it's "Standing up straight holding a sword in the air and waving a pistol above your head" pose (though they've gotten quite a bit better about it in the last few years), you don't have to go the same route. I'm standing here trying to think about an occasion I would ever conceive of adopting that pose. The only things I can think of are if I was in a combat-themed ballet and had to show the audience what was in my hands, or if I was a weapon-seller's lovely assistant and it was time to auction off the 2-for-1 special.

A pose where she was actually doing something sci-fi appropriate would do a lot for this model.

If I had a slaaneshi themed Chaos Warriors army for WHFB, I'd be all over this model.

Mr. Burning wrote:

GalaxyGames wrote:

Slipstream wrote:That is a really good model, baffled why every model has to fit in with 40k background; what happened to the idea of standalone models with no connection to any other game format?. I look forward to getting my hands on it and hope that you have outlets in the UK.

40k Is the leading game.

Making something cool, but also multiple useful is more economically beneficial for companies to do so.

I like it, I really really do, raging heroes stuff is fantastic but think it is a sad indictment of gamers and the industry that a mini has to overtly lean to a particular aesthetic in order to be successful or gain attention.

Just my opinion.

Its a nice model, its well done, but it doesn't fit in my Inquisition army so I can't use it. It isn't really grimdark either so it won't fit with my sisters.

Really; its a bit of a problem; it can be annoying and offputting when one model in an army doesnt fit in.

It's a lovely model, but I have to echo the sentiment that she looks like a Fantasy model that someohe has converted up with a pistol bit. Granted, if you're going for a Gothic Sci Fi model (wink wink), then that's par for the course. Personally, I'm eager to see what you guys will bring to the realm of Sci-Fi models.

SkaerKrow wrote:Personally, I'm eager to see what you guys will bring to the realm of Sci-Fi models.

Quite! I think the fantasy stuff from Raging Heroes is very good and I would like to see them develop Sci Fi minis that were equally good.

Great job, overall style and detail are looking pretty damned good.

Only crit, and it may just be the angle, I'm a little bit confused as to the purpose of the upper arm armor? It seems extremely large and bulky yet attached only to the arm itself?

Not a deal breaker by any means, just the only thing that jumped out a bit as 'what are you and what are you doing there'

First of all, thanks for your great comments !!

So, about the SF / Fantasy question... A tricky one...

It seems to us that Gothic SF and Dark Fantasy are very close in terms of looks and equipment
It you set the weaponry apart, there are very few SF elements in a Dark Eldar Archon or a female Inquisitor by GW. Their armour would perfectly fit a Fantasy character…

It was in that particular spirit that we decided to only slightly alter the Fantasy version of Asharah to give her an extra SF feel (the more tech-y element of her shoulder armour, the lenses on the helmet eyes) while keeping her unique look and personality. And then we added a stronger SF feel for the weapons (details suggesting electronics on the sword blades, and of course, firearms).

It has been difficult to make bigger transformations on Asharah (she just won't let designers do what they will with her... )

Concerning her pose, you may have seen on our blog when we released the Fantasy version a few weeks ago that we tried many different poses for her. The cut of her sleeves and her shoulder guards make it difficult to achieve a pose where she retains her sprit and her insolence. However, for the SF version, thanks to early comments (thanks RiTides), we were able to turn her head sideways so that she is not facing open fire with wide open arms.

does she have hooves behind her ornate greaves, because otherwise it kinda looks to me like she is wearing ballet boots? Or maybe I've been looking at... never you mind what I've been looking at!
That seems like an... odd choice, to put it mildly, for a sci-fi figure armored for combat.

You've been looking at the right things :-)
Asharah comes from a sadistic culture tinged with strong sexual undertones. In worlds where characters teleport and use psychic powers, you can bet that powerful self-centered Asharah knows exactly how to make sure her costume looks better than anyone else on the battlefield without being an hindrance to combat ;-) (You know how ladies are about shoes :-) )

Any comparison shots with a MM ruler or some other comparison minis?

She'll be the same size as Fantasy Asharah:
28mm from heel to eyes
35mm from toe to eyes (as she stands on tiptoes)

Do you have some whip or flail options with her?

No.

Looks good. However you could have done a few changes to the body to sci fi it up a bit more, seems a bit lazy too use the same one. Perhaps add a few exposed cables, rivets etc.? Maybe add a few backpacks to make it seem a bit more like power armour?

Nothing to do with laziness. We did the backpacks as well as other details, from design to 3D, but ended up pulling them out because they were not working well with this particular miniature.
We expect we'll be using them an a different SF character instead.

Phenomenal, gorgeous, spectacular.

We love that!!!

I like it, I really really do, raging heroes stuff is fantastic but think it is a sad indictment of gamers and the industry that a mini has to overtly lean to a particular aesthetic in order to be successful or gain attention.

Indeed. We found out the hard way that we had to put aside several projects because they were slightly off what the market is used to and we could not have recouped our investment. Hopefully, as Raging Heroes becomes more established (we'll be at Salute 2011 in April (UK), our first major show!), we shall be able to go down the road less travelled.

I love the face. Very rare to see a face with an actual expression

Thanks!!! We did spend quite a bit of time trying to get a sneer out of her. Glad it worked!

Your site is blocked from my work, so I can't check to see if it's there.
What's the final price going to be on this model? Although I'd have to do a bit of conversion (because they don't use guns), with the right head, I could easily see myself using this thing as a Klaivex in an Incubi squad.

Eric

Cool stuff, am going to Salute for the first time this year. I look forward to seeing you guys there.

I like the face. Unfortunately, that's the only thing I like about it. The problem is not the Science Fantasy aesthetic, it's that she has too much junk on her. For starters, if it was me, I'd get rid of the pauldrons and pretty much all of the flowing cloth. Keeping the those short, outer layers of the half-skirt would be fine, though.

I think it's already been said, but I'll add my "voice" anyway.

The figure is ok, but it doesn't scream Sci Fi. Right now, the companies that you'd be competing with are the likes of Infinity, Studio McVey, and MERCS.....all of which have a very well defined Sci Fi feel to their excellent sculpting. This miniature is too close to Games Workshop and the (IMHO) mistakes they make in their estimation of Sci Fi.

The pose is a big no no, arms waving in the air may make some people excited, but for me, it's useless. I'd much rather see a miniature in a tactical pose, weapon aiming or at rest (See Infinity Nomad Prowler!).

I'm going to be hypocritical and controversial now, but drop the sword. In modern warfare, a bladed weapon will be a last minute ditch attempt to save oneself, you ranged weapon is going to be the primary, holding them both just makes the miniature look silly and indecisive

There's an easy fix for the over-fantasy feel: change the cloth over her bosom to armor. Include a couple slim cables running from between the breasts to under the arms, in the recesses of her armor.

That would go a long way to removing one of the most archaic elements (rouched fabric in a very vulnerable location) and adding something identifiably tech-y.

A backpack might not work for this fig, but perhaps extend some of the cabling into a subtle phial-dispenser unit around the waistline on her rear.

While this might involve a bit of time from your sculptors, think of it (for the short term) terms of expenditure versus additional units sold due to the change and you'll see that it should pay for itself pretty quickly. Even more important (for the longer term), this first scifi fig will help establish the credibility of your line. If it isn't awesome, you don't set up a very good reputation. It's worth the time, bud.

Sorry, /bizdevguymode.

chaos0xomega wrote: yeah, it has a chaos helmet, but really, when would it be appropriate to use a human female in a chaos force?

Yes, they are nothing if not traditionalists, yes?

I'm in for one to lead my chaos force. I loooove those helmets.


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Savnock wrote:There's an easy fix for the over-fantasy feel: change the cloth over her bosom to armor.

Seconded, very much so. Replace the cloth bra thing with a metal plate, and lose or keep the cleavage as your choose, but leaving an open area on the chestplate would be nice to individualize the model.

I like the "big hair" female inquisitor variant.

malfred wrote:I love it as a miniature.

I don't get a sci-fi vibe from it, though.

I know you're trying to make it feel like archaic sci-fi, but in the end it just feels
like a fantasy figure. I don't know what would make it more science-fiction, though.

Perhaps more armor would be a start, or if there's going to be so much
ornamentation on the armor at least put more of it on top of a more science-fiction-y
(whatever that means) armor chassis.

But would I buy this mini? Hell yeah.

I agree, it feels like a fantasy figure, with a random gun. Armour would be my first step to making it a bit more sci-fi but then again, jsut like you I would buy it either way

I really like the accessories. Any chance you'll be selling them separately?

Also, kind of off topic, but how's the process on the Manticore? I've been waiting for some word or notification about my baby, it's been a while since we've heard anything.

Lord Scythican wrote:

HiveFleet wrote:Great Lady Malys!

I agree, that may actually be the point...

Well, great or not, if she is going to cost 30 quid then she is outclassed by many cheaper models out there. Plus, I agree that she looks like a fantasy figure with a gun in her hand.

Cruel and Beautiful, amazing how often and well they go together, in fiction and in reality.

I don't really have a problem with a grim-dark sci-fi model looking pretty fantasy, I thought that was the point? I've seen enough 40k models converted to WHFB and vice-versa, this is just like that, and an amazing sculpt as well!

And if the bits could be sold seperately, the viability of the individual parts is huge. Hell, I'd love to use that Dark-Eldar-ish helmet for my Manticore...

Fair enough if the back packs were not working well with this miniature, I can see why you didn’t include them or make too many other changes now. Overall its looks very good.

I will be buying. Release date?

Alkasyn wrote:Well, great or not, if she is going to cost 30 quid then she is outclassed by many cheaper models out there.

£30? Where did you see this? Were you looking at the price of the 54mm Fantasy version?

Yep, without a doubt a lelith hesperaux or lady malys counts as model there...i dont think i would use it for anything other than DE armies.

Really Really good mold to,love it.