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One thing that makes the new Big Mek look so angular is GW's new 'style' for painting ork skin---which I HATE.

The latest video from them (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GFpqxHFMZXs) has Duncan (who does a nice job as always, though I dislike this method) showing how to do it. There's what you would expect, with a basecoat of green, a wash of green to get the recesses a bit darker, and a layer paint of green to bring the raised surfaces back to a brighter green. Then, however, he uses a lighter green to edge the darker recesses of the model. This isn't a highlight, as it's not making the HIGHer parts of the model LIGHTer. It's making the contrast between the dark edges of the model and the lighter expanses of the model more distinct.

It makes the model look more angular, and it looks really artificial to me. They did this first on the Savage Orcs and it looked bad then. I can't imagine why they are telling people to paint this way. You don't use a highlight to emphasize the crevices of a model; you use it to emphasize the ridges of a model.

I'm not crazy about the 'shovel-like' slab of teeth that are protruding from the Mek's Mouth, because it looks like lazy sculpting, rather than the nicely varied teef that are protruding from a screaming Flash Git's mouth. However, I do think a lot of the angularity you see on this model is due to their very questionable method for painting Ork skin.

I just prefer the tried and true method of using Dark Angels green as the base, and drybrushing with Snot green. (or the modern equivalents of both- I currently use the Army Painter equivalents of the old colors). It makes a soft blend if you do it right, without the harsh lines.

I love the new model. It reminds me of the original shokk attack gun from RT/2nd ed. The only thing I'm not keen on is the way the head attaches. It looks more like an action toy than a sculpture or something living. You can see it pretty clearly in the 360° rotation. But aside from that I think it's a big improvement.

Shame I'll never buy it because of price.

New model is better. It's basically a more detailed and better crafted version of the old model, which was great in and of itself.

 Melissia wrote:
New model is better. It's basically a more detailed and better crafted version of the old model, which was great in and of itself.

Aside from all the relatively minor changes. And the head. That ugly, ugly head.

 Ailaros wrote:
I don't get it. The two models are virtually identical. One could convert from one to the other without much work.

Why is one awesome and the other suck when they look so much alike? Doesn't make much sense to me.

This. Theres far more similarity than difference in the models, I don't know why they bothered.

 Dakkamite wrote:

 Ailaros wrote:
I don't get it. The two models are virtually identical. One could convert from one to the other without much work.

Why is one awesome and the other suck when they look so much alike? Doesn't make much sense to me.

This. Theres far more similarity than difference in the models, I don't know why they bothered.

I agree, though I imagine it's GW testing the waters. Seeing if people are so ready to give up Finecast for Plastic. It would explain the high price and virtual identical over-all appearance. Or maybe they just felt like spiting some orks again and diverting some valuable resources from something else more important to a superfluous model.

 Swastakowey wrote:
I agree, it looks far to big in my opinion.

It's an Ork model. Do you expect them to think a widdle gun is going to get them more Dakka than a huge one?

@Theknob: The pictures on the website tell me it's in a box.

 ShadowMageAlpha wrote:
I agree, though I imagine it's GW testing the waters. Seeing if people are so ready to give up Finecast for Plastic. .

People were ready to give up 'Fine'cast for plastic pretty much from the moment 'Fine'cast was introduced.

It's a nice model, although I feel the old one is cooler. He just has more character. Would have been nice if they'd actually designed a new model rather than just remaking the old one.

Ummm... the old shock attack gun has risen in price in NZ. The new one is $48 but the old one is $73 (NZ). Has it always been crazy expensive or is this a recent price change?

 ShadowMageAlpha wrote:

 Melissia wrote:
New model is better. It's basically a more detailed and better crafted version of the old model, which was great in and of itself.

Aside from all the relatively minor changes. And the head. That ugly, ugly head.

Still looks better than the old head.

Dear OP L2convert
Seriously I understand you don't like the new model as a whole, but that's why Ork players are some of the best converters IMO, they have been given some of the best and some of the worst.. Often in the same release since time immemorial!
Personally I like the new one, but disagreeing over Ork models due to vague dislike over 'something not quite right' is just plain Orkish behaviour, so buy both and make a better one out of the pieces I've been doin that since gorkamorka

 Melissia wrote:

 ShadowMageAlpha wrote:

 Melissia wrote:
New model is better. It's basically a more detailed and better crafted version of the old model, which was great in and of itself.

Aside from all the relatively minor changes. And the head. That ugly, ugly head.

Still looks better than the old head.

The open mouth looks more realistic. I'd be screaming something every time I fired this gun. I wouldn't trust an Ork who wouldn't.

Either screaming something as you shoot, or screaming after you shoot because it's kickback was a bit harder than you thought lol

You see, what happens is the louder he yells "WAAAGH!", the faster that thing spins thus making the shot more powerful.

 Inquisitor Bob wrote:
Dear OP L2convert
Seriously I understand you don't like the new model as a whole, but that's why Ork players are some of the best converters IMO, they have been given some of the best and some of the worst.. Often in the same release since time immemorial!
Personally I like the new one, but disagreeing over Ork models due to vague dislike over 'something not quite right' is just plain Orkish behaviour, so buy both and make a better one out of the pieces I've been doin that since gorkamorka

This thread wasn't about me complaining about the model, this thread is a discussion of which of the models people like better. I was partially hoping that a discussion with other people would help me pin-point the reason(s) I didn't find the model appealing, and/or help satiate me curiosity on what other people think. I feel like you didn't even look at much of this thread before posting, otherwise I doubt you would have come to the same assumptions.
(Also, clicking the bright orange link in my signature would have also taken you to a page that would have shown you I DO convert.)