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Made in us
Brigadier General






Chicago

Picked up a batch of the HP (and some Guardians of the Galaxy) "Nano Metalfigs" from WalMart last week. Knight Models is coming out with an HP game soon, but these little figs impressed me and got me thinking about doing some budget wargaming in the HP universe.

Despite some shortcomings and a scale of 38mm sole-to-eye, there's alot to be said for these cheap little figs. This is epecially true considering the dearth of other affordable Harry Potter miniatures.

Review here:
https://www.chicagoskirmishwargames.com/blog/2017/08/02/cheapskate-gaming-1-harry-potter-and-superhero-nano-metalfigs/





I should mention they're only one buck each!

This message was edited 4 times. Last update was at 2017/12/12 15:59:16


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Made in us
Hellish Haemonculus






Boskydell, IL

Where in Walmart did you find them, specifically? In the toy aisle, or up with the Magic cards and geeky collectible stuff?

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Legendary Master of the Chapter





SoCal

Are they actually metal?

   
Made in us
Brigadier General






Chicago

Jimsolo wrote:Where in Walmart did you find them, specifically? In the toy aisle, or up with the Magic cards and geeky collectible stuff?

Two weeks ago they were at 2 of the 7 local Walmarts on large endcap displays in the regular toy section.
I don't know if they are limited to specific Walmarts or if the 2 I went to were just putting them out early.


BobtheInquisitor wrote:Are they actually metal?


Yep,
If you read the review at the link you can see one that I stripped the paint off of.

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Made in gb
RogueSangre



West Sussex, UK

 BobtheInquisitor wrote:
Are they actually metal?


The linked review confirms they are and has a photo of stripped model.
   
Made in us
Brigadier General






Chicago

One minor update. Went back to walmart and they have already been moved to the clearance aisle. Entertaiment earth shows the multi-packs (no singles listed) as coming soon this month so clearly the line isn't disappearing but maybe it is leaving walmart?

My hope is that someone will still be carrying the singles. I don't want to have to buy a pack of 20 figs just to get the 3 or 4 I'm missing.

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SoCal

Eugh, metal. I'll just wait for the inevitable My Busy Books. Their plastic Batman minis were acceptably fine.

   
Made in us
Longtime Dakkanaut






Los Angeles

 BobtheInquisitor wrote:
Eugh, metal. I'll just wait for the inevitable My Busy Books. Their plastic Batman minis were acceptably fine.


Were you planning conversions on these? Why would metal be a deal breaker for cheap, monopose HP figures? Just curious not trying to start a metal vs plastic debate.
   
Made in us
Legendary Master of the Chapter





SoCal

 DarkTraveler777 wrote:
 BobtheInquisitor wrote:
Eugh, metal. I'll just wait for the inevitable My Busy Books. Their plastic Batman minis were acceptably fine.


Were you planning conversions on these? Why would metal be a deal breaker for cheap, monopose HP figures? Just curious not trying to start a metal vs plastic debate.


Honestly, I have to pick dealbreakers to keep myself from going wild across multiple ranges. I grew up with plastic minis, but 15 years ago, I started buying metal, resin, whatever, and after GW declined and the market exploded I was drowning in choice. Now I'm like a fifteen year old commenting on celebrities on the Internet--inventing or magnifying any perceivable flaws into dealbreakers. Since I never really enjoyed working with metal, it was pretty easy.

Also, I hate the whole die cast toy movement. Instead of BSG micromachines, they created minis that were half metal, half plastic, toys that feel cold and smooth and hefty in one place, and then lukewarm and rough and light on another place even though they should have the same texture. Screw that.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Might also have something to do with the time a wee Bobthe Inquisitor dropped a metal Enterprise D on his face and chipped a tooth.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2017/08/03 17:12:43


   
Made in us
Longtime Dakkanaut






Los Angeles

 BobtheInquisitor wrote:
 DarkTraveler777 wrote:
 BobtheInquisitor wrote:
Eugh, metal. I'll just wait for the inevitable My Busy Books. Their plastic Batman minis were acceptably fine.


Were you planning conversions on these? Why would metal be a deal breaker for cheap, monopose HP figures? Just curious not trying to start a metal vs plastic debate.


Honestly, I have to pick dealbreakers to keep myself from going wild across multiple ranges. I grew up with plastic minis, but 15 years ago, I started buying metal, resin, whatever, and after GW declined and the market exploded I was drowning in choice. Now I'm like a fifteen year old commenting on celebrities on the Internet--inventing or magnifying any perceivable flaws into dealbreakers. Since I never really enjoyed working with metal, it was pretty easy.

Also, I hate the whole die cast toy movement. Instead of BSG micromachines, they created minis that were half metal, half plastic, toys that feel cold and smooth and hefty in one place, and then lukewarm and rough and light on another place even though they should have the same texture. Screw that.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Might also have something to do with the time a wee Bobthe Inquisitor dropped a metal Enterprise D on his face and chipped a tooth.


Ah, I gotcha. Fair enough.

Also, ouch! Sounds like that Enterprise went where no ship had gone before.
   
Made in us
Brigadier General






Chicago

 BobtheInquisitor wrote:
Eugh, metal. I'll just wait for the inevitable My Busy Books. Their plastic Batman minis were acceptably fine.


What scale were those figures? My daughter has the frozen books and the figs aren't bad. I haven't measured but I think that they might be closer to 28mm than the nanofigs are.

I think, though that if there were going to be an HP version there already would be and there was there would likely only be one book with 12 figs as opposed to the 20+ figs that nano metalfigs seems to be offering.

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Legendary Master of the Chapter





SoCal

The batman MBB figures are pretty close to 28mm as I recall. I will have to look for one to make a scale pic. The Justice League MBB minis are beyond heroic scale in deformation.

If they never make any Harry Potter busy book figures, I'll be alright somehow.

   
Made in us
Brigadier General






Chicago

 BobtheInquisitor wrote:
The batman MBB figures are pretty close to 28mm as I recall. I will have to look for one to make a scale pic. The Justice League MBB minis are beyond heroic scale in deformation.

If they never make any Harry Potter busy book figures, I'll be alright somehow.


Good to know.

I'm particuarly psyched about the HP figures. Not only am I a fan, but this is the first time my non-wargaming wife has said that if I put together some sort of (Harry Potter) minis game she will give it a shot!

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Made in in
[MOD]
Otiose in a Niche






Hyderabad, India

 BobtheInquisitor wrote:
 DarkTraveler777 wrote:
 BobtheInquisitor wrote:
Eugh, metal. I'll just wait for the inevitable My Busy Books. Their plastic Batman minis were acceptably fine.


Were you planning conversions on these? Why would metal be a deal breaker for cheap, monopose HP figures? Just curious not trying to start a metal vs plastic debate.


Honestly, I have to pick dealbreakers to keep myself from going wild across multiple ranges. I grew up with plastic minis, but 15 years ago, I started buying metal, resin, whatever, and after GW declined and the market exploded I was drowning in choice. Now I'm like a fifteen year old commenting on celebrities on the Internet--inventing or magnifying any perceivable flaws into dealbreakers. Since I never really enjoyed working with metal, it was pretty easy.

Also, I hate the whole die cast toy movement. Instead of BSG micromachines, they created minis that were half metal, half plastic, toys that feel cold and smooth and hefty in one place, and then lukewarm and rough and light on another place even though they should have the same texture. Screw that.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Might also have something to do with the time a wee Bobthe Inquisitor dropped a metal Enterprise D on his face and chipped a tooth.


That is an awesome reply.

 
   
Made in us
Brigadier General






Chicago

Two Updates.

A while back I put a review of the Gryffindor Tower playset I think you all may find it useful.


It's a rather neat set, though saddly one-sided.  Still, if there was some front corner of the layout where this could be placed facing outward and a suitably castle'ish facade added to the bare side, it would be a pretty neat attraction for viewers and it doesn't take up a huge amount of real estate.  It also comes with Snape! 





There's quite alot going on here for just $25!


And secondly just this week I found that the 20 pack of these guys is now at most Target stores and it's only $20 rather than the $30 that most other outlets have it at. AFAIK, it has all the curently available singles and a couple that aren't avaiable in any other pack. The trick is that it's in the DVD section by the other movie themed gifts and such. Though I already have many of the figs in it, I bought it anyway. I'll probably give my doubles to my kids or trade them away.

To see if it's in stock just paste it's UPC code 801310844144 into UPC serach for Target here:
https://brickseek.com/target-inventory-checker/
...and it shows what stores nearby to you have it. Target also had some singles and the Gryffindor tower playset.

This has got me thinking. Clearly the Knight Models HP figs will be (are) amazing and nearly unmatched in quality, but you can pick up a 20 fig pack of Nano Metalfigs for not much more than the price of ONE Knight Models character.
Just something to consdier for the budget minded among us...

This message was edited 5 times. Last update was at 2017/11/18 02:21:59


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Battlefield Tourist




MN (Currently in WY)

Along the same lines, I also saw some super-hero figs in a simalr range that would be great for some of the generic Supers rulesets out there.

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SoCal

The local 99c Only stores and Ross stores have the Magic the Gathering board games for $5 or $6 each. They have a load of generic fantasy minis and typically 5 or more passable wizards, as well as some fairly basic terrain.

This box set is $5: https://www.amazon.com/Magic-Gathering-Arena-Planeswalkers-Game/dp/B00SDJGCRA/ref=sr_1_1?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1511194740&sr=1-1&keywords=magic+the+gathering+board+game


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Wasn't sure if I should post that here, in the toys for gamers thread or in the Gamers are Cheap thread. I yield to any mod's judgement.

This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 2017/11/20 16:29:12


   
Made in us
Brigadier General






Chicago

 Easy E wrote:
Along the same lines, I also saw some super-hero figs in a simalr range that would be great for some of the generic Supers rulesets out there.


Yeah, Nano Metalfigs is by no means just HP. If you head to the link in my first post, you can also see a set of the Guardians of the Galaxy figs and how they compare to heroclix. As well as HP, DC and Marvel, there are also Street Fighter and WWF Metalfigs out and Disney ones coming along with a second wave of HP figs.

I'll have a review of the 20 pack up on the blog by next week.

 BobtheInquisitor wrote:
The local 99c Only stores and Ross stores have the Magic the Gathering board games for $5 or $6 each. They have a load of generic fantasy minis and typically 5 or more passable wizards, as well as some fairly basic terrain.

This box set is $5: https://www.amazon.com/Magic-Gathering-Arena-Planeswalkers-Game/dp/B00SDJGCRA/ref=sr_1_1?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1511194740&sr=1-1&keywords=magic+the+gathering+board+game


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Wasn't sure if I should post that here, in the toys for gamers thread or in the Gamers are Cheap thread. I yield to any mod's judgement.


Post it wherever! I actually just heard about this deal on another forum. If I didn't already have 2x of the whole MtG:AoP line (bought at near-clearance last year on amazon) and 3 of this particular set I'd hunt down some more.

The figs are not bad (painted up the rhinomen recently) and the game is actually pretty fun, especially for gaming with kids and non-wargamers or when you just want a light war-boardgame. It's essentially the same game as Heroscape (compatible with a few minor tweaks) with the addition of a Magic-card=style spell deck for the planeswalker. The only downer is that it doesn't come with very many of the heroscape-style (same mold different color) terrain pieces that made Heroscape so much fun. However, I've scored a few big lots of them at good prices and I look forward to playing more of this with my son (two very light games played so far) on a hex-terrain-heavy board.

AFAIK, MtG:AoP is discontinued or soon will be, but there's plenty of play in the three sets that have been released, especially if you get two of each so that multicolor planeswalkers can have full choice of units. The other two sets are quite cheap (around $10 shipped) on amazon right now and they often go lower. I wouldn't be surprised if they're all well under $10 during black friday sales.

This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 2017/11/20 22:12:37


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Made in us
Legendary Master of the Chapter





SoCal

I've got at least two of each--one of each to keep as a board game and the rest split into war bands of minis for Frostgrave, A Song of Blades and Heroes, Kings of War, or whatever rule set I ever find a reason to play. The miniatures are very friendly to younger gamers, and along with Bones heroes and monsters, quite affordable. There isn't a whole lot of terrain (I'm not really sold on the hex platforms for wargaming), but the cardboard ruins and the wizard platforms from the other core set should make a good start.

Anyway, those boxes seem like a necessity for budget conscious gamers, so I wanted to share.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
The other core set is $6 at 99c Only and $7ish at Ross. The expansion was also $6 or $7 at Ross.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2017/11/21 00:05:49


   
Made in us
Brigadier General






Chicago

 BobtheInquisitor wrote:
I've got at least two of each--one of each to keep as a board game and the rest split into war bands of minis for Frostgrave, A Song of Blades and Heroes, Kings of War, or whatever rule set I ever find a reason to play. The miniatures are very friendly to younger gamers, and along with Bones heroes and monsters, quite affordable. There isn't a whole lot of terrain (I'm not really sold on the hex platforms for wargaming), but the cardboard ruins and the wizard platforms from the other core set should make a good start.

Anyway, those boxes seem like a necessity for budget conscious gamers, so I wanted to share.


Glad you decided to share. Anything that lowers the financial barriers in wargaming is a good thing and these are great for games like frostgrave and SBH.

The figs are not state of the art and the paint on some of the planeswalkers (the only figs that come painted) is downright bad, but they're quite good overall once painted.

They'll be in a blog post with some other stuff soon, but here's the 3 "Rhox" Rhinomen figs from the base set. I rebased them and painted them up and am rather pleased with them.

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Made in us
Legendary Master of the Chapter





SoCal

They look good. Surprisingly good. In my opinion those are some of the worst minis in the box, but even they come out well with paint.

   
Made in gb
Fixture of Dakka







 BobtheInquisitor wrote:
The other core set is $6 at 99c Only and $7ish at Ross.


Shop is called 99c Only.

Product is $6.

Something does not compute...

2021-4 Plog - Here we go again... - my fifth attempt at a Dakka PLOG

My Pile of Potential - updates ongoing...

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 Kanluwen wrote:
This is, emphatically, why I will continue suggesting nuking Guard and starting over again. It's a legacy army that needs to be rebooted with a new focal point.

Confirmation of why no-one should listen to Kanluwen when it comes to the IG - he doesn't want the IG, he want's Kan's New Model Army...

tneva82 wrote:
You aren't even trying ty pretend for honest arqument. Open bad faith trolling.
- No reason to keep this here, unless people want to use it for something... 
   
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SoCal

 Dysartes wrote:
 BobtheInquisitor wrote:
The other core set is $6 at 99c Only and $7ish at Ross.


Shop is called 99c Only.

Product is $6.

Something does not compute...


Inflation's a bastid.

The stickers are hilarious, though. They say something like "Special new price!!" Not fooling anyone, stickers.

However, around Halloween, the 99c stores have a lot of $1 items that are great for terrain or gaming, like snakes, skeletal bats, foot long scorpions, garden statues, fish tank decorations. Way better than Dollar Tree.

   
Made in us
Brigadier General






Chicago

 BobtheInquisitor wrote:
They look good. Surprisingly good. In my opinion those are some of the worst minis in the box, but even they come out well with paint.


They did have softer details than most. It gets tough to see where the hair is and where the skin starts, but the dip is very forgiving. The front of the sheilds (as seen in the blog post) would have looked alot better if I hadn't used them to experiment with using metalic markers. I might go back and repaint them as I'm not happy at with the sheild faces and the detail there is actually pretty good.

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Fixture of Dakka






 Jimsolo wrote:
Where in Walmart did you find them, specifically? In the toy aisle, or up with the Magic cards and geeky collectible stuff?


ALL of them have them by the geek collectables...

Hey- SHOW THE BAT CAVE, AND HOGSWARTS!!!!!


Automatically Appended Next Post:
 Eilif wrote:
 BobtheInquisitor wrote:
They look good. Surprisingly good. In my opinion those are some of the worst minis in the box, but even they come out well with paint.


They did have softer details than most. It gets tough to see where the hair is and where the skin starts, but the dip is very forgiving. The front of the sheilds (as seen in the blog post) would have looked alot better if I hadn't used them to experiment with using metalic markers. I might go back and repaint them as I'm not happy at with the sheild faces and the detail there is actually pretty good.


Honestly they need to be stripped in carb cleaner, primed, and repainted. They are not that bad. I can honestly see some gaming with harry potter, if you want to get down and do that. ( and this is from a guy that hates that little git.)

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2017/11/29 05:23:46




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Chicago

 Grot 6 wrote:
[

Automatically Appended Next Post:
 Eilif wrote:
 BobtheInquisitor wrote:
They look good. Surprisingly good. In my opinion those are some of the worst minis in the box, but even they come out well with paint.


They did have softer details than most. It gets tough to see where the hair is and where the skin starts, but the dip is very forgiving. The front of the sheilds (as seen in the blog post) would have looked alot better if I hadn't used them to experiment with using metalic markers. I might go back and repaint them as I'm not happy at with the sheild faces and the detail there is actually pretty good.


Honestly they need to be stripped in carb cleaner, primed, and repainted. They are not that bad. I can honestly see some gaming with harry potter, if you want to get down and do that. ( and this is from a guy that hates that little git.)


I was referring to the Rhinomen and the other Magic figs which are pretty well detailed.

The HP figs on the other hand are fine for family gaming as-is, but I agree with you that for anything else they realy need to be stripped and repainted. The detail on the metal is ok, but the paint is so thick that painting over them isn't really a good option. What kind of Carb cleaner do you use? MEK is my go-to for hard enamels as it's fast and fairly cheap, but if there's something faster and cheaper out there I'd love to hear about it.

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Visit the Chicago Valley Railroad!
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Well, that'll take care of any psykers I need for 40k...

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Chicago

Finally got my review of the 20 pack posted. Full review here:


https://www.chicagoskirmishwar...k-and-next-releases/


Great deal and very convenient. I'm most pleased about these 4 figures, as Ginny, Neville, Moody and Hagrid  are currently not available outside this set.



 


Particularly interesting to me was that the back of the box has some pictures that clearly deliniate which figures are availble singly now and which will be part of wave 2.

This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 2017/12/12 16:00:40


Chicago Skirmish Wargames club. Join us for some friendly, casual gaming in the Windy City.
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http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/651712.page

Visit the Chicago Valley Railroad!
https://chicagovalleyrailroad.blogspot.com 
   
 
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