[Kings of War] Mantic Fantasy News & Rumors

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**TheAuldGrump**

DaveC wrote:
The download says it's watermarked but I have been unable to find the watermark anywhere on the document - that's not to say it's not there somewhere. Previous downloads had your name on every page so it could be traced. You could ask the backer to send it on to you if you spent the money through them I don't see the issue

Extreme lower left on even numbered pages, transparency at or around 100%.

Name and email address, most likely - since that is what RPGNow/Wargames Vault/DriveThruGames/etc. all use.

The Auld Grump

**Taarnak**

No message with PDF link for me yet...

Wonder if I should message them? Seems as though all of us $1 backers should have gotten it.

~Eric

**DaveC**

TheAuldGrump wrote:
DaveC wrote:
The download says it's watermarked but I have been unable to find the watermark anywhere on the document - that's not to say it's not there somewhere. Previous downloads had your name on every page so it could be traced. You could ask the backer to send it on to you if you spent the money through them I don't see the issue
Extreme lower left on even numbered pages, transparency at or around 100%.

Name and email address, most likely - since that is what RPGNow/Wargames Vault/DriveThruGames/etc. all use.

The Auld Grump

Ah now I see it thanks the white text is really hard to see but its there alright

**MasterSlowPoke**

Taarnak wrote:
No message with PDF link for me yet...

Wonder if I should message them? Seems as though all of us $1 backers should have gotten it.

~Eric

You definitely should email Rich.

**mattjgilbert**

Agreed. Rich dot Armstrong at manticgames.com

**Pyreguard**

Does anyone know th release date for the mantic demon/infernals?

**heartserenade**

I'm not sure but I'm excited for it as well. Might mix the succubi with Hasslefree miniatures NSFW succubi.

**lord_blackfang**

Last I heard it was November? I think.

I'm pretty hyped, love both the hard plastic kits. And Reaper pretty much covers the rest of the range.

**Azazelx**

primalexile wrote:
I am at the 1.00 pledge was waiting to see Infernals and Nature before buying into both, but I still got the full rulebook so I suppose it is 1.00 well spent. I am thinking instead of buying into Mantics armies purchasing Shieldwolf, they have their Orc bundle on sale.

40 Mountain Orc Infantry,
1 Mountain Orc Hero_A with 2-handed weapon,
1 Mountain Orc Hero_B with 2nd hand weapon,
1 Mountain Orc Shaman,
1 Mountain Orc Army Banner Bearer,
2 Mountain Orc Boar Chariots,
2 Mountain Orc Great Wolf Chariots.

I am thinking this would make a great KOW force.

In the same boat here, waiting to spend on the second PM that they never opened. All it means is that I'll be spending my monies elsewhere (bought 2 copies of AoS!) and may or may not buy the book just because I like books. Mantic can't be trusted for models based on concept art alone.

NTRabbit wrote:
I just got an email direct from Rich @ Mantic with the code and instructions for the rules pdf. Since I already redeemed mine via the KS messaging system, I assume this was a mass mail out to catch all the late backers as well.

Still haven't gotten mine. Good to hear that others are getting two.

Automatically Appended Next Post:

porkuslime wrote:
Thanks to Alex C, I was able to Email Rich, and he did say that I am kinda outta luck. Only original backers and watermarked for tracking naughty people.
So.. I wait.

Just get it off your mate and don't release it into the wild.

**carlos13th**

Yeah I wouldn't buy models from Mantic based on concept art alone either. They have shown us that's a losing proposition for the customer.

**judgedoug**

carlos13th wrote:
Yeah I wouldn't buy models from Mantic based on concept art alone either. They have shown us that's a losing proposition for the customer.

I agree in 2012/2013 but since then everything has panned out quite well.
Deadzone figs all look as good as or better than the concept art (and the Deadzone 2 stuff looks fantastic)
The KoW 2 figs are all looking like their art, too. I'm digging the new Forest ent tree shambling monster dudes.

**Torkijo**

Its now that i Wish i had come across KoW whilst the KS was still live.

Oh Well, hardback book set ordered -presume the PDF / ebook will be available to buy as well at sometime

**DaveC**

The KoW mission control is up - http://www.manticgames.com/kickstarter/mission-control/Kings-of-War.html

The KS backers rulebook pdf got an update today

and oh dear Mantic skinny leg syndrome is back

The Abyssal Dwarf Iron caster on foot (retailer exclusive)

New Figures

We are going to start putting up the new retail army and miniature sets up for pre-order on the website.

As we continue to support the game, the community and our retailers, amongst the new releases you’ll spot a few new miniatures that we’ve created since the Kickstarter has finished, approximately one per race.

You’ll be able to pick up these figures from your local retailer, or the Mantic Games website later today.

Ronnie also wanted to go into some explanation regarding the retail releases which is below.

One thing I do want to let you all know about is ‘retailer exclusives’ – these are far less serious than they sound, but we want to let you all know what they are and more importantly why we are doing them. A lot of hobby stores see Kickstarter as a threat that takes money away from their stores. There is of course some truth in that. However, I also believe it gives us the initial money to make a better product and bigger range than we would be able to do otherwise. Dreadball has been a great example of this. Of the total quantity sold only 20% was through KS – the rest was via local hobby stores.

Mantic is committed to working with retail stores and want them to be able to sell the products well and be successful with the line. The reason we did the cool book/box idea for Dungeon Saga was partly to say thank you to the backers – and partly so it looked great in retailers stores and would sell many more copies. In the long term this benefits us all because we have more people who know the game and therefore more opponents to play against.

Going forward we will support our major releases with a few new lines made especially for the trade launch. Usually these will be metal minis and all aimed at the pocket money spend that works for retailers, such as the metal Legendary Mortibris and the Abyssal Dwarf Iron-caster on foot.

On the KS and as a backer you’ll have the plastics, lots of exclusives and made some seriously big savings. To keep our retailers with us we need to bring them along too.

So, if you have an Abyssal dwarf army we would love for you to go down to your local FLHS, pick up the hero, and talk about what a great game Kings of War is – so hopefully they will keep the line in stock and get the sales that they deserve for that – and we’ll get more players into the system. Also, if you don’t have a store you’ll be able to get all these from the Mantic Store too.

And finally, some other good news is that from next week we will be moving to a weekly update that will cover all of our Kickstarter’s in one play. It will have more info about what’s going on, sneak peeks behind the scenes and info about how close the KS is to shipping. If you have backed multiple KS with us – you’ll also only need to open 1 email – everything will be covered in 1 place. We really hope that will give you more info about the projects you’ve helped make happen and how they are developing.

Many thanks

Ronnie

**mattjgilbert**

Yeah, I'm not sure why we got skinny legs again.

**dragqueeninspace**

It emphasizes the upper body. It does look daft when overdone but when has that ever stopped a miniature being a big seller?

**kodos**

Maybe now that there is no need for alternative Warhammer models, Mantic is looking at Warmachine?

http://privateerpress.com/files/imagecache/2up_square/pages/dire-troll-mauler.png

**OrlandotheTechnicoloured**

Skinny legs also make the mini smaller (better for stocking and transport) and cheaper (less metal/resin to cast)

so while it's clearly a style choice, there's also solid production and commercial reasons for it for large minis (with proper legs that golem would be at least 1/3 again as large if not more or forced into a really crouched pose)

**timetowaste85**

Mantic has decided to go with the big upper body with small legs look. It's kind of "their thing". Not everyone will like it, sure, but it's the style they obviously like. Vote with your wallet. Buy em if you like em, buy other companies' models if you don't. Other companies do similar things, like Reaper's Earth Elementsl. Clearly there is a market for this kind of thing.

**Polonius**

I really like that dwarf Iron Caster. That really captures the look of an evil dwarf!

**Barzam**

I'm sure they did the skinny legs on purpose in order to give it an over the top, exaggerated look. It's a stylistic choice and works just fine for something that'a a non living construct.

**BobtheInquisitor**

Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha. Oh, Mantic! That golem is a riot and a half. They've finally managed to make a model so bad that Fisty Glue Man looks passable.

There's not even an almost about that lump. That is a straight-up terrible mini that they will probably charge actual money for.

OrlandotheTechnicoloured wrote:
Skinny legs also make the mini smaller (better for stocking and transport) and cheaper (less metal/resin to cast)

so while it's clearly a style choice, there's also solid production and commercial reasons for it for large minis (with proper legs that golem would be at least 1/3 again as large if not more or forced into a really crouched pose)

Then why is the head so comically large? Emphasize the torso? Reduce the amount of space or material? Add a semblance of style to that mini? Nope.

It's a failure no matter how you spin it.

Automatically Appended Next Post:

Polonius wrote:
I really like that dwarf Iron Caster. That really captures the look of an evil dwarf!

That is one great mini. It's almost as if Manic only has half the number of Good Mini Points than of minis they want to release, and have decided to stop splitting the difference.

**Zatsuku**

I absolutely love the look of the golem so.... Different strokes?

**DaveC**

KoW preorders are up
http://www.manticgames.com/mantic-shop/new/kings-of-war.html?utm_source=Mantic+Games+Newsletter&utm_campaign=b07dd74723-Mantic+Games+Newsletter+342&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_20fe4cf5a8-b07dd74723-201384889

The Golem is £24.99 $39.99
Iron Caster £6.49 $9.99
Forest Shamblers £14.99 $24.99

**Nostromodamus**

I love the Golem too.

Different strokes indeed.

**BobtheInquisitor**

Zatsuku wrote:
I absolutely love the look of the golem so.... Different strokes?

Yeah. I'll admit I posted my first impressions while my ire was up. I can see some style to it now that people might enjoy. I personally think it looks beyond cartoony, and not a good kind of cartoony. But f you like it, great.

Automatically Appended Next Post:
It could certainly use some more fine detailing on the armor or the head to give it a sense of scale. And I would have liked to see the obsidian crystals or whatever they are, in twined more gracefully into the design. If someone gave me a free one, the first thing I would do is cut off the legs. No legs would work better in my opinion than those legs.

Automatically Appended Next Post:
Just curious, but those of you who like the golem...what is it you like about it? What aspect of the mini appeals to you?

**Alpharius**

I thought the golem was comically awful when I saw it.

Then I saw the $40 price tag and...think it is even worse now.

I wish the House Style at Mantic wasn't so cartoonishly exaggerated on many large figures, but it is what it is.

**AlexHolker**

I'm firmly on Team The Golem Is Bad.

The body shape, as has been discussed, is terrible. If nothing else it needs bigger feet and a head higher up the torso.

The surface detail is also terrible. There is nothing about this that says obsidian except that it is painted black. It's painted the wrong black - matt grey instead of glossy black, it's mostly one big blunt object instead of being a mass of many knapped pieces of obsidian, and it is dominated by crystals when the definition of a glass like obsidian is is that it is not crystalline. An obsidian golem should have the same sort of feel as if you were making a broken-glass-and-razor-blade golem, and this does not.

**Zywus**

timetowaste85 wrote:
Mantic has decided to go with the big upper body with small legs look. It's kind of "their thing". Not everyone will like it, sure, but it's the style they obviously like. Vote with your wallet. Buy em if you like em, buy other companies' models if you don't. Other companies do similar things, like Reaper's Earth Elementsl. Clearly there is a market for this kind of thing.

It's kinda "everyone's thing" unfortunately. If anything Manic should've gone for the not skinny legs /not ridiculously oversized torso market.

Oh well. At least the undead looks good as usual.

**Barzam**

I suspect many people will like it because it's so cartoony looking. I'm in the ambivalent camp though. I don't love it, but I certainly don't hate it.

**BobtheInquisitor**

Are they actually supposed to be made of obsidian? I thought they were just named that because obsidian sounds edgier (heh) than black. Also, Black Golem would have been better used as the name of a classic 70's trash film.