[Kings of War] Mantic Fantasy News & Rumors

Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you:

No adverts like this in the forums anymore.
Times and dates in your local timezone.
Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance.
Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely.
Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net.

If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

**Mort**

MLaw wrote:
I honestly kinda like the Lammasau.. I don't think it's amazing or anything but I'd plop it down on a table and not feel bad. That dragon though, looks like it broke it's hips in the squat rack.

Everything else is good to exceptional. I quite like the zombie trolls and ogres.

Same here. I think the Lammasu looks fine. Not the 'run out and pay huge amounts for it' fine, but if I played a force with that in the list, I'd buy one.

I also LOVE the ogres. I don't play ogres, but might pick some up just because.

Troll Zombies look ok, too.

The dragon is the only thing that disappoints me. When I think 'dragon', I think 'intimidating'. That one doesn't really do the job for me.

**edlowe**

Just reading through the adventurers compendium and its annoying that in several places when it refers to a page for a rule it says 'refer to page XXX' such a shame as the production of the books so far is great.

The material that has been used for the models is pretty good, far nicer than the old restic. However it will need a fair bit of hot water action on floppy swords and staffs. Also I'll have to reposition the models on the bases as a few have been stuck on a bit wonky in places.

The cardboard tiles are very nice so too are the doors and scenery. The resin used on the ks exclusive heroes is also very nice, I wish I'd got the ks exclusive salamander for my nature army as well as the tree druid (who is excellent).

**Paradigm**

Mort wrote:
MLaw wrote:
I honestly kinda like the Lammasau.. I don't think it's amazing or anything but I'd plop it down on a table and not feel bad. That dragon though, looks like it broke it's hips in the squat rack.

Same here. I think the Lammasu looks fine. Not the 'run out and pay huge amounts for it' fine, but if I played a force with that in the list, I'd buy one.

The dragon is the only thing that disappoints me. When I think 'dragon', I think 'intimidating'. That one doesn't really do the job for me.

Which is somewhat ironic, since unless I'm mistaken the Dragon and the Halfbreed share everything but the head?

**highlord tamburlaine**

For a boardgame piece, the dragon looks fine.

As much as I like the original restic ogres, a sprue of them would be really cool, especially if done in the new style.

I want to see the Legendary Salamander! Anyone out there got him?

What about traps? What do we actually end up with?

**NewTruthNeomaxim**

The quality improvement in Ogres between Braves and Hunters, versus the original ones, is jarring. I love the army, but loath my "skipped leg day" Warriors, which is unfortunate as I have dozens of them.

Its all subjective mind you, as I love the GW Ogre aesthetic, and have slowly been phasing out my Mantic Ogres and replacing them with Ironguts, etc...

I'm rethinking that endeavor with how much more I am liking the new Mantic stuff.

Also, i'm shocked at how much I enjoy the Undead Trolls.

**NTRabbit**

I despise the GW Ogre aesthetic, but that's me.

Also, are those Ogre Chariots actually a new release? They look an awful lot like the Chariots I have sitting in a box waiting for me to get around to painting them

**MLaw**

Paradigm wrote:
Mort wrote:
MLaw wrote:
I honestly kinda like the Lammasau.. I don't think it's amazing or anything but I'd plop it down on a table and not feel bad. That dragon though, looks like it broke it's hips in the squat rack.

Same here. I think the Lammasu looks fine. Not the 'run out and pay huge amounts for it' fine, but if I played a force with that in the list, I'd buy one.

The dragon is the only thing that disappoints me. When I think 'dragon', I think 'intimidating'. That one doesn't really do the job for me.

Which is somewhat ironic, since unless I'm mistaken the Dragon and the Halfbreed share everything but the head?

Somehow I hadn't noticed that.. and now ..arg.. thanks.. I think the darker paint scheme on the Lambreed hides the weird anatomy better than the bright red on that dragon. Even still, between the two, the more squat upper body of the Lam lends itself to that horrid pose slightly better than the longer shape of the dragon IMO.

**highlord tamburlaine**

The GW Ironguts I've always liked, but I've never been a big fan of the fat Mongol style.

At least Mantic's ogres have a more feral look to them which I've always enjoyed.

**decker_cky**

NTRabbit wrote:
I despise the GW Ogre aesthetic, but that's me.

Also, are those Ogre Chariots actually a new release? They look an awful lot like the Chariots I have sitting in a box waiting for me to get around to painting them

They look similar, but that might be a new bit for the arm. Seems to be a different chain attachy bit you can identify on the righthand ogre.

Spoiler:

So maybe a quietly revamped kit like they did with the decimators?

Also, I like the lamassu. Not amazing, but I'll probably pick one up.

**RiTides**

Zombie trolls are cool! Not a fan of the Lamassu at all though - I'll be using the oop Raging Heroes one.

**MLaw**

RiTides wrote:
Zombie trolls are cool! Not a fan of the Lamassu at all though - I'll be using the oop Raging Heroes one.

Not to go off-topic.. but..kinda.. That Lamasau isn't OOP, you just have to buy the head separately. Which.. if you already have a winged bull (or winged anything really) you could pay the $7 and slap it on there. If you go to their site and look in Fantasy>Monsters or search Shedu you should find it.

Back on topic..

Does anyone know if the DS add-on only pledges for the US are shipping yet? Reading over the carton a and b thing and add-ons from the UK and all of that.. I'm confused if pledges like mine, that are just add-ons already went out.

This is something I just pulled from the comments section of the DS campaign page on KS.

Customs
-------------------------------------------------------
- During the campaign it was said that if people wanted tracked courier shipping we would have to pay $15 extra during the pledge manager. This option was never available and it was never clear how shipping was going to be made, so people assumed you were not going to ship through a courier. The problem now is that it appears that you have used courier shipping which is good for some people but bad for others. Several people in Canada have reported that they were asked to pay duties to DHL.
-------------------------------------------------------
Changes in what was offered during the KS
-------------------------------------------------------
- The Collector's Edition hardback was supposed to include both the Andventurer's companion and the Dungeon Journal. It currently only includes the former.
- The Collector's Edition should be included in pledges over $200. Upgrading it so that every backer that bought the three expansions has it is ok (sort of) but not including it in pledges that went over $200 but didn't buy all three expansions is not what was promised.
- According to the update #43, the number of scenarios in the Infernal Crypts expansion was going to be 8. However, in the recieved booklet there are only 6.
- According to updates #26 and #28 the Warlord of Galahir was going to have also two extra scenarios, though it was never mentioned the initial number of scenarios.
- Some heroes don't come with a stat card but their stats come in the dungeon journal. Although it was never stated during the campaign which heroes would come with a card and which not, it would be nice if you list the names of the heroes that don't have a stat card and if their stats are listed on the dungeon journal or elsewhere. There is quite a bit of confusion regarding this issue.
Some explanation about all this changes would be appreciated.
-------------------------------------------------------
Common missing items in the packages
-------------------------------------------------------
- Some people that ordered the base pledge + all 3 expansions are not getting the extra KS exclusive book box and no hard cover adventurer's companion. Just a thought, but some of the people packing the pledges might be using Carton A + 3 expansions to cover the aforementioned case, not realising that what they are doing is wrong. Maybe some words with the packaging team will avoid this issue in the rest of the shipments.
- Several people have reported that The Tyrant of Halpi expansion does not contain both the set of doors and furniture.
- Some people are reporting missing card decks and having duplicates of another ones. I suppose this is out of your control since this packages already packed, right?
-------------------------------------------------------
Typography errors found in the books
-------------------------------------------------------
- In the HUGE and LARGE description of creatures you've written "see page XXX".
- In the Sylph description, the image corresponds to a sylph but the description to a salamander.
You might wanna have a word with you eproof readers (the XXX error is a novice mistake).

I have not verified any of this but it sounds like there are issues and some splainin to do.

**RiTides**

Nice find on that head! They stopped selling it altogether for a while, but great to see it available - it's an amazing bit

**BobtheInquisitor**

Zywus wrote:
Is it just me or does it look like the dragon and (especially) the halfbreed need to lose some weight?

To me, the belly does not look particularly bulgy or distended once the HUGE 90 DEGREE BEND between the creature's torso and abdomen is taken into account. That poor beast has Liefelded its spine.

He has a vertical human torso attached to horizontal dragon hips. This is not good.

**AlexHolker**

If only somebody could have predicted that the dragon would look like gak.

Oh. Wait.

**overtyrant**

Just got my pledge through and had a quick look. Inital impressions are:

Well packed
Models are fantastic
Profile and item cards are way to thin
Tiles whilst nice are a tad thin for my liking
Tile clips are to big for tiles
Dice bag looks like it's been brought from a 99p store
Acrylic tokens are gak, I knew I shouldn't have got them as all there acrylic tokens have been gak from after the Dreadball KS
Did I mention the models ard fantastic!!

I'll have a proper look through to make sure everything is there when I get tge chance, though straight of the bat I'm very disappointed with the thickness of the cardstock items.

**OrlandotheTechnicoloured**

I don't suppose you've got Project Pandora or Dwarf Kings hold?

If you do how do the tiles compare quality/thickness wise

**Polonius**

MLaw wrote:
I honestly kinda like the Lammasau.. I don't think it's amazing or anything but I'd plop it down on a table and not feel bad. That dragon though, looks like it broke it's hips in the squat rack.

Everything else is good to exceptional. I quite like the zombie trolls and ogres.

The Lammasu is ugly in a good way, while the same body is ugly in a bad way when used as a dragon. The Elf Rider isn't great either, while the dwarf looks pretty good, at least in that picture.

The Ogre Hunters are really cool, and I'll likely buy two for my boys.

The Zombie Trolls are good, as is the orc wizard.

**overtyrant**

OrlandotheTechnicoloured wrote:
I don't suppose you've got Project Pandora or Dwarf Kings hold?

If you do how do the tiles compare quality/thickness wise

Ver nice designs and they're certainly thicker, but the cigarette paper is thicker then the old tiles!!

**BigOscar**

I think I'm probably very much in the minority as I actually like the dragon, but only in the context of it being for a dungeon. As a dragon for a battlefield and with a rider it looks pretty silly, especially as the rider is perched halfway along it's neck, in a way that would only be feasible if the dragon doesn't move from that exact pose.

As a dungeon dragon for Dungeon Saga, I really like it. I imagine a dragon that sits around in a dungeon guarding it's treasure to be fat, I'm not really a fan of the really spindly dragons that most companies produce. I imagine it would look incredibly menacing if you went into a room in the dungeon and that fat git was sat in the middle, which is pretty much what I'm after. Most dragons that companies make look like they should be flying and dynamic, which wouldn't make much sense in the context of a dungeon. It reminds me a bit of the dragons from the computer game The Last Remnant.

It looks pretty out of place as a Kings of War piece though, it doesn't look like it would be up to much flying. It looks like a bit of a bodge job to make it usable in KOW.

**GrimDork**

Yeah I think I agree here. Plenty of fancy reaper dragons making it into bones that will cost the same or less at retail and cover the dynamic angle better. But fat dungeon dragon ftw lol.

**judgedoug**

AlexHolker wrote:
If only somebody could have predicted that the dragon would look like gak.

Oh. Wait.

This is the dragon that was shown off like six months ago, right?

And it's a PVC/Bones style boardgame piece for Dungeon Saga that has to fit into a 3 square by 3 square location? And that Mantic said they'd be releasing as a KoW unit?

Just want to make sure that this Kings of War release is not somehow magically new and we didn't already know about it for half a year, and now it's time to act surprised.

**Nostromodamus**

judgedoug wrote:
AlexHolker wrote:
If only somebody could have predicted that the dragon would look like gak.

Oh. Wait.

This is the dragon that was shown off like six months ago, right?

And it's a PVC/Bones style boardgame piece for Dungeon Saga that has to fit into a 3 square by 3 square location? And that Mantic said they'd be releasing as a KoW unit?

Just want to make sure that this Kings of War release is not somehow magically new and we didn't already know about it for half a year, and now it's time to act surprised.

It's the same dragon everyone has known about for a long time.

No surprises here.

**timetowaste85**

Yup. And quite a few of us like it. Unlike Holker, who hates everything Mantic puts out. No matter what they choose to do, it's always wrong. Best to ignore it.

**Nostromodamus**

timetowaste85 wrote:
Yup. And quite a few of us like it. Unlike Holker, who hates everything Mantic puts out. No matter what they choose to do, it's always wrong. Best to ignore it.

Agreed, on both counts.

**GrimDork**

Ignore who now?

Here's hoping no pirates ransak the US container shipment, I'd like to at least get my boxen by Xmas if not have it all painted by then.

**lord_blackfang**

AlexHolker wrote:
If only somebody could have predicted that the dragon would look like gak.

Oh. Wait.

Even a broken clock is right twice a day

**Wurfelrolle**

If I was still playing WHFB I'd be all over those Zombie Trolls as Nurgle-based Chaos Trolls. As it is, they still may very well find a place inside an Abyssal force.

**BobtheInquisitor**

Alex C wrote:
judgedoug wrote:
AlexHolker wrote:
If only somebody could have predicted that the dragon would look like gak.

Oh. Wait.

This is the dragon that was shown off like six months ago, right?

And it's a PVC/Bones style boardgame piece for Dungeon Saga that has to fit into a 3 square by 3 square location? And that Mantic said they'd be releasing as a KoW unit?

Just want to make sure that this Kings of War release is not somehow magically new and we didn't already know about it for half a year, and now it's time to act surprised.

It's the same dragon everyone has known about for a long time.

No surprises here.

I remember the huge discussion we had about anatomy when the first rendered images came out. AlexHolker was there. He predicted that the dragon would look bad if they didn't fix it before it went to production, and thus it came to pass.

Frankly, I don't think those excuses give Mantic a pass at all. They've had so, so many chances to get it right and they keep whiffing. For every Enforcer Peacekeeper sprue full of magic, they release a doggie no-no scoop full of Greater Obsidian Golem. According to their only (ex) in-house sculptor, Mantic doesn't care how the miniatures turn out. Well, it shows.

**MLaw**

It's funny because I didn't back the core game because Mantic was refusing to answer my questions about the tile thickness. They even made a joke about that in one of the updates right after I asked it. I also received a message where someone from Mantic was basically mocking the fact that anyone would care about tile thickness. Look at that.. people are saying the tiles are too thin. WHAT!?!?!?

**Alpharius**

Links to/screen shots of said jokes and PMs please!