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![[Post New]](/s/i/i.gif) 2013/08/09 22:35:39
Subject: Great plastic figs or Cheaper metal figs that aren't as good?
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Brigadier General
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Here's my question if you had to choose between
Excellent quality plastic figs
vs
Good quality metal figs that were not quite as nice, but cost less, which would you choose?
There are many examples that could be used, but here's why I'm asking. I'm buying the figures to make a 28mm medieval fantasy human army. There are really great plastic figures from Perry miniatures that are quite affordable and really well done that would be great for my purposes. Really excellent multipart kits with lots of viable assembly options for variation and flavor.
However, I love metal figures, (sometimes irrationally) and go for metal figures that (new or used) are less expensive than the plastics even if they aren't quite as nicely executed. I've got a mound of Essex (used) and Old Glory (bought at about new-membership prices). Even though I know I've bought figures that aren't quite as pretty as Perry, and even with a nice variety of sculpts will not have the same realistic variation of poses and equipment, I have no regrets. I wonder if other folks feel the same way.
Note that I'm NOT asking about metal figures that are better or as good as plastics, but equally or more expensive as that leans toward the wider metal v plastic issue that has been discussed to death. I'm more interested in how price affects the choice of materials when quality of sculpt is at stake.
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This message was edited 3 times. Last update was at 2013/08/10 20:46:20
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![[Post New]](/s/i/i.gif) 2013/08/09 22:59:36
Subject: Great plastic figs or Cheaper metal figs that aren't as good?
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Posts with Authority
I'm from the future. The future of space
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I think your audience here might not have a real appreication of what you can get for metals at a given price in the historical market. They might be more familiar with GW's prices and then Finecast prices when they think of non-plastics and metals.
They might have no idea that you can get a metal historical soldier that would work good for a fantasy army for £1.25 or so. And I believe Old Glory can get even lower than that and some of their sculpts are pretty good.
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Balance in pick up games? Two people, each with their own goals for the game, design half a board game on their own without knowing the layout of the board and hope it all works out. Good luck with that. The faster you can find like minded individuals who want the same things from the game as you, the better. |
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![[Post New]](/s/i/i.gif) 2013/08/09 23:27:02
Subject: Great plastic figs or Cheaper metal figs that aren't as good?
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Longtime Dakkanaut
Maryland
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frozenwastes wrote:I think your audience here might not have a real appreication of what you can get for metals at a given price in the historical market. They might be more familiar with GW's prices and then Finecast prices when they think of non-plastics and metals.
They might have no idea that you can get a metal historical soldier that would work good for a fantasy army for £1.25 or so. And I believe Old Glory can get even lower than that and some of their sculpts are pretty good.
I have to agree - take the same question over to TMP, and you'll be able to imagine the old men scoffing over the scandal of using plastic miniatures at all!
I'd say that cheap, not-as-nice metal miniatures definitely works for games in which the spectacle comes from seeing rank-upon-rank of troops, in which individual characteristics get lost.
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![[Post New]](/s/i/i.gif) 2013/08/09 23:48:52
Subject: Re:Great plastic figs or Cheaper metal figs that aren't as good?
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Douglas Bader
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Higher quality models > lower quality models no matter what the material is. I'd rather pay extra and get the best possible models than save a bit of money and get ugly garbage.
Of course I say this as a 40k player, if I played a fantasy/historical game where most of my models were just wound counters in giant blocks of infantry I'd probably be more willing to settle for lower quality since there isn't as much to show off.
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There is no such thing as a hobby without politics. "Leave politics at the door" is itself a political statement, an endorsement of the status quo and an attempt to silence dissenting voices. |
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![[Post New]](/s/i/i.gif) 2013/08/10 00:16:14
Subject: Great plastic figs or Cheaper metal figs that aren't as good?
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Posts with Authority
I'm from the future. The future of space
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There's also the option of just filling the front rank of a black of troops with the best figures and making all the ones behind them a cheaper options.
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Balance in pick up games? Two people, each with their own goals for the game, design half a board game on their own without knowing the layout of the board and hope it all works out. Good luck with that. The faster you can find like minded individuals who want the same things from the game as you, the better. |
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![[Post New]](/s/i/i.gif) 2013/08/10 00:49:26
Subject: Great plastic figs or Cheaper metal figs that aren't as good?
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Growlin' Guntrukk Driver with Killacannon
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I use a mix of minis..grunts can be of lower quality than others,
Especially when I can fill a grunt platoon at pennies a figure (prince august moulds and some old tire weights) ..a good paintjob goes a long way ..
lower grade plastic and metal ..hher grade for characters and sargents etc..
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This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2013/08/10 00:50:17
'\ ' ~9000pts
' ' ~1500
" " ~3000
" " ~2500
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![[Post New]](/s/i/i.gif) 2013/08/10 05:49:45
Subject: Great plastic figs or Cheaper metal figs that aren't as good?
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Ultramarine Master with Gauntlets of Macragge
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I spend a lot of time painting my models, and as a result, I want them to be damn nice. If I can customize them too (whether it's pose, equipment, or what have you) then I'm even more on board. Plastics all the way, with nice metals coming up behind.
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Check out my Youtube channel!
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![[Post New]](/s/i/i.gif) 2013/08/10 10:59:52
Subject: Re:Great plastic figs or Cheaper metal figs that aren't as good?
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Longtime Dakkanaut
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Price might play a role, but I think the material properies and what they imply for the hobby and the game use of the minis are much more important.
My first choice is Plastic. Plastic is easily workable witth simple tools and forms very strong bonds using plastic glue. Scratchbuild and kit bash fun to boot. Paint can be removed without major hassle.
Fallback is Metal. Metal is solid, but heavy and hard to work. Getting a strong glue bond can be tough. Paint can be removed however you like, since he metal can take whatever you dish out.
Last Resort is Resin. Resin is warps, comes with more flaws, loads more sprue and vent connections to cut off and clean up. Worst of all, even a finished miniature made from resin might just break and fall apart, even if you don't drop it. Getting glue or paint to stick on resin can be tricky depending on the release agents used and the surface smoothness. Paint removal is risky or impossible.
TL R: Plastic > Metal > Resin; price is secondary
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![[Post New]](/s/i/i.gif) 2013/08/10 12:19:55
Subject: Re:Great plastic figs or Cheaper metal figs that aren't as good?
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Utilizing Careful Highlighting
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Same with Peregrine: I don't care much about the material (unless it's a really shoddy material like Finecast). The quality of the sculpts matter the most.
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![[Post New]](/s/i/i.gif) 2013/08/10 15:07:59
Subject: Great plastic figs or Cheaper metal figs that aren't as good?
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Posts with Authority
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frozenwastes wrote:I think your audience here might not have a real appreication of what you can get for metals at a given price in the historical market. They might be more familiar with GW's prices and then Finecast prices when they think of non-plastics and metals.
They might have no idea that you can get a metal historical soldier that would work good for a fantasy army for £1.25 or so. And I believe Old Glory can get even lower than that and some of their sculpts are pretty good.
My first miniatures were Minifig Prussians, ca. 1975 - does that count?
Yeah, historicals are much less expensive, and are aimed at a 'paint 'em and get 'em on the table' market - not loving detail.
It is not uncommon though to have nice, highly detailed, figures on the front rank of the unit base, and the less attractive figures filling out the ranks.
Which brings me to my 'not on the poll' suggestion - use both, the excellent plastics being used for the most visible figures, the not so detailed metals bulking out the units.
The Auld Grump
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Kilkrazy wrote:When I was a young boy all my wargames were narratively based because I played with my toy soldiers and vehicles without the use of any rules.
The reason I bought rules and became a real wargamer was because I wanted a properly thought out structure to govern the action instead of just making things up as I went along. |
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![[Post New]](/s/i/i.gif) 2013/08/10 15:29:36
Subject: Re:Great plastic figs or Cheaper metal figs that aren't as good?
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Major
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I need a other option. I prefer the Battle front style,Plastic/Resin Hybrids.Plastic, main bodies with metal bits.
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![[Post New]](/s/i/i.gif) 2013/08/10 20:40:01
Subject: Re:Great plastic figs or Cheaper metal figs that aren't as good?
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Brigadier General
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Thanks for the responses so far folks. I hadn't considered the option of plastic front rank and metal filler. In general I've found that at 28mm metals and plastic tend to look different enough that I wouldn't mix in the same unit. However, Perry and Warlord and some others do make a compelling case that plastic and metal models can be made close enough to the same proportions to look quite nice in the same unit, especially when they come from the same company.
col. krazy kenny wrote:I need a other option. I prefer the Battle front style,Plastic/Resin Hybrids.Plastic, main bodies with metal bits.
I deliberately left out other options.
In your case, imagine if the vehicle you needed to finish your ______ company was only available in a great plastic kit, or a not-quite-as-nice metal model for less, which would you pick?
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This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2013/08/10 20:44:52
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![[Post New]](/s/i/i.gif) 2013/08/10 20:59:38
Subject: Great plastic figs or Cheaper metal figs that aren't as good?
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Hurr! Ogryn Bone 'Ead!
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Plastic, mainly due to how easily paint chips off of the metal figures. I find you've got to be so much more careful handling metal figures due to bending etc as well as this also makes the paint come off...... but I do love my kasrkin shock troops so much.. lol
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![[Post New]](/s/i/i.gif) 2013/08/10 21:54:41
Subject: Great plastic figs or Cheaper metal figs that aren't as good?
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Infiltrating Prowler
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Kevv6 wrote:Plastic, mainly due to how easily paint chips off of the metal figures. I find you've got to be so much more careful handling metal figures due to bending etc as well as this also makes the paint come off...... but I do love my kasrkin shock troops so much.. lol
This. If you go through the effort to paint everything, seeing all the paint chips ruins everything. Another thing to add is weight. Don't know how many figs you will be having to carry around, but a case full of metal figs can be quite a strain.
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![[Post New]](/s/i/i.gif) 2013/08/11 02:41:28
Subject: Re:Great plastic figs or Cheaper metal figs that aren't as good?
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Irked Necron Immortal
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Plastic every time for me. Conversion is so much easier with plastic than metal. I would still use metal only if it isn't made in plastic.
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![[Post New]](/s/i/i.gif) 2013/08/11 18:35:56
Subject: Great plastic figs or Cheaper metal figs that aren't as good?
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Haughty Harad Serpent Rider
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Nothing beats Old Glory with the 40% membership discount; and their Old Glory 2nd Edition sculpts are fantastic and probably the best deals on the market. That said, I would happily mix them in with Perry or other manufacturer's plastics for greater variety.
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"...and special thanks to Judgedoug!" - Alessio Cavatore "Now you've gone too far Doug! ... Too far... " - Rick Priestley "I've decided that I'd rather not have you as a member of TMP." - Editor, The Miniatures Page "I'd rather put my testicles through a mangle than spend any time gaming with you." - Richard, TooFatLardies "We need a Doug Craig in every store." - Warlord Games "Thank you for being here, Judge Doug!" - Adam Troke |
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![[Post New]](/s/i/i.gif) 2013/08/11 18:39:03
Subject: Re:Great plastic figs or Cheaper metal figs that aren't as good?
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Brigadier General
The new Sick Man of Europe
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Plastic because I hate metal.
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DC:90+S+G++MB++I--Pww211+D++A++/fWD390R++T(F)DM+
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![[Post New]](/s/i/i.gif) 2013/08/11 18:42:30
Subject: Great plastic figs or Cheaper metal figs that aren't as good?
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Haughty Harad Serpent Rider
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Specifically related to playing large historicals and ancients games, metal tends to be superior to plastics due to the ease of preparation (single piece metals versus plastic assembly). When you're trying to assemble and speed paint 400 infantry, it's much easier to do a quick clean, prime, paint on metals. Plus, again, places like Old Glory allow you to get so many metals for so absurdly cheap.
Automatically Appended Next Post:
That being said, now that Warlord, Perry, and Victrix make plastic Napoleonics, and they are single-piece for the most part (head swaps and backpacks separate), it becomes a matter of whether the period you're looking to play has those quick assemble plastics.
I just completed a large Parliamentarian army for ECW and I regret doing so much plastic infantry. While I love Warlord's plastic sculpts for the pike and shotte, the assembly took FOREVER and I wish I had just had a lot of single-piece metals to make that part quicker.
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This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 2013/08/11 18:45:37
"...and special thanks to Judgedoug!" - Alessio Cavatore "Now you've gone too far Doug! ... Too far... " - Rick Priestley "I've decided that I'd rather not have you as a member of TMP." - Editor, The Miniatures Page "I'd rather put my testicles through a mangle than spend any time gaming with you." - Richard, TooFatLardies "We need a Doug Craig in every store." - Warlord Games "Thank you for being here, Judge Doug!" - Adam Troke |
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![[Post New]](/s/i/i.gif) 2013/08/11 19:13:25
Subject: Great plastic figs or Cheaper metal figs that aren't as good?
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Brigadier General
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judgedoug wrote:Specifically related to playing large historicals and ancients games, metal tends to be superior to plastics due to the ease of preparation (single piece metals versus plastic assembly). When you're trying to assemble and speed paint 400 infantry, it's much easier to do a quick clean, prime, paint on metals. Plus, again, places like Old Glory allow you to get so many metals for so absurdly cheap.
That's a good point, and something I forgot to mention. I just picked up a pack of English Billmen. 30 figs in the bag and about 15 sculpts and variations (some are clearly the same pose with a different head or jacket). There may be a few places that need a quick touch with the file, but I'm not going to be spending alot of time in figure preparation. Having to trim, clean the flash and assemble 30 plastic miniatures would be a much more arduous process. And those 30 figs are just one and a half units or 75% of a unit, depending on the size of the unit.
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![[Post New]](/s/i/i.gif) 2013/08/12 05:43:17
Subject: Great plastic figs or Cheaper metal figs that aren't as good?
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Possessed Khorne Marine Covered in Spikes
Ohio
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I like the use of plastic because i probably do more converting than most wargamers.
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The Black Hand
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![[Post New]](/s/i/i.gif) 2013/08/12 15:47:04
Subject: Great plastic figs or Cheaper metal figs that aren't as good?
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Brigadier General
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wolfmerc wrote:I like the use of plastic because i probably do more converting than most wargamers.
That makes perfect sense. I have no problem converting metal (my preferred material), but it does take more effort and you don't have the mountain of bits to work with that plastic kits included. if I planned to convert entire units of figures it would seem like maddness to not pay the upcharge for a plastic unit if one existed.
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![[Post New]](/s/i/i.gif) 2013/08/12 15:52:46
Subject: Great plastic figs or Cheaper metal figs that aren't as good?
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Old Sourpuss
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I want whatever looks good and has the least amount of work for me to do.
Metal pieces are fantastic for cleaning them up, slapping them on a base, priming, painting, and gaming
Plastic is great when I want things to look pretty cool... and I don't mind plastic kits and would honestly prefer metal over plastic... UNLESS that metal kit is in multiple pieces... then give me plastic
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DR:80+S++G+M+B+I+Pwmhd11#++D++A++++/sWD-R++++T(S)DM+

Ask me about Brushfire or Endless: Fantasy Tactics |
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![[Post New]](/s/i/i.gif) 2013/08/12 16:50:46
Subject: Great plastic figs or Cheaper metal figs that aren't as good?
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Haughty Harad Serpent Rider
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Alfndrate wrote:I want whatever looks good and has the least amount of work for me to do.
Metal pieces are fantastic for cleaning them up, slapping them on a base, priming, painting, and gaming
Plastic is great when I want things to look pretty cool... and I don't mind plastic kits and would honestly prefer metal over plastic... UNLESS that metal kit is in multiple pieces... then give me plastic 
Something like the Perry AWI British kit is rather excellent in this regard. Single piece plastic body with separate arms, so you can choose whether to have them holding the rifle at rest or charging. Separate hat so you can choose which type to use based on year and geography (saratoga, tricorn, etc). Assembly was very quick and allows you to make what unit(s) you need. Separate command sprue with lots of options. Superb Perry sculpts and enough customizability for variety within a unit and unique commands, but still a breeze to assemble. Not as quick as single piece metals, but better than many others - a nice middle ground.
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"...and special thanks to Judgedoug!" - Alessio Cavatore "Now you've gone too far Doug! ... Too far... " - Rick Priestley "I've decided that I'd rather not have you as a member of TMP." - Editor, The Miniatures Page "I'd rather put my testicles through a mangle than spend any time gaming with you." - Richard, TooFatLardies "We need a Doug Craig in every store." - Warlord Games "Thank you for being here, Judge Doug!" - Adam Troke |
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