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Cruentus wrote: Those are actually three-ups for the plastic gnolls? Ugh. This went from a must buy (likely several boxes - I love the concept of gnolls) to total pass. Shame.
He's assuming those are 3ups. Why would they paint a 3up? I don't think I've ever seen a company do that..
Mantic has done that in the past, and I'm sure others companies have too. They paint a 3-up resin for photography marketing etc to have pics before the molds are done (which can take a lot of time)
Seriously, if you are gonna spend all that money to get the metal molds cut, why skimp on the sculptor? I'll never understand. I'll never waste money on this company either though, so...
yes, many companies do that unfortunatly... The thing is some people have higher or lower expectations than others but people running companies use their own judgement for the level of quality they want for their line.
If they don't have a sharp artistic eye and are not too picky they come with an average or underaverage line of minis.
Not particulary speaking about northstar here or even plastic manufacturers, it's true for small metal/resin companies too (but it's more annoying for larger companies with the cost associated with plastic casting).
Another reason it that the production beeing very expensive companies try to cut cost anywhere they can, and the main cut they can do is sculpting unfortunatly (even though it's not a good idea). But for someone who don't see much difference in sculpting quality it's a quick decision to take.
With higher standards they would certainly sell more and recover the extra sculpting investment, but I guess it's a good thing for smaller companies that the market is not flooded with great, affordable plastic minis
Regarding Bob Naithsmith, I think he is a skilled and experienced sculptor, and he certainly know how to build a multipart plastic kit, which not all sculptors can do and represent a massive task. It's not a surprise so many companies use him for their plastic kits.
I don't really know him, but from what I get, he seems to enjoy doing things fast, without too much care (and consistant with old school 80-90's quality) and has fun this way. I'm sure he could do better more consistently if he was spending more time, but why would he if the company is happy with the result and doesn't want to pay more for better quality? I won't blame the sculptor here if that's what the company expect from him.
if people like the minis good for them, if you don't like don't buy
I understand people beeing upset at the missed opportunity (the kit isn't horrible, but it could be better), especialy for a plastic kit, as now it would be more difficult for another company to come with a better kit with this one in the market
adamsouza wrote: Honestly, I would be less happy with them if they were in the croutched over, running poses show on the box cover.
Doggy style Kobolds were a D&D 1E and earlier thing. Where everyone had this image for reference.
The Reptilian, dragon, heritage was reinforced in later editions, and their appearance in the art evolved.
I´m honestly surprised no one has done decent modern/draconic kobold minis, they seem to be quiet popular from what I can see.
Not just in plastic. Draconic kobolds in general. From what I can tell a lot of the kobolds minis today are by companies who made them back in the dog face Era? After their look was updated to be more draconic in 3rd no one really bothered to make new minis.
Most draconic kobolds minis are pathfinder and d&d prepaints. Witch the style and even size can range a lot not just from series to series but even kobolds from the same set
Probably best not to compare _anyone's_ sculpting of humans to the Perry brothers, actually. Perry sculpts will always look better, because they are better.
catachan_jungle_fighters.jpg
empire_state_troops.gif
hey now, Catachan were their first plastic kit... everyone gets one flub. Plus I'm sure everyone would have loved to have them go rogue and defy Mike McVey and sculpt truescale Dutch and Dillon, but they were probably liking their paychecks at the time and The Red Era was in full swing.
Empire state troops, really? The sword/board & halberd plastic kit is 10000 times better than the 7th edition computer sculpted guys with no shoes. They're great for WHFB and any Italian Ren historicals.
Automatically Appended Next Post:
BobtheInquisitor wrote: Didn't the Perrys sculpt the Terminator Genisis minis? Those were pretty bad. One even had a Catachan face.
I suspect the Perrys have trouble sculpting anyone from a civilization that uses toilet paper.
They sculped the first run metal figs - Kyle Reese and the series 800 model 101 (Schwarzenegger) and Sarah Connor. Bob Naismith sculpted the plastics.
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2016/03/01 15:00:30
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plastictrees wrote: So...people had differing opinions in a News and Rumours thread?
No one's telling anyone what to do, don't be such a drama queen.
No but the conversation switched from commenting on the models to commenting on other people's opinions on the models. If I like them, I'd like to be able to say so without 3 people telling me how my opinion is wrong.
Yeah, the conversation was "gnolls are awesome". Then someone had to ruin it by posting photos of the actual plastic gnolls. That's why we can't have nice conversations any more: Mantic-level miniature design incompetence kills everything.
plastictrees wrote: So...people had differing opinions in a News and Rumours thread?
No one's telling anyone what to do, don't be such a drama queen.
No but the conversation switched from commenting on the models to commenting on other people's opinions on the models. If I like them, I'd like to be able to say so without 3 people telling me how my opinion is wrong.
Yeah, the conversation was "gnolls are awesome". Then someone had to ruin it by posting photos of the actual plastic gnolls. That's why we can't have nice conversations any more: Mantic-level miniature design incompetence kills everything.
Yeah, but see, I have a crapload of Reaper Bones (including gnolls) so those sculpts aren't a deal breaker for me.... AS long as they are priced at or below Bones KS level pricing.. IF they are priced like a GW multipart (which I doubt) then they're a hard PASS.
Aren't they $35 for 20? That's WHFB infantry pricing.
Automatically Appended Next Post: If they were $20 for 20, I'd be much more forgiving towards the sculpts and even buy a box to see what I could do with them.
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2016/03/01 18:03:12
Automatically Appended Next Post: If they were $20 for 20, I'd be much more forgiving towards the sculpts and even buy a box to see what I could do with them.
Hmm.. lemme look.
Brigade (Northstar's US distributor) lists Frostgrave soldiers $31 for 20 ($1.55 each)
GW lists a box of Free Company at $35 for 20
However, GW lists a box of 10 Gors for $24.75, A box of15 Saurus Guard for $55, 10 Ironbreakers for $50, 20 Stormvermin for $49.50, 10 White Lions for $41.25, 10 Greatswords for $41.25, 20 Saurus Warriors for $38, 10 Bloodletters are $29
(I listed all of that out because I haven't priced them in a year if I had to guess).
For actual regular humans that you can get from many places.. GW is really close in price to Frostgrave and other historicals. The further from that they get, the higher the price seems to get. I think Lizardman Saurus and Gors are probably the closest to Gnolls since they're not human but also not really small like goblins or skaven or whatever. Bloodletters are pretty close too. The prices on those are all over the place from roughly $60 for 20 down to $38 for 20. Putting the lowest there at $1.90 per model.
Reaper DOES make Gnolls. Theirs are mostly $3 a pop with one at $2.49. They aren't multipart and most of the ones I own need work to straighten out the weapons.
Their metal ones range $4.99 to $17 each.
Ral Partha Gnolls through Ironwind Metals are $30 for 12.
Otherworld Gnolls are 11 pound for 2.
So. I don't know that saying a box of GW fantasy infantry is $35 is very accurate as they seem to price based on newness of a kit and how good it is in the game.. plus how much of a niche they have on that unit. Reaper Bones is the next cheapest option and those ARE gnolls.
To compare that's $1.55 each for the Frostgrave Gnolls. GW approx $1.90+, Reaper $2.99+ (one at 2.49)
Yes, you can get various deals off on all of this.. however, any time I post about Miniature Market etc, I hear that those places aren't available here or there so I went for MSRP.
Empire state troops, really? The sword/board & halberd plastic kit is 10000 times better than the 7th edition computer sculpted guys with no shoes.
Those are the guys I'm talking about/meaning. I might have gotten the kit name wrong, since I've never bought a lot of Empire - especially post-3rd ed.
MLaw wrote: Question.. Do the Nickstarters usually offer the upcoming boxed sets at a discount?
You will pay the retail price for the box during the Nickstarter if you just want to preorder the box and nothing else. Different levels will give you different levels of freebies... At the highest level, you'll get a few metal minis for free and a few resin bits and pieces. Nickstarter is just a fun play on words for pre-order - the product is ready to go and production may even already be paid for. It's just a small reward for jumping in early and ordering direct from NorthStar.
Just one point after reading the last few pages, but NorthStar are a major distributer of toy soldiers in the uk. If I was going to launch a model range, Nick Eyres would be one of the first person I'd talk to. He knows what sells and what doesn't. He also knows who he is selling to and I doubt Dakka Dakka is representative of who he sells to or markets to. Perhaps he is a bit old school but i wouldn't dismiss guys with his experience in the model industry just because you dislike a sculpt.
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2016/03/03 11:03:38
2016/03/03 14:11:37
Subject: Re:Frostgrave - Plastic Gnolls in July p.31
How soon will we get to see the gnoll sprues. Also, how do you pronounce gnoll? I thought "knoll" or "nole" but the earlier pun in this thread assumes "nawl" or "nall".
Automatically Appended Next Post: Ok fine... it is pronounced nole, like mole with one less bump. from an old English writer who spelled it gnole, nolle, nole apparently interchangeably.
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2016/03/03 21:29:25
This one is out in November, so a bit of time to wait, however, there are two other ebooks and Into the Breeding Pits coming out before then, so plenty Frostgrave to keep you entertained.
I'm guessing the plastics are Barbarians, by the cover art.
This one is out in November, so a bit of time to wait, however, there are two other ebooks and Into the Breeding Pits coming out before then, so plenty Frostgrave to keep you entertained.
I'm guessing the plastics are Barbarians, by the cover art.
I know the soldiers aren't exactly "that" individual but wouldn't barbarians be a bit of a gamble since they exist as plastic historic models?
They could be Conan type barbarians. More tribal styled could be pretty cool, too. I'd rather see another non-human set though. Lizardmen, for instance. Particularly if they aren't Mesoamerican lizards.
Earlier I mentioned the D&D boardgame gnolls from Temple of Elemental Evil.. and someone said they had regular person legs. I actually just check the ones I own and they have the same dog legs as the Tre Manor Reaper ones I also own.. so.. something to consider..
" - 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 
