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I was looking on ebay today for some fun old 40k models. You know the old nid's that looked super goofy or the rouge trader area marines. Naturally I came across some still in their blister packs and I am torn to even order them as I know I would instantly rip it open and build them when I could just order the same guy out of the packaging and leave the nib oop guy to some collector. So I decided to ask you.

If you can slap them some solid painting justice I think they'll look better on the battlefield

I actually use a Hunter Killer and a full squad of 2nd Edition Termagants. I'll be picking up a 3rd Edition Zoanthrope to go with the one I already have. People actually love seeing them on the table. They're not painted, and my 3rd Edition Hive Tyrant isn't painted well, but people still enjoy seeing the older models. 2nd Edition Tyranids I personally am not as into because of that goofy look mentioned, but even unopened I think it would be worth building and painting them up. Display them on the tabletop to your opponent and it's more than worth it.

They are meant to be played with. If you want to buy stuff to invest in, get stocks and bonds. I never understood the point in keeping stuff pristine in the box. It’s just stuff at that point, to sit around collecting dust. Valuable stuff, maybe, but still just an object.

I do realize that some people do value it though, so given the choice, I’d pick up open stuff and leave the NIB stuff for the people who care. But I don’t buy old stuff myself, I just knock the dust off what I have. My opinion on this is simply hypothetical.

Get them battling in the spirit of Oldhammer! Celebrate them for what they are - models destined to fight numberless battles, their fate in the hands of dice. Give them a decent lick of paint and put them to work in the spirit they were made for - WAR!

 SharkoutofWata wrote:
I actually use a Hunter Killer and a full squad of 2nd Edition Termagants.

Gotta justify spike rifles having stats somehow, I guess.

I persoally love the 2e Zoanthrope and Hive Tyrant and think they're some of the best models in the 'nid range.

I said put it on the battlefield but I should clarify. I've only opened a couple RT early blisters. In general they are too expensive for me, so like Nevlon this is mostly hypothetical.

However, if I acquired an RT blister I would first see if I could trade it for the same figs plus more. If such a deal wasn't doable, I'd open the package. I've opened an old Squat blister and I cracked a pack of 3 RT era Space Marine Iron Armor.

I'm not above accommodating collectors if I can get more for my money or in trade, but my general feeling is that minis belong painted and on the table. As an aside, an unpainted vintage fig on the table is almost as sad looking to me as an unpainted contemporary fig.

On a related note. I'm slowly working up a squat force. It's made up of figs (got about 20 painted and 50 to go) that I've been able to acquire at bargain prices. I could have made alot more reselling them to collectors, but I want a squat army!

I have to say, there's a large community called Oldhammer that celebrates the older GW models: http://forum.oldhammer.org.uk/

They are very much in the vein of cracking open blisters, painting and gaming with the original models with the original rulesets (WFB 3rd Edition and Rogue Trader anyone?).

 Furyou Miko wrote:

 SharkoutofWata wrote:
I actually use a Hunter Killer and a full squad of 2nd Edition Termagants.

Gotta justify spike rifles having stats somehow, I guess.

I persoally love the 2e Zoanthrope and Hive Tyrant and think they're some of the best models in the 'nid range.

One of my Termagants has that awful Strangleweb Blaster... Makes me glad I don't play WYSIWYG and most people don't recognize it...

I will agree with the Zoanthrope but the sword on the Tyrant killed it for me. I was just looking at one this morning and really considered picking it up since my current Tyrant always has Venom Cannon anyway. Modern and classic, I never give my Nids swords. I will always prefer talons and claws. If or when I decide to grab up a Neurothrope it will be a 2nd Edition Zoa though.

You know the old nid's that looked super goofy

How very dare you.

They were made to be painted and played with. Buy 'em, paint 'em and use 'em I say. If you can get unpainted ones out of the box, get them instead since they'll be cheaper, but no use letting someone get the last one available just because it was still NIB and you missing out.

 Ratius wrote:

You know the old nid's that looked super goofy

How very dare you.

That is pretty awesome.

Look at it this way: every blister you bust open makes each one left unopened a little more valuable to those crusty collector types. I'd much rather see a mini spend its "life" loved and well-used by a gamer than hidden away and kept under blister plastic by a collector.

Get them. Use them. I'm all about the army on a budget, by hook or by crook.

Get them open and let them see some action. For the Emprah!!

 redmeansfast wrote:
I was looking on ebay today for some fun old 40k models. You know the old nid's that looked super goofy or the rouge trader area marines. Naturally I came across some still in their blister packs and I am torn to even order them as I know I would instantly rip it open and build them when I could just order the same guy out of the packaging and leave the nib oop guy to some collector. So I decided to ask you.

Free the prisoner from his cage; set him free on the battlefield he deserves! Bring him to life with colour!

Don't feel bad for that one collector who loses out on this model; 1) if it was worth it to him he would have bidded more. 2) you're doing a favour to all the collectors who already have the model (by reducing the number of packaged models in circulation you're increasing the values of those that are still MIB).

Sell the blisters to hardcore collectors and use the money to buy the same models but painted for cheap. Strip and paint them. You end up with the exact same figures along with extra cash.

Yeah, seems silly to buy bnib at a higher price just to open it.
If bnib is the only option then I've no qualms in opening them but I'll always look for a cheaper unpainted unpackaged option.

I often prefer nib for those old models, so you have the guarantee (well mostly) that they are complete.

I look for them only cause I want to use them. No point leaving them sitting around forever or wasting money on them if you're never going to use them.