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.

 MLaw wrote:
Is a model really a good deal if you never paint it or use it?

Sure!

If you sell it.

Or give it away as a gift.

Or use it as a test piece.

I'd suggest possibly cutting for bits/terrain/objectives, but I'm not sure how well Bones would take to such modifications, as I'm very new to modeling.

Long story short, there are alternatives, but if you're not feeling it, that's cool too. We all have to watch our budgets, there's always another game to get or model to buy or KS to back.

In response to MLaw, if it's a good deal then it's a good deal.

However, if it was a wise purchase... that's the rub. If you use it in it's unpainted state then you probably still got your money out of it, but if you bought it because it was cheap and it never leaves the storage box... then it probably wasn't worth your money buying it.

Gonna have to do some heavy considering on this one. Since I'm fortunate enough to not have to factor in shipping, I'll probably take my chances on the corsairs and crusaders at least. If they end up soft or something, not a big loss.

Also, if they do fully fund a third expansion and it's scifi... I'd probably be more down for that. I got two of them during bones 2 and don't regret it (although I do regret that my greys are a bit tacky... need to research a different sealer).

Grimdork - Yeah, I definitely need some of the models they're showing for some specific campaigns in DnD (going to run some players through Hammerfast at some point and a few others). Some of the models though.. means I am scrutinizing which ones that means before I dump them on the old CC.

It sucks that shipping is there. I hate it when I get stuck with it from euro-starters or all the wonderful european places. Hopefully you don't get the other side of that.. a horrible conversion rate. Ugh.. I am hoping they do show us a sci-fi expansion..and I am hoping it's mind-blowing. I'm not holding my breath though because every time I see anyone mention it, the response is not very exciting.

More crazy stuff. If you know anyone forums into steampunk or Oz, post!



Also another add-on for the traditionalists!



Sphinx greens:
http://www.reapermini.com/misc/bryan/Sphinx1.jpg
http://www.reapermini.com/misc/bryan/Sphinx2.jpg

Those two are the size of the Dracolisk. I asked why 2 models that small were priced in the KS higher than the Chimera's retail price.. they refused to answer. People aren't paying attention to how much these things are costing per model.

I dropped my wave 1 pledge. Probably done with Reaper. I've got loads of fantasy stuff anyway and that really seems to be all they care about.

I hope everyone that's in for this enjoys. There's a lot of fun to be had for sure. Already put my money on HINT. Catch ya later

EDIT: I didn't just leave over the manticore and sphinx, and my issue was not just on pricing. The sphinx looked a bit silly vs the metal ones they have and the manticore looked nothing like that classic look their existing one has. They're not bad sculpts but I'm not overly fond of their designs. When you pair this with how little of this KS I actually need, the whole thing with changing the $10 model to a $15 model after it was more popular than they realized, being brushed off when asking about sci-fi (that is a really big one for me), and just general burnout. Seeing an update that was two undersized models that I was looking for, done in a style that is totally not up my alley, and priced higher than the freaking frost giants??? It just does not make sense to me.

Care to share a link to this cheap existing Manticore? Only one I can seem to find is one for $16.

Or did you really mean Chimera? Yep, that's $5.49 on their site, but you're comparing different creatures.

Ron did address your concerns, saying that the bases on these new ones constitute some of the cost. $6 each is still awesome imho.

As to Shubs price increase, it was a mistake. No reason to suspect shenanigans imho. $15 for a mini that size is still a fantastic deal, considering it will be $40+ at retail.

Agreed on the sci fi though. Too bad the anti sci fi brigade seemingly has such a big influence.

@AlexC - As a rule, the Bones prices are doubled at retail. That means the Chimera and Manticore are going to be $12 each retail. The $16 metal one is closer to what I want anyway.. so I'll just go that route.
The Sphinxes that they have are what I was hoping for, not the one they ended up with, regardless of the price.

The base constitutes some of the cost? How are the giants, dragon and rider, massive tentacle beast, etc etc either cheaper or very close to the same price? It doesn't make sense. Again though.. the price isn't what did it in the end.

I referenced the bones chimera because they're basically the same size. It's a frame of reference.

No harm, no foul, just wanted to relay that they did address you but you apparently missed it

Personally I think their current Sphinxes look worse and the current Manticore looks like diabeetus guy, but to each their own. Now we have choices!

Sad to see you go, but you gotta do what you gotta do!

Now I feel alone, facing the hordes of anti sci-fi SJWs...

@Alex C - lol yeah.. well.. :/ There's some good people there too. NatoriErk is a sci-fi guy too and other than the fact that he's talking smack about me he is a pretty good guy. aryanun too.
Anyway, probably the last time I'll check in here so take it easy.

Reaper's anti-sci fi bias is baffling and frustrating. The worst part is how they constantly put out boneheaded, sabotaged sci fi releases seemingly just so they can point to low sales and say, "See?"

I like both of those mythical monsters a lot.

Agreed on the sci fi though. Too bad the anti sci fi brigade seemingly has such a big influence.

I don't know that it is so much an Anti-Scifi Brigade, as 5-10 people who spam their townsfolk/basic round bases/other fantasy stuff wishlists non-stop. I personally hope to see a lot more scifi.

I'm really curious to hear from the sci-fi crowd- what are you looking for? I think I saw a request for some sort of armored car, and modern humanoid aliens, but otherwise- what are you seeking?

The main reason fantasy works is because the same stock monsters appeal to folks who play most any RPG, and just fans of mythology. Sci-fi would have to be generic enough to work as many things, while being specific enough to be desirable.

So I ask- what should be in a sci fi expansion set?

Generic-ish Sci-Fi civilians would be v popular, I think, as there aren't many of those around.

Alien "bug" terrain could appeal to several games- Starship Troopers, Aliens, 40k Tyranids, Starcraft's Zerg, and the countless other bug-like aliens.

I don't need more greys unless they're in robot suits or something... but stuff like kulathi and bathalians makes me happy. Civilians would be useful too, robots and drones could be nice.

I don't necessarily *hope* they do a sci-fi expansion, but if they do then that's where my interest is likely to be.

I could also be talked into pulp era stuff. Guys with ray guns, bug eyed aliens, all that.

 BobtheInquisitor wrote:
Reaper's anti-sci fi bias is baffling and frustrating. The worst part is how they constantly put out boneheaded, sabotaged sci fi releases seemingly just so they can point to low sales and say, "See?"

Pretty much this.
They have some really neat models. One could make a Shadowrun group from any number of their figures to be honest. They have some neat aliens that could work in a Mass Effect type of setting and a few more hostile looking critters. The mindset tends to be that they want to throw something out that is general and broad. The problem is they are unwilling to commit the resources to develop any specific range to fit this bill. I've seen comments that say things like "sci-fi models tend to be really specific where fantasy is pretty flexible" and I think.. wow.. how off-base. First, some fantasy stuff is extremely setting specific. Second, they release stuff like that weird steampunk Wizard of Oz set.. how is that not specific? Third, sci-fi gamers know that for the most part, we can use rule of cool, counts-as, or our imaginations for models. Even if this were in doubt, plenty of other companies have laid the foundation for the types of things as general release that would be cross-system usable. If Reaper would bother to look, they would see. I am loathe to point towards Mantic but they have broken ground in this area along with Studio McVey, Heresy, ,Hasslefree, and on and on. Even Titan-Forge showed that sci-fi can blend with fantasy through their teched up demons. Reaper's stance on sci-fi is an active decision and they are a business, so whether or not I agree with it, all I can do is vote with my wallet.

Side note.. honestly, all they would have to do to make a gazillion dollars is do what they did with the crusaders or really anything they've released as a set. Releasing a set of anthromorphic sci-fi troopers in the same nature as their lycanthropes, cat people or whatever, would be crazy popular. Taking their little devils or demons and giving them blasters.. no brainer. Knights in suits of power armor.. come on.. does that even need to be spelled out? Ogres with heavy machine guns.. halflings with sniper rifles? Beastmen, lizardmen, dwarves, elves, etc.. in any kind of futuristic gear. Most of the popular sci-fi is fantasy in sci-fi stuff.. so this is huge no-brainer where I'm concerned. How they don't see it is beyond me.

Hey guys, sorry for the noob question, but do I see it right that as a pledger from germany not only would I have to pay for shipping but also import tax and everything customs-related (that will probably cost me additional time to deal with the customs office etc)?

Eyup, that's the harsh truth.

 Kosake wrote:
Hey guys, sorry for the noob question, but do I see it right that as a pledger from germany not only would I have to pay for shipping but also import tax and everything customs-related (that will probably cost me additional time to deal with the customs office etc)?

Correct. You have to pay shipping, and then all the import fees. Reaper does not have European distribution.

Basically as a RoW backer you have to balance availability with cost. Few places stock Reaper anywhere but the USA, so getting a lot of what you need through kickstarter could save you hassle later.

If there are specific things you want, they do have a dollar pledge that will allow you to select whatever. You also don't have to select the Core pledge if you want a $100+ slot. You can pick and choose anything in the pledge manager- you aren't required to buy the core set with any pledge. Their pledge calculator on the main kickstarter page can tally all your addons, and is very accurate when calculating your shipping as well. Also note you don't have to pay for shipping with your pledge- you can do that in the pledge manager later.

So, almost 300$ miniatures, 50$ shipping and then another 20+% for customs...? Let's call that a "nope". Too bad. I would have liked some of the stuff.

Head's up people, spot on the Wave-2-pledge freeing up...

Hell, even as a Canadian I'm looking at nearly $40 US in shipping for a single tier pledge, plus the chance (not a guarantee, but it happens) to get dinged further on delivery. Plus the gakky exchange rate.

And even with those heightened costs, my group and I may still back (splitting such costs 3 ways can help keep them reasonable), just sorting out the particulars at this point.

But I absolutely empathize with folks who face even harsher shipping costs, taxes, and duties.

I have great sympathy for international backers, and would be backers.

For Americans there really isn't much reason not to pledge at this point. The core miniatures cost less than a candy bar each.

Even just pledging for an ogre band, at 2 bucks an ogre, and 10 for the command set.... that's an incredible deal.

Man, Reaper kind of screwed this one up with the stretch goal pacing. I think by this point with the previous KS, hadn't it already reached the 2 million mark? There's only a few days left and they haven't reached that point yet.

 Barzam wrote:
Man, Reaper kind of screwed this one up with the stretch goal pacing. I think by this point with the previous KS, hadn't it already reached the 2 million mark? There's only a few days left and they haven't reached that point yet.

The last kickstarter was also quite a bit longer. This one was 18 days instead of a full month.

 Barzam wrote:
Man, Reaper kind of screwed this one up with the stretch goal pacing. I think by this point with the previous KS, hadn't it already reached the 2 million mark? There's only a few days left and they haven't reached that point yet.

Actually the differences between the two are marginal (1.7 compared 1.5 million, with the difference basically being all on day 1)

http://www.kicktraq.com/projects/1513061270/reaper-miniatures-bones-ii-the-return-of-mr-bones/#chart-daily

http://www.kicktraq.com/projects/1513061270/reaper-miniatures-bones-3-the-search-for-mr-bones/

what's going to be interesting is whether all of the rest of the money Bones II picked up over 12 days will roll in for this over the remaining 4. Is the shorter campaign going to hurt?

It also depends on what they want to do.

There's the often touted push that every campaign has to be bigger, Bigger, BIGGER!!!

But if they can do what they want for 2-3m, and get that amount, that's undeniably a win.

They're pretty rapidly approaching 1.6m, and with 4 days left it wouldn't surprise me at all if they broke 2-2.5+ (and with the potential for a massive boost in the final days, who knows where it might end up).

Basically, there's nothing wrong with having a reasonable goal and hitting it. And I actually appreciate the trimmed campaign length. Let's be honest, sure, with another week or two they couple probably add on another couple hundred grand, but is it necessary? Or is it just padding the score and holding up the funding getting to them (and thus, really getting to work) those extra weeks? Once they can make a gazillion new figures, is a gazillion and a half really doing enough to bother with, when presumably they could just as easily roll anything 'left over' into Bones 4 (if there is one)?

Oh, Reaper is canny enough that any initiative that turns them a profit, and gives them new molds for hundreds of figures is an initiative that will be repeated until it fails.

Plus I can't imagine how exhausting it must be to run one of these things. And who knows, maybe if they dont hit every goal they had planned it will ship sooner! A guy can walsy hope, right?