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 Gomezaddams wrote:

Jarek their CEO talked about it in one of there recent-ish streams. They only started focusing their production on plastic after separating from Prodos Miniatures around 2016-2017 and prior to that were doing basically everything in resin.

Thats... a super creative way of describing what happened... impressive really. Not Tony Reidy level mind, but still...

Then again I think I might be getting a bit of deja vu with it. It seems to be getting pushed massively, based on the promo release it seems pricey, and ultimately it seems like there working in a closed box. Reminds me of another licensed game I seem to remember.

I should have formatted my post better, but the "They only started focusing their production on plastic after separating from Prodos Miniatures around 2016-2017 and prior to that were doing basically everything in resin." was my words for contextualization, not his. He basically just said that they weren't in a position to get the license or have confidence they could do the models justice (size, transparent elements, etc) until right around when Covid started which delayed their discussion with Blizzard.


So Archon just finished there stream and answered a lot of questions. Biggest one:

Starter Box (current estimate ~$150 depending on if it includes a mat)
Terran - 12 Marines, 3 Medics, 2 Marauders
Zerg - 24 Zerglings, 2 Roaches, 1 Queen
A small board size (3'x3') worth of terrain
(possibly including) a high quality playing mat

Protoss Starter (between 60-80 $ depending on final contents, may include 1 or more Pylons)
Adepts
Zealots
Sentry

Individual Unit Boxes (around 25-30 $, price not finalized. Will always include the max squad size # of models)

No word on pricing for character models

Promo Zeratul was slightly higher priced because he was a promo model and there are two copies of him in the box

Edit: I should add, they said all of this is TBD/subject to change, so... uh... no one bayonet me if it changes...

 CthuluIsSpy wrote:
Are those parts translucent? How do you paint those?

I'm not sure. I assumed it was a gimmick, but my best guess is contrast paint. I'm sure plastic glue would work with them though, and I think if you primed them they'd look the same as the opaque pieces. It makes sense for the warp blade (the Assassins Creed/Lightsaber looking thing coming out of his arm) but why else, I'm not sure. I guess if you want a glowing Zeratul, you're free to make one.

Edit: I decided to try and glue offcuts of sprue together (to see how the plastic and translucent pieces work together), 1 Translucent+Normal, 1 Translucent x2, and 1 Normal x2. I'll update tomorrow on how it dries for each one.

 bullisariuscowl wrote:

 CthuluIsSpy wrote:
Are those parts translucent? How do you paint those?

I'm not sure. I assumed it was a gimmick, but my best guess is contrast paint. I'm sure plastic glue would work with them though, and I think if you primed them they'd look the same as the opaque pieces. It makes sense for the warp blade (the Assassins Creed/Lightsaber looking thing coming out of his arm) but why else, I'm not sure. I guess if you want a glowing Zeratul, you're free to make one.

Edit: I decided to try and glue offcuts of sprue together (to see how the plastic and translucent pieces work together), 1 Translucent+Normal, 1 Translucent x2, and 1 Normal x2. I'll update tomorrow on how it dries for each one.

Historically when GW include clear components, it needs to be pva as superglue will mist and polycement makes it go a bit... off.

Dudeface wrote:

 bullisariuscowl wrote:

 CthuluIsSpy wrote:
Are those parts translucent? How do you paint those?

I'm not sure. I assumed it was a gimmick, but my best guess is contrast paint. I'm sure plastic glue would work with them though, and I think if you primed them they'd look the same as the opaque pieces. It makes sense for the warp blade (the Assassins Creed/Lightsaber looking thing coming out of his arm) but why else, I'm not sure. I guess if you want a glowing Zeratul, you're free to make one.

Edit: I decided to try and glue offcuts of sprue together (to see how the plastic and translucent pieces work together), 1 Translucent+Normal, 1 Translucent x2, and 1 Normal x2. I'll update tomorrow on how it dries for each one.

Historically when GW include clear components, it needs to be pva as superglue will mist and polycement makes it go a bit... off.

Is PVA strong enough?

If they put a high quality (assuming neoprene) mat in the starter box I sure hope it'll be rolled up instead of folded up. Getting the creases out of a neoprene mat is unpleasant.

 bullisariuscowl wrote:

Dudeface wrote:

 bullisariuscowl wrote:

 CthuluIsSpy wrote:
Are those parts translucent? How do you paint those?

I'm not sure. I assumed it was a gimmick, but my best guess is contrast paint. I'm sure plastic glue would work with them though, and I think if you primed them they'd look the same as the opaque pieces. It makes sense for the warp blade (the Assassins Creed/Lightsaber looking thing coming out of his arm) but why else, I'm not sure. I guess if you want a glowing Zeratul, you're free to make one.

Edit: I decided to try and glue offcuts of sprue together (to see how the plastic and translucent pieces work together), 1 Translucent+Normal, 1 Translucent x2, and 1 Normal x2. I'll update tomorrow on how it dries for each one.

Historically when GW include clear components, it needs to be pva as superglue will mist and polycement makes it go a bit... off.

Is PVA strong enough?

From my experience with 3rd ed Necrons...no.
I am missing a lot of green tubes.

Dudeface wrote:

 bullisariuscowl wrote:

 CthuluIsSpy wrote:
Are those parts translucent? How do you paint those?

I'm not sure. I assumed it was a gimmick, but my best guess is contrast paint. I'm sure plastic glue would work with them though, and I think if you primed them they'd look the same as the opaque pieces. It makes sense for the warp blade (the Assassins Creed/Lightsaber looking thing coming out of his arm) but why else, I'm not sure. I guess if you want a glowing Zeratul, you're free to make one.

Edit: I decided to try and glue offcuts of sprue together (to see how the plastic and translucent pieces work together), 1 Translucent+Normal, 1 Translucent x2, and 1 Normal x2. I'll update tomorrow on how it dries for each one.

Historically when GW include clear components, it needs to be pva as superglue will mist and polycement makes it go a bit... off.

From what Archon have said, their transparent plastic is the same as their opaque plastic, just starting from clear plastic pellets and using different color additives which if true means plastic cement should be fine.

I guess we'll know for sure after bullisariuscowl finishes their experiment

 bullisariuscowl wrote:

Is PVA strong enough?

No. It's fine for model kits that are just going to sit on a shelf (provided they aren't going to be exposed to high humidity) but does not provide a strong bond on plastic to plastic joints at all. Generally, you would use superglue or plastic cement, and just be really sparing with them.

 Jack Flask wrote:

Dudeface wrote:

 bullisariuscowl wrote:

 CthuluIsSpy wrote:
Are those parts translucent? How do you paint those?

I'm not sure. I assumed it was a gimmick, but my best guess is contrast paint. I'm sure plastic glue would work with them though, and I think if you primed them they'd look the same as the opaque pieces. It makes sense for the warp blade (the Assassins Creed/Lightsaber looking thing coming out of his arm) but why else, I'm not sure. I guess if you want a glowing Zeratul, you're free to make one.

Edit: I decided to try and glue offcuts of sprue together (to see how the plastic and translucent pieces work together), 1 Translucent+Normal, 1 Translucent x2, and 1 Normal x2. I'll update tomorrow on how it dries for each one.

Historically when GW include clear components, it needs to be pva as superglue will mist and polycement makes it go a bit... off.

From what Archon have said, their transparent plastic is the same as their opaque plastic, just starting from clear plastic pellets and using different color additives which if true means plastic cement should be fine.

I guess we'll know for sure after bullisariuscowl finishes their experiment

Oh it will 100% glue it in place, but you have to remember that polycemement melts the 2 items together. If tou have a crispy detailed transparent item that's melted into another component, you will see it in some capacity unless done incredibly sparingly as noted above.

 CthuluIsSpy wrote:

Are those parts translucent? How do you paint those?

Washes or Contrast style paints work well on translucent parts. You can use clear coat as a primer or just rely on sealing it after as long as you don't use dullcoat on it.

There seems to be products specifically for transparent bits. A GSW link below, I'm sure others also sell similar stuff.

https://www.greenstuffworld.com/en/glue-for-transparent-acrylics/4470-acrylic-crystal-glue-20g.html

A day later, I can say that the plastic-on-plastic bond is very strong, as with the translucent-on-plastic bits. The translucent-on-translucent bitz are quite secure, and plastic glue seems fit to use on them. I used a little too much and it started to look a little misty where the excess glue covered. Thus, I would recommend using plastic glue sparingly when building the translucent parts. Nothing revolutionary to report here, plastic glue seems like the best idea.

The models look great, but the weapons from the marines look like gak. Are there no sculpters that can do better.

Sgt. Cortez wrote:
That's cool.

I mean, even with only three factions the PC game filled arenas in Korea 20 years later, it can't be that bad. Also any Star wars game with 3-5 factions works, too.
If the factions have a decent unit roaster and allow for different strategies, 3 factions can work.

It wouldn't be too hard to make a bunch more sub factions too, I mean look at SC2's co-op commander system and you can see a lot of potential there for various sub factions and unique models/rules. For a super basic idea, there is:

Terran:
- Jim Raynor (Basic Terran)
- Rory Swan (Mechs)
- Tychus (Hero Hammer)
- Matt & Mira (Mercenary Infantry & Elite Aircraft)
- Nova Terra (Spec Ops)
- Arcturus Mengsk (Cannon Fodder Infantry with Specialist Support)

Zerg:
- Kerragin (Basic Zerg)
- Abathur (Evolution Based Mechanics)
- Dehakha (Primal Zerg)
- Alexi Stukov (Infested Terran)
- Zagara (Swarm Tactics)
- Stetman? (Mecha Zerg, IDK, I always though this one was weird, but maybe it has it's fans)

Protoss:
- Artanis (Basic Zerg)
- Alarak (Tal'Darim)
- Fenix/Talandar (Purifiers / Hero Hammer)
- Karax (Mech / Static Defenses?)
- Vorazun (Narazim)
- Zeratul (Stealth / Quest style?)

There, 18ish potential sub factions for the game. Some of which with that could even had sub faction specific units like Swans War Bots, Abathur's Brutalisk, and Vorazun's Shadow Guard.

 Tawnis wrote:

Sgt. Cortez wrote:
That's cool.

I mean, even with only three factions the PC game filled arenas in Korea 20 years later, it can't be that bad. Also any Star wars game with 3-5 factions works, too.
If the factions have a decent unit roaster and allow for different strategies, 3 factions can work.

It wouldn't be too hard to make a bunch more sub factions too, I mean look at SC2's co-op commander system and you can see a lot of potential there for various sub factions and unique models/rules. For a super basic idea, there is:

Spoiler:

Terran:
- Jim Raynor (Basic Terran)
- Rory Swan (Mechs)
- Tychus (Hero Hammer)
- Matt & Mira (Mercenary Infantry & Elite Aircraft)
- Nova Terra (Spec Ops)
- Arcturus Mengsk (Cannon Fodder Infantry with Specialist Support)

Zerg:
- Kerragin (Basic Zerg)
- Abathur (Evolution Based Mechanics)
- Dehakha (Primal Zerg)
- Alexi Stukov (Infested Terran)
- Zagara (Swarm Tactics)
- Stetman? (Mecha Zerg, IDK, I always though this one was weird, but maybe it has it's fans)

Protoss:
- Artanis (Basic Zerg)
- Alarak (Tal'Darim)
- Fenix/Talandar (Purifiers / Hero Hammer)
- Karax (Mech / Static Defenses?)
- Vorazun (Narazim)
- Zeratul (Stealth / Quest style?)

There, 18ish potential sub factions for the game. Some of which with that could even had sub faction specific units like Swans War Bots, Abathur's Brutalisk, and Vorazun's Shadow Guard.

Yeah Archon have explicitly said that this is the plan. SC2 content is the easiest to get approved and the miniatures game is detached from the IP narrative canon, so alternate universe content like the Co-op Commanders is not a problem. They also floated ideas like having a UED subfaction when they get to Brood War eventually, where you can mix Terran with Psi Disruptor controlled Zerg units.

Yeah, exactly.

I'm sure they could find unique rules for the Umojans, Kel-Morians, Confederacy, and Mobius Corps, the Overmind and/or Cerebrates, as well as the Judicators and Tassadar.

As you said as well Hybrid factions like the UED with controlled Zerg, or the Fenix/Raynor team up from Brood War, or Razshagal mind controlled to work with Kerrigan.

Essentially, even with 3 factions, you can do a lot with that setup. I think it's success is really going to depend on how malleable the Core Rules are and if they can make each of these feel like their own thing and provide that connection to the sub factions identity.