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Remember how fantasy models used to come with all sorts of symbols to put on shields, little skulls, eagles, whatever. Man those were great, and I never even played fantasy! Added them to tanks, terrain, models, whatever. So useful!








If any of the plastic makers are listening, symbols! Bas relief symbols, with flat backs suitable to gluing to anything. Skulls, eagles, 8 pointed stars, you know the drill.

But if they did that, how would they sell you the packs of alternate shields?

Not only did you get detailing bitz, you also got some blank shields for when you go back and repaint all your classic models and find that you don't have enough plastic shields for all of them.

What you're looking for is covered in photo etch these days. Etched brass detail sets have bits like those, whilst being thin like real shield decals. In the fantasy/ historical markets manufacturers seem to have moved to more realistic looking shields - where the decals are painted on, rather than a wacking great big skull bolted to the front. Of course Photo Etch is going to be more expensive than plastic details, but they're quite common these days, and I suppose can be used for multiple situations (especially with how easy they can be bent).

I suppose those plastic details have a certain "look" to them, but personally in the models I collect those would only really work as stone reliefs on the side of some old fort with how large they are.

Yep, there are several places where GW has gone backwards from a quality standpoint. All of it is tied to the sales-based production policies they've been slowly introducing. Shame really, since the days of kitbashing are being slowly removed.

I like em too. I still have some lying about the place, waiting for the perfect use.

I liked them when they were first released, but I am not keen on them now. They just add far too much bulk to the shield for my tastes.

They are good as general decorations though.

I'd love Ravenwing Upgrade Sprue style sprues for all the factions. Lots of flat-backed icons and statues for everyone!

Elbows wrote:Yep, there are several places where GW has gone backwards from a quality standpoint. All of it is tied to the sales-based production policies they've been slowly introducing. Shame really, since the days of kitbashing are being slowly removed.

The lack of compatability among kits is really the only thing GW is doing wrong these days (even prices seem a bit better). The otherwise fantastic Necromunda kits for example can make some great fluid movement, but at the cost of each figure only going together 1 or 2 ways and alternate arms and hands not really looking right.

BobtheInquisitor wrote:I'd love Ravenwing Upgrade Sprue style sprues for all the factions. Lots of flat-backed icons and statues for everyone!

Yes, so much this. Even an off market Gothicy sprue with statues and gargoyles and skulls would be fantastic. I don't know how many of these Ravenwing sprues I've bought just for the angels and icons.

Maybe Trouble Maker can make an upgrade sprue for their 6mm terrain set.

I've noticed some of the 3rd party shoulderpad selllers on Shapeways have started offering just the symbol to put on a blank pad.

Many are curved to fit on shoulderpads but some are flat for vehicles.

https://www.shapeways.com/shops/popbits?section=%5BBits%5D+Insignia+Sets&s=0

I use High Elf shield bitz on my Eldar


The best part is that the curve matches the jetbike canopies pretty well.