cerberuspuppy
Warrior
288 Posts
    
 | | 07/08/2006 10:10 AM |
| To quote Sharn Inquisitor:
"Three stirges in 4 cases, plus 2 Prerelease boosters. I don't care if it's labeled as an uncommon, I'm considering this thing a rare for trading and selling purposes."
I pulled 2 Stirges in 2 cases plus five loose boosters.
This got me thinking. Considering the ratio of supply to demand, what is a single Stirge worth? $3? $5? Is it worth as much as a rare? I have more Golden Protectors than I do Stirges, and demand is higher for the Stirge. The GP is a good piece, it's just that most players only want one, while the Stirge is requested in multiples.
The same is true of even the best rares in the set; Tordek, War Weaver, and Spellscale Sorcerer are generally not desired in multiples either. Getting one Stirge is still easier than getting one specific choice from that list, though.
So do Stirges trade 1 for 1 with rares? Or is it more like 3 for 2 rares? I realize it depends on which rares we're talking about, but generally speaking?
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Mine is an evil laugh! Muhahahaha!
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kgradert13
Sergeant
909 Posts
| | 07/08/2006 10:17 AM |
| Between my friend and I we have 2 Stiges out of 30 packs. S0 2 per 5 cases.
We do have 3 Firebelchers, 3 Tordek, 2 LGD, 2 Meepos, 2 Griffin Calvalry, and *4* eldritch giants....so I'd go with more then rare. I personally have 4 of the Greenspawn Razorfiend, he also has 3, but 2 stiges?
It's screwy. | |
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PrometheusEnslaved
Sneak
78 Posts
Central Florida
| | 07/08/2006 10:18 AM |
| I'd so the Stirge is probably a little above the Sahuagin Ranger from Aberrations, though for different reasons. The Sahuagin was just an incredible sculpt and stellar paintjob, plus an insanely desirable RPG piece. So, it typically sold for $3+ and traded 3-for-1 against most respectable rares.
With the Stirge, given it's even harder to get because of the screwed up distribution with WotDQ, where you won't even pull 1 of each uncommon in a case, and the fact that it's one of those uber-loved RPG pieces, I'd say there's probably a reasonable expectation for a $4 value and a 2-for-1 trade value, give or take the rare in question.
Personally, I wouldn't be able to bring myself to pay more than $2 for a Tiny uncommon, regardless of how RPG-useful it is. And I highly doubt I'd trade most rares for any fewer than 3 Stirges, and even then it'd have to be a rare I didn't much care about anyway. Course, that's just me. If people are buying them for $5 a pop, I'd sure as hell be selling them without hesitation. | |
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griffrat
Commander
3507 Posts
| | 07/08/2006 10:23 AM |
| This is a really good question as the normal set distribution gets all out of whack when it comes to the huge sets. Meaning that the stirge is a "semi rare" (to quote jsguden).
In fact the uncommons are not as frequent as some of the rares is made clear when you look at the case distribution scheme. We are now learning (as was the case in GoL) the box art is playing a huge role in what minis are in what boxes. I don't know if ths is entirely true but I can see some truth to it as I have see some cases being reported that mirror my case pulls almost to the common/uncommon.
So, to answer the question what is a stirge worth. I would say that it is worth a low to medium rare (price range $4-6USD). Right now the presales of the stirge on e-bay are placing the little blood sucker at 4-5 bucks a pop. Supply and demand are evil mistresses and when you throw the role play aspect on to this....insanity ensues...[)] | |
Ambassador of FUN!!! | |
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Knight of the
Round Table
Thenameless
Warlord
12481 Posts
The Fortress of Solitude
| | 07/08/2006 10:51 AM |
| | Wow, that's eye-opener. Only around one Stirge per case. That kinda sucks. | |
Over 270 successful online DDM trades. | |
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IHawk
Underboss
1054 Posts
Lisle, Illinois
| | 07/08/2006 11:01 AM |
| I would wait to see how things shake out. there have been
scary reports so far, with stirges for the most part
being short, but again this is a very small sample. I hope that
they do come down in price...4-5 bucks for an uncommon that
there is probably 90+% still yet to be unopended is kinda
crazy. I don't think even the HGB settled in that high.
Mark | |
mark - Champion of the Goblin Worg Riders | anteblue_at_yahoo_dot_com
IHawk's Have/Want List | IHawk's Trade List | Completed Trades - 214 | Pending Trades - 0
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Username
Warlord
5692 Posts
| | 07/08/2006 11:20 AM |
| | So far, I've opened 8 boosters, and not a single stirge. | |
Originally posted by Schooly_D
Username - he deals in minis
Champion of Lhesh Haruuc Shaarat'kor | |
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Vash
Underboss
1995 Posts
| | 07/08/2006 11:41 AM |
| I as well as a few others got 2 in a single case.
seems just as random as anything else *shrug* | |
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Zoons
Underboss
1067 Posts
| | 07/08/2006 11:46 AM |
| | 2 in 5 cases(4 people's minis). I'm only looking for three of the buggers, but I'll have to settle for one it seems. $3-$5 for an uncommon tiny fig is too rich for my blood. | |
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griffrat
Commander
3507 Posts
| | 07/08/2006 11:53 AM |
| quote:
Originally posted by IHawk
I would wait to see how things shake out. there have been
scary reports so far, with stirges for the most part
being short, but again this is a very small sample. I hope that
they do come down in price...4-5 bucks for an uncommon that
there is probably 90+% still yet to be unopended is kinda
crazy. I don't think even the HGB settled in that high.
Mark
I agree that it is crazy but here is where I got my numbers
The first auction ended at a stirge being right at 3.33 in the early days of the presales. Whereas the second was ending price for a single stirge being over 5.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=8831703730&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT[/url]
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=140000771707&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=004[/url]
ALas, I wish this was different but I think this is a sign of the "stirge futures". But I also hope that I am dead wrong and that when things are all aid and done there are plenty of stirges.
But as mentioned somewhere this a.m. if there is a shortage of stirges and the folks in the secondary markets have to fill those orders then the should be a price reduction in the other minis to cover the costs of opeing "half boosters" Dunno, should be interesting to see how this plays itself out.....[)] | |
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Gloom_
Sergeant
583 Posts
| | 07/08/2006 11:53 AM |
| | If you think about it, 2 uncommons/booster, 6 boosters in a case, thats 12 uncommons you get. Out of 22 possible. So a Stirge/ every two cases sounds about right! that's pretty harsh if you think about it. | |
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Knight of Argenis
Corim Danex
Warlord
6842 Posts
West Valley City, Utah
| | 07/08/2006 12:24 PM |
| quote:
Originally posted by Thenameless
Wow, that's eye-opener. Only around one Stirge per case. That kinda sucks.
Actually, less than one stirge per case. There are 12 uncommons in each case. There are 16 different uncommons. If there are any duplicates, it decreases the chances of getting a specific one. | |
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Knight of Argenis
Corim Danex
Warlord
6842 Posts
West Valley City, Utah
| | 07/08/2006 12:31 PM |
| quote:
Originally posted by Gloom_
If you think about it, 2 uncommons/booster, 6 boosters in a case, thats 12 uncommons you get. Out of 22 possible. So a Stirge/ every two cases sounds about right! that's pretty harsh if you think about it.
Here are the uncommons (the uncommon huges not counting since they are in a different slot):
Cleric of Syreth (1)
Bonded Fire Summoner (2)
Small Copper Dragon (3)
Storm Archer (4)
Warden of the Wood (5)
Dragonwrought Kobold (6)
Greenspawn Razorfiend (7)
Wererat Rogue (8)
Poison Dusk Lizardfolk (9)
Blackspawn Exterminator (10)
Demonic Gnoll Archer (11)
Ogre Skirmisher (12)
Small Black Dragon (13)
Small Fire Elemental (14)
Stirge (15)
Yuan-ti Halfblood Sorcerer (16)
Looks like there are 16 uncommons. That makes a (roughly) 75% chance that you will get one in a case. With a vast amount of cases, it should average out to 3 stirges for every 4 cases opened. I got 3 in 5, so that's fairly consistent.
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"Look to God and live." Alma 37:47
Vindicated Champ of Hippogriff (Arcadian Hippogriff) and Uncommon Horse | |
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Gloom_
Sergeant
583 Posts
| | 07/08/2006 12:36 PM |
| quote:
Originally posted by Corim Danex
quote:
Originally posted by Gloom_
If you think about it, 2 uncommons/booster, 6 boosters in a case, thats 12 uncommons you get. Out of 22 possible. So a Stirge/ every two cases sounds about right! that's pretty harsh if you think about it.
Here are the uncommons (the uncommon huges not counting since they are in a different slot):
Cleric of Syreth (1)
Bonded Fire Summoner (2)
Small Copper Dragon (3)
Storm Archer (4)
Warden of the Wood (5)
Dragonwrought Kobold (6)
Greenspawn Razorfiend (7)
Wererat Rogue (8)
Poison Dusk Lizardfolk (9)
Blackspawn Exterminator (10)
Demonic Gnoll Archer (11)
Ogre Skirmisher (12)
Small Black Dragon (13)
Small Fire Elemental (14)
Stirge (15)
Yuan-ti Halfblood Sorcerer (16)
Looks like there are 16 uncommons. That makes a (roughly) 75% chance that you will get one in a case. With a vast amount of cases, it should average out to 3 stirges for every 4 cases opened. I got 3 in 5, so that's fairly consistent.
Aha, I skimmed lemonbutter and counted all instances of "uncommon" You are right, although it's still a very low stirge-ratio! (or any uncommon ratio) | |
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jgsugden
Commander
4320 Posts
Walnut Creek, CA
| | 07/08/2006 12:58 PM |
| On average: 1 stirge per every 8 boosters.
On average: 1 stirge per every ~$160 MSRP spent.
On avergae: 2.25 stirges for every copy of a rare.
Chance of getting a stirge in 1 case: no more than 75%.
Chance of no stirges in 2 cases: no less than 6.25%.
Chance of getting 3 stirges in 3 cases: ~42%.
I keep seeing people shocked because they fall into (or slightly outside) of these numbers. I've been posting them for weeks. | |
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Knight of the
Round Table
Thenameless
Warlord
12481 Posts
The Fortress of Solitude
| | 07/08/2006 1:02 PM |
| | $3-$5 sound about right? | |
Over 270 successful online DDM trades. | |
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Pegasus Knight
Sergeant
896 Posts
| | 07/08/2006 1:22 PM |
| Here's what kills me. I gave up on getting any Stirges and resolved to just trade for the three I want once demand dies down a tad. So what happens?
A friend of mine (not Zozo; someone else) buys four WotDQ boosters, gets two Stirges. Informs me they don't want them - and they know the value - and is offering them to me. Sounds good to me; just need one more for Skirmish and I'm set.
But, admittedly, the skewed distribution would make me consider it a "Rare Light" in trading with folks. Not quite a Rare, but close. | |
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Faragdar the Wise
Commander
3547 Posts
Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | 07/08/2006 1:25 PM |
| | I'm with prometheus. If stirges are going to cost $5 a pop, I don't need 'em, at least not any more than I pull randomly. When I'm playing RPG, since you can put 4 tiny creatures in each space, I'll plop down one stirge per space on the battle map, and then I'll fill in with proxies for the rest of the stirges. Those teenie little six-sided dice work just fine. | |
"Before God we are all equally wise - and equally foolish." - Albert Einstein
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kyrin
Commander
3171 Posts
| | 07/08/2006 1:51 PM |
| quote:
Originally posted by jgsugden
On average: 1 stirge per every 8 boosters.
On average: 1 stirge per every ~$160 MSRP spent.
On avergae: 2.25 stirges for every copy of a rare.
Chance of getting a stirge in 1 case: no more than 75%.
Chance of no stirges in 2 cases: no less than 6.25%.
Chance of getting 3 stirges in 3 cases: ~42%.
I keep seeing people shocked because they fall into (or slightly outside) of these numbers. I've been posting them for weeks.
A prophet is without honor in his own country, JG. You definitely motivated me to do extensive preorders.
JIM
aka kyrin | |
My Have/Want List <-|-|->My Trades and References 1 <-|-|->My Trades and References 2
Pronounce "Drow" like "crow"! Viva la Revolution! We Shall Overcome!
Vindicated Champion of the Stirge! Vindicated Champion of the Githyanki Knight on Red Dragon!!
Vindicated Champion of the Androsphinx! | |
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sam500
Sergeant
419 Posts
Berkeley, CA
| | 07/08/2006 2:35 PM |
| I've only purchased 3 boosters so far from 3 different shops.
Final Stirge Tally: 3.
Ooooh I'm bad. :) | |
CHAMPION OF ALL TOWNSFOLK
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Dordledum
Commander
3463 Posts
Netherlands
| | 07/08/2006 3:37 PM |
| quote:
Originally posted by Thenameless
$3-$5 sound about right?
I just bought 5 for $20.- so yeah, 3-5 sounds correct.
D. | |
Member of the Bearded Devils
Champion of the Huge Spider (WotDQ 46/60), A New Umber Hulk (DoDe 57/60), and the Orog Fighter! | |
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Gunthar
Commander
2938 Posts
| | 07/08/2006 4:35 PM |
| | I have 1 case, the two boosters from the pre-release and three I bought at a store for $1 each and I now have 6. At the other store I checked the owner pulled one in each of two cases he opened for singles but needed them both for his campaign and kept them. Those that want 24-32 of them are going to have issues, but those that want 3-6 will be just fine, ala Troll Slashers, Hill Giant Barbarians, etc. | |
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Completed trades: Aspect of Cheese (Love that moniker), Tickparasite, Elderthing, Lalato, Sodj, Grimoire, SmilinIrish, Zeb, RWarehall,Link, wikkawikkawa, Auramancer, Rommers, HK, Ivid5,Qillan_dvra, Puggins, Arcabius, Ironfist Boulderbender, Robby, Corim Danex, monster_slayer, DNDJUNKIE, Kelemvor, Krush, ckissee, Massawyrm, hockey fan, Wish, Uninspiring Lieutenant, vtloon x2, Vrecknidj, Darthpoke, WakeXX, AnarionZell, lycusmike, papabear5 and umpteen local trades with board members
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Massawyrm
Sneak
89 Posts
| | 07/08/2006 4:55 PM |
| The Stirge problem is imaginiary.
Seriously. I was feeling this too until I started counting up my other uncommons (out of four cases): 3 Stirges...1 small copper dragon...1 Demonic Gnoll Archer...6 Storm Archers ($#*&ing mother #@&*er!)...2 Ogre Skirmishers...
This is just a product of our missing Uncommon slot when Wotc decided to scrap the GoL model. There are only 12 Uncommons to a case...or 48 uncommons for those of us who bought four cases to complete a set. When you consider how many uncommons there are in this set vs 12 to a case...the Stirge pull levels are fairly normal.
But that Wotc took one of the iconic beasties we've been crying out for since the HB day...and put it in a set with numbers like this...there's your problems with finding 'em. | |
If you have to ask what DA is, then I never whooped your ass with it. | |
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Gunthar
Commander
2938 Posts
| | 07/08/2006 4:58 PM |
| quote:
Originally posted by Massawyrm
The Stirge problem is imaginiary.
Seriously. I was feeling this too until I started counting up my other uncommons (out of four cases): 3 Stirges...1 small copper dragon...1 Demonic Gnoll Archer...6 Storm Archers ($#*&ing mother #@&*er!)...2 Ogre Skirmishers...
In two boosters and a case I have no Small Copper Dragon yet. OMG THE SMALL COPPER DRAGON DISTRIBUTION IS SO SCREWED UP! THEY'LL BE $10 ON EBAY!!!!!!![)] | |
Champion of Prit(Wemic vindication is here)
Minneapolis/St. Paul area
Completed trades: Aspect of Cheese (Love that moniker), Tickparasite, Elderthing, Lalato, Sodj, Grimoire, SmilinIrish, Zeb, RWarehall,Link, wikkawikkawa, Auramancer, Rommers, HK, Ivid5,Qillan_dvra, Puggins, Arcabius, Ironfist Boulderbender, Robby, Corim Danex, monster_slayer, DNDJUNKIE, Kelemvor, Krush, ckissee, Massawyrm, hockey fan, Wish, Uninspiring Lieutenant, vtloon x2, Vrecknidj, Darthpoke, WakeXX, AnarionZell, lycusmike, papabear5 and umpteen local trades with board members
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Custom Title
WakeXX
Warlord
10152 Posts
Edinboro PA
| | 07/08/2006 8:13 PM |
| quote:
Originally posted by Gunthar
quote:
Originally posted by Massawyrm
The Stirge problem is imaginiary.
Seriously. I was feeling this too until I started counting up my other uncommons (out of four cases): 3 Stirges...1 small copper dragon...1 Demonic Gnoll Archer...6 Storm Archers ($#*&ing mother #@&*er!)...2 Ogre Skirmishers...
In two boosters and a case I have no Small Copper Dragon yet. OMG THE SMALL COPPER DRAGON DISTRIBUTION IS SO SCREWED UP! THEY'LL BE $10 ON EBAY!!!!!!![)]
Trade ya a small copper for a stirge![:p] | | | |
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kyrin
Commander
3171 Posts
| | 07/08/2006 8:26 PM |
| quote:
Originally posted by sam500
I've only purchased 3 boosters so far from 3 different shops.
Final Stirge Tally: 3.
Ooooh I'm bad. :)
All right, everybody. GET 'IM!
Reminds me of the guy at the Underdark Midnight Release who bought two boosters, and got two Balors.
JIM
aka kyrin | |
My Have/Want List <-|-|->My Trades and References 1 <-|-|->My Trades and References 2
Pronounce "Drow" like "crow"! Viva la Revolution! We Shall Overcome!
Vindicated Champion of the Stirge! Vindicated Champion of the Githyanki Knight on Red Dragon!!
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Bert the Troll
Commander
3964 Posts
Adelaide
| | 07/08/2006 11:37 PM |
| Most online shops and BINs seem to be pricing striges for more than huge uncommons, and a lot of rares cheaper ):
I doubt I`ll be buying any online, and will have to be content with what I pull. | |
"Mutton yesterday, mutton today, and blimey, if it don't look like mutton again tomorrer." Bert the Troll - The Hobbit
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Wayne
Underboss
1371 Posts
| | 07/08/2006 11:44 PM |
| I only got one Stirge in three cases. I actually picked a Stirge over a Talon (or Purple Worm) in my prize-draft pick for winning a small tournament.
But I agree that you actually don't need many, even for RPG. Many Stirges are killed when they close to attach. Many more successfully attach. You really only need minis for those that remain free-flying.
If I get one or two more, that'll do me fine. | |
Jeff "Wayne Laredo" Wilder | Email | Have/Want List | Trade Policies | Are You an Ethical Trader?
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Can of the Cave Beer
Commander
2838 Posts
| | 07/09/2006 12:14 AM |
| quote:
Originally posted by jgsugden
I keep seeing people shocked because they fall into (or slightly outside) of these numbers. I've been posting them for weeks.
I think that is mostly from the realization that they could indeed get the "less desirable" end of the stick. Couple that with insane auctions on eBay, RPGers seeking dozens(!) of this one, and nobody really knows what to think.
The numbers don't lie, but they're cold. And it's always possible to become an outlier that gets screwed.
No Stirges in two cases is more common than a Natural 20--that's b-a-d news as far as I'm concerned. Especially with the way my dice treat me. | |
Champion of the Werewolf Lord, Knight of Anything Duergar, and Squire of Things Gnollish
List reset with the start of previews for each new set...got Chainmail®? | |
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MackeyJ
Underboss
1414 Posts
| | 07/09/2006 2:11 AM |
| Opened 3 cases, got 3 stirges.
I suppose I could count myself lucky, however... I only got 1 small black dragon and 1 small fire elemental and was hoping for multiples of those too. | |
John
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Runelord151
Underboss
1203 Posts
| | 07/09/2006 8:37 AM |
| Cerebus - my gut feeling is we're all just jumping the gun on the whole stirge thing. It's a case of "the set just came out now I want all the minis".
I'd say it should trade as a good uncommon ($2-$3) but no more or no less. There are stirges to be found, if one is patient enough to wait.
Of course the same can be said of any uncommon from WotDQ due to the 2 uncommon slot thing.... | | | |
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lyus_sleyden
Warrior
253 Posts
| | 07/09/2006 9:00 AM |
| | 6 Cases 5 Stirges One Ogre and only one Yuan Ti.... | |
Minister of Social Issues of KD
The Champion of the Gray Slaad | |
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Drekzon
Sneak
101 Posts
| | 07/09/2006 9:47 AM |
| | 2 cases plus 1 booster. I have all uncommons except for Ogre Skirmisher. I have 1 Stirge. I am going to bide my time trying to get 2 more. I consider it an uncommon perhaps worth 3 uncommons or a cheap rare for. I don't plan on spend $5 for them. If I get more, I get more. I'm done buying packs from this set as the distribution of huge rares has left me with 4 tundra scouts and 2 eldritch giants and none of the others. This set is a cherry pickers dream come true. Heavy = huge rare. | |
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Orion72
Underboss
1917 Posts
| | 07/09/2006 4:55 PM |
| | I traded 2 Stirges for a Wizened Elder Watcher. | | | |
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yack
Commander
3320 Posts
Gatineau Canada
| | 07/09/2006 5:34 PM |
| | I have 7 stirges but would ove too have about 3 more. | |
Champion of the Peryton
Vindicated Champion : Pit Fiend, Devourer
DW: Duergar Priest
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Lead Moderator
LCS
Underboss
1928 Posts
| | 07/09/2006 5:49 PM |
| quote:
Originally posted by Orion72
I traded 2 Stirges for a Wizened Elder Watcher.
I suspect you could have gotten at least three.
Wizened elder watchers, that is.
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