Wayne
Underboss
1371 Posts
    
 | |
Wayne
Underboss
1371 Posts
| | 11/06/2005 6:00 PM |
| It's a formless mass of legs, eyes, and abdomens. It doesn't look great, but I'm not really sure it could be made to look better, at least not without making it a Rare so as to allow a wider palette and more paint steps.
The repaint promo looks significantly better, but still not great.
As you say, the RPG potential for the model (as opposed to the creature itself) is limited, due to it being stuck in a 10x10-foot facing. I don't really see any other way they could do it, however, except possibly by:
(1) Putting it on four 1"-square bases, packaged together in a small baggie, and
(2) Have just the edges of the bases be "swarming," with a 25 mm flat space for "swarmed" minis to be placed on top.
That would be an improvement, and I don't think it would be any more expensive. It still wouldn't deal with swarmed Large-based creatures or anything. | |
Jeff "Wayne Laredo" Wilder | Email | Have/Want List | Trade Policies | Are You an Ethical Trader?
| |
|
Liquidburn
Sergeant
944 Posts
| | 11/06/2005 6:23 PM |
| | I like the look of it and I definitely think you could put a few together on the map to represent a bigger swarm | |
Jason Slingerland
"Why do I have to be Mr. Pink?" | |
|
Oni
Underboss
1131 Posts
| | 11/06/2005 6:29 PM |
| | I like the look also, and a medium PC can stand on top of it. I use them for Large spiders as I only got one. | |
"...don’t try to outweird me, I get stranger things than you free with my breakfast cereal."
- Zaphod Beeblebrox
Champion of the Nymph!
| |
|
maijstral
Underboss
2105 Posts
| | 11/06/2005 7:12 PM |
| I like the look as well but the repaint looks a lot better.
If you run your finger around the base of the mini you notice that the 'swarm' is flowing over the sides of the base. | | | |
|
The Great
Choco Monster
Ghendar
Warlord
12319 Posts
The G Spot
| | 11/06/2005 7:13 PM |
| | I suppose it could be used as a proxy for any large swarm. | |
WotC - making me wish more and more every day for a return to the TSR days. :(
I fought the snark and the snark won. I'm baaaaaaaaaaack!
Some of my favorite Maxminis quotes
I actually love to be swallowed. - Posted By gss_000 on 09/04/2007 2:32 PM
Could somebody explain Snatch to me? I understand the basics, but not how to enter/use it. - Posted by orcmonk220
G's the man. - Posted By greyhaze on 11/11/2008 8:58 AM
| |
|
Testament
Underboss
1397 Posts
| | 11/06/2005 9:15 PM |
| I've found that you can shift it on the mat to fit the victims in. It's rare that you net four chumps with a swarm, so that hasn't come up.
And for the record, yes, we use it quite a bit, as one of my friends who plays LG regularly summons Spider swarms with his Alienist. Rapid Spell + Summon Swarm is a nasty, nasty proactive counterspell. | |
Support awesome games: Play Hecatomb!
8-Bit Chibi Goths forever!
Champion of Mephistopheles
"Sorry! I was tryin' to open these beans!"
My Have/Want List, (Updated July 6 2004, will be updated soon)
| |
|
LordStorm
Sneak
133 Posts
Columbus Ohio
| | 11/06/2005 10:16 PM |
| quote:
Originally posted by Sean-Khan
I like we're getting one, but how useful it actually is for RPG? It's large, but the 4 squares it takes can be in any form. In addition, isn't it on characters half of the time instead of sitting next to them?
For me its the initial presentation of oh no we've got problems. Once the battle is joined changes can be made, but most players know how to adapt.
| |
Lord Storm | |
|
DDM Australian Champion 2005
psistef
Underboss
1572 Posts
| | 11/06/2005 10:31 PM |
| quote:
Originally posted by Testament
Rapid Spell + Summon Swarm is a nasty, nasty proactive counterspell.
Niiiiiiice | |
Champion of the Prestige Class where mages focus on telekenesis and start throwing people into the ceiling and uber stuff like that.
Desirer of a Commander Effect in CG that grants Sidestep to followers with a ranged attack. | |
|
griffrat
Commander
3506 Posts
| | 11/06/2005 10:38 PM |
| | I have 2X2 card stock cut outs that I have used in the past for swarms. Now that I have an actual swarm I can still use the cut out for the actual "swarming" effect, but use the actual miniature for the lead up to for the graphic representation....again this is just me....[:D] | |
Ambassador of FUN!!! | |
|
Knight of Argenis
Corim Danex
Warlord
6802 Posts
West Valley City, Utah
| | 11/06/2005 11:53 PM |
| quote:
Originally posted by griffrat
I have 2X2 card stock cut outs that I have used in the past for swarms. Now that I have an actual swarm I can still use the cut out for the actual "swarming" effect, but use the actual miniature for the lead up to for the graphic representation....again this is just me....[:D]
I think this is the best we can do with it. I would have preferred the miniature if it were a level surface of spiders, so that you could put different sized bases on top and see the spiders under it. The mound idea doesn't function very well, I don't think. | |
"Look to God and live." Alma 37:47
Vindicated Champ of Hippogriff (Arcadian Hippogriff) and Uncommon Horse | |
|
griffrat
Commander
3506 Posts
| | 11/07/2005 7:06 AM |
| True, a round base is hard to balance the figure getting engulfed. But there is always going to be a trade when dealing in 3D mediums. I think the swarms is a great idea as they fill space and with really good descriptions can creep players out during the game session.
Then again, I am all about weirding out my players...[:D] | |
Ambassador of FUN!!! | |
|
nyjastul69
Commander
2711 Posts
Rhode Island
| | 11/07/2005 7:59 AM |
| | I don't find this to be a very useful mini at all. I've never had a swarm stay in a 10' x 10' space, ever. I guess it's okay for when the characters first see the swarm, then use something else for the swarm itself once it engages the party. It can be used as a weak proxy for a large monstrous spider in a pinch I suppose. I've got 5 or 6 LMS so I don't think the Spider swarm will ever see my battle map. | |
In the constellation of
Cygnus, there lurks a
mysterious, invisible
force:
Rush | |
|
Zenako
Commander
3468 Posts
| | 11/07/2005 10:29 AM |
| | used the mini this weeekend as a Swarm of Bats attacking some PC's. I also have a number of those pizza box spacers, the ones with 3 legs that help keep the box top from mushing into the cheese. Popped the Swarm on top of that and then could place the swarm right over the attacked characters. (Also use the pizza supports for characters who are flying.) | |
Built the addition for this addiction, now on to the "gaming table" project....
http://www.maxminis.com/hw_list.asp?user=Zenako last updated 29 May 2006
Set Status: in a nutshell = all of all
In Process trades 0), (Sig last updated 05/29/06) 300 plus Completed Trades -
If I seem scarce at times...blame DDO - Sarlona | |
|
Knight of Argenis
Corim Danex
Warlord
6802 Posts
West Valley City, Utah
| | 11/07/2005 10:36 AM |
| quote:
Originally posted by Zenako
used the mini this weeekend as a Swarm of Bats attacking some PC's. I also have a number of those pizza box spacers, the ones with 3 legs that help keep the box top from mushing into the cheese. Popped the Swarm on top of that and then could place the swarm right over the attacked characters. (Also use the pizza supports for characters who are flying.)
Good idea. Now I just need to acquire some pizza supports. | |
"Look to God and live." Alma 37:47
Vindicated Champ of Hippogriff (Arcadian Hippogriff) and Uncommon Horse | |
|
griffrat
Commander
3506 Posts
| | 11/07/2005 10:39 AM |
| quote:
Originally posted by Zenako
... I also have a number of those pizza box spacers, the ones with 3 legs that help keep the box top from mushing into the cheese....(Also use the pizza supports for characters who are flying.)
Now that is something that I have been looking for for a while!!!! | |
Ambassador of FUN!!! | |
|
reezel
Sergeant
555 Posts
| | 11/07/2005 10:46 AM |
| quote:
Originally posted by Zenako
used the mini this weeekend as a Swarm of Bats attacking some PC's. I also have a number of those pizza box spacers, the ones with 3 legs that help keep the box top from mushing into the cheese. Popped the Swarm on top of that and then could place the swarm right over the attacked characters. (Also use the pizza supports for characters who are flying.)
Where did you manage to get ahold of them. They sound incredibly useful. | |
Champion of the Beholder and Beholderkin
The absence of evidence is not the evidence of absence. | |
|
griffrat
Commander
3506 Posts
| | 11/07/2005 11:17 AM |
| | I know that pizza delivery boxes have them. They are just a little plasticy bit that has three prongs. I think most of the major U.S. carriers have them.... | |
Ambassador of FUN!!! | |
|
Lab Monkey
Commander
4136 Posts
| | 11/07/2005 11:26 AM |
| quote:
Originally posted by Zenako
used the mini this weeekend as a Swarm of Bats attacking some PC's. I also have a number of those pizza box spacers, the ones with 3 legs that help keep the box top from mushing into the cheese. Popped the Swarm on top of that and then could place the swarm right over the attacked characters. (Also use the pizza supports for characters who are flying.)
Awesome idea. I'll be using that. Yoinks. | |
Have: Cat; Want: Storm Giant
Champion of Anything Dragonlance
Before trading, please check the Disputed Trades Thread | |
|
Pale Rider
Underboss
1023 Posts
London, Ontario, Canada
| | 11/07/2005 12:55 PM |
| quote:
Originally posted by Zenako
used the mini this weeekend as a Swarm of Bats attacking some PC's. I also have a number of those pizza box spacers, the ones with 3 legs that help keep the box top from mushing into the cheese. Popped the Swarm on top of that and then could place the swarm right over the attacked characters. (Also use the pizza supports for characters who are flying.)
It is the strangest things we find that prove to be incredibly useful. Thanks Zenako! | |
Completed Trades: Crescent Hawk, Vimes, demagogue, vidman, Eric is God, Strachan Fireblade, FungiMuncher, Dudeeehm, Shasack, gausse, kyrin, nyjastul69
Champion of the Remorhaz | |
|
Bert the Troll
Commander
3964 Posts
Adelaide
| | 11/07/2005 6:16 PM |
| Those pizza box spacers are great!
So are the clear boxes dice sets come in. | |
"Mutton yesterday, mutton today, and blimey, if it don't look like mutton again tomorrer." Bert the Troll - The Hobbit
Semi-Secret sig business: "In the age of the internet attaching a famous name to your personal opinion to give more weight to it is a very valid strategy." - Benjamin Franklin
Champion of Epic Lolth, Orcus, & Demogorgon and bring us Asmodeus! | |
|
maijstral
Underboss
2105 Posts
| | 11/07/2005 8:22 PM |
| quote:
Originally posted by Zenako
used the mini this weeekend as a Swarm of Bats attacking some PC's. I also have a number of those pizza box spacers, the ones with 3 legs that help keep the box top from mushing into the cheese. Popped the Swarm on top of that and then could place the swarm right over the attacked characters. (Also use the pizza supports for characters who are flying.)
Good Idea I never thought of that, my group has been using the pizza box spacers for years for flying characters now I have yet another use for them.
They also make good statue pedestals and to mark characters on higher terrain. | | | |
|