Vrecknidj
Warlord
10446 Posts
    
United States
 | | 03/03/2006 11:01 AM |
| Anyone else feel this way? Yesterday I looked at a friend's pieces and, frankly, I was disappointed. Sure, there are some very nice looking pieces in the set, but there were a lot that didn't look like they were up to the same standard as many that we've seen lately. It seems to me like the Underdark pieces were, on average, easier on the eyes than the War Drums pieces are.
Dave | |
Knowledge Arcana editor issues 5-9, Phoenix Lore Magazine editor, assistant editor for Rite Publishing;
My Trade Thread and My Reference Thread; Winner of WBC IV, IX and XIII; Rule #0: bshugg is always right! | |
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Blade
Sergeant
412 Posts
| | 03/03/2006 11:09 AM |
| | I will say that the paint jobs for this set are not even close to the photos that WOTC put out. Very bad paint jobs on some of the minis that looked very good in the photos! | |
"All For The Game"
Champion of the Horned Devil (BW vindicated) Champion of Wulfgar(icon-4 vindicated) Champion of Catti Brie
Night Below Called Shot: Bruenor
Desert of Desolation Called Shot: Bruenor
Reference Thread:
http://www.maxminis.com/Forums/tabid/104/view/topic/forumid/53/postid/435711/Default.aspx | |
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griffrat
Commander
3506 Posts
| | 03/03/2006 11:10 AM |
| As I was watching the wife open the cases and pass judgement on them as she passed ones to me. Ithought things along this line of thought. But then I took solace in the thought that I am using them to save me time in painting. So I looked to the figs that I am keeping and wating to trade for.
Many of these figs are really nice to me but many of them are rare or the more "popular" and I feel these figs were given more time and energy. Or different short cuts were showed to the paint staff.
But I agree overall the "prettyness" is not there but has the potential....I still rate this set as a B. [:D] | |
Ambassador of FUN!!! | |
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Count Dooku
Commander
4637 Posts
New York
| | 03/03/2006 11:22 AM |
| I havent seen them yet. But I did see the pic of Warduke compared to the pic taken at WF and it was a huge difference.
Maybe WotC knows we are all hooked so they are cuttign corners? | |
Champion of the Skulk
Vindicated Champion of the Twig Blight | |
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True_Blue
Underboss
2386 Posts
| | 03/03/2006 11:25 AM |
| I really don't think the miniatures have seen that much of improvement. Obviously all of these are better than what Harbinger was, but anymore, I just dont expect much. Every once in awhile I'll be amazed, Sahaugin Ranger. But for the most part, I assume they will be hastily painted.
Which is why I'm still not happy about the price hike that happened at Aberrations or so. Going from $9.99 to $12.99 was supposed to be partly because of better paint jobs, etc. And I just dont see it. We did get Large Uncommons tho, so I'm happy about that. And colored cards, I could have done without but they do look nicer.
But again, I don't see "better" paintjobs really. | |
Champion of a Knight of Takhisis/Knight of Neraka | |
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Vash
Underboss
1995 Posts
| | 03/03/2006 11:35 AM |
| I've said this a few time already today lol. But yeah there are a lot of minis where they just slathered on the Dark Wash and didn't give two flips where it went. Also I've notice a few places on a LOT of minis where they just throw the color on and don't even keep it within the confines of the shape they are painting (Blues on the Frost Dwarf and for some reason all my Trogs have brown clubs and are completely brown from the waist down.
At least come close to the master paints if you are going to show them to us *cry* | |
Champion of the Alhoon and my called shot for Unhallowed
Blood War Called Shot: Phoenix
Trade withe me! | |
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Sammael
Underboss
1881 Posts
| | 03/03/2006 11:38 AM |
| | GoL had the highest-quality paint of all sets. After GoL, paint quality has been going downhill. | |
Hypethetical Blood War Set List | Champion of the Gelugon | Vindicated Prophet of Blood War
Ha 69/80 | De 60/60 | Ar 57/60 | GoL 72/72 | Ab 60/60 | DK 60/60 | AF 60/60 | UD 59/60 | WD 57/60 | WDQ 3/60| BW
Total DDM Count: 1037 | No chance of finishing the set | Will finish the set | Set | |
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kaiserluger
Warrior
319 Posts
| | 03/03/2006 11:40 AM |
| | Agreed. I like the sculpts much better but the Paintjobs were not very good. | |
Kaiserluger - | |
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The Defenestrator
AesophDarkfable
Warlord
5628 Posts
| | 03/03/2006 11:42 AM |
| | While I think they are used a bit to dark of a palette, one that is even a little darker than underdarks maybe, I think the sculpts are phenomenal and the best yet. The paint jobs in general are up there too. There are a few that are kind of blah, but what can you do with a frost dwarf? | |
Im out- find me on Hordelings if you want to chat. | |
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Blade
Sergeant
412 Posts
| | 03/03/2006 11:49 AM |
| | The Frost Dwarf is a joke! the paint job looks not a thing like the photo, the 4 that I pulled only have two colors on them white and blue! | |
"All For The Game"
Champion of the Horned Devil (BW vindicated) Champion of Wulfgar(icon-4 vindicated) Champion of Catti Brie
Night Below Called Shot: Bruenor
Desert of Desolation Called Shot: Bruenor
Reference Thread:
http://www.maxminis.com/Forums/tabid/104/view/topic/forumid/53/postid/435711/Default.aspx | |
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Mrs. Rune
Warrior
230 Posts
| | 03/03/2006 11:53 AM |
| quote:
Originally posted by Blade
I will say that the paint jobs for this set are not even close to the photos that WOTC put out. Very bad paint jobs on some of the minis that looked very good in the photos!
Part of that is because the pictures put out by WoTC are paint masters meaning they have a much better paint job than the booster minis. They are there to show and sell the minis and are probably painted by professional (or even semi professional) painters as opposed to factory produced. SO yes, they look much better. | |
"Today is gone. Today was fun. Tomorrow is another one.
Every day, from here to there, funny things are everywhere." Dr. Seuss | |
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Liquidburn
Sergeant
944 Posts
| | 03/03/2006 11:56 AM |
| | Great skirmish abilities and cool stuff, but I agree that the sculpts and paint on some are not as cool as old ones. | |
Jason Slingerland
"Why do I have to be Mr. Pink?" | |
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Blade
Sergeant
412 Posts
| | 03/03/2006 11:57 AM |
| | I know that the photos are of paint masters, but this is not even close. Have you seen the Frost Dwarf? | |
"All For The Game"
Champion of the Horned Devil (BW vindicated) Champion of Wulfgar(icon-4 vindicated) Champion of Catti Brie
Night Below Called Shot: Bruenor
Desert of Desolation Called Shot: Bruenor
Reference Thread:
http://www.maxminis.com/Forums/tabid/104/view/topic/forumid/53/postid/435711/Default.aspx | |
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berus316
Sergeant
656 Posts
Markham, Ontario Canada
| | 03/03/2006 11:59 AM |
| There are some definite dogs in the paint department in this set (goblin blackblade, flameskull, sand giant), but also some of the best we've seen (Hextor, Snig, HGC).
After seeing all of the pieces, I've rescored the set, still comes in tied for 1st overall (with Archfiends), but not that much better that I thought it was going to be.
All mine are sorted, not need to put away and sort the cards (tonight) and get on with tradiing.
Already droolin' over the next 2 sets... Why can't these come out monthly? :-)
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Champion of the Aspect of Gruumsh
Nemesis of Gnomes and Warforged
References http://maxminis.com/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=12304
H/W List http://www.maxminis.com/hw_list.asp?user=berus316 | |
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Lab Monkey
Commander
4136 Posts
| | 03/03/2006 12:00 PM |
| I only have 1 starter set in hand, but so far things are looking Ok to me. The commons I pulled all look nice- the Quaggoth Slave is very well painted, as is the Wood Elf Ranger, Terror Wight, etc. The only one that looks a little sloppy is the Hobgoblin Archer. The uncommons are fine: the tiefling blademaster, Karrinathi Zombie and Elemental Wall all are about what you'd expect. The rare I pulled was a Khumat: it's fine except that the loin cloth is the same color as it's scales.
The sculpts are all fantastic. The details in the armor and faces of these figures is just great. Even the Khumat is not nearly as cartoony as I expected it to be.
I pick up my 2 cases tomorrow morning, so I'll have a more complete sense of how the set looks then. So far though I'm happy with what I'm seeing.
*I do share the Count's concern about the War Duke. The image we saw from Winter Fantasy looked terrible when compared to the master paint version. I hope it looks much better in hand. | |
Have: Cat; Want: Storm Giant
Champion of Anything Dragonlance
Before trading, please check the Disputed Trades Thread | |
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Sammael
Underboss
1881 Posts
| | 03/03/2006 12:00 PM |
| quote:
Originally posted by berus316
Why can't these come out monthly? :-)
Because some of us would have to file for bankruptcy? | |
Hypethetical Blood War Set List | Champion of the Gelugon | Vindicated Prophet of Blood War
Ha 69/80 | De 60/60 | Ar 57/60 | GoL 72/72 | Ab 60/60 | DK 60/60 | AF 60/60 | UD 59/60 | WD 57/60 | WDQ 3/60| BW
Total DDM Count: 1037 | No chance of finishing the set | Will finish the set | Set | |
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Rhydur
Sneak
62 Posts
| | 03/03/2006 12:08 PM |
| | Remember this is a starter set, meaning more commons (i.e., fewest paint steps, less detail)and fewer uncomons, and one fewer rare. I haven't gotten my cases yet, but I'd factor that in in passing judgement. Still, the quality of paint jobs is widely variable, i've found. Some Half-Fiend Ogres looked really good, mine is almost all black. But, I know from my painting days, some just turned out looking better than others, even when I was doing a number of minis the same or very similar. I imagine sitting around all day in a factory, painting one after another, some of the minis are going to be better than others. For the price, convience & quantity, I still think they can't be beat. Althoguh I think the highlist set was Angelfire. Underdark definaitely looked worse to me than Angelfire. I wondered if the factory didn't have some new workers who werent as proficient when I got my UD cases. | |
Dragons are long, but not tall!
Champion of Krenshar | |
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Username
Warlord
5690 Posts
| | 03/03/2006 12:08 PM |
| New stuff is always PRETTY!!!
[:D] | |
Originally posted by Schooly_D
Username - he deals in minis
Champion of Lhesh Haruuc Shaarat'kor | |
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Most Edumacated
zenthrus
Warlord
5101 Posts
SLC, UT
| | 03/03/2006 12:09 PM |
| I'd rather hear about fantastic sculpts with mediocre paintjobs than mediocre sculpts with fantastic paintjobs. There's only so much you can do with a Harbinger repaint. Underdark minis have tremendous amounts of detail in the sculpts that can be brought out. I'm hoping War Drums offers at least the same quality in terms of sculpting.
If the Frost Dwarf looks anything like the Taer I can see why people might be up in arms about its paintjob [:o] | |
Knight Warlord a.k.a. Commander (#32) in only 6 months. Where's my pie?
Champion of Dwarven Thunderlashers
Knight of the Large Dire Chicken
Have/Want List
Trade References | |
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Vrecknidj
Warlord
10446 Posts
United States
| | 03/03/2006 12:21 PM |
| I know that this is a starter set, but the Warduke didn't look very good; heck, the Chimera was disappointing too. I was really hoping it would knock my socks off, but it didn't.
I've seen about 40 of the minis so far, and the Steelheart Archer looked about the nicest.
Dave | |
Knowledge Arcana editor issues 5-9, Phoenix Lore Magazine editor, assistant editor for Rite Publishing;
My Trade Thread and My Reference Thread; Winner of WBC IV, IX and XIII; Rule #0: bshugg is always right! | |
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Thespian
Sergeant
442 Posts
Lethbridge, Alberta
| | 03/03/2006 12:41 PM |
| If I wanted minis that are beautiful, quality and nice...I would paint the myself (and I often do)
If I want something in mass amounts that I can throw in my backpack, then I will buy the plastic pre-painted jobbie.
That said.....these are a sham of what they once were (and what they should be). | |
A wand of silence means never having to say you're sorry.
CHAMPION OF THE ANNIS HAG!!! | |
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Mrs. Rune
Warrior
230 Posts
| | 03/03/2006 1:07 PM |
| quote:
Originally posted by Blade
I know that the photos are of paint masters, but this is not even close. Have you seen the Frost Dwarf?
Nope, still waiting... | |
"Today is gone. Today was fun. Tomorrow is another one.
Every day, from here to there, funny things are everywhere." Dr. Seuss | |
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berus316
Sergeant
656 Posts
Markham, Ontario Canada
| | 03/03/2006 1:29 PM |
| quote:
Originally posted by Sammael
quote:
Originally posted by berus316
Why can't these come out monthly? :-)
Because some of us would have to file for bankruptcy?
True, but we'd have a lot of minis to play with while sitting at home collecting welfare and eating a lot of Kraft Dinner. :-) | |
Champion of the Aspect of Gruumsh
Nemesis of Gnomes and Warforged
References http://maxminis.com/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=12304
H/W List http://www.maxminis.com/hw_list.asp?user=berus316 | |
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Lab Monkey
Commander
4136 Posts
| | 03/03/2006 1:33 PM |
| I'm definitely seeing a lot of complaints about the frost dwarf. I can't wait to see it.
In virtually every set there are a number of stinker minis, especially in terms of the way they were painted. It sounds like this set is no exception. I'm betting in a few days once the dust settles War Drums will fit right in with other recent sets in terms of sculpts and paint quality. | |
Have: Cat; Want: Storm Giant
Champion of Anything Dragonlance
Before trading, please check the Disputed Trades Thread | |
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Liquidburn
Sergeant
944 Posts
| | 03/03/2006 1:33 PM |
| | I do think that the Quagoth slave it brilliant they did a good job with him. I was actually suprised by the detail on the Girallon too. | |
Jason Slingerland
"Why do I have to be Mr. Pink?" | |
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Stabmastaarson
Sergeant
442 Posts
| | 03/03/2006 1:46 PM |
| | It's my opinion that the sculpt and paint quality have gone up considerably. The Blood Ghost Berserker from this set comes to mind and a good example. Granted, there are a few fugly minis (Ahem...Lion of Talsid) but I like what they are putting out nowadays. | |
Better to be hated for what you are than loved for what you're not
My Have/Want list
Trades pending with:
Competed trades (11) ares71,pagansexy,bradu,Unearthed Arcana, Garate,Arbados dobblegog, blackthorne,aussie_jim, spikegif, Lady Bast | |
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Ridureyu
Underboss
1622 Posts
| | 03/03/2006 1:48 PM |
| of the figures I have, the only ones that disappoint me are the Frost Dwarf and the mispainted Warpriest of Moradin (black splotches on head).
Overlal... just look at the Shieldwall Soldier or the Steelheart Archer. These are COMMONS. The orc Mauler looks just as good as the Eye of Gruumsh - WHY are we complaining? | |
Owner of The Original Rust Monsters!
DDM: Harbinger: 76/80 Dragoneye: 60/60 Archfiends: 56/60 GoL: 72/72 Aberrations: 60/60 Deathknell: 60/60 Angelfire: 60/60 Underdark: 60/60 War Drums: 60/60 War of the Dragon Queen: 60/60 Blood War: 60/60, Unhallowed: 60/60 Night Below: 60/60 Desert of Desolation: 60/60 Dungeons of Dread: 60/60 Against the Giants: 60/60
Dreamblade: All | |
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*censored*
glumag
Warlord
5968 Posts
| | 03/03/2006 2:14 PM |
| Overall the sculpts are awesome, unfortunately someone went black-washing happy [:(]
Most of the figures look dirty or stained. There are some great pieces tho...the steelheart is one of the ones that comes to mind...crystal clear and awesome colors.
Khumat is by far the worse waste of a rare slot...this is a bad quality large uncommon, there is nothing to the sculpt and it basically has three colors, scale green (even the loin cloth) white teeth and the eyes) thumbs down for the weregator as a rare . The HGB is ten times far superior. | |
Trades >> Completed: 49 | Bad: Ø | Pending: 0 | Trade & talk Live on IRC! SERVER: irc.psionics.net CHANNEL: #maxminis | |
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Count Dooku
Commander
4637 Posts
New York
| | 03/03/2006 2:29 PM |
| Ok I purchased my starter from the LGS.
I gor a Frost Dwarf.
His entire outfit is grey. Boots cape shirt...all grey.
His kneepads and helmet are silver but its so similar to the grey it looks ike one color.
His hands face beard and axe are blue.
So hes all grey except his face and hands and axe.
The blue in his beard seriously is out of the lines and is all over his chest.
Since I look at the bright side....He makes a great Dwarven Ghost. | |
Champion of the Skulk
Vindicated Champion of the Twig Blight | |
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Kat_Dawg33
Warrior
291 Posts
USA
| | 03/03/2006 2:30 PM |
| | I agree 100% with what Glumag said. What I would add is... some of the uncommons look as good or better than some of the rares in previous sets. And of course there are some boring commons, but how fancy do you want all of your guards and soldiers to be. The only piece that I've seen so far that I was disapointed in was the Lion of Talisd. | |
Champion of "Ember, Monk Champion"
Vindicated Champion of the "Mounted Dragon Knight" | |
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PaSquall
Underboss
1399 Posts
| | 03/03/2006 3:56 PM |
| | Same as glumag here, I only have a starter and the commons look OK, some of them have a really good paint job like arcanix guard (EXCELLENT Paint job for a common), derro, quaggoth, skeletal legionnaire and orc mauler. The uncommons weren't that hot, especially the inspired lieutenant with very few detail on her face and legs looking very dirty (I had the same problem with Mina in Angelfire) ; very disappointing and I just hope those in my cases will look better. The elemental wall looks good but there are only 2 colors... The karnathi zombi has nothing special for an uncommon. The rare I had is the Khumat (WTF is this ? I might use it as a giant werecrocodile... Maybe. Hope I don't get another one in my cases). As Glumag said it's a large uncommon. However it's not that bad it's a rare because I don't know what I would do with 5 of them. We don't even have a NORMAL crocodile... | |
Vindicated Champion of the PSEUDODRAGON
(Unhappy) vindicated champion of the DRYAD
Against the giants called shot : huge cloud giant female
Demonweb called shot : ghost | |
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ferris1971
Sneak
136 Posts
Dallas, TX
| | 03/03/2006 4:43 PM |
| I agree pretty much across the board with what has been said here, especially about the frost dwarf. I have a friend in my campaign running a frost dwarf who was eager to see this piece. Needless to say he'll still be using the field plate marshall.
Also, my sand giant is cross-eyed. Looks like he has a bee on his nose. Pretty annoying because it makes an otherwise pretty cool fig look pretty silly.
Pretty hit and miss as far as painting quality goes in this set, and suffice it to say that I was a little disappointed.
By the way... anyone want a Large Bronze Dragon? In 2 cases and 2 boosters, I pulled 4. | |
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Almalik
Warrior
266 Posts
Vancouver-ish, Canada
| | 03/03/2006 4:46 PM |
| I've only opened one starter for WarDrums so far, but I think both the sculpts and the paint jobs have either stayed the same or improved with each subsequent set, but I do think quite a bit depends on the individuals who happened to paint your figures. I have two ogre mages, one of whom looks almost black because of the amount of wash used.
I had a Large Bronze Dragon in my starter and the paint job is quite good, but I do wish he had that green patina they showed in the master paint. The enlarged duergar looks awesome. From what little I've seen, all the sculpts look great. | |
Champion of Aspect of Juiblex (with Oozemaster) and Aspect of Skurmsh! | |
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Duke of Spoils
greyhaze
Warlord
6920 Posts
| | 03/03/2006 7:22 PM |
| quote:
Originally posted by Blade
The Frost Dwarf is a joke! the paint job looks not a thing like the photo, the 4 that I pulled only have two colors on them white and blue!
I got 8. Same deal. Hard to imagine it was an uncommon! | |
Greyhaze's DDM Spoilers
Champion of a Medium Dog & then a Darkenbeast , Raistlin Majere, Nightmare WDQ25/60, Warduke WD60/60,
Anti-Champion of Guns, "Knight of Bugbears", and Joke Champion of Venger.
Called Shots: Frost Giant in Dangerous Delves. | |
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LargeMarmot
Sergeant
463 Posts
| | 03/03/2006 7:26 PM |
| | I like the paintjobs for the most part, they just need to get better at painting eyes. My aspect of moradin and large drugar look rediculus. | |
Champion of the Tohr-Kreen.
WotDQ Called Shot: Fang Dragon. | |
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*censored*
glumag
Warlord
5968 Posts
| | 03/03/2006 7:49 PM |
| quote:
Originally posted by ferris1971
By the way... anyone want a Large Bronze Dragon? In 2 cases and 2 boosters, I pulled 4.
heh!...I would venture to guess DariusTad might have a slight interest...just a hunch tho [)] | |
Trades >> Completed: 49 | Bad: Ø | Pending: 0 | Trade & talk Live on IRC! SERVER: irc.psionics.net CHANNEL: #maxminis | |
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Grim
Sergeant
482 Posts
| | 03/03/2006 7:56 PM |
| I'd say there are 55 out of 60 minis in this set that are fantastic in either scultp or paint or both. The only low points are the beaten to death frost dwarf, the troglodyte thug who is a brown and green blob with teeth, the warpriest of Moradin who looked like he lost a fight with a coal mine, and the halfling slinger and mephling pyromancer for being primarily a drab brown. Those last two aren't even that bad.
There are some real standouts as well in the Arcanix Guard, any and all of the warforged,and the Shieldwall and Steelheart figs blow me away. | |
I am a leaf on the wind...Urrk!!--Wash, "Serenity" | |
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yack
Commander
3270 Posts
Gatineau Canada
| | 03/03/2006 8:17 PM |
| | Yup I agree this set is very nice...except the Frost Dwarf what a disaster!!! But over all a beautiful set. | |
Champion of the Peryton
Vindicated Champion : Pit Fiend, Devourer
DW: Duergar Priest
RPG Only!!!! The Drumming Drunkn' DM | |
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Zaukrie
Underboss
2007 Posts
| | 03/03/2006 9:05 PM |
| Many of you know me as very positive about DDM. But, this set's paint jobs do not appear as nice.
The hobgoblin archer is an great piece (except the arrow, which is shorter than the quiver).
Some of the other uncommons are great, the chimera is very nice.
However, it is a very, very dark set. I could swear I was looking at Underdark! Few of these would be visibile underground.
I like how Shuluuth (sp?) has shiny, irridescent skin, but the colors on the arms don't match what you can see of the face or the tentacles. I have quite a few minis with face color on the hair, or hair color on the face, or with marginal eyes. A few seem to have no color at all, like the Gulgar (which is an amazingly detailed sculpt job, but is sorely lacking in color).
I like the skirmish abilities, I love the sculpts, I'm not sure about the paint jobs. | |
Fastest dropping DCI ranking on record!
Champion of Juiblex | |
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TheBlackFlail
Sneak
57 Posts
| | 03/04/2006 12:29 AM |
| | All the Lions of Talisid I pulled looked as bad or worse than the worst Harbinger commons from back in the day, and a few of my rares looked like they were done by the new paint slave on the job (inconsistently, some of the same rare look great, others got the slop job). The commons look outstanding to me, though, a lot just look a whole lot better than some of the bleah uncommons and rares, and the Gulgar looks like he lost a fight with a black and white camera. Overall, I would say that the paint quality is about as good as other recent sets, but that there are a good many more absolute stinkers (Gulgar, Lion of dipped in red, The Pictish Dwarf, et al...) than other recent sets (balanced out by the great work on a lot of the commons). | |
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