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WakeXX
Warlord
10147 Posts
    
Edinboro PA
 | | 06/27/2006 5:36 AM |
| | I'd hate non-random minis(except special cases like the icons)....Don't do it Shoe! | | | |
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True_Blue
Underboss
2386 Posts
| | 06/27/2006 5:44 AM |
| | Honestly I'm fine with them being random, I like how we are getting them so far. So i dont really care if we were to get nonrandom packages. They might draw interest by a lot of ppl tho, so I can see the draw of them. But then random doesnt bother me much since its pretty easy to find what you want from Auggie's store and other ebay stores. | |
Champion of a Knight of Takhisis/Knight of Neraka | |
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Sammael
Underboss
1881 Posts
| | 06/27/2006 6:03 AM |
| | I'd prefer non-random mini packs for RPG purposes over random ones. If anyone at Wizards is listening, please make a 20-Stirge pack and sell it for $25. Thank you. | |
Hypethetical Blood War Set List | Champion of the Gelugon | Vindicated Prophet of Blood War
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Total DDM Count: 1037 | No chance of finishing the set | Will finish the set | Set | |
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Bert the Troll
Commander
3964 Posts
Adelaide
| | 06/27/2006 6:08 AM |
| I think a few sets of furiishings and/or non comabants would make sense. I kinda hope the random doesnt go away.
With secondary market prices, you can get good range, good choice, cheap and prepainted :)
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"Mutton yesterday, mutton today, and blimey, if it don't look like mutton again tomorrer." Bert the Troll - The Hobbit
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Champion of Epic Lolth, Orcus, & Demogorgon and bring us Asmodeus! | |
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Sean-Khan
Commander
2720 Posts
| | 06/27/2006 6:14 AM |
| I'm for these. They must be carefully planned, though, and if they consist of figs in a set, it shouldn't be released to much later after the set.
When looking at WotDQ, I'd like to get a non-random set consisting of a few stirges & small fire elementals. Heck, why not have Fire elemental pack? new versions of old elementals, so we would have clear plastic large, huge 2 mediums and 4 smalls in a pack!
Generally, another way to deal with minis that's rarity class must have been raised would be to use 2 or more slots for the mini - I believe it's perfectly acceptable for minis that people want several pieces of. This would be a way to do different positions about the same piece, which would be cool. SWM has done this several times - 3 different poses of stormtroopers in the starter set made me do some screams of excitement!
Now, please do this with mounted soldiers [:D]
Also, At-St and coming Rancor Packs are great! In SWM Very Rares suck, but there has been other excellent decisions for the line! | |
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Arandae
Sergeant
713 Posts
UK
| | 06/27/2006 6:45 AM |
| quote:
Originally posted by Sammael
I'd prefer non-random mini packs for RPG purposes over random ones.
I agree. The need to produce minis that work in skirmish does seem to rule out a lot of minis needed for RPG. (That isn't an attack on skirmish or skirmishers - nor am I conceding that non-combatants, familiars and other useful minis can't be done in a way that meets the needs of skirmish; it's simply an observation that it doesn't seem to be happening much [:)].)
I'd love to see some non-randomised packs of minis for RPG use - and I'm willing to pay extra for them. | |
Champion of the Bodak.Knight of the Aboleth.Squire of Gnomes. Friend of (Non-Ugly) Fey.
Anti-Champion of the Fozzie Bugbear Strangler (Demonweb 32/60).
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Demonweb: Aboleth, Feywild: Fire Beetle,
Next Icon: Gargantuan Jotunheim Frost Giant | |
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griffrat
Commander
3506 Posts
| | 06/27/2006 6:55 AM |
| The one thing that I feel has been left out of this is the speculation aspect. Look at the trend on the stirges they are in high demand (at least from what I am reading and seeing with the price increase in prerelease sales.
Keeping the figs random and making ones which will be in high demad ensures the sale of boosters. The sale of boosters increases the profit yadda, yadda etc...etc...(beat the dead horse)[:D]
I am only pointing out that while I would love to saee the packs that have been mentioned in this thread. It would appear to me at least that random is in the best interests of making some cash. The stirge is the latest example of a fever that has a good majority of us infected....[:p] | |
Ambassador of FUN!!! | |
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The Great
Choco Monster
Ghendar
Warlord
12355 Posts
The G Spot
| | 06/27/2006 7:09 AM |
| I would absolutely LOVE to have non random Drow or Orc or Goblinoid packs for RPG.
I could then take all my Harbinger Drow and Orcs and sell them. [:D] | |
WotC - making me wish more and more every day for a return to the TSR days. :(
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yack
Commander
3259 Posts
Gatineau Canada
| | 06/27/2006 7:41 AM |
| | At one time I would be Hell ya.. but now when I look at my collection .. I have what I need for large groups of races. Its the monsters that haven't been released or the 3 golden rares (Displacer Beast, owlbear and umber hulk) that I would want more of. | |
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Zoons
Underboss
1066 Posts
| | 06/27/2006 7:56 AM |
| | Nah, They just need to do all the fringe RPG stuff that way to help that crowd. All the "Bar Wench", "Townsfolk", "Barrel", "Black Cat" and other furniture and skirmish useless stuff that would be interresting to the RPG crowd. That way everything is still to scale and makes sense used together. It'd also help close the door on some of the competition. | |
Never teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of time and it annoys the pig.
Champion of the Blink Dog. | |
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Vrecknidj
Warlord
10425 Posts
United States
| | 06/27/2006 8:00 AM |
| quote:
Originally posted by JodyJ
Two things have me thinking along these lines:
1) Linae/Shoe mentioning plans for a requested item people didn't expect
Unexpected? 4e.
[:)]
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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zoroaster100
Sergeant
873 Posts
| | 06/27/2006 8:34 AM |
| Don't make too much of that poll on ENWorld. I voted that I don't like randomness but don't think it hurts WOTC. But I only voted that I don't like randomness in the same way I would vote that I'd like the minis for free. It is a false poll or false choice because it doesn't tell you the consequences of that choice. It allows you to pretend you could have the exact same minis but nonrandom, when in reality, if they were not random, we might have a lot less variety or else higher prices. A better poll might be something like:
1) I want random minis, with a lot of variety and reasonable prices.
2) I want nonrandom minis, with only a few sculpts, and reasonable prices.
3) I want random minis, with variety, but very expensive.
Or something like that. | |
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Benimoto
Underboss
1125 Posts
| | 06/27/2006 8:36 AM |
| I think Heroscape shows that Wizards/Hasbro can make non-random packs and make it work. The main thing is that the non-random packs have significantly less variety than what DM has so far. Heroscape also has an interesting way of doing more common miniatures (2-3 different sculpts of the same creature with the same stats.)
I just wonder how it would impact sales of the random DDM packs if they made non-random packs. We already know that in many regions the majority of people just but the figures for the RPG, and ignore the skirmish game. Would they stop buying random boosters?
And of course, if they do non-random packs, I'm sure that won't even satisfy most people. Unless they make an incredible variety of non-random packs, there will always be figures that people consider "essential" than are only available in the random boosters. What if something like the Stirge never came in a non-random pack? | |
Champion of the Rakshasa. Check out my Mini Terrain Maker, or my new Dungeon Map Maker (under development). | |
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striderlotr
Commander
3370 Posts
| | 06/27/2006 8:47 AM |
| | If done the right way, like the packs that were advertised but never released, I think it could work. I would do them as a limited print run and change their bases to keep them collectible, but I think that a non-random package of undead, drow, orcs, etc could be a cool RPG idea. | |
Sean Banks
Champion of Elementals
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Vash
Underboss
1995 Posts
| | 06/27/2006 9:10 AM |
| quote:
Originally posted by griffrat
The one thing that I feel has been left out of this is the speculation aspect. Look at the trend on the stirges they are in high demand (at least from what I am reading and seeing with the price increase in prerelease sales.
Keeping the figs random and making ones which will be in high demad ensures the sale of boosters. The sale of boosters increases the profit yadda, yadda etc...etc...(beat the dead horse)[:D]
I am only pointing out that while I would love to saee the packs that have been mentioned in this thread. It would appear to me at least that random is in the best interests of making some cash. The stirge is the latest example of a fever that has a good majority of us infected....[:p]
If you're saying what I think your saying...
Doing something like putting a high demand mini in a huge set (uncommon at that) really helps independant sellers more than it does WoTC. Not many people (I would think) are going to spend 20 bucks after 20 bucks after 20 bucks in hopes of getting a stirge when they could go online and pay 1.99 to get one instead. This sends the profit to the independent seller. Sure independent seller had to buy the booster originally to get it, but instead of independent seller buying a booster and person wanting stirge a buying booster (2 boosters = more profit for WizO) it's only independent seller buying booster and person wanting stirge buying from independent seller (1 booster + 2 dollar stirge = less profit for Wizo, more profit for independent seller)
And on the multiple poses of the same mini in the same set...UGH! I can't stand that about SWM, and I would go ballistic if they did it in DDM...talk about a wasted slot...
Star wars can get away with it because a Storm Trooper doesnt really have much variation. Look at the outcry we get when there are 4 orcs in a set...image 2 orcs with 3 varying poses.... | |
Champion of the Alhoon and my called shot for Unhallowed
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Trade withe me! | |
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Duke of Spoils
greyhaze
Warlord
6724 Posts
| | 06/27/2006 9:11 AM |
| quote:
Originally posted by JodyJ
So what might they do? They know the classic MM creatures are in high demand So maybe they are planning huge runs of single minis to hit the top 120 or so MM creatures eventually. The intro line would probably cover the top 20-40 in demand figures (new sculpts) - and likely mostly medium, large, and huge iconic monsters.
I'm not sure what you envision, but judging from attack on endor, we could expect 1 huge and 3 mediums for $20 in a non-random pack. I don't think these packs will contain very many figures, which sucks.
My picks for a non-random 12 pack?
Ogre
Umberhulk
Owlbear
Displacer Beast
Orc Champion
Orc Wardrummer
Drizzt
Champion of Eilistraee
4 x stirge
All new sculpts (and stats). | |
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Called Shots: Frost Giant in Dangerous Delves. | |
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Arandae
Sergeant
713 Posts
UK
| | 06/27/2006 9:44 AM |
| quote:
Originally posted by greyhaze
My picks for a non-random 12 pack?
*snip*
All new sculpts (and stats).
I'm not sure if I follow this. I would have thought that non-randomized packs of standard and classic monsters would be exactly the sort of thing that would damage sales of boosters. I buy on the secondary market, but many RPGers buy boosters. Why buy boosters if you can get the RPG-useful creatures in non-randomized packs? Why even go onto eBay to track down recent useful rare minis (e.g. a Dragon/Night Hag/Orc Boss) if you can buy a pack called 'classic monsters' with a reasonable, fixed price?
I think that if WotC are to produce a line of non-randomized packs, without damaging sales of their existing product, they should go for the RPG-only market - villagers, familiars, furniture. That way they will just supplement the existing product. | |
Champion of the Bodak.Knight of the Aboleth.Squire of Gnomes. Friend of (Non-Ugly) Fey.
Anti-Champion of the Fozzie Bugbear Strangler (Demonweb 32/60).
Called Shots- Blood War: Green Slaad (53/60), Night Below: Kuo-Toa Whip (55/60),
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Next Icon: Gargantuan Jotunheim Frost Giant | |
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Dordledum
Commander
3393 Posts
Netherlands
| | 06/27/2006 9:46 AM |
| quote:
Originally posted by zoroaster100
A better poll might be something like:
1) I want random minis, with a lot of variety and reasonable prices.
2) I want nonrandom minis, with only a few sculpts, and reasonable prices.
3) I want random minis, with variety, but very expensive.
I'd adapt it so you have:
1) I want random minis, with a lot of variety and reasonable prices.
2) I want nonrandom minis, with only a few sculpts, and reasonable prices.
3) I want nonrandom minis, with variety, but very expensive.
which probably is how you meant it to be [:)]
I'd like to see them do both option 1 and option 2, but if I had to choose only one it would be option 1, just like it is now.
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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griffrat
Commander
3506 Posts
| | 06/27/2006 9:50 AM |
| quote:
Originally posted by Vash
If you're saying what I think your saying...
Doing something like putting a high demand mini in a huge set (uncommon at that) really helps independant sellers more than it does WoTC. Not many people (I would think) are going to spend 20 bucks after 20 bucks after 20 bucks in hopes of getting a stirge when they could go online and pay 1.99 to get one instead. This sends the profit to the independent seller. Sure independent seller had to buy the booster originally to get it, but instead of independent seller buying a booster and person wanting stirge a buying booster (2 boosters = more profit for WizO) it's only independent seller buying booster and person wanting stirge buying from independent seller (1 booster + 2 dollar stirge = less profit for Wizo, more profit for independent seller)
And on the multiple poses of the same mini in the same set...UGH! I can't stand that about SWM, and I would go ballistic if they did it in DDM...talk about a wasted slot...
Star wars can get away with it because a Storm Trooper doesnt really have much variation. Look at the outcry we get when there are 4 orcs in a set...image 2 orcs with 3 varying poses....
I agree that the randomness thing for a pre-sale go towards the side of the independent retailer. But these are a valuable tool for folks at WotC to use as a milestone. It sucks but it (appears to me) to be the best win win situation for WotC. They are selling boosters and able to measure, just like we the hard core fan, the popularity of a certain figure. You are right about the buying of boosters to get the specific fig. I know I wouldn't but I also know that I buy a couple of cases and get a majority of the figs that I want. I think the stirge is just a bad choice for a huge set and the exception to the rule. At least I am hoping...there will be a day of reconciliation where the stirge will be the common or an uncommon once again in a future set (think drow ftr [:D] and happy thoughts).
I couldn't agree more about multiple poses for the same set. That would drive me away faster than a fart in the car....[XX(]
It remains that folks are buying boosters. | |
Ambassador of FUN!!! | |
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PaSquall
Underboss
1399 Posts
| | 06/27/2006 10:13 AM |
| quote:
Originally posted by JodyJ
(...)
Instead of selling by the case to the secondary market and dedicated miniature buyers, they might target the more casual market that may be 3 to 5 times bigger (but buy less).
Interesting analysis overall, especially this last point. I know people who buy very few boosters (or have even stopped buying) because of the randomness.They don't need tons of minis and don't want to buy dozens of boosters to get the monster they need. They aren't addicted enough to go on secondary market. They proxy a creature with another mini, sometimes very different ; I'm sure these people would buy a non-random set of classical RPG monsters.
And as you said, this market could be very large.
At least, WotC can give it a try, and go back to random boosters only if it doesn't work. | |
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Against the giants called shot : huge cloud giant female
Demonweb called shot : ghost | |
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*censored*
glumag
Warlord
5968 Posts
| | 06/27/2006 11:07 AM |
| I am gone for 10 days and I miss a lot. Was there an announcement on non-random minis sets in the works or something? If so, I am all for it. Non-random would make my RPG day [:)]
Dunno about $25 for 20 stirges. but I'd pay $15 for 20 stirges. (they are tiny after all, just cuz they are in high demand and some ppl on eBay are raping us in prices doesn't mean they are worth that much). | |
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Nobody Important
Sergeant
718 Posts
| | 06/27/2006 11:34 AM |
| I would like to see some pieces released as part of non-randomized sets. I don't mean hordes of orcs, goblins, or undead either.
What I would like to see are packs focused on DnD icons such as the Large Red Dragon or Beholder done if a fashion similiar to what has been done in SWM with the AT-ST and will be done with the Rancor. I agree with others that getting hordes of common creatures is easy (and cheap) enough on places like eBay but getting a LRD or Beholder is totally unfeasable for most. Making such creatures available in a non-random pack may lower secondary prices but shouldn't hurt WotC's bottom line. How many people purchased the Basic Game just to get the minis? These packs would work the same way.
What I'd like are packs that contain one iconic Rare (the selling piece - preferably large size) and 2-3 uncommons and 3-4 commons that support its use in either skirmish or RPG. I had once formed 200pt warbands that followed that format so that you would have an eight piece warband that followed standard rarity distribution. If a map were included that would either raise the price or lower the number of minis but the selling point remains the iconic miniture the pack is based around. Make sure the main mini is old enough not to compete with current sets (ie. out of production) and it shouldn't effect current sales either.
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JodyJ
Warrior
260 Posts
| | 06/27/2006 11:36 AM |
| quote:
Originally posted by griffrat
The one thing that I feel has been left out of this is the speculation aspect. Look at the trend on the stirges they are in high demand (at least from what I am reading and seeing with the price increase in prerelease sales.
By the time any such product hit the shelves the Stirge in WDQ will be long gone. And then what? Do we want stirges showing up once a year in the random sets in place of Pseudodragons, Faerie Dragons or whatever? Once a set sells out a rerelease or variant is fair game.
quote:
It would appear to me at least that random is in the best interests of making some cash. The stirge is the latest example of a fever that has a good majority of us infected....[:p]
I would assume the random line would continue on. Nonrandom would be not even half a set's worth of minis per year. That's not nearly fast enough for dedicated mini collectors. | |
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JodyJ
Warrior
260 Posts
| | 06/27/2006 11:41 AM |
| quote:
Originally posted by yack
At one time I would be Hell ya.. but now when I look at my collection .. I have what I need for large groups of races.
Such a new line probably wouldn't be targetted at people who already have them. That would be the point.
Harbinger was a terrible set for me since I already had almost all of the types/proxies (I think Barghest and Hound Archon were it for new minis).
This would be like Harbinger in non-random cloths. If they released a random starter set like Harbinger again I'd buy hardly any - it wouldn't be targetted toward long time collectors. Even in Harbinger there would be sculpts that wouldn't make the cut for nonrandom. | |
Called Shot: Against the Giants -- Aboleth
Called Shot: Demonweb - Large Whip Spider
Another Champion of the Aboleth | |
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Elder Elemental Evil
Sneak
63 Posts
| | 06/27/2006 11:45 AM |
| | I think another idea would be to have one of the upcoming sets be defined as a "basic" set. The set would contain all new sculpts (with possibly new stats, or just rehashed stats) of mostly classic stuff, and would contain the standard 60 miniatures (or maybe 80, like Harbinger :)) The miniatures would continue to be divided by rarity. The only difference would be that the set would stay in print. By saying that it would stay in print before it was released, there would be no collector outcry. The classic monsters and character class types would be more readily available. Everybody wins :) | |
Championed by PatEllis15
Champion of the ALHOON & BANSHEE!
H 65/80 DE 60/60 Ar 42/60 GL 72/72 Ab 60/60 DK 60/60 AF 56/60 UD 56/60 WD 60/60 WDQ 56/60
RS 60/60 CS 60/60 RS 60/60 U 59/60 CF 42/60 I 2/2
Demon4x4.com | |
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JodyJ
Warrior
260 Posts
| | 06/27/2006 11:48 AM |
| quote:
Originally posted by striderlotr
If done the right way, like the packs that were advertised but never released, I think it could work. I would do them as a limited print run and change their bases to keep them collectible, but I think that a non-random package of undead, drow, orcs, etc could be a cool RPG idea.
The first two cancelled packs I think were too early in the cycle.
1) They were figures still readily available in random packs or the secondary market.
2) They were too common heavy - the secondary market price is too low to compete with for non-random. So basically it ended up being 1 rare for $20 which wasn't going to fly as well (it would have still sold but by poaching Harbinger sales).
3) They didn't have the market data then (these were scheduled before Harbinger even hit the market in 9/03). Now they've got nearly 3 years of sales data, they can observe the secondary market, and the Advisory Panel has been strongly slanted towards miniature questions.
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Called Shot: Against the Giants -- Aboleth
Called Shot: Demonweb - Large Whip Spider
Another Champion of the Aboleth | |
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Duke of Spoils
greyhaze
Warlord
6724 Posts
| | 06/27/2006 11:50 AM |
| quote:
Originally posted by Arandae
I'm not sure if I follow this. I would have thought that non-randomized packs of standard and classic monsters would be exactly the sort of thing that would damage sales of boosters.
Depends on the volume they release them in. The Guargantuan and Colossal figs aren't hurting sales... as long as they don't go overboard, they'll keep selling their random packs, and we'll keep buying. | |
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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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JodyJ
Warrior
260 Posts
| | 06/27/2006 12:01 PM |
| quote:
Originally posted by greyhaze
I'm not sure what you envision, but judging from attack on endor, we could expect 1 huge and 3 mediums for $20 in a non-random pack. I don't think these packs will contain very many figures, which sucks.
Either Heroscape style (8-12) or Endor/Rancor style (centerpiece and fill) would be possible. Or even Basic game style Adventure and figs in a box.
quote:
My picks for a non-random 12 pack?
Ogre
Umberhulk
Owlbear
Displacer Beast
Orc Champion
Orc Wardrummer
Drizzt
Champion of Eilistraee
4 x stirge
All new sculpts (and stats).
IMO that's way too good and the stirge is too recent. Rare sculpts would still require more paint steps. I'd expect this to be marketed as D&D figs not DDM game pieces (although having the cards included might be some crossover). Some of those pieces are too collectible or too good in skirmish to make a non-random set. | |
Called Shot: Against the Giants -- Aboleth
Called Shot: Demonweb - Large Whip Spider
Another Champion of the Aboleth | |
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Gnolaum
Sergeant
854 Posts
| | 06/27/2006 12:16 PM |
| You do realize what company we are talking about? How many items/games does WotC sell that aren't randomized? How many games are there that have been around much longer than DDM, and have non-random packaging?
Not happening on any sort of increased scale.
I'd support it on a very limited scope, involving only the basic game and iconics, which we already have. | |
My online store http://store.hoardsters.com
Use quick search to see scans of every stat card! | |
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JodyJ
Warrior
260 Posts
| | 06/27/2006 12:39 PM |
| quote:
Originally posted by Gnolaum
You do realize what company we are talking about? How many items/games does WotC sell that aren't randomized? How many games are there that have been around much longer than DDM, and have non-random packaging?
D&D rpg books
d20 Modern rpg books
Avalon Hill boardgames
D&D Basic Game
Three Dragon Ante
AT-AT Walker, Attack on Endor, Rancor pack
D&D Icons line
Dilbert: Corporate Shuffle
Guillotine
RoboRally
Hasbro does Heroscape non-random
Obviously the Trading card games and collectible miniature games are random. A second miniatures line doesn't need to be tied into the CMG just because the sculpts/manufacturing process are similar.
P.S. I'm likely not the target market for these anyway. The miniatures that I really want are DDM/randomly because I don't need a ton of orc/drow/dragon/goblin/iconics/etc. | |
Called Shot: Against the Giants -- Aboleth
Called Shot: Demonweb - Large Whip Spider
Another Champion of the Aboleth | |
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griffrat
Commander
3506 Posts
| | 06/27/2006 12:56 PM |
| quote:
Originally posted by JodyJ
By the time any such product hit the shelves the Stirge in WDQ will be long gone. And then what? Do we want stirges showing up once a year in the random sets in place of Pseudodragons, Faerie Dragons or whatever? Once a set sells out a rerelease or variant is fair game.
A stirge now is better than what we have seen for the last few years. Besides, the reason that I say keep in mind the GoL drow Ftr is that it was a resculpt only a few sets after its original release. Also, the dire rat is making a new re-appearence in WotDQ. Not as something other than a dire rat, at least from an RPG standpoint. The same standpoint that people are buying the stirges out is the numbers for various encounters. Although, I would not be surprised by the speculators that are going to hold on and sell later after the set is stopped production. Most RPGers need many of them (small critters i.e. dire rats/stirges/evil kitty [)]) since they are a great "swarm" creatures and a very low CR (CR=1/2)
quote:
I would assume the random line would continue on. Nonrandom would be not even half a set's worth of minis per year. That's not nearly fast enough for dedicated mini collectors.
I think the random line is the mode which works for the store owner (both virtual and real) in that the product cleans itself out. Meaning that shelf space is not lost to things that sit. Which is exactly what non-random things do, sit and take up space. For retailers space is an issue and things that move mean more cash flowing into the store.
I am not arguing against what I would like to see in a non-random box or set. Just trying to show why I don't think the powers will change from the current model. Gods above know that I hope that I am wrong and the mode changes. I know that there have been several people wanting non-random packages of minis with a module or something. Think of an RHoD pack that is specifically for the RHoD and ties everything into a nice pack. I think this is an awesome idea and easy to market. But in the WDQ set we have minis which can be used as/ in among others. Making the set appeal to a broader market.
But, all I know is the blind speuclation that I am spewing forth from my own mind...[:D] | |
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Kunimatyu
Sergeant
725 Posts
| | 06/27/2006 1:03 PM |
| I think it would be vey foolish indeed for WotC to start nonrandom packs of the basic stuff. They should make a consistent effort to always include popular humanoid races in the common slots, but I'm afraid that with a line of nonrandom minis most RPGers(ie. those that don't use the weirder/newer stuff that WotC has a vested interest in pushing) will take their orcs/goblins/drow and say "Thanks, got what I need." and stop buying.
I'd be far more suprised to see nonrandom minis instead of something like an aquatic set, which would help WotC with their running-out-of-cores problem and also do some interesting things to skirmish. | |
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Orion72
Underboss
1917 Posts
| | 06/27/2006 1:21 PM |
| WotC has already made a line of non-random minis. They were called Chainmail.
Most or all paintable minis are non-random. How many of those sit on the shelves, and how many fly off? Pre-painted minis aren't quite the same, but similar enough.
Every once in a while, nearly every DM will need the odd cthulhoid aberration or mechanoid critter - they won't sell in mass quantites like your standard orcs and drow, but they will sell eventually.
I personally like the current random set-up. It puts a bit of challenge into collecting, it enables WotC to do a wider variety, and it forces me to expand my D&D horizons. I'm the type that has to collect one of each mini, and I have to know what the heck they are. I'd never heard of at least half of these critters before DDM - now, I've become a monsterologist (thanks to wikipedia). | | | |
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FeranEldritchKnight
Sergeant
385 Posts
Kansas City, MO USA
| | 06/27/2006 1:54 PM |
| | I think it would be nice to re-release minis that are long out of print this way. By that, I mean GoL and before, perhaps also Abb. But it would have to be pretty much just rares in a solo pack I think. they could sell medium rares for $6-8 each, large for $12, and huge for $16 (just an example). As for common/uncommon, they could make a 3 pack of uncommons and a 6 pack of commons for the same price. They would not come with skirmish cards and would not be tounament legal. They could just be repaints to save money for all I care. But honestly, that would probably kill my random pack sales a bit. I'm only in this for RPG, but I'm a plasticrackhead too. I hate to proxy a piece if I know a real one is available. | |
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Gristlemane
Sergeant
623 Posts
| | 06/27/2006 2:35 PM |
| quote:
Originally posted by zoroaster100
Don't make too much of that poll on ENWorld. I voted that I don't like randomness but don't think it hurts WOTC. But I only voted that I don't like randomness in the same way I would vote that I'd like the minis for free. It is a false poll or false choice because it doesn't tell you the consequences of that choice.
Exactly. I can see doing it for some things like a tavern set, or furniture, or maybe a pile of snig-ables. But it's not worth doing it for the main stuff that makes up DDM.
There are a number of ways to improve the product for roleplayers without taking away the large selection that random figures give us. For example, keep making new and custom creatures but instead of putting them in the "monster factions" like the Bloodhulk and Wrackspawn, make them LG. | |
It's deja vu all over again. | |
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portermj
Warrior
328 Posts
| | 06/27/2006 2:46 PM |
| quote:
Originally posted by Nobody Important
What I would like to see are packs focused on DnD icons such as the Large Red Dragon or Beholder done if a fashion similiar to what has been done in SWM with the AT-ST and will be done with the Rancor.
WOTC actually did do a Dragons Pack that included a metal Large Red Dragon figure. You may be able to find it at your FLGS under a thick layer of dust next to the Heroes pack.
WOTC has a great deal of personal experience wit non-random minis and can probably draw some conclusions looking at the rest of the industry.
I think people should consider if they really want non-random packs since they would almost certainly cost more. From what I have seen, Heroscape is more expensive. Considering that any non-random product would sell less than any new DDM set the economy of scale would certainly drive the price up.
Some people have mentioned a non-random pack of furnishing, barmaids, etc. I really don't see that happening any more than seeing The Complete Commoner see print. It is just too niche an item. WOTC probably is only able to spend capital on projects that are going to be fairly big sellers. However, the beauty of the OGL is that any smaller company can come along and provide for that niche.
I think the most likely non-random, non Iconic item we will see is something like the Basic Game with a new line up of miniatures. Maybe an adventure pack with some of the figures included. | |
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Gristlemane
Sergeant
623 Posts
| | 06/27/2006 3:02 PM |
| quote:
Originally posted by portermj
Some people have mentioned a non-random pack of furnishing, barmaids, etc. I really don't see that happening any more than seeing The Complete Commoner see print. It is just too niche an item. WOTC probably is only able to spend capital on projects that are going to be fairly big sellers.
The problem is that making non-random ogres, drow, etc. will take sales away from the random product. So I should have said if they feel there is enough demand and are going to do it, it makes the most sense to make non-random niche stuff that won't take away from DDM sales.
I honestly do not believe this is a good idea for either them or for us. | |
It's deja vu all over again. | |
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kingnanu
Warrior
214 Posts
| | 06/27/2006 3:09 PM |
| | I'm not a huge fan of random boosters but I don't see them going away any time soon. Besides it would take alot of the excitement out of the purchase. | |
Called shot for blood war: Leonal | |
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Username
Warlord
5688 Posts
| | 06/27/2006 3:13 PM |
| I would support non-random RPG townsfolk/noncombatants buy buying a set or two.
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Originally posted by Schooly_D
Username - he deals in minis
Champion of Lhesh Haruuc Shaarat'kor | |
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ehren37
Sergeant
642 Posts
| | 06/27/2006 3:23 PM |
| quote:
Originally posted by FeranEldritchKnight
I think it would be nice to re-release minis that are long out of print this way. By that, I mean GoL and before, perhaps also Abb. But it would have to be pretty much just rares in a solo pack I think. they could sell medium rares for $6-8 each, large for $12, and huge for $16 (just an example). As for common/uncommon, they could make a 3 pack of uncommons and a 6 pack of commons for the same price. They would not come with skirmish cards and would not be tounament legal. They could just be repaints to save money for all I care. But honestly, that would probably kill my random pack sales a bit. I'm only in this for RPG, but I'm a plasticrackhead too. I hate to proxy a piece if I know a real one is available.
Thats not going to work. Think of how the distributors would be packaging things. You'd have figures that flat out didnt sell, and to get more drizzt's or umber hulks you'd have to buy more celestial wrackspawns. Thus adding to more shelf storage space. Hasbro knows this all too well... they almost killed their Star Wars action figure line by producing too many peg warmers.
Take a walk into your local store. Check out how many reaper figures they have on the shelves from 3 years ago. Check out how many boosters of DDM they have on the shelf from 3 years ago. Its no contest. The random packaging and uniform product sells better, is better for stores, etc. | |
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Reference thread: http://www.maxminis.com/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=8859
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