A Kickstarter for the miniature gamers, too!

[Cristo Meyers]

http://www.reapermini.com/misc/KS_banner720.jpg

Just when you thought it was safe to come out of hiding, another kickstarter (http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1513061270/reaper-miniatures-bones-an-evolution-of-gaming-min) appears! But this one isn't another video game, this one is for the tabletop and miniatures crowd.

Reaper Miniatures (http://www.reapermini.com/) recently released a new line of fantasy miniatures, dubbed the Bones (http://www.reapermini.com/Miniatures/Bones) line. After a lot of success with the first wave of releases, the folks at Reaper are looking to push forward the timeline for the next waves, but to do that, they need our help. That's where the Kickstarter comes in.

The project is already funded, but the stretch goals just keep getting better and better. Hordes of skeletons, kobolds, Ebonwrath the dragon, and there's still more to come.

This line is perfect if you're looking for a quick horde for not a lot of cash. If you're looking for some monsters for your tabletop or just a quick couple of test minis, I suggest you take a look.

[Krazzman]

http://www.reapermini.com/misc/KS_banner720.jpg

Just when you thought it was safe to come out of hiding, another kickstarter (http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1513061270/reaper-miniatures-bones-an-evolution-of-gaming-min) appears! But this one isn't another video game, this one is for the tabletop and miniatures crowd.

Reaper Miniatures (http://www.reapermini.com/) recently released a new line of fantasy miniatures, dubbed the Bones (http://www.reapermini.com/Miniatures/Bones) line. After a lot of success with the first wave of releases, the folks at Reaper are looking to push forward the timeline for the next waves, but to do that, they need our help. That's where the Kickstarter comes in.

The project is already funded, but the stretch goals just keep getting better and better. Hordes of skeletons, kobolds, Ebonwrath the dragon, and there's still more to come.

This line is perfect if you're looking for a quick horde for not a lot of cash. If you're looking for some monsters for your tabletop or just a quick couple of test minis, I suggest you take a look.

just "funded" something for the Vampire-Level. Hope the Transport to Germany is secure... Next step is buying inks and i hope the rest of my tools are still working...

[CreganTur]

I'm really considering funding this. I just funded the Sedition Wars: Alabaster kickstarter (>100 minis for ~$100 = SOLD!), so I'm going to have a lot of miniatures coming in around the same time as the estimated delivery for this kickstarter... but too many minis is never a bad thing.

Dark Sword has definately improved the quality of their sculpting over the past few years and these guys all look good. It does look like they're recasting a lot of their older miniatures, which isn't a problem, especially since they're going with this new material.

I'm going to be very interested in seeing how this new casting material works out. The idea of not needing to prime a miniature before you paint it is pretty appealing, I just wonder how it holds up in practice. There's going to be release agent on these miniatures- that's just the nature of the beast for any casting process, so either the agent they're using completely evaporates or is rinsed off as a part of their manufacturing process, or the new material somehow prevents the release agent from impeding the application of paint (which is highly unlikely, because what would stop it from impeding the part from releasing from the mold?)

The other possible issue is preparation- will cutting/scraping at a mini to get rid of any flash or mold lines effect the material's paint acceptance? I know they're saying that the material itself takes paint, so it probably shouldn't be an issue, but it's something to consider.

My other main concern with this comes from looking at the Finecast fiasco from GW. Reaper is touting this new material as taking good detail at a low production price- I just hope we don't see any of the production issues that Finecast presented.

I really hope that these figures have separate bases. One of my biggest pet peeves is sculpted-on bases.

But, no matter what, 88 miniatures for $120 (I'm counting both +$10 options) is really, really tempting. These guys would be great to have around for when I DM!

[Snowstorm]

I've funded a number of miniature projects here... Mantic's Kings of War, the Battle for Alabaster, and the Stonehaven dwarves, too.

I can't say that I really feel the need for this Reaper one, though. As far as I can tell, there's not really an overarching theme to these minis. Sure, if you need a smattering of various types, it's perfect, but there's too much variety without the option for granularity.

[Cristo Meyers]

I'm going to be very interested in seeing how this new casting material works out. The idea of not needing to prime a miniature before you paint it is pretty appealing, I just wonder how it holds up in practice. There's going to be release agent on these miniatures- that's just the nature of the beast for any casting process, so either the agent they're using completely evaporates or is rinsed off as a part of their manufacturing process, or the new material somehow prevents the release agent from impeding the application of paint (which is highly unlikely, because what would stop it from impeding the part from releasing from the mold?)

I've painted a handful of these and had no problems at all with the paint not taking. I did not use primer nor wash the minis.

One thing to keep in mind, though, is that Reaper's claims revolve around their own in house paint line (Master Series). I cannot say with certainty that your preferred paint won't have some issues (I have heard that GW experiences some beading). I use generic hobby paint with no issue, however.


The other possible issue is preparation- will cutting/scraping at a mini to get rid of any flash or mold lines effect the material's paint acceptance? I know they're saying that the material itself takes paint, so it probably shouldn't be an issue, but it's something to consider..

Mine didn't really have that issue, but everything I've heard from others says yes. A little scraping with a hobby/X-acto blade should take care of any mold lines or flash. It's pretty soft plastic. Durable, but soft.


My other main concern with this comes from looking at the Finecast fiasco from GW. Reaper is touting this new material as taking good detail at a low production price- I just hope we don't see any of the production issues that Finecast presented.

The minis I have aren't really detail-heavy ones (skeletons (http://www.reapermini.com/Miniatures/Bones/latest/77001) and a couple of knights (http://www.reapermini.com/Miniatures/Bones/latest/77008)), but the ones I have seen hold most of the detail of their metal counterparts.

Pics spoiled:
Here's the master of the bugbear model:
http://www.reapermini.com/graphics/gallery/4/65077_w_1.jpg

This is the Bones version:
http://www.reapermini.com/graphics/gallery/4/77015_w_1.jpg


I really hope that these figures have separate bases. One of my biggest pet peeves is sculpted-on bases.

Sadly, they have the same integral bases that Reaper's Dark Heaven line has...:smallfrown:

[Klose_the_Sith]

The miniatures look pretty cool, but there's no way I have need for 28mm Fantasy. Just thought I'd pop in and be a cranky grognard who wants to remind y'all that 'miniatures gamers' is as diverse as 'computer gamers'!


But, no matter what, 88 miniatures for $120 (I'm counting both +$10 options) is really, really tempting. These guys would be great to have around for when I DM!

Psst, Cregan.

Have you ever heard of this hyper obscure company called Perry Miniatures? :smalltongue:

[CreganTur]

Psst, Cregan.

Have you ever heard of this hyper obscure company called Perry Miniatures?

What does a company specializing in historical miniatures have to do with fantasy? Their prices are very reasonable, but they're a completely different flavor than what I would need for DMing purposes... plus after my 500 unit US CIvil War army commission I've sworn to never, ever touch historical minis again. Well, at least not without a huge pile of money to encourage the touching.

[Klose_the_Sith]

What does a company specializing in historical miniatures have to do with fantasy?

The many many crossovers between medieval/ancient history and fantasy? I'm just saying, you seemed amazed by prices that aren't actually that amazing.


Their prices are very reasonable, but they're a completely different flavor than what I would need for DMing purposes... plus after my 500 unit US CIvil War army commission I've sworn to never, ever touch historical minis again. Well, at least not without a huge pile of money to encourage the touching.

But 500 isn't even that huge :smallbiggrin:

[Cristo Meyers]

And now a bonus for the painters...

If anyone is familiar with Reaper's Master Series line of paints, you can now get a full set of 12 colors. (http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1513061270/reaper-miniatures-bones-an-evolution-of-gaming-min/posts)

This one is available at any pledge level, just add $18 to the pledge.

The next stretch goal is the Orcpocalypse. 4 copies of 5 new orcish models for $25. Not bad for someone looking for a quick orc horde.

[Erloas]

Well Ogre is kind of for miniature gamers too...

I'm going to donate to this one, though I'm decided what to do at this point. I've talked to my brother about doing the Undertaker pack for the shop, but if we don't do that then I'll pick up the Vampire pack for myself.

Although its not quite clear if the Undertaker option is expanding with the additional unlocked, I would assume it is, but they haven't updated the listing yet. Although I see it listed on the newest updates, I'm not sure if they changed the number on the package listing.
I'll probably pick up a few of the upgrades either way, the dragon and giants. Not that I need any of the models and its not like I don't have piles of GW and Battletech models sitting unassembled and/or unpainted on my desk.

So who is picking up the Wraith Sophie and who is getting the Ghost one? I find it rather amusing that they have named the Urban Legend line the way they did.

[CreganTur]

Head over to the Reaper forums- they have a thread all about the Kickstarter that the Mods are involved in. Either your question has been answered already or someone can tell you pretty quickly.

[Cristo Meyers]

Although its not quite clear if the Undertaker option is expanding with the additional unlocked, I would assume it is, but they haven't updated the listing yet. Although I see it listed on the newest updates, I'm not sure if they changed the number on the package listing.

Some of the expansions are going into Vampire and Undertaker automatically, some aren't.

Fighters, Undead Horde, BBEG, Elves, Dwarves, and the newest Klocke Classics (side note: I have all of the Klocke minis in metal, they are fantastic) are now included in Vampire and Undertaker pledge.

Fire Giants, Ebonwrath, Frost Giants, & Orcpocalypse all require adding to your pledge. $10 each for the Fire Giants, Frost Giants, and Ebonwrath. $25 for the Orcish horde. Once the Kickstarter ends, Reaper is sending out a survey asking you which upgrades you want.

They have also revealed a tenative ship date of March 2013.

[Opperhapsen]

There's a general "kickstarter" thread.