Compared to DDM commons, which can be had for less than a buck in many cases, I’m not sure $5.79 for three skeletons looks all that great. Definitely impulse buy-worthy, but it doesn’t compare favorably if you’re willing to track down DDM singles.

Having seen the (initial) pricing, I agree: a lot depends on the pics. I’m optimistic.

The price points of $5.79 for three skeletons or $6.99 for three orcs can make them an impulse buy like the MageKnight boosters were.

I’m interested in seeing some pics.

I used to be quite good at painting miniatures, and I would hate it when someone would scratch/drop/bend a figure. I found it too expensive and difficult to keep the figures in great condition.

With my plastic minis I just drop them into a box and go. I can easily replace damaged ones. The only problem I have with the plastic minis is the collectible aspect. I would eagerly plop down $50-$100 for a nice sized collection of figures (35-60 depending upon the theme and quality) if such a product were available.

At the risk of sounding like a metal fig snob (which I’m not … people should use whatever figs they enjoy most), as someone who has painted on both metal and resin, I think there is no comparing the two.

Painting on metal is, for me, a superior experience in nearly every category of enjoyment, including quality of the finished product.

While I continue to enjoy my new found hobby, I really am looking forward to these new pre-painted plastics. As long as the packs offer some variety (different poses and weapons) I’ll be a very happy customer.

As someone noted on another board, if you don’t like the paint job, you can always re-prime and paint over!

I hope they concentrate on figs of beasties that are rare and very rare in the WoTC sets.

They’ll save some money because it looks like they are going to make these minis from moulds thay already produce metal minis from.

Still …

I would actually like somebody to introduce bulk pricing for new minis. Rather than a 6 item random, collectible booster, I’d rather pick up a 50 item themed non-collectible booster. A pack of 50 undead, 20 skeletons, 20 zombies, 3 different liches and 7 wights… this sort of thing. Enough of us play in themed campaigns for this to be worthwhile, I’d imagine.

They might be high quality, but they are still up against the $0.88 Wal-Mart bag of dinosaurs, army men, farm and jungle animals that work fine in a pinch. For less than $10 you’ve got roughly a hundred of these critters to do with as you please.

Also in the market, though not direct competitors, Lego guys. My brother and I each own a pirate ship and a castle set which both came with at least a dozen figures and more than enough gear to outfit them in roughly D&D appropriate manner. A little spray paint and a dremel and these become at least as customizable as your average miniature specifically made for the game. Between us we have a tackle box full of accessories waiting to be thrown on a figure.

All that said, I don’t expect Reaper to really touch on what I want to see out of the deal at all. It’ll be more profitable, I’m sure, to go with a one-off $0.50 per each pricing even if it means gamers like me only pay for the one in a hundred *perfect* mini instead of building my armies out of them.

That said, I agree that I’m most interested in the funkier stuff. I hope they flow quickly into a set of common character archetypes (D&D classes), and then into iconic monsters, big bads and other things that are hard to get individually from the DDM line.

No guesses on pricing so far?

However, the miniatures they are initially releasing like orcs, ogres, trolls and skeletons have been done to death (and in many cases, done well) by Wizards’ DDM sets (well, we could use another troll). Perhaps those are good entries to work out the kinks in the distribution chain, paint and sculpt issues, but I would have chosen some more interesting creatures from the SRD to draw interest. (I’m assuming they can release miniatures of SRD monsters; I’m not 100% on the OGL thing, so this may only be supposition.)

You mention it being hard to find rares in DDM, and I believe that would have been a better place to start. For example, all of the medium and larger Demons and Devils have been Rares, as well as all of the large dragons and most of the giants. Those are sculpts Wizards has not nearly satisfied the need for (mostly based on a cost of $8-$15 each for these on Ebay). My sigother would choke me if I brought home another batch of orcs or skeletons; however, if I could buy a good-looking Vrock or Ice Devil for under $4, I’d pick up 3 or 4 of each.

Owlbears, naga, wyverns, manticore and the like would also be great, and I bet popular, based on both Wizards rarity and their prevalence in many (if not most) campaigns.

Reaper’s pricing is also going to be a determining factor in whether this line succeeds. Many common and uncommon figures in DDM can be picked up for less than a quarter or fifty cents each on Ebay if I buy in bulk (and orcs and skeletons lend themselves to bulk). If you watch Ebay regularly, you can get large lots for even less per unit than that. I’m not sure Reaper can (or will) match that price point.

Stil, as I said, I hope they succeed; if anyone can take on DDM and the Hasbro juggernaut, it is Reaper.