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| "Star Trek Adventures" WIPs - Two Romulan Uhlans and Khan Noonien Singh |
This year's annual pilgrimage to the ExCeL convention centre in Custom House, East London has undoubtedly added somewhat to my collection of metal, plastic and resin miniatures, as well as greatly widened my interest in a couple more of our hobby's vast pantheon of genres. Indeed, having only travelled up to "Salute" 2018 with just one 'definite' purchase on my shopping list (some OOP "Nexus Miniatures" Caprican Legion Troopers kindly sold to me by "Wargames Terrain Workshop"), I was rather surprised by the sheer range of loot I found within my various carrier bags upon leaving the disagreeably stuffy, dimly-lit venue...
My first impulse purchase however, courtesy of a flyer found within a disconcertingly sparse goodie bag, was arguably a no-brainer for a science fiction fan such as myself, and actually caused me to make a bee-line straight for the "Modiphius Entertainment" stall just as soon as the show started. Apparently an exclusive miniature, this resin model of Khan Noonien Singh from the 1982 motion picture "Star Trek: The Wrath Of Khan" was being given away for free by the British games and entertainment publisher "with every Star Trek Adventures purchase whilst stocks last!"
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| "Burrows And Badgers" WIPs - A Sparrow Warrior, Adder Warrior and Mouse |
Disappointingly however, I wasn't that impressed with what I had to pay in order to make a "Star Trek Adventures purchase", and in the end slightly begrudgingly handed over a whopping forty quid for a measly ten 32mm Romulan Strike Team miniatures; a somewhat expensive outgoing considering that I have subsequently found the company's resin to easily 'tear' when being cleaned with a modelling knife or file, and the figures' stands awkwardly bent - to the point where I've decided not to use them at all and replaced them with plastic 28mm lipped bases instead...
Offering a free miniature was clearly the right way for a manufacturer to go though, in order to grab both my attention and hard-earned funds. I have never really considered gaming with cute furry animals before, but simply couldn't help myself from buying a warband or three at the "Oathsworn Miniatures" stall when I spotted the free mouse adventurer which came with their "Burrows And Badgers" rule-book.
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| "Wild West Exodus" WIP - This Viridian Alpha has simply been assembled, based and primed |
It's clear I'm going to have to dedicate a month or so to this "tabletop skirmish game that takes place in the Kingdom of Northymbra", as I went a bit silly and picked up quite an array of warriors, mages and cut-throats from their "range of [metal] anthropomorphic animal miniatures." In particular I was rather taken by a heavily-armoured Adder Warrior and heroically-posed Sparrow Warrior...
I also happened upon another irresistible temptation whilst passing the "Warcradle Studios" "Wild West Exodus" display. Their extra-terrestrial Watchers simply smack of 'Cowboys verses Aliens' to me, and thus I now own a copy of their remarkably well-priced Viridian Clade Starter Set. Not only does this hefty box contain enough resin/plastic models to form a posse, but it also includes a softback rule-book, tokens, templates, dice and cards.
Salute was awesome this year, but it was so busy. Your Khan figure looks great and I cant wait to see him painted. I have never seen you move so fast to get him! Your Burrows and Badgers minis look awesome. The rules look nice and the range of animals is fast ranging from puppies to beavers. I can't wait to see how it plays. Wild West Exodus looks like a cracking game too. Your alien is awesome! I cant wait to see how you paint these up. Great posting! Khaaaaaaan!
ReplyDeleteThanks Undercoat. Certainly the first time I can recall where I was shopped out by mid-afternoon... Hoping to get a few of these minis painted as pilot pieces over the next few weeks, and use May to focus on "Burrows And Badgers".
Delete"Wild West Exodus" does indeed look like a seriously good genre to get into though, and I'm a bit nervous as to how heavily I could get into it if the Viridians prove fun to paint :-)
"***vast, not fast!***" - Yup, knew what you meant, and I didn't think it would be too long before someone went "Khaaaaaaan!" on this posting ;-)
Nice loot mate. I am putting stuff in and out the cart on the Oathsworn webstore eek!
ReplyDeleteCheers Simon. I'm planning four weeks worth of postings on "Burrows And Badgers" next month, just to tempt you LOL!!
DeleteSo you succumbed to the wargames equivalent of the "topless girl on the bonnet of the car", free figs!! All nice stuff though that you came home with by the looks of it. but those impulse buys came be a killer on your wallet.
ReplyDeletePerhaps it's just as well I didn't go.
Cheers Roger.
Thanks Roger. Khan was always going to be picked up, just as soon as I knew he was available at the show. But both the animals and Exodus minis took me by surprise. Of course, I also picked up a few "Doctor Who" minis too - but they're being prepped ready for my next "Salute" Loot posting ;-)
DeleteVery nice Khan model Simon, even if the resin is a bit soft. Some very nice looking models you've picked up on top, shall look forward to seeing when you get some paint on them
ReplyDeleteCheers Dave. Thanks for putting the Caprican Legion Troopers by for me - much appreciated. Hopefully I'll have some of the "Burrows & Badgers" stuff finished over the next six weeks or so.
DeleteNo problem mate, I'm sure you'll be busy like normal, with an impressive output as always
DeleteI’ve got a final Putrid Blightking to finish, three Boromites and my “Shadespire” warband all progressing currently, as I want them finished first - but there’s so many “Doctor Who” distractions ;-)
DeleteWhile I do not like Salute... probably an age thing! I do like to see what people have been buying. Seriously part 1 of 2, just how much did you buy?
ReplyDeleteHi Clint. I didn’t buy much, tbh, but wanted to showcase the new “Warlord Games” “Doctor Who” miniatures I bought separately as one of my (now) regular “Warlord Who Wednesday” postings :-)
DeleteYeah I would say I had not bought much as well..... no matter what I bought. Your secrets are safe with me. So the official story is "Not much" and they were part of the entrance price and the always useful no I have had those years!. I understand no more need be said. Nudge nudge, wink wink.
DeleteLOL, Clint :-) At £40 a box for 10 Romulans I can assure you, I couldn't afford much more!!
DeleteThe burrows and badgers figures look good, I bet they'll be fun to paint.
ReplyDeleteCheers Vagabond. I'm hoping to showcase a fair few of them next month and finish off with a BatRep :-)
DeleteThat's a lot of dosh for 10 figures Simon!
ReplyDeleteIndeed it is Ray. The material they're made of doesn't strike me as being a quality resin either, and I recall "Modiphius Entertainment" originally only had 8 miniatures in the box before the complaints came flying in!!
DeleteI would have to have a very long think before buying figures at £4 each (one of the reasons I don't buy Hasslefree despite how good they are), but if you've got to have them...well who am I to say "No"?
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the figures, but I do hope they don't sit on the lead/plastic mountain for too long.
Cheers Joe. I didn't have to have the Romulans to be fair, but I wasn't walking away from the "Modiphius Entertainment" stall without Khan - hence I bought a box I would at least paint and game with at some point (I hope!!). More a mug me tbh, but there you are...
DeleteOuch! We knew Star Trek was expensive, but hey it was a free miniature. :) Good to hear that you will power is as strong as mine Simon, Burrows And Badgers does look awesome!
ReplyDeleteThanks Michael. At least I didn't pick up the £390 Borg Cube set I spotted as I approached the "Modiphius Entertainment" stall. "Burrows And Badgers" could be my surprise game of 2018 tbh...
DeleteVery cool post Simon :-)
ReplyDeleteThere's some interesting stuff with Star Trek and Wild West Exodus, but the Oathsworn minis have really caught my eye! Not long ago Da Gobbo showcased some similar looking characters from a boardgame, and I couldn't help but think the "cute" factor might just appeal enough to my missus to get her to try a game ;-)
Looking forward to seeing what inspiration you have in store in Part 2.
Cheers Greg. Much appreciated. "Burrows And Badgers" will be getting plenty of coverage in May I assure you, and "Salute" Loot will next focus upon my "Warlord Games" "Doctor Who" purchases :-)
DeleteWish you'd mentioned an interest in the Modiphius Star Trek items. I'd have saved you that extortionate 40 quid with some sage advice and a stern warning to stay well clear of pretty much ANYTHING produced by this company. Their prices are ridiculous and they lack anything close to what's termed "Quality Control" from my close friends' experiences with their wares.
ReplyDeleteI do love those animal warriors though! So much fun character. Bit Mouseguard-like even. Should be a fun project and I hope the rules match!
WWE... wrestling? Heh. Wild West Exodus has always had a cool look to it's minis and setting. Interested to read what you think of the game in general.
Whilst I (of course, being 5000 miles away) was not able to attend Salute, I did manage to preorder a game being shown off there (A two player starter) by Andy Hobday of Footsore Minis called Gangs of Rome. All pics I've seen of people's experience at Salute decided it for me - that and the fact that I'd only have to paint maybe 10 minis total to be able play the game! :)
I didn’t really have much choice with the “Star Trek Adventures” minis, tbh Dai, as I wanted the Khan mini, and it was either a box of them or a set of the RPG game’s dice for approx £20 - pointless considering I don’t own the game. I agree though that the quality is poor and certainly not worth £4 a figure.
Delete“Burrows And Badgers” will be getting lots of coverage over the next six weeks, and then it’ll be the turn of “Wild West Exodus”. I look forward to seeing your “Gangs Of Rome” stuff; tempted by that myself tbh ;-)
Very interesting stuff. I decided a long time ago that I wouldn't go near 32mm or larger figures, no matter who makes them or what is the subject matter. £4 per model is OK for character figures (just look at Hasslefree's prices!), but too steep for the entire squad.
ReplyDeleteBeware the shiney!
Thanks Hugh. I don’t think “Modiphius Entertainment” did themselves any favours at all with their price point for “Star Trek Adventurers” and still remember the initial anti reaction when they first announced their pricing structure. Bearing in mind both the Klingon and Romulan sets were £40 for 8 minis originally, this box with 10 models inside was at least slightly better vfm. I certainly don’t plan on buying from them again - unless of course they do an Admiral Kirk model ;-)
DeleteI, too, like your "Burrows and Badgers" figures. Whilst it is not a game I'd be interested in buying I certainly wouldn't mind playing it with someone who knew the rules. I look forward to seeing more of this project. "Wild West Exodus" also intrigues me but not enough to buy the rules or figures.
ReplyDeleteCheers Bryan. I'll be covering both in a lot of detail over the next few months as I desperately try and paint-up much of my "Salute Loot". Good to see you back blogging too :-)
DeleteYour burrows and badgers figures look great, the Star Trek stuff seems steep I didn't notice the flyer to be honest,i had a good time and bought a pile of stuff, sounds like you did too!
ReplyDeleteBest Iain
Thanks Iain. I'm delighted to hear I wasn't the only one who had a top time at "Salute", and bought a few minis ;-)
Delete