Oh hey it’s a new month. So let’s take a look at where the Patreon money is going (and what will quickly be appearing on the print bed).
Well, soonish. I really shouldn’t be adding more minis to the pile I need to move.
First up, let’s talk about Spectre Miniatures.
This month we got four releases. The JDB technical with the BTR turret is pretty cool (although you need to be careful with the printing as there is some holes that resin can pool in) while the small hescos are okay but no one is being converted to the Patreon with them. The Russian Mercs are pretty cool, giving you all the toys without being quite as terrifying as the FSB kill team. Some of the posing I’m not a massive fan of, with a hunched over neck looking a bit odd on the VSS and GM94 figure.
My main problem is that the Patreon still feels a bit little like it’s the Spectre team’s homework and it’s all being frantically done the night before without much planning. Ever since we’ve moved to 3D sculpting (and especially in the Patreon) we’ve seen a lot of sets with the same head model used for every sculpt. This month, we literally received the main releases at 8pm on the last day of the month – so if you paid for this month wanting some Russians and happened to be away from your computer on Wednesday night, you’re paying for another month.
They have also revealed some upcoming plans in a post, mentioning things such as Arctic Warfare figures and rules, boarding parties and pirates (also including rules) and the every elusive WW2 rules set. Additionally, a follow up post went into detail on whats coming soon, as well as teasing a possible Star Wars conversion for Spectre. However, I’m taking all of this stuff with a pinch of salt until we actually see the results seeing as the rules side is still pretty light. December is going to be a little bit of a major test – the CIA SAD guys that are part of a loyalty reward (something they have been teasing since October) are probably going a pressure point as to if I stick around for every month or not.
Last month was also Black Friday and so Spectre released a set of limited-edition models that are no longer available as I write this. Good news, I don’t think any of them are really essential. The Microgun is a fun new addition (that I strongly doubt is being used by Delta) but the other two sets are fun updates for classic figures – I’m always a fan of a juggernaut while the African militia leader and his hyena are the prefect recreation of one of the first flagship figures for the company. As someone on the Patreon, it might have been nice to have these become available through that stash, especially as the models went up for four days with no preview.
Combat Octopus didn’t actually release anything this month. Instead, he’s been hard at work on a set of characters inspired by a certain high school anime with zombies which are a little different from what we have been used to. Luckily, the images from the previews have been pretty interesting with some potential for non-anime uses. We’ll see when they are released next month.
Black Powder Red Earth has been busy this month with the release of Phaseline, the latest expansion for BPRE 28mm. I’m still waiting for my box to arrive (because global shipping and the UK are best of friends right now) but I am quite excited for cracking into it. And not just because they added some physical doors rather relying on the basic tokens.
From having talked to the guys behind BPRE, it sounds like the postal situation around this release has been an absolute nightmare, with components getting delayed or arriving with less than ordered left right and centre. However, from people that have received their boxes, there have been some really positive sounds about the new elements and figures. There have been some QC issues with the new Sapper models but BPRE has already sent out replacement torsos for free. Expect more info once they all arrive.
The Enemy Spotted Studios Tribe started month two of its subscription pretty damn strongly, dropping the files on the 1st of December. This month had the Insurgent Specialists (previously only available as physical models from Enemy Spotted Studios) which are actually a really nice set of figures, enough variety for an irregular force without falling into the militia cliches. All of them have web gear of some kind with a nice mix of heads from shemaghs to ball caps. The guy with the monocular is a pretty good look, ideal to mix in with your regular guys… such as the extra welcome pack they have included with four guys in balaclavas. Overall, I’m pretty happy with this selection.
Having had a quick look at the figures, INX/Enemy Spotted Studios is definitely a monthly output I’ll be keeping an eye on it. Despite the strange look they have in the slicer, once the printer and the processing hits them, they print out rather nicely with a really nice level of detail (molle loops are easily spotted, always a test of a new model). I did need to scale them down to 95% to fit with the rest of my force so definitely something to keep an eye on. Based on what seems to have been released so far, it seems like they are working through the physical releases that the original Kickstarter produced (usually with a couple of extra figures compared to the Kickstarter STL reward), which makes me excited we might get the QUDS Force Advisors that remind me strongly of the armoured OPFOR I’ve been sniping in Al-Mazrah recently.
Turnbase Miniatures in November continued their new releases with some IDF-related releases. These guys are definitely a step above the “old” TBM releases, with much more natural posing and some really nice details. The IDF guys have separate heads and (with the right choices) could easily stand in for any number of modern nations using the Tavor (Nigerian Navy Commandos would be a unique choice). As for the Shayetet 13… well they are very nice AR15 armed commandos with some nice heads. The main problem with TBM releases continues to be the fact they are great individual figures but for any kind of gaming you’re lacking some key equipment – no LMGs, UGLs, AT weapons or anything other than basic rifles. This I think is the key thing that stops me signing back up full-time – when I’m building forces, I’m usually aiming to build a rounded squad.
As for the Aussies I mentioned last time, I picked them up off Gumroad rather than re-subscribing. So expect to see them pop up on the blog one day soon.
Right, lets go talk about Fantasy.
Last Sword Miniatures has released what looks to be one of my favourite sets so far. As much as I love my Elves, I’m still such a sucker for the Empire from Warhammer Fantasy, that mix of Renaissance Germany and odd fantasy mixed together. Seeing regular humans taking on horrifying monsters, it provides that familiar edge to get you involved.
Well, this month Last Sword is releasing Imperial Militia forces. So alongside one of the best-looking set of angry local villagers (who, if Battle Brothers has taught me anything, are just waiting for a chance to be thrown into the meat grinder to see who survives) , there are also some Ogres and Halflings, both of which seem gritty enough for my setting (even if the Halflings are armed to the teeth with kitchen implements). For the characters, a very military-looking Arch Lector on horseback is a great addition to a larger force (and the armoured mitre seems fun) while the last figure is ideal to go with the other Purifiers Last Sword has released – hopefully this female one won’t cause too many problems… or be hunted down by the Black Knights and their Leader.
If you hadn’t guessed it, the female Purifier is basically Ciri from the Witcher books.
And speaking of gritty fantasy, next month Last Sword is starting on their Medieval fantasy realms, heavily inspired by old Bretonnia but with Last Sword’s style. The first release is going for a crusader style, with the Grail Pilgrims and the Reliquary to accompany. Last Sword has mentioned they are aiming for the ability to build a full unit of 20 with unique sculpts for each – perfect for a skirmish gamer! They have also shown off a female leader for your pilgrims HEAVILY inspired by a very specific Joan of Arc film.
I’m already looking at these pilgrims and seeing what could be an interesting scuffle in my fantasy setting. After all, the Empire doesn’t BAN the worship of other strange gods, but not all relationships are going to be 100% peaceful.
For this month, Highland is doing more Dwarfs and oh god I can’t look at more dwarves. I’m sorry I just can’t
Okay, I’m okay. See, these dwarves are ginger-haired nutcases looking for redemption after doing some great crime or shame against Dwarf kind. What I live is this set is chock full of characters – basically everyone in the full squad could hold a gap against an onrushing horde. Then, once you step up to hero units, you get some great champions. I think you could probably build a whole skirmish band just out of this release. Plus, we have some female dwarves! This is risky topic when it comes to fantasy settings (the good old beard vs no beard arguments will never end) but this is the style I like – after all at the end of the day, a female dwarf needs to look like she’s more than capable of caving a goblins head in with an axe/hammer.
Also yes, I am already preparing one or two to wreck the Dastardly Regular Opponent’s completion numbers
SPEAKING of Goblins though, next year we’re going to see more of them. With the Dwarves getting close to the end (I think we’re missing units like Gyrocopters and Rangers, both units I’d love to see the Highland Games take on) Highland is starting to look where it’s going next. They have settled on Goblin tribes and I am 100% behind them. Even from this first look, these aren’t just GW Gobbos with the trademarks filed off – the Green Man face on the standard already shows a certain level of design to them I can’t wait to see rolled out across the range.
To help launch the new range, and similar to how the Dwarves got a Lord before their release, the Goblin leader on his Feral Monster is coming in a pay-what-you-want Kickstarter I’ve embedded above and linked here. This is a fun way of getting the word out there and based on the sculpting of this guy, I can see that the range is going to be a lot of fun to paint and play with.
Finally, we reach Vae Victis. This month, the main part of the release is Gnolls. Tribal hyena creatures, this release is pretty much ideal for anyone wanting to get into Rangers of the Shadowdeep, a game that uses a lot of gnolls for many of its scenarios. As always you get both modular parts (bodies/heads and hands) as well as some prebuilt figures for characters like the berserker or the shaman, letting you easily assemble a full force. The pack also has some scatter items but what I’m really excited about are the heroes. The main one I think you’re going to see most of is the Elven Fighter, mostly because her posing and clothing definitely reminded me of my Sister and the HEMA she does in her spare time – so she’ll be getting a custom character for our fantasy games.
It’s also December which means Vae Victis is running their advent calendar. This means each day I’m getting a new STL from all the previous releases. Now, I’ve been involved in quite a few packs so mostly I’m seeing dupes, but this is an ideal month to sign up if you want to get a taster of what Vae Victis has to offer.
Finally, let’s talk Star Wars and Skull Forge. I didn’t actually back them this month. Despite my excitement last month, I actually got plenty of figures to use from just two months of releases. With Imperial Guards, rebels to fight them and a few hero characters, I have a selection of missions I could do. Combined with the fact I’m probably going to take a little break from kicking off new projects for a while (I have some 1:1 scale building to do), it didn’t really make sense to rush into adding more to the stockpile.
All that said, I still think that Skull Forge is one of the best Patreons you can sign up to if you like Star Wars. With a boatload of figures every month in the main release, a passionate team behind it and lots of little additional releases as the month goes by, it’s going to be hard to be disappointed in spending on it.
That’s the Patreon update for November 2022! I’ll be back next month with more updates on just what’s going on in the world of 3D printing minis, as well as some hints of what I might be up to in the future.