"15mm Sci-fi Raptoroid Aliens?" Topic

Alright,

Any of you who know me here or on other forums have likely seen me mention this before, but I figured it was time to throw out a post of its own.

It seems odd to me that nobody has ever tackled such an alien before. People seem to love velociraptors and their ilk and there seems to be infinite room for interesting alien races, so why not combine the two.

What I am proposing is something 15mm tha depicts fast-moving, sleek aliens that look like velociraptors. They would be carrying various modern weapon, wearing kit and gear of a hard sci-fi nature.

I am no sculptor, so I am not offering this as a release of my own, but I thought that idea might appeal to somebody out there and that a discussion of such aliens might promote interest in them.

-Eli

I have seen some futuristic projections of dinosaur descendents that looked excellent, e.g. bipedal like humans/raptors, fairly thin in build, short, or non-existant tails, a thin neck, fairly large head in relation to the body (ovalish), and covered in a fairly smooth skin. No real ears to speak of, just holes as for most lizards (aliens), and with large eyes, and a very small nose.

They are much taller than "little green men", but of a thin build, like raptors.

I think that sounds pretty much like you are proposing, excepting maybe for the round/oval head – not elongated like that of a raptor's snout.

I would definitely like to see some of these in production too.

reptoids.ne1.net

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Nuclear armed dinosaurs:

link

Top Gun,

Thanks for the input. Actually what I am looking for is more an alien that is pretty much physically a theropod raptor but armed with sci-fi gear. Linear anatomy, stiff tail, tow claw, snouted face.

Some miniatures from older lines try to do this, but the resulting aliens are always bulky, slow-looking things. What I'd like to see are some figs that do this anatomy some justice.

-Eli

Let me guess… Worldwar?

Nope. This is something I've played with since I was a kid but it keeps cropping up in my mind.

The cover of the book "Dinosaur Wars" depicts something similar to what I'm thinking about, but the dinosaur model for the cover is more a feathered Ovaraptor than anything Utah/Velociraptorish.

A few feathers might be cool on the forearms and maybe the heads (assuming no helmets). But overall I would just love to see deadly killer raptor dinos packing guns and gear.

-Eli

People seem to love velociraptors and their ilk and there seems to be infinite room for interesting alien races, so why not combine the two.

I think the appeal of them is that they are sleek, deadly animals. Make them more bipedal and more like sentients and they lose that appeal. On the other hand, keep them like the animal but give them a gun, and they end up looking a little silly.

Not necessarily.

My guess is they will still maintain their killer instincts, with possible a touch more rationality, making them more cooperative, yet even more dangerous.

Khurasan,

Silly, really?

There are many alien aliens that carry themselves in a fashion similar to the natural anatomy of the raptor dinosaurs. I really think it's just a matter of how you choose to depict them.

If giving a T-rex a gun doesn't make them look silly (no jab, just making a point) then why should giving a velociraptor a gun necessarily make it so? Several of the Tyranid "gaunts" from the 40K army are very raptor-esque in their anatomy and they look plenty menacing.

-Eli

Take this pic…

picture

picture

…and then apply a much more natural dinosaur anatomy to it. I think it demonstrates the concept of the linear anatomy pretty well.

Mind you, the aliens in the pictures are not exactly what I'm looking for, but are a close approximation.

-Eli

Hi Eli

I like your idea. How about some LKM/QRF 'Raptors' given plasticard weapons?

link

I'll buy some this week and give it a go myself.

Cheers
Mark

Eli,

I love the idea. Not silly in the least.

What do you think of some of these other images?

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CC

If giving a T-rex a gun doesn't make them look silly (no jab, just making a point) then why should giving a velociraptor a gun necessarily make it so?

Actually, yes, giving a T rex a gun would make them look silly. T rex themed bipeds look pretty cool, though.

Raptor themed bipeds would sort of lose the whole coolness of the raptors. Just giving the animal a gun is like giving a dog or a fish a gun.

This is why IMO raptors do not make good subjects for aliens. YMMV thiugh.

Imagine this in 15mm:

picture
picture

CC

I like those. Looks like Tau and Saurus Warriors combined. Who made the head? Did the person who kitbashed them make them?

Those don't look anything like raptors, though. They look like skinny Khurisan Garn in anime armour, balancing a remote control on their heads.

This is where I found those pics:

link

CC

CC,

Those are indeed cool, but I was not thinking of bipedal raptors. Dropship Mark hit it on the head. I have been considering doing exactly what he proposed, though I'm pretty sure I'm far less skilled with the putty and card than he is.

There are plenty of humanoid lizards out there, but almost no alien reptiles/dino that keep their original anatomical geometry.

And Khurasan, you are right on the YMMV.

-Eli

"There are plenty of humanoid lizards out there"

There are? In 15mm?

Sure. There are lots of lines of 15mm lizardmen. There are even some lizardmen in the older sci-fi lines. Granted, fantasy lizardmen require conversion and most of the sci-fi lizardmen are nowhere as cool or up to date as the Garn, but there are options out there for folks wanting more humanoid lizard dude.

If you don't want tails and snouth, then you can like achieve good results with some simple conversions and repaints of existing fantasy/sci-fi races.

-Eli

Sound like the T'Rana from Galatic grendiers …very old Ral partha mini's . Reaper Chronoscope have a small lizard man rapor…

Here they are actually as you wanted:

stanjohansenminiatures.com

I have a couple hundred of these. I use them as Mersians from Poul Andereson universe.

Ming31: "Reaper Chronoscope have a small lizard man rapor…"

Do you mean their Sligg soldier?

picture
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CC

Ming,

Those are the ones I meant when I was talking about the older ones that come close. The biggest issue with the SJ ones is that they just don't seem any sort of animation to them. This is somethign that plagues a lot of older 15mm.

Khurasan's 15mm Lost World Lizardmen have the level animation I'm looking for but they are more traditional lizardmen andf not so much the dinosaur raptor men I've been looking for.

Reaper's mini is a pretty standard sci-fi lizard alien and not very raptor-like at all and it's in 25/28mm. Good fig for a pulp game but not what I'm looking for.

-Eli

Sheriff, that was a general link…which miniature are you suggesting?

If there was an intended nod towards Garn being T-Rex with a big gun, IMO so what? There is a general head style that seriously leans towards T-Rex…about the same as an elf is a skinny guy with a bow, a dwarf is a short guy with an axe, and an orc is an ugly guy. IMO the 28mm and now 15mm Garn look great. They hold their own style.

Moving on.

Emu if you are looking for a very specific look with quite specific applications/equipment I would whole heartedly support you to convert your own. To ask a miniatures company to make your vision of a particular theme is a bit much, with an investment of $250-1000 per miniature considering sculpting/master moulding/investment casting/etc..

The tyranid termgaunts look quite a bit raptoriod with weapons…

Maybe what you are looking for is not raptoriod but rather raptors with guns.

A couple sets of 15mm dinos, a handful of bits from any GW 40k line tau/necron/etc. offer tons of little bits to work with.

Bring the dream home…create your vision with your hands, some bits, and some glue.

Best of luck

28mmMan,

I was in no way profaning Khurasan's Garn. I love them and have been waiting/hoping for them to go into 15mm since I saw them in 28mm.

As for my bringing up raptoroid aliens, it was never my intention to entreat any company to make them soley for the purposes of fulfilling my own need. If anything my hope was to generate discussion of an idea that may not have been considered by companies and might actually strike their fancy for production of a new range of minis for general consumption. Presuming otherwise seems to be an awefully huge leap.

As for what I am looking for, I think I've made that pretty clear. I do suppose that "raptors with guns and gear" would be the best way to describe it in short. Yes, for my own purposes, a conversion would likely due. However, my own conversion skills are not up to the same standards as others or yourself. I could likely cobble something together but it would not be the same as what I am envisioning.

I am a firm believer in voicing cool ideas. There's always the chance that my idea will strike home with others and is worth sharing. I am a bit surprised by the responses I've had on this. If I didn't know better, I'd think I struck a nerve or something.

-Eli

Mark,

If you make some up, please post a nice WIP/How-to on your blog. I'd be interested to see what method you come up with.

-Eli

Eli,

No worries mate. I am not a sock puppet by any means, but I thought the idea needed to be defended anyway.

As for your conversion skills…dude, this is one of the easiest conversions you could ask for, seriously.

If you can paint you can convert.

Find the mini you want to use as a base subject and post the image…then let the TMPers help you with ideas to meet your vision, I for one would be more than happy to help with the design elements and conversion advice.

I know you can meet your needs for not much coin or time.

In 15mm, working with a raptor as a base you don't want a bunch of stuff all over the mini anyway. Pick and chose a few common elements that are easy to find in throw away items from plastic mini kits…like GW Tau 28mm belt/backpack add on's link …a small tech bit in 28 makes for a great power pack in 15mm.

It is just that easy.

A small bit of green stuff over the feet to allow for uniform leggings like the zuzu picture

Keep to a few common items to bind the Rotpar, alien raptors, together and your vision is easily within grasp.

Good luck

Ray

Ray,

You are indeed a pal. That is a great bit of advice. I had not thought of seeking advice on TMP for conversion asistance. It may sound odd, but the thought never crossed my mind.

I totally track you on the minimalist approach. In fact in all of my sketching and doodling, any attempt to gear them up "proper" always seems to result in a cluttered, cumbersome look. I imagine them being the ultimate in fast-attack light infantry. Hit and run and such.

I am thinking of a headset comm unit, a few pouches, maybe some legs covers and perhaps a neck sleeve. I may have some Tau bits hanging around. Anything you might suggest as a good base for a small, compact gun?

Thanks for the input.

-Eli

P.S. Does anyone besides QRF do raptors in 15mm or that would be suitable for use with 15mm?

emu, I know my Reptilians for Mystri are not typically raptorish, but just FYI I am having them modified to carry assault rifles in the next round of sculpting by Dom. They will still look fairly primitive, but maybe they can at least be a start for your project. They are definitely -men though, not animals, so maybe not.

By the way, on the question on raptors, if you can be a little patient ….

(I should also point out that Coelophysis is not actually a raptor.)

Khurasan,

Trust me, your stuff is on my list. I just need to keep the ducks in a row and have to buy on a schedule to keep the wife happy. Assault rifle lizardmen will work great for post-apocalyptic games.

I am quite aware that Coelophysis is not a raptor but at that scale it's pretty close and would fit the bill, for the most part. I may just be patient and see what you are talking about…

Thanks,

-Eli

Technically, it's not even a dinosaur ;-)

I think ERM just released some large raptor-like versions

ERM?

And good point there Geoff. It's technically a protodinosaur. Considered by some to be the "first dinosaur" as it demonstrates the many of the anatomical features that would later characterize the dinosaurs.

-Eli

AFAIK Coelophysis is still included in clade Neotheropoda which is a clade of Theropoda, making it a dinosaur.

And of course you can't be the "first dinosaur" without being a dinosaur.

"If you make some up, please post a nice WIP/How-to on your blog. I'd be interested to see what method you come up with."

Eli, I'll make them, post on blog and send them to you.

Cheers
Mark

Blink?

Send them to me?

Cool,

-Eli

Does anyone besides QRF do raptors in 15mm or that would be suitable for use with 15mm?

Does that mean you'd be interested in these little critters with body armour and guns?

The QRF raptors are awesome btw, i have them as a part of my 15mm lizard man hottesque army. The other half are on the Styrachosaurus from Magister Militum. In fact MM do several dinos which might "wet your whistle"

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They are all very nice and might make cool primative warbeasts to accompany your future raptors. I am using various T-rex and the like minis as gurt beast mounts.

Geoff,

I have been interested in the concept of Raptors with guns for over 10 years now. I've just never had the guts to convert them and have tried to spark up interest a few times through the various "hundred clubs" and discussion topics.

In short, yes.

The only drawback to your beasties if that they do seem a bit static for the fleet creatures they are.

-Eli

I converted six Reaper velociraptors (Jurassic Park style) into cowboy raptors. I bought a couple sprues of Iron Wind western weapons, sculpted some ponchos, hats and such, and bingo: Raptors with guns. 28mm though.

Pictures man!

-E

Cowboy raptors?

And (okay, I know I am not supposed to begin a sentence with it, but it just somehow seems fitting), I thought I had heard of everything.

I imagine there will be native raptors as well, armed (clawed?), with bows and arrows, spears, knives (probably redundant due to the prominent sharp claws), etc.

Or (see above…..), is that too un-politically correct?

If you want native Raptors there is an Fantasy RPG supplement that deals with just that. According to a brief database listing done on the "Yours in a White Wine Sauce" blog.

The Complete Guide to Velociraptors (RPG)
Joseph GoodmanGoodman Games/2002

D20 supplement for roleplaying raptors as intelligent creatures, mostly as Native American-types for the company's Broncosaurus Rex setting.

-Eli

Top Gun Ace: No native raptors, but I've got Sioux chiefs riding allosaurs.

I used to have some pics of them unpainted, but those are lost. They are mostly half painted now. If I ever finish them, I will post them, of course.

I've got both the Broncosaurus T-Rex and Velociraptor guides. Better for NPC's than PC's, but entertaining reads.