Midlam Miniatures  | 05 Jul 2009 3:41 p.m. PST |
Hello there! I have wasted most of my weekend looking for Goblins (went for the old Metal Magic ones, produced by Mega-Mintaures) and Orcs (Went for BTD Orcs of the Crimson Wotsit) that were a bit different and not just copying the GW house style. It was a long slog! And I intend to modify some of those miniatures to get enough unique figures. But suggstions still welcome. Now my attention turns to Ratmen and Beastmen. I'm struggling to find mini's I like. I know this must sound fussy, but I don't want something too cartoonish, or too generic. There must be enough different models so I can make up a reasonable squad or two. I'm thinking of BTD Beastmen, possibly. I don't like the modern style GW beastmen, think the 80's ones are too flat and lifeless. As for ratmen, I think 80's GW may be my best bet, but a lot of the figures are a bit samey as far as pose goes. And BTD look a bit hamsterish. I'm using them for WFRP, but (and this sounds a bit much I know) am looking for a certain… artistic aesthetic. Realistic with personality. Grim and deadly, but not neccesarily without a sense of humour. Something that feels a bit 80's classic RPG fantasy but has modern quality. Not something that feels like it was designed by a 14 year old boy with extra cool bits. A subtle after taste of elderberry and summer orchards (okay, now I'm going to far). Even if you can't help, am I a fool to look for something more from my mini's or should I just get a life? :) |
| Warbeads | 05 Jul 2009 3:57 p.m. PST |
What is this "life" thing you talk of? 
Gracias, Glenn |
| Palewarrior | 05 Jul 2009 4:14 p.m. PST |
My favourite Ratmen where the Grenadier ones from about 1990(?). There where two different sculpters who did the Ratman force, one was very good the other…meh. There where several sword armed figures a couple of spears and a cool 2hd sword rat with a crossbow on its back! Neither em-4 or Mirliton appear to have them released yet, so I guess it's ebay. |
| doc mcb | 05 Jul 2009 4:22 p.m. PST |
How large do you want your ratmen to be? Several people have used the Splintered Light 15mm kobolds. There's a TMP thread about it somewhere. |
| doc mcb | 05 Jul 2009 4:23 p.m. PST |
TMP link Read down about filing ears off to look more ratlike. |
| the Gorb | 05 Jul 2009 4:28 p.m. PST |
Mega Minis also has Beastmen. You might still be able to find Broo minis by Mongoose. Lance & Laser has Runequest (Glorantha) minis which have some interesting non-human types. Regards, the Gorb |
| Mr Pumblechook | 05 Jul 2009 6:03 p.m. PST |
For beastmen with a different flavor, try Crocodile Games, hawk headed men (heru), vulture headed Nekharu, dog headed Anubi etc etc. |
| Static Tyrant | 06 Jul 2009 5:08 a.m. PST |
On the topic of Goblins, I just picked up some Reaper models that are quite nice. You have to be very picky though – most of Reaper's sculptors are amateurish and/or rush out their work so quickly you can almost see the fingerprints. Anyway, the Goblins that are worth getting are in two sets: Goblin Warband and Goblin Warband II, I think they're called. Between the two sets that gives you 8 poses (of which 2 are archers and one a leader/priest/mage/etc). If you like plastic figures, three of these figures are soon to be released as prepainted plastics. All 3 will come in one pack. Could be a good option if you want to convert them to get lots of unique poses. |
| MotttheHoople | 06 Jul 2009 5:08 a.m. PST |
Ral Partha Europe might work.
See their Chaos Imperium selection for various headed beastmen.
The ratmen have only two poses of staff slinger, but the weapons look to be easily convertible with blades and spiky ball oprions a favourite.
Ram and Goat warriors have only three poses, but again with fairly simple weapon conversion options.
I wouldn't put them next to any GW ratmen or beastmen though as they will probably be too small being a more traditional 25 mm and considerably less heroic than say GW and BTD. |
| timlillig | 06 Jul 2009 6:25 a.m. PST |
I use ral partha beastmen and BTD ratmen. If I was going to buy new ones I would buy beastmen from reaper's warlord line. |
| Huscarle | 06 Jul 2009 9:46 a.m. PST |
Check out Colonel Marble's showcase on Beastmen
link |
| Midlam Miniatures | 06 Jul 2009 1:14 p.m. PST |
Thank you all, can't say I've found exactly what I didn't know I was looking for but always wanted (if that makes sense! But it's a good start! BEASTMEN
I've had a look at the BTD stuff, and the ratmen look like hamsters to me unless someone has better pics of ones they've painted. Still might be tempted by the BTD second design of beastmen shown on the Col.Marbles page. I may go for the crocodiles games Khemru, and modify them a bit. I'll have to check and see if I have any first before I hit the shops :) RATMEN
I like the design of the kobolds and think they'd make a good conversion but might be too small for my needs. Looking for the Grenadier Ratmen with no luck. Quite liked the look of some of the Grenadier Goblins. Off to have a look at reaper Goblins and Beastmen. More suggestions welcome, but you have all been very helpful. |
| Alxbates | 06 Jul 2009 10:04 p.m. PST |
I think the Grenadier ratmen may have been called "ratscum", if that helps any… I think their Lost Lands packs had a ratmen boxed set, too: picture link picture I'd also reccomend that you search for "wererat" figures, there are a lot of old wererat (were-rat, were rat) miniatures that make great skaven. auction -Alex |
