"Expensive / suggestions for cheap 25/28mm skeletons?" Topic

Looking at the alien dungeon stuff from the TMP banner ad
aliendungeon.blogspot.com

I noticed the Skeleton Slashers.

link

I like these guys, and while looking at them, I *think* they're manufactured by Architects of War by OtherWorld Miniatures; architectsofwar.com

as part of their Undead line, Armoured Skeletons I and II

link

But then I notice the price, $17.60 USD for 3 metal figures!

Can this be correct? $5.86 USD for *one* metal figure? And a troop type, at that! That's like a Privateer Prress price for a large chunky 32mm figure. Even GW doesn't have the stones to charge over $5 USD for basic infantry, unless it's FW resin. I have have to say, I was all gassed up to buy these, until I saw the price. And that's not even counting what I would pay in shipping to get them to my house. What could possibly justify such a cost?

I would buy a ton of these figures is they had a normal price, but at that price I'm not buying any.

Is there a cheaper alternative? I'd like skeletons that are 25m, or true 28mm, like GW's Lord of the Ring figures.

Is there a way to search for the original GW skeleton plastics specifically on ebay? Suggestions for cheaper skeleton figures that are 25mm / true 28mm?

The "basic" GW skellies are still sold as the basis for Tomb Kings skeleton warriors – a box contains 16 original plastic skellies, 4 per sprue, plus the extras to egyptianise them at £20.00 GBP GW also do a box of 5 as a "booster" with head/legs/body as one piece for £6.00 GBP, though a couple of those have cast-on helmets which might or might not fit what you want
Hope this helps?!

The Tomb Kings skellies are the large skellies, I'm talking about the original thin skellies that were made back in the 80s. The newest ones are thinner, but not that thin. The box of 5 "juice pack" are the big ones as well.

Thanks though.

Mega Miniatures:

link

Definitely smaller than the Reaper offerings. Also available separately for about 2 bucks each.

Go with the Wargames Factory ones. They have a lot of Greek weaponry but I think you get 30 in a box for about $20. USD If you need other weapons try picking up their viking box and then you will have those with which to arm them.

They aren't 25mm but aren't that big, they are certainly thin.

Non GW wise you have mantic (though they have some silly heads imo and will always look medieval), WGF (until they release them later this year, you'll need the fingers of a god to build them), reaper bones (not too many poses though), or if you're really desperate then twilight creations has a bag of 100 soft plastic skeletons

Mantic Games as well as Reaper have them in plastic.

Reaper: link

Mantic Games: link

auction

Here is a large collection of D&D skeletons: auction

GW Tombkings: auction

GW Vampire Count version: auction

Mega-Minis has metal one for $2 USD each or 24 for $35. USD

link

79thPA: Those are indeed cheap and small, and for unit fillers, I might go for them, but what attracted me to the Otherworld version was the quality.

I may go with the BTD ones yet.

word of warning: the Wargames Factory ones (I believe) do not come with bases and are very piece meal and very skinny.

double check before you purchase

Just put in a bid for the new WFB skeleton auction, thanks ancientsgamer

Also, I have to kind of wonder, is this the new price for figures nowadays. I notice BTD's skeletons are $7.65 USD for 3, and that's with a 10% discount.

You're paying for the incredible quality for Otherworld miniatures. And honestly $6 USD/metal fig is not bad; if sold in an individual blister they'd probably be 6.99 apiece, at least.

Mantic skeletons are a little goofy due to their bright paint jobs; a darker/tattier paint job makes 'em look great (and the Revenant Skeletons with their ornate armor are beautiful models). Mantic is also true 28mm so fit will with, say, Lord of the Rings and Red Box Games. This link has a size comparison of Mantic skellies and LOTR figures link

I get that it's the quality, but paying 6.99 for an individual figure is an absurd price. I can't see Reaoper charging that price for their character figures, and these are basic infantry. The Otherworld price is too much as it is.

If these figures really are so great Otherworld would be better off raising some money and re-releasing these figures in plastic.

Also, if I'm paying for the wuality, it doesn't explain why the BTD stuff is so much, that's average quality. Must be the fact that it's just a niche figure.

I thought the Mantic skeletons would be too big, but after seeing the price comparison, it looks like the Mantic skeletons really are the way to go. Thanks.

If you want loads of cheap skellies check out Twilight creations Bag o skeletons, you get a big bag of 100 for less than £10.00 GBP, more here if you want a review thegrinningskull.wordpress.com/2012/10/01/twilight-creations-bag-o-skeletons-so-many-uses

To be fair, some of Reaper's skeletons are 4.99 each and are nowhere near the quality of Otherworld. example link

Otherworld certainly has a niche market, and honestly I would love them to make some plastics (plastic pig-faced orcs would be amazing!)

This page link has a comparison between the Revenant and the normal Skeleton infantry from Mantic. You'll notice the Revenants are wearing very ornate armor. They are great for D&D Death Knights, etc.

I'd also like to point out that Mantic is running a new year's sale on discontinued box sets – the Undead Warhost contains tons of skeletons, revenants, ghouls and even a catapult for only $29.99 USD link

Hope that helps!

Yeah, Kyn ell, those are woeful models, and what attracted me to the Otherworld stuff was the quality. That review shows them painted and they are okay. I'd use, them, but then you would have to do weapon swaps, and that would cost as much as just getting a decent figure to begin with. But the Mantic ones are excellent.

Really I think this is a variation in the Project management triangle; Fast, Good and Cheap. Pick two.

Judge Doug, yeah, the Reaper skeleton is 4.99, but at least they recognize that figure prices are too high and are trying to bring things down with their Bones line.

The plastic Mantic skeletons look quite decent when painted up. Here are mine…lots of fun to assemble and paint, I must say. And you can't beat the price!

They *do* look quite good…

When you start justifying figures at Those high prices other companies will start to think they can follow suit.

I also love the mantic skellies to beef up units.
If you shop around you can get a good deal.I got 50 for £17.99 GBP GBP.

hi guys. OP, I think you may find my latest blog post re: mantic undead of some interest hopefully :-D

ramshacklefort.blogspot.co.uk

let me know if so, brand new to bloggery :-D