DocPiske

Target is having a buy 2 get one free sale, and it includes many board games and D&D books. I may have some books coming soon...

From the SWM FB page: "Sacramento, CA 30-May-2023 Secret Weapon is happy to announce that Elrik's Hobbies will be bringing the Secret Weapon resin bases and terrain back to the market in the fall of 2023! Exclusive, global rights to the Secret Weapon resin product lines, including bases and terrain, have been transferred to Elrik’s Hobbies, LLC, and Secret Weapon Miniatures, Inc. has ceased all operations. For more information on when the Secret Weapon resin products will return, as Elrik’s Hobbies products, please follow their Facebook page and check out their website using the links below. I highly recommend checking out the photo diary of their three day trip to Sacramento to pack everything up. https://www.facebook.com/ElriksHobbies [Elrik's Hobbies web address redacted in accordance with board rules] To the people over the years that made Secret Weapon possible, you will always have my gratitude. This is especially true of the incredible team that worked behind the scenes and without whom these great products never could have existed. LT and NB, if you see this, thank you for everything that you did, even at the end. We brought cool toys to market for fourteen years and that was pretty cool. I will post an additional update directing people to Elrik’s Hobbies as soon as the product lines are available for purchase. Cheers, Justin “misterjustin” McCoy PS: Multiple requests were made to Louis Simpson, CEO of Troll Trader / TT Combat, on behalf of Elrik’s Hobbies, Secret Weapon, and other interested parties for him to provide: 1) The month and year in which he believes that his license ended 2) Evidence, or at least a statement, verifying that he has destroyed the SWM molds and masters in his possession. Mr. Simpson refuses to do either of those things. Secret Weapon Miniatures, Inc. maintains that Troll Trader, TT Combat, and Mr. Simpson never had a valid license agreement and, instead, offered to “begrudgingly” accept $50,000 in Secret Weapon product in exchange for destroying the molds and masters in his possession. Mr. Simpson kept the product and continues to run the molds. Mr. Simpson also continues to publicly lie about there being no ongoing legal dispute. Communications between Secret Weapon and Troll Trader have been shared with Elrik’s Hobbies which show the effort that went into resolving this ongoing legal dispute, and Mr. Simpson’s repeated refusals to destroy the Secret Weapon molds and masters to which he has no rights. Elrik’s Hobbies did not make the only offer for the Secret Weapon resin intellectual properties, but they were the only company willing to move forward without the legal dispute with Mr. Simpson being resolved. I am grateful to them for taking this risk, on the strength of the communications that they have reviewed, and for bringing the products that so many worked so hard to create back to the community."

Here are a few treant models from over the years. I just finished Mossbeard about an month ago: D&D pre-painted plastic, re-painted. Reaper Bones Mossbeard (which is ironic, since there is no moss in his beard...). Mithril Miniatures Ents (these might be out of production, sorry about that...). Games workshop Durthu and Treeman (also out of production). Closs up of Mossbeard:

You could try a thinned oil paint wash. "Paint" a light layer of odorless spirits over the are first, and then apply the black oil wash. Once it has cured for 20-30 minutes you can go back in with a cotton swab or a clean brush dipped in spirits to tidy up. Acrylic paints should not be reactivated by the spirits if they are fully cured, but if you used an enamel clear top coat it might.

Maybe add page numbers?

3d printing is not the for faint of heart, or maybe just not for the ignorant. I did not know you should run a cleaning filament through before changing to a new material. I do know that now AND how to change the nozzle assembly. 🤪

I really like to use the GW Uruk Hai models for hobgoblins. They are truer to the 28mm scale, but I just like the look, very military.

I've been using "Mr Hobby Color Fading Prevention Finishing Spray Mr Super Clear Matt" (B523Y) for about a year now and am very happy with it. It dries very matte, even more so than Dullcote, and the protection seems on par. It is a little more expensive at ~$12 USD for 130g, vs Dullcote at ~$6 USD for 85g. It even smells like Dullcote.

Something wicked this way comes... oh, wait, it's just the end of the thread in the distance. Unrelated, I thought I saw an announcement regarding the 2022 Ghoulie bags, but now I cannot find it.

It's so quiet, almost like most posters are busy somewhere, doing... something... together. 😏

I've been using "Mr Hobby Color Fading Prevention Finishing Spray Mr Super Clear Matt" (B523Y) for about a year now and am very happy with it. It dries very matte, even more so than Dullcote, and the protection seems on par. It is a little more expensive at ~$12 USD for 130g, vs Dullcote at ~$6 USD for 85g. But it seems to be a fine substitute if you cannot find Dullcote. Safety seems about the same, use outside or with good ventilation and a respirator, stay away from open flames while spraying.

Origins Game Fair is a bit subdued this year, but much better than last year. And my game sessions of the D&D Adventure Board Game are full. Even got to try a demo of Lost Ruins of Arnak. I'm still bemused that I bought $78 worth of game bits (meeples, coins, cubes, gems, etc.).

Prime/basecoat black or dark blue-gray, heavy dry brush medium gray, light dry brush with an ivory. Use a wash of black and brown thinned with acrylic medium or PVA glue and water.

So someone, or more likely several someone's, have acquired my identifying information and has tried to open several credit card accounts. We have a service that monitors our credit agency inquiries and shut each attempt down the same day, and have now frozen our credit with all three agencies. As a form of petty revenge, the rapscallions have signed us up for a slew of mailing lists from commercial web sites. I think it's time to sunset my main email account and move everything to another. Oh, bother.

So the final results are in and Reaper came in 2nd, just behind Vallejo. I do wonder if the result was influenced by the painters having used Vallejo for years and being more comfortable with them. I use both lines, and I do have to say Vallejo metallic paints are superior, but Reaper does have the awesome clear brights.

I don't think they differentiated between MSP and Bones paint lines; it looked like they acquired samples of each line of paints and starting head-to-head comparisons.

YouTuber Squidmar Miniatures is doing a multi-episode paint brand show down, and is including Reaper MSP. Spoilers, RMSP won it's first round. Looking forward to how the rest of the brackets go. https://youtu.be/KpZ7lFR1QPQ

Just fear me, love me, do as I say and I will be your slave.

What about the Twinkie?

Six to 8 will outnumber most parties but not be overwhelming to run. If you add archers they can all act at the same time, reducing the potential effort. If you know what scenario you will run, selecting models based on that scenario first is absolutely the way to go. The Rule of Cool always must be respected, of course.

That sucks, @Citrine. We lost dad back in early January, and mom 10 years ago. Even though you know it's coming, it still sucks.

I may have gotten carried away with this... I stuck to Reaper Bones (to keep the cost down), with multi-packs where available. I went with the assumption you would pick up character models to match what your players want, so I stuck to monsters. I also limited the list to CR5 and below (I think...). Kobolds Kobold Leaders sku: 77653 -or- Ratpelt Kobold Leaders(6) 77653 sku: 07053 (not sure why the Ratpelts has 2 sku's) -or- Kobold Leaders (2) sku: 77350 Kobolds (Barkscale)(6) sku: 77010 -or- Ratpelt Kobold Mooks (6) 77652 sku: 07052 -or- Kobold Mooks sku: 77652 Goblins Goblin Elites (3) sku: 77713 -or- Goblin Command (2)sku: 77349 Goblin Warriors (6) sku: 77444 -or- Goblins (6) sku: 77024 -or- Goblin Skirmishers (6) sku: 77445 Orcs Surkar, Orc Shaman sku: 44004 Orc Fighter sku: 77019 Orc Archers (3) sku: 77002 Orc Spearmen (3) sku: 77003 Bugbears Bugbear Cleric, Mogg sku: 77232 Bugbear Fighter, Rugg sku: 77231 -or- Bugbear Ranger, Kegg sku: 77233 -or- Bugbear Fighter sku: 77015 -or- Bugbear Fighter, Bhonk sku: 30005 Ogre Ogre Chieftain sku: 77005 -or- Kagunk, Ogre Chieftain sku: 77105 -or- Ogre Chieftain sku: 77566 Ogre Smasher sku: 77454 -or- Ogre Guard sku: 77456 -or- Ogre Clubber sku: 77455 (not currently in stock) Ettin Ettin sku: 77706 -or- Nor'Okk, Ettin sku: 77103 Hill Giant Hill Giant Lowland Chief sku: 77483 Hill Giant Lowland Warrior sku: 77475 -or- Krug, Hill Giant sku: 77313 Troll Cave Troll sku: 77004 -or- Cave Troll sku: 77704 -or- Moor Troll sku: 44121 -or- Reaper Bones Black: Rock Troll sku: 44002 Bandits Human Fighter Bandit Leader sku: 77507 Human Fighter Brigands sku: 77707 (not currently in stock) Human Rogue, Women of Dreadmere sku: 44036 Human Fighter Bandit Bully sku: 77508 Human Fighter Bandit Enforcer sku: 77509 Human Rogue Bandit Knocker sku: 77510 Cultists Cultists (3) sku: 77517 -or- Cultist Priests (2) sku: 77518 -or- Cultists and Circle (3) sku: 77351 Skeletons Bog Skeletons (5) (44115) sku: 07032 -or- Skeletal Swordsman (3) sku: 77017 -or- Skeleton Guardian Sword (3) sku: 77240 -or- Skeleton Guardian Axeman (3) sku: 77241 Skeletal Archers (3) sku: 77018 -or- Skeleton Warrior Archer (3) sku: 77245 Skeleton Warrior Spearman (3) sku: 77244 -or- Skeletal Spearmen (3) sku: 77001 (not currently in stock) Zombies Zombies! (5)sku: 77342 -or- Zombies (3) sku: 77053 -or- Zombies (3) sku: 77014 Ghouls/Ghasts Ghouls (2) and Ghast sku: 77720 Wight Rune Wight Thane and Jarl (2) sku: 44143 Rune Wight Warriors (2) sku: 44141 -or- Rune Wight Hunters (2) sku: 44142 Barrow Warden 1 sku: 77346 Barrow Warden 2 sku: 77347 Barrow Warden 3 sku: 77348 Mummy Mummy Captain sku: 77145 -or- Mummy Sandkings (2) sku: 77725 Mummy (3) sku: 77144 -or- Mummy Warrior (3) sku: 77146 Ghost Male Ghosts (2) sku: 77970 -or- Female Ghosts (3) sku: 77971 Flesh Golem Flesh Golem sku: 77169 -or- Flesh Golem sku: 77512 Wraith Wraith Lord and Bodyguard (2) sku: 77642 Wraith Slayers (2) sku: 77641 -or- Wraith Duelists (2) sku: 77643 Gargoyle Bat Demon sku: 77261 -or- Mortar, Gargoyle sku: 77028 Beasts Vermin: Scorpions sku: 77125 Vermin: Spiders (2) sku: 77126 Vermin: Beetles sku: 77127 Vermin: Spider Swarm (2) sku: 77128 Vermin: Beetle Swarm (2) sku: 77130 Dungeon Vermin - Centipede (2) sku: 77427 Dire Rats (6) sku: 77016 -or- Dire Rats (8) (77016) sku: 07036 Giant Tomb Rats (6) sku: 07031 Giant Frogs (2) sku: 44024 Oxidation Beast sku: 77032 Giant Spider sku: 77025 -or- Cave Spider sku: 44057 Wolf Pack (3) sku: 07038 Dire Boar sku: 7767 Cave Bear sku: 44082 -or- Dire Bear sku: 77494 Companion Animals sku: 77216 Lions (2) sku: 77341 Griffon sku: 77689 -or -Griffon sku: 77157 Basilisk sku: 77371 Manticore sku: 77577 Dire Crocodile sku: 77670 Lizardmen Lizardman Warrior sku: 77050 -or- Lizardman Spearman sku: 77154 Lizardman Archer sku: 77425 Lizardman w/ Club and Shield sku: 77426 -or- Lizardman Warrior sku: 77155 Gnolls Gnoll Cleric, Boneflail sku: 77234 -or- Gnoll Warlock, Toghra sku: 77235 Blackmane Gnoll Ravager sku: 07059 -or- Gnoll Fighter sku: 77388 -or- Gnoll Fighter sku: 77012 -or- Gnoll Fighter, Bloodmane sku: 77236 Gnoll Ranger, Blacktongue sku: 77104 Minotaur Minotaur sku: 77501 -or- Female Minotaur sku: 77752 -or- Bloodhoof, Minotaur Barbarian sku: 77251 Elementals Large Earth Elemental sku: 77185 Large Air Elemental (CLEAR) sku: 77584 Large Fire Elemental sku: 77082 Large Water Elemental sku: 77311 D&Disms Mockingbeast sku: 77048 Gelatinous Cube SKU: 77305 Lowland Owlbear sku: 77674 Owlbear sku: 77156 Ankheg sku: 77230 Filth Beast sku: 77394

Amazon is having a get three for the price of two sale, including most of the D&D hardcovers and a fair selection of board games.

Yeah, just looks like the powdered mold release agent Grenadier used. Should wash of with soap and water.

Has anyone mentioned Crocodile Games? The Wargods of Aegyptus line has some appropriately themed stuff.