Chairman Aeon Posted November 23, 2003 Share Posted November 23, 2003 Since Reaper has done pretty well with the Warlord line and likes putting out larger collectors size figures I wonder if there would be interest in a 54mm (1/32) scale collectors line. It would allow for more detail and space for painting detail on flat areas. I'm not suggesting a new line as per se, but an occassional line more like the holiday Sophies and such. Two inch tall rangers, orcs, pirates and amazons ... Iain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enchantra Posted November 23, 2003 Share Posted November 23, 2003 Well, for one they would be a lot easier to paint. But then again there are not a lot of games that call for 54mm minis either unless you were willing to do large scale calculations for converting the standard 1 inch = 5 ft into something that would match the 54 mm. I'm all for greater detail, I love it. Just not sure Reaper would go for something that so obviously does not have a large call for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lars Porsenna Posted November 24, 2003 Share Posted November 24, 2003 While I think 54mm might be an interesting subject every once in a while, I'd be more concerned with commercial appeal of such a thing. The sophies might be successful (though in actuality I really don't know) because its a special and is the Reaper mascot. Plus the fact its a babe has something to do with it as well! I think that if you were to put out more of them, especially generic fantasy (i.e. not portraying a specific character) they'd have less appeal than conventionals because (as above) there's little to no cross-over appeal. The idea really isn't original, however. Besides the Middle-earth figures from Mithril, Irregular (another British Isles manufacturer) does a line of 54mm fantasy figures. Until I looked on their website, I had heretofore known of no such thing. Which I think is telling of their popularity... Damon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chairman Aeon Posted November 24, 2003 Author Share Posted November 24, 2003 I'm all for greater detail, I love it. Just not sure Reaper would go for something that so obviously does not have a large call for it. Well I don't think there is a huge call for a yearly 72mm Sophie figure either, but that doesn't stop Reaper. And the ground scale doubles if you wanted to use it for a game so 2" = 5 feet for that game from Seattle bound to a battlemat. ;) That means you'd actually be talking about 1/30th scale or twice the size of current 28mm figures. Game Workshop ships its 54mm figures with 40mm bases which fit nicely on 1.5" square battlemats from Chessex and the like. The idea really isn't original, however. Besides the Middle-earth figures from Mithril, Irregular (another British Isles manufacturer) does a line of 54mm fantasy figures. Until I looked on their website, I had heretofore known of no such thing. Which I think is telling of their popularity... Of course it's not original, 54mm is a common historical figure size for white metal figures. There larger scale figures are meant for gaming, but painting and collecting. While you or others might not be aware of this scale doesn't mean it isn't popular. (Quick name something popular in China, but unknown here. See my point.) 54mm is the defacto standard for collectable historical minis in white metal in Europe. Check out Andrea Miniatures. This doesn't even address the plastic model industries love affair with 1/32 scale. And there is that small company out of Nottingham that makes 54mm sci-fantasy stuff. They wouldn't keep putting out new models unless they got their money back. In short if it showed up at your FLGS with Reaper packaging and the same quality, does it matter if you never heard of the scale before? I'm quite sure when Reaper anounced the Warlord line that there was a mixed reaction. Some cheering and others asking what was wrong with the DHA line. There is interest in the Sophies, be it as mascots or lowest common denominator T&A. There is apparently interest in ian incubi in larger scale ~cough cough~ Just imagine characters like Warlord from Reaper's own world, named archetypes really, with options of heads, hands and fiddly bits. You and I could buy the same figure and end up with very different finished projects, not just related to painting. Some might want to game in that scale (and I might even be one of them) and there are already the resources to do that now. I've just noticed a slow creep to 54mm for non-squad based stuff. The 25mm miniatures creeped to 28mm then to Heroic 28mm then to 30mm (WotC) then to 34mm (Confrontation) and 36mm (1/48th scale) is taking off in the UK. I'm not lobbying Reaper to make my dreams come true, but asking what we the buying public would think. If you buy figures purely for painting and display you're probably going to like this idea a lot more than a budget conscious table-top gamer that wants one of every monster type in miniature. Iain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steven Page Posted November 24, 2003 Share Posted November 24, 2003 I was involved for several years with a group that fought ACW, ARW, and WW2 battles with 54mm plastic figures. I would enjoy a few 54mm metals for "personalized" skirmish gaming. They would be nice art pieces as well. Word of warning for those who haven't tried 54's: Bigger is not necessarily easier to paint. You can see EVERY detail on the big guys! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeneki Posted November 24, 2003 Share Posted November 24, 2003 I do enjoy painting 54 and 72mm figures. They're big enough to easily fit in lots of details, yet not so big it's hard to keep a smooth paintjob (I have a hard time with some 1/6 scale kits, which apparetly most people airbrush). As far as gaming though, I prefer smaller scales. I've played a gladiator game with 54s, but I couldn't imagine using them for anything but the smallest skirmish games. So yes, I would like to see an occational 54 or 72mm figure. I don't need a whole wargaming line, just something special every once in a while. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orchid_Noir Posted November 24, 2003 Share Posted November 24, 2003 I like the 72's better. Although I must agree on the incubus that was mentioned! I want a 72mm incubus to go with Sophie before I will get married! I will have the pair as cake toppers or my fiance will just have to wait! It's in your lap Reaper: Do I get married sooner, or later? Orchid - only half joking Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hells_Clown Posted November 24, 2003 Share Posted November 24, 2003 The Evil Gaming Empire's Inquisitor game uses 54 mm figures as well. Andrea and Pegaso both make fantasy figures in 54mm in addition to their historical lines. Expensive, but nice figures. They also come in quite a few parts, some as many as 15 pieces! I have enough trouble with pinning an arm. Though if I had the $$ I'd get a few anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lars Porsenna Posted November 24, 2003 Share Posted November 24, 2003 Iain, I am well aware of the standardization of 54mm as a figure scale; I have been a military modeller far longer than a painter of fantasy miniatures. Besides which, the only plastic models made in 1/32 are aircraft and the occasional snap-tite car kit (sometimes you can still find armor kits from the '50s and '60s in this scale...though far less popular). I think you were referring to 1/35 scale, the de-facto standard scale for armor models since the late '60s. Damon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chairman Aeon Posted November 24, 2003 Author Share Posted November 24, 2003 I am well aware of the standardization of 54mm as a figure scale; I have been a military modeller far longer than a painter of fantasy miniatures. Besides which, the only plastic models made in 1/32 are aircraft and the occasional snap-tite car kit (sometimes you can still find armor kits from the '50s and '60s in this scale...though far less popular). I think you were referring to 1/35 scale, the de-facto standard scale for armor models since the late '60s. Didn't mean to sound dismissive, but was rather pleading my case. As to the 1/32 vs. 1/35, I always take the scale with a grain of salt. Just as two models of the same scale might have different measurements, some companies (GW) play fast and loose with scale. So while Inquisitor figures are billed as 54mm, they dwarf reall 54mm figures. Maybe GW meant Heroic 54mm or 60mm (twice the size of their smaller figures). This again isn't directed at you, but more of a caveat to others reading who may have never brought 1/72 scale plastic figures and vehicles by different companies and had some interesting differences in size. I mean we aren't talking British O scale versus US O scale here, but sometimes it feels like it. Iain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morgan Devalis Posted November 25, 2003 Share Posted November 25, 2003 I would definately pick a Reaper 54 mm mini if they came with the additional parts for customizing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enchantra Posted November 25, 2003 Share Posted November 25, 2003 I would definately pick a Reaper 54 mm mini if they came with the additional parts for customizing. If Reaper had a 54mm mini, yeah I might buy one, because they would make cool display pieces if nothing else. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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