Next Level Miniatures is on Kickstarter (Rappan Athuk, a giant dragon, fantasy minis galore)

[ksbsnowowl]

Ah, thanks for the clarification. 

[BlazingTornado]

Another update from them showing off a few more masters including the big dragon.

The dragon will apparently come in seven pieces, which now makes me wonder about how much assembly'll be needed for other models (Orcus might at the very least come with his wings as separate pieces).

 

I can't wait to get these, honestly.

[jadeite]

Those masters don't look very sharp, pretty similar to the results my 2k printer can achieve. But that might only be due to the lighting or quality of the photo.

[R2ED]

I can't complain. I'm one of those without a printer and for the price, I'm totally thrilled. 

[Galladoria Games]

Just to clarify for people because there is a ton of misinformation in here. SiOCast is the company and injection mold machine you see here. SioRes is 3 types of plastic pellets that can be used in the machine.  It is the only material that is certified to be used in the machine.  one pellet is a white hard plastic pellet, the other is a translucent yellow plastic pellet that gives flexibility to the final piece also plastic(you can use a range of this in the final mix you decide for amount of flexibility) and the third is a color agent plastic pellet that gives the final color of the cast.  SiOCast does not use 2 part liquid resin at all its an injection mold machine and the plastic is 100% recyclable and up to 30% can be reused in the hopper at a time.

 

We have been using it since early 2021, I just wanted to clear up any confusion 🙂

 

Kevin

 

[BlazingTornado]

Latest update reveals their 2nd SioCast machine is close to arriving at their factory, and that the pledge manager will close on May 31st in case anyone wants to get a late pledge in.

 

They've also started thinking about a 2nd series of minis and are polling commenters on what "exotic" player character types they'd want to see.

I do hope it's just some early thoughts, and that they don't Blacklist Minis this by starting a second KS when the first one hasn't even been fulfilled yet.

 

(also hopefully they don't use WOTC product identity in describing the minis on that 2nd series KS)

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/nextlevelminiatures/next-level-miniatures-dragons-hoard-miniatures-vol-1/posts/3484708

[BlazingTornado]

Replies to comments on the update are looking positive, they know they're a new company so they're focusing on getting the current KS fulfilled before moving on to a 2nd.

Definitely avoiding a Blacklist situation here, awesome. 😄

[BlazingTornado]

Fresh updates been happening of late... Turns out over 600 backers still hadn't filled in the pledge manager, kind of a surprising amount, really. In the latest update it seems that number's gone down by half to over 300.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/nextlevelminiatures/next-level-miniatures-dragons-hoard-miniatures-vol-1/posts/3518031

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/nextlevelminiatures/next-level-miniatures-dragons-hoard-miniatures-vol-1/posts/3523762

 

Production delays are happening due to the whole shipping crisis stuff that delayed their receiving the much-needed 2nd Siocast machine and materials. So instead of September, the ETA for the minis will be Q4 this year, which isn't too bad. Turns out they also had to get mods done on about half the models due to the initial designs not being optimized for the Siocast process.

And we get some nice shots of some production minis!

If you compare to the original campaign renders, you can definitely see the subtle revisions in the orc and goblin minis, the orc's been slightly re-posed so his left arm sits more flush with the body, and the axe blade has been changed completely, while the goblin has had a slight tweak to his pose so the shield touches his back and his right arm was turned so the angle of the sword is more in line with how the body is.

 

I sure hope I'll have enough glue to fit all these minis to their bases once they get here! 😆

[BlazingTornado]

So this was a comment on last month's update which is the first time they discussed delivery estimates outside of a general "Q4"...

 

Quote

Next Level MiniaturesCreator4 days ago

Right now we're targeting late-November or December to begin shipments. There are still a few things that need to fall into place before then, but we are hopeful we can remain on our current targets.

 

So much for my hopes of October or early November. 😂

I just hope if it's December none of us will be fudgesicled over by the holiday parcel delivery rushes.

[BlazingTornado]

Official September update and the same late-Nov early-Dec date for delivery.

 

They've also opened up a USA-shipping-only webstore for the leftover Siocast products they were selling at GenCon (which aren't their own original designs, they're designs by Onmioji Miniatures)

 

There's also a really nice video showing the manufacturing process and just tons of still-sprued models.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/nextlevelminiatures/next-level-miniatures-dragons-hoard-miniatures-vol-1/posts/3621410

[BlazingTornado]

Monthly update time.

 

Turns out the 2nd SioCast machine they ordered isn't up to spec and troubleshooting with the manufacturer in Spain is proving to be a bit of a hassle.

That's only changed the delivery estimate from late Nov/early Dec to mid-Dec. (I really hope the holiday mail doesn't affect lost deliveries, in that case).

 

We also get a nice look at the box all those many many minis will come in.

 

 

I told myself I'd try to get as many minis as are in the Kickstarter painted before I get these.

I'm about 80 in... not sure I can get another 50 done in a month and a half. 😅

Edited November 4, 2022 by BlazingTornado

[R2ED]

@BlazingTornadothanks for keeping this updated. I'm in on this one, too.

[BlazingTornado]

Monthly update time, seems the isssue with the 2nd SioCast has been diagnosed and a replacement part is on the way.

End of december for the estimate for delivery, provided the new part fully fixes the issue. Which... Man, the holidays are the worst for shipping so hopefully no issue comes up from that.

 

And some lovely images of more production minis, including the plastic bases they'll all come with.

 

I'm still interested in the changes from promo renders to production (as they mentionned, many of these had to be done to accomodate the SioCast process) so indulge me:

Lich sorcerer's right hand is now in a fist, rather than stretched out.

Elf Ranger's ears have shortened, bow and arrow have chonked up somewhat.

Troll Hulk's stance has been straightened.

Giant Spider's mandibles seem to have been modified

Guardian Gargoyle has had both lower arms fully re-posed, the head looks less off to the side and both upper hands are now in fists

Elf Sorcerer's staff has been chonked up and his left hand is now in a fist

Banth The Transmuter's left hand's fingers are no longer spread out

Everything else looks about the same.

[Marc]

Do we know if the minis will come already attached to the bases, or will the bases be included but separate?

 

Asking just because I will most likely want to add more interesting sculpted resin bases, and I’m curious if I’ll need to remove the minis from those plain black bases first.

 

[BlazingTornado]

Included but separate.