20 of 22 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
More cheap miniatures and a good game, too!, April 6, 2004
This review is from: D&D Mniatures Archfiends Booster Pack: A D&D Miniatures Game Product (D&D Miniatures Product) (Misc. Supplies)
Archfiends is the 3rd prepainted miniature release from Wizards of the Coast and it gets better every time. The quality of miniatures from WotC's prepainted D&D Miniature line has been improved from their prior two sets, and they're still keeping it affordable at $9.99. The details on some figures are really improving. For instance, Archfiends includes a new common "Warrior Skeleton" that looks better than many skeletons painted by professional miniature painters. "Ragnara, Psychic Warrior" is also a pretty slick looking figure. There is an increase in larger figures from previous sets, including four "Aspects" which are popular D&D villain deities with a midlevel power range (around CR 12) which work well in both D&D and the skirmish game. Finally, the popular Forgotten Realms character Drizzt is now a (rare) figure for the Chaotic Good faction.
I've played a lot more of the Skirmish game that the figures are designed for and I'm surprised how much I like it. The combat cards gives some complex play with relative ease, which is a nice bonus. The new figures add quite a bit to the Skirmish game. The "Gauth" has a dangerous 15 fire damage special ability eye ray, the "Githyanki Fighter" and "Erinyes" have a Dimesion Door ability that was previously only availible to the "Hound Archon" from Harbinger, and Lawful Good finally has a dragon with the nasty "Large Silver Dragon".
The set is not perfect. The humanoid figures are still missing a bit of detail, especially some of the elves -- like the uncommon Mialee, Elf Wizard. I'm a firm believer that figures for PCs should be hand-painted anyway, so in my RPG games any of the short-term NPCs are drawn from these prepainted figures and the long-term PCs are hand painted metal figures.
I'm willing to overlook some of the flaws because they're a relatively inexpensive way to build up a large force of painted figures to help a time-crunched DM. Unfortunately, there are rumors that the price of these figures is increasing, which will cut down on their usefulness. With the increased price of Giants of Legend to $19.99 (for 8 figures and 1 huge figure) and I suspect future sets will be around $12.99, I think this is the last easily affordable set.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
Misleading, June 20, 2005
This review is from: D&D Mniatures Archfiends Booster Pack: A D&D Miniatures Game Product (D&D Miniatures Product) (Misc. Supplies)
The merchant advertises "Expansion Packs" but sends you unpackaged singles. This means you have no chance of a rare because he has already taken them out and shipped you his refuse.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
This will always be on backorder at Amazon, July 11, 2005
This review is from: D&D Mniatures Archfiends Booster Pack: A D&D Miniatures Game Product (D&D Miniatures Product) (Misc. Supplies)
Amazon continues to list out of print Wizards of the Coast D&D. They did the same thing with Harbinger starter sets a short time ago. When you place an order they keep pushing the due date back. Why do they bother listing stuff they have no way of getting?
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
