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We've heavily changed how we're distributing D&D Miniatures. The first big change is that we've split the player character miniatures and monster miniatures into separate lines. Over the last few weeks, I've shown you what you'll be able to get in the PC packs. Now -- monsters!
We've had a lot of people wondering what the differences are between the new and old line. What's in one of the new packs?
Cyclops Crusher |
Orc Eye of Gruumsh |
Orc Terrorblade |
Gnoll Huntmaster |
Arbalester |
- one visible figure, always Large
- one rare figure, about half are Large
- one medium or small uncommon miniature
- two common miniatures
We've worked to make it much easier to collect a set. Dangerous Delves contains 40 different miniatures, with 16 rares, 8 uncommon, 8 visible, and 8 common miniatures in the set. A case of miniatures has 8 boosters, and you'll get one of each visible figure in a case. This means collectors won't be stuck with 6 or 8 common miniatures for each rare. The ratio is closer to 1 rare for every 4 different commons.
We've also allocated more paint steps. The visible figures, such as the Cyclops Crusher, are as available as the uncommon miniatures, but these large figures have paint jobs that you would expect on a rare. All of the miniatures in the box have an increased number of paint steps, resulting in approximately 50% more steps than the previous sets.
The creatures included in Dangerous Delves are usually found in the Monster Manuals. While the majority of Dangerous Delves figures are found in the first Monster Manual, you'll find some creatures from Monster Manual 2, the Eberron Campaign Guide, and Open Grave.
We're trying to match the rarity of a figure to the creature's role. While this distribution can't be perfect because of miniature production timelines and restrictions, the aim is to have soldiers, brutes, minions, and skirmishers -- creatures you often want in quantity -- to be more common, while solo and elite monsters will most likely be rare.
We're also designing sets so that the creatures in them fit thematically in an encounter. A couple of common Orc Terrorblades and a rare Orc Eye of Gruumsh make a great basis for an orc encounter, and you can always round out a fun encounter with an uncommon Arbalester or two.
Finally, there are those creatures and races that are always useful. The uncommon Gnoll Huntmaster is an important part of any gnoll encounter, and we want new DMs to have access to such favorites.
Over the next couple of weeks, we'll show off more pieces from Dangerous Delves. Keep checking in for new updates!
About the Author
Peter Lee works as a game designer for Wizards of the Coast, where he splits his time between RPG design and leading the design for D&D Miniatures.
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