Web Only Previews

[speck]

In the IWM Web Only Preview Gallery are CAD preview images for several Web Only releases that will come out with in the next several months.

[Fallen_Raven]

Is that Thor B the original, or the Thor II?

[Haku]

Is that Thor B the original, or the Thor II?

That's a Thor II B sculpt

[ijewett]

Excellent, Thank you Speck!

[Heavyguard]

First off thanks Speck!
Secondly will each variant be available separately or several variants in 1 package?

Thanks!
Heavyguard

[speck]

First off thanks Speck!
Secondly will each variant be available separately or several variants in 1 package?

Thanks!
Heavyguard

Each will be individual sku and package except the Arion QuadVee, which will have parts for to make one or other.

[mdauben]

Great news!  Those are some nice looking new mechs and I'll definitely be adding most of them to my collection.  I am especially excited about the Arion, and I hope we see the other two QuadVees announced before too long.   O0

[JadeHellbringer]

I'm surprised to see the Thor II (Thor Harder!) is an online exclusive. That said, I'll still be ordering a Prime and a B as soon as possible. (Might use something else like Viking arms in place of the box launchers though on that B )

[Dragon41673]

Speck,

First...thank you for getting these images up. It's an awesome surprise to see so many variants!!

I hate to rain on the parade of images...but the Thor II A & B variants have issues.

The Thor A does not have the lasers on the LT & RT as the prime does. Your CAD designer should remove them from the A variant.

The Thor B also does not have the "same" lasers on the LT & RT as the prime does...but it does have an ER Small Laser in the RT...so maybe that one can stay. The LT laser needs to be removed & a CT laser needs to be added.

[Stinger]

Speck,

First...thank you for getting these images up. It's an awesome surprise to see so many variants!!

I hate to rain on the parade of images...but the Thor II A & B variants have issues.

The Thor A does not have the lasers on the LT & RT as the prime does. Your CAD designer should remove them from the A variant.

The Thor B also does not have the "same" lasers on the LT & RT as the prime does...but it does have an ER Small Laser in the RT...so maybe that one can stay. The LT laser needs to be removed & a CT laser needs to be added.

I am the sculptor, so I can answer these questions.  The answers come down to a few reasons, mainly, cost, ease of assembly, and Dark Age Minis.

First, let's talk about cost.  Given the way masters are made and part counts work, more parts=more cost.  I was aiming to reduce the complexity and reduce the number of parts that needed to be both 3D printed and molded.  So, IWM is only casting 1 torso, and providing different arms with each config.

Why not make them separate pieces you ask? Ease of assembly.  Tiny parts are always a pain to assemble, and, on top of that, those lasers are so small and so integrated to the torso, there would be no good way to separate them.

Lastly, take a look at the Dark Age minis, all of them use the laser housings on the shoulders:


So, logically, how did I reconcile this?

For the A, the housings are permanently on the 'Mech, and there simply isn't a laser there.  Just don't jewel the laser, and that should make some logical sense.

For the B, it is a simple matter of weapon and art being slightly different.  The same way the Marauder's AC appears to be on the CT, but is actually in the RT.  If you want, I can ask Ray about possibly getting some errata going on the B config.

[jymset]

I brought the Thor II stats to life and I really like what Stinger did, and his rationale for the B config is exactly what I'd in mind, too.

Stinger, I am drooling over these, but especially over the Chimera variant. You, sir, are a scholar and a gentleman!

[Klat]

I'm so stoked for all of these but the Chimera really has my attention. The 2K is really exciting; I'll definitely buy a few.

[worktroll]

Am I the only Artic Wolf Omni fan out there? :( Still, bring'em on!

[WulfhoundPrime]

Am I the only Artic Wolf Omni fan out there? :( Still, bring'em on!

No sir you are not. I am a fan too. Excited about the Artic Wolf.

[Dragon41673]

I am the sculptor, so I can answer these questions.  The answers come down to a few reasons, mainly, cost, ease of assembly, and Dark Age Minis.

First, let's talk about cost.  Given the way masters are made and part counts work, more parts=more cost.  I was aiming to reduce the complexity and reduce the number of parts that needed to be both 3D printed and molded.  So, IWM is only casting 1 torso, and providing different arms with each config.

Why not make them separate pieces you ask? Ease of assembly.  Tiny parts are always a pain to assemble, and, on top of that, those lasers are so small and so integrated to the torso, there would be no good way to separate them.

Lastly, take a look at the Dark Age minis, all of them use the laser housings on the shoulders:


So, logically, how did I reconcile this?

For the A, the housings are permanently on the 'Mech, and there simply isn't a laser there.  Just don't jewel the laser, and that should make some logical sense.

For the B, it is a simple matter of weapon and art being slightly different.  The same way the Marauder's AC appears to be on the CT, but is actually in the RT.  If you want, I can ask Ray about possibly getting some errata going on the B config.

Stinger,

Thank you for the heads up. I never played the MW:DA clicky game, so I've never held one of them in my hands. Your explanation makes sense...just wish it was different and more "art" true than previous miniature true. I know they would be small items, but if there was a way to make the lasers independent from the torso, you could still have the same single torso, just add the lasers to the appropriate mech to make the correct variant.

Now...before anyone harps on me for it, yes...I know, things are done certain ways just because they are requested to. I'm just a purist and love to see the miniature be "correct" for the status rather than the WizKidz miniatures.

I definitely appreciate all the work you're doing Stinger...thank you very much! I realize it's not "on the list of things to do" but I do wish we could get the arms & torso Ultra A/C for the C variant, as well as the correct arms for the D...but it is what it is.

Thanks!

[RGCavScout]

Just looked at these.  love the Chimera variant.  Arctic Wolf II. . .Yes Please!   

And then there was the Thorgasm!!!!  multiple variants, multiple Thorgasms!

[Stinger]

Stinger,

Thank you for the heads up. I never played the MW:DA clicky game, so I've never held one of them in my hands. Your explanation makes sense...just wish it was different and more "art" true than previous miniature true. I know they would be small items, but if there was a way to make the lasers independent from the torso, you could still have the same single torso, just add the lasers to the appropriate mech to make the correct variant.

Again, the decision was more for logistics than for aesthetics.  It is significantly easier for someone to take a file to those lasers than it would have been for me to pop them off, have them molded separately, and then have customers put them on themselves.  These things are also pretty integrated into the torso, they don't just sit on top.  Take a look at this picture:



The size of that thing is also tiny.  At it's thinnest, it would be about 1mm, which is too small to cast accurately. 

Again, you must realize that many decisions are made for manufacturing purposes rather than aesthetics.  My justification may have included the clicky mini, but far more went into the decision than that.

Now...before anyone harps on me for it, yes...I know, things are done certain ways just because they are requested to. I'm just a purist and love to see the miniature be "correct" for the status rather than the WizKidz miniatures.

I definitely appreciate all the work you're doing Stinger...thank you very much! I realize it's not "on the list of things to do" but I do wish we could get the arms & torso Ultra A/C for the C variant, as well as the correct arms for the D...but it is what it is.

Thanks!

You want more configs?? What's wrong with the ones you've got?? Lol.

I am not likely to revisit the project again any time soon, given that I already revisited it once to make the A config (I made Prime and B on my first run), but I can promise you that those shoulder lasers won't be going away.  The C config intrigues me, but the D config would look nearly identical to the prime config, and wouldn't be worth the time or effort.

Anyways, I have some other minis that may or may not be coming up soon, so you all will just have to wait!

Thank you all for the compliments, these were all really fun to work on.  I am glad you like them!

[Savage Coyote]

Am I the only Artic Wolf Omni fan out there? :( Still, bring'em on!

Oh, me!  I will be getting a few!

[Jal Phoenix]

I love how spindly and unnatural the Aithon looks.  Exactly how something as bizarre as a QuadVee should look.  The Thor look good, too, and I'm not such a stickler about the guns.  Those could always be painted as shoulder detail, or empty housings.  I'm not sure the world was crying out for a Chimera resculpt, but I do love what you've done with the variant.  I'll be looking forward to grabbing one of those.

[worktroll]

30 seconds with a Stanley Knife, followed by a little filing, are going to remove that laser for those inclined to do that.

Did you do the Arctic Wolf II also, Stinger?

[Stinger]

I love how spindly and unnatural the Aithon looks.  Exactly how something as bizarre as a QuadVee should look.  The Thor look good, too, and I'm not such a stickler about the guns.  Those could always be painted as shoulder detail, or empty housings.  I'm not sure the world was crying out for a Chimera resculpt, but I do love what you've done with the variant.  I'll be looking forward to grabbing one of those.

To be honest, the Chimera was something that I personally wanted to do, and IWM was okay with making the mini, so bam! We now have a new Chimera.

The sword was originally mocked up to be a traditional Sword in Fist, but we on the QCC forum decided to go with a Celestial-inspired under-slung blade.  And man did it turn out good.  A shout out to Dak and Gunji for all of the help on that thing.  I couldn't have done it without you guys!

[Stinger]

30 seconds with a Stanley Knife, followed by a little filing, are going to remove that laser for those inclined to do that.

Did you do the Arctic Wolf II also, Stinger?

Yep! Everything you see in this preview is from me. 

The Arctic Wolf II was a fun one to do.  You'll notice is a fine blend between the source art and various other MW4 related sources.  Also, you may have noticed some recent Errata for 3085 record sheets and 3085 supplemental, all of that was so we could make the configs match the art for the prime variant.

I am pretty happy with how it turned out...

[Fletch]

Each will be individual sku and package except the Arion QuadVee, which will have parts for to make one or other.

Any idea what the cost difference, as a rough percentage, would be to have both modes of the QuadVee in the one pack? 

[Stinger]

Any idea what the cost difference, as a rough percentage, would be to have both modes of the QuadVee in the one pack?

Minimal.

Reason is that the Arion has a lot of parts.  Like a lot.  This is not going to be a beginners miniature.  The only parts difference between the two modes is the feet/stowed feet.  2 Unique parts to the tank mode, 4 small feet for the 'Mech mode. 

As soon as the master copies are cast and sent to me, I plan on writing up a how to assemble guide, that hopefully some of my camospecs friends can get posted over there.

Speck may be able to comment more. If the parts have been cast (which, to my knowledge, they have not been), they would have a better idea.

[Dragon41673]

Again, the decision was more for logistics than for aesthetics.  It is significantly easier for someone to take a file to those lasers than it would have been for me to pop them off, have them molded separately, and then have customers put them on themselves.  These things are also pretty integrated into the torso, they don't just sit on top.  Take a look at this picture:



The size of that thing is also tiny.  At it's thinnest, it would be about 1mm, which is too small to cast accurately. 

Again, you must realize that many decisions are made for manufacturing purposes rather than aesthetics.  My justification may have included the clicky mini, but far more went into the decision than that.

You want more configs?? What's wrong with the ones you've got?? Lol.

I am not likely to revisit the project again any time soon, given that I already revisited it once to make the A config (I made Prime and B on my first run), but I can promise you that those shoulder lasers won't be going away.  The C config intrigues me, but the D config would look nearly identical to the prime config, and wouldn't be worth the time or effort.

Anyways, I have some other minis that may or may not be coming up soon, so you all will just have to wait!

Thank you all for the compliments, these were all really fun to work on.  I am glad you like them!

I completely agree that the lasers can be cut off, and that at 1mm...it's too small to make as a separate piece, that's fine...same goes for the D variant, just needs different "nubs" on the ends of the arms to make it right. As far as the C...I'm tempted to order an A variant, flip the "LB-X" over and mount it on the shoulder as the Ultra A/C.

Speaking of that, will the LRM box on all of the Thor II's be a separate piece or part of the torso?

Thanks!

[Stinger]

Speaking of that, will the LRM box on all of the Thor II's be a separate piece or part of the torso?

Thanks!

Separate piece :)

[Dragon41673]

Awesome! It will make doing the C variant easier. Thanks!

[speck]

Minimal.

Reason is that the Arion has a lot of parts.  Like a lot.  This is not going to be a beginners miniature.  The only parts difference between the two modes is the feet/stowed feet.  2 Unique parts to the tank mode, 4 small feet for the 'Mech mode. 

As soon as the master copies are cast and sent to me, I plan on writing up a how to assemble guide, that hopefully some of my camospecs friends can get posted over there.

Speck may be able to comment more. If the parts have been cast (which, to my knowledge, they have not been), they would have a better idea.

The 3D printed parts are at IWM and I think molds are inprocess.

[Sartris]

My current Chimera keeps snapping off at the ankles so a replacement via resculpt is very welcome indeed.

[BCullen]

All of those look great. I can't wait to add the Grand Summoner and Arctic Wolf to my stars. My only complaint is that the missile pods on the Arctic Wolf look a little small to me. Maybe it's just the angle?