Lead Adventure Forum
Miniatures Adventure => Future Wars => Topic started by: Ajsalium on 29 September 2011, 11:06:52 PM
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I'm asking here for suggestions on which minis could be used to represent cylons in a boardgame I'm planning. They don't need to really look like the ones from the series (neither the original nor the reimagined one); I only want them to be menacing looking robots, of fairly human size. In my science fiction setting, the cylons have been created by a reptilian humanoid race, the sligg (some more fluff on my blog here (http://role-n-roll.blogspot.com/2009/08/races-of-galaxtar.html)).
To start the ball, I'll post some of the substitutes I've already found, and some thoughts about them.
Reaper Miniatures' XAIRbots:
(http://www.reapermini.com/graphics/gallery/4/50164_w_1.jpg)
These are the ones I like the best design-wise. There are also three types, of which I liked the small one for standard cylons, and the middle ones for leaders. Problem, though, is that they are tiny: 22mm and 26mm high. Hardly menacing.
Em4 Miniatures' Mechs:
(http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b215/Luckyjoe_/Miniatures/28mm%20Sci%20Fi/EM4Mechs.jpg)
Dead cheap, that's for sure. But the detail is rather soft on these plastic minis, and they don't really look like robots in my eyes, but as mechs (which they are, anyway).
Dream Pod Nine's stripped down Hunter & F2-25:
(http://store.dp9.com/images/DP9-9116.jpg)(http://store.dp9.com/images/DP9-9165.jpg)
These are very nice models, and the F2-25 look very much how I can envision cylons. But they are very expensive (for me anyway), and the stripped down Jaguars, which would be the standard cylon, are a tad too chunky for my taste.
Scotia Grendel's Talos:
(http://www.scotiagrendel.com/Products/images/Kryomek%20Nexus%20Mecha/TAO-003_Talos_1.jpg)
These are too gantly. I know their heads are very cylony, and they are clearly robots, and no mechs or powered suits. But I just don't like them.
Games Workshop's Necrons:
(http://www.games-workshop.com/MEDIA_CustomProductCatalog/m400708_99120110001_NecronWarriorsMain_873x627.jpg)
Everybody knows they aren't cylons, but a faction from the WH40K game. I would need to convert them, changing the heads and weapons; and I already have many spare tau heads. But I prefer saving me the effort of conversions (and they would still have a skeletal look not to my taste).
Critical Mass Games' Protolene Ayame Battlesuit:
(http://www.criticalmassgames.com/images/protolenes/PRVH16a-600.jpg)(http://www.criticalmassgames.com/images/protolenes/PRVH3a-600.jpg)
As of now, the most likely candidates. They are somewhat bulky, but not too much, and when next to a human really look the part of a robot. The goat-like legs give them an alien appearance, too. The main con is that although there are two versions of the sculpt, the only difference seems to be the torso design, which isn't enough for trooper/leader differentation.
As you can see, I've been trying to think out-of-the-box, incorporating minis from different scales.
Now let's see what you all can come up with.
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For my Cylon-esque robots I went with Star Wars CMG Super Battle Droids and gave them actual heads with collar armour. I'd show a pic but they've gone into storage, sorry.
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For my Cylon-esque robots I went with Star Wars CMG Super Battle Droids and gave them actual heads with collar armour. I'd show a pic but they've gone into storage, sorry.
I was just going to suggest those or the HK-50 ASSASSIN DROID or the GUARD DROID or the JUGGERNAUT WAR DROID or the .....
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Rezolution's line of CSO bots
(http://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/yhst-77590103967523_2173_11568124)
Maybe some Void stuff-the larger ones since most of the line is 25mm
(http://images.frpgames.com/products/product_41209.jpg)(http://images.frpgames.com/products/product_41191.jpg)
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I'm using Critical Mass range (not too expensive + variety of arms & chassis). As a picture may be better than longer explanation, here's a wip shot including 28mm Copplestone miniature for scale :
(http://img641.imageshack.us/img641/195/dsc04842g.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/641/dsc04842g.jpg/)
(by the way, that's my fist pic on this forum : Enjoy ! :D )
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@ Dewbakuk & Whiskyrat:
Yes, I forgot to mention that, but I had already looked the SW minis. The super battle droid looks remarkably similar to the re-imagined cylons. But I don't like prepainted bendy plastic* for this if I can find better plastic or metal/resin versions (and, for once, I feel like painting the minis).
@ basaint:
Those CSO robots are nice, but have two cons. First, I don't like their heads, so I'd have to convert them. And second and most important, their price is prohibitive! I'd need at least 10, and they are 14$ a-piece! :o
I've had a look at the Void sutff, too. Some minis may work, but most of them look more like powered armour than robots. And the robotic looking ones are not better than some other alternatives.
@ Penchour:
Thanks for the comparison pic (although I had already seen one thanks to Inso and his blog, here (http://insosworld.blogspot.com/2011/09/dogbots.html)). The more I see them, the more I like them...
* That said, my aliens are the horrorclix ones...
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* That said, my aliens are the horrorclix ones...
Shame on you lol
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Yes please. The blonde one please :D
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Yes please. The blonde one please :D
;)
(http://www.hasslefreeminiatures.co.uk/figureimages/ginaweb.jpg)
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Some good ideas.
Reminds me mate....have you got your Frothers account sorted yet?
If not, worth PMing them on the feedback forum.....
;)
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Reminds me mate....have you got your Frothers account sorted yet?
If not, worth PMing them on the feedback forum.....
Still waiting. But it's been less than a month, and from what I know that's typical with Frothers. I'll wait for the whole month, and then post there...
Back on topic, I've been reading your BSG blog... :o Very lovely stuff! :D But no robotic cylons yet?
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no robotic cylons yet?
None that i've posted up pictures of yet, anyway....
;) :D
Still WIP
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Love that Gina figure. Where is it available from?
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Love that Gina figure. Where is it available from?
It isn't available yet, but will be (eventually) released by Hasslefree Miniatures (http://www.hasslefreeminiatures.co.uk/).
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They (Hasslefree) are churning out some beautiful sculpts!
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Aj
only reason I showed the Rez line was I found some cheap on Ebay. Otherwise i wouldn't get them either :)
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Just to add a little more to this thread, I've been having a look at the Battletech minis from Iron Wind Metals. There are some nice and useful minis there, but at their price (10+ dollars each) they are out of my budget.
Still, I may get one Jade Hawk (minus the "wings") to represent an evolved IL-series cylon, along with the Critical Mass' protolene ayame battlesuits:
(http://ironwindmetals.com/store/images/btmechs/BT-178.jpg)
EDIT: Does anyone know how big is that mech? I've realized that I hadn't thought about that; and I've been unable to find any pic that may provide a size reference.
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The Jade Hawk is one of the larger sculpts. If I remember correctly it stands about 3-31/2" tall.
Hope that helps. ;)
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Threadomancy! X-Treme Threadomancy TM!
Because I have finally decided to use those Protolene Khanates' battlesuits from Critical Mass Games as cylons. With a head made of a Robogear helmet glued back to front (and face covered with green stuff).
I have crafted a rough and fast prototype (that I hope to paint this weekend). Here it is:
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Stpps6TnI88/VCxbu7LC9KI/AAAAAAAAAsE/49oedenaei4/s502/Cylon%25205-series%2520prototype.jpg)
I know it's completely different both from the ones from the original series and the reimagined one. And yet, I think [almost] everyone will inmediately recognize it as a cylon (more once painted).
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I remember you talking about that Robogear helmet conversion some time agoa, glad to finally see it! That Cylon looks great ;)
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(http://spacevixensfrommars.com/shop/images/SV66.jpg)
http://spacevixensfrommars.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=15_18&products_id=291 (http://spacevixensfrommars.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=15_18&products_id=291)
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Scurv, any change of seeing that miniature, if you got it handy.
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Scurv, any change of seeing that miniature, if you got it handy.
It might be the old Eureka ones - I think I might still have ten kicking about, if they are the ones I am thinking of they are 'old skool' cylons from the 70's series - 'skirt' and all
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Thanks for getting back to us Scurv, and thanks Aliensurfer for letting who the original manufactures were.
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When I was "researching" (i.e. googling) for cylon minis, I came across those Eureka ones. As far as I know those were unlicensed (typical Eureka!), and aprox 25mm scale. The only licensed ones were made by Comet Miniatures (http://www.lurexlounge.com/bsg/images/figures/comet%20cylon.jpg), but at a massive 85mm were more like action figures made of lead than wargaming miniatures.
Thanks for pointing to that Space Vixen robot, too.
But I'm happy with my conversions.
I started painting the prototype for the older "series 5" cylon; the dark metallic parts I was happy with, but when I started painting the chrome parts, I discovered that the paint I was using (that I opened just for this), Reaper's polished silver, is crap. It's a very light grey with a slight blue hue (similar to the old elf grey by GW). But it lacks the metallic shine that all metallic paints should have, don't you think?
Yesterday I bought some Vallejo paints, including chrome. I expect to give it a shot next weekend; fingers crossed this one will work better.
On the conversion front, I have received enough parts to start assembling the first newer "series 6" prototypes. The legs are from Tau XV25 stealth suits (still need to get rid of those hoves with some green stuff). The torsos are from Necron deathmark warriors, with the necron symbol filed off and the "spikes" of the spine cut off; the "rib" gaps will be filled with a little green stuff. And the heads are a easy convertion made with some standard necron warrior heads. Not sure what to use for arms; easier option would be using necron ones, so I think I'll just do that.
I took a quick teaser pic (sorry for it being so bad):
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-RPnL9RS_Y6Q/VEPXm_JisGI/AAAAAAAAAs4/TltJa6UhPtE/s640/Cylon%25206-series%2520prototype%25201of2.jpg)
Older cylon, newer cylon, human that's starting to regret joining the marines...
That standard body will be used for soldiers, leaders and commanders (and perhaps stealth specialists). There will be two more variants: a bigger one (built using necron destroyer torsos) for heavy weapons specialists and praetorians. And a smaller one for cylon "workers" (built with plastic void viridians for legs and arms, necron warrior torsos and deathmark heads).
Equally bad teaser pic:
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-C7qyPsr28sY/VEPXpuiNu6I/AAAAAAAAAtA/WFfV1WtRUUs/s640/Cylon%25206-series%2520prototype%25202of2.jpg)
The cylon centurion is wondering what the hell the worker is doing. Is it drunk?
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Thanks for getting back to us Scurv, and thanks Aliensurfer for letting who the original manufactures were.
I'll try and find them and take a piccy for you.