JbbnbSmith's Customs

[jbbnbsmith]

Well, I never thought I'd catch the custom units bug, but I was getting tired of waiting for wave 5 information, and wasn't all that impressed with the shelf pics, and started browsing around Ebay for some cheap minis. I came across a sale for 125 D&D mini's (the newer plastic/painted ones) and started looking up the various figures included. I was pretty impressed by many of them, and since there were three or four each of some of my favorites, I decided to bid. I ended up winning the auction for $36 and $10 shipping. Here's a list of what I won:
RARE
Dwarf Ancestor
UNCOMMONS
Warforged Bodyguard x2
Warforged Captain x2
Warforged Scout x2
Combat Medic x2
Elf Stalker
Elemental Wall
Sacred Watcher x2
Warpriest of Moradin x2
Brass Samurai
Mephling Pyromancer
Lion of Talisid
Steelheart Archer x2
Goblin Underboss x2
FlameSkull x2
Inspired Lt x2
Large Duergar x2
Fiendish Girallion
Frost Dwarf
Tiefling Blademaster
Earth Shugenja
Githzerai Monk
Half-Orc Paladin x2
Lantern Bearer
Loyal Earth Elemental
Guenhwyar x2
Half Ogre Barbarian
Nentyar Hunter
Satyr x2
Wizard Tactician x2
Xorn
Dark Naga
Half-Orc Executioner x2
Troglodyte Captain
Skeletal Equiceph
Grimlock Barbarian
Drow Arcane Guard x2
Winter Wolf
Swarm of Spiders x2
Dire Bat
Dolgaunt Monk
COMMONS
Goblin Blackblade x3
Royal Guard x4
Derro x3
Gold Dwarf Soldier x4
Horde Zombie x3
Spirit Folk Fighter x4
Lolth's Sting x4
Halfling Sneak x4
Woodelf Ranger x3
Shieldwall Soldier x3
Axe Soldier x3
Arcanix Guard x3
Dark Creeper x4
Mercenary Sgt x4
Troglodyte Thug x3
Monitor Lizard x4
Quaggoth Slave x3
Hunting Cougar x 3
Troglodyte Barbarian x4

At 37 cents a fig, I think I got a pretty good deal. There are a bunch that I'll probably sell off, either as a lot of D&D minis, or maybe even as Heroscape Customs.

Bottom line is I've got a whole lot of catching up to do on creating custom units. I'll be reading through all the customs threads to see if there are already ideas for some of these guys. And once I'm ready I'll start posting some of my cards for review and comment.

[LilNewbie]

Wow! Great purchase! .37 a fig is a good deal. Grats on your win and look forward to seeing your creations.

Newb.

[jbbnbsmith]

My D&D figs arrived yesterday. Wow! Lots of really good stuff in there, and plenty of multiples to create squads. So far I've divided them into similar groups and have begun thinking about the background story of the groups. I already have in mind what the squads/heros will be and a quick pass at some special abilities. I'm getting ready to go on vacation so this will probably take a back seat for a week, but hopefully I'll be ready to start posting some custom cards shortly after I get back. I'm excited to have dwarfs and halflings...small units!

I've seen that some of the figures have HS conversions already done, but I will probably take more creative license with the figures than those doing a direct conversion.

For example, as most people have already stated, the human figures are a bit puny. Fortunately most of the humans I have are wearing full armor, including helmets. So I am simply going to change them into another race that is slightly smaller than humans. I've also grouped some different figures into squads.

There are about 34 figures in the lot that I will probably pass on and maybe just sell off.

[jbbnbsmith]

Here are the first set of customs. These are the Knights of Feylund. The Knights of Feylund are Elflings, a race of small elves who live in a very strict military society similar to the Spartans. Despite their size, they are fierce and cunning soldiers capable of holding their own against much larger opponents. Here are four common squads of Feylund Knights:[/img]

[reapersaurus]

HAHA. I just picked up many of these figs in a customized lot from a guy on maxminis. :)
There are some really good ones in there - like Elemental Wall and Fiendish Girallon and Earth Elemental etc.

[jbbnbsmith]

Okay, now that I can load images, here are the aforementioned Knights of Feylund:

First, the Feylund Swordsmen, who are very similar to the Knights of Weston...
http://graceaog.com/Media/MediaManager/Feylund-Swordsmen_0.jpg

Then the Axemen, who can swiftly deliver two blows in one attack.
http://graceaog.com/Media/MediaManager/Feylund-Axemen_0.jpg

The next two squads are trained to work together. The Shieldmen provide defensive protection while the Pikemen attack over the shieldmen's heads.
http://graceaog.com/Media/MediaManager/Feylund-Pikemen.jpg
http://graceaog.com/Media/MediaManager/Feylund-Shieldmen_0.jpg

[jbbnbsmith]

Next up are some SMALL units. Yeah small units! First, some dwarfs. The Gold Dwarfs are tenatious in battle, and very competitive as well. They tend to get caught up in the fury of the battle.
http://graceaog.com/Media/MediaManager/Gold-Dwarfs_0.jpg

The Warrior Priest is a dwarf hero who has both skill in fighting, and the ability to bring healing through prayer.
http://graceaog.com/Media/MediaManager/War-Priest_0.jpg

The next two squads are identical except in race. Both are thieves who wear cloaks that make them very hard to see, thus giving them not only a defensive advantage, but also the ability to sometimes sneak up on their enemy and deliver a dagger in the back. The theives are also adept at climbing, which helps offset their small size.
http://graceaog.com/Media/MediaManager/Halfling-Thieves_0.jpg
http://graceaog.com/Media/MediaManager/Dark-Creepers_0.jpg

[jbbnbsmith]

Here are a few heroes.

Steylhart is an elf fighting for Jandar. In addition to her prowess with the bow, she is also equipped with an Elvin sword known as the Blade of Purity.

http://graceaog.com/Media/MediaManager/Steylhart.jpg

Sylvannus is essentially the female counterpart to Syvarris. Being a wood elf, she has learned to make herself virtually invisible among the trees.

http://graceaog.com/Media/MediaManager/Sylvannus_0.jpg

Tabatha is gifted in the mystical healing arts
http://graceaog.com/Media/MediaManager/Tabatha.jpg

Karn is a half-ogre who wields a mighty sword
http://graceaog.com/Media/MediaManager/Karn_0.jpg

[jbbnbsmith]

I think I've seen these figures used before, but they lend themselves very well to the snow and ice terrain.

Girallon is a massive snow ape with four arms.
http://graceaog.com/Media/MediaManager/Girralon.jpg

The Quaggoth are the mortal enemies of the Dzu-Teh. Both are very territorial, and many wars have been fought for hunting rights in the frozen tundra.
http://graceaog.com/Media/MediaManager/Quaggoth-Warriors.jpg

That's enough for now, I'll post more later.

[Widigo]

Nice they all seem right to me, but I did not look that closely. I like rhe pike and shield idea, and I have yet to see an Elf surve any but Ullar so it is good to mix it up.

[Widigo]

Nice they all seem right to me, but I did not look that closely. I like rhe pike and shield idea, and I have yet to see an Elf surve any but Ullar so it is good to mix it up.

[jbbnbsmith]

Here are my Reptilians, another race with similar abilities to the vipers, which isn't too surprising as they come from the same planet and serve the same general.

http://graceaog.com/Media/MediaManager/Reptilian-Captain.jpg
http://graceaog.com/Media/MediaManager/Reptilian-Scouts_0.jpg
http://graceaog.com/Media/MediaManager/Reptilian-Thugs_0.jpg

[jbbnbsmith]

Well, I'm sure with all the GenCon craziness there are few people following this thread. Nevertheless, here's a it of an update. I had the chance to seriously playtest some of these units last night and today (small skirmishes against official units and against other customs). Based upon my observations there are several changes I intend to make.

Karn was a bit pricey at 100 points and has been marked down to 80.

The thieves were a bit weak at60 points. I decided to improve their Backstab ability such that there is no d20 roll. The thieves now get the backstab bonus (+2) when they first move adjacent to a "non-Tricky" figure. I also increased their attack from 1 to 2. When going up against the samuri they seemed about equal in five quick battles.

The Drows' "Terrify" ability needed some tweaks. Blade Terrify and Guard Terrify now require an opponent roll of 11 or less, and intimidate works ona roll of 12 or higher. This tweak now earns them their 75 points.

TheWar Priest was way overpriced for a 1 life common hero. He is now 25 points.

Sylvannus now has an attack of 3, a range of 7, and is more comparable to Sylvarris.

The Feylund Swordsmen have had their attack reduced to 3 to get them in line with the Knights of weston.

The Shieldmen's "Shield Defense" ability was written poorly. It now says, "Friendly small and medium adjacent figures gain +2 defensive dice against attacks that trace LOS through a hex containing a Feylund Shieldmen"

The Axemen were underpriced at 45. They are now 70 points.

The Gold Dwarfswere also underpriced at50 and are now 70 points.

The Reptilian units have had their points adjusted. The Scouts have been reduced to 40 points with an attack increase to 3 (more in line with the vipers). The Thugs were also reduced slightly to 55 points since they are identical to the armoc vipers except for slightly slower movement.

I will edit the cards and post them in a few days. So if you need a break from all the wave 5 & 6 hoopla, check back.

[Widigo]

I am following you, I feel that they are all nice customs. I agree with your changes, and I would like to see more. Keep em comming.

[jbbnbsmith]

I am following you, I feel that they are all nice customs. I agree with your changes, and I would like to see more. Keep em comming.
Thanks!

[jbbnbsmith]

As of now, all of the previously posted cards have been updated. More are on the way. Enjoy, and feel free to comment and critique.

[jbbnbsmith]

Here are some for Utgar.

The first two are Drows, dark elves. They possess an aura of evil that brings fear and dread to all but the most valiant and disciplined of forces.

http://graceaog.com/Media/MediaManager/Drow-Blades_0.jpg
http://graceaog.com/Media/MediaManager/Arcane-Guards_0.jpg
Note that the "Dark Beast" alluded to is coming soon. I'll put it here when it's finished

Next are the warforged warriors, a common squad of half-orcs.
http://graceaog.com/Media/MediaManager/War-Forged-Warriors.jpg

And lastly, here are Horde Zombies, a squad of undead orcs.
http://graceaog.com/Media/MediaManager/Zombie-Horde.jpg

[jbbnbsmith]

While shopping for Christmas (and searching for wave 6 too) I found a set of Knights & Swog, and a set of Snipers & Vipers. Since I never had any of the exclusive figures (EOV, Nerak or Hawthorne), and as there was no way I was ever going to pay ebay prices for them, I decided to try my hand at repainting. I didn't know the exact colors I would need at the time, so I picked up some black, some white, and a little pack of multi-color paint, and some little brushes.

I took some pic, but they are that great (I'm using a video camera - but i bought my wife a nice digital camera for christmas, so I may update these later) Here are my EOV
http://www.heroscapers.com/oldgallery/displayimage.php?pid=4348&fullsize=1
I think they turned out pretty good.

Here is my Nerak. This was the first one I painted. I may do the wash again as I really didn't know what I was doing at the time.
http://www.heroscapers.com/oldgallery/displayimage.php?pid=4350&fullsize=1

Next is Sir Hawthorne. I didn't remember him having gold in his color scheme, and I also don't have the talent to even attempt that dragon, so this is my own version of him. Certainly good enough to play with.
http://www.heroscapers.com/oldgallery/displayimage.php?pid=4349&fullsize=1

With the left over knights I did this repaint for a unique custom squad I simply call "The Black Knights". I'll post the card later, but they an ability that gives them an extra attack die for each fallen comrade, and they bond with Sir Hawthorne with an ability I called "Blood Oath". If Sir Hawthorne begins his turn adjacent to a Black Knight, you do not roll for the "Stab in the Back". They are move 5, attack 3, defense four, and cost 80 points.
http://www.heroscapers.com/oldgallery/displayimage.php?pid=4347&fullsize=1

And finally, here is a repaint of the Snipers in red and black. I haven't come up with a card for them yet. I'll probably snop around at other people's custom snipers and see what I like!
http://www.heroscapers.com/oldgallery/displayimage.php?pid=4346&fullsize=1

[Annerios]

http://www.heroscapers.com/oldgallery/albums/userpics/10113/AUT_0255.JPG

Excellent examples of how to avoid spending big $$ on these exclusives, when all it takes is a bit of paint and some time.

Nice job!

[jbbnbsmith]

Wow, this thread is funny, considering all the D&D hoopla of the past year. Too bad all the pics are gone. I may have to dig out the cards and repost them to see how good I was at predicting the future. It is also funny to note how even back then I was complaining about the scale differences.

[rouby44]

Wow, this thread is funny, considering all the D&D hoopla of the past year. Too bad all the pics are gone. I may have to dig out the cards and repost them to see how good I was at predicting the future. It is also funny to note how even back then I was complaining about the scale differences.

Yup, the scale difference and simply the difference in detail and figure quality is the main reason I can't get into the DnD stuff. I do like having new terrain even if it's just a new color, and there have been a some really neat special powers released with the DnD stuff (tactical switch anyone?), but overall I agree with you about the figures.