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Traitor PDF

 Post subject: Traitor PDF
PostPosted: Tue Jun 07, 2005 8:23 pm 
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Now that this has gone on, I have decided to put together a bit of a review of the four makers that I purchased from - Alternative Armies, Ground Zero Games, Gladiator Miniatures and Adler Miniatures. I purchased some sci fi infantry which was as generic as I could make it for local PDF/IG forces.

First up, the comparrison. The picture below shows one miniature from each range, with some GW in between for size reference. From left to right:

Adler - GZG - GW Ork Boy - AA - IG Trooper - Gladiator - GW Psyker

You can see from the picture that the AA is a lot larger than the others, and seems about 2mm taller than the Ork, but doesnt look too bad next to an Ork with LasCannon or the Psyker.

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 Post subject: Traitor PDF
PostPosted: Tue Jun 07, 2005 8:32 pm 
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Alternative Armies

Ordering - Ordering these guys was nice and easy, and fairly friendly. I went via the web site, and clickd away! The site checks to make sure that you are sure before ordering, and then sends an email to confirm when it is all over. Of the four orders, this was the easiest and best to use.

Delivery - These guys arrived to me within two days. Pretty good.

Packs - These were the most professional packs, as they all come in clear plastic 'clam shell' packs, with foam inserts. Each pack contains between 32 and 40 minis, in clusters of 4. The type of cluster that you get is determined by the type of pack - so the heavy weapon packs have more heavy weapons, the recon packs less, etc. Also included are quare bases, which fit four minis.

Minis - These thing are a nightmare to remove from the sprues! Almost the entire stand that the mini is standing on (in metal) is attached to the sprue, and enevitably the minis bend at the ankle when you remove them. The detail is excellent on these guys and they are probably the best detailed minis of the bunch. I got a couple of packs of Levies for my troopers, although I also got one pack of Crusaders and one of Shia Khan.

Verdict - If these guys were actually 6mm, I would certainly be using them. As it is, I am in two minds whether to go ahead and use them, as they are clearly tall (but not big, if you see what I mean). Also, I am usually happy to work for the mini when it is required, but getting each one of these guys seperated from his brothers is an effort and will take a fair amount of time to get a stand together.

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 Post subject: Traitor PDF
PostPosted: Tue Jun 07, 2005 8:43 pm 
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Ground Zero Games

Ordering - To be fair, GZG has web site ordering in a similar way to Alternative Armies. But, the web site os more difficult to use, as it has long pages with very few pictures. In the end, I called them up and placed the order over the phone. They were not there the first day that I did this, but were fine on day two. Friendly and informative. What else do you want?

Delivery - This surprised me a lot. Although I ordered these guys a day after the Alternative Armies order, they arrived at the same time - getting to me within 24 hours! Now, that is service. The best of the bunch for this round of orders.

Packs - The packs are simply zip-lock bags with the product code written directly onto the bag. Nothing flashy, and you will need to reference what the code actually means.

Minis - GZG 6mm infantry are the ones that I know and love, and I would happily use them. In fact, I have so many now that I didnt relly need to order any - I just couldnt find my store. The minis are well detailed, and while not quite as good as AA or GW, still more than good enough for 6mm. Also, you get the cool GZG bases, that I have really liked for a long time - basically a textured metal irregular shape that can hold two or four minis. GZG do a good selection of infantry types (about six to eight, if I remember correctly), giving a good mix. The minis are on round stands (like GW) and these are connected by thin mold lines that are very easy to seperate. There is minimum flash on these guys, and they are well cast.

Verdict - I like these. I get packs fairly regularly, and I never have enough. I keep an eye out for rivals for them, and no other maker beats them when considering all the factors (cost, detail, variety of troop type, scale and pose). My only issue with GZG is that their heavy weapons are scarce and a bit 'lumpy'. I have used these in the past, and I will be using them in the future. This minis are one of thw two potential sets to use for my Traitor PDF Epic troops.

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 Post subject: Traitor PDF
PostPosted: Tue Jun 07, 2005 8:53 pm 
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Adler Minatures

Ordering - These were easy to order. No web site ordering, but I called up and placed an order right away. No problems.

Delivery - These minis arrived within two days. This is great for mail order, and generally it seems that mini makers are fantastic for ordering and delivery. In most cases, when ordering cd's or whatever, 28 days is stated and most things take at least ten days. We have it easy in some ways.

Packs - Again, the standard issue zip-locked bags. Nothing special, but I like this and the bags can actually be very useful.

Minis - I have to admit that this lot are not my favourite. There are two reasons for this. Firstly, the heads are big! I know, I know, it is common knowledge that Adler have minis with big heads. I was aware of this before I ordered, but I just dont like them. Some people do, but to me they just look like they should be in the back of a Ford Capri, nodding along at 40 miles an hour. Also, the style of these minis is a lot more '50 sci fi', with loose fatigues and all enclosed helmets. The detail is fine, and the sculpting and casting is great, but they just are not my style.

Verdict - Anyone want to buy some Adler minis? I wont be using these guys, as I just dont like them. If you do, then the ordering and new toy process is fine and painless, and you get good value for money.

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 Post subject: Traitor PDF
PostPosted: Tue Jun 07, 2005 9:05 pm 
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Gladiator Miniatures

Ordering - I wanted to like these guys so much. They are pretty much the underdogs here, being the smallest maker and relatively unknown. I had a few possible outsiders, and I am not sure exactly why I went with Gladiator Minis. Ordering was the longest process. No web site to order from, and calling up put me through to the makers young daughter. Day two, and I finally got through (out of hours) to be put through to his workshop shed in the garden. I like this. I small time operator, the way wargames started out. So, it is more difficult to order, and the most difficult of the four, but what the hell! It took two days, which is not too bad.

Delivery - Again, delivery took longer than the other three, and the minis arrived after about ten days. This was quite a long wait.

Packs - Once more, zip-lock bags. These have a sticker on them with the product code written on it. Simple but functional.

Minis - These minis are actually really good! I like them. Detail is about good/average, almost as good as GZG, and the guys come on the standard strips. There is a lot of variation in the minis (something that is important to me) and the casting is good. I actually got two sets of troopers, the others were in the more usual fatigues. I should also mention that these were some of the cheapest, at just over one pound for a pack of 25. The poses are action based, but also natural and the best poses of the bunch.

Verdict - These were the outsiders, and while I wanted to like them I didnt think that I would. Actually, I am happily surprised that I do. So much so, that I may actually be using these (and then saving my GZG troopers for my Genestealer Brood Brothers). I would certainly recommend that you check these out.

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 Post subject: Traitor PDF
PostPosted: Tue Jun 07, 2005 9:46 pm 
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Hi!

CS, this is perhaps one of the most informative post in a long while!!

Please pin this post!

I agree about Adler, I bought them once and gave them away almost immediately.

The Gladiator minis look good!

Primarch

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 Post subject: Traitor PDF
PostPosted: Wed Jun 08, 2005 12:20 am 
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Hi CS,

I'll buy anything you don't want.

Shalom,
Maksim-Smelchak.

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 Post subject: Traitor PDF
PostPosted: Wed Jun 08, 2005 5:34 am 
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Great job, C/S !  I generally agree with your "findings".  I had some GZG and liked them.  The NAC, I thought would make good PDF.  And I plan using Krav'ak are G/S Hybrids  But all in all G/W ain't too bad !   :;):   Good research !   Thanks ! :D

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 Post subject: Traitor PDF
PostPosted: Wed Jun 08, 2005 7:29 am 
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Maybe CS could take his findings and put it into a seperate document and turn it into a great article. :D

dafrca

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 Post subject: Traitor PDF
PostPosted: Wed Jun 08, 2005 1:01 pm 
Swarm Tyrant
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Thanks for your comments...

Maksim - I think that I will hang on to the Adler. I am not sure why, but seeing anything 6mm leave through the door is an ache for me!  :D

I have actually wanted to create a review section for a while. I always liked this area of Tuffs site the best, and I feel that there is a real need for this focussed by genre. Everyone knows GW stuff, but there is a lot more out there.

I will write this up as a series of articles for the site.

Thanks.

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 Post subject: Traitor PDF
PostPosted: Wed Jun 08, 2005 2:11 pm 
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That would be good, great wee article 'C', thanks, it'll help in my decisions that's for sure (although I'm actually thinking more WW2 6mm than sci-fi 6mm)

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 Post subject: Traitor PDF
PostPosted: Wed Jun 08, 2005 2:17 pm 
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I agree! Send it to Incoming! as well :;):
Those Gladiator minis look really nice. I might consider getting some of these. :cool:

Cheers! :)

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 Post subject: Traitor PDF
PostPosted: Wed Jun 08, 2005 6:44 pm 
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Quote (CyberShadow @ 08 2005 June,05:01)
I will write this up as a series of articles for the site.

Thanks.

Great, that way many others can benifit by your efforts.

Well Done!

dafrca

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 Post subject: Traitor PDF
PostPosted: Thu Jun 09, 2005 10:39 pm 
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Really informative stuff CS... top work. :)

The Gladiator figs look lke they would make nice Chaos cultists for LotD forces with their varied poses, nice models...

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