40k Minis vs SST Minis?

[catbarf]

Hi, I've been gone a while, thought about selling, but decided to hang on; and I've been thinking. I have a bunch of Bugs and MI, and I know I'll play when Evo comes out, but I don't think I have the time/energy to paint my current figs. I also have quite a Tyranid army for 40k, and I have compared them much. Is it just me, or are the Tyranids better sculpted? They seem to have much more detail on the models, even a basic Gaunt which is much smaller than a Warrior has tiny details like spiracles and well-made plates of chitin. Am I correct, or is this just a different style? I like the SST ruleset, but I'm more of a collector than a gamer and the Nids really appeal to me (how many bits are in that Carnifex set?).

What do you think?

[Rob_A]

GW Better sculpted.
In return, more expensive. Let alone, wait for the Evo stuff. It will most likely be just as good.

Remember there is a fine line between well sculpted and too much detail

[Gauntlet-]

well when comparing models a couple of points need to be addressed...

1. Generally speaking Yes the Tyranids are better sculpts... with tons of detail, which notably has a very specific style... this style is 'super evolution/mutations' whereas the Bugs are only beginning down that path when compared to Tyranids... they have a more natural buggy style, whereas Tyranids have allot of reptilian addons.

2. Conceptually some models suck specifically... for example I think the Blaster Bug model is pretty wierd and not exciting... it reminds me of shell fish as opposed to acid spray. Whereas for Tyranids their flying unit reminds me of a bad 50s movie alien based on a terradactyl... completely unrealistic... whereas the Rippler is of equal sculpt status and is vastly better Conceptually... I know if I still played 40K Id use Ripplers for my flyers.

3. Cost- SST might have lesser sculpts in some cases (usually not a problem for their bugs though) but you get far more models for your buck, especially if you purchase online.

I think the best models for the bugs are the Warriors and Ripplers... while the worst being the Blister/Blasters and the Brain.... the Brain only because of its poor molding and assembly... everything else is inbetween but many are high quality such as the Plasma

[emperorpenguin]

as a general rule GW's are better sculpted, they've a lot more experience and in the likes of Jes Goodwin some of the best sculptors in the world.
the rules on the other hand.....

[cordas]

GW doesn't have anything that looks as good as the cougars or grizzlies IMHO, for humanoid figures. That said I love the nids from 3ed onwards.

[Vic]

I dunno. I prefer the Warriors over GW Geiger copied stealers any day.

But thats just MHO.

[cordas]

I dunno. I prefer the Warriors over GW Geiger copied stealers any day.

But thats just MHO.

Each to their own, I think for a LONG LONG time the genestealers where the best looking models that GW made.

[emperorpenguin]

Each to their own, I think for a LONG LONG time the genestealers where the best looking models that GW made.

Each to their own indeed, I'd say the old Eldar models!

[Alexb83]

I like the Eldar models, at least the newer characters - not so much the howling banshees for example.

GW models are a mixed bag, as are Mongoose ones sometimes - wrt the suits, the exos are cool but I think the cougar isn't that great looking (too clunky, IMO, for a lighter suit). I do like the Tau stealth suits (not so much the crisis ones) however, because they're neatly stylised wheras the Mongoose designs are more utilitarian (which is good in some ways - I really like the Grizzly).
I also like the similar suits in AT43 - wouldn't mind seeing the MI get something like a 'scout' suit that sits between the CAP and Cougar, and perhaps has more room to be body-formed and get a good dynamic sculpt.

[Poko]

GW doesn't have anything that looks as good as the cougars or grizzlies IMHO, for humanoid figures.

uh, i have to disagree. 9/10 when i showed someone or discussed MGP models with people not playing they said that the sculpts are..well, poo-level. at least compared to Rackham,Privateer or even GW(i'm not even mentioning Corvus Belli, they are a class unto themselves in design).
heck, i'm forced to agree in most cases-the exos are more or less ok(even if VERY light on any details),Ripplers are fine, the new Fenirs model looks great..but rest is mediocre at best,with lots of empty spaces and undefined details.

[hegemon]

sure the detail and that on GW models may be better, but they have had 20+ years of experience, and have some of the worlds best sculptors on their payroll, however that doesn't necessarily mean that MGP models are not as good.

GW doesn't have anything that looks as good as the cougars or grizzlies IMHO, for humanoid figures.

I honestly agree with this, the best "suit" across the entire GW ranger is the tau stealth suit new and old. tbh I hate the terminators, they just look pants, paint them green and i have the incredible sulk... i mean hulk.

Imperial Guard/Cadians are great models I think, possibly one of the best Line infantry model I have seen. In fact IG and the IG kasrkins are the best human figure, well perportioned and with just the right amount of detail. Maybe MG cud contract they guy, Jes Goodwin or Juan Diaz I think, who did them to redo the cap troopers, as LAMI would prbably be too late to redo.

[Poko]

sure the detail and that on GW models may be better, but they have had 20+ years of experience, and have some of the worlds best sculptors on their payroll,

i once used the same argument. the answer i got?
"does every new car company start with Ford T"?
...and it was damn true.
there are some great freelance sculptros out there(Felix Paniagua with his Avatars of War comes to mind for eg.), i'm sure hiring one to do a A+ model would repay itself.

[Hiromoon]

GW doesn't have anything that looks as good as the cougars or grizzlies IMHO, for humanoid figures.

uh, i have to disagree. 9/10 when i showed someone or discussed MGP models with people not playing they said that the sculpts are..well, poo-level. at least compared to Rackham,Privateer or even GW(i'm not even mentioning Corvus Belli, they are a class unto themselves in design).
heck, i'm forced to agree in most cases-the exos are more or less ok(even if VERY light on any details),Ripplers are fine, the new Fenirs model looks great..but rest is mediocre at best,with lots of empty spaces and undefined details.

Actually I like the sculpts for that lack of detail. We're talking military equipment that goes into harsh environments. The more doo-dads on it, the more stuff to break. I also perfer the lack of Iconography on the MI troopers, since it gives you a chance ot be creative in your markings.

[Poko]

Actually I like the sculpts for that lack of detail. We're talking military equipment that goes into harsh environments.

sure, it's realistic. it's also "not cool". and cool factor is the MOST important thing in miniatures market i guess.
take infinity-it has the most implausable designs ever, with glowing powersuits and neon-lights in weapons. it's also the best eye-candy in miniature market i saw in ages.

[Hiromoon]

People need to get out more then. There's something to be said for K.I.S.S.

[hegemon]

never thought i'd do this but i actually agree with hiromoon, infinity has models i personelly feel are to prima donerish, there the super models of the wargaming world.

take a look a urban mammoths Urban war range, specifically the Viridians and even though they have a surprising amount of detail their not to detailed, sure some of the models have a certain "weird" feel interdictors and the saurian riders but they do have a charm.

[Poko]

uh,ok, i guess we have totally different aestethics. i find Void..er, Urban War minis worse then MGP, they are way too clunky and uh...well, downright ugly

There's something to be said for K.I.S.S.

umm.the clown-group that also sings?

[emperorpenguin]

Imperial Guard/Cadians are great models I think, possibly one of the best Line infantry model I have seen. In fact IG and the IG kasrkins are the best human figure, well perportioned and with just the right amount of detail. Maybe MG cud contract they guy, Jes Goodwin or Juan Diaz I think, who did them to redo the cap troopers, as LAMI would prbably be too late to redo.

Hire Jes Goodwin!? As much as that'd be awesome he is paid far too much by GW, Mongoose couldn't compete!
and he didn't do the IG by the way, might have been Diaz though

[emperorpenguin]

Actually I like the sculpts for that lack of detail. We're talking military equipment that goes into harsh environments. The more doo-dads on it, the more stuff to break. I also perfer the lack of Iconography on the MI troopers, since it gives you a chance ot be creative in your markings.

that's not really true.

look at the difference between the AOG sculpted Centauri Octurion and the Mongoose sculpted Adira. The latter is bigger and less detailed. Is this because it is designed for space? Nope it is because the sculptor wasn't as good or as committed

also some of the Skinnies models for SST broke the physiology rules of their race!

[Hiromoon]

umm.the clown-group that also sings?

No, Keep It Simple Stupid.