Fleet boxes ok?

[manitoujoe]

I've been playing ACTA with the chits for awhile now, but I've been really wanting to get into the miniatures. However, I keep reading about bad sets, poor sculpts and all sorts of problems.

I've been waiting and hoping for plastic miniatures for a year or two, but haven't heard anything yet. So, I've talked my group into playing ACTA, but I'm nervous to get everyone invested in these sets if they're really that bad.

Should I just throw caution to the wind and buy the sets? Wait for plastics (whenever they are due)?

Any advice, comments, helpful suggestions? I love the game, but the mini sets really make me nervious. Help?

M

 

[Burger]

Plastics are not going to happen AFAIK.

Poor sculpts are generally the new models introduced in Armageddon. The older ones are generally pretty good models.

As for quality well it can be a bit pot luck, and depends which fleet you go for. I've had 3 box sets... Minbari were pretty good. ISA were not bad: White Stars were great, Victories had a lot of flash but weren't missing any parts. Drazi were average. My Thunderbolts were abysmal, at least 50% of the fins were missing. And I'd avoid Drakh models like they have the plague.

 

[H]

in All fairness, my drakh were pretty flash free, but they are horrible looking models. The Brakiri were fab, although the AVioki is a sod to put together. the narn were my worst set, enough flash to build a bin tak!

 

[Triggy]

A few very small issues here with mould quality but generally I've had excellent quality models across the board. Generally they're fine and even if you get a poor model, the customer support is excellent.

 

[Admiral Phlop]

My EA fleet box was not to bad. The Omega being the worst. The Minbari fleet box was really good along with the reinforcements. If you have a dremel with a metal cutting tool it will make your clean up a lot faster and easier. Also a set of jewlers files are very good. The other guys in the group have bought Narn and Centauri. Both have said that there is a lot of flash but nothing that can't be cleaned off. Hope this helps.

 

[CodeofArms]

The most consistent sculpts I have recieved are for my Centauri. The fleet box came with only one poorly sculpt Vorchan wing slot and a seperate bought Dargan, Prefect, 3 Havens and an Adira have been in good sculpt condition.

EA and Renforcement boxes are usually okay, out of four boxes bought the most consistent models where Chronos, Nova, Avenger and Olympus. The most complications came in; Hyperions, Omegas and Saggitarius models.

Narn usually have mould issues related to piece placing such as the cross beams on G'Quans and balancing of heavy ships such as Tloths. Flash is quite common on 'one piece' ships such as the K'Tocs. Minbari have similar problems especially with Tinashi/Tiagra hulls as far as i can tell.

From what i've seen Dilgar sculpts are fine barring some 'fin' slot issues which can be easily resolved. ISA Boxsets are okay but not worth it unless you want alot of Armageddon ships. Have not purchased drakh due to the Mothership problem.

 

[Karhedron]

I would agree with the above comments. The quality control at Mongoose is a bit questionable but the customer support makes up for it. If any of your models are bad, just contact them and they will replace them for you.

 

[animus]

There are some issues with the molds to be sure.

I got the ISA and all 3 EA fleet boxes last month.

The only ship problem was that the Marathon Hull was broken.

HOWEVER 80% of the Starfury and Thunderbolt sprues were screwed up, miscast. The problem was so widespread I get the feeling that someone thought they were fine - "3 wings should be plenty" "who needs an engine?"

I don't mind flash and I can tolerate some pitting, but when a model isn't complete, there's a problem.

Luckily, Mongoose is good at fixing problems, but you have to complain.

 

[manitoujoe]

Thanks everybody.

Love this game and from the looks of it, all the players are pretty cool, too.

Would it be bad if I bought a fleet box and some of the other guys (who are strapped for $$) just played with the chits? Does it mess with the scale or anything?

And lastly, what's this V2 I see now and again? Is this a NEW revision of the revised box set that just came out?

Sorry for all the questions. Thanks again for the help, everyone.
M

 

[Triggy]

Thanks everybody.

Love this game and from the looks of it, all the players are pretty cool, too.

Would it be bad if I bought a fleet box and some of the other guys (who are strapped for $$) just played with the chits? Does it mess with the scale or anything?

And lastly, what's this V2 I see now and again? Is this a NEW revision of the revised box set that just came out?

Sorry for all the questions. Thanks again for the help, everyone.
M

No problems with mixing counters and miniatures (or Fleet Action scale miniatures for that matter)

As for the best condition ships, my vote goes to the Abbai. Nobody ever buys them (except me and Katadder) so the moulds are pristine!

 

[MustEatBrains]

I´ve received a Shadow Fleet box today, asnd although there had been a lot of flash, all of it could easily be removed with only a sharp knife (though it´s hard to actually find a use for all those ships at the moment). Just to add something to the list of well-cast miniatures!

Oh, and yes, Version 2 IS going to be the newest Edition of ACTA, replacing the revised edition (and everything that came with it). The second edition is still a looong way off, though; so I wouldn´t wait for the release.

Mixing counters an miniatures works just fine, and there are also a number of downloadable counters made by fans and gamers (look for the player´s ressources) for use with some of the later fleets which haven´t received their own official counters (yet?).

 

[WickedE]

I'll never complain about Mongoose's customer service. Ever. Why?

When I got my Octurion, I noticed I got two Right parts rather than two left. Being an amateur at the miniature game in terms of making parts work, I.E cutting into them and such, I asked them for a replacement. Not only did they send me TWO Octurion side pieces, Right and Left, BUT they packed a Dilgar Ochlavita in there too for kicks.

Mongoose makes me happy.

 

[ssprayb]

I bought the minbari fleet box. Ran into a prob with missing some fighters. Sent sales a message and they said they'd pop them in the mail. Then got to work trying to get the flash off the other models. All came off pretty good except the 4 ship 'tanishi' (spell, I know it isn't right so dont flame me please). Between the top and bottom ridges the flash is VERY thick and so far I am unable to get it off. So I sent a message back to sales tonight. Hopefully they can recomend a fix or replace the four ships.
All in all, I have to say I am pretty happy with the help their customer service gives though. Much better than games workshop. And yes, the excess flash on models is kind of a pain, but it does make me slow down and build the models up better. At least so far. My wife has the earth alliance boxed set in the closet for me for valentines day. And I am pretty confident that if there are any missing parts, customer service will fix it for me. So I guess mongoose has a new loyal customer.
But as for picking a fleet? Choose what you think you will like and go for it. Pick up a mini or two single pack you like and try your hand at painting them. If you screw them up, put them in simple green and it will take the paint off before too long so you can start over.
Just remember, prime the model and prep the ship first. It will only end up as good as your preping was.
Sam

 

[polemarch]

I opened my Dilgar fleet box today to count the pieces and check their condition etc... Everything was in great nick, much better than the 3 other boxes I bought. However I have yet to find a figure that was so bad that I wouldn't even bother putting it together or painting it.

All in all, I think that getting the fleet boxes is the best way to go.

The Dilgar box also had some minis packed in blisters instead of plastic bags. Is going to become standard practice? This is what Battlefront does with its FOW box sets and it really does come across a very professional. Plus the ACTA fleet boxes are full of air, I think that a look of damage (bent stuff) occurs due to the parts freely floating around!