Newb question probably, but are the miniatures unpainted?

[kaltorak18]

I would assume they are unpainted, but for confirmation could anyone verify?

If they are unpainted, what paint do you all recommend? This would be my first miniature game that requires me to paint miniatures.

I never was really into miniature war gaming, mostly because it was all ground based. Or so I thought. I never looked to see if there were any space fleet battle games, like this one, until yesterday. I'm completely astounded. I'm still deciding between Battlefleet Gothic and this one, but I'm fairly certain I'll be picking up A Call To Arms instead. The ships look a lot more sci-fi instead of floating castles and someone mentioned something about fighter dogfighting in another thread. That piqued my interest completely. Add on that these miniatures are cheaper.. and.. well... I'll probably buy that mega deal I'm just really excited to find out games like this exist. Anyway, enough of my rambling... so... painted or unpainted?

Thanks in advance!

 

[kaltorak18]

Well, my excitement got the best of me.. I already ordered the megadeal. The game just looks like too much fun!

So, if these will require paint, could someone still please point me in the right direction? Thank you!

 

[Greg Smith]

They do indeed require paint.

They will also require a lttle glue too. You will probably need a craft knife and a file or two to trim any flash from the models.

Games Workshop make paint.
There are also Vallejo paints: http://www.waylandgames.co.uk/vallejo-paints/cat_102.html
and Foundry have paints: http://wargamesfoundry.com/paint_and_brushes/starter_paint_sets/

Personally I use Humbrol enamel.

 

[godsgopher]

Speaking as someone who owns and has played Battlefleet Gothic may I humbly suggest to avoid it like the plague. I have several reasons for saying this. First off your dealing with Games Workshop who regularly raises there prices beyond reason. Secondly they are not an easy company to deal with, Third Battlefleet Gothic has not been actively supported by GW for many years. Forth, the rules just aren't as dynamic, fifth not only goes GW raise there prices very regularly, but you will be paying 30$ for one ship, which in this game will buy you an entire fleet. And Sixth, Mongoose is much easier to deal with as I have been very surprised to learn.

Regarding Painting and Paints

Step One; in dealing with unpainted miniatures, when you take them out of the package, clean them of with a tooth brush, water and a little soap. Miniatures have whats known as a releasing agent, basically a nonstick powder to get them out of the molds. It washes off easily, but if you don't wash it your paint may not stick well.

Step Two; Base Coat the miniature with a primer, Popular primer colors are White for light colored miniatures, Gray is great for reds and Green colors, and Black which makes for great dark colors. Primers are important because metal surfaces are not easily painted over with acrylic paints.

Step three; Use Acrylic paint. This is a water based very easy to clean up paint. Popular brands are Reaper Master Paints and GW's Paints. there are many others, but do try and avoid high gloss paints unless you want your mini's to look like they are made of cheap plastic.

Step Four; Take a little time to look at your miniature and start painting it in your mind. Keep the base color in mind, think in layers, and add colors in layers.

Step Five; Start painting, be sure to thin your paints a little, painting straight out of the bottle works for newer painters but the sooner your learn to thin down your paints by adding a little water to them, the sooner you learn to get thin smooth even coats the better painter you will become and you will have miniatures that look good.

Step Six; Learn when to stop painting, there reaches a point where more isn't better

Step Seven; To remove paint after you have messed up beyond recovery (Yes even long term painters do this) Use a chemical called "Engine De-greaser" and let it set over night, them scrub the paint off with a toothbrush. Ware protective kitchen gloves when working with this stuff, it sucks all the oil out of you skin, at which the skin starts flaking off. (The little things you learn the hard way )

Step Eight; post pictures of your hard labors for all of us to see and stand in awe of. Before you know it everyone will be pestering you for help with there miniatures!

 

[lastbesthope]

All sounds like useful advice.

LBH

 

[kaltorak18]

Absolutely useful! Thank you both, very much for the wonderful information. I really appreciate your voices of experience in the matter. I would never have thought to clean the miniatures first either! Excellent advice And I'll definitely post pictures!

godsgopher, I was noticing similar things about Games Workshop during my research into which game I wanted to invest in. They don't appear to be a company that is very responsive and active. I don't like their lack of communication and their sloth's pace putting out more figures. Plus their art is just.. not very space oriented.

Mongoose on the other hand is a very responsive company. I already have the pdf of the book and I just purchased the mega deal yesterday. Thank you very much! Also, the ship styles look more akin to what I'd expect in a space warfare game. Plus, I played some of their 3.0 D&D modules, which I really liked.

Once again, thank you very much for the great information! I can't wait to receive my miniatures and start painting them.

 

[godsgopher]

Hay very glad to help. I'm by no means a great painter, but if you do have any question I will do my best to help out. Miniature hobbies can be a bit involved, but the great thing about spaceships is there essentially abstract shapes, so they are much easier to get to look good than other "human" style figures. Also don't despair if you get done painting one figure and think to yourself ah this just isn't how I had it in my head. By doing the same paint job on all the miniatures they will look great as a fleet. I have seen so truly childish paint jobs that when all the figures stood shoulder to solder still looked good from five feet away.

 

[McKickaha]

Hey! Nice paint basics step by step godsgopher

 

[houghs]

I use rubbing alcohol, soak,air dry and ready to paint.