This may be what I need to get a friend into FFGs Star Wars wargames, he played 40k for a bit and is self described as a hobbyist first gamer second, so he is very reluctant to do X-wing with its prepainted minis but having to paint fighters might get him into Armada

I will probably spray paint grey on imperial ships ivory on rebel ships. Add black cockpit windows and a simple GW wash...voila!

I will probably spray paint grey on imperial ships ivory on rebel ships. Add black cockpit windows and a simple GW wash...voila!

On models that size, that should be about all you'll need to get really good results. It's not going to be hard either. I can't see what all the fuss is about. I'm looking forward to getting my hands on them to see how much can be done.

I might hit the rebel ships with some extremely basic paint, and possibly just leave the Imperials as they are. The fighter models are tiny and the game really isn't about them at all, I'm not concerned. if the Rebels were any other color than solid white I probably wouldn't fiddle with them either but being so brightly colored makes their plainness stand out.

I paint 6mm figures, so I'm very much going to paint the fighters. As people have already said, at that scale it's not about detail. It's about getting a general feel that will look good from a distance. Don't do anything complicated or you'll screw everything up and it'll look horrible. Is it detail you'll see or care about from four feet away?

This all means that painting such small things is, paradoxically, easy.

Does it bother me that I'm going to have to spend a little time buffing up my fighters? Not at all. I like my stuff to be a little distinctive anyways.

Too true. Compared to painting 6mm infantry figures, the models will be a doddle.

Everybody is talking about to paint the minis, this a great thing for the ones that know how to paint these minis, but is not an option for the ones that have no idea.

I have been always thinking about how to paint the little minis from the board game "Galactica" and I have seen a lot of pictures of people that knows how to paint them and a lot of people that try to do a good job. For me painted models are better, I prefer to pay this little more 3$, that some said to have a full Armada painted in different colours.

FFG, why not give the two options? (You can sell also the painting in an extra expansion) For me these unpainted minis are horrible.

Given that they most likely chose unpainted fighters to lower the production cost, two options would accomplish the very opposite. I wouldn't expect to see painted fighters at all, but even in the most optimistic views you'd have to at least imagine that they'd wait and see how Armada sells before they start thinking about making new, more expensive fighters.

Given that they most likely chose unpainted fighters to lower the production cost, two options would accomplish the very opposite. I wouldn't expect to see painted fighters at all, but even in the most optimistic views you'd have to at least imagine that they'd wait and see how Armada sells before they start thinking about making new, more expensive fighters.

Its also a speed/inventory issue I think too. After watching the TC In Flight Report video from Gencon the very last question was about painting minis and what that entails and particularly how much just washing the minis takes to not screw it up and how that step is the biggest one for why ships are rejected by quality assurance. Now that is on X-wing size minis, imagine how much harder it is for those tiny ones.

The numbers he gave were like 1/40 to 1/50 are rejected a 2ish% error rate, personally after seeing some of the X-wing issues with inventory (I started that game midWave 2 when the only thing on the shelves Were A-wings and Tie Interceptors and a handful of the large ships) If it means we have 2%(it would probably be higher once again because of the smaller size leading to a higher error rate) more product on the shelves and it is a bit cheaper, I'll be happy.

Even in Twilight Imperium the models look good, which would certainly push me to become a painter, if I had the time to do so.

But I don't, as I'm a war gamer first and foremost, and a painter last.

Heck, give me the minis partially assembled and needing a base coat of paint and I will still buy them!

It's the game that's important. The game is the heart of the excitement, with the minis coming in only as support items.

For those that aren't liking the concept of untainted fighters, I would suggest finding some local model maker or model train club. They'll have someone that would be more than happy to slap a quick coat of paint on.

I'm not planning on anything too complex. Quick base coat, black cockpit glazing, colour stripe for squadron marking, and light dry brush - job done. About five minutes for each stand, tops. The detail on the models is going to be worth the effort. But it's not entirely necessary if you don't want to. Unless it really bugs you.

but is not an option for the ones that have no idea.

Sorry but it is an option.

There's scores of youtube videos out there on painting miniatures. Also if you have a LGS to play at, there will be plenty of people there to help you learn or do it for you for a few bucks.

So there's lots of options out there for people who don't know how to paint.

Worst comes to worst, check out your local Games Workshop. They'll show some techniques for free, and they tend to toss in a free demo model as well. They'll then expect you to buy their paints and models, but honestly, GW paint isn't bad to start on. Don't buy their models unless you've already made the plunge into one of their games, though.

I'm assuming you've got a local GW, which is silly, but it's a better option than you'd think if it's there.

So there's lots of options out there for people who don't know how to paint.

Go to your local Home Depot, grab a can of $1.99 paint, any color you wish, and apply a single coat of paint to said miniature.

One. Stroke. Done.

Sorry, couldn't stop myself from posting this 'suggestion.'

I was planning to just use crayons on mine...

I was planning to just use crayons on mine...

Lol!!!

Some folks seem to believe that since FFG can paint a big honkin' ship then a swarm of 21 fighters should be easy peasy. It's not the PAINT, it's the time, skill & man-hours. Paying someone to hover over infinitesemal little TIE fighters with a jeweller's glass and a tiny paintbrush is simply not cost-effective. Really, this was the only practical solution.

I don't think sexing 'em up a little should be too tough, but I'll reserve total judgement until I see them. Rebel fighters will be harder than Imps.

Some folks seem to believe that since FFG can paint a big honkin' ship then a swarm of 21 fighters should be easy peasy. It's not the PAINT, it's the time, skill & man-hours. Paying someone to hover over infinitesemal little TIE fighters with a jeweller's glass and a tiny paintbrush is simply not cost-effective. Really, this was the only practical solution...

Great post.

I know nothing about painting minis so what is this wash everyone is talking about and how easy would it be for a novice to try it on the fighters?

As several others have said, painting fighters will be a piece of piss.

I've painted quite a few models for Epic 40k, infantry standing 6-8mm tall, and you don't need detail at that scale.

I've not seen the models in the flesh, but I'd bet a base colour and a wash would be adequate. A light base colour and either a black or brown wash would work nicely.

With zero skill you could make them look pretty good. You could get many many stands of fighters done with about thirty minutes work, plus drying time between coats.

Personally I'd pretty them up with some contrasting colour for squadron markings and maybe cockpit glass, weapons and lights, but that's an unnecessary step if you're not confident.

Fantasy Flight, if painting fighters will add significant cost to the final product, please don't!

So, there's another person in the world still playing Epic 40K?!? Outstanding!

I agree, these fighters are way bigger than a 6mm Space Marine and will be easy to paint. I'm looking forward to painting different Rebel squadrons, and Imperial Fighter Wings.

So, there's another person in the world still playing Epic 40K?!? Outstanding!

I suspect that there still are many of 'us' lingering around. However, Titan Legions and the current rules for Epic killed off any hope of continuation with those rules/minis.

Ok, back to the scheduled program.

Hello

I have been reading about what all you people say about unpainted fighters. I still hope maybe they will come painted when released....hehe

But i see the problem about the cost of the game would go up if so. For me it is not a problem and would gladly pay more for the game to get it complete painted. But i understand that not all could afford or want to buy it if the cost was to high.

I am not a good painter and would not be painting my ships. But hope maybe also in future there will be possible to buy units to a higher price for collectors like me that are painted.

For me, only the best and highest quality is satisfying. That said if i have to play it with unpainted fighters i still gonna have the time of my life.....

Hello

I have been reading about what all you people say about unpainted fighters. I still hope maybe they will come painted when released....hehe

But i see the problem about the cost of the game would go up if so. For me it is not a problem and would gladly pay more for the game to get it complete painted. But i understand that not all could afford or want to buy it if the cost was to high.

I am not a good painter and would not be painting my ships. But hope maybe also in future there will be possible to buy units to a higher price for collectors like me that are painted.

For me, only the best and highest quality is satisfying. That said if i have to play it with unpainted fighters i still gonna have the time of my life.....

If players are willing to pay to have them painted, then I predict a cottage industry will rise up to offer that service.

One thing that has bugged me with X-Wing is the variation of "standard" colours within my TIE fleet. I've got TIE Fighters that are light grey, a TIE Adv that's a different light grey, TIE Interceptors that are blue/grey, a TIE Bomber that's just blue. The only two ships that are the same colour are my Phantom and Defender, but they're still a different shade from the rest. At least by painting the Armada fighters myself, they'll all be consistent. Except for the one stand of Royal Guard red Interceptors.

So, there's another person in the world still playing Epic 40K?!? Outstanding!

I suspect that there still are many of 'us' lingering around. However, Titan Legions and the current rules for Epic killed off any hope of continuation with those rules/minis.

Ok, back to the scheduled program.

I actually quite enjoyed the TL rules, and currently use the EA rules. It was the set in between that really killed the game. I think they went too 'basic' and really lost the flavour of the game. That and GW deciding to pull the plug entirely. It's a shame really, because it was always good fun to play.