A few minutes ago I was reading the article about the new Talisman characters, and told my wife that the FFG version of the game will have miniatures instead of the cardboard standees.

"But I prefer the cardboard standees. I can't miniatures, and they often look alike."

"But minis are cooler."

"Not to me."

And then we started to compare game components for games like Arkham, BSG, Descent, etc. And I did come to realize that I like both types of character represenations, yet I never paint the minis because I am terrible at it.

Which made me wonder -- why can't a company come out with both options for a game? Obviously, people like both options, but minis are often more popular with painters than without. If Talisman (or Arkham, of BSG, or whatever) came with both types of characters, people could play with the ones they liked the most.

Does this seem like a crazy idea, or something that just might be worth looking into?

hmm, I doubt they would ever make both.

After thinking about this though, I always thought I was a minis guy, but after playing the new BSG board game the other day I really, really liked the smaller standees that are in that. So I think if they're smaller/nice quality they can be pretty nice. The problem with the BI Talisman standees was that they were sort of ridiculously big/awkward size.

Miniatures are nice for games that can pull it off though so who knows.

I personally prefer the minis. Mainly because after you spend the time to paint them it gives the pieces much more of a personal touch to them. But to keep them from looking similar you do have to paint them. Plus for some reason evertime i put a standee in its stand after playing for a while the stand will fall off over and over again (thats just more of an annoyance.)

Growing up with the 2nd ed and having 36 standee characters, I got used to them. Never was even tempted with miniatures. AH also has standees. Now, with the 4th ed, miniatures have reared their miserable head. If you ask if I want 14 characters with standees or a mere 4 with miniatures, it better be a rhetorical question.

*grumbles: stupid miniature freaks, ruining an all-time favourite

Just use the standies from BI then I'd be happy to trade! Hate em.. after a while they won't stay in the foot and it just falls off everytime you want to move it.

standies are vintage, old classic style a nice tribute to 2nd edition. but miniatures are more useful and cool.

Gawain said:

Oh, I'd be happy to. That is, if it weren't for the fact I'll need to buy the upgrade pack to use Reaper. And I don't think Reaper has standees + miniatures.

Gawain said:

Weird. Did you leave the "feet" in? I take mine off everytime (in Talisman and AH) and haven't had trouble.

On a very semi-related note, even before playing a single game with the revised edition, I'm going to houserule the Fate crap null and void. Crutches don't belong in Talisman. Horrible Black Void ruled back in the day and would/will still rule, I hope.

Normally, I'd go with the standies. I like the return to 2nd edition and that would help with keeping the flavor.

However, after seeing that FFG kept the character artwork, I'll take the minis. MAYBE I can do something with them with paint that will lessen my dislike of them. It was nice to see FFG touch them up, but I was really hoping for all new art on the characters.

That being said, I'm still scratching my head on why the designers felt the need to move the game away from it's GW influenced style from previous editions.

I definitely prefer the minitures - they look so much better to me, don't fall over, get bent, get stained etc....

Dam said:

I take my standees out of the base anytime they arent in play and they still will not stay in. I do agree with you about Fate. I think it's unneccesary.

Problems with miniatures...

• If they get damaged or lost, you are out of luck, unless there is an outlet where you can buy such replacements. Even so, the price can be irritating to ridiculous. It is always possible to print and assemble a new standee replacement in a like situation. I've done it before, and I'll be prepared to do it again, plus the bases can be searched and purchased on the internet at reasonable prices.
• Painting miniatures effectively is craft/art most people don't have the skill/time for. Standees don't require this. In creating a replacement you can (and I may get glower from FFG) scan the art from the character card, print off just the character art, and create a new standee with just ard stock. Problem solve quick and easy, with minimal cost, because standees do wear over time.
• Miniatures bring in the "collectibles" element, always, eventually. That brings in price inflation issues as well, eventually. If standees are the standard, minatures can still be produced separately for those who wish to collect. Most players of Talisman I've met aren't that interested unless they are also into table top RPGs and WGs.

JCHendee said:

I agree with you 100%! The two biggest issues for me are painting them and the minis getting damaged pre and post painting...

BUT! At the same time, I am glad FFG included the minis, as the standees areflimsy as anything and ALWAYS fall off their base...

I am somewhat torn between two worlds!

minis are fare more durable.

my group has been using D&D miniatures for Talisman (even toads!) pretty much since i bought it. of course to get just the right kinds of minis does take some purchasing (or having already purchased a crapload of them). i'm looking forward to official Talisman minis so people don't have to get confused as to which D&D mini is the sorceress and which is the prophetess.

If the minis were pre-painted I'd say minis win hands down. We don't mind the standees too much, but they always seem to end up edge-on at the worst times.

I hate gray minis, so I guess I'll have to break out the paints, but for a boardgame I'm less interested in painting minis than regular minis for RPGs and wargames. Especially since I just want it to look like the picture on the card.

Always a mini man. Loved them. Cardboard cut outs are just annoying.

they should make both cause people will gripe regardless of which they make. i prefer Miniatures.

Conejo said:

Over time, I've painted some Reaper and Warhammer miniatures to be used for Talisman. I've been doing that since university with my 2nd edition copy.

I, too, am looking forward to the new minis, but for nostalgia sake, I will most like pull out the standees from time to time.

I'm looking forward to the minis. Back when I was a teen playing 2nd edition, a friend had minis painted for most of the characters (the ones we'd want to use anyway). I'm just not looking forward to painting them myself. It has been about 18 years since I painted a mini. YIKES!

While I'm an avid miniature collector for other games, I prefer standees for Talisman. I guess that's an aftereffect of the 2nd Edition which got me into gaming in the first place. Anyway, I've no real problem with FFG releasing miniatures (other then they will be useless for myself, but maybe not for my fellow players). Its not that I can't scan character images from their cards, scale them accordingly and print. Instant standees :]

I thank you for your time

Lord Gorthuar de Veris

Cult of Nagash

Miniatures would appeal more to the younger audience.

BUT

I am opting for BOTH (or a Miniatures Blister Pack at a reasonable price ( I like the idea of the "upgrade pack"))

A a few bits of cardboard would not harm and for Talisman it would be a nostalgia bonus.

I like the idea of selling miniatures as additions. This enhances the collecting aspect, increasing the company's profits, while keeping the standees as standard. If you're unfortunate enough to lose or break a miniature, your in trouble if the standees (the bases particularly) aren't included. We at least need those bases if we ever have to make a replacement piece. Makes a lot more sense for a product friendly to the consumer.

Best way to do it IMHO is to come with card minis and lots of them like 2nd edition. Then choose the most popular ones that people play, and make some minis for them that can come sepretly.

I'm a completely talent-free painter, so my plan right now is to go with D&D Miniatures. At a glance, I have a hard time telling Talisman's plain-gray ones apart.

I am very happy that FFG has made Miniatures instead of standees.

I don't like standees

But i am not good at painting because i have never tried it. ...

I have to admit that I am a standee guy. It's especially easier when creating a new character... very simple to create a temple that matches that art on a new character card... and ta-da... no need to find and paint a miniature. Just print, mount, and play!