Corresponding Enworld thread: http://www.enworld.org/forum/general-rp ... -sold.html
Emphasis mine.D&D Miniatures Changes Announcement wrote:We have received a tremendous amount of feedback from fans regarding the D&D Miniatures line, and have made some exciting changes for 2009. Here’s what’s coming to a shelf near you!
Dungeons & Dragons Miniatures -- Player’s Handbook Heroes
More than anything else, D&D players have been asking us for more PC (player character) minis. The D&D Heroes line features high-quality miniatures representing iconic player character races and classes described in the Player’s Handbook and Player’s Handbook 2 core rulebooks. Now players will be able to find the miniature that best represents their PC, and Dungeon Masters can use these figures to represent non-player characters in their adventures.
Launching in Spring 2009, the first D&D Heroes series features six different packs (18 figures total):
Martial Heroes 1
Martial Heroes 2
Arcane Heroes 1
Arcane Heroes 2
Divine Heroes 1
Primal Heroes 1
Each package contains 3 PC minis: 2 males and 1 female, and 3 unique power cards featuring brand new class powers. All three of the figures in the package will be visible so you’ll know exactly which pack to pick for your game.
The D&D Heroes will be refreshed regularly in order to continue to deliver new PC options to players. There are two series scheduled for 2009 and three scheduled for 2010. MSRP $10.99.
Dungeons & Dragons Miniatures -- Monster Manual
Also new to the 2009 lineup are Monster Manual themed releases. These sets are designed to be what every Dungeon Master (or D&D enthusiast) needs to create riveting adventures and exciting encounters at all levels of play.
Releasing in Spring 2009, the first D&D Monsters set is called Monster Manual: Dangerous Delves. This will be a 40-miniature set containing both medium and large sized figures. Each semi-randomized “booster” box contains 5 minis: 1 visible figure, 1 rare figure, 1 uncommon figure and 2 common figures, as well as full-color D&D Dungeon Delve stat cards for each miniature. MSRP $14.99.
Upon the release of D&D Monsters and D&D Heroes, we will no longer package the D&D Miniatures line in its current configuration (fully randomized booster packs and huge packs). This means that November’s set -- D&D Miniatures: Demonweb -- will be the final release sold in fully randomized booster packs.
I've always hated CCG's with a passion. They induce people, especially children, to pay hundreds of dollars, or more, on game rules which are continuously invalidated and re-issued to create more profit. I've personally known people who have spent thousands of dollars on these transitory cardboard rules. The effects of randomization and "rare" cards also fuel my hatred of CCG's.
That's some of the reason why I play Dnd 3.0. Most of the problems in CCG's are not present in a rulebook based game. Dnd 3.0 is a constant ruleset which is only altered based upon houserules agreed to by the group. Nobody is penalized for not owning a particular book (we share), and the playing field is level.
Now there is this new 4e minis line featuring "...3 unique power cards featuring brand new class powers." Ugh. Remember the bad times in 3.x when people bought a particular book, not because they wanted the entire book, but because it had that one broken ability that the player wanted? Now in 4e, players will be buying miniature packs to get that one unique power card that completes their character build.
In the months and years to come, it seems likely this conversation will occur on a Dnd messageboard:
New player: "Hello everyone. I'm a new Dnd player and I'm playing a new game level 12. I'm a Druid. What powers should I take?"
Old forumer: "You want powers X, Y, and Z. Those let you win the game."
New player: "Okay...I found powers X and Y. I couldn't find power Z in the book though..."
Old forumer: "Noob. That power comes in the Primal Heroes mini pack."
New player: "Oh. Well, I don't really want to spend money on a new miniature pack that I might not like or play for a long time..."
Old forumer: "Your loss."
Old forumer #2: "Check your PM." (Includes link to website which has a listing of all the powers on unique power cards).
Or possibly official Dnd events will require you to own the power card in order to play with it. Now we are smack right in the middle of CCG territory.
A sad and angry day for Dnd players. Thank goodness my group realized 4e was crap before it was released, and continues to play 3e right through.
Thoughts?
