8 replies to this topic

[Jordan Peacock]

With the release of a sixth IMEF Marine, I've decided to pick up the whole set and paint them up for a group of PCs for a sci-fi scenario. So far, I've got Erik Proudfoot, Jazz Jenkins, Torch McHugh and Nick Stone, with Sarah Blitzer on order. However, I noticed that there are TWO versions of Reggie Van Zandt available:

* http://www.reapermin...est/65089]65089 - Reggie Van Zandt, Intergalactic Marine (P-65)[/url] for $5.99
* http://www.reapermin...own/50022]50022 - Reggie Van Zandt, IMEF Heavy Gunner (Chronoscope)[/url] for $7.99

I couldn't help but notice that the P-65 version is $2 cheaper. My thought was that the reason for this

When I was putting in an order for Sarah Blitzer at my local game store, I asked about the P-65 version of Reggie Van Zandt, and was urged to reconsider getting anything from the P-65 "unless it's something really big and heavy and expensive that the savings would be worth it." The problem, I was told, was that the P-65 minis are exceptionally soft compared to the regular Reaper metal. I was told an anecdotal tale of someone who had just bought a regular-sized model in the P-65 line, and dropped it on the table, and then picked it up, and the facial features were totally smashed. Therefore, it would be fine for "display on a shelf," but not for regular game use.

I don't recall having that sort of trouble with minis back when they still had lead in them (yeah, I'm THAT old, I'll admit it). I was wondering: Is this a serious problem with the P-65 line? Is that what I'm trading off? I can't really argue with anecdotal evidence since I haven't picked up anything yet from the P-65 line to tell from personal experience of my own, but I'm having a bit of trouble imagining the miniature would be *that* fragile, or I'd wonder if it would be already damaged in the blister by the time I get it.

Does anyone have experience comparing the P-65 metals to the regular Reaper minis, who could comment on the differences? Are P-65 minis "just for display"?

[joshuaslater]

I bought a P-65 Troll model. I didn't like the way it handled under a hobby knife to remove mold lines. Others have no problems with the metal and love the savings.

I won't buy any P-65 model.

I like Reaper's metal formula just fine.

I'm sure you'll get other opinions on this over the next few days.

[Lars Porsenna]

I have a few P-65 figures, and no they are not just for display.

I do a lot of historicals, as well as having done minis back in the "Golden era" (or maybe just the "Silver era" aka the '80s) where lead was still an alloy in the mix. IMHO the P-65s are "harder" than the alloy Grenadier used, and much better than the alloy Minifigs used (I found a pack of their AD&D kobolds at a store a lo-ong time ago). I would say it's a decent quality alloy, and I've dropped man-sized figures on a hard table a time or two and didn't get the "boxer's nose syndrome," and definitely didn't get smashed or distorted features. If you dropped it from chest height onto concrete, I think you'd get some damage to the metal, so don't do that (I have doubts pewter would survived unscathed for that matter).

IMHO lead alloy is a bit more enjoyable to clean up mold lines etc, but is softer and heavier than pewter, so YMMV.

Damon.

[Inarah]

I have a few pieces I picked up second hand and haven't really noticed a pronounced softness. They are a lot like the old 'leaded' figures from the 80's I used to paint with oil enamels.

[Shakandara]

I knocked all 3 of my Frost Giant spearmen off my shelf one day. After the 3 foot fall, I had to straighten a couple of the spears and reattach parts that broke at the seam where I'd pinned them. The models are otherwise fine. If my floors were concrete or something, maybe the results would have been different, but it sounds like the story you were told was a bit of an exaggeration.

~v

[Beowulfthehunter]

The metal is slightly softer, but given that reggie is such a solid piece I would not worry. The only inssues you might have would be thin blades for weapons and such.

[Qwyksilver]

I've dropped P-65 figures off my gaming table and a bookshelf on to my concrete basement floor with no appreciable difference to damage than my regular white metal. A weapon bent...paint scuffed...glued limb broken.
My most tragic fall was the hill giant from the top shelf of a floor to ceiling bookshelf. The arm with the club came off at the glued shoulder joint. No smooshing of detail. If something with that much mass survived...not too worried about a man sized figure.

[Jordan Peacock]

Thanks for the information. I've got quite a few lead-pewter (that term should be redundant!) minis from back in the day, still in use, and I've never experienced anything extraordinarily bad about the details. I was a bit thrown off by the claim that P-65 was somehow ridiculously soft. I shall hope it wasn't simply part of a desire to steer me into buying the more expensive miniature. ;) Anyway, at this point I think I'll just take the risk, put in the order, and see how P-65 Reggie holds up. At this point, I think I'm more curious about the metal than I am concerned about $2 of savings.

[TheAuldGrump]

To folks that have only used pewter minis P-65 is ridiculously soft.

For us oldtimers, that were painting lead while Carter was PotUS it is like coming home. :)

My preference... ... ... maybe pewter, but not by enough to matter. I am happy to buy either.

The Auld Grump