Quest for Cheap Miniatures on the Web #1 - EM4 Miniatures (Size comparisons)

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  • Опубліковано 24 гру 2024

КОМЕНТАРІ • 133

  • @metajock
    @metajock 7 років тому +38

    I love these minis. They were originally put out by Grenadier in the early '90's for some wargame system they had. They came in boxes of 50, with one being a light grey (to denote it was the commander). Those nubs were designed for the shields, each box came with 50 of them. I got two boxes of each Dwarf and Orc, and still have them.
    I'm glad someone else picked up the old molds.

    • @Blandco
      @Blandco  7 років тому +4

      I am glad EM4 is selling them on the cheap! You gotta do a bit of file work on them but still I just don't know that many alternatives at this price level.

    • @Natokaari
      @Natokaari 6 років тому +1

      They didn't pick up the moulds exactly. EM4 was the european manufacturer of Grenadier miniatures and when Grenadier went bankrupt, they kept on making the models.
      Mirliton is the company that bought Grenadiers assets and moulds.

    • @orthoff123
      @orthoff123 4 роки тому

      I love this minis...

    • @Bluecho4
      @Bluecho4 4 роки тому +1

      The fact that the minis were designed in the 90s also explains their height. It the old days, Orcs were depicted as being shorter than humans more often than not. It's only recently that fantasy tropes began to depict Orcs as being of comparable size to humans, if not larger. (At least some of this might be owed to the LotR movies and their depiction of the Uruk-Hai).

  • @papapitufo2000
    @papapitufo2000 7 років тому +7

    I believe that, the bag of shields is specifically put in there so you can cover the bumps on the back of the minis.

  • @Bluecho4
    @Bluecho4 4 роки тому +3

    I discovered the Em-4/Grenadier minis a few days ago, when looking for ways to break into the miniature wargame hobby on the cheap. These ones certainly fit the bill. I'm sorely tempted to purchase sets of these guys. Probably their 48 minis (16 each of the different models) for both Orcs and Dwarves. Maybe buying a few extra, to bring each kind of mini up to a round 20. Get a set or two of shields and glue them to the backs, to hide the injection spot and add some visual depth.
    I might also use the opportunity to spring for some of the 2 pound orc/half-orc minis they sell elsewhere, to act as bootleg hero units. Alternatively, I could try to modify some of the basic Grenadier minis, like sticking a small skull on a spear or bow to turn a regular orc into an orc shaman. I'm still working out the details.

  • @scottmarsh2991
    @scottmarsh2991 7 років тому +2

    I mitigate problems of scale with base work; short miniatures get a lift in the form of a thickened base. Side-by-side comparisons still reveal scale discrepancies, but just getting every soldier's head to a uniform elevation sure straightens the profile of army units.

    • @Blandco
      @Blandco  7 років тому

      I usually use the same 28 MM bases for all my minis. These guys would be very tough to rebase though. Very stiff plastic. I think they are fine with D&D minis.

  • @danmorgan3685
    @danmorgan3685 4 роки тому +2

    They don't look that good but they sure will fill out an army very nicely. Even if you just use them for D&D having a mass of orcs around is very handy.

  • @MykeDiemart
    @MykeDiemart 7 років тому +26

    I have these minis. They came in some fantasy battle game I bought in the early 90s, it was a warhammer knock off. The ones i have seem to have a little sharper detail. This is an awesome find

    • @shaneflickinger
      @shaneflickinger 7 років тому +6

      Actually I think Myke is correct. Grenadier Miniatures made a Warhammer Fantasy knockoff game called Fantasy Warriors. The box came with some of these dwarves and orcs. I had the box at one time myself. I always loved the aesthetics of the Grenadier miniature line.

    • @Blandco
      @Blandco  7 років тому +3

      Yes you are right! There is a board game! www.miniatures-workshop.com/lostminiswiki/index.php?title=Plastic_Figures_%28Fantasy_Warriors%29 EM4 must have gotten the molds somewhere down the line!

    • @danmorgan3685
      @danmorgan3685 4 роки тому

      Your sculpts are from the time when the molds were much newer. That could explain the difference.

  • @broinator2641
    @broinator2641 7 років тому +20

    This looks like a good series, I can't wait to see more.

    • @Blandco
      @Blandco  7 років тому +5

      Thanks! I had always wondered where stonehaven minis got their cheap bases from and now I know!

  • @Draculord666
    @Draculord666 7 років тому +6

    Just stumbled upon your channel and marathoned a ton of your videos. Great stuff, man.

    • @Blandco
      @Blandco  7 років тому

      Thanks! I have been trying to get my content a bit more interesting.

  • @hobsonjones8693
    @hobsonjones8693 2 роки тому +1

    I think the EM4 orcs would make good half-orcs when included with other ranges.

    • @trynda1701
      @trynda1701 Місяць тому

      Good idea. Either that, or young orcs perhaps?

  • @rosicroix777
    @rosicroix777 6 років тому +9

    I've been looking @ their site & really like what I see, especially the price , but your review has convinced me to get a starter army of both dwarves & orcs plus a bunch of the sci fi plastic gangers & a box of their space rangers ( saw another review & they're same scale as space marines ). The prices of GW are far too high & EM4's are majorly affordable. TY for posting this size comparison & review, I think 60 of each of the dwarves & orcs ( there are 3 types of each race, 2 different handweapons 1 archer ) will be about as expensive as 1 regiment box of plastic from GW.

  • @Roman-ey3yi
    @Roman-ey3yi 6 років тому

    I got a couple of their exotic/savage metal minis as well and those sculpts are gorgeous. the orcs are a real question of value though. the off scale makes me wonder if their worth painting

  • @TheCreativeKobold
    @TheCreativeKobold 7 років тому

    Bought a bag of dwarves and a bag of orcs. I really like the old school style - reminds me of the good old days of HeroQuest! I've done some modification on a bunch of them, changing out weapons, added helmets to some orcs, and removed them from their bases(the last of which was really hard!) and put them on round 25mm bases. I really wish the injection point was elsewhere on the minis as well, but I did get rid of them eventually. Got 7 spear orcs painted so far.

    • @niels1t1if
      @niels1t1if 4 роки тому +1

      I ordered 30mm bases since they only had 20mm or 30mm. Are those to big or will the be fine?

    • @TheCreativeKobold
      @TheCreativeKobold 4 роки тому

      They'll fit just fine on 30mm bases.
      :)
      The only problem there is if you're playing games that use 1"/25mm grids as standard - like Dungeons & Dragons. Then they'll stick outside their square a bit, which means it'll "push" out other minis in the squares around it.

  • @windweaver77
    @windweaver77 7 років тому +5

    Just bought 100 dwarves. Thanks for the heads up. Also got some flying bases. I am sculpting pixies with clay and needed a flying base or two.
    I also got the shields. Probably coyld could have used two bags. But i might get creative with my sculpture magic and cover the mold mark with a cape or backpack.
    Not sure yet i might sculpt a backpack and then make a silicon mold and there ya have it.
    If only i knew i was good at this stuff 20 years ago haha.
    Anyway I'll try to post some photos. This is gonna make a great dwarf village.

    • @Blandco
      @Blandco  7 років тому +2

      Sounds awesome!

    • @windweaver77
      @windweaver77 7 років тому +1

      They asked me how i heard of them... i dropped your UA-cam channel. I also suggested that they look into plastic versions of those metal miniatures.
      A halfling village would be pretty sweet.

  • @knicknac95
    @knicknac95 7 років тому +1

    Going by the size comparisons maybe you could use the orcs as stand in goblins?

    • @Blandco
      @Blandco  7 років тому

      They would be a bit big for goblins.

  • @joselazo9799
    @joselazo9799 6 років тому +2

    Wonderful. I always use the most detailed of models but spending 90~ on a Massive Darkness board game for the orcs and dwarves within stung the wallet.
    If i need dwarf and orc fodder in the future, this is an excellent choice. Thanks for the heads up.

    • @Blandco
      @Blandco  6 років тому

      You are welcome! No problem! After filing the mold lines I actually like the old school look of these.

    • @joselazo9799
      @joselazo9799 6 років тому +1

      Yes! they remind me of the old Heroquest miniatures only in design ofc. Thank you again for this find if you find anymore continue to share your secrets.

    • @Blandco
      @Blandco  6 років тому

      That is what I am here for!

  • @robertspears8301
    @robertspears8301 7 років тому +6

    I love the EM4 minis. You should out their sci-fi line. Very nice and very affordable, especially if Necromunda is making a come-back.

  • @ismaelalvarez1569
    @ismaelalvarez1569 7 років тому +4

    Awesome! I'd be interested to check them out. I always have a MIGHTY NEED for lots of certain things (orcs, goblins, etc)

  • @VikingFyre
    @VikingFyre 7 років тому +7

    Ooh I like those, they look like the classic Hero Quest models

    • @Blandco
      @Blandco  7 років тому +4

      Similar base size but a bit smaller in scale. It turns out they are old Grenadier molds from a Fantasy Board game they didn back in the day! A pain to get rid of the flash but fun sculpts!

    • @VikingFyre
      @VikingFyre 7 років тому +1

      Blandco how'd you remove the moldlines? Scraped them off or sanded?

    • @Blandco
      @Blandco  7 років тому +1

      I got a set of files for miniatures. Army painter brand. Excellent for stuff like this. I think you can get regular files as well but I got these for cheap.

  • @gozer87
    @gozer87 7 років тому

    The dwarves and orcs are from the old Grenadier Fantasy Armies series.

  • @TheSmart-CasualGamer
    @TheSmart-CasualGamer 5 років тому +3

    I like em4. Fantastic price range. £7.70 for 48 orcs. Bloody brilliant.
    Edit: An em4 Price increase! Individual plastic models are now 25p and mixed boxes of 48 have gone from £7.70 to £10.50!

  • @TheMonyarm
    @TheMonyarm 6 років тому

    Would love to see you do more `Quest for Cheap Miniatures on the Web`

  • @hakdov6496
    @hakdov6496 7 років тому +2

    I had this boxed set a long time ago - fantasy warriors by grenadier iirc

    • @Blandco
      @Blandco  7 років тому +2

      By Jove you are right! I had no idea these were old Grenadier molds! www.miniatures-workshop.com/lostminiswiki/index.php?title=Plastic_Figures_%28Fantasy_Warriors%29

  • @I2iptor
    @I2iptor 7 років тому +4

    New to your channel - LOVE your stuff on cheap minis! But i was wondering - where would we get cheap townsfolk, villagers, guards, and other NPC's?

    • @Blandco
      @Blandco  7 років тому +2

      That is the most common question I get asked. Sadly there ISN'T a really cheap option right now. There are companies that do metal villagers for $3 each. Reaper Bones has a decent selection of Bones Villagers for around $2.50 each www.reapermini.com/OnlineStore/Villager There USED to be a generic villager set in some Hobby Lobby stores but I think those are out of print. I am still doing research and if I find a decent deal I will do a video.

    • @Blandco
      @Blandco  7 років тому +1

      There are also some more $2.50 townsfolk guys from Dungeon Crawler. www.dungeoncrawler.com/store/index.php?id_category=15&controller=category

    • @I2iptor
      @I2iptor 7 років тому +2

      Blandco thanks for the info. I'll do some more digging around the web.

  • @WrestlingTitan
    @WrestlingTitan 5 років тому +1

    From pictures the Dwalf Spearmen seem to have the best design and mold... would you agree?

    • @Blandco
      @Blandco  5 років тому

      I mean I happen to like the the goblin swordsman. All of them are really nice old school sculpts though

    • @niels1t1if
      @niels1t1if 4 роки тому

      The orcs are probably best used as golbins in dnd right?

  • @scottmarsh2991
    @scottmarsh2991 7 років тому

    Base work! It'll greatly unify the appearance of your minis--even if the models you start with are a motley assortment. Building materials I enjoy using to make bases include 1.) metal slugs, the kind electricians leave behind at construction sites; and 2.) vinyl siding (for home exteriors). I flock with sand and Crazy Glue then paint it all up to look like grass and soil with brown and green base coat then dry-brush highlighting.

  • @Wolf74145
    @Wolf74145 7 років тому +3

    I really enjoy your videos. I bought some metal EM4 Miniatures that looks like Raiders or Marauders of kind of post-apocalyptic baddies. Several of them looked like there straight from Road Warrior or Mad Max. But I was buying them for a post-apocalyptic RPG with your kind of hard to find figures of that sort unless you really really look hard most of them are overseas.

    • @Blandco
      @Blandco  7 років тому +1

      Yeah they have some amazing looking minis that look straight out of Judge Dredd or Shadowrun!

    • @Wolf74145
      @Wolf74145 7 років тому +1

      Blandco here's a link to some I painted along with a Wasteland setup. instagram.com/p/BYmFZHLHeFv/

    • @Blandco
      @Blandco  7 років тому +1

      That looks straight out of the Wasteland! Those would be awesome for a game of Fallout RPG.

    • @Wolf74145
      @Wolf74145 7 років тому

      Blandco yes Sir! I think so too!

    • @Wolf74145
      @Wolf74145 7 років тому +1

      Blandco hey for a new video have you seen the Dollar General skeletons? they're selling in the Halloween section I know a bunch of this has been posted on the DMS craft but I bought up to two packages last night. And you get like 10 skeletons for a dollar. They're slightly larger than than a D&D miniature but I think they're close enough you know especially on the cheap.

  • @DarkAcolon
    @DarkAcolon 7 років тому +2

    Great video man I´m ordering some of these next month realy cheap. Can I see a picture of the dwarves compared to the Reaper Bones dwarfs?

    • @windweaver77
      @windweaver77 7 років тому +1

      "Please configure for 3rd part use "

    • @Blandco
      @Blandco  7 років тому +1

      Well apparently Photobucket no longer even accepts direct links back to Photobucket.

    • @Blandco
      @Blandco  7 років тому

      drive.google.com/open?id=0B52rLX4FFDZgZFBmNDNUd1hVZlE
      drive.google.com/open?id=0B52rLX4FFDZgSkpQVktGdXQ4dHM
      These should work hopefully.

    • @DarkAcolon
      @DarkAcolon 7 років тому +1

      Yes these will work fine for my game thx a lot.

    • @windweaver77
      @windweaver77 7 років тому +1

      Vitor Travassos
      Yeah i bought 10906 dwarves, 50 shields 10 orcs 35 bases and 2 metal h alflings ( halfling fighters are hard to come by) all for about $40 shipped..
      Plus i get to alter the dwarves. Already have some ideas haha.

  • @htennek1
    @htennek1 5 років тому +1

    I like how they were goblins, then suddenly became orcs for size comparison.

  • @DarkMatterjack
    @DarkMatterjack 7 років тому +2

    At 50 for about £7 this might just come in handy for running really large battles.
    Whole army of guys for the price of a couple Reaper minis.

    • @Blandco
      @Blandco  7 років тому

      The only issue is the mold line cleaning but frankly almost any cheap mini is going to have that issue.

  • @B.-T.
    @B.-T. 7 років тому +2

    That is a pretty amazing find! Shame the Orcs won't look too imposing unless you're using them alongside really old Ral Partha stuff...
    The Dwarves are perfect for any type of underdark campaign featuring Duergar.

    • @Blandco
      @Blandco  7 років тому +1

      Yeah EM4 might be coming out with more inexpensive minis too! I also bought some of their metal halfings and they are pretty great.

    • @B.-T.
      @B.-T. 7 років тому

      Interesting, wonder where they'll be getting em from.
      I'd love to see someone rerelease the old Dark World minis, myself... maybe with some bases that aren't quite as tall.

  • @roadkilldemon1174
    @roadkilldemon1174 6 років тому +4

    Cool video! Been a casual fan of EM4's stuff for years. What range is the mad wee owl thing at the end from?

    • @Blandco
      @Blandco  6 років тому +2

      That is my own sculpt! Root the owlbear hatchling. I am still working on my sculpting.

  • @generalleedle6883
    @generalleedle6883 7 років тому +1

    I like the site and series. But most sites shown on the channel don't ship to my country(Kazakhstan) and those who do charge massive shipping fees. The site ships to north Korea but not the 9th biggest country in the world. I find that very weird.

    • @Blandco
      @Blandco  7 років тому

      Oh man that stinks. Best of luck in the future.

  • @EnDungeoned
    @EnDungeoned 7 років тому +9

    Here are some conversions I did based on these miniatures the-lost-and-the-damned.664610.n2.nabble.com/Plastic-Fantasy-Warriors-Conversions-td7578725.html

    • @Blandco
      @Blandco  7 років тому +4

      Dwarf Miner! That looks really great!

  • @ilcamiciaro1859
    @ilcamiciaro1859 6 років тому

    It seems that since the video the shipping prices have changed, making it the deliver much more expensive for north america

  • @nowthisnamestaken
    @nowthisnamestaken 4 роки тому

    I ordered some ACW figures and some pre-painted western minis that were in stock. Ill respond to my own comment when I get them in.

  • @semperatis
    @semperatis 7 років тому +3

    I use their shields a lot, great value.

    • @Blandco
      @Blandco  7 років тому +1

      Amazing value! I was duplicating shields with resin and man that was a pain!

  • @majsmith66
    @majsmith66 6 років тому +2

    Good video. I like your presentation style, and you just stick to the topic. Good stuff!

  • @mauktheogre4477
    @mauktheogre4477 5 років тому

    You should try to make a video on tips for painting miniatures. You can definitely explain how to drybrush and such a lot better than some youtubers

  • @rogerwhite9484
    @rogerwhite9484 5 років тому +1

    I got 12 sprues of their plastic gangers almost a yr ago & they're scale vv/a Games VVorkshop plastic Imperial Guardsman to the point I've converted a fevv vv/special vveapons & they look good, nearly perfect. They're still a great value. Also if you go to the cast your ovvn miniatures site PrinceAugust they've got NIB of the old VVarzone game going cheap, its got 80 plastic minis inside, all appropriate/scale to be Imperial Guardsmen, one ofthe sides looks like Death Corps of Krieg , the other like 1st vvorld vvar british. I hope some of you vvill check them out & enjoy the savings.

  • @TheMonyarm
    @TheMonyarm 6 років тому

    If you can find them cheap you should check out Schleich figures

  • @windweaver77
    @windweaver77 7 років тому

    I must admit i am a little miffed about the lack of dwarves crossbow. Luckily i have a bunch of mageknight gun toting dwarves i converted to crossbows.

  • @huge3r3ction
    @huge3r3ction 6 років тому

    This price seems great but their shipping abroad is quite expensive. On £25 order, shipping was £14... yikes

  • @kayzach4108
    @kayzach4108 7 років тому +1

    Any future stream plans?

    • @Blandco
      @Blandco  7 років тому +1

      I would like to do a stream but I don't know what I could do sitting down at my computer. I could answer questions and kinda showcase off some minis but I don't have a setup for painting or anything. I Guess I could tape up my webcam and speedpaint at my desk. I am not a great painter but I am decent at speed painting stuff.

    • @kayzach4108
      @kayzach4108 7 років тому

      Blandco sweet. I attended the test. Just curious

  • @ktotoys9456
    @ktotoys9456 6 років тому

    What is the website to D&D?

  • @BillyButton63
    @BillyButton63 6 років тому

    The big orc at the end looked more like an ogre.

  • @MonsterPainter
    @MonsterPainter 3 роки тому

    Blandco is such fun.

  • @Brickerbrack
    @Brickerbrack 6 років тому

    You may also be interested in some of the conversion guides on CombatZoneChronicles.net, which can give you some great ideas on getting the most out of your cheap minis! combatzonechronicles.net/em4/orcsy.htm

  • @orinanime
    @orinanime 6 років тому

    Great video.
    I find modern orcs too big.
    I use them for ogres.
    I'll definitely want some of these.

  • @mattbecker4514
    @mattbecker4514 6 років тому

    Hey just a heads up for anyone thinking about buying from EM4. I had possibly the worst mailorder experience of my life dealing with those guys. They were out of stock on multiple items that I ordered (yes, they were in stock on the site), and they sent the wrong and broken minis. And when asked politely to fix it, they were extremely rude and a massive hassle. So proceed with caution.

    • @Blandco
      @Blandco  6 років тому

      Woah. That is nuts! I had no issues from multiple orders from them. What did they sent you that was broken?

    • @mattbecker4514
      @mattbecker4514 6 років тому

      @@Blandco One of the wood elves in my original order that they mistakenly sent an orc in it's place. When I told them about it they sent out one that was lead (all of the others were pewter) and was so badly broken at the ankles I just threw it away. It also had a missing piece from it's leg as if the mold didn't fill. It was crazy. I've never had anything like that happen before.

  • @angelusnielson7135
    @angelusnielson7135 6 років тому

    that's about 30 cents each by the way. Give or take.

  • @cosmoreverb3977
    @cosmoreverb3977 6 років тому +1

    on the website it says I can get 48 orcs for £7.70, jesus christ that's amazing

    • @Blandco
      @Blandco  6 років тому

      Oh yeah it's a GREAT site for bases and cheap minis. Just a reminder that you gotta probably file down the mold lines on each mini before you paint it. But it's a inexpensive way to get some old school minis for D&D. CHEAPEST on the web as of today.

  • @BlaueCookieFan
    @BlaueCookieFan 7 років тому +1

    Sculpted by Nick Lund, I guess?

    • @Blandco
      @Blandco  7 років тому +1

      Mark Copplestone. Apparently. www.miniatures-workshop.com/lostminiswiki/index.php?title=Plastic_Figures_(Fantasy_Warriors)

  • @yerba_king231
    @yerba_king231 6 років тому

    remember muscle men the toys? yeah i use those

  • @theredghostman9279
    @theredghostman9279 5 років тому

    Maybe the little orcs can be kids

  • @Mitaukano
    @Mitaukano 7 років тому +5

    Thanks as always for the great videos. I might grab some of these dwarves and use them in my next game. If you need a good base alternative I found these on Amazon, and I've been rebasing old Mage Knight and some WoW miniatures with them. www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06Y3X9KKL/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

    • @Blandco
      @Blandco  7 років тому +2

      Yeah I saw someone on DM Scotty's Facebook linking those. I might have to check them out.

  • @GoogXxXmaster
    @GoogXxXmaster 7 років тому +2

    One of the cheapest set of miniatures ive seen are Norba Miniatures Battle for the Ring line
    norbaminiatures.com/en/31-the-battle-of-the-ring

    • @windweaver77
      @windweaver77 7 років тому

      What's the scale?

    • @windweaver77
      @windweaver77 7 років тому

      They appear to be over a buck each...
      Those are euros right?

    • @GoogXxXmaster
      @GoogXxXmaster 7 років тому +1

      They're supposed to be proxies for the LotR mini game so i would assume that size, i havent gotten them so i don't know.

    • @windweaver77
      @windweaver77 7 років тому

      Sculpts are nice... if these are 28mm and the shipping is reasonable. .. you might be on to something.
      The scenery looks especially nice.

    • @windweaver77
      @windweaver77 7 років тому

      m.facebook.com/norba.miniatures/
      Here is their fb page.

  • @tscmoto3991
    @tscmoto3991 7 років тому

    those orcs are small

  • @scottmarsh2991
    @scottmarsh2991 7 років тому

    Painted up, they look great!
    Those are old Grenadier Miniatures. Mirliton SG sells metal ones that will match the sculpt and scale @ mirliton.it

  • @richiedelgrippo8358
    @richiedelgrippo8358 6 років тому

    B O A R D G A M E

  • @coleschubert9868
    @coleschubert9868 5 років тому

    Offical dnd Board games

  • @windweaver77
    @windweaver77 7 років тому

    m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1824160874268745&id=100000245499773
    Here are are size comparisons of the various miniatures i have amassed the past year or so...

    • @windweaver77
      @windweaver77 7 років тому

      I'll be updating it as stuff comes in :)

    • @windweaver77
      @windweaver77 7 років тому

      Even put in the 2003 board games for ya :)

    • @windweaver77
      @windweaver77 7 років тому

      EM4 miniatures now in the photo gallery.
      Along with my first ever reaper bones.

    • @windweaver77
      @windweaver77 7 років тому

      Link working?

  • @ZackWilliamsPANCAKE
    @ZackWilliamsPANCAKE 7 років тому +1

    First?

    • @Blandco
      @Blandco  7 років тому +2

      It looks like the puppet Krinkle watched the video just as it was uploaded. Sorry he was first. He won't stop bragging and poking me.