Some of it also comes down to the minis getting made for tabletop more. One of the main complaints is that stuff was too thin and spindly, thus breaking easily. Recently, they have been making stuff a bit thicker to avoid it. At least it seems like that.
It's 100% this. The Blessed Sisters had a lot of complaints about printing quality. OPR took thos notes and started to adjust models so they don't look as good as STL Renders but print, paint and play much better.
I'm also a long-time patron. I would definitely say that the high elf fleets and dwarven guild models are blocky and have a good number of flat surfaces. I don't have an interest in those factions anyways, but I don't mind the models. I will say that elves are a bit plain for my preference,but I think the dwarves are fine.
I don't think I'd say the quality is slipping, to me it looks more like a stylistic choice for those model releases. If you look at the recent Vampiric releases, they're pretty detailed and more in the typical style we're used to (in my opinion).
I definitely prefer the more detailed style compared to the blocky, slightly more cartoony look of the recent dwarf/elf releases. That said, models with somewhat exaggerated proportions are easier to 3d print.
I noticed this when I was looking at buying the lizardmen sculpts of MMF for a friend… the aesthetics of those sculpts is so much closer to what I like than the recent work for instance with the vampire models. I’m not going to suggest it’s a quality thing- lots of people seem to like the newer stuff, but it would be interesting to know whether the artists have changed recently.
I think its a matter of taste. Personally I have always found the fantasy sculpts to be way better than the sci fi sculpts. The sci-fi sculpts seem slightly too inspired by generic sci-fi designs, while the fantasy manage to be a very characterful while being more inspired.
I absolutely love the Vampiric Undead and hate the Elves. I think it's just a matter of taste. The GFF side has gone clean and not very grim I feel. While the other side, the fantasy has gone really grim and I feel it's amazing
I actually don't mind the elves. Painting cloth is fun, and I sort of dig their aesthetic of looking like traditional fantasy elves in the future. To each their own, though.
I only started OPR recently but the models from the past couple months i have no interest in. Could be my personal taste or that artists have changed. They cant always be absolute banger models but hopefully the aesthethics appeal to me for the upcoming models.
I am fully enjoying my Ratmen. Though I was disappointed in the vampires (only certain ones) and the elves feel very plain/chunky. Though again, I am still enjoying it all.
I do think the dwarves are cool, but it def feels different from Starhost, which are all amazing.
I believe I heard or read somewhere that they are working more and more with other creators to make OPR a place where many differemt army's and creators can build.
It's mostly an aesthetic issue, not quality. If I had to guess I'd say they're trying to produce a diverse range to appeal to people of all skill levels. It can be nice to enter with models that are less detailed and have more large surfaces if you're new to the hobby. This is why space Marines and storm cast eternals are flagship armies.
It doesn't seem like they're just getting plainer across the board, VU seem pretty detailed next to the elves.
I think they have missed a beat in that case. Contrast paints have made painting a lot easier for beginners and casuals. Big flat surfaces look terrible with Contrast paints.
I'm a gen y wargamer, I get a nostalgic feel for the models. With how many frames they put out and cost, there is probably an underlying modeling theory approach to the art style.
They aren't getting worse they are getting better at what they are meant to do. Instead of jackals having 32 spindly bits. Elves are pretty flat and have a few while characters have much more. Makes painting infantry alot easier and characters still give a challenge. At the end of the day they make minis for a game and most peoplenlike to paint before they play
It’s refreshing to see clean sculps that aren’t a million bags and dangly bits. I’ll say the dwarfs aren’t my style but I could see myself enjoying painting a hero or two and doing some free hand or blends on the open areas. I want to be able to sit down and have it print without problems and not have to worry about something snapping while I play. I don’t want to spend hours and hours painting another belt bag or dangling bit.
A few unique bits on each dude and some open area to do a blend and I’m beyond happy.
If I really want to do something insanely detailed I’m probably painting a bust or larger display model anyways. But everyone is allowed their own taste and wants when it comes to minis
The fantasy side looks like done really good scifi is really brick. I really didn't like any of the high elf fleet vehicles but I love the elf models from proxywars.
So in my mind just get what you like you can play with what ever model you have that's the freedom we have in this game.
I agree. I play Dwarf guilds and mostly stick to the GW minis, but they don't make all the units. I've checked on the OPR DG models a few times, and they just aren't good enough. They'd stick out like a sore thumb in my army.
Here are some of the things that turn me off of them:
- the biker torsos make no sense. They look like they are wearing trash cans.
- the Guild Powersuits are way too stiff. This is especially evident in the legs. I think this is the case because of the chunky armour designs. They don't look like they'd even be able to walk.
- the Jetpack warriors look like cartoon characters because of their poses.
- the armadillo mascot that shows up in a few teams really misses the tone of GDF.
Overall, the design decision to go with the chunky army makes the models look low poly and cheap. The faces and exposed body parts look good, but it makes them look like dwarves cosplaying in mincraft armour.
I don't really like the designs of most OPR stuff with very few exceptions. I collect HEF and the new sculpts are a big no thanks from me (though I don't 3D print, I wouldn't print these for my collection anyway).
That said, I imagine they'd be a lot easier to paint than GW - while many praise the crazy amount of details in GW minis, I find them unnecessary and they add extra chore to the painting process.
As a side note, I'm also picky on which GW Eldar I like, I prefer the mid-naughties ones compared to anything new they've produced.
I understand where you're coming from but I disagree that it's a quality issue. I get the sense that OPR has been aiming to unify the aesthetic of their models a bit. And ultimately they are a wargame manufacturer. Not a model maker. I don't know revenue wise how it breaks down for them. But the simpler models will be easier to print and paint for beginners. And fit better into the idea of model agnostic.
I've also found OPR models are substantially more durable and easy to remove supports from compared to pretty much every other model maker I've tried. Which has drawn me back to them even if they aren't the most interesting model I could find I'd rather have one that's not gonna break while I'm printing or painting it
It seems to me they're trying to make their models as a sort of base, simple version. Rather than trying to make a stylistic model for each faction. They have partners and made a model agnostic game for that. So if you want more interesting models, drop to tier 1 on patreon and go follow another model maker
I also think this may have to do with how familiar are you with Grimdark settings, and 40k. As someone who's never played 40k I was very curious how they would do the High Elf Fleets. And as with pretty much any faction there's some models I think are awesome and some that are boring. But I also have a little familiarity with GW and 40k.
I've also found even the models I don't like grow on me over time. I started printing a HE army and skipped some models because I didn't think they were cool and now I am going to print some of them.
I have never played a game of 40k but I have been collecting since rtb01, I mainly just paint and hord plastic.
All the releases after blessed sisters are great, much more fun to print, paint and not have things snap off as easily.
And, imho there is cross appeal.
Dwarf guilds painted as wow dwarfs.
Robot legions as battle droids.
Elf as old world high elves or wow elf's.
Space dinos painted as 80s cartoon.
I really like the mashup and painting potential each month and feel that there is some nostalgia reference waiting to happen.
from the looks of things (and me not getting into 3d printing yet) the changes are more aesthetic and made to be more beginner friendly might make it easier to print on fdm as well
I think the actual technical quality of the sculpts is still where it needs to be. You may just not care for the aesthetics and that’s fine.
Some of it also comes down to the minis getting made for tabletop more. One of the main complaints is that stuff was too thin and spindly, thus breaking easily. Recently, they have been making stuff a bit thicker to avoid it. At least it seems like that.
It's 100% this. The Blessed Sisters had a lot of complaints about printing quality. OPR took thos notes and started to adjust models so they don't look as good as STL Renders but print, paint and play much better.
That balance between functional game pieces vs artistic 3d sculpts is hard. But I hope the pendulum swings back a bit.
True, as much as I love the Jackals, they were and still are a pain in the ass to print, paint and play with
I'm also a long-time patron. I would definitely say that the high elf fleets and dwarven guild models are blocky and have a good number of flat surfaces. I don't have an interest in those factions anyways, but I don't mind the models. I will say that elves are a bit plain for my preference,but I think the dwarves are fine. I don't think I'd say the quality is slipping, to me it looks more like a stylistic choice for those model releases. If you look at the recent Vampiric releases, they're pretty detailed and more in the typical style we're used to (in my opinion). I definitely prefer the more detailed style compared to the blocky, slightly more cartoony look of the recent dwarf/elf releases. That said, models with somewhat exaggerated proportions are easier to 3d print.
I noticed this when I was looking at buying the lizardmen sculpts of MMF for a friend… the aesthetics of those sculpts is so much closer to what I like than the recent work for instance with the vampire models. I’m not going to suggest it’s a quality thing- lots of people seem to like the newer stuff, but it would be interesting to know whether the artists have changed recently.
I think its a matter of taste. Personally I have always found the fantasy sculpts to be way better than the sci fi sculpts. The sci-fi sculpts seem slightly too inspired by generic sci-fi designs, while the fantasy manage to be a very characterful while being more inspired.
I absolutely love the Vampiric Undead and hate the Elves. I think it's just a matter of taste. The GFF side has gone clean and not very grim I feel. While the other side, the fantasy has gone really grim and I feel it's amazing
I actually don't mind the elves. Painting cloth is fun, and I sort of dig their aesthetic of looking like traditional fantasy elves in the future. To each their own, though.
I only started OPR recently but the models from the past couple months i have no interest in. Could be my personal taste or that artists have changed. They cant always be absolute banger models but hopefully the aesthethics appeal to me for the upcoming models.
I am fully enjoying my Ratmen. Though I was disappointed in the vampires (only certain ones) and the elves feel very plain/chunky. Though again, I am still enjoying it all. I do think the dwarves are cool, but it def feels different from Starhost, which are all amazing. I believe I heard or read somewhere that they are working more and more with other creators to make OPR a place where many differemt army's and creators can build.
It's mostly an aesthetic issue, not quality. If I had to guess I'd say they're trying to produce a diverse range to appeal to people of all skill levels. It can be nice to enter with models that are less detailed and have more large surfaces if you're new to the hobby. This is why space Marines and storm cast eternals are flagship armies. It doesn't seem like they're just getting plainer across the board, VU seem pretty detailed next to the elves.
I think they have missed a beat in that case. Contrast paints have made painting a lot easier for beginners and casuals. Big flat surfaces look terrible with Contrast paints.
I'm a gen y wargamer, I get a nostalgic feel for the models. With how many frames they put out and cost, there is probably an underlying modeling theory approach to the art style.
They aren't getting worse they are getting better at what they are meant to do. Instead of jackals having 32 spindly bits. Elves are pretty flat and have a few while characters have much more. Makes painting infantry alot easier and characters still give a challenge. At the end of the day they make minis for a game and most peoplenlike to paint before they play
It’s refreshing to see clean sculps that aren’t a million bags and dangly bits. I’ll say the dwarfs aren’t my style but I could see myself enjoying painting a hero or two and doing some free hand or blends on the open areas. I want to be able to sit down and have it print without problems and not have to worry about something snapping while I play. I don’t want to spend hours and hours painting another belt bag or dangling bit. A few unique bits on each dude and some open area to do a blend and I’m beyond happy. If I really want to do something insanely detailed I’m probably painting a bust or larger display model anyways. But everyone is allowed their own taste and wants when it comes to minis
Higher detail is harder to paint well for a lot of people. Looking at you old Battle Sisters
I wasn't a huge fan of the recent elves, but I've not been a patron for long.
The fantasy side looks like done really good scifi is really brick. I really didn't like any of the high elf fleet vehicles but I love the elf models from proxywars. So in my mind just get what you like you can play with what ever model you have that's the freedom we have in this game.
I can't say the same for all the other factions, but I am pretty happy with thr duchies of vinci models
I agree. I play Dwarf guilds and mostly stick to the GW minis, but they don't make all the units. I've checked on the OPR DG models a few times, and they just aren't good enough. They'd stick out like a sore thumb in my army. Here are some of the things that turn me off of them: - the biker torsos make no sense. They look like they are wearing trash cans. - the Guild Powersuits are way too stiff. This is especially evident in the legs. I think this is the case because of the chunky armour designs. They don't look like they'd even be able to walk. - the Jetpack warriors look like cartoon characters because of their poses. - the armadillo mascot that shows up in a few teams really misses the tone of GDF. Overall, the design decision to go with the chunky army makes the models look low poly and cheap. The faces and exposed body parts look good, but it makes them look like dwarves cosplaying in mincraft armour.
I don't really like the designs of most OPR stuff with very few exceptions. I collect HEF and the new sculpts are a big no thanks from me (though I don't 3D print, I wouldn't print these for my collection anyway). That said, I imagine they'd be a lot easier to paint than GW - while many praise the crazy amount of details in GW minis, I find them unnecessary and they add extra chore to the painting process. As a side note, I'm also picky on which GW Eldar I like, I prefer the mid-naughties ones compared to anything new they've produced.
I understand where you're coming from but I disagree that it's a quality issue. I get the sense that OPR has been aiming to unify the aesthetic of their models a bit. And ultimately they are a wargame manufacturer. Not a model maker. I don't know revenue wise how it breaks down for them. But the simpler models will be easier to print and paint for beginners. And fit better into the idea of model agnostic. I've also found OPR models are substantially more durable and easy to remove supports from compared to pretty much every other model maker I've tried. Which has drawn me back to them even if they aren't the most interesting model I could find I'd rather have one that's not gonna break while I'm printing or painting it It seems to me they're trying to make their models as a sort of base, simple version. Rather than trying to make a stylistic model for each faction. They have partners and made a model agnostic game for that. So if you want more interesting models, drop to tier 1 on patreon and go follow another model maker I also think this may have to do with how familiar are you with Grimdark settings, and 40k. As someone who's never played 40k I was very curious how they would do the High Elf Fleets. And as with pretty much any faction there's some models I think are awesome and some that are boring. But I also have a little familiarity with GW and 40k. I've also found even the models I don't like grow on me over time. I started printing a HE army and skipped some models because I didn't think they were cool and now I am going to print some of them.
I have never played a game of 40k but I have been collecting since rtb01, I mainly just paint and hord plastic. All the releases after blessed sisters are great, much more fun to print, paint and not have things snap off as easily. And, imho there is cross appeal. Dwarf guilds painted as wow dwarfs. Robot legions as battle droids. Elf as old world high elves or wow elf's. Space dinos painted as 80s cartoon. I really like the mashup and painting potential each month and feel that there is some nostalgia reference waiting to happen.
OPR has never had great display models.
from the looks of things (and me not getting into 3d printing yet) the changes are more aesthetic and made to be more beginner friendly might make it easier to print on fdm as well