Birdmen 2.0 — Choose Your Support!
We are redesigning our classic Birdmen to make them actually playable. No more mini-heart attacks every time someone bumps the table. We want them stable, sturdy, and ground-proof.
We are stuck between two paths and need your input:
Option A — Scenic Support (Rocks/Ruins)
The miniature is attached to an environmental element (like a tall rock or a broken pillar) integrated into the base.
The Good: Rock solid. You don’t have to worry about the pose sagging or the resin snapping. It’s "set and forget."
The Bad: The base looks "busier" and the support is more visible.
Option B — Thin Rod (Anchor point in the torso)
A minimalist rod or pin that goes directly into the belly/back of the mini.
The Good: A cleaner, more "aerial" look. It really looks like they are soaring.
The Bad: It’s invasive (requires drilling). Our biggest fear is warping/bending: over time, the weight of the wings combined with heat can cause the rod to lean or the joint to fail.
Comments (16)
Please make a (extra alternative) version with neither, so we can make our own hole and mount it how we want. I will do so anyway, would just prefer not to have do the repair and conversion myself.
The flight stand approach allows the use of clear acrylic rods which are going to be stronger. A 3mm acrylic rod has never let me down yet on any model that size yet. My personal preference is a 3mm hole modelled in to use as an attachment point (saves drilling). Their could always be a separate scenery part that uses the same attachment hole for people to choose to print as well.
Why not both then everyone will be happy.
Are these going to be in addition to the old ones or replace the old ones? I'd prefer to keep the option of the old ones as I use quite durable resin really so not expecting some of the issues some have described.
TGM-7 solves every problem. Like you, I don’t worry anymore. I can literally throw my minis across the room. (But I don’t. 😁)
Probably the best option is to let everyone choose what kind of support to use. Maybe adding both support options (both the scenic support and the supportless birdmen) in the files would make everybody happy, even though it would be a heavier workload for the same unit
A
Will these be available through the website as physical models? I noticed last time they were only digital
Hey Owen — great question. The previous version was honestly too intricate and fragile for a reliable physical release, so we went back to the sculpting board. We kept the same aesthetic, but rebuilt the entire structure from the ground up to make the minis sturdier and more game-ready. Our goal is to sell these as physical models via the website once production is locked in.
Yes. I have these and the original design limited tabletop play (see my box of broken birdman in corner haha)
Haha, hopefully not 😅 We rebuilt the internal structure to be tougher and more playable, while keeping the same look.
Treetops, as it flying over a forest
With option B I still have the option for a scenic base, with option A it feels enforced. Just my 2 cents
Option 3: bring your own I like supporting with brass rod
I'd probably prefer to put a hole in them and use brass rod, really
A 1/4” acrylic rod looks great.