Is anyone else finding new sculpts less inspiring?

[Inquisitor_Lensoven]

Particularly space marines. The new ork kits are pretty dope though.

 

AoS has some beautiful sculpts, and a lot of stormcast models seem to make better SMs than actual SM kits.

 

tornus the eternal is a better sanguinor than sanguinor.

 

theres some dude with rib armor and a skeleton helmet I think that makes a better chaplain than any of the actual chaplain models.

prosecutors with a head swap and trimming of some comet iconography are better SG than SG. (Also released around the same time)

 

but then there’s also how many of the sculpts just look fantastic even if they can’t be easily proxied into 40k

 

the exodite KT was generally well received but still got a pretty good amount of criticisms. No big wild hair, too clean looking, some critiques of the mounts’ design.

 

talked about this a bit in r/AoS and a lot of people there feel 40K is just too set in stone for design philosophy and what not and after the bad reaction to primaris being released means we’ll never see any particularly exciting new kits for fan favorite factions.

 

and I can’t argue much. Anyone here feel similarly?

 

Edited 11 hours ago by Inquisitor_Lensoven

[Grotsmasha]

LESS, maybe a bit, but still not uninspiring.

 

Look at the new Asmodai vs. the two previous versions, and the newer Wolves models.

Look at the new Nightbringer vs. the old version, I can't wait to see a new Deceiver.

 

I can see where you're coming from for Codex Space Marines, but that's their thing. They're from a rigid military organisation.

 

I also agree that there's some AMAZING things going in the AoS range (particularly the Underworld range).

HOWEVER, it's much easier to to forward in technology (in so far as the hobby) than it is to model regression, meaning it's much harder to take 40k models and force them into a viable AoS army (Orks probably being the exception) than it is to up-tech an AoS faction into 40k.

 

[Antarius]

In some ways it seems like there's been more freedom with designs in the AOS range, which is probably a function of it being a new setting (I know it's been around for a while, but it's new relative to 40K and much less codified at this point). They've certainly been trying things out in a way we're very unlikely to ever see in 40K (scary looking orks, underwater elves, brand new factions or factions that are completely different takes on traditional factions and tropes etc.).

As for 40K, I think it depends a lot on the range. I'm vary of inadvertedly resurrecting the "firstborn vs primaris" "discussion", but I think it's fair to say there's been a shift away from the more archaic looking marines and a more streamlined look in general (which is being reversed to some degree, in some areas). For the other 40K ranges, I think there's a lot going on but it's all within the realm of touch-ups and reimagining of an existing design aesthetic, so I think it's always bound to have less of an "Wow! This is completely fresh!"-effect. There's also the fact that there's simply not an unlimited design space left within the established look, feel and theme of the existing factions, so it's hard to come up with something with a lot of wow-factor (in a good way, at least).
I tend to like the 40K aesthetic a lot, so it doesn't bother me overall (although I may have issues with specific models or units, of course), but I can see why some might find it inherently less inspiring.

[Doghouse]

Mostly in terms of construction. Kits used to be to intuitive to construct but to me feel more like vanity products on behalf of the sculptors. I do see some exceptions of late with stuff like the new Orks though which is encouraging. 

[Lathe Biosas]

I find the new sculpts less appealing from a gameplay and transportation side.

 

AoS centerpiece models like Nagash are such a pain to transport, we are using blank bases labeled, "NAGASH."

 

40K is slowly moving in that direction with spindly models (see new Custodes) that have thin fragile break points that make you not want to carry your army with you. (I've been sourcing 3d printed heads as the ones that come in the boxes make Necron Flayed Ones look sturdy).

 

It's either that or they are so bulky and ilconceived (ie the new Drop Pods with the tactical rocks and permanently open doors) that you can't take them with you anywhere.

 

 

[Inquisitor_Lensoven]

7 hours ago, Antarius said:

In some ways it seems like there's been more freedom with designs in the AOS range, which is probably a function of it being a new setting (I know it's been around for a while, but it's new relative to 40K and much less codified at this point). They've certainly been trying things out in a way we're very unlikely to ever see in 40K (scary looking orks, underwater elves, brand new factions or factions that are completely different takes on traditional factions and tropes etc.).

As for 40K, I think it depends a lot on the range. I'm vary of inadvertedly resurrecting the "firstborn vs primaris" "discussion", but I think it's fair to say there's been a shift away from the more archaic looking marines and a more streamlined look in general (which is being reversed to some degree, in some areas). For the other 40K ranges, I think there's a lot going on but it's all within the realm of touch-ups and reimagining of an existing design aesthetic, so I think it's always bound to have less of an "Wow! This is completely fresh!"-effect. There's also the fact that there's simply not an unlimited design space left within the established look, feel and theme of the existing factions, so it's hard to come up with something with a lot of wow-factor (in a good way, at least).
I tend to like the 40K aesthetic a lot, so it doesn't bother me overall (although I may have issues with specific models or units, of course), but I can see why some might find it inherently less inspiring.

Even with LoV.

they brought back a faction that’s been unplayable and OOP for 20+ years. Had a lot of flexibility on what they could have done with them, and what did they do? Midget marines.

 

40k sculpts aren’t bad or ugly, but generally they’re just not inspiring me much anymore.

 

like the new centaur and hippogriff…good looking models, but just very ‘meh’ over all.

between years of constantly changing the rules every few months to me just straight up not liking 11th’s core rules, if the models aren’t inspiring I have no real reason to engage with the hobby considering how expensive kits are.