Since first playing Dark Sun in the early 90s I've converted to using miniatures with the 3rd edition of D&D. It's a lot of fun drawing up maps on Ghostline posters or actually making a 3D set (easy for deserts if you have a sandbox).
The problem I've always had when running a Dark Sun is finding appropriate looking miniatures. Metal weapons are especially an issue with hordes of minions.
I know it's a role-playing game and we should just be using our imagination, but as my friends have aged they are much less likely to be melodramatic... Not to mention a lot less time goes into planning a good hack-and-slash when DMing. In any case, having a pretty map and matching miniatures really adds to the immersion IMHO.
Some monsters exist as miniatures that are on the old Dark Sun encounter tables like the Ankeg and some came straight from Athas (3.5 edition psionics anyway) like the excellent Caller in Darkness figure. I'd really love to see a Nightmare Beast or Cilops figure!
I'm REALLY hoping we get a lot of Athas's distinctive monsters as well as hordes or common minnions like feral Halflings, Elven tribe members and degenerate Gith.
Anyway... Has anyone compiled a list of existing miniatures that are Dark Sun appropriate or at least look like established Dark Sun monsters?
I wouldn't say I have compiled a list, but I do have several miniature ranges that are suitable for dark sun.
The Wood Elves from Warhammer, when painted up in earthen tones, are quite suitable for the Athasian Elves. Especially the ones with little armor, such as the wardancers.
The basic spiders and other simple monsters from various GW ranges are quite suitable.
I'm looking into the Harad figure range (again from GW) for human warriors, and they seem to be quite suitable as well.
Well, 5 times the word "suitable" in one post (including the last sentence), but you get my drift.
Cheers,
V
You can find the old Ral Partha DS minis on ebay all the time, although you won't always get them for cheap...
Steve Jackson Games produced a set of mutant ants (with mad scientist!) figurines. I always wanted something that could work for kanks. These are it! I went through a Dark Sun mini's buying phase, I have bought absolutely everything ever produced in the official DS mini's line. In fact I have bought multiples, like 4 light war chariots boxed sets, 4 gliders, and 3 People of the Land boxed sets, some in original lead! I bought 3 of the SJG mutant ants so I could have a herd of kanks. ;) Putting them together was a PITA.
Steve Jackson Games produced a set of mutant ants (with mad scientist!) figurines. I always wanted something that could work for kanks. These are it! I went through a Dark Sun mini's buying phase, I have bought absolutely everything ever produced in the official DS mini's line. In fact I have bought multiples, like 4 light war chariots boxed sets, 4 gliders, and 3 People of the Land boxed sets, some in original lead! I bought 3 of the SJG mutant ants so I could have a herd of kanks. ;) Putting them together was a PITA.
And all for just 500 bucks, he says!
And all for just 500 bucks, he says!
Teehee!
In truth though, it was for far less than list price. I bought it all a long long time ago when eBay was new.
My precious . . . 
Or you can just covert existing figures into DS ones like I did with these So-ut.
