MeanBone

Yes Chaz, I grabbed them with a Barbarian Conqueror pledge for North America after someone dropped it. Even though I got the King Pledge in 2015, this deal was way too good to pass up. In addition to the new Conqueror box, the Barbarian pledge means 15 more dice, a second Overlord Tray for VS. mode, more minions of all types ... a ridiculous 210+ minis for ~$165. And I can always flip the duplicate heroes and boards to defray costs. Glad to see the use of SGs, as the Facebook survey by Monolith made clear that people wanted them. It adds a level of excitement and positive energy, especially toward the end of the campaign. The models chosen from Mythic Battles: Pantheon were some of the best fits for the Hyborian Age. Bravo to Monolith for a victorious campaign under some difficult circumstances! PS: One small thing it would be nice to do if possible for Monolith's loyal MB:P backers would be to include the already-designed MB:P tiles and cards for Typhon and Herald of Typhon (Winged Ape). All MB:P backers already have the tiles and cards for Hydra and Python, as they were in the base pledge, but many likely do not have the tiles and cards for Herald of Typhon (from Corinthia crossover pack) and Typhon (Titans box). Maybe it could be an "opt-in" for MB:P backers? Just an idea.

Good to see them bounce back, and a lot of the new content looks really enticing. I think some of your ideas would work really well, too, but it doesn't appear very likely to happen. The biggest issue that concerns me is more of a philosophical approach by Monolith that seems counterproductive, which I'll sum up briefly. Monolith is choosing to use Kickstarter, but they (or at least some at the top) seem to be opposed to the basic campaign model that Kickstarter actually does well, and it's the campaign model that worked for Monolith in 2015 with Conan for $3.33 million and with MB:P for $2.67 million. There's a reason it's called a "campaign" and not "here's some stuff, take it or leave it." The initial offering is enough to entice a certain number of die-hard backers, but if that's where you stop, that's pretty much all you will get. Yes, they did (reluctantly it seems) offer some stretch goals, but they are reprints of models from the MB:P campaign, which isn't much of a deal for Monolith's faithful backers, who already own them. This liability is no secret, as they keep reminding us that you have to opt-in to get them, so they clearly understand that some backers won't even want them. That should never be the case with stretch goals because.... SGs are the lifeblood of a campaign! Unlocking SGs is how you entice potential backers to get off the fence and jump in, as the value becomes too great to resist. The other key component of a campaign is revealing add-ons, which existing backers will be enticed to pledge additional funds for, unlocking more SGs and pulling in New backers. Monolith (or at least Matt) is making some effort here with Shadow Kingdom, and at least it is original content. But they still have almost a week to offer nearly 5,000 backers -- many of whom would like an excuse to give them some more money -- something to actually buy. And (as with Shadow Kingdom) it doesn't need to be finished yet, or even much beyond the concept art stage. They have a year (and if history is any guide, likely more than that) to actually produce this. Thats really the whole point of KS after all. As I said, the new content that we have seen looks really good, and Monolith was able to draw a solid number of backers by offering good value on the 2015 remaining product. At the same time, I think this campaign could be doing significantly better if it were more of a ... well, campaign.

Hopefully they still have a couple of add-ons with new original content to keep pushing this campaign forward and unlocking stretch goals. I know Fred Henry says he isn't a fan of stretch goals, but the fact is that this is what KS backers have been trained to expect. It becomes a cycle, with a reveal of an add-on prompting backers to put in more money, which unlocks a SG, which pushes more new backers to join, which adds more money, unlocking another SG, and the new backers see the available add-ons and add more money, unlocking another SG, and so on.

For those who don't visit the French side of these boards, this was posted over there on Sunday: Hello Again, Behind the scenes, the Monolith Team is working together to prepare a second offer for our faithful Sword Brothers and Sisters. The failed launch of Beyond the Monolith served as a wakeup call, and spelled a significant loss for us, but we are NOT ready to give up. We’re mobilizing as we speak, preparing to deliver a final push to get Conan back on the Road of Kings so he may again take the throne of Aquilonia and rule for years to come! So what are we proposing? Next month, we will launch a campaign that offers a bigger, better redux version of the Legacy pledge featured in our last campaign. It will include: -Some brand new miniatures you haven’t seen yet. -A new double-sided game board (Yes, you will have the Temple, but we want to save the ships for something more fitting down the road). -A sizeable tome that incorporates brand new scenarios for Conan Adventure Mode AND the rules and scenarios/campaign for the solo/co-op mode. -All of the new sculpts we unveiled during the Beyond the Monolith KS (in greater numbers than were featured in the Legacy Box) and no previously released miniatures. In short, it will be an even-greater version of what we originally proposed, and all of it will be brand new material. You’ll only require any existing copy of Conan (and those will be available during the KS for those who need them). We know this plan does not offer everyone everything they want, but we have to be careful and measured. That means, unfortunately, at this time we can’t launch any complex offers for older material. That does not mean we won’t be able to do it. In fact, we have a good idea of how to do it, and soon, but it has to be after this next Kickstarter. During this upcoming campaign we will offer what remaining stock we have (including King Pledges, Core boxes and others), and hopefully, soon after we’ll launch a second campaign to allow everyone a chance to get what they missed. Thank you so much to everyone who has supported us along the way. This, as Fred already mentioned, will be a true Kickstarter. Next month, fate will look upon us, and we need your help to raise the banners and voice your support. We need you. Help us place the Crown of Iron back upon the troubled brow of King Conan. Will you answer the call? -Matt John PS: as Fred already mentioned, we are focusing on the delivery of Batman GCC Season 2. Our commitments to our previous backers must be our top priority. Those pledges will reach their shipping hubs next month and fulfillment of that project will begin. Batman GCC Season 2 is safe and will be on the way soon.

I like some of these ideas. Red Nails in particular has a lot of unexplored potential, both for adventure scenarios (catacombs where Tolkemec was hiding?) as well as skirmish battles through the city of Xuchotl (which is basically what Conan and Valeria stumble upon in the story). The names sound like central American Aztec or something similar (which I'm sure inspired Howard) and would give artists and sculptors some concepts to work with.

One of the things it sounded like a lot of people wanted was the original expansions (Stygia, Khitai, Nordheim). Sadly, I remember someone (Fred I believe) at Monolith saying they had to destroy a lot of those boxes (hundreds if not thousands) when a distributor canceled their order for retail sales. So that really sucks. It seems like there was more demand for Adventure Game content. Some ideas could have included a base pledge with essentials (rules, dice, tray, gems) and several new expansions: A Turan expansion with city of Aghrapur map and battlefield map? A Kush expansion with a Xuthal maze map and jungle map? A Zamora expansion with a towers of Shadizar map and dungeon map? This would appeal to new and former backers alike. Then perhaps the 1v1 mode could have been an optional add-on, both with and without minis (for those who already have a lot). I also think a better free gift than the 3 flying apes (a unique monster in the Howard tales) would have been a fur-clad Conan with battle axe mounted on an armored warhorse, with both Conan hero card and Mythic Battles Ragnarok card included...

While the leader pledge is a good deal for new people who have no previous Conan content, I would think most of the people interested in this are existing fans who bought the King pledge in 2015 or at least have the retail box. The legacy pledge doesn’t seem like a great value for them, really, and on KS, people look for value. First lesson in business: Give the people what they want.

N'Gora?

Did Valeria and Conan just get done playing Sonic the Hedgehog? 😎

Here's my Valeria, along with the other ladies of Conan I've painted so far. They can all hit the tavern for ladies night... These obviously are not good paint jobs, just speed jobs for the tabletop using base colors, an occasional highlight, and Army Painter quick shade. With so many minis to paint from way too many Kickstarters (Conan, Blood Rage, The Others, Mythic Battles, Vampire Hunters and soon to be Hate and Siege of the Citadel) I'm definitely going for speed over beauty. And at arm's length during the game (with somewhat dim lighting 😉) they look pretty good.

Got on a roll, here's one more 😎

Nice Tilesystem editor, SR 👍 It seems to have a few glitches, but with not too much effort I was able to whip this up.

I just bought the PDF of the Monolith Source Book at modiphius.com. Only had time to do a quick glance, but looks like Matt John did a nice job with it. I assume Matt would know how he put together scenarios using the Modiphius tiles -- Photoshop, maybe?