After a traumatic product line shift and long layoff, D&D Miniatures returns with a whole new packaging system and rules format (sorry skirmish vets). Player’s Handbook Heroes is the first set exclusively developed for Fourth Edition.

The first set totals 18 miniatures (3 per pack, 6 packs in all) and the randomness removed. All the figures are completely visible. Another forty-piece set will be released in May entitled Monster Manual: Dangerous Delves. Thus, they’ve taken a full set and spread it over two months.

The paint jobs including the faces are much better so the higher price isn’t a huge deal. However, taking previous sculpts and essentially re-painting them is a big bummer. And Ben also thinks they went a little over board on all the chick minis.

Here’s our top five: Male Goliath Barbarian (you see him, you run), Male Elf Ranger (love the bird), Female Eladrin Sorcerer (nice use of see-through blue), Male Human Cleric (love the paint job), and Male Dwarf Paladin (total package).

And here’s our bottom five: Female Elf Druid (lame pose), Male Half-Elf Fighter Warlock (too much Flash Gordon), Male Tiefling Warlock (two words – ham hock), Female Eladrin Wizard (powder puff), and Male Human Fighter (light as a feather).

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