Regarding the points a few pages back... I'm an active critic of Deacon's work because he's so responsive to feedback. Even when he disagrees, the concern really helps. And I strongly believe that it's made for a much better minis line. With E&C, it's felt much more top-down and so I haven't had a lot to say. It's just a tonal difference. So much of this is about flavor and personal preference, but that's what people are paying for. I've been around 6mm for many years, even though I'm very new to EA40k, and I have to say I'm VERY impressed by the new manufacturers bursting out into the scene.
Normally, the counter-argument is that design-by-committee stuff isn't going to be distinctive and will appeal to the greatest common factor. That's compelling... except that Onslaught proves that you can have a highly collaborative process and still maintain a strong, cohesive artistic voice.
OK with that said, I like the new robes. Hems brushing the ground I think are more appropriate for priestly figures, along with more ornate clothes. Remember, these guys aren't the hard-core zealots. Bionics would be very nice (eye pieces, "NVG", and/or that bolted-on-speaker-grill-instead-of-a-mouth-thingy). The gun and the large backpack seem to be lacking in detail... even a line or two might help lend it some depth. Finally, it would be nice to see multiple poses-- I know that was initially looked at for the plastics and I gather it proved to be unfeasible, but in metal it doesn't seem out of the question.
Specialists: They'd benefit from the longer robes as well. I like the minitracks-- they look like they'd tip over, and so making the contact region at the bottom slightly longer may be better, but other than that i think they're perfect and I especially like that you have an indirect fire weapon in there. The bottom row is, for lack of a better way to put it, way cool. The top specialists with the dual cranes are a little more iffy to me. I feel like a crane is useful, but that maybe a locutus-style arm power tool might be better. Like the grim dark future of implanted dremels.
Heavy Cyborgs: Is it just me, or are their heads a bit small? I know that's kind of the point, but some head protection or cybernetics might be in order. Like a big metal hood (the closest I could find is this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bevor except I'm thinking put it behind the head. Or maybe both). Otherwise first rate.
