The TGG2: Light and Darkness Kickstarter campaign by Raging Heroes offered a notable freebie program for backers, providing free miniature models to participants who pledged at specific levels. This campaign, which concluded in April 2016, was designed to reward early support with tangible physical products. The freebies were not samples in the traditional consumer sense—like beauty or food products—but rather promotional rewards within a crowdfunding context for miniature hobbyists and gamers. The campaign was managed by Raging Heroes, a French manufacturer specializing in female miniatures for tabletop gaming.
The core of the freebie offer was a set of 15 free miniatures, with a retail value of $200, available to all backers who selected the "Lieutenant Box Pledge" level or any higher pledge tier. This offer was available immediately upon the campaign's launch and was not dependent on stretch goals being met. The freebies were intended as a thank-you for backers' support, with the company expressing strong confidence in the project's success.
In addition to the main campaign freebies, there were special promotions for previous backers. Participants of the original TGG1 Kickstarter who backed the TGG2 campaign at the Lieutenant Box level or higher received an additional free miniature of their choice from a selection of specially priced $10 Heroines, which normally retailed for $15.
The campaign also featured a daily reveal of one freebie model throughout the 15-day funding period, allowing backers to see what they would receive. The campaign ran from March 25 to April 8, 2016.
Following the fulfillment of the TGG2 Kickstarter, Raging Heroes later announced new sales initiatives, such as "Drops," which were limited-time sales events. These Drops were primarily aimed at U.S. customers due to U.S.-based production and shipping, though they also attracted international orders.
Eligibility and Pledge Requirements
To qualify for the free miniatures in the TGG2: Light and Darkness Kickstarter, backers needed to select the Lieutenant Box Pledge level or any higher pledge level. This was the sole eligibility criterion stated for the primary freebie set.
- Lieutenant Box Pledge and Above: This was the minimum pledge required to receive the full set of 15 free miniatures. The retail value of these freebies was stated as $200.
- Previous TGG1 Backers: A special offer was extended to backers of the first Toughest Girls in the Galaxy (TGG1) campaign. If these individuals pledged at the Lieutenant Box level or higher for TGG2, they received an additional free miniature. This extra freebie was to be chosen from a selection of TGG2 Heroines that were being offered at a special Kickstarter price of $10, with a normal retail value of $15.
The campaign documentation did not specify any geographic restrictions for participation in the Kickstarter itself, though later sales events (Drops) noted a focus on U.S. customers due to logistical reasons.
The Freebie Products
The freebies consisted of physical miniature models suitable for tabletop gaming and collecting. The set included 15 unique models, or 16 if certain character models were considered separately.
Specific freebie models mentioned or referenced in the campaign updates include:
- Sister Ardanna: Described as a "Pillar of the Faith" and equipped with a heavy pistol that is detachable for use in Sci-Fi or Fantasy settings. This model was noted as being delayed in development but was confirmed for the freebie set.
- Zailith, Blood Vestal Secultrix: A high-ranking Dark Elves Blood Vestal character model.
- Vladimir and Tobias: Two character models that were listed among the freebies. The campaign notes suggest they could be counted as one or two freebies depending on how they are treated.
The full set of 15 freebies was valued at $200 retail. The miniatures were designed for use in various game systems, primarily as proxies, and were part of Raging Heroes' Toughest Girls in the Galaxy 2 range.
The Kickstarter Campaign Structure
The TGG2: Light and Darkness campaign was a time-sensitive crowdfunding event.
- Campaign Duration: The funding period was short, lasting only 15 days, from March 25 to April 8, 2016.
- Backer Support: The campaign was successful, attracting 3,052 backers.
- Freebie Unlock Strategy: Unlike many Kickstarter campaigns where freebies are unlocked as stretch goals once certain funding milestones are reached, Raging Heroes guaranteed the full set of 15 freebies from the very beginning. The company stated they had such faith in the project that they offered the freebies immediately upon launch.
- Daily Reveals: To maintain engagement, the company committed to unveiling one freebie model per day throughout the 15-day campaign. This allowed backers to see the full range of models they would receive.
The company also offered Early Bird pledge levels at the launch of the campaign.
Post-Campaign Fulfillment and Updates
After the campaign concluded, the Raging Heroes team provided updates on the fulfillment process. The last of the freebies, along with other pledged items, were shipped in late March 2015. The company notified backers to expect shipping notifications by a specific Thursday evening; if a backer did not receive a notification, they were advised to contact the company.
The freebies were shipped as part of the "Personal Wave Shipping" and "Drop Ships" (for stores). The company also noted that they had resolved a few problem cases related to shipping.
Later Initiatives: Raging Heroes Drops
While not directly part of the TGG2 Kickstarter freebies, the provided source material includes information about subsequent sales events by Raging Heroes called "Drops." These were limited-time, first-come-first-served sales of physical products.
- Focus on U.S. Customers: The first physical Drop, "The Vampire Court," launched in November 2025, was primarily aimed at U.S. customers. This was due to production and shipment being U.S.-based.
- International Reach: Despite the U.S. focus, the Drop attracted orders from Europe, Australia, and Japan.
- Nature of Drops: These were described as "hot deals" lasting only two days. They were separate from the Kickstarter freebie model and were direct sales rather than crowdfunding rewards.
These Drops represent a continuation of Raging Heroes' engagement with its customer base, offering limited-time access to new miniature lines.
Comparison to Traditional Free Samples
It is important to distinguish the TGG2 freebies from typical consumer free samples found in categories like beauty, baby care, or food.
- Mechanism: The TGG2 freebies were rewards for financial backing through a crowdfunding platform (Kickstarter), not samples provided without purchase or commitment.
- Product Type: The items were specialized hobby products (miniature models) rather than mass-market consumer goods.
- Availability: Access was limited to participants of a specific, time-bound campaign, not an ongoing program accessible to the general public.
For consumers seeking free samples in traditional categories, the process typically involves signing up on brand websites, participating in mail-in programs, or responding to promotional offers without a monetary pledge requirement. The TGG2 freebies operate under a different model, where the "free" aspect is contingent on the backer's financial contribution to the project's development.
Conclusion
The TGG2: Light and Darkness Kickstarter by Raging Heroes provided a significant freebie program for its backers. The offer of 15 free miniatures, valued at $200, to anyone pledging at the Lieutenant Box level or higher served as a strong incentive for support. The campaign was structured to reward backers from the start, with a guaranteed set of freebies and daily model reveals. Special consideration was given to previous backers of the TGG1 campaign, who received an additional free miniature. The fulfillment of these freebies was completed in early 2015. Subsequent business activities by Raging Heroes, such as the "Drop" sales events, indicate a continued focus on direct-to-consumer sales, with a particular emphasis on the U.S. market for logistical reasons.