(top) Introducing the all new Neo-Marker System!

By Craig Andrie on Monday, December 01, 2008 Introducing the all new Neo-Marker System! Same great concept – completely new magnets! We’ve been selling our magnetic markers for the last 5 years. We’ve had hundreds of positive comments – and one challenge. “the only problem we ever have is when we use a lot of markers in a small space – they sometimes want to grab or push each other...” Well, we listened! Our new one-inch markers are made in the same size and (18) colors as our original markers, but we have modified them to use rare earth Neodymium magnets - Neos. These magnets provide the same great gripping power without the repulsion/attraction problems that sometimes occurred when lots of the original markers were used in close proximity. If you were waiting for the breakthrough – well wait no more! These markers are fantastic! They are available now in all standard 18 colors and package configurations. Convenient new packaging! Also, you will now be receiving your magnets in a handy tube container. This is the same kind of tube you that a lot of dice sets come in when you buy them in stores. The tubes will protect and constrain your markers during transport. We hope you’ll enjoy the new packaging! Laws of Physics Disclaimer The Neo-Markers (Neos) use a magnet that is about 1/5th the size and weight of the original product while generating the same amount of magnetic force. Due to the nature of magnetic fields, the two different sized magnets do not adhere to each other with the same tenacity that they adhere to pieces like themselves. We’re good, but to quote a rather famous chief engineer, we can’t change the laws of physics. What this means is that when you are stacking neo-markers and original markers in the same stack you will experience varying results – none of which will be as good as the nice solid click you get when using only the original magnets or only the Neos in a stack. Conversion Solution Our first suggestion is to simply use similar magnets in a stack. This is of course obvious to most folks and will solve most situations. We feel a little silly saying, but hey sometimes someone has to state the obvious. However, for those of you who would like to have all of your magnets behave the same manner; we have created a conversion kit for you. The kit contains some of the new Neodymium magnets and some small rubber washers to hold them in place. With a little care you can dissemble the old pieces and replace the old magnets with Neos. Thank you for your support! Craig and Jeff

(top) How about all 18 colors in Two-Inch!?!

By Jeff Almeida on Wednesday, October 15, 2008 Great news! Our plans came through faster and better than we anticipated. We have, in stock all 18 colors in the two inch pieces! We added them all to the Online Store, as well as a couple discounted Ultimate kits. We do apologize for the long length of the Online Store, we are hoping to have a new web site up soon, which will start organizing our products better. Thank you all for your support! -Jeff and Craig

(top) Bigger IS better with 2 inch Magnetic Markers

By Jeff Almeida on Monday, October 06, 2008 Yes, its true, we are producing two-inch Magnetic Markers! This is a huge milestone for our little company to be able to take this accessory to the next level and instill some life into the larger critters that infest our game tables. The first pieces are expected to start shipping 11/1/2008, if not sooner. We will start with red, white and blue markers, adding the rest of the core 18 colors over the following months. The two-inch markers can now be pre-ordered in the Online Store. We will split your order shipments - sending the current products immediately, and the two-inch pieces will ship as soon as they are in stock. Some of you saw the two-inch hole punches and the two-inch conversion material at Gen Con. Those products are now in stock and have been added to the Online Store. Thank you all for your support! -Jeff and Craig

(top) A Metal Playing Surface? Neat!

By Jeff Almeida on Thursday, August 07, 2008 We came across a really interesting product that seems like a match made in < insert your campaign name here >. Although a metallic surface is not necessary for the Alea Tools Markers, having one would allow you to use the map and markers on the wall. Neat! This map works with magnets and it can be rolled up and carried with you! Here is some info: Dark-Platypus Studio's Magna Map

(top) 4th Edition, Marks and Bloodied

By Jeff Almeida on Sunday, June 08, 2008 4th Editions Dungeons and Dragons hit the stores this week! Many gamers around the world are already pouring through the new material, trying to catch up on all the great new changes. One of the shifts in 4th Edition is the idea of Bloodied. This is a formal status of a monster when it dips to 50% health. Some additional rules kick in at this point. It is beneficial to be able to indicate which monsters are "bloodied" and which arent. Of course, thats where we come in! :) We have put together a 10 pack of red for this very reason. The pack can be found in the online store. The next new topic is "Marks". To be honest, we need to play more 4e to get a better understanding of all the different marks before we can make a pack tailored to them. In the meantime, if you have a suggestion on what should be in a "Mark Pack" or would like to purchase a custom configured pack, email me at jeff.almeida@aleatools.com and we can work it out. I appreciate suggestions! Stephen Radney-MacFarland from Wizards of the Coast wrote a very nice article on 4th Edition and Marking - you can see his post here.

(top) The Circles are here!

By Jeff Almeida on Wednesday, March 14, 2007 Many of you have requested that we provide our miniature conversion material precut in one inch circles. Well, we are pleased to announce - we did exactly that! The circles are exactly 1 inch and ready to use with the peel and stick adhesive backing. They work excellent on the plastic miniatures that already have a 1 inch base (like WoTC's mini's). They also work wonderfully well with our hole punch. Punch out the art, and stick it on a circle - you cant get it any easier than that! No more looking for washers and waiting hours for glue to dry. Punch and stick, and you are ready to go! The circles can be found in the Online Store.