looks like it could be fun to edit some monster models

I assume they are smd models
Might want to try using the wizard type guy for awhile so you can get some of the basics of tower defense down. There's also a little less variation in the different types of weapons from what i saw so there's less guesswork. Also if you get him high enough, you can just build with one character and swap out to the other for fairly easy grinding.
Jim...the game is quite unintuitive for new-comers. I only just worked out today, for example, that different bows/guns have different effects. For example bone bows have a railgun effect, gattling guns fire faster, multi-bows shoot multiple shots at once. Nothing in the game tells you that, there's no special item stat or anything that lets you know, the Wiki told me that. So it'll take some getting used to and some researching!
If you aren't already, play online at least a bit. You will learn so much watching how others do things. That's the great thing about TD's, there's lots of ways to do things, and you'll always be amazed at the methods people use to win.
Ah right I was just going by the numbers and the value, a few tools tips wouldn't hurt. I've never played a TD game before so I'm starting as a complete noob, I'm avoiding online at the moment because I'll be more of a liability than a help. I made the mistake of using all my mana on traps and not saving any for upgrades, I'm going to replay some of earlier maps so I can get some upgrades. Anyway thanks for the advice, it should help things along, I don't mind failing as long as I'm learning at the same time.
Except in my case... Still sub 20 and playing solo. At that point, 100k+ banked mana is still pretty good for a few hours of playtime.Similarly any loot you leave on the floor between rounds gets sold for mana (and placed in your mana bank) so don't worry about looting crap stuff or stuff that isn't for you. Realistically, unless you're looking for something specific, press shift and look on the map for any green loot items (which are items that are supposed to be better than your current item) and if you don't see any, ignore loot and continue doing what you're doing.
Early levels I liked to do Magus Quarters on survival. You need a level 20 or so Squire just to block creeps, but after that it's clean sailing for quite a few waves. Once you get higher level you can do ramparts on hard, gives you about 140k XP in 10 mins. Which is about level 40 in an hour or so.
Other thing to note is: higher difficulty, better loot....later maps, better loot. So if you're doing the early maps you won't get as good loot as you would if you're doing the later maps.
im not even sure if ive ever even heard of it. i might have seen it rumaging through Steam but just ignored it. but since it has its own Nexus site now i 'spose i gotta take a look at it now!