Alternatives to random minis
- Thread starter Imaro
- Start date
Jürgen Hubert
First Post
Here is what we do in our group:
We use a rectangular block of styrofoam large enough to place our maps on (in a pinch, a cardboard box will do as well). Then we draw the maps on standard grid paper, and put it on the block.
Then we stick small, colored pins (available in any office supply store) into the map to show the location of the characters. PCs and important NPCs get pins with tiny flags with custom color schemes to both distinguish them from each other and show their facing.
All this costs a fraction of miniatures, and the only thing you loose is the visual appeal of minis. And because they take up less space, you can have maps that cover a much larger area to boot...
We use a rectangular block of styrofoam large enough to place our maps on (in a pinch, a cardboard box will do as well). Then we draw the maps on standard grid paper, and put it on the block.
Then we stick small, colored pins (available in any office supply store) into the map to show the location of the characters. PCs and important NPCs get pins with tiny flags with custom color schemes to both distinguish them from each other and show their facing.
All this costs a fraction of miniatures, and the only thing you loose is the visual appeal of minis. And because they take up less space, you can have maps that cover a much larger area to boot...
Imaro said:
I picked some Horse tiles at GenCon. Easier to pick up and move than cardstock, and I can place my minis on top of them to designate who is mounted.
I ended up added some felt to the bottom, to make sure they did not scratch my Tac-Tiles.
(We've also used coins, cardstock counters, glass beads, m&ms , etc... but I do so love my DDMinis
)
thedungeondelver
Adventurer
(This may have gotten buried in the other thread about miniatures, so I'm going to give it another go here...)
Here:
http://wargames.nordalia.com/index.php?page=viewarticle&id=23
is something folks looking for a viable alternative to the "random minis" issue may want to consider: prepainted metal minis (well, most of them are metal). I did this revew very recently.
Go to the D&D mini galleries. Print out all the pictures. Use cardstock if you like. Cut them out. Go to an office store & get mini binder clips. (Maybe some bigger ones for the bigger creatures too.) Put a binder clip on the bottom of each picture & then remove the "handles" from the clip.
Sure, it might be more work than seeking out the secondary market. It might even be more expensive in material costs. But it can be a lot more satisfying.
Sure, it might be more work than seeking out the secondary market. It might even be more expensive in material costs. But it can be a lot more satisfying.
