How to get a lot of minis on the cheap?

[Glyfair]

Auggie's has very good prices. The biggest advantage is fixed S&H. No matter how many are ordered S&H is the same.

 

[mach1.9pants]

i have got heaps from this guy, nice bloke
http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=934605

 

[w_earle_wheeler]

If you don't mine getting minis that are smaller than the current standard size, you can buy lots of fantasy miniatures from Mega Minis. They are unpainted, however.

http://www.megaminis.com/

 

[Treebore]

I make due with the Fiery Dragon stuff. Cheap, have as many as I want, relatively pretty cheap. Oh, I have the CD version.

Didn't think to use label paper though. I just used card stock and then laminated them. I had gotten the laminating paper from the kitchen section of Wal-mart. As far as I can tell its the same stuff that is in the other sections of Wal-mart, but since its "shelving paper: its noticeably cheaper. Works great, whatever it actually is.

 

[Painfully]

Back before the WotC minis came out, I used a variety of those glass counters you see at a lot of craft stores. Need 20 kobolds? Use 20 green counters, and throw in a couple reds for spellcasters, and maybe a blue one for a boss kobold.

Because I needed to be portable (we gamed at a friend's house), I used a medium-sized clear tackle-box to hold all my dice and counters. I had no trouble representing everything I needed with about 4 different colors.

Another option is to buy minis bases, and get different colored stickers. Make about 20 of one color, 20 of another, and then maybe 10 each of two more colors. And don't forget to get bases for large-sized creatures too. Be sure to number them to help tell them apart, and track injuries, death, etc.

By not using specific pics on the counters, you get to recycle them, and that means less clutter, and sorting of all the different types of monsters you would normally have to have different counters for.

 

[rgard]

If you aren't fussy about the scale you could pick up 1/72nd scale figs. Airfix, Revell, Hat and others make these minis in boxed sets with usually around 40-45 figs per box. Just about every era and war is covered to include ancients, middle ages up to modern. These minis are roughly 20mm where D&D minis are 28mm.

You won't be able to find monsters and the like, but the there are boatloads of castles and scenery that is cheaper than most 28mm stuff.

I did find a company (I think in the UK) that makes 1/72nd scale orcs. They may do other fantasy figures. I'll look for the link.

Thanks,
Rich

 

[Olaf the Stout]

i have got heaps from this guy, nice bloke
http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=934605

That would be Oryan77. He is a regular poster here on the EN World boards as well. I've bought minis from him in the past and I wouldn't hesitate to do so again in the future.

Olaf the Stout

 

[rgard]

Links for 20mm Figs:

20mm metal orcs:

http://www.rebelminis.com/

Figs from the Age of Mythology game:

http://www.plasticsoldierreview.com/Features/AgeOfMythologyNorseAll.html

http://www.plasticsoldierreview.com/Features/AgeOfMythologyGreekAll.html

http://www.plasticsoldierreview.com/Features/AgeOfMythologyEgyptAll.html

Scroll to the bottom for plastic fantasy figs:

http://www.michtoy.com/MTSCnewSite/newplastic_folder/Caesar_Miniatures/caesar_miniatures.html

 

[blargney the second]

If your players want to see minis and you don't want to shoulder the whole cost yourself, get them to chip in some money. You should be able to get everything on your list from Auggie's for $40-$50 tops if you stick mostly to commons with a few uncommons.

 

[Matrix Sorcica]

I recommend both Auggies and Oryan77. Great 'dealers'!