Marking D&D Miniatures - advice?

[Henry]

One of the main reasons I used paper counters, and before that, dice, for most of my miniatures, is that of identifying the mini's. Kobold #31 looks just like kobold #32 (Thanks, Matt Smith). I'm trying to think of the best way to mark the new D&D mini's, preferably at the base, so that my group and I can easily identify them. I would prefer it if we could see them while sitting on the table, so putting them in the top of the base seems best. However,

Labels? They fall off too easily.

Carve the numbers in? Too hard to see.

using permanent marker? The bases are BLACK, darnit.

I haven't tried using one of those funky silver or gold colored markers, yet, but I have a sneaking suspicion they would wipe off easily.

Anyone else marked their D&D mini's, and if so, what did you use?

Thanks!

 

[Ashrem Bayle]

Have you tried a "Liquid Paper" pen?

 

[Gizzard]

I've used the Gold & Silver markers on other stuff before; I bet they would work. Just let them dry for a bit; they do remain wet for a while.

Alternately, what Mage Knight does is paint a distinctive piece of equipment different colors to differentiate between weak, medium and strong versions. If you dont mind doing minor work on the minis (yes, I know people buy them precisely because they are pre-painted ;-) you can give the Kobolds all different colored shields or belts or something. If you dont want to paint and the figure in question has a flat surface like a shield you can get some of the WH40K decals and stick them on.

Or the Gold & Silver markers. Those should be good. ;-)

 

[Arnwyn]

One of the main reasons I used paper counters, and before that, dice, for most of my miniatures, is that of identifying the mini's. Kobold #31 looks just like kobold #32 (Thanks, Matt Smith).

I'm curious as to what others do, as well. I *still* use dice for monsters/opponents, because they are both colored and have a number on them to identify who's who.

To this day, I have resisted minis if the creature is not unique.

 

[MerricB]

One of the main reasons I used paper counters, and before that, dice, for most of my miniatures, is that of identifying the mini's. Kobold #31 looks just like kobold #32 (Thanks, Matt Smith). I'm trying to think of the best way to mark the new D&D mini's, preferably at the base, so that my group and I can easily identify them. I would prefer it if we could see them while sitting on the table, so putting them in the top of the base seems best. However,

Labels? They fall off too easily.

I use labels - Quik Stik self-adhesive labels, each not quite 1/2 inch in diameter, and haven't had any problems with those.

I've also seen people who paint the bases.

Cheers!

 

[Halivar]

I don't use minis, but I did play historical miniatures for a long time. I painted unit designations on the back of the base using Testor's enamel paint (the little bottles you get at hobby shops) applied with a sharpened toothpick.

Heh, come to think of it, that's also how I painted the mini's.

 

[JiffyPopTart]

Get yourself a .99 bottle of acrylic paint from the craft store and a 1.99 cheap paint brush.

Number away...and best of all you can choose from hundreds of color for your numbers.

DS

 

[alsih2o]

how about some of those plastic tabs they use at the bank to indicate where you have to sign? they have a space to write a number and peel right off.

 

[spacemonkey]

I don't know if the regular gold/silver markers come off of plastic, but how about the new Sharpie's? they come in grey/silver and I bet that wouldn't come off.

I'm probably going to paint the full bases on mine so they can really be seen from any angle. Of course, I don't mind painting, I just buy the plastic minis so I can choose to paint the minis I want to with my limited time

 

[Brother Shatterstone]

Get yourself a .99 bottle of acrylic paint from the craft store and a 1.99 cheap paint brush

Ditto.