Miniatures and Maps

[DarkJester]

My group has been using dice and a rule to rougly gauge combat for a while now. I want to get a combat map and some miniatures but don't know where to start.

For maps, I know Chessex and Crystal Caste, but I'm not sure where I can get minatures.

I live in Cincinnati, my previous group use to get miniatures from the Ral Partha store but it has closed down. I don't know any place around here that sells miniatures, so preferably the place to shop would be online. I'm also looking for some paints to paint them with... i don't know if you need a special kind or what.

I'll probly get some counter packs to start as well, since it will take a while to accumlate enough money to get a decent collection of miniatures.

 

[Olgar Shiverstone]

You got it on the mats.

Definitely start with counters if you want to build up a stock quickly (I did that for some monsters for this past weekend's game, gluing paper counters to 1" washers. Cheap, easy, works great).

For mini's, lots of options. If there is a Gamekeeper/WOTC store anywhere near you, look for Chanmail minis on sale -- you can get a large number of decent monster/PC types cheap. You can also pick up Games Workshop minis (like Warhammer minis) although these are more expensive unless you get the plastic ones.

If you don't have a local store that sells minis, some options are:

- Order online/mail/phone from Reaper, who makes some of the best D&D minis in existence.
- Amazon and other bookstores carry the WOTC mini boxed sets, which are decent if you're just starting a collection, and you can get them at a reasonable discount.
- You can order direct from GW
- Lots of online RPG stores also stock minis from various manufacturers
- search eBay for 25mm miniatures, D&D miniatures, or Chainmail miniatures

As far as paint goes, use acrylics, which are easy to use, finish nicely, and wash up with water. To begin learning to paint, I recommend getting a small set of paint tubs from Walmart or a craft store (you can get a set of 1/4 ounce tubs with the basic colors for $5-$8). Get a #0 brush. Once you've mastered the basic techniques, then start springing for more expensive paints and brushes (I'll pay $3 a bottle for some paints, and I've spent $10 on a single brush. Make sure you like painting before you go this crazy.)

Good luck & have fun. Minis can add a lot to your game, and are an antire hobby all to themselves.

 

[fusangite]

I must recommend an alternative: LEGO!

A 1 bump = 1 foot scale is great. It is not only precise and efficient, it takes geekiness to a whole new level.

 

[WayneLigon]

Bah, don't bother with the battlemats and stuff at first. Go to an office supply place; they'll have huge sheets of 1"-square gridpaper there. Stop by the game store on the way home and pick up the two Creature Counter Collections from Firey Dragon, and you're set. Or you can download paper counters off the net at MicroTactix .

 

[Silver Moon]

I agree with the 1" gridmap poster size sheets from the office supply store. I used that method for years, along with colored posterboard pre-cut into various sizes for rooms and hallways that I kept in an a cardboard accordian file. I finally came across a 4x8 foot dry erase board at an auction, with 1" grids pre-marked, that I got for a steal and we've been using it ever since.

As for miniatures, we started out with about 50 misc. figures that I bought on sale from a local hobby shop. They were an odd mix of characters, but worked fine for the first several years as I was on a very tight budget. I now get miniatures either on-sale at conventions or online from auction sites (where you can often find large sets of used figures for very low $).

 

[Bob5th]

Well for mini's for the bad guy's I've been thinking about trying to dig up some of those green and tan army men and tagging them with numbers.

 

[Davelozzi]

Most game stores will special order minis for you, that's usally the best way to get the ones you need as few stores have the shelf space for a really big selection.

Find what you need online and then call or go to your FLGS armed with the mini's name & item number (and of course the company that produces it).

For fantasy minis:
www.reapermini.com

for several good sources of modern minis, check out this thread from AEG's Spycraft boards (the minis would be equally good for other modern games) http://www.alderac.com/forum/viewtopic.php?topic=809&forum=18&11

for battlemats all of options that others have described above are good, also check out www.deemergames.com

 

[Tewligan]

I live in Cincinnati, my previous group use to get miniatures from the Ral Partha store but it has closed down. I don't know any place around here that sells miniatures, so preferably the place to shop would be online. I'm also looking for some paints to paint them with... i don't know if you need a special kind or what.

Check out Comic Book World, DJ. There's one on Harrison Ave., and another on Turfway in Florence. They've got minis and paints, and if they don't have any mats in stock, they should be able to get one infor you in short order. The CBW on Turfway has been my FLGS for about 15 years now - they're really good about ordering stuff, and they're nice folk. And hey, if you happen to drop a lot of cash there, tell 'em Aaron Wainscott hipped you to their store!

 

[Mark]

Re: Re: Miniatures and Maps

And hey, if you happen to drop a lot of cash there, tell 'em Aaron Wainscott hipped you to their store!

Don't you mean, "...tell 'em Aaron Wainscott Tewliganed you to their store!"

Back on topic - I'm a big fan of the battle mats since you can use Wet erase markers on them to outline terrain and building features time and time again without replacing the mat. I had a buddy a while back that used to use a huge plotter/printer to layout special areas with maps (trees, buildings, etc) but that could get a bit expensive.

Both counters and minis are very useful in 3E with the combat rules being so detailed. I'd advise you to definitely pick up some counters of horses, since even if you are using minis having those counters of horses to set the minis of the PCs on (when they're on horseback) are especially useful.

 

[Droogie]

I must recommend an alternative: LEGO!

A 1 bump = 1 foot scale is great. It is not only precise and efficient, it takes geekiness to a whole new level.

At last! ANOTHER lego person!
Used Lego mini-figs for years. I will always think of my favorite character with that yellow face. ------->