Minis for TTRPGs

[MGibster]

What are your favourite miniature manufacturers, sets, or shops for TTRPG purposes?

Reaper Miniatures is one of my favorite manufacturers of fantasy miniatures for TTRPGS. I base this off their moderate price, the variety of models available, their detail, and the aesthetics. In particular, their large monsters produced for their plastic Bones line are a bargain.

I have mixed feelings about WizKids in that I don't like most of their player character models. The price point is fine, but I find the aesthetics are largely not to my liking. That doesn't sound too mixed, does it? Well I like some of their monster miniatures like their dragons, beholders, etc., etc. Avoid their Frameworks line as it's overpriced.

Archon Studios and their Dungeons & Lasers line is pretty darn fantastic. You're getting models on par with Games Workshop but at a much more reasonable price point. You can get a pretty nice dragon for about $40 Yankee dollars.

I don't have an opinion on pre-painted miniatures because I never buy them. You can find cheap lots of WizKids or old HeroClix (or other Clix) on Ebay or elsewhere online. They're a good deal if you just need to slap something reasonable on the table. Also, for monsters, consider some cheap toys you can find at the dollar store or somewhere else.

 

[Sacrosanct]

I have mixed feelings about WizKids in that I don't like most of their player character models. The price point is fine, but I find the aesthetics are largely not to my liking. That doesn't sound too mixed, does it? Well I like some of their monster miniatures like their dragons, beholders, etc., etc. Avoid their Frameworks line as it's overpriced.

I don't use Wizkids for the PCs because like you, I don't really like them. I do like their monsters though. So it sounds like we're on the same page. Can't beat Reaper's price point.

Although, I'm finding most PC minis I get that are new, are 3d printed and not mass produced.

 

[Koloth]

For NPC critters or 'loan a mini', the WOTC D&D minis from the collectable miniatures game. Bought hundreds on the secondary market, often 10 for $1. The trick was to buy commons. Everyone was selling the piles of commons accumulated while trying to find a desired rare. High supply meant low price. As already mentioned, the paint job is so-so but good enough for the 2-6 ft distance most table top games are played. Have several of the larger ones, 3" bases. Fiendish T-Rex, Cloud Giant, and other similar. Often in the $3~6 range. The paint jobs on the larger ones tends to be decent. Many are still available but the glut has largely vanished so prices reflect that.
Also backed too many of the Reaper Bones KS. Hundreds of unpainted minis.
For my PCs, tend to use ones I have painted myself. Reaper metal for most of these.
Recently found a low cost source for cartoony minis. The Walmart clearance isle. Several of the 'Dorables' sets are there for around $5 for a set of 8~10. Glue to a 1" base and good to play. The stores near me had 2 StarWars sets + a Corpse Bride set.

For terrain, there are a lot of STL files available for those with 3D printers.

 

[Stormonu]

Wizkids was pretty good until they started their premium lines and ALL their prices started skyrocketing.

If I had to start over, I'd go with the 2D/3D acrylic minis, such as skinny minis - my brother is going this route, and stores his in a binder for easy access (vs. the half-my-room for my metal/plastics).

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

Been in the TTRPG hobby since 77-78, and bought my first 2 minis the day I got my PHB & a set of purple polyhedrons. And I’ve bought a BUNCH over the passing decades.

But 99.99% of mine are unpainted. While I appreciate the skills of those who do, that aspect never attracted me. (And I paint canvases, etc. )

Over the years I’ve gotten minis from companies like:

Grenadier
Heritage
Ral Partha
Rackham
Steve Jackson Games
Heartbreaker
WizKids
WotC

And goodness knows who else.

Most are for FRPGs, but I have a few for modern, supers, general sci-fi, and mechs.

Materials range from lead to pewter to plastic to cardboard.

I’ve made a few abstract ones from threading beads onto needles, which then got mounted into bases of some kind- usually styrofoam.