Reorganizing my Minis

[the Jester]

Just thought I'd share- I'm in the middle of a reorganization of my miniatures right now. It's quite time-consuming- I have a lot, both plastic dnd ones, the old skool pewter ones, some Warhammer, etc. I'm organizing them by creature type, then grouping within that, and setting them all up on a table. (The table is roune, and I just measured it at 36" diameter). When all is said and done, said table will be covered- I'll really be squeezing to get 'em all in, but I've done it before.

That said, some interesting observations:

I have not one single fey creature in the whole mess. Not one. Only one ooze. Now, I can see why there aren't a lot of different ooze minis out there (forgive me, but there should be another couple imho), but shouldn't there be a dryad, or a redcap, or something?? There are cool fey in most all the monster books, and the minis seem to be aimed to spread the usability of a variety of sources.

I know my collection well enough that I've already recognized that I'm missing at least two specific minis. I mean, I'm sure they're around somewhere, but it means I did not successfully wrangle up all the miniatures, which I thought I had.

Also, I know this will only last a few weeks before the inherent chaos of people randomly messing with it destroys the cohesive organization I put into play- but for a little while it'll be nice to be able to find a group of 6 similar minis, and it should be easy for people to find their customary minis.

Anyhow, all that's left is the humanoids- prolly about 50% of the collection. Now is when it gets downright difficult...

 

[Turanil]

My problem with minis are that:
-- I don't play at home, and don't want to carry pounds of lead to the place where we game.
-- Most of my minis are unpainted (no time for that). However, as I don't like to play with raw minis, I don't want to play with them.
-- Those of my minis I did paint, I don't want them be erased, so I don't play with them too (except for myown PCs).

So in the end, the problem cannot be solved.

Fortunately there is those pre-painted WotC minis. Maybe I will buy some...

 

[TheAuldGrump]

That said, some interesting observations:

I have not one single fey creature in the whole mess. Not one. Only one ooze. Now, I can see why there aren't a lot of different ooze minis out there (forgive me, but there should be another couple imho), but shouldn't there be a dryad, or a redcap, or something?? There are cool fey in most all the monster books, and the minis seem to be aimed to spread the usability of a variety of sources.

Heh, I on the other hand have twenty some odd fey, most of them by Reaper. Some started as Elfs, but with a slightly different (i.e. paler) paint job.

Then again, I have twenty some odd pirate skeletons too, and a dozen ogre pirate heroes (yes, heroes...) so it may be that my collection isn't quite normal...

The Auld Grump, the PCs were surprised to find out that the ogre pirates were the good guys...

 

[Zander]

Metal minis, especially older ones made of lead alloys, should not be kept on their feet for any length of time. Most will bend at the ankle and can break due to metal fatigue when straightened.

I've got at least 7 fey minis in my collection including a leprachaun (sp?), a sylph, a dryad and several fairies.

 

[Psychic Warrior]

I have 1000's of minis from old lead Grenadier, Rafm and Ral Partha to Reaper to Games Workshop to the new WotC pre-painted minis.

I find that the only ones getting use anymore are those few metal ones I have painted for the PCs and the WotC minis. I hate unpainted minis but don't have the time or skill to paint everything myself. The WotC minis are a cheap, decently painted solution.

 

[Varianor Abroad]

That is odd about the fey. But then again, I've found few "fey" minis that I've wanted for a game. As a traveling DM (I commute 80 miles one way), I hate schlepping stuff. So I've purchased relatively few minis, and used the Counter Collections from Fiery Dragon. (Yay!) With the advent of plastic minis though, I've been happier. I sort them into my little Black and Decker spare parts box, and when I need similar ones, I grab them! One tray for undead, one for humanoids, and one for weird stuff. (The big ones live in the GoL boxes since there's no easy way to store them.)

 

[Ogrork the Mighty]

I know Reaper has some pixie minis. The new D&D minis have a gibbering mouther, which can double for an ooze.

Regarding painted minis, don't you seal them with a protective coat after painting them? I use a clear matte spray and it protects the paint from wearing off.

 

[kenobi65]

Regarding painted minis, don't you seal them with a protective coat after painting them? I use a clear matte spray and it protects the paint from wearing off.

Even that's not always enough protection. I put *3* clear coats on all the minis I paint, and the heavily-used ones still get paint rubs on the sticky-out parts (elbows, edges of cloaks, etc.) So, there's a few that have to get touch-up work every few years. Even so, I paint my minis so they can be used, so I don't mind too much.

 

[Kae'Yoss]

-- Those of my minis I did paint, I don't want them be erased, so I don't play with them too (except for myown PCs).

So in the end, the problem cannot be solved.

You know that there's stuff called varnish (I think that's it, I'm not sure) you coat the painted mini with to seal it? Then you can touch it all you want, the paint doesn't go off.

but shouldn't there be a dryad, or a redcap, or something??

I want a nymph mini!

Okay, okay, I start thinking with my brain again.

 

[Foundry of Decay]

Actually if you use a gloss varnish as the first finishing coat, then spray on a matte sealer when the gloss is dry, that will protect infinitely better than just matte alone.