Toys to be used with our Games?

[Mark]

What toys should we all be looking to pick up on sale that we can use with our other games?


I often read about people doing lots with Legos and Jenga blocks. Many dollar stores have inexpensive small scale animals and dinosaurs, as well as cheap buildings, like those used for train sets and holiday displays. There are all sorts of castle toys and playsets available these days but which ones are at a good scale for us? I noticed an Aqua Doodle online and wondered if anyone tried using one for a battlemat.


Tell us what toys you use, what toys look useful, and what sort of things you do for which you would like to find toys to use.

Talien has written an article on this subject and here's a few other threads with similar information that should be helpful -


Substituting toys for miniatures

http://www.enworld.org/forum/general-rpg-discussion/254907-huge-gargantuan-colossal-minis.html

http://www.enworld.org/forum/general-rpg-discussion/237313-mageknight-dreamblade-minis-d-d.html

http://www.enworld.org/forum/general-rpg-discussion/252477-miniatures-giant-snakes.html

http://www.enworld.org/forum/general-rpg-discussion/250776-how-close-do-your-minis-need-match.html

http://www.enworld.org/forum/general-rpg-discussion/249681-miniatures-terrain.html

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

There are several plastic dragon toys out there that are quite good, and not just the McFarlane ones.

I recently picked up the Dragonology Asian Lung Dragon.
Amazon.com: Dragonology Miniatures Series 1- Asian Lung Dragon: Toys & Games

The dragons in this series are nice because 1) they have no base to cause perceived scale problems and 2) each one comes in 2 sizes.

Thus, not only do I have "mama" dragon, but also a baby version as well!

Safari's Hidden Kingdom "Insect" models are quite nice.
Safari Hidden Kingdom Insect Replicas at PlayFair Toys

Safari also does some nice miniatures of all kinds of animals.
Safari at Playfair

I've used their alligator, crocodile, octopus, some sharks- all of which were summoned by the party druid at some point or another- and giant squid (subbing for an Aboleth) in play as well, and they make some fine dinosaurs as well...except the "baby" ones of course. I also own several of their snakes and lizards. Most of the mammals are, unfortunately, not at a useful scale for D&D.

 

[darjr]

Safari At Playfair. Cool! I've got some of those dinosaurs and I've used them in the game. I just picked them up at a store and couldn't remember where they came from.

Thanks!

 

[Rechan]

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Jumbo-6mm-Stems-Chenille-Kraft/dp/B0016P48GA/ref=pd_bbs_1?ie=UTF8&s=office-products&qid=1227896927&sr=8-1"]Pipe Cleaners[/ame] - Bend them to loop around a mini to designate a mark (each PC gets a different color). Alternatively, you can use this to designate perimeters for zones.

Marble and glass aquarium gems - I use these for minions, and just misc minis. Also could work for tokens (Action points, for instance).

Masking Tape - Good for designating difficult terrain. It's the width of a square, so you can adjust to your leisure. Easy to pull off your mat.

 

[Dragon Snack]

You can pick up Safari toys at your local craft stores (Michael's, AC Moore, etc.) as well. That's where I got my Scorpion and my players soon learned - the hard way - that a Colossal Scorpion has a 30' reach...

We also use their "Toobs" for Horses and other various nasty beasts (croc/gator, lion, etc.). They have a "Toob" with a Dragon in it, although it is rather small and the sculpt doesn't stand up well next to any Dragon made for gaming.

I also use various Christmas accessories for Miniature gaming. In addition to the trees you can find almost anywhere (you can even take the snow off, but fair warning - it's not always pretty), I've found roads and small brick walls to use.

We've used glass beads (also available at local craft stores) and pipe cleaners too...

 

[Rechan]

I also use various Christmas accessories for Miniature gaming. In addition to the trees you can find almost anywhere (you can even take the snow off, but fair warning - it's not always pretty), I've found roads and small brick walls to use.

Oooh, that's a nice one.

Also, if you want to spend a little cash, little aquarium rock formations can work too.

 

[NewJeffCT]

What toys should we all be looking to pick up on sale that we can use with our other games?


I often read about people doing lots with Legos and Jenga blocks. Many dollar stores have inexpensive small scale animals and dinosaurs, as well as cheap buildings, like those used for train sets and holiday displays. There are all sorts of castle toys and playsets available these days but which ones are at a good scale for us? I noticed an Aqua Doodle online and wondered if anyone tried using one for a battlemat.


Tell us what toys you use, what toys look useful, and what sort of things you do for which you would like to find toys to use.

I'm mean - I just bought a couple of those McFarlane Zodiac Warriors (Taurus the bull) and intend to use them as HUGE sized minotaurs - they're each about 5" tall and tower over my Warhammer/GW giants. Heck, they might even be close to the next size category beyond HUGE.

it does not look all that scary on here, but trust me, on a battlemat, it is friggin' gigantic.

http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/...riors of Zodiac/zodiac_taurus_photo_01_dp.jpg


I've also bought a few plastic dinosaurs at local tag/yard/garage sales and intend to use them when the party gets to a dinosaur-laden area.

 

[frankthedm]

I'm mean - I just bought a couple of those McFarlane Zodiac Warriors (Taurus the bull) and intend to use them as HUGE sized minotaurs - they're each about 5" tall and tower over my Warhammer/GW giants. Heck, they might even be close to the next size category beyond HUGE.

it does not look all that scary on here, but trust me, on a battlemat, it is friggin' gigantic.

http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/...riors of Zodiac/zodiac_taurus_photo_01_dp.jpg

ah, you found the gargantuan Baphomet 'Mini'.

Keep your eyes peeled for any of the Mcfarlane dragons that might still be on shelf. Wonderful toys. Even better minis.

 

[Treebore]

I use my Heroscape stuff a lot, especially when I want to do mountainous terrain with a lot of variation. Helps bring in the "height advantage" rules much easier and clearly.

Plus I just found something with possibilities:

Battleground: Crossbows & Catapults - War Chest Starter Set - Spin Master - Toys "R" Us

 

[Shades of Green]

I once thought about getting 'Army Men' (do they still make these?) as cheap alternatives to minis for modern/sci-fi/post-apocalyptic games...