GM Ian's Guide to Purchasing Tabletop Miniature Models for RPGs

I noticed there were a lot of inquiries of where to purchase miniature models recently in my local groups so I thought I would type this up for ease of reference and just so I can link it instead of typing up the same thing again and again. Just take note, these suggestions may be skewed towards Malaysian (or maybe any non US and EU areas for that matter) audience because for us, Malaysians, we don’t have local manufacturers for tabletop miniatures (Well, except one but for reasons not clear to me, they can’t sell it here which is kinda stupid BUT ANYWAY...). For those living in the US or EU, they would normally get free shipping if the order is over a certain amount. So those everywhere else, we need to pay for the shipping. Please take note that this is based on my experience, research and preference so there’s gonna be some gaps but hopefully, it points people to a direction they desire. Also, I will be focusing on the manufacturers or even distributors instead of 3^rd party online retailers. Those you can find yourself. I’m just advising on which range is good.

Mmmm.... free shipping.... <drools>

Reaper Miniatures! It’s like the Big Super Store for all the RPG miniatures you need. You need miniatures for your heroes? Yes, they do have them in various races and classes but races such as Tiefling and Dragonborn may be limited in terms of classes. But for everything else, there’s Reaper Miniatures. You need models for the bad guys and monsters? They have it too! Skeletons, demons, ghosts, bandits, cultists, giants, trolls, and so on and so forth. You need NPCs for your village, blacksmith or tavern? Yes, they have it too! Reaper has the widest possible Fantasy range you will need to run RPG sessions with miniatures you may need.

You will probably recognize this. Reaper Miniatures released a range of affordable miniatures for RPG use.

However, the issue is for us non-US or EU residents when ordering from Reaper Miniatures is that the shipping is expensive (For us 3^rd World citizens who earn currencies which are weaker than the US Dollar or EU Euro or UK Pound or AU Dollar). My advise (at least for the moment) compare your shopping list in different currency. At the moment when I checked, the AU Dollar gives the best price so I pay in AU Dollar.

For some of us, we have it better than the Australians.

So, what about the official stuff from D&D or even Pathfinder? Well, you can’t exactly order straight from Wizards of the Coast but one of their retailers which is a good thing since you don’t have the main manufacturer competing with their retailers (Unlike a certain games company whose name I won’t mention here.). However, if you are a Malaysian like me, you noticed our local retailers don’t stock D&D products even though there’s a demand and would have been a good synergy and another channel to sell their other product lines. But no, for some reason, Malaysian retailers can’t seem to get a hold of D&D products DESPITE Wizards of the Coast’s effort to merge D&D with MTG ala Ravnica. So you would need to purchase such products from 3^rd party online retailers which, as I said before, I will not go into.

This is what you're looking for. However, I wish Wizards of the Coast sell them as singles.

Gale Force Nine does some of the more iconic or vital D&D characters but more for your foes in the RPG rather than miniatures for your heroes. Well, some but not a wide a range as I like it to be but if you want to be a bit special with introducing the main baddie of the setting then you get them there.

No lie. After I saw that I can order from Gale Force Nine, I ordered this.

For the Pathfinder stuff (which is D&D stuff but generalized and renamed so they don't get sued by Wizards of the Coast), Paizo actually do sell their stuff online plus other stuff including some of the D&D Heroclix stuff which is reasonable for tabletop use (though I would personally remove those weird bases with the dials and numbers). They also offer some relief and would reduce shipping cost for first few orders but only you buy at least 100 USD and again, I recommend people do group orders.

Probable Reason for Pathfinder's Existence.

Looking at another well-known IP and breaking into the mainstream, Games Workshop’s Warhammer range also does Fantasy miniatures albeit currently, a bit overpriced and going for a whole unique aesthetic. If you managed to get your hands on what people would refer to as Warhammer Fantasy, Oldhammer, Middlehammer and now as GW is going to introduce, Warhammer: The Old World, then you will get miniatures that would be familiar with Tolkien-esque albeit based on Europe (As many Fantasy worlds are e.g. Lord of the Rings). Warhammer Fantasy offers a world much like ours but with magic and the very real existence of demons. You will have Renaissance-era Holy Roman Empire forces, English/French Kingdoms, 3 Kinds of Elves, Ratmen and so on. A very diverse albeit maybe cliche world but one that’s very interesting in my opinion. Honestly, you just need to get one box of each type and you would have enough to challenge a group of adventurers with human city guards, elven archers, ogre raiders, etc.. As it is mainstream, Games Workshop has their own retail outlets and independent retailers so you can just drop by your nearest local game shop and most likely you can find their products.

Tell me you ain't inspired by the Warhammer Fantasy setting. I dare ya!

However, Games Workshop has a few contenders since it has abandon the Old World and created a New Plane so that it can IP what it created because Warhammer Fantasy is pretty much based on existing IP i.e. Lord of the Rings, existing folklore and actual historical figures and factions. Anyway, Mantic was the first to try to challenge Games Workshop dominance for a massed army wargame in 28mm even during the height of Games Workshop’s Fantasy rule with Kings of War. It has garnered a sizeable following and created a good range of miniatures which can be either good or bad depending on your preference. For example, the Undead looks great but the Elves look....too skinny. One of their main selling points is that they were cheap in comparison with Games Workshop.

WAY too skinny...

Another contender though going for a more skirmish kind of game is Frostgrave. For the book itself is published by Osprey Games but the miniatures are manufactured in partnership with North Star Military Figures. They too are coming out with a line of miniatures but more towards the people of the cold north aesthetic but they look great nonetheless. Their kits are much more diverse with various weapons. They even have kits for an all female warband and they are not sexualized. These may be good for the Icewind Dale setting since you know, snow, north and cold. But they are still good for more southern areas but probably not in the more Mediteranean and Equatorial areas. Weirdly enough, North Star Military Figures also started their own Fantasy line, Oathmark.

Look at them options!

The new kid on the block to take a step onto the Fantasy ring is Warlord Games’ Erehwon. Because I believe a few of their developers were from Games Workshop, Erehwon has taken on the Tolkien-esque look for their miniatures. You may also noticed that they mixed in a few products from other ranges such as Frostgrave and Oathmark.

Not the most memorable name for a wargame.

Oh, I almost forgot about Avatars of War. It’s basically Warhammer Fantasy but looks sexier. They also got behind the 9th Age since Games Workshop abandon and destroy Warhammer Fantasy to create “original” stuff to IP which again led developer after developer into filling in the void.


That said and if you've noticed, some of the developers I've pointed out also do historical and humans in Fantasy settings does reflect real historical people and so I'm gonna suggest a few more manufacturers that does historical miniatures as well. For example, Warlord Games do have their own line of historical medieval miniatures but they also would absorb or distribute for smaller manufacturers and add their product line to their online shop. However, I think North Star Military Figures have the widest selection of various manufacturers historical and Fantasy. That said, Warlord Games provide free shipping for orders over 50 USD so you choose either free shipping or widest possible selection.

Something something... Gary Gygax was a historical wargamer...

Starting with the Dark Ages (since it seems most Fantasy settings take on a Medieval look rather than a Classical look), we have Gripping Beast, they are the guys behind SAGA so you have Vikings, Saxons, Normans and recently, Arabs. They have a lot more so I suggest you have a look. Gripping Beast do have a few villager models as well if you need those. Going up the ages, we have Fireforge Games who came out first with their Teutonic Knights and slowly added more to their Medieval range including the usual Western European stuff, Rus, Byzantines and their own Fantasy line. Perry Miniatures, headed by the Perry Brothers who used to sculpt for Games Workshop, made their own line of miniatures specifically historicals. Again, more Medieval humans but they seem to focus on the English side of things as they have ranges for the 100-Year War and War of the Roses.


For us, local Malaysians, there's a few stores that stock such items. Wolf Game Shop stocks some Reaper Miniatures, Warlord Games and other manufacturers. Comics Mart also sell miniatures that you can find on Warlord Games and a few Reaper Miniatures.


One last place I would like to recommend is http://www.songofblades.com/ that's actually based in Malaysia. They have a range of Halflings, Dwarfs and other esoteric stuff.


So, that's everything from the top of my head. There's more I assure you and a lot of these manufacturers are very old school people but they got some good stuff as well. If you need further information or something specific, let me know. I also do orders every month or so to one or more miniature and/or terrain manufacturer so if you want to piggyback on my order, let me know.

RPG Visual Aids: Paper

Paper, thinnest and lightest material known to hobbyists. It’s also cheap and widely available to many. I imagine that many of you would have at least have access to a computer, the Internet and a printer (either your own or there’s printing shop/facility nearby). Maybe even drawing instruments, digital e.g. MS Paint or physical e.g. colored pencils. Paper-crafted characters and terrain features can be just as good-looking as plastic and metal visual aids.

As Spongebob demonstrated, paper is a versatile medium.

DRAWING YOUR OWN STUFF! The most basic thing you can do yourself (Hence, DIY) is to draw your own character. If you are a good artist and already have confidence in drawing your own character, that’s great. However, if you aren’t, don’t get discouraged. Plenty of games, even video games, would have what some people may describe as bad graphics and art. However, I would argue it’s just stylized art. Take “Kingdom of Loathing” for example. It’s a pretty simple browser-based RPG with stick figure drawings but it uses that stick drawing style and just ran with it. The style reinforces the theme of the RPG and it works great. This can work for you as well. At whatever level of drawing you are, just go with it and use it to reinforce the theme of the RPG.

Stunning designs indeed!

DOWNLOADING STUFF FROM THE INTERNET! Okay, so maybe you are still not confident in your ability to draw and you want better-looking stuff. Of course! There are free pictures on the Internet! Why not, right?

Well, as long as you don’t sell them and use it only for your personal use. Also, make sure to give credit to the actual artist. That said, there are actual people selling drawings online specifically for making paper standee RPG characters. For example, this fellow here on Patreon. Bigger players such as Fat Dragon Games sells paper terrain and models via their website. If you go to DriveThruRPG, you will find a platform for almost anything RPG and downloadable which includes products from Fat Dragon Games and other manufacturers. Take a look at their “Maps & Play Aids” section for maps, terrain, and character models both in 2D and 3D.

A sample from Map Pack 1 by 8radgames.

Looks great and all you have to do is just print it out.

Okay, so you drew or printed your character. Yay! So how do I make it stand? Because you know, paper is not known to be able to stand. Professional manufacturers for game peripherals such as Litko make bases with paper slots so you can just slot in your drawing onto it and your drawn paper character shall stand! Additionally, Fantasy Flight Games also sells plastic stands for the same purpose. However, easier to access and cheaper alternative are those foldback clips you can purchase from your local stationary store. Yeah, it would obstruct most of the art but again, it stands! Alternatively, you can fold the paper to make a stand from the paper itself. Basically, you are making a paper stand; one third will be a picture of your character while the other parts of the paper will be folded to form the stand.

Basically, this. Trust me; there's a terrifying pictures of Later Sarmatian army units in front of those paper standees. If you're wondering, we were playing De Bellis Antiquitatis.

What about the map you say? Terrain feature, buildings, rooms, dungeons, and all that. Same thing as characters. You draw them or you download stuff from the Internet. However, the issue is a little bit different as you would need to decide what medium to draw or print on as well as whether you prefer 2D or 3D. Generally, 2D is much simpler and easier to make, especially when you are dealing with just the X and Y axis. As long as everybody is on the same level, it’s fine. Some clarification and declaration would be needed sometimes if you are on top of a tree or box or even under the table, for example. Using 3D map and terrain, everything is clear instantly because you can see it visually. Drawback for 3D? Maybe it’s more expensive.

That said, I'm biased towards 3D.

Hopefully, this would get you, especially if you are a newbie, into getting some nifty visual aids for your RPG. It just takes a bit of time, effort and resources to get it all ready. Trust me; it’s worth it.

A Case for Visual Aids in RPGs

As the title says, I like to play RPG with terrain and miniatures. However, I want to point out that I do not look down upon theater of the mind or cheap DIY RPG visual aids. I'm just saying that RPGs look a lot more visually exciting with things representing players, monsters, NPCs and the terrain around them. As a species who rely heavily on their sight, "it's better if you see it for yourself" is an apt phrase in a lot of situations.

That looks pretty, right?

Alright, I get it; some people can't afford to buy or the skill to build and paint nice miniatures and great terrain. I get it. There's always the theater of the mind for most if not all people. Yes, good; imagination is good. However, sometimes, people interpret your words differently because you know, different people, different experiences and all that. Visual aids are not just "I got awesome stuff and you don't". It's not about that.

Something something blind people something something elephant.

A part of having visual aids is clarity. You can easily know what's a red box instantly because you see a red box with your eyes. If someone were to describe a red box to a blind man, it would be very difficult. Also, no offense to blind people. I will probably discuss this some other time i.e. how people with disabilities play RPGs. Going back to the issue at hand i.e. clarity, it just makes things clear and for everyone to see. You know where the approximate location of the enemy, you know how far away you are, you know whether you are behind cover, etc.. Everything is clear and you don't have to waste time explaining where everything is.

Yep, it's wood.

Okay, let's say you agree; yes, having visual aids is a "must-have" to have but you can't afford any of the fancy, good looking stuff. You don't have to buy a Rolls Royce if you need to commute to work. Just get something within your means. Tokens! Paper standees! Cheap plastics toys you got randomly from somewhere you can't remember! I saw the other day, on Reddit, someone who drew his own character and made a paper standee. Of course, I gave him the red arrow for it. The paper standee had more character and personal investment than my [online] store-bought miniature. If you can't draw, just download and print a picture of a character from the internet to make a standee out of it. There is reasonably priced papercraft for just about anything that you can download from the Internet. You just need to look and take the time and effort to put it together. I will probably do an article later specifically discussing what, where and how to put together various types of visual aids; paper, plastic, metal, etc..

Business people talking about business in a meeting.

This is what an RPG table without visual aids look like.

But let's say you don't agree; fine, that's your prerogative. That's your stance on the matter. However, I still would like to persuade you. Imagine yourself not being into RPGs and you are at a convention. Now, imagine seeing a table with some people sitting around and just talking about this adventure they are having inside their heads and describing the scene and action. Well yeah, they can obviously see it but you don't. You are not privy to their unseen world. However, you see another table with people also playing an RPG but this time, it has all these wonderful terrain and miniatures. You know what’s going on because it’s all there for you to see and observe. And yes, I’m advocating RPGs to be a spectacle for people to see and be interested in. This leads to an argument for visual aids; it helps in recruiting new players and get more people into the hobby.

Players discussing strategies to defend a village!

This is what an RPG table looks like with visual aids!

I understand that some people would prefer their RPG sessions to be private and not be made a spectacle for other people. Sure, go ahead; it’s your session. However, I’m always in the opinion that people should open their sessions to newbies and newcomers to the hobby. It helps to community to grow and replace the slowly dwindling number of players who are lost for a myriad of reasons e.g. work, marriage, life, etc.. There’s always a need for fresh blood for a community and I feel just keeping to ourselves in our little group in our little cave isolated from the public will not help the community as a whole. Allowing your sessions to be publicly seen in game shops and social media with terrain and miniatures for people to look at and become intrigued will help inform the masses that there are RPG things happening and they know where to look and ask about.

I know it's a prop for some Fortnite Battle Royale thing but as you can see, the props they use certainly does draw people's attention. Same can be done for tabletop RPGs!

Okay, so I made 2 arguments so far for supporting and having visual aids. The other is quite very personal and for the individual. The one other argument I want is that it’s just awesome to have them. Yes, it’s the materialistic capitalism in me talking but having stuff is quite nice. Having miniatures and terrain is a nice thing to have. Having paper standees and cardboard houses is awesome. They look great. They provide a physical representation for your imagination and you can play with them. Toys are meant to be played with.

Sweet, sweet material possessions.

So those are my arguments. It’s not just so for some of us to have cool stuff but also it helps the hobby grow. It lets people see into the made-up world players could see through the eyes of their minds. A glimpse into their private theater of the mind. It gets people interested and intrigued. It gets people looking into the hobby and eventually, get into it. That’s how I think we can grow the hobby; by having nice things to see and using them as advertisements for the hobby.