| Collecting war gaming miniatures is a reward of its | | | | with your models, you can either opt for the |
| own. Not only does it take us back to our | | | | 1:285 models, or the more popular 25 mm model. |
| childhood days playing war games with friends, | | | | Either way, picking the right scale will determine |
| but it offers us a unique glimpse into different | | | | how well other people's models can blend in with |
| eras. | | | | yours, or even additions to future collections. |
| There are different kinds of war gaming | | | | Another important aspect in collecting war gaming |
| miniatures: from fantasy to science fiction | | | | miniatures is the material used in making them. |
| miniature war games, historical battlefield war | | | | War gaming miniatures usually come in metal or |
| games, or naval war games. Part of the fun in | | | | plastic, with metal being more popular. Original |
| collecting war gaming miniatures is the research | | | | miniatures were made of lead, which makes them |
| involved, so buy something that interests you. | | | | more expensive since some are considered |
| War gaming miniatures also come in different | | | | antiques. Bear in mind that lead is also considered |
| scales: 1:285 scale or 6 mm, which is often called | | | | toxic to children, so you may want to consider |
| micoarmour; 5/8 inches or 15 mm, for some | | | | this before buying lead miniatures for play. Modern |
| early Dungeons and Dragons miniatures (a popular | | | | metal war gaming miniatures are made of pewter |
| fantasy role playing game); 1:80.5 7/5 inches or 20 | | | | and other similar alloys, which make them |
| mm, for skirmish war gaming and science fiction | | | | cheaper. |
| games; and 1:64 1 ¼ inches or 25mm, the | | | | Plastic miniatures, on the other hand, come at a |
| standard railway S scale. The 25mm is popular for | | | | fraction of the cost! They are usually 20-50% |
| skirmish, historical, fantasy, and role playing | | | | cheaper, but are lighter. Plastic miniatures also |
| games. There are also 28 mm models available, | | | | come painted, while die cast or metal models can |
| and are usually called heroic models, since they | | | | either come painted or unpainted, should you wish |
| are slightly larger than average models. | | | | to paint your models yourself. |
| It is important to note the scale in buying war | | | | Usually, it is better to choose one particular |
| gaming miniatures, since most accessories also | | | | material and stick to it, especially when you are |
| come in varying sizes. Other collectors prefer that | | | | considering on expanding or playing with other |
| their war gaming miniatures also blend in with their | | | | collectors. |
| collections, such as model trains, terrains, and | | | | As with any form of collecting, you have to |
| houses. | | | | educate yourself by joining clubs, reading books |
| Scale is also important in how you want to use | | | | and trade magazines, as well as researching online. |
| your collection: is it simply for display, or do you | | | | The biggest perk in collecting war gaming |
| want to play with it? Most manufacturers use a | | | | miniatures is that you get to read about the |
| different scale for display models: 1:2400. This | | | | different time periods that you wish to recreate, |
| scale is usually called FTB or Fit in The Box by | | | | and share your newfound knowledge with other |
| most collectors, since this is the most convenient | | | | people! |
| scale to fit in a box and ship. If you intend to play | | | | |