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View Full Version : Minis (And How To Get Them)



Fax Celestis
2007-11-27, 11:39 PM
So my wife has expressed an interest in both acquiring and painting minis, but I have none and no paints or even brushes appropriate for them. I'll admit, I've never really been a minis man--not until recently when I've started seeing some of the really nice-looking ones.

So I've decided I'm going to get my wife some for Christmas, some nice unpainted fantasy minis with a set of paints and brushes. But the problem I'm having is that--despite the fact that I live in a fairly major metropolitan area--there is not a game store within 50 miles of my location, which leaves me with the option of shopping online for minis.

So far, all I've been able to find is singles. What I'd really like is a kit, a bunch of different minis with a set of brushes and paints. Does anyone know where I'd be able to find such a thing?

Skjaldbakka
2007-11-27, 11:50 PM
You might want to hit the local phonebook for a war-game supply store. There is an Albright's here in lexington that sells minis in packs. They are of course associated with various specific games, but many of the fantasy ones are multi-purpose.

I typically just use minis is I find one that fits one of my characters. I found one that was absolutely perfect for one of my PCs, and bought it for him.

EDIt-

Thats what i get for not reading the whole post. No gaming stores in a 50' radius, huh? that kinda sucks.

BardicDuelist
2007-11-27, 11:52 PM
I think Reaper packaged somthing like that. I remember seeing somthing by them which had paints and brushes with a couple minis at a local gaming store, but I don't know if Reaper did it, or the store did.

Gamesworkshop has a painting "starter set" for their various games. The LoTR one has men and elves, if I remember right.

Other than that, I don't know. I have bought all of my paints seperately and bought (or more recently, sculpeted) my miniatures individually.

Lord Tataraus
2007-11-27, 11:53 PM
While I don't know much about such miniatures, my friend bores me to death about how great Reaper miniatures are and a quick google-fu brings up two "Learn to paint" kits from reapers: Kit #1 (http://www.reapermini.com/store/customer/product.php?productid=1134&cat=0&page=1), Kit #2 (http://www.reapermini.com/store/customer/product.php?productid=1135&cat=0&page=1). Each comes with 2 minis (unpainted pewter), 2 brushes, and paints. Judging from what's in each set I would suggest #2 since it has more paints. As for additional minis, the Warlord Army Packs (http://www.reapermini.com/store/customer/home.php?cat=117&page=1) series each have 3 minis a piece (though a bit pricey). Then the DHL Army Packs (http://www.reapermini.com/store/customer/home.php?cat=104) seem to have 5 a piece at a much cheaper price (though less detail than the Warlords).

As I said, I only know about this because of a friend who swears by Reaper's so take it with a grain of salt and look around. I hope it helps.

Edit: I just found Kits #3 and 4 of the "Learn to Paint" series from Reaper, here (http://www.reapermini.com/store/customer/product.php?productid=2547&cat=23&page=1) and here (http://www.reapermini.com/store/customer/product.php?productid=4427&cat=23&page=1).
I'll see if I can get more info for you if you're interested....I think I might get a kit, its not that bad of a price, hm....

Skjaldbakka
2007-11-28, 12:04 AM
The results of my google-fu: http://www.rpgshop.com/default.php?

My google-fu ain't the greatest, but that site sells lots of different kinds of minis.

Blasterfire
2007-11-28, 12:06 AM
you could also look into warhammer minis: http://us.games-workshop.com/games/warhammer/default.htm
These are more army scale though, so the only unique characters will be the commanders in the armies. Obviously designed with tabletop wargaming in mind, but i figured I'd trow this out as an option anyway, just in case.

RTGoodman
2007-11-28, 01:11 AM
You said that there aren't any gaming stores around, but you may be able to find miniatures and paints and such in a different type of store.

I know that some hobby/craft stores sell that sort of thing. Like, a Hungates that I used to go to sometimes (since they were the only place that sold dice within 30 minutes from my house) sold Warhammer minis and stuff from other brands. (Of course, it was right next to the fake trees and other environment stuff for the model trains, so I'm not sure if the people that worked there thought it went together or not.)

Anyway, it may be worth it to check in your local hobby shop (that is, not necessarily a specifically gaming-oriented shop) to see if they have something. Or else, just go online to look for stuff, as others have pointed out.

EDIT: Apparently Hungates is just a North Carolina- and Virginia-based company, so you won't be able to find one away from there, but other places may be able to help you.

Reinboom
2007-11-28, 01:26 AM
Go to Gamescape on Divisadero in San Francisco. I know they have a couple shelves and at least 2 walls full of minis. (and paints).

Fhaolan
2007-11-28, 01:32 AM
Did 'Land of Nevawuz' close down? I can't find a website for them, but according to my Google-Fu, they were on 3365 Sonoma Blvd #20 in Vallejo, CA at one point, and they carried R. Talsorian stuff. If they still exist, they might have minis.

Game stores are going out of business left and right, though. So it wouldn't surprise me if they don't exist now.

Yes, I have a weird memory full of strange factoids, like where various gaming stores are in California despite the fact I only visited the state once several years ago for a weekend. I don't try to make sense of it anymore. I just accept it and move on.