How to Customize Wargame Miniatures

Miniature wargames are tabletop strategy matches that involve moveable pieces and constructible boards. They require at least two players but can host as many as a dozen. The only thing gamers love more than intense game play is acquiring new figures and terrain sets for their battles. Unfortunately, manufacturers typically provide a limited number of pieces and these booster sets can get pricey. However, you can create your own miniatures at a fraction of the cost.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Model paint set
• Finepoint brushes
• High-speed rotary tool

1. Find new pieces. Numerous stores sell generic pewter miniatures online at discount prices. Another option is browsing your local toy store. It’s simple to transform a cheap knight or princess figurine into a gaming piece, and some figures may not even need alteration.
2. Modify the pieces. Use the cutting bit and sander accessories of your rotary tool to chisel away unwanted aspects of your miniature, and then sculpt the figurine into a distinctive form. Save the scraps; you can always glue an unnecessary gun or shield to a different miniature and customize it.
3. Paint the pieces. If you have duplicate pieces, paint one a different color to make it distinct from the rest. Although plastic miniatures typically come painted, most pewter pieces will not. This can be a good thing, however, because it gives you an opportunity to give the piece your own style and personality.
4. Attach the pieces to bases. Depending upon where you obtained the piece, it may not be stable enough to stand upright on your playing board or terrain sets. This is easily remedied by finding a square piece of plastic or wood and gluing the figure onto its sanded surface.
5. Create stats for the pieces. New pieces mean new strategies and fresh game play. Stop waiting for the manufacturer to release the piece you think would be perfect for the game and make it yourself. Movement, range, attack, defense and special abilities are all open categories for you to tweak and perfect.

Tips & Warnings

• Wear safety goggles when using a rotary tool on plastic or pewter. Shards of material can easily splinter and damage your eyes.