Shadowrun
Shadowrun General => General Discussion => Topic started by: mrjbrownfield on <01-16-11/2313:42>
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Does anyone else use miniatures in their Shadowrun games? I've been playing a lot of D&D 4.0 since it came out and have found that using minis can make combat run much more smoothly for new gamers or wargamers giving RPG's a shot. If you do, what minis do you use? I usually resort to Star Wars minis (mostly because I have a ton of them). The old Ral Partha Shadowrun models are hard to come by. Also, what maps do you use? The old 1st edition DMZ maps are too small. I have used both Star Wars and Heroclix maps with great results. Any opinions or ideas are appreciated.
Later
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If you're looking for the old RP stuff, Ironwind Metals (http://ironwindmetals.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=15&osCsid=24551a34509f0e5494736b281cda226a) got a lot of RP's molds and are still making them.
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LEGOS! (http://www.lego.com/en-us/products/default.aspx) LEGOS! (http://www.bricklink.com/) LEGOS! (http://www.brickforge.com/store/)
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I second the Lego vote. You can't go wrong with Legos.
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I use miniatures, Ral Partha (a.k.a. Iron Wind Metals) but there are a great many others that can fill in the gaps. Antenocitis Workshop (out of the UK) has some good minis, especially if you are looking for futuristic vehicles and their scenery bits are just AWESOME! Another greath source is Wargames Foundry, you do have to search their site a bit to find them though. You go to their site click on Fantasy Miniatures, then on Collections, and then Futuristic...Street Violence is great. Not cheap but the miniatures have plenty of character and excellent detail.
If you are like me though, finding vehicle models is always the toughest part. First we have three scales floating about...25mm is 1/64, 28mm is 1/58 and 30mm is 1/54. Before you rush out to buy up 1/64th scale vehicles I should warn you...that scale looks really bad with our miniatures. This comes about as a function of those miniature bases which jack up the height of the minis an average of 5mm. The end result is that 1/43 scale vehicles IMO look =much= better. There are a few inexpensive ones but most of the mainstream ones are fairly pricey and they don't have that futuristic look to them. The best that I have found to date have been the ones from Antenocitis Workshop. Would love to hear if anybody else has found other sources though.
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Vehicles have always been "the worst" as far as trying to find "to scale" to fit with the standard miniatures. I have a collection of the old Ral Partha Shadowrun stuff that I keep using, but other than a few bikes, there's nothing good (that I have) for vehicles. Right now I'm poised to buy hotwheels and just "switch scales" if it goes to vehicle combat. I'll have to check out the 1/43 scale stuff from Antenocitis Workshop.
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For vehicles, I take a very "practical over pretty" approach. I'll estimate the size and shape of the vehicle, then cut one out of foam board or posterboard. Then I label it, possibly add a little color for ease of identification at the table. End result? Something that's roughly the right size and shape, with a label and colors to aid in identification, that looks ugly but can actually carry passengers and very well priced.
If I've got the time and patience, I'll consider busting out my giant box of LEGOS and build something with them, then it usually looks a little nicer.
If I find I need a vehicle I hadn't planned for, index cards and old dice boxes make rough stand-ins.
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Vehicle size; 1/43 is perfect, but 1/48th is a good match as well. Lots of avalible models in that scale as well. Also 1/43-48th scale translates to train scale as well; look for O scale models, you can occasionally find some nice industrial peices for scenery, and things like box trucks and semis.
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Hell, for vehicle combat I just use Hot Wheels/Matchbox cars. Nothing brings out the adolescence in my players like a good die-cast car. Lots of "vrooms" and "squealing tires" abound.
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Caine is right, 1/48 works very well and you can find some that are even reasonably priced. A great deal of what you are going to readily find are going to be military models (especially aircraft). O scale architectural models will also work very nicely...being frugal (some would say cheap) I scratchbuild the vast majority of the needed buildings/sets. Actually pretty excited over the stuff that I got from Antenocitis Workshop. am planning on building some pieces in the not so distant future. ;D
It is interesting that more than 20 years after its (SR) release that we still don't have a good selection of vehicles. I will give props to Ral Partha/Iron Wind Metals for the motorcycle minis though.
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I gotta give props to Antenocitis Workshop, I haven't visited in a year and this thread made me drop in to see how things were.... damnit, I'm gonna be spending LOTS of money soon.
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For the record I do not receive kickbacks for directing traffic there (these are not the droids that you are looking for). :D
If anybody has other sites to visit please give a shout out.
Here is one just for inspiration!
http://combatzonechronicles.net/table.htm (http://combatzonechronicles.net/table.htm)
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Also, this time of year, hit Big Lots, Walgreens, and K-Marts. Christmas decorations are getting clearanced out on the cheap, and those little ceramic Christmas Village buildings, town sets, and trees and such make good mini's fodder. Probably not as much for Urban Decay like Shadowrun, but... Still, some stuff for modern towns or even some things useful for D&D.
Bull
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The stuff from Infinity (http://www.infinitythegame.com/) off course. :)
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Good idea there Bull.
Pretty impressed with those minis Kot going to have to order some! Thanks.
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Thanks for the feedback. I have been a Warhammer 40K for nearly 20 years, so I have a ton of minis and terrain pieces. Bull, I actually use a ton of "found terrain" on my tables. Juice bottles, Pringles cans, and even my 4 year old's train sets have made their way in to my games. I have also seen the impressive stuff from Infinity and Antenocitis Workshop. I have a bucket of Star Wars mins, as well as a huge Heroclix collection to fall back on.
What about maps? I have tons of Heroclix and Star Wars maps on hand. Any thoughts there?
Later
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You can always find maps over at RPGnow or you can make your own with Campaign Cartographer 3 if you are so inclined! ;D
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Yup; I have a whole slew of paper maps as well. Plus I have access to a plotter from time to time, so I can do some bigger things if I need to.
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I have to get the SR world map printed out and laminated...just need to find a printer locally up to the task. ;D
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I was fortunate enough to actually get a copy that was unfolded at GenCon last year; it is laminated and ready for hanging when the basement gets finished
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I use D and D minis(eww d and d i know) but I like having a grid with glass over it where you draw the map so transitions are wayyyyy easier! But Shadowrun should start making minis! I promise I'd buy up all their hacker figures!!!! :o <<The face I'd be making every time I see em on my shelf!
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@ theKernal
You can actually get minis for Shadowrun from Iron Wind Metals.
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They're old and not colored thoughhhhh. But I do like deckers lol :-Xbut i shouldn't
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They are old...what does that have to do with anything? LOL
You could paint them...that is what a lot of us 'old timers' do with those unpainted miniatures. It might turn into a hobby within a hobby for you! ;D
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You know what John? I think I'll do that! Where can I get paint? Can you put a link to iron wind and a paint place?
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Here ya go. ;D http://www.ironwindmetals.com/catalog/index.php (http://www.ironwindmetals.com/catalog/index.php)
As far as paints go you can try Reaper... http://www.reapermini.com/Paints/pro (http://www.reapermini.com/Paints/pro)
At least that is a starting point.
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Thank you! Not to be creepy but now I'm gunna think of you evrytime i use it! ;D
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Glad to be of help. :)
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A couple of neat drones by RAFM:
C.S.D Mk1 (http://www.rafm.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=RAF&Product_Code=RAF02823&Category_Code=USXMin)
Mk-1 A.S.D Aerial Surveillance Drone (http://www.rafm.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=RAF&Product_Code=RAF02828&Category_Code=USXMin)
AJC
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OOOOOOOOOO fancy!
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Aah, the time when deckers were lugging those HUGE keyboards around... *grin*
Going through my unpainted Eldar (WH40K) I realize that the Rangers certainly are possible to modify to a Shadowrun theme. I should have some non-helmeted heads around...
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A couple of neat drones by RAFM:
C.S.D Mk1 (http://www.rafm.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=RAF&Product_Code=RAF02823&Category_Code=USXMin)
Mk-1 A.S.D Aerial Surveillance Drone (http://www.rafm.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=RAF&Product_Code=RAF02828&Category_Code=USXMin)
AJC
I didn't even know that RAFM was still in business! Very cool miniatures too!
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I think shadowrun lends itself well to minitures. In addition to all the great ideas here, I also keep a bunch of scrap paperboard (cereal boxes, etc.) and an hobby knife around to whip up some quick buildings. Also, I made a gaming table that I painted with blackboard paint (with a thin gray grid over it for measuring ranges and such) so if all else fails, I can draw terrain/buildings in chalk. I also keep a folder with some transparencies I cut into circles for situations when the runners don't know the exact positions of their adversaries/invisible stuff/area effect spell measuement/ other oddities.
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I've always been partial to the Mutant Chronicles soldiers. They're normally armoured (great for corp-sec goons), and with a few mods, most SR archtypes can be easily sorted.
I don't know who makes them though (Ral Partha perhaps?)
Failing that, I vote LEGO and Matchbox cars!
Note: When involving Lego with miniatures battles, you must, must, MUST read the Troops of Doom (http://troopsofdoomcomic.com/130.html) webcomic. Legotech is just too awesome...
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I second the Infinity recommendation. Obviously, not every Shadowrun archetype is covered, but there are many good choices in that line.
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Another interesting possibility:
http://www.statuesqueminiatures.co.uk/online-store/inigo-wilde (http://www.statuesqueminiatures.co.uk/online-store/inigo-wilde)
AJC
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Five pounds sterling...wow...that is an expensive miniature! Don't get me wrong, it is a very good looking figure but that is right on the line for what I would consider paying for a miniature.
To each their own. :D
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Foundry miniatures, Futuristic, Street Violence collection.
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Five pounds sterling...wow...that is an expensive miniature! Don't get me wrong, it is a very good looking figure but that is right on the line for what I would consider paying for a miniature.
To each their own. :D
I get exactly what you're looking for ain an urban sc-fi is pretty rare. I think the cost is appropriate to the rarity.
Fantasy or Space-Sci-Fi miniatures you can trip over in the street.
I find it very tricky to find anything perfectly appropriate for SR...
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Foundry Miniatures are good, I have their Street Violence SWAT Team/Horde box...not cheap but once you pro-rate it for the number of figures you get in the box not horrible.
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Originally, I had most of the metal SR minis along with the original boxed cyberpunk and a few other games, but I'm not much of a painter so they were ugly silver blobs on the table.
These days I've replaced almost all of them with pre-painted plastic minis from "that-other-company" that I bought from e-bay specifically for SR. There are a ton that fit well with Shadowrun. Since they are so light and flexible, I can drop all my dwarves in one ziploc bag and label it, do the same for drones, spirits, humans, females, trogs, etc. I still keep a couple metal trolls since using Gamorreans in their place gets old. :)
Just in the last few months, I have been trying to get my GM Kit as portable as possible and have created paper minis for the NPC mooks (organized, bagged and labeled as above). These are A-frame minis printed on cardstock and then stuck in little plastic bases as needed. While I still like having a 3D mini for the PCs, having a wide selection of "bad-guys" that take up almost no space in my bag has been a boon.
Vehicles are just top-down printouts of various vehicles, especially emergency vehicles printed on cardstock. I keep a set in three different scales (2cm = 2m, 2cm = 1m, 1in = 2m).
As for the map, it depends on who is running for our group. Most of us own 1" maps, but I made a 2cm map by printing 12 20cm x 30cm (7.9" x 11.8") grids and laminating them into one 80cm x 90cm (31.5" x 35.5") map that folds down to 10cm x 15cm [EDIT: It actually folds down to 20cm x 30cm or 10x15 squares] for storage. I really like the smaller squares. 2cm = 2m lets me cover more ground outdoors and 2cm = 1m is perfect for indoor scenes.
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Another interesting (if expensive) selection of sci-fi minis that might be suitable for your game:
Consortium (http://www.consortium-univers.com/consortium,us,2,11.cfm)
AJC
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Another interesting (if expensive) selection of sci-fi minis that might be suitable for your game:
Consortium (http://www.consortium-univers.com/consortium,us,2,11.cfm)
AJC
Wow! :o Those are very cool!
+1 for you :D
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Thanks.
A couple more interesting finds:
Recreational Conflicts - Civilians (http://recreationalconflict.lusagi.com/leadbones.html#civilians) - interesting "modern" figs
Mercs (http://store.mercsminis.com/collections/mercs-miniatures) - a little more sci-fi/military focused
Sedition Wars (http://studiomcvey.highwire.com/products/sedition-wars?pagesize=40) - very sci-fi and very cool
AJC
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Recreational Conflicts - Civilians (http://recreationalconflict.lusagi.com/leadbones.html#civilians) - interesting "modern" figs
AJC
This one (http://recreationalconflict.lusagi.com/leadbones/full/civoptions02.jpg) would work perfect for the "Accountant From Hell" character I made up, the one in the suit with the briefcase. Just have to get rid of the cell phone somehow.
Makes me wish I could work with Minis and have the ability to paint.
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Recreational Conflicts - Civilians (http://recreationalconflict.lusagi.com/leadbones.html#civilians) - interesting "modern" figs
AJC
This one (http://recreationalconflict.lusagi.com/leadbones/full/civoptions02.jpg) would work perfect for the "Accountant From Hell" character I made up, the one in the suit with the briefcase. Just have to get rid of the cell phone somehow.
Makes me wish I could work with Minis and have the ability to paint.
(http://cache.gawkerassets.com/assets/images/8/2011/02/medium_drive_angry.jpg)
Yes? You called?
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Miniature painting really is not all that hard. If you look at the video tutorials out there, they can have you up and going in no time at all. Even the high-end painters have video tutorials now, I purchased a couple off of http://www.miniaturementor.com/painting_tutorials.html (http://www.miniaturementor.com/painting_tutorials.html) that really lay bare the dark secrets of their stock and trade!
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How about paper ones? (you know the ones you can print out :P) anyone got any ideas for those? I bought a bunch from http://www.fierydragon.com/ for Dnd4.0 but they don't quite cut it for shadowrun.
Anyone know of similar sites for Shadowrun/cyberpunk-ish settings?
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The Disposable Heroes (http://www.pigames.net/store/default.php?cPath=27) line by Precis Intermedia might have something that fits your requirements.
AJC
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The Disposable Heroes (http://www.pigames.net/store/default.php?cPath=27) line by Precis Intermedia might have something that fits your requirements.
AJC
You just cost me a small fortune in Disposable Heroes! :P
(Thanks though, exactly what I was looking for except the lack of drones :P)
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Miniature painting really is not all that hard. If you look at the video tutorials out there, they can have you up and going in no time at all. Even the high-end painters have video tutorials now, I purchased a couple off of http://www.miniaturementor.com/painting_tutorials.html (http://www.miniaturementor.com/painting_tutorials.html) that really lay bare the dark secrets of their stock and trade!
The trick is to just go into it understanding that no one starts out an expert, and to practice, practice, practice. I'm still by no means a fantastic artiste about it, but I can field painted armies that have gotten folks to stop and take a second look at the FLGS. I'm certainly not winning a painting competition any time soon, but I'm proud about having something besides bare pewter, and the more I paint, the better I get.
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The trick is that I've destroyed things with my hands trying to do art that people thought previously impossible.
I literally have no ability or skill or even the potential of either to do any kind of graphic art in any way, shape, or form.
Closest I got was Photography, and barely passed that. Even the teacher was amazed at how low a mark I got, and she gave it to me.
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Another interesting source (more modern/pulp w/ a little post-apoc thrown in):
Lead Adventure (http://www.lead-adventure.com/)
AJC
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CanRay, if miniatures are not your thing I get it. The SR police are not going to kick down your door and drage you away in the middle of the night as a result.
Critias, agreed and even after years and years of painting figs I can still be surprised by new techniques that people come up with. Thomas David came up with a very slick method of speed painting that gets impressive results in a short period of time (i.e. 1 1/2 - 2 hours for a figure). I enjoy painting miniatures and building terrain, it has become a hobby in its own right and not merely an intermission between game sessions.
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CanRay, if miniatures are not your thing I get it. The SR police are not going to kick down your door and drage you away in the middle of the night as a result.
No, I like them. I just can't do anything about getting them. :(
I have one of my fictional characters, Nas, in Mini that was done by a fan from Germany. Germans really love their Shadowrun if they're sending stuff like that overseas!
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Since the old Shadowrun boardgame DMZ has been out of print for decades it would be a nice gesture to put those paperfigures out as pdf:s or something?
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Another place to look would be Wargames Foundry's Street Violence series.
http://wargamesfoundry.com/fantasy_ranges/single_packs/futuristic/street_violence/ (http://wargamesfoundry.com/fantasy_ranges/single_packs/futuristic/street_violence/)
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I use(d) the miniatures very much for our game sessions.
I bought lots of from ironwind and ebay over the last years.
You can get minis from ralpartha and grenadier. I like the ralpartha more, because they have more details, in my opinion.
Iīm playing SR for more than 15 years now, but since I mastered DnD3E I like the idea of using minis in any system. Itīs much easier to show strategic situations, moveactions and so on.
I use the old DMZ maps quite often, howerver they do not have the perfect scale match, but they work.
for other situations I draw the situations on coated paper with whiteboard pens. that is easy going and fast forward
for vehicles I take everything I can get. Warhammer 40k and other models
cheers
Lupus
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Haha taking your small arms on a run and finding a Land Raider coming down the street would be a pretty horrible feeling.
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Haha taking your small arms on a run and finding a Land Raider coming down the street would be a pretty horrible feeling.
yeah, my teamīs allways afraid when they hit the streets 8)
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Dry erase board and markers. Easy modify and quick to clean up.
Though something like map tiles would be kinda nice from time to time.