The Tabletop Desk / Buying Guide / Miniatures

Buying Wargaming Miniatures: What to Check Before You Buy Your First Box

Those little plastic soldiers have a habit of multiplying. One box becomes a squad, a squad becomes an army, and before long you’ve developed very strong opinions about which shade of brown looks best on a leather pouch.

Whether you’re buying your first 28mm miniatures or adding to a long-established collection, a good purchase starts with three questions: what are you building, what size are the models, and will you actually enjoy assembling and painting them?

We cover fantasy miniatures, science-fiction figures, historical wargaming and the wonderfully chaotic world of kitbashing. Here’s how to avoid buying the wrong kind of kit for your project.

1. What does 28mm mean for wargaming miniatures?

28mm is one of the most common descriptive scales in tabletop wargaming, but it isn’t a precise promise that models from two different manufacturers will stand exactly shoulder to shoulder. Brands can measure height differently, and sculptors use different proportions. A heroic-style figure might have larger heads, hands and equipment than a more realistically proportioned miniature at the same nominal scale.

Before mixing models from separate ranges, check the manufacturer’s stated scale, actual miniature height where available, base dimensions and photographs beside other figures. If you’re building an army for a particular rule set, check that game’s basing requirements as well.

2. Hard plastic, resin or metal?

Material changes the building experience. Many multi-part hard-plastic wargaming miniatures arrive on sprues that you’ll clip, clean and assemble. They often offer alternative parts and options for custom poses. Resin, metal and other materials can require different preparation and adhesives.

For a hard-plastic kit, plan on a suitable pair of cutters, a hobby knife or mould-line remover, and adhesive appropriate to the exact plastic. Take care when handling sharp tools and follow the product instructions rather than assuming every kit uses the same glue.

3. Fantasy, sci-fi or historical: choose the project, not just the box art

Fantasy miniatures

Fantasy kits give you plenty of freedom with skin tones, creatures, heraldry, armour and unusual weapons. They can be a great painting project even when you don’t play the game they were originally designed for.

Sci-fi wargaming miniatures

Science-fiction figures open up powered armour, alien-looking equipment, robots and industrial bases. Consider how many repeating armour panels you’ll need to paint across a full squad. A single suit might be a brilliant weekend project; twenty of them might require a production line and a strong cup of tea.

Historical wargaming miniatures

If you’re building a historical force, research the period, uniforms, equipment and rules you intend to use. Some hobbyists want strict accuracy; others enjoy a historical-inspired army with plenty of conversion freedom. Both approaches are valid as long as you buy the kit that suits your goal.

4. Kitbashing: check what fits before spending

Kitbashing means combining parts from different kits or models to create something new. Separate heads, arms, weapons and equipment are all inviting, but a 28mm label doesn’t guarantee compatible joints or proportions. Look for sprue photography and measurements before buying two boxes you intend to combine.

We recently spoke to Wargames Atlantic about interchangeable components, kit design and keeping miniatures enjoyable to paint. Their approach makes for an interesting read if you want to understand the choices behind a sprue. Read our Behind the Signal interview with Wargames Atlantic.

5. Think about assembly and painting, not just the finished miniature

Some models look spectacular but make you swear at your paintbrush when you discover that a carefully sculpted chest plate is practically inaccessible behind a weapon. Before buying, look at the model from different angles and consider whether painting in sub-assemblies will make life easier.

For a beginner project, fewer figures with clear details are often a kinder starting point than a huge army box. If you’re returning to miniature painting, choose a kit that genuinely interests you. Enthusiasm has more staying power than a bargain that sits unopened for six months.

6. Check the full price before you buy miniatures online

• Box contents: how many miniatures are included, whether bases are supplied, and whether weapons or alternate components are optional.
• Real checkout total: verify currency, shipping, delivery times and whether VAT, customs or import charges apply to your destination.
• Rules and base sizes: check which game or system you’re building for if tournament or organised-play compliance matters.
• Retailer and returns: confirm the seller’s current stock status, shipping policy and return terms before paying.

We’re based in the UK, so those last points are particularly important when ordering from an overseas manufacturer.

Editorial guide by the Coloured Static Press team. Our editorial standards and affiliate disclosure policy apply.