"What Zombie Scale? Miniatures?" Topic

In light of the recent discussion on Zombie rules, I would like to ask this experienced group of zombie-philes a couple of questions concerning miniatures.

First off, let preface that I don't own them yet, but I intend to get ATZ. Secondly, I don't any zombies--nope, not a one. I do have the Steve Jackson 28mm SWAT team and the Copplestone cops from Kill Zone but I don't mind starting over in 15mm if that maks sense. I understand that ATZ is best played on dense terrain (lots of places to get trapped, I guess) so I'm thinking that something along the lines of Worldworks paper modern stuff.

So can you please offer suggestions on which scale and which figures? I sure would appreciate it.

For 28mm zombies to match your SWAT team, an excellent choice is Wargames Factory: 24 zombies for $17.95 USD
link

How many do I need for a moderate game of ATZ?

What do you already have invested terrain and of what scale?

That may help guide you…

Jake

I have nothing. This would be a completely new direction for me. I have to say that the Wargames Factory zombies look really good on their page. Having so many parts interchangable is a great idea. Plastics, being light, would be easy on the paper terrain.

How 'bout the zombie hunters/survivors figures?

The WFactory zombies are 'smallish' 28mm. I just painted up a few, they're not too bad overall and the price is right. They are quick to build, basically glue a torso, head and one arm and you're off. They are noticeably smaller than Copplestone, Zombiesmith, Old Glory, and MUCH smaller than RAFM zombies and survivors. But they still work okay when you have a ton of zombies on the table with a consistent base size.

I use Foundry Street Violence (medium), Copplestone (medium), RAFM (large), Hasslefree (smallish,awesome figures, fit the WFactory zombies well), and Team Frog (Huge, lol) for survivors. I'm not real picky as you can see, I'd rather have my players pick a guy or gal they really like the looks of.

I think I have 48 or so zombies, enough to leave dead ones on the table in the average 8 player ATZ game. I hate to recycle them, its nice to see the carnage! I'd say you could get away with 24 to start though.

take a look at this post

TMP link

There are photos of World works stuff and the 75 or so zeds that I had in the pool only about 50 were ever on the table.
vs 6 players running 3 survivors each. what I would call a big game

80% of the zeds are Wargames Factory and they fit right in with all the others

I dont think that the worldworks terrain will scale down to 15mm easily. I could be wrong but thats my gut feeling.
ymmv,
R.

I personally like 15mm since I find them much easier for painting, but that is a very personal issues. The All Things Zombie – Better Dead Than Zed Starter Box from Rebel minis is on sale and includes enough Zombies to really get you started ($19.99 for 54 minis). If you wanted some additional units, you could add the Haven Boxed set or either of the Ambush Z boxed sets Rebel sells. There are three big advantages for me in 15mm that makes that my choice. First, I can buy a LOT of minis for a great price (especially true for zombies). Second, you can have a much larger battlefield with even a small play area or have a large battlefield with a lot of room to maneuver. Third, 15mm has a lot of really nice minis these days (with more coming) and I find them much easier and faster to paint so I can get them on the table to play. Just my personal preference since you ask about 15mm. I will also say, if you already have a lot of 28mm stuff, it may be cheaper and better for you to stay in the same scale. (I will not be held responsible for luring yet another person into the 15mm crowd. We are a nice group of people, but I know wives and girlfriends don't want us luring their loved ones into another scale).

Jeff

I am doing it in 25mm and 15mm. I would have ONLY done 25mm except that the Rebel Mini's figs are pretty darn nice! I think you could get 15mm done pretty quickly. You can also use HO scale model buildings. Plus Rebel Mini's has that ATZ starter set on sale for around 20 bucks. Great deal and almost everything you need to play. Awesome deal!

Thanks,

John

Looks like Jeff and I were having the same thoughts. He just beat me to it a little.

Thanks,

John

Six minutes too slow John, but we were thinking the same thing! :)

Jeff

When we play AMBUSH Z in 15mm we mainly use the zombies from Rebel Minis.

In 28mm, my current favorites are Road Kill Miniatures' Rage Virus Zombies. They have a good "creep" factor.

Like Dr. Mathias noted above, I found WF Zombies to be too small when compared to my 28mm miniatures. But if you are using figs that are closer to 25mm then they would probably work quite nicely.

If you are looking for a good blog site with loads of zombies and building have a look at this one

link

TMP link

Similar topic. I give the reasons why I use 15mm myself.

If you go 28mm I ask you take a look at our offerings. They go very well with the Wargames factory, and give some nice variety. We should be expanding our paramilitary offerings soon as well.

link

If you can't raise miniatures armies for a while, Lock N Load games is scheduled to release their ATZ boardgame the first week in November.

Thanks to everyone! All great points.

Well, I decided to take advantage of the Rebel Minis sale and, instead of waiting for the Millennium convention in a few weeks, I bought the ATZ and Haven PDFs from Ed (intant gratification!)

The basis for my decision on miniatures and scale are:

A. The availability of lots of 15mm miniatures at a low cost from Rebel Minis for both ATX and Haven.

B. The ability to use HO buildings (paper models or cheap railroad plastics). The rebel minis photographs are posed in front of RR buildings and they look really good!

C. Small play area required. Ed uses 3'x3'

D. Lastly, that mall looks awesome!

E. Ease of painting. I have a big 28mm ACW project underway for the 2010 Millennium convention. ATZ is a side project. I don't want to be seriously distracted from that and how hard can it be to paint a 15mm zed?

Again, thanks to all for helping make up my mind.

It is theoretically possible, with simplifications and omissions of details, to make WW sets scale down to 15mm, as demonstrated by one who made a 28mm diorama of a games convention or club on the Forum of Doom, using WWG buildings scaled down for the terrain the little figures were playing on!

Sounds like a good choice for your situation. I am very entrenched in 28mm but it does take longer so you are better off what you are doing. If you find you really like zombie gaming you may give 28mm a try in the future, the range of miniatures is fantastic.