"Actual size of your gaming miniatures: Giant Monsters" Topic

I have looked at this subject a couple of times.

The majority of people/gamers play with the miniatures or actually the toys they can collect fairly easily…and when that thought fails, we find that most giant monster players are happy to find the cheapest monster/robots/etc..

Less expensive models are always welcome, but at what point do we sacrifice the quality of the sculpt, preferring to find cheap toys regardless of the soft details.

Do we, the giant monster gamers, hold the models over the game play or vice versa?

The main reason I ask is a recent thread got me looking at giant monsters, Monsterpocalypse miniatures in particular…in use for 15mm and 28mm cross over fun, as monsters of less than giant scale.

This direction lead me to other compatible miniatures/models and got me thinking about the size and scale for giant monsters, again.

Now I will fall back to the responses from one of our TMP brothers, Giant Monster…he has a significant investment of time, effort, and in no small measure…monsters…he has swung wildly between 3-4" (MonPoc and small toy size) through the 12-14" mega toys depending on the day…but he does seem to favor the impact of the big boys (he will be along at some point and confirm or smack me :)

But for the rest of us that do not have many options of types and sizes…let us say you were to start anew…what size best allows for the giant monster action flavor and feel?

When looking at available space for a game table, an average of 4'x6' for example, are you thinking that a large city or wilderness is preferable or that a section of the big city with huge buildings (boxes I would guess :) is on target?

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It would be easy to say either or both, but seriously, consider the value of game play, the quality of the models, and potential for cross over use if any (economics :)…which direction would you steer a newly interested gamer in?

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For the sake of focusing the answers and direction of interest, let us say three basic directions:

3-4"

6-8"

10-12"

I am in the middle of collectable toy and gaming miniature no where land…the internet is basically my only option…if I had a decent collectable shop nearby then my thoughts may swing a different direction.

But at this point I am thinking 3-4" is my only real choice.

It is not that they are so inexpensive, in most cases this is not the truth of it.

Options of what to do with the models as a whole, after the giant monster game…I really have no use for a 12" monster other than giant monster gaming…which if it were a regular thing would be ok.

Sigh…hopefully you guys have better luck finding giant monster gaming players near you.

I got 1:600 armor and infantry and use th 3-4 inch or so figures. Having said that, I have paid for good monster figures and would rather spend the money on something I like vice a cheaper version I don't like as much.

This is the miniature that has been driving me over the edge the last couple of days

Add wings or not, and you have what I would consider the best Ghidorah ever.

Ghidorah in the early films was certainly a hard build for the rubber suit guys…but the partial puppet always rubbed me wrong…the way this miniature looks says Ghidorah to me, in all the right ways :)

Now if I could get one that did not cost $40 USD I would be happier…sigh.

I have and would use all three.

3-4" Gashapon for monster vs monster, and 2-3mm human forces vs multiple monsters

6-8" plastic models for single monster vs 1/300 humans (in the past, when this was all I had)

10-12" for single monster vs 1/300 humans and possibly monsters vs monsters plus 1/300 human forces

We play in 1/300…
Most of my stuff is in the mid-range, 6"-8"… though my Ghidorah model is bigger 'cause of the wings. One of the guys has a nicely huge Mazinger model that gets used sometimes.

Smaller stuff is fine… as spawn or worshippers.

The Monsterpocalypse fails to excite me… though that Ghidorah proxy is nice and fierce.

Venus, sorry to mislead…that last image, the Ghidorah proxy, is a Privateer Press Hordes miniature :)

But it is sweet right?

I prefer the 6-8" figures when playing a monster vs monster game.

When playing some sort of human vs monster game or running demos I prefer the 10-12" figures.

-Ken
Radioactive Press

"Sweet? Yeah…But Ghidora? NOT!"

True, it is much better! hahahahahahahhaaaaa mmoomhahahaa

Looking at the two I can see one clear winner…and in this case gold does not mean 1st place :)

(I know I know…sacrilege :)

That's what the adult alien would look like if a facehugger put a chestburster in Ghidorah.

-Ken
Radioactive Press

…good one…

:)

The Hordes critter is fine AS A MONSTER. It just isn't Ghidorah, any more than that Will Smith movie was "Wild Wild West"… Hell, you can call it the '3-headed Monster' if you want to. But it isn't Ghidorah, nossir. You might as well put out a Vanilla Ice action figure and call it Godzilla, too.

All right…good golly..it is not a Ghidorah proxy, lol :)

But the Robert Matthew Van Winkle as a daikaijū Gojira is silly.

At least my Hordes critter looked the kick butt monster part of the equation.

It is funny how much loyalty the big five (Gojira, Mosura, San Daikaijū, Radon, (K)Gamera) pull even though most of the designs are creeping up on 50yrs old :)

I would not stomp on your memories of the classics…I was offering that the Hordes miniature made me think Ghidorah…and I do not have that sort of loyalty that would keep me from using something else…but I would not call it Ghidorah for the game :)

Maybe Hytogurushi San Daikaijū?

:)

I'm fine with playing that figure, as I said, I just hate crappy remakes. Unless the original was absolute cheese -- like the 50-foot Woman, or the Colossal Man. For cheesy movie remakes, I could see subbing in Ice or a wrassler of some sort…

If I didn't have so many monsters already, I'd be looking for big scary critters, which that is.

But I have enough classic Godzilla and Gamera figures that I don't need to add new ones. If I did, I'd throw in the Ultraman stuff as well.

I'm so excited. The five disc Mystery Science Theater 3000 Gamera set is on its way to me now!

They make Gamera even better..

"Gamera is really neat, he is full of turtle meat!"

I like the Hordes mini… it's just a different style than my bigger kaiju… which are all the 'man in a rubber suit' style.
I'm fine with it as alternate-universe Ghidorah… is there a Godzilla, Gamera, Mothra, Ultraman, Rodan, Hedorah, Yog… to match? Could be a fun project.
More likely I'd use it in as a summoned demon… I've already got some Hordes minis serving as giant golems.

I'd stick with my 4"± ones. I find that ideal for table size and compatability with 1/285 squishies and works well for home and convention play.

I do have a good sized collection of 2"± also, but have never actually used them for playing even at home.

At conventions, I've quite enjoyed the spectacle of playing games with 8" and with 12" ones. For me, that's only a suitable size for big tabletops though.

"But I have enough classic Godzilla and Gamera figures that I don't need to add new ones. If I did, I'd throw in the Ultraman stuff as well"

There is the other loyalty bump…the Ultraman crowd. It seems that Ultraman is a dividing line for giant monster fans. There are lots of fun creatures in the Ultraman collections, lots.

I am fairly cool, cold, towards Ultraman himself…certainly no ill will, just no real interest…but there are some really interesting monsters.

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"Gamera is really neat, he is full of turtle meat!"

I like the Hordes mini… it's just a different style than my bigger kaiju…which are all the 'man in a rubber suit' style.
I'm fine with it as alternate-universe Ghidorah…is there a Godzilla, Gamera, Mothra, Ultraman, Rodan, Hedorah, Yog…to match? Could be a fun project"

Hmmm I would say for me I prefer the newer versions of the monsters…yeah I know, rocks and sharp sticks are coming my way…but it is ok, I can take it :)

For a straight up Godzilla with a bit of yeah that is even better

Kongzilla anyone?

Ymir

Tony McVey's vision of Godzilla is off the hook!

We're talking about Giant Monsters, right?!?! Then the only monsters I have are 3-4". I still plan to buy some modern military minis from Pico Armor (1/600 scale, I think), but haven't pulled the trigger yet.

It would be cool to see/play a game with the larger, 12", figures. However, I cannot make that big of a commitment to storage and purchasing.

P.S. – I do like that PP Hordes 3-headed mini.

…(sigh :)…oooo hahahhaha

Indeed I like the 3-4" monsters for most circumstances.

The 12" models would certainly be a serious bit of fun…but there are issues with any large scale collection…fun none the less :)

I really need to change my forum name. Or at least never post where 28mmMan posts.

Different styles:
'retro-kaiju'… guys in suits, Science Patrol/Thunderbirds-style superweapons.

'psycho-kaiju' or maybe 'Cthulhu-kaiju'… like that Privateer sculpt… weird and alien looking… more tentacles.

'neo-kaiju'… like those Chaos-spikey ones… less quaint but still recognizable takes on the originals.

… some term for those McVey designs that look more like semi-plausible creatures and less like cartoon characters.

I'd play with any of those but not mix and match… but 'retro' is where my heart is.

I have an 8" Balrog for 28mm but rarely field monsters taller than 4".

"I really need to change my forum name. Or at least never post where 28mmMan posts"

Ok, I will resist…but it is like a big red button…

Go ahead and do it ..

…naw…I'm alright…I loaded the sound byte onto my keyboard…when I see your post I will key it :)

link

(and other reasons, also…cause it makes me laugh :)

When I have a large group of players (or younger players) I use the 4" Gashapons. There are a ton of figures. This way everyone can have a really cool "named" monster. If I have four or less players I use my 8-12" figures, because they look cooler on the table.

6"-8" toys for me. Cheap, durable and familiar.

link

(shameless link)

I don't mind cheap model monsters, but I have to repaint them to look more in keeping with my other minis, if something looks too plasticy then I have probelms believing in it.

"don't mind cheap model monsters, but I have to repaint them to look more in keeping with my other minis, if something looks too plasticy then I have probelms believing in it"

Even a small measure of "better than cheap plastic toy" is even more than welcome.

Very interesting thread. I've recently decided to take the plunge into the world of giant monster gaming and am currently gearing myself up to run some games.

I've got lots of sources for cardstock buildings, scenery and military units but the main question of which monsters to use is really troubling me.

On the one hand I'm keen to purchase some of the newer 6" figures. The Revoltech Sci-Fi and Bandai Monsterarts lines look gorgeous and the posability of the figures is incredible. I'm thinking that these guys are going to be the stars of the show and I should invest in the coolest figures around for that wow factor. The disadvantage is the cost. Each figure runs anywhere from $40 USD-150! I want to get at least 8 of the classic Kaiju So this turns out to be an expensive project.

At the 5" size there are many attractive figures and at $10 USD-$25 per figure, the cost is a fraction of the more detailed ones. There is a wider variety of Kaiju available also. The disadvantage is that these figures aren't as possable and don't look as good as the more expensive ones.

I suppose I could start with a range of 5" figures then purchase the larger figs as time goes on to spread the expense out.

Any suggestions?

I would stay away from the expensive figures unless you know the players won't be too hard on them. Too much posing and handling can wear some action figures out pretty quickly.

When I'm setting up a demo of Giant Monster Rampage I use figures that represent the size and power of the kaiju. That is why I use the 12" figures.

As far as selection goes I think Bandai's 6" vinyl figure line or the 3" high grade gashapon figures might be the way to go.

-Ken
Radioactive Press

I want to stick with a 6' by 4' gaming table so the larger 12" figures seem to to be too big for my tastes. They take up loads of space on the table and it impacts tactics maneauverability. It just feels really tight. When you game do you use a larger table size?

Even the at the 5"-6" size the figures can be massive. I found a King Ghidorah vinyl figure I wanted to use but he's got a 15" wingspan!

I was doing some mock-ups the other day by setting up some terrain and using some stand-in figures so I could get a feel for the layouts and the hows things size up in general.

One thing I'm struggling with is how to have dense city terrain and still leave some room for the monsters to be positioned? If I lay out some city blocks in a realistic manner then there isn't much space between the buildings. Certainly not enough for figures with large wings or other appendages to stand or turn around. It seems that the monsters will be crushing buildings everywhere they move (this might be okay).

In the movies they tend to fudge this a little bit. When the monsters fight they always seem to be in some sort of clearing or open area with densly packed buildings just behind them or all around them.

I use a 4' x 4' table. Here is a picture of a typical set up I use for demos of Giant Monster Rampage. link

The Gundam and Galactus figures are about 14" tall and the Godzilla and Stay Puft Marshmallow Man are about 10".

-Ken
Radioactive Press

I have decided to use 6" figures for my gaming. This scale makes the monsters large enough to be impressive on the table without being too big to maenauver around.

I've ordered several higher end figures to use in this scale. I like to posability and detail on the more expensive figures. So far I've got on order:
Monsterarts Godzilla
Chogokin Kiryu
Chogokin Gigan
Chogokin Gamera
Revoltech Mothra
Revoltech Anguirus

When the Monsterarts Ghidorah comes out later in the year I'll definately grab one. Monsterarts Space Godzilla and Fire Rodan are also on my list.

I'll be posting a thread with pics of my set-up and monsterfigs once I start gaming.

I've also started to think about Kaiju gaming. I have at least a handful of figs in each of those 'scales' –

3"-4": ultraman/gamera gashapons – I think this is my first choice because of the sheer variety of detailed kaiju in this size, and should mix well with 6mm buildings/tanks.

6": just picked up some Bandai kaiju at my local comic store and they are very nice, basically mega-gashapons. Maybe I'm wrong, but I haven't seen as many of the ones I want in this size, tho. I can see using them as 'big bads' vs. groups of 3 inchers!

10": still have some old Trendmaster godzilla stuff, but consider them as displays, not game pieces. Building a city to match? Too rich for my blood!

Also I have some godzilla 2": mini-figs – nice but again the other franchises don't seem to have much in this size.

Spudeus, gashapons are a good way to go. They have made almost everything and anyone over the years in this scale. They are usually not too expensive and can be found in sets.

Well, I've seen some of the 3" Godzilla characters for as much as $30 USD on ebay, which I thought was pretty extravagant. Most are well less than that – and they're so much cooler than American toys!

Spudeus, yes some gashapons go for stupid money. I was buying these when they were new and the sets of 6 figures would go for $20 USD-$25. I have not looked on Ebay to buy these for awhile. Wow, the prices have climbed considerably.

They need to hurry up and make that new Godzilla movie so we can get some new affordable figures in stores.

-Ken
Radioactive Press

Some nice packages arrived today! Monsterarts Godzilla and Chogokin Mechagodzilla and Gigan.

Here are some shots:

As you can see, Godzilla is just a bit shorter than Mechagodzilla (which is correct). I'm slightly disappointed with Gigan as he's a little large but all in all the figs are awesome and will work well for gaming.

What do you think of my building to monster scale?

Whoa, Gigan has chainsaws now?! But the figures are awesome.

It looks like most of the buildings are print-outs? And I'm just curious, if you put tanks/people onto your board, about what scale would they be?

Thanks for sharing – inspiration as I put together my own (smaller scale) stuff!

I've got some plastic army pieces from an Axis and Allies expansion that will fit right in nicely I think. Tonight I'll see if I can get some more pics up.

Most of the buildings are print-outs. Some of the buildings are custom made from cardboard (these are left-overs from my 6mm sci-fi wargaming).

@Holden88 – that set up, figures & terrain, are frickin' awesome!!!

As to your question, your building to monster scale looks good to me.

Here's some pics of the army units as they move in on Godzilla. I think the scale is good.

And here's a wide shot of the city set-up:

Really nice pics. I also use the same paper buildings, and the same atomic reactor. I like what you did with the trees. I will have to "steal" this idea. Great stuff.