"Fewer Options, More Figures?" Topic

I've never been much for plastic miniatures (I like the weight of the metal ones) but lately I've been using more of them. The thing that gets me about many of the sets is the huge number of variations they provide. Different heads, different arms, different weapons, different this, that, and the other thing. Many of these sets have enough options to make twice as many figures as the number advertised--except for a few key parts, like the legs or torsos. So a set of 30 miniatures could actually build 60 if you just had 30 more torsos. After I finish a set I look at the huge number of plastic pieces I have left over. A few might possibly be used for some future project, but the vast majority will end up in the trash. I'm thinking that I'd much rather have fewer options and more complete figures for the same cost. Anyone else think that way?

I don't like the build process for the multi-part plastics, but that's just me. I'm terrible at holding the pieces together in the correct position while the glue dries. So, yes, I agree.

For some of us, all of those leftover bits are big part of the charm – it is always useful to have a proper bits box full of parts that can be used for all sorts of conversions, scenery projects etc.

(Granted, I am still to figure out what to with all those extra horse heads that I have.)

If I'm building lots of figures for an army, I get really annoyed with the high-piece count fiddly build time.

However, at least half of those sorts of plastic sets that I buy are specifically to get the huge pile of conversion bits.

I understand, and I agree, to a point. The extra bits are nice as base decorations for certain figure types: severed arms, legs, heads; weapons that can be attached to other figures' backs to give them secondary weapons. After a while, though, the bits box does tend to fill up.

There are other plastic models which are single-piece. They're limited in the number of poses, of course, but all they need is to be primed, painted, and based. I like larger armies, with multiple Units of around 10 figures per Unit. My largest armies are different types of Humans; my largest non-Human army (Goblins), numbers more than 220 figures. The majority of my other armies are more like 50-100 figures each. In total, I have around 1,300 figures (very rough estimate).

I try to mix poses within Units, to avoid them looking like Clones from Star Wars. The multi-part types are nice for a change up, but they are not the majority of my figures by a very long measure.

Shop around for one-piece figures of the types that you need. Intermix the multi-part figures with the single-piece figures, to spice up the variety of poses. Never paint yourself into a corner by limiting your choices. ;-) Cheers!

As for one part figures, personally I think those are usually better catered for in metal, with plastic casting having more issues with undercuts.

Also, many single-part plastic sets (at least in 1/72) come with a rather limited selection of poses, though this does not apply to all sets. Also, it is probably less of an issue for those periods where units are expected to look rather uniform (e.g. Napoleonics).

It's a trade-off. More torsos mean fewer options for assembly. There are, of course, people who sell torsos. (Shout-out to Victoria Miniatures in particular.) And in the era of 3D printing, I expect you can find people who will scale torsos to match any notable surplus of heads, arms and legs.

In my perfect world, rank and file of regular troops would be one-piece hard plastics. Officers, musicians and standard-bearers would either be exactly according to regs, or have suitable variety. (That same distincitve and active officer, duplicated in half a dozen or more regiments, gets tiresome rapidly.) But skirmishers--including everything from WWI on--would all be multiple-parts kits with suitable variety.

My problem is often too few options--kits where everyone has to have the same headgear, or, if they have the same headgear I don't have enough heads to make the unit single-sex. I've had both within the past two years.

I'm with Scott on this.
I see a huge sprue that can only make 4 figures and consider it a total waste.

Metal remains king.

For WW2 miniatures, I use spare heads, arms with weapons and other equipment to make figures in foxholes or entrenchments.
Try using a blob of putty, either green stuff or your favorite 2 part putty, to make a rough torso shaped 'blob'. Glue the head and arms to this, for dug in figures it really only needs to be waist or chest high, the rest of the figure is theoretically underground. Then glue to your usual base, perhaps with some heaped groundwork and dark shading to suggest the foxhole. A spare backpack and other equipment does a nice job of hiding the putty body.

Upper half of figures like SaveGordon says can be in a foxhole, or in a tank turret, or as a fighter pilot figure.

Partial figures can be used for conversions, sometimes I make civilians into military figures by a few head swaps.

I made a graves registration unit with a few partial figures, covered with Kleenex blankets, soaked in super glue.

Bunkermeister

I've built plastic kits as a kid so don't mind assembling figures. Kinda prefer plastic for repairability and different poses but have a lot of Old Glory, too.
I throw nothing away and have a lotta bits. Part packrat. Been able to do some interesting conversions and such.
It does seem a bit silly to include rifles and swords in sets with no open hands, though ?

I prefer plastics. Only buy metal when no plastics are available. I enjoy the creativity of putting them together.
Paul

(Granted, I am still to figure out what to with all those extra horse heads that I have.)

You can always use one to send a message to Jack Woltz.

Lol !

Or a multi headed beast – use some putty for an amorphous blob and have horse heads coming out everywhere. And then write a Lovecraftian scenario that used it!

You can always use one to send a message to Jack Woltz.

Never thought about that – however, I would probably need to carve off the bridles which all of my spare horse heads have.

Also, I would need a bed to put it in, though in a pinch I could probably assemble a bed frame from plastic sprue sections.

For something different, there are also horse-headed demons in Chinese folklore, I would just need a suitably large oriental body to stick the head. Though would probably need to remove the bridles (again).

I agree that there are lots and lots of things like arms – but I do like the heads/gear for scratch building – I just try to be selective as to what goes in the bits box

Leave the bridles…mebbe they're kinky demons ? <lol>

Everything goes in the bits tote :)

The only sets I get like this are Wargame Atlantic free sprues on MW magazine.

I worked out today what I'm doing with the sneakfeet (hobbits)….they can be mercenary allies in my not very official to the books WH40K armies.

4 torsos, 9 heads, 18 arms….not as bad as the space dwarves – 3 torsos, 13 heads, 18 arms

I just ordered a box of Wargames Atlantic "empty horses".
Cheaper than metal, and I need some booty for Comanche raids.
At least I won't have to hold 2 arms and a separate musket in place on a torso.

Still brooding. I suspect my ideal formed infantry kit would be--shall we call it 3/4 piece castings? Everything but the head, or whatever else was needed to make them a different regiment. But for moderns or rifles, I'd settle for being able to buy a few more torsos sometimes.