Ronin - Miniatures

[Mr. White]

Ronin looks like it might be the best low cost, low model count entry into gaming this era. I know many people recommend the Perry miniatures, but what about Northstar's official offerings? They look like good deals to me. Are they complete enough? I'm also pretty keen on the Warlord of Erehwon branded models.

[rokurota]

 

[nandrin]

The Northstar Boxes are perfect as starter for Ronin. We played a lot of games with just them or part of them. You only need additional figures if you want to play larger games. I bought a few Perry Miniatures to enlarge my bandits, who can be played as mass army with lots of cheap fighters (pointwise).

[Mr. White]

The Northstar Boxes are perfect as starter for Ronin. We played a lot of games with just them or part of them. You only need additional figures if you want to play larger games. I bought a few Perry Miniatures to enlarge my bandits, who can be played as mass army with lots of cheap fighters (pointwise).

This is great to hear. Are there any ninjas in Ronin? one or two ninja models on the table would go a long way towards getting the spawn interested.

[Maniac]

Generally the Northstar boxes are fully sufficient for most games.  To branch out you will need to look elsewhere for adding in mercenaries or scenario miniatures

Footsore also does small groups of guys for Test of Honor, which would fit well into Ronin.  They are pricier than Perry though
https://footsoreminiatures.co.uk/collections/test-of-honour-warring-clans

Kensei has attractive models, but they are a bit more expensive to flesh out a buntai
http://shop.zenitminiatures.es/category.php?id_category=20

I would avoid Dixon.  While cheap, they are not compatible with other companies.

The Assault Group does make some stuff, but I don't have experience with their models
https://theassaultgroup.co.uk/product-category/medieval-asia/samurai/

Bad Squiddo has some female models that are decent and mesh well with other ranges
https://badsquiddogames.com/shop#!/Feudal-Japan/c/26170741

There is also Foundry, but I find their stuff dated
https://www.wargamesfoundry.com/collections/samurai

Kingsford looks to make some nice stuff:
https://www.kingsfordminiatures.org/sengoku-jidai

You've noted the Warlord, and there is also AW Miniatures who have a range of figures:
https://awminiatures.com/product-category/28mm-samurai-16th-century/

I have Perry, Kensei, Dixon, plastic Warlord, Foundry, Bad Squiddo, Bac Ninh, Reaper, and even old Ral Partha ninjas. 
Generally Ral Partha stuff is going to be much smaller, Dixon is very short and husky, plastic Warlord are okay, Reaper is okay, Bad Squiddo are simple but well done, Foundry is hit and miss, and the stars are Perry, Bac Ninh, and Kensei.  Both are high quality sculpts, Kensei is a bit fiddlier in assembly, but may have slightly more 'realistic' proportions.  Bac Ninh were very characterful overall but more limited in selection.  Bad Squiddo is probably the next best out of what I have, with the others generally below that depending on individual fig.

[rokurota]

Bac Ninh Miniatures have Shinsengumi and samurai movie/characters, a sample...

[DivisMal]

Are thes your paintjobs? They are pretty excellent!

[rokurota]

Are thes your paintjobs? They are pretty excellent!

Yes, thanks for your kind comments!

[nandrin]

@Maniac: very comprehensive, and i fully agree with your recommendations. I have mostly Northstar, Assault Group  and Perry, which all mix well, with a few Kensai models as special characters.

Ninjas do exist in Ronin as single character models in "disguise", but one scenario includes a ninja group as enemis, and nothing should prevent you from playing those as a regular buntai. We certainly do! Miniatures I use from Perry, but there are plenty other to find.

[Metternich]

We use primarily Perry, with some Northstar (the Monks buntai; and the Bandits buntai now being painted up), a few Kingsford (not yet painted), and some of the Warlords of Erewhon (some interesting character figures there) thrown in, which mix fairly well together.  We also have a few of the old AEG (Valiant) Legend of the Five Rings figures (which I have had for years, so we weren't paying premium collectors prices for them) mix well with those three manufacturers.  We don't have any of the AW miniatures, but they appear to have unrealistic, preternaturally long necks, and the sculpting of AW just doesn't look up to the standards of the others.   Check out Charlemagne's post:  Ronin - First Foray into Wargaming and a Playset Complete.   (The Bandits pictured there are primarily Perry figures).

[SotF]

One thing to consider with the various lines is that most of them can work together rather well, but for starting out with things as they are, you might want to look at ones shipping from your country rather than, potentially, ending up with massive wait times to receive them.

[Mr. White]

This is a fair point. I was planning to order from Northstar, but it looks like Brigade also has the models I'm after.

[Mr. White]

Thanks, all for the tips and suggestions. There are lots of great lines out there.
How about unarmed peasants? I might want a few so some pointers there would be great too.

[Maniac]

Thanks, all for the tips and suggestions. There are lots of great lines out there.
How about unarmed peasants? I might want a few so some pointers there would be great too.

Honestly Perry is your best bet there.
https://www.perry-miniatures.com/product-category/metal-ranges/samurai/page/3/

There are some odds and ends from others, such as below.  The guy in the middle is from Bushido and the lady on the end is from Bad Squiddo:



Reaper does a nice geisha (I have O-sayumi):
https://www.reapermini.com/miniatures/geisha/latest

Footsore has a monk:
https://footsoreminiatures.co.uk/collections/test-of-honour-warring-clans/products/rennyo-keeper-of-the-gate