What scale is 'best'?

[Damas]

Hi all,

After reading Amalric's awesome thread http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=88876.0, I want to dabble in zombie related stuff.

I know that there is a plethora of 28mm zombies, survivors, scenery etc., but for value for money and scale I have been considering 20mm and 15mm and it is there that I am getting a bit stuck.

1/ What is the preference of the learned collective here? 20 or 15?

2/ Who are the best go-to stockists for 'stuff' in said scales? (UK for preference,)

3/ The ATZ rules look good but my google-fu is weak and I can't work out where to get a copy and which books I would need.

Thanks for any help and guidance you can give.

[Rob_bresnen]

why would you consider anything other than 28mm?

 (that is something of a loaded question)

[zemjw]

1/ There are plenty of 1/76, 1/72 modern military vehicles and toy cars about, so if you're not going with 28mm, I'd go for 20mm

2/ No idea for 20mm or 15mm, sorry. Platoon 20 is still about, so you might find something useful there

3/ Two Hours Wargames sell print and pdf versions - link. I bought the pdf and printed it myself. It's mostly tables and words, so not too heavy on the ink (although I may have skipped the cover page). Final Fade out is the core book, so start with that one. Personally, I just can't get into the rules, but others like them, so it's probably just me

[Mason]

why would you consider anything other than 28mm?

Because he is not correct.
 

[Sinewgrab]

As much as I love the post-apoc stuff, I am no help either, as I only collect God's own scale - 25mm/28mm/32mm.  And yes, I write like that on purpose, because I have been able to make all three together look appropriate as long as you base and paint them adequately.

[horridperson]

You have to ask yourself what your modelling/gameplay preferences are.  The smaller your scale the more epic your table could be.  In 28mm+ my table will never see true skyscrapers on the other hand the character/unit models can be painted more elaborately without ruining the illusion of the scale.  At two such small scales as you are suggesting it is important to carefully consider your manufacturer.  While I have no desire to play at such small scales I have been pleasantly surprised by the high detail that some companies have managed to create.  My preconception of smaller scale miniatures are lumpen masses hardly recognizable as human.

Like the last couple posts I could rib you about avoiding the scale of the master race but I'll leave that alone.  Whatever scale you are modelling or playing at your own enjoyment is most important.

[Wilkins]

If you opt for 15s I can recommend Khurasan Miniatures. They're not based in the UK but I've ordered from them before and the transaction was seamless and the minis arrived very quickly

lhttp://khurasanminiatures.tripod.com/15mmzombie.html

[MrHarold]

15mm... obviously.

Check out rebelminis.com

and Ground Zero Games

and tons of others too

[Damas]

Thanks for the responses chaps!

why would you consider anything other than 28mm?

Gosh, 28mm? I've never seen those before, are they popular? 

Because he is not correct.
 

Git. You, me, a 4mm drill bit and a long spoon are gonna have an 'in depth' discussion!  ;D


I'm looking for something a little more epic (as horrid person said) and I want a more civilian look to the scenery and vehicles. A scale with loads of cars and trucks available will give a better representation in my mind.

[Mason]

Git. You, me, a 4mm drill bit and a long spoon are gonna have an 'in depth' discussion!  ;D

 
You would know more about that than most.
Was it good?
 

[Silent Invader]

The Dr De'ath 15mm scifi project is a favourite thread of mine and even inspired me to have a go myself. TBH though, I didn't like the fiddly-diddly-ness of the teen-tiny minis. All the metals are sold on now. It doesn't stop me admiring Mark's project but for my own accumulating/painting/playing I much prefer the character of 28s. That said, making 15mm terrain was a blast!

[Malamute]

If you opt for 15s I can recommend Khurasan Miniatures. They're not based in the UK but I've ordered from them before and the transaction was seamless and the minis arrived very quickly

lhttp://khurasanminiatures.tripod.com/15mmzombie.html

Mark (Dr DeAth) has purchased lots of the 15mm Zombie stuff from Khurasan and they are lovely miniatures. They have not Walking Dead characters if that helps. Lots of very nice characterful figures.

  I'd go with those.

[beefcake]

If I was to do a post apoc setting not with 28mm I'd choose 20mm (almost wrote 29mm then) it seems that is what the old matchbox cars scale to if I'm correct. Ramshackle do some nice bikers in 20mm if I recall.

[Redmao]

If you take the 1/72 route, I'd suggest looking into Caesar Miniatures plastic miniatures.
They make nice modern soldiers, militia and terrorists that can be used as gangers and they even released a box of zombies. The plastic is rather easy to work with and modify when you want to create unique characters.
Preiser also offer unpainted 1/72 civilians if you need them.

For terrain you could HO scale buildings and your local toy store will provide you with tons of possibilities for compatible vehicles like Hot Wheels and Matchbox.

[Maxim]

Hi all,

After reading Amalric's awesome thread http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=88876.0, I want to dabble in zombie related stuff.

I know that there is a plethora of 28mm zombies, survivors, scenery etc., but for value for money and scale I have been considering 20mm and 15mm and it is there that I am getting a bit stuck.

1/ What is the preference of the learned collective here? 20 or 15?

2/ Who are the best go-to stockists for 'stuff' in said scales? (UK for preference,)

3/ The ATZ rules look good but my google-fu is weak and I can't work out where to get a copy and which books I would need.

Thanks for any help and guidance you can give.

I went for 15mm.  Reason being, there's more figures for it.  HO scale buildings work really well with 15mm, and I hear for 20mm as well.

Now if you want to narrow down the range of figures, say you just want Weird War II with Nazi Zombies, there are some great 20mm ranges, but for sheer choice 15mm is the way to go.  Ultimately, it's your preference, but talk it out with your gaming group and see who's willing to go in with you.  Sucks being the only one providing the minis.

28mm is very nice for Zombieland, but as you specified 20mm or 15mm (they ARE way cheaper) here's a couple tips:

eBay is a great place to find HO scale buildings cheap.  #1 best reason for not going 28mm.  Not knocking 28mm, I have a lovely zombie horde in 28mm. But this means for the price of a very nice 28mm table, you can have 3 or 4 15mm/20mm tables.  Pre-assembled and often they're nice and paint them for you.  Screwed up buildings are sometimes better as well.  It is the apocalypse, you know.

Check out my thread.  The cool building with the wallpaper?  $15 on eBay, didn't do a damn thing to it, just plopped it on the table.

If you go 15mm, you want to collect Matchbox cars.

If you go 20mm, you want to collect Hot Wheels.  General rule of thumb there.  Not every Hot Wheel looks out of place with 15mm, and not every Matchbox looks too small with 20mm. But I'd say it's about 90%.