10 Board Games With Miniatures You Need to Own

Between hours of painting plus hours spent playing with your friends, board games with miniatures are a smart investment. Here are 10 board games with great miniatures that are hitting our table again and again.

1) Descent 2nd Edition

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This game was one of the first to feature a box so full of miniatures and gameplay, it could be used as a deadly weapon. One player takes the role of Overloard and tries to stop a team of adventuring opponents from getting through a dungeon. It’s different, challenging, and will take care of that pesky Alpha gamer problem your group has.

2) Blood Rage

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Arguably one of the best games of 2015, Blood Rage may also contain the best board game miniatures of all time. Seriously I’ve seen these Viking themed plastic bits win competitions against uber expensive Resin casts. The fact that there’s an amazing game underneath all that plastic glory is impressive. Add to that the knowledge that Eric Lang made a euro super fun and thematic? Ill have an amusing quip for that as soon as I can pick my jaw off the floor.

3) Mice and Mystics

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If you’r a lover of Brian Jacques’ Redwall books look no further for gaming paradise. This Co-Op game has players teaming up and completing storybook like chapters about a mouse prince trying to save his kingdom. Great for a mixed group of adults and kids it combines storytelling, miniatures, and beautiful artwork to create a unexpectedly charming gaming experience.

4) The Adventurers

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One of the rare games where your destruction can be almost as hilarious as it is painful, the Adventurers is a classic that isn’t talked about much anymore. It involves a “push your luck” system that tempts you into making risky choices every turn. Whether you die from searching alligator filled waters or simply from carrying too much treasure to get out of the way of a slowly moving boulder, your friends will be entertained. They should probably cut their loses and leave too but there’s still time to grab one more treasure…

5)  Tail Feathers

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Set in the same word as Mice and Mystics, Tail Feathers is a unique skirmish game. Two opponents take to the skies and try to out maneuver each other’s birds. The flight patterns are shown by physically tilting the birds on angles, using a ball and socket. These dynamic poses combined with the beautiful mounted mice miniatures, creates one of the most visually stunning games I’ve ever seen hit the table.

6) Zombicide

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The game that kicked Kickstarter, Zombicide is now a multi million dollar franchise. For good reason too, this Co-Op game is a blast to play every time. With more pop culture references than you thought possible and setting the new standard for game miniatures, Zombicide is a great jumping off point for people looking to get into the hobby.

7) Tokaido Collectors Edition

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Normally one doesn’t suggest going all in for a new game but I promise take the risk for this one. Takaido is an amazing game and the collectors edition has enough new things in it that you’ll want it all eventually anyway. This edition features beautiful miniatures that contrast the board so nicely you may not want to paint them. Add some metal coins, special box, and all current expansions and it’s a great deal for the price.

8) Mansions of Madness

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With possibly the most disturbing miniatures on our list, Mansions of Madness is not for everyone. However if you like 1 vs all and cheesy horror films check this gem out. A group of players try to solve a mystery and get out of the house, while one player (playing the house) tries to kill them before they know too much. It’s cheesy, thematic, fun, and filled with Cuthulhu minis. Just set aside your night because this epic showdown takes a few hours to complete.

9)  Arcadia Quest

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With small statures and giant eyes, chibi miniatures are becoming more popular every year. Arcaida Quest provides you with piles of them to fill a beautifully illustrated dungeon. This Co-Op game lets you team up, kill, and loot your way through levels ending in epic boss fights. Arcadia Quest’s a Co-Op game… until you like the sword your friend found… and then suddenly it’s not anymore. Which leaves every game ending in an amazing (and bloody) free for all. And really, shouldn’t that be the way of all games?

10)

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When Fantasy Flight makes a miniature game they don’t mess around. The AT-ST in Imperial Assault is so massive that it consumes the tile it’s walking on. As the Empire player it’s a lovely giant walking death trap that your going to enjoy unleashing on your enemies. Your Rebel friends might have good tactics but you pretty much have all the guns, monsters, and a little Sith Lord called Darth Vader.

 

Work In Progress Wednesday

Things have been slow around my painting table lately. With increasing work hours due to the longer days of summer it’s been difficult to put aside time for art. But like anything in life your hobbies will always wax, wane, and evolve with you. The only important thing is to never give up trying to find time somewhere for the things you love. Until things calm down I will continue to pump this blog full of the coolest new miniatures and companies for you to explore. I have been able to hit the table a few times and my first bust is really coming along

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There’s still a some amount of blending and shading to be done on the left side skin but it’s over the proverbial hump now. The cloth is also going to take a few more sessions but overall I’m happy with the project. He may not win the competition but it’s exciting to think I’m really pushing myself to move into a new level of skill.

Killer Kickstarters: GHOSTBUSTERS II

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Do you wake up in the night sweaty and thinking about 90’s cartoons? Do you or a loved one have a pop culture problem? Do you see miniatures, board games, or cards out of the corner of your eye?  GhostBusters II is ready to serve you, and it’s friendly Kickstarter is waiting for your call.

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Returning after its first successful Kickstarter “Ghostbusters” Cryptozoic is back with a sequel that adds new tiles, scenarios, and miniatures.

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The game follows the events of the second Ghostbuster movie but also relies heavily on references from the 90’s Gostbuster cartoons.

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There’s not much information about how to play on the Kickstarter page, but there a links to videos that will show you gameplay. It’s a cooperative game for 1-4 players that seems to be able to scale difficulty and level up players between scenarios. And of course it comes with a massive slimy pink box full of miniatures and stretch goals. Unless you want to dish out for the exclusive white collectors box, available only through the Kickstarter.

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So if you love Ghostbusters, miniatures, and board games (and you probably do). Check out this Kickstarter and watch some videos. However let me leave you with a warning so my mind and your wallet can rest as ease. Cryptozoic isn’t known for making the best board games. And the first Ghostbusters game is considered to be a little bit of a running joke in the board game world. So if your a lover of flawless gameplay and mechanics, make sure you do your research. If you just want the minis or simply love the idea of playing as a Ghostbuster with friends, movie running in the background, I would say go for it! Like bad movies, sometimes a hilariously bad game is still a blast and worth every penny.

Click here to go to the Ghostbusters II Kickstarter page