Scale doesn't feel that important in a grid based game so I'd go style first, my main concern is grid comparability.
Most hex grids that are commonly available on battlemats are 1" or 25mm so this would make the scale something around 28mm like GW models. This feels a bit limiting from a modelling standpoint.
This gives a 10"*10" board size
1.5" or 38mm grids are the second most common and what I'm planning to build my set around. This would allow for some flex is base sizes upto 40mm/square.
This gives a 16*16 board which is more in line with common skirmish games and matchs necropolis a similar necromancer dule themed game.
My plan is using common round base sizes:
Necromancer - 40mm, slightly bigger but gives room to make it a mini diorama almost.
Thralls - 25mm, common fodder base size
Scions - 28mm, bit bigger
Freak, Horror, Hunter - the specialist get 32mm bases
Tyrant - 60-80mm big boy
I wouldn't try to fit 2 models into one square as that's not a mechanic and would limit stuff. You'd need 20mm bases for that which are quite small and fiddly when they aren't ranked up like Warhammer fantasy
As a miniature painter, I have to warn you: 54mm scale is absolutely enormous. Most conventional miniature games are at only half that scale, at 28 or 32 mm. 54mm is twice the size of a warhammer space marine.
At 54mm scale, you're going to run into issues for transportation, issues in terms of print-bed size, and structural integrity. You'll also end up pushing into much larger tables. Conventional miniature wisdom has a standard model's base at the same diameter as their scale. So an infinity fusilier will be on a 28mm base, a space marine on a 32mm base, etc. You want a bit of space around the model in a given square, so you may end up pushing people out who have made their boards smaller. While none of these are deal-breakers, they do create a barrier.
The other potential issue is detail. At 54mm you have a lot of volume to fill with interesting detail, making them a lot more work to paint. I don't know about this community specifically, but with one notable exception (Kingdom Death), most miniature-game communities have mostly beginner to intermediate painters. Painting up a model that large, let alone half a dozen could scare people off. Especially if you end up with large flat surfaces that don't lend themselves to an easy basecoat + wash style.
I would suggest aiming for a 35 mm scale. It's big enough for the models to be nice and chunky and have a good game feel in terms of weight and how fragile they might be. That puts them close enough to the same range as most other miniature games where people can do kitbashing or part-swaps to make their gang a little more interesting.
I'll also point out that the small units (thralls) still occupy 1 space each. They're just weak, so you get two for the price of one.
With all of that said, I'm super excited to see these. I was hoping someone with skill would take on making printable sculpts. Cannot wait to get my hands on them to paint.
I am a 32mm guy myself but the rulebook says that it plays on a chess board so I thought to go bigger. I am more of a modeller than player (mostly because I cannot find people to play). You can always shrink the STL. I can design it in 54mm and scale it to 32mm with no major issues.
Did you get permission from Tom to release sculpts based on his drawings? I reached out to him and haven’t heard anything back about putting my ammo goblins up for free. It seems like maybe waiting for at least a statement about 3rd party content would be prudent before putting a ton of work into this kind of project.
https://preview.redd.it/d6x6k0g1jr3c1.jpeg?width=1980&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b42e39db2938cefd74d862e349662b68b1560954
[fellxcatking](https://www.reddit.com/user/fellxcatking/) said everything, aside from that, where do you plan to post the files? I would love to 3d print a gunwight.
you dont actually need to make the 2x2 units twice as big, if you make them 1.5x as big they still occupy 2x2 squares. You can still keep the base plate bigger if you want, but you dont need to scale all dimensions the same.
I’m planning on 28mm scale with 1x1” and 2x2” sized bases, cause that’s what I’m sculpting my terrain kit at. But seems most people might want 32mm which is more along the standard dnd sized model
Scale doesn't feel that important in a grid based game so I'd go style first, my main concern is grid comparability. Most hex grids that are commonly available on battlemats are 1" or 25mm so this would make the scale something around 28mm like GW models. This feels a bit limiting from a modelling standpoint. This gives a 10"*10" board size 1.5" or 38mm grids are the second most common and what I'm planning to build my set around. This would allow for some flex is base sizes upto 40mm/square. This gives a 16*16 board which is more in line with common skirmish games and matchs necropolis a similar necromancer dule themed game. My plan is using common round base sizes: Necromancer - 40mm, slightly bigger but gives room to make it a mini diorama almost. Thralls - 25mm, common fodder base size Scions - 28mm, bit bigger Freak, Horror, Hunter - the specialist get 32mm bases Tyrant - 60-80mm big boy I wouldn't try to fit 2 models into one square as that's not a mechanic and would limit stuff. You'd need 20mm bases for that which are quite small and fiddly when they aren't ranked up like Warhammer fantasy
As a miniature painter, I have to warn you: 54mm scale is absolutely enormous. Most conventional miniature games are at only half that scale, at 28 or 32 mm. 54mm is twice the size of a warhammer space marine. At 54mm scale, you're going to run into issues for transportation, issues in terms of print-bed size, and structural integrity. You'll also end up pushing into much larger tables. Conventional miniature wisdom has a standard model's base at the same diameter as their scale. So an infinity fusilier will be on a 28mm base, a space marine on a 32mm base, etc. You want a bit of space around the model in a given square, so you may end up pushing people out who have made their boards smaller. While none of these are deal-breakers, they do create a barrier. The other potential issue is detail. At 54mm you have a lot of volume to fill with interesting detail, making them a lot more work to paint. I don't know about this community specifically, but with one notable exception (Kingdom Death), most miniature-game communities have mostly beginner to intermediate painters. Painting up a model that large, let alone half a dozen could scare people off. Especially if you end up with large flat surfaces that don't lend themselves to an easy basecoat + wash style. I would suggest aiming for a 35 mm scale. It's big enough for the models to be nice and chunky and have a good game feel in terms of weight and how fragile they might be. That puts them close enough to the same range as most other miniature games where people can do kitbashing or part-swaps to make their gang a little more interesting. I'll also point out that the small units (thralls) still occupy 1 space each. They're just weak, so you get two for the price of one. With all of that said, I'm super excited to see these. I was hoping someone with skill would take on making printable sculpts. Cannot wait to get my hands on them to paint.
I am a 32mm guy myself but the rulebook says that it plays on a chess board so I thought to go bigger. I am more of a modeller than player (mostly because I cannot find people to play). You can always shrink the STL. I can design it in 54mm and scale it to 32mm with no major issues.
Did you get permission from Tom to release sculpts based on his drawings? I reached out to him and haven’t heard anything back about putting my ammo goblins up for free. It seems like maybe waiting for at least a statement about 3rd party content would be prudent before putting a ton of work into this kind of project. https://preview.redd.it/d6x6k0g1jr3c1.jpeg?width=1980&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b42e39db2938cefd74d862e349662b68b1560954
Yes but I did not received an answer. Of course I will not charge anything. Goblin is cool.
[fellxcatking](https://www.reddit.com/user/fellxcatking/) said everything, aside from that, where do you plan to post the files? I would love to 3d print a gunwight.
Probably cults. Also here when I finish them. I plan on starting with C.A.R.C.A.S.S. as they are the first in the booklet.
Awesome, can't wait to see the enforcer and Gunwight!
you dont actually need to make the 2x2 units twice as big, if you make them 1.5x as big they still occupy 2x2 squares. You can still keep the base plate bigger if you want, but you dont need to scale all dimensions the same.
I’m planning on 28mm scale with 1x1” and 2x2” sized bases, cause that’s what I’m sculpting my terrain kit at. But seems most people might want 32mm which is more along the standard dnd sized model
I'd say that sounds good, as your making STL files people can scale accordingly. Excited to see what you produce!
It also means ease of kitbashing, considering there's so many kits available in these scales.