Reviewing Stand

MiniFigs Superdetailed
15mm Napoleonics

by Jay Hadley

MiniFigs has been producing 15mm figures for several years, and many of you may be thinking that this is a review of more of the same. It is not. These figures are called "super detailed" by the company and they mean what they say. They are as nice as any you will see in the market place in this scale.

While this review deals with the Napoleonic armies available, Steve Carpenter, President of MiniFigs, tells me that several other lines are planned for the future including English Civil War, Ancients, American Civil War, and Renaissance. At GenCon I had the opportunity to see some of the prototypes of the lines and they were excellent.

This new line offers several advantages to the wargamer. First, all of the figures are cast in classic wargaming poses: advancing or marching order. Obviously, these two poses have been the most popular available, and look great on a gaming table. Second, all cavalry figures are cast separately from the horse for greater variety and easier painting and fit very nicely on the horses. Third, all of the figures I have seen have been cast perfectly unlike some 15mm figures produced by other companies where there is a throw away margin of up to 25%.

Among the first releases in this line are French and British artillery. Each crew consists of five men and an officer. The best way to describe the new 15mm MiniFigs is that they look very much like the MiniFig 25mm only smaller. Even if the standard 25mm MiniFig is not your cup of tea the effect in 15mm is very, very good. All plumes, turnbacks, and equipment are well cast. There are even braid indications for the British crew. Rating: Anatomy: .7, Animation: .8, Detail: .8, Paint: 8, Casting: 1.0, Total: 4.1.

The infantry consists of a variety of Prussians, French and British line and elite troops in the advancing and march positions. Again we see the same MiniFig style improved by the smaller scale figure. The Old Guard Grenadier is the best of the lot with flaming grenade easily visable on both the cartridge box and bearskin. The Prussian infantry are all neat and clean with definable lines. Rating: Anatomy: .9, Animation: .8, Detail: .9, Paint: .9, and Casting: 1.0, Total: 4.5.

I have always like MiniFig horses, and those in 15mm are up to their usual standard of excellence. However, all of the releases up to this point are in a "walk" position. Hopefully more energentic positions will come directly. The poses of the men also are rather static featuring a drawn sword in the classic resting position. Aside from these minor drawbacks the cavalry equals the infantry in quality. Rating: Anatomy: .8, Animation: .S, Detail: .8, Paint: .9, Casting: 1.0, Total: 4.0.

More Reviews

Each figure is rated on ANATOMY, ANIMATION, DETAIL PAINTABILITY, & CASTING QUALITY. Each quality is rated 0 to 1 (in tenths), 1 being "best possible". The five ratings are added for an overall score that scales as follows:

    0-.9 = reject
    2-2.9 = acceptable
    3-3.9 = good
    4-5 = a must.

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