Game scale determines the size of the battlefield, the number of troops and the size of the figures. Most are for two players but several may be required to play a very large scale campaign game. Many games are rated by their complexity. All figures are measured in scale, they are 6mm, 10mm, 15mm, 20mm, 25mm-30mm, 54mm and 80mm. Obviously the smaller the figure the larger the battle that can be recreated. Your typical plastic toy soldier is 54mm or about 3 inches tall. The following list describes the American scales and their approximate mm equivalent. The smallest to largest being 1/285 often called microarmor (6mm), 1/72 called HO or OO (20mm). There is also a 1/76 scale which though smaller is used along with 1/72 scale. Next largest is 1/48 scale (30mm) and lastly 1/32 (54mm). Figures are usually made of plastic, lead or pewter. However the simplest and most cost effective are made of paper.

Wargames are designed to create strategic and tactical military challenges. Historic miniature games also serve as a window to the past and can instruct people on the realities of war. They allow an intense scrutiny of a large or small segment of a period of history. Though we abhor war, the truth is, it has always been a nation's way to control or influence other nations. Gamers recreate these battles to enlighten themselves over the cause/effect and motives of the war. To find out more info on the military conflicts that have occured throughout recorded history visit our Historic Recon page. The game scale determines the level of complication and defines the scope of the learning experience. For example, a grand scale game would include entire armies of nations as well as supply, technology, air combat, sea combat, ground combat and diplomacy. Small scale games may be one or two soldiers fighting over a piece of ground of strategic importance. When you add the timeline, you can expand the experience to include Ancient, Napoleonic, Civil War, WWII and any other period. They also encourage you to find out more about that time period and about it's people. At the least, they help us to appreciate the men and women (both military and civilian) who sacrificed their lives for their nations, and their children's future.

Many board wargames have been transformed into miniature wargames and some have been reintroduced as computer wargames. Where interest in board wargames has declined, interest in miniature wargaming has risen. There are many time periods, rules and information for these games, not to mention thousands of websites. The major distinction between Board and Miniature wargames is the use of figures that need to be organized, assembled and painted to game with. Creative individuals tend to play this type of wargame, not only to play the game but to exhibit their painting skills. The visual appeal of these games is the major contributing factor of their popularity. A table top with terrain (hills, streams, trees and houses) and hundreds of small soldiers generates a lot more interest than a flat map board with small stacks of cardboard counters. Many of these games have sci-fi or fantasy themes that do nothing to increase ones knowledge of history. Though they can teach tactics and strategy. Most of the learning from miniature gaming comes from period discussion with other players. After game strategy talks and references to actual historical results are invaluable in the understanding of the time period.

Miniature gaming has been around for a long time. Many of the older toy soldiers have become highly collectable. Museum quality painted figures can also be seen on display in many households. If you come across any old figures, don't toss them away, try to find a collector or pass them on to a responsible younger relative to continue the hobby. Someone put a lot of money, time and effort to collect, assemble, mount/base and paint the miniatures, it would be a shame to throw that all away. Gaming with toy soldiers has entertained many children, who now, grown to adult, continue to collect and game with them.

Warning Notice: Miniature games and their associated parts pose a severe choking theat to children and pets and should be played and stored in safe locations! Many metal figures were made of lead and pose a lead poisoning threat. When handling unpainted metal figures you should always wash your hands afterwards. It is best to have all your figures painted to remove the handling threat. Just remember that they still pose a choking threat or poisoning threat if chewed or eaten. Most figures manufactured today are made of a lead free alloy and do not pose a poisoning threat. However, once a figure is painted it is not easy to determine whether they are lead or not. Many of the paints used can be toxic as well. Therefore it is always safer to treat them as if they were lead just as a precaution. This warning is not meant to drive gamers away from this great hobby but to inform them of natural safety concerns. Adult gamers should not let little children handle the figures or leave them unsupervised with them until they are of an age when they will listen to their parents. All we can say is, use your best judgement for age. Remember though, kids get into everything. Make sure they are kept out of reach. You don't want your older children leaving them out or giving them to younger children. Lastly, many miniature gamers use wire or needles for spears or pikes on their figures. Handle these with extreme care! We stated this is -Table Top- gaming, we do not recommend gaming on the floor! Miniatures can get lost, then found by pets or little children and stepping barefoot on them can cause injury.

Nuff Said! - Please keep this a safe hobby!