Discussing Miniatures in Board Games, What's better meeples or minis? Fan favourite mini heavy games
Channel: Tabletop Bellhop
Date: 2023-11-04

In this podcast segment we talk all about miniatures in board games. What do we think of mini heavy board games? What advantages do miniatures have? Isn't it better to just use wooden cubes? What about standees? and more. We eventually get to talking about what we prefer, meeples or miniatures, and why. 

Note: The original plan was to also list off our favourite miniature heavy games with an eye to fantasy themed games, but we went long during our open discussion so we instead moved the second half of the topic over to episode 223, Mounds of Minis, which will be live on November 7th. 

🛎️ This is one segment from The Tabletop Bellhop Gaming Podcast Ep 222, Minis vs Meeples. Catch the full episode: https://youtu.be/ujRkGhqElpY

🛎️ We record our podcast live on Twitch (https://www.twitch.tv/tabletopbellhop), Wednesday night's at 8 P.M Eastern and it would be great if you joined us.

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Disclosure:  Some links to games and publishers below are affiliate links. Using these links doesn’t cost you a thing and helps to support our show. In addition, some games mentioned have been received as review copies from publishers. 

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00:00 🔸Intro and This Episode's Question
Our opinions on Miniatures in Board Games.

02:35 🔸Minis in board games is a divisive topic

06:57 🔸Miniatures fit some game themes better than others

08:18 🔸Some companies offer both options
Our Castle Panic Big Box Review https://tabletopbellhop.com/game-reviews/castle-panic-big-box-review/

13:05 🔸What about crafters, Etsy, etc?

16:23 🔸The rise of standees
Our Disney Sorcerer’s Arena content https://tabletopbellhop.com/search/?q=disney%20sorcerer%27s%20Arena

22:10 🔸Moving away from meeples leads to scale creep

22:57 🔸Component type affects accessibility

26:07 🔸Miniatures aren't always better

32:27 🔸Shaped meeples are a good halfway point

35:54 🔸It's hard to break a cube
Tabletop Bellhop Gaming Podcast Ep 92, A Small Problem https://tabletopbellhop.com/podcast/ep092/

The best ways to sort, store, and protect, tabletop gaming miniatures https://tabletopbellhop.com/gaming-advice/miniature-storage/

40:25 🔸Some people buy games just for the miniatures

42:25 🔸What do we prefer, meeples or minis?

48:07 🔸The Lobby, Miniature heavy games that our fans dig:

🔸Zombicide Black Plague https://amzn.to/40c4O9j
🔸Descent Journeys in the Dark https://amzn.to/49fAAGk
🔸Altar Quest https://miniature-market.sjv.io/Vm24PM
🔸Aberration https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/395834/aberration
🔸HeroQuest https://amzn.to/3tP1GUO
🔸Massive Darkness 2 https://amzn.to/3QdXkOA
🔸Taneres Adventures + Arena: the Contest 1.5 https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/dragorigames/tanares-adventures-arena-the-contest-15
🔸Townfolk Tussle https://gamefound.com/en/projects/panic-roll/townsfolk-tussle-foul-neighbors-and-odd-jobs#/section/pledges-6995
🔸Mechs Vs Minions https://na.leagueoflegends.com/en/featured/mechs-vs-minions
🔸Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Shadows of the Past https://amzn.to/3QyyGJN
🔸Ghostbusters The Board Game https://amzn.to/3ses4XB
🔸Arydia https://gamefound.com/en/projects/far-off-games/arydia-the-paths-we-dare-tread#/
🔸Vagrantsong https://www.wyrd-games.net/vagrantsong
🔸Kingdom Hearts Talisman https://amzn.to/46N0nE9
🔸Elf Creek Games https://www.elfcreekgames.com/
🔸My Little Scythe https://amzn.to/3sa0wTc
🔸Blood Rage https://amzn.to/3QzLEa1

Send your questions to questions@tabletopbellhop.com or visit https://tabletopbellhop.com and click on Ask the Bellhop.

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