Mastering 15mm Wargaming Miniatures Guide

Welcome to the dynamic world of 15mm wargaming miniatures, a scale that offers a fantastic balance between grand-scale battles and manageable model counts. This comprehensive 15mm wargaming miniatures guide will walk you through everything you need to know, from selecting your first army to painting your forces with precision.

Whether you are a seasoned general or just starting out, 15mm wargaming provides a rich and rewarding hobby experience. Let’s explore how to get the most out of your miniature collection and tabletop engagements.

Why Choose 15mm Wargaming Miniatures?

The 15mm scale has surged in popularity for several compelling reasons, making it a favorite among many wargamers. Understanding these benefits is crucial when considering your next hobby venture.

These advantages make 15mm wargaming miniatures an excellent choice for a wide range of players.

Grand Scale Battles: 15mm allows you to field larger armies and recreate more expansive battles on a standard gaming table. You can depict entire companies or battalions without needing an enormous space.
Space Efficiency: Despite fielding more units, 15mm miniatures take up less storage space than their larger counterparts. This is ideal for hobbyists with limited display or storage areas.
Cost-Effectiveness: Generally, 15mm wargaming miniatures are more affordable than 28mm or larger scales, making it easier to build substantial armies without breaking the bank.
Detail and Immersion: While smaller, modern 15mm sculpts boast impressive detail, allowing for highly immersive battlefields. The smaller scale also enhances the sense of a ‘real’ battlefield when combined with appropriate terrain.

Selecting Your 15mm Wargaming Miniatures

Choosing the right 15mm wargaming miniatures is the first exciting step in building your army. Your selection will depend heavily on your preferred historical period or fantasy setting.

Consider these factors when making your initial choices for your 15mm wargaming forces.

Historical Periods

15mm is particularly strong in historical wargaming, offering a vast array of periods to explore.

World War II: Iconic tanks, infantry, and vehicles are widely available. Games like Flames of War are very popular in this scale.
Napoleonics: Recreate grand formations and famous battles with massed ranks of infantry and cavalry.
Ancients & Medieval: From Roman legions to medieval knights, 15mm allows for impressive historical armies.
Cold War & Modern: For those who prefer more contemporary conflicts, many manufacturers offer excellent ranges.

Fantasy & Sci-Fi Settings

Beyond history, 15mm wargaming miniatures also cater to imaginative worlds.

Generic Fantasy: Orcs, elves, dwarves, and humans from various manufacturers can be used in a multitude of game systems.
Sci-Fi Armies: Futuristic soldiers, mechs, and alien races are perfect for skirmish or large-scale sci-fi battles.

Manufacturers and Materials

Several reputable companies produce high-quality 15mm wargaming miniatures.

Popular Brands: Battlefront Miniatures, The Plastic Soldier Company (PSC), Forged in Battle, Khurasan Miniatures, and Old Glory are just a few examples.
Materials: Miniatures are commonly made from metal, resin, or plastic. Each has its own characteristics for assembly and painting.

Assembling Your 15mm Miniatures

Proper assembly is crucial for the longevity and appearance of your 15mm wargaming miniatures. Even at this smaller scale, attention to detail makes a big difference.

Follow these steps to ensure your 15mm wargaming miniatures are ready for the battlefield.

Preparation and Cleaning

Remove Flash: Use a hobby knife or files to carefully remove any mold lines or excess material (flash) from your miniatures.
Wash Miniatures: For resin or metal figures, a gentle wash with soapy water and an old toothbrush can remove release agents that might prevent paint adhesion. Ensure they are completely dry before proceeding.

Gluing and Basing

Adhesive: Use super glue (cyanoacrylate) for metal and resin miniatures. Plastic cement is suitable for plastic figures as it chemically bonds the parts.
Basing: Most 15mm wargaming miniatures are attached to a base. Consider flock, static grass, sand, or other terrain elements to create a cohesive look for your army. Magnets can be embedded in bases for easy transport and storage.

Painting 15mm Wargaming Miniatures

Painting your 15mm wargaming miniatures brings them to life and adds immense enjoyment to the hobby. While they are small, effective painting techniques can make them truly shine.

Even subtle details can elevate your 15mm wargaming miniatures to a new level.

Essential Supplies

Brushes: Invest in a good quality fine-tipped brush for details and a larger brush for basecoating. Synthetic brushes are generally durable and affordable.
Paints: Acrylic paints are most commonly used due to their quick drying time and water solubility. Choose a range of colors appropriate for your army’s scheme.
Primer: Always prime your miniatures. This provides a uniform surface for paint to adhere to and helps the colors pop. Black, white, or grey primers are common.
Varnish: A protective coat of matte or satin varnish will protect your painted miniatures from handling and wear during games.

Basic Painting Techniques

You don’t need to be an artist to achieve great results with 15mm wargaming miniatures.

Priming: Apply a thin, even coat of primer. Allow it to dry completely.
Basecoating: Paint the main colors onto each section of the miniature. Keep the coats thin to preserve detail.
Washing/Shading: Apply a thinned ink or ‘wash’ over the basecoats. This settles into the recesses, creating shadows and depth.
Drybrushing: Lightly drag a brush with almost no paint on it over raised areas. This technique quickly highlights details.
Highlighting: Apply a lighter shade of the base color to the most prominent raised areas for a crisp, defined look.

Batch Painting for Efficiency

Given the number of figures in a 15mm army, batch painting is a highly effective strategy. Paint all miniatures of a similar type (e.g., all infantry, all tanks) through one step before moving to the next. This streamlines the process and ensures consistency across your forces.

Building Your 15mm Wargaming Army

Building a complete 15mm wargaming army is a journey that can be both strategic and creatively fulfilling. Start small and expand thoughtfully.

Strategic planning is key to a well-rounded 15mm wargaming force.

Starting Small and Expanding

Skirmish Forces: Begin with a small force suitable for skirmish-level games to get a feel for the miniatures and game system.
Core Units: Invest in the core units of your chosen army list first. These typically form the backbone of your force.
Support & Commanders: Gradually add specialized support units, vehicles, and command figures to enhance your army’s capabilities and character.

List Building Strategies

Familiarize yourself with the army list rules for your chosen game system. Plan your purchases to ensure you build a balanced and effective force that aligns with your play style. Many players focus on a specific theme or historical accuracy for their 15mm wargaming miniatures.

Terrain for 15mm Wargaming

Immersive terrain is vital for creating an engaging battlefield for your 15mm wargaming miniatures. Scale-appropriate terrain enhances the visual appeal and tactical depth of your games.

Consider these elements to create a dynamic environment for your 15mm wargaming battles.

Buildings: From rural farmhouses to urban ruins, buildings provide cover and strategic choke points.
Natural Features: Hills, forests, rivers, and roads are essential for varied gameplay and aesthetics.
Scatter Terrain: Smaller elements like crates, walls, fences, and objective markers add detail and can influence gameplay.

Many companies produce dedicated 15mm scale terrain, or you can create your own using craft materials.

Conclusion

This 15mm wargaming miniatures guide has provided a comprehensive overview of how to start and thrive in this exciting hobby. From choosing your miniatures and assembling them with care, to painting them with pride and building an immersive battlefield, every step contributes to the enjoyment of 15mm wargaming.

Embrace the journey, experiment with different techniques, and most importantly, have fun bringing your miniature armies to life on the tabletop. Your next epic battle awaits!