15mm Vs 10mm Miniatures. Best Mass Battle effects in a smaller Scale & Space

[@midshipman8654]

I personally really prefer 15mm over 10mm. I feel like it exists within this nice goldylocks zone where you CAN make indivigual models look pretty good, but you can also mass them up and have a nice implication of larger scale battles. While to me, 10mm can usually only look decent indivigually, and ONLY look great massed up and seeing them as a whole. Dont get me wrong it gives even more of a sense of scale and they are indivigually easier to paint, and the variety within each base is amazing, but I feel thats the point of diminishing returns. I can still play skirmish games, and even some rpg’s with 15mm because they are flexible enough to be used to illustrate small or large scale, but 10mm seems solely for illustrating large scale combat.

[@MedievalWargamer]

Totally totally agree with you my friend in all you points above. 10mm look good only in mass and I started painting and collecting recently because of my requirements here are work ..it is good to be able to fight a large battle in relatively small space but obviously back home my game room is bigger so I enjoy my 28’s ..thank you for watching!

[@BitesizeWargaming]

I'm so glad you liked them Nik - they look great on the tabletop. Glad to have been of service!

[@MedievalWargamer]

Love them my friend! Brilliant work!

[@davidwasilewski]

10mm allows for a ‘mass effect’ visually and you can still paint them up nicely. I like 6mm too, particularly for periods where there are vehicles (WW2 etc)

[@MedievalWargamer]

Totally agree with you David! Yes I can imagine Tanks and in general vehicles being bulkier models look great even in smaller scales.. even better I might think. Thank you for watching my friend!

[@jonsparrow1571]

I have to agree, I’ve played around with all scales over my wargaming life. And for me 10mm is the sweet spot. Just enough detail and character to enjoy the modeling and painting, but the ability to have mass ranked units which feel substantial. My favourite scale. I find going smaller increase the effect of numbers but I find you lose the beauty of the individual models. (Saying that I do also dabble in 6mm.)

[@MedievalWargamer]

I Could not have explained it better Jon! This is exactly the feeling I got when I deployed the 10's yesterday. Brilliant portrait of Mass army effect and a descent size to paint a few details and colours.. Thank you for watching my friend!

[@Nobleshield]

Biggest issue with 10mm is that it's not as widespread. So it's easier to get 15mm or 6mm than 10mm for many periods. In the US at least; the UK has Pendraken and a few others.

[@MedievalWargamer]

Yes this is very true my friend 15’s are much easier to purchase. Nevertheless I believe that these 10’s create a very good mass battle effect without being to small. Thank you for watching!

[@Magyarkhan]

Just scale the bases and the map up to and 15 mm looks epic too

[@MedievalWargamer]

Good idea!

[@roundie99]

Faster to paint, more figures for a cheaper price and they give a great mass-effect look to my games. I'm all in on 10mm. Great video thanks for posting.

[@MedievalWargamer]

Thank you my friend glad you enjoyed the video! Yes I totally agree with you the mass effect these minis can create is amazing!

[@danbuman8422]

Great video Nik! I have to agree that the 10mm really are excellent to give the massed battle effect. They are more cost effective and take up less space as well. Who is the manufacturer? I am getting very tempted to try 15mm or 10mm. They really look good for large scale massed battles. Looking forward to more videos on this subject!!

[@MedievalWargamer]

Hey Dan how are you my friend? Long time no speak.. yes I agree with you! Although you know I am a 28mm gamer these 10 mm's impressed me with the way they portrayed mass battle effect on the table.. These specific ones are from Lancashire Games

[@petermillen6924]

Some very nice figures here, in both scales and you make your point on the greater massing effect obtained from 10mm. One of the downstream consequences of the established ‘scaling’ of figures by millimetres rather than ratio is a certain lack of sculpting discipline and consequent scale creep. I find that figures sold as 10mm may vary between 8mm and 12mm and the latter will give little massing benefit against 15mm (which of course also are inconsistent!).

[@MedievalWargamer]

Totally agree with you Peter! I have faced the same with my miniatures especially my 15's but on the other hand I noticed that when deployed all in mass together even those differences don't bother me that much.. especially for 28 mm's. Thank you for watching my friend!

[@michaelcarlin9153]

Nothing beats 15mm scale for wargaming - any period. Massed look, plus big enough to get great detail on the figs.

[@MedievalWargamer]

I have to agree with you dear Michael in both points! Still I have a soft spot for the 28’s though..😂

[@nigelchapman5095]

I think 10mm is the best mix of ‘Mass’ perspective whilst keeping the individual figure effect…easy and quick to paint. You still get colour standing out more so than 6mm. 10mm is also more cost effective 😀

[@nigelchapman5095]

Would like to see Poitiers in 10mm

[@MedievalWargamer]

I have to agree with you Nigel! These are the first 10mm minis I acquire and I am very impressed!

[@MedievalWargamer]

yes it would be a great project I agree!

[@BitesizeWargaming]

I'll always have a soft spot for Essex 15mm...as a much younger man I had so many of their models across a number of periods.

[@MedievalWargamer]

Hey Simon! Sure for me as well considering that we did not have as many manufacturers those days as we have now and Essex are from the first or maybe the first minis I ever purchased

[@VitruvianSoundNYC]

10mm for sure. I’ve re-entered the hobby with 6mm for ancients. Tightly ranked heavy infantry on a 40mm x 15mm DB(x) style base has 16 figures per base; beautiful for the mass effect.

[@MedievalWargamer]

Totally agree with you my friend! With the correct basing these 10mm's and smaller minis deployed in block formations look amazing! Thank you for watching!

[@jvcpaints]

They both have their merits no doubt about it, but as guy who loves painting, I'd have to go with 15mm.

[@MedievalWargamer]

For sure dear James the 15's are the best scale to combine large battles and descent painting! Thank you for watching my friend!

[@djnotnice8416]

As a guy who hates painting, I'd have to go with 10mm 😆 🤣

[@MedievalWargamer]

@@djnotnice8416 🤣🤣🤣 I totally understand you brother!

[@leonleese4919]

At the moment I’m considering Warlords Epic Scale 1815 scale, but it appears incomplete but I can’t work out how to use them with Age of Eagles as small units of say 60 figures in two ranks for a battalion leaves me short of command figures to make a battalion for “Pickets Charge” ACW rules or “General d Armee’” Napoleonic Rules which would reduce the footprint of a 15mm battalion in line from 300mm to 180mm for the 3 bases needed for the Epic Scale. However this wouldn’t have the animation that Old Glory or AB figures would have.

[@MedievalWargamer]

Hi Leon I get your point although I am not familiar with the range and the era but in my opinion for the smaller scales you need this mass effect feel on your bases that make the table look epic! Regarding the poses I have to agree with your comment as well.. I really like different poses or at least more energetic (if this is the correct word) for my miniatures something I really look for in my 28mm's but also recently I realized that even for the smaller scales different poses make the base look more realistic otherwise they look like a chess board...;) Thank you for watching my friend!

[@tabletop.will.phillips]

Having recently made the jump to 10mm, I'm really enjoying this scale! Would be interested in a video showing your method to basing 10mm figures. I'm still struggling to come up with a process that works for me. With all the figures placed so close together, I'm finding it frustrating to add basing material.

[@MedievalWargamer]

10mm is a great scale especially for creating mass battles but painting and basing is hell! For sure I will post a video although to tell you the truth the frustration is mutual! Thank you for watching my friend!

[@tabletop.will.phillips]

@@MedievalWargamer That would be awesome!

[@mikkohamalainen1782]

Looking really good! What base size are you using for the 10mm units?

[@MedievalWargamer]

Thank you Mikko! The 10's are on 40x40 bases. Thank you for watching my friend!

[@basicminiaturepainting]

they look fantastic Nik,I see Simon has done some great work

[@MedievalWargamer]

Thank you Dear Justin! Yes Simon did a brilliant job considering the small size of the minis!

[@percyblok6014]

"Imagine if I get more"... OF COURSE!

[@MedievalWargamer]

The more the merrier is always my motto!😂😂

[@SwordlordRoy]

Personally, I have been getting into 15mm, but I have been basing everything individually on 19mm washers (the size of a US Penny, UK Pence, etc), so, usable in mass combat if we count stuff like 40k or Age of Sigmar as mass combat... When it comes down to multibase Rank-and-flank stuff though, I fear I'm currently erring more towards 6mm.

[@MedievalWargamer]

Good idea this with the individually based 15's! Makes the armies more flexible! Regarding 6 mm I don't have much of an experience but I know it is a very popular size for mass battles! Thank you for watching my friend!

[@I_Don_t_want_a_handle]

It is down to personal preference I suppose. 28mm just does not scream mass battles to me, and nothing bigger than 10mm really cuts it. If you want to go really mass, there is always 6mm and then 2mm. 2mm gives you Crecy on a table top ...

[@MedievalWargamer]

Very true my friend I agree with all your points..space availability is the main issue and obviously budget..thank you for watching!

[@Nobleshield]

I've been comparing scales, mainly 15mm/10mm/6mm, and while I havent made a decision yet I think 10mm might be the sweet spot. Still small enough so you can have a mass battle feel (really big for me, where I only have limited space i.e. not enough room for a 6x4 table) but enough to be detailed. 6mm I'm still evaluating as that seems to be about the same line, but not sure how it compares other than being more popular. 10mm has the advantage, maybe not for ancient/medieval though, of having N-scale model train terrain available as well.

[@MedievalWargamer]

I think your process of elimination is correct..I have both scales except 6mm but I would agree with you that 10 are the best choice for the available space you have and also the ability to paint minis a bit more creatively than just some blobs of colour..love my 10mm’s they create an amazing mass effect! Check out one of my later videos where I am showcasing my 10mm armies deployed

[@zeradox1901]

So, you both think that 6mm is more popular than 10mm?

[@MedievalWargamer]

Hi my friend!I am not very familiar with smaller scale war gaming but it seems that these two are the most popular sizes. From what I see in social media both are very popular the choice is a matter of taste. Thank you for watching my friend!

[@nordicmaelstrom4714]

It is a very tough decision Nik. I am tempted to buy some Baccus 6mm specifically for the Norman invasion of England and the Crusades. I think the mass effect of the 6mm is unmatched. The question for me is what rules? Thank you for the video that is very helpful in seeing the massed effects of both scales.

[@MedievalWargamer]

Glad you found the video helpful Dear Nordic!!Well there are many rules for the period and in general almost all rules are designed for smaller scales except a few exceptions that can be very easily modified though.. I would go for 6mm and use a basing system you like that is an even number..in this way you will be able to play all rules.. for example if you use 20x20 bases.. you can play games also with 40x40 or 40x80 , 60 x40.. 60x80..these are the base sizes usually all rules use..

[@nordicmaelstrom4714]

@@MedievalWargamer The big problems I face is I haven't got a gaming partner and everything would be me collecting or trying to play solo. I am leaning towards just figuring out a frontage and depth and not worry about rules.

[@MedievalWargamer]

@@nordicmaelstrom4714 I am a solo gamer .. Believe me it is a lot of fun.. I will give you some house rules that you can use with any rule set for Random events according to your initiative rolls..it will spice up your battle and give some unpredictability..

[@nordicmaelstrom4714]

@@MedievalWargamer Thanks Nik. I solo wargame with hex and counter games. They're a lot of fun. I am still mulling over what to do. I am feeling the ww2 bug right now. I am a big ww2 history geek.

[@MedievalWargamer]

@@nordicmaelstrom4714 Well in my opinion you should go for the period you like more and try to find the best miniatures for that period.. that is the only way to enjoy your gaming!

[@sergeysolonko2441]

when you have 3d sla printer 6 /10 / 15 mm you can made cool miniatures

[@MedievalWargamer]

I am sure you can my friend! Although it looks very difficult to me to tell you the truth..😂😂😂 thank you for watching!

[@sergeysolonko2441]

@@MedievalWargamer i play modern wg and 15 mm infantry beter for me armor i use 8/10 mm and look nice

[@MedievalWargamer]

Sounds great!

[@holysmoke8439]

28

[@MedievalWargamer]

Cant disagree with you on this one my friend.. I am a 28mm gamer as well...