Tag Archives: miniature

Board Games and TCGs

Review of the Alien RPG Rapture Protocol Miniature Set

January 15, 2026 josechurape Leave a comment

Disclaimer

Free League Publishing sent me the Alien Rapture Protocol miniature set for the Alien Role Playing Game Evolved Edition to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinion. This will be my honest review. Make sure you also check out my reviews for Mutant Year Zero and Alient TTRPG.

Table of contents

Unboxing

What’s in the box?

20 high quality miniatures
Skirmish rulebook
Tokens
Game Catalogue

What is it?

Free League Publishing has released a set of 20 high-quality figures to fill your next session of Alien TTRPG. The set comes with a condensed rulebook for skirmish play for players who want to enjoy some wargaming in the Alien universe. Most importantly, the miniatures are ready to fill your world whether you are following one of the prewritten adventures, like Rapture Protocol, or you are creating one of your own from one of the many high quality source books. Whether you leave them unpainted, or get a little creative with the paint, these are going to look great on any table.

What is Skirmish?

Skirmish is Alien TTRPG’s pvp mode. The game is designed for two players (or teams) as they fight for survival. Booklet includes three unique scenarios to help players get started, but there is room for some solid homebrew potential. For example, a team of humans must fight their way through a Xenomorph infested planet to retrieve keycards to help them escape. The game is over if the humans complete their objective, or the aliens kill all the humans. There are rules for army creation, combat, and even a fear mechanic to make the game very thematic. I am a huge fan of the radar mechanic because it makes the game flavorful. If you’re into Alien RPG for just combat, definitely look into the skirmish mechanics.

Thoughts on skirmish

I am not very good at wargaming, so I appreciate how easy this mode is to get into. I got destroyed the times I played, but I had a lot of fun doing so. The game mode is full of cool flavor that will make fans of the Alien series very happy. The fact that Xenomorphs start as blips of a radar until discovered is terrifying. The fact that one of them turns into a cat is fantastic.

Combat is strait forward, but engaging. I am not very good at army building, but there seems to be a good amount of options for some diversity. I am sure there might be a meta, but I had fun playing what was cool. I had a lot more fun playing the Xenomorphs, but only because I was better at it.

I love that the rulebook comes with the miniature because it makes the set a board game you can pull out when you are not running games.

Review

If you like the Alien movies, you might as well pick up this miniature set. This is a very cool set that will be a lot of fun to paint, even if you don’t end up playing the tabletop game.

Quality

I am amazed, but not surprised by how good the quality of these miniatures is. Free League Publishing consistantly produces high quality products for all their IPs, and it can be clearly seen in the amount of work that went into each sculpt. The Xenomorphs look terrifying, and the humans look like they are ready to survive the invasion. I had a lot of fun looking examining each figure and appreciating all the small features. The ripples of the muscles, the poses of the figures, and even face huggers look cool. I definitely wish I was good at painting.

Is it worth it?

Yes. If you are a fan of the series, the figures have the detail you need. Buy these, paint them, and add them to a cool scifi display.

You don’t need miniatures to run a campaign of Alien TTRPG. Before this set, I was just using coins, but it does make my players a lot more excited. The first time I pulled one of Xenomorps to attack the party is a memory I will treasure for ever. It is a very fun and useful accessory, if you have the space and need for it. I only bring these out for combat, so its nice that the set includes rules for a standalone game mode.

If you are buying this for skirmish, I think it is a fun little game mode that you can pull out when you don’t want to run a full session. Skirmish isn’t my thing, but I did have fun the times I played it. I’ll probably mostly use it for all my tabletop rpgs I run moving forward because of how good they look on the table. Now I just need to convince my wife to paint them for me.

You can pick up the Alien TTRPG Rapture Protocol miniature set on the official Free League Publishing website.

Board Games and TCGs

Get a Free Frozen Foes Bundle With Your Order of Skinny Minis

January 11, 2024 josechurape Leave a comment

Skinny Minis is giving away a free set of their Frozen Foes bundle with orders over $60. With free US Shipping, now is a great time to load up on some high quality acrylic minis for your next campaign. You never need minis to play D&D, but it is always nice to have a table full of high quality figures to move around.

What are Skinny Minis

Skinny Minis sells high-quality 2D acrylic miniatures, high-quality maps, and prepacked one-shots to elevate any RPG session. They feature a very cool art style, and they have a product for just about any campaign setting. The best part about Skinny Minis is how well they store. While I would love to have a collection of high-quality minis 3D printed or otherwise, I don’t have the space for it.

If you’re for a minimalistic way to elevate your next campaign, check out Skinny Minis!

If you enjoy these updates, make sure you leave a like, comment, follow, and share this with your friends.

Board Games and TCGs, gaming news

Official Dragonbane Mini Subscription now on MyMiniFactory

December 22, 2023 josechurape Leave a comment

Our friends over at Free League Publishing have partnered with Titan Forge and MyMiniFactory to release a series of high-quality miniatures for their fantasy tabletop RPG, Dragonbane. If you have access to a 3D printer and need a way to spruce up your next adventure, you’re going to want to subscribe to The Adventure.

The Adventure is a subscription service by MyMiniFactory that offers players high-quality miniatures from the Fantasy TTRPG Dragonbane. Subscribers will get the STL files for the five pre-generated characters from the core rulebook’s prewritten adventure, and one printable monster or enemy file every month. The Makander mini alone should be enough to move this subscription.

Subscribers also get 10% off a purchase of Dragonbane content from the Free League Publishing store, 10% off other MyMiniFactory purchases or subscriptions, and story teasers for Dragonbane. The subscription is $9.99 a month, or you can pay for the whole year in advance for $89.88 ($30 savings). If you’re in the market for officially licensed minis, The Adventure is definitely worth looking into.

What is Dragonbane?

I recommend you check out the quick start guide before you buy anything. It gives players and DMs a nice taste of what to expect from the full version, and it’s free. I’ve written a post about my experience running the Quick Start guide for those interested.

If you’re ready to buy into this system, there are a few options. If you play online, you’re going to want the PDF. It’s searchable, and the most cost-effective way to get started. You can pick it up on DrivethruRPG for $24.99.

Now if you’re playing on a VTT, I always recommend Foundry VTT. I am not an affiliate. It’s just what I’ve been using, and I love it. I’ve written a post about why. You can pick up the official module for $27.87 and it has everything you need to get started. You don’t have to use the module to play on Foundry, but it makes things easier. Check out my previous post where if you want more details.

If you want to play in person, all you need is the core rulebook, some dice, and a pencil. You can pick up the core rulebook for $43.70 on the official website. Now there are other special items to spruce up your games like special edition books, the core set, and dice available, but that depends on how much you want to invest in the game. I’ve been having fun, I recommend you check it out as well.

If you enjoy these updates, please leave a like, comment, follow, and share this with your friends!

Board Games and TCGs

Anecdote on getting someone into Heroclix, and where to start

December 3, 2023 josechurape Leave a comment

The Holiday season is here, and now is the best time to introduce the kids in your life to a nerdy hobby. Whatever the hobby is, nothing beats sitting down with a loved one and just having fun.

For me, the hobby is Heroclix. Heroclix is a superhero miniatures game that should definitely be at your table. It features nice quality miniatures of popular heroes, a creative dial system for streamlined gameplay, and creative mechanics. If you enjoy wargames and superheroes, you need to check out Heroclix.

I’ve tried multiple times to get into the hobby but have never had anyone to play with. My work schedule prevented me from going to the locals, so my collection remained boxed up. Most of my collection is gone now, but I still have the Wonder Woman 80th Anniversary set from the last time I tried picking up the hobby. Sad that it was just picking up dust in the closet, I decided to teach one of my younger cousins how to play. The kid is ten and has never played a miniatures game.

The most important thing to remember when bringing someone into a hobby is to keep things simple. You don’t want to overwhelm them and risk scaring them away. Start small and slowly add rules over time for retention. Everyone learns at a different pace, so be patient.

The Game

My cousin loves video games and superheroes, so selling him on Heroclix wasn’t an issue. I didn’t even have to tell him what we were playing, he was just happy to spend time with me. I explained the basic action economy, line of sight, and terrain, but we ignored her skills and abilities. We started with one of the basic scenarios included with the set but quickly abandoned it. He wanted to make his own team, and I wanted him to have fun. We reset, and he demolished me. I wasn’t taking it easy on him. He was thinking tactically, using cover, and got super lucky on all his attack rolls. We changed a few rules on the fly because he had some cool ideas. The goal was to have fun and not to win a tournament. I’ll teach him the rules if we get more serious.

My cousin loved Heroclix and definitely wants to play again. He asked about other heroes and even hinted about wanting to play Iron Man. I guess I’ll have to find money for that. He even asked me about my abilities and got excited to try playing with them next time. The experiment was a success, and I am excited to see what else we can get into.

Where to Start

If you are trying to get into the hobby, or want to teach someone how to play, the starter kit is the best place to start. The sets come with enough minis for two balanced teams, maps, dice, and a copy of the rule book. You can buy into a booster you want to start collecting, but it’s always cheaper to buy the minis you want. Opening boosters is the most fun way to get started, but you are gambling.

Wonder Woman Starter Set

If you aren’t going to tournaments and only want to play Heroclix for fun, the Wonder Woman 80th anniversary is the cheapest way to get into this hobby. I like the minis and map it comes with are high quality, and the dice are cool. I wasn’t too crazy about the scenarios, but that might be a personal issue. The rule book is outdated so you’ll need to go the Rules | HeroClix (wizkids.com) to download the most current edition.

The set comes with:

A meaty multi-session campaign for 2 players that pivots and turns based on the results of the last session
10 Premium Quality Pre-Painted Miniatures each with TWO ways to play for beginner or advanced play
20 Character Cards
18 Object, Terrain, and Bystander tokens
6 Double-Sided Thick Map Tiles. No folds!
2 Custom Wonder Woman six-sided dice
2 All-new Powers and Abilities Cards with Wonder Woman imagery
1 All-New Full-Color HeroClix Core Rulebook (2021 edition)

The Wonder Woman Starter set goes for $39.99 MSRP, but you can get pick it up for $19.79 at Macy’s or $18.50 at Walmart.

2024 Starter Sets

If you’re trying to go to locals or tournaments, your best bet is to pick up one of the two starter sets for 2024: Marvel or DC. Both kits retail at $39.99 and will have mostly everything you need to get started. The map isn’t tournament legal. Both kits come with:

4 Premium Painted Figures
8 Character Cards
8 Map Tiles
2 All-New Dice
2 Token Sheets
1 Powers and Abilities Card
1 Starter Rulebook

Marvel Starter Set 2024

The Marvel Starter set comes with Iron Man, Captain Marvel, Spider-Man and Black Panther. I love the Spideman mini, but you can’t go wrong with the kit. Always support your LGS, but you can pick up the Marvel starter sets from

Wizkids ($39.99)
Walmart ($36.45)
Amazon (39.99)

DC Starter Set

The DC Starter Set comes with Batman, Wonder Woman, Superman and Harley Quinn. Check with your LGS to see if they carry Heroclix, but you can get them online from:

Walmart ($38.99)
Amazon ($38.99)

Board Games and TCGs

Build your miniature collection with Skinny Minis’ Black Friday sale

November 23, 2023 josechurape Leave a comment

Black Friday is creeping up on us, so let’s keep looking at more RPG deals to get us ready for the new year. If you need minis for your next campaign, now is the best time to pick up your collection of Skinny Minis. Skinny Minis are acrylic miniatures that not only look cool but store easily. I don’t play IRL, but I’ve been looking longingly at Skini Minis for a while. I don’t have much space to store 3D minis, so Skini Mini offers a solid solution to a problem I wish to have one day.

If you want to elevate your game or build your collection of miniatures, adventures, and maps, you need to get on this Year End Bundle. The bundle is normally $609.10, but for only $180 you get 14 adventures, 24 battle maps, 296 Skinny Minis, and more!

If you enjoy these updates, please leave a like, comment, follow, and share this with your friends. I am not affiliated with Skini Minis, I just think the deal was too good to pass up.

14 Adventures

24 Encounter Maps

296 Skinny Minis

3D Terrain Pieces

Other Notable Deals:

Year End Bundle Group A $105 (Normally $354.45)

Year End Bundle Group B $75 (Normally $254.65)

Game Master’s Starter Bundle $84 (Normally 111.95)

Dungeon Terrain 2 $19.95 (Normally 23.95)

Lovecraftian Horrors $19.95 (Normally $23.95)

Giants $19.95 (Normally $23.95)

Spell Effects 1 $19.95 (Normally $23.95)

Board Games and TCGs, video game reviews

Tanares Adventures – Ultimate Edition is coming to Kickstarter June 27th and it is going to be the biggest dungeon crawler ever!

June 17, 2023 josechurape 2 Comments

If you have been enjoying my content and want to support what I do make sure you like, comment, subscribe, and share this with your friends. You can also buy me a coffee

Tanares Adventures returns to Kickstarter on June 27th with some much-needed improvements and more minis than you can handle. If you are looking for a dungeon crawler to get into or simply looking to upgrade the copy you already own, go follow the Kickstarter.

Tanares Adventures is a tabletop dungeon crawler that promises hundreds of hours of gameplay through its many quests, choices, and battles. The game is designed for up to eight players, with solo play in mind for those like me who don’t have eight friends. Players control two four-member teams as they go on an epic adventure and meet at the end. The choices you make matter, so make them wisely.

The combat is unique and interesting. Each hero has a unique stat block and access to certain abilities. Gear cards will give heroes access to additional abilities that will recharge after certain conditions are met. There is a level-up system to get you through your adventure. Combat is done by rolling dice and playing ability cards. Enemies have a seemingly well-designed AI, but I would to test it for myself to confirm. The game encourages teamwork and strategy through its many configurations, choices, and skills.

If you a more in-depth explanation of how to play the game and how combat works, check out The Meeple Marathon video on how to play. He does a fantastic job at breaking down the rules and explaining the game in a way that is easy to understand. Make sure you go follow him for some excellent board game content.

What drew me to this game were its minis, but after seeing some of the gameplay, I am interested either way. This game looks perfect for those who want to dive into another adventure, but don’t want to be bogged down by complicated rules. From what I saw Tanares Adventures seems easy to pick up, set up, and play.

If you want to buy the base game with the minis, you will have to back the game at $189. This gets you 100 minis, inserts to store them in, and all the maps and components you need to get started. The more money you throw into this game, the prettier your game will be. Higher tiers will have access to more minis and storage solutions. But if you only care about the gameplay, you can back the project at $129 to get the Standee Edition. The standee edition gets all the maps and core components, and access to stretch goals, but will receive cardboard standees instead of the minis. There are also some upgrade packages available for those of you who already bought the game.

Tanares Adventures looks might be worth looking into if you are in the market for a new dungeon crawler. The art is beautiful, the concept is interesting, and the minis are amazing. I can see myself using the maps and minis for my D&D campaign. Whatever your interest in this game may be, make sure you follow the Kickstarter so you know when it goes live. Backers who pledge at least $89 on the first day will receive a really cool dragon mini as a special gift.

Gaming News and Review

Exit mobile version

%%footer%%