First I want to say I don’t think there’s any right or wrong to plastic vs metal, one piece vs multi-part. I think it depends on the game system, the company producing them, and the individual mini. However, like everyone, I do have an opinion. 😉

I have just built and (mostly) painted my first 40K plastic box. I have to say they’re plastics are a lot better than they used to be. I started collecting GW LotR minis around the time the Two Towers came out in theaters, but stopped well before the Hobbit movies came out. That means I can see the drastic difference in quality from then to now.

First, regarding single piece vs multi-part. It’s a similar question that was asked more than a month ago…. do you prefer generic models or boutique? I understand what the guys were saying about having to know how to play in order to build some of the kits. There should be easier ways for players to get into the game, but most of us veterans really do want the choice of how to build. That’s what makes GW some of the best plastic kits out now.

I understand the appeal of the smaller bases and generic poses for something like Blood and Plunder, and other games where you have a lot of generic soldiers. I would still want something more ‘characterful’ and/or unique for commanders and heroes. The biggest issue for me is that one piece casts are, by necessity, flatter and less dynamic than multi-part. That’s independent of any issues regarding choice in building the figs mentioned above. A good example is what Steam Forged had to do to the Brewers and Masons to put them in the Kick Off! box as one piece plastics. They lost details, had to flatten poses, etc. I personally don’t enjoy painting minis with less detail, less dynamics, or less individuality.

It’s the same with the smaller bases. I understand why that works for Blood and Plunder. You want to put more units on a small space (the decks). However, the reason why a lot of the companies who produce prettier minis use larger bases is because it gives their sculptors more creative freedom. Corbus Belli is an example of that.

As for plastic vs metal, I’ve seen a lot of garbage metal minis over the years, and a lot of companies are still producing them. It’s one reason I’ve stayed away from a lot of historical games. By comparison, there are a lot of quality plastics out there now that simply weren’t available before. There are advantages to the plastics, such as how the glue fixes them, how they sit better at times and don’t break as badly from falls due to the lack of weight, They’re generally easier to store and carry, etc.

However, I play Guild Ball and Infinity, and I’ve just finished building a box of plastic Tau. My conclusion is that the best plastics I’ve worked with still don’t compare to the best metals. After working with the plastics I long to get back to my metal minis from Steam Forged and Corbus Belli! But I realize that is strictly from a painter’s perspective. I don’t mod a whole lot and it’s been years since I’ve played massive games like 40K. I’ve never played the historicals.

My only beef with what was said on the show about these things is that you lumped it all into one subject, when really, they are all different issues (parts when cast, choice in building, metal vs plastic).