Keep in mind this article concerns free paper miniatures and models and such that can be printed out on paper or cardstock, cut out and folded and glued. Also quite popular are molded and otherwise non-paper things like board game pieces and wargame miniatures, coins, dice, as well as frugal improvised stand-ins such as children’s toys, plastic animals, etc. – but those things all cost money, from a fairly small amount to what some people consider absolutely ridiculously overpriced for tiny metal figurines – we are instead focusing on representations that are practically free, but for the cost of the preparation itself: paper, scissors, glue, crayons or markers, photocopies or computer and printer, etc. These are much like school crafts and can be something the whole family or group can join in on, allowing you to amass a large selection of usable paper pieces, possibly even with each person’s own unique characters and approaches.
Even if you’re a player or GM who doesn’t do a whole lot with tabletop figures, minis and tactics and such, the world of free (and commercial) paper miniatures and models can be an incredible resource, whether used in game or simply studied and skimmed through to give you some sort of concrete visual idea of what a “tavern” or “inn” looks like and how best to describe it, and inspire new ideas, etc. Also, although this article mainly addresses fairly standard fantasy game tropes, free (and commercial) minis and models are available for just about any genre: westerns, sci-fi, horror, modern, superhero, pulp, action, etc.
Paper miniatures are usually of people, animals, NPCs and monsters and other living creatures, and fairly simple vertical (standing up) ,flat (though sometimes triangular or pyrimidal) bits of strong cardstock or paper, decorated with pictures of adventurers, monsters, etc., sitting in a supporting base, usually also paper or cardstock though some people use other materials or objects for bases.
Minis are useful for representing player-characters and everyone and everything else they encounter, and can help keep track of where everyone is in relation to everyone and everything else, in a significant area or encounter or dungeon, combat being one of the most common situations where miniatures are brought out.
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