Orcs

In describing Orcs, there are three pseudo-categories that emerge among the minis. First is the horde Orcs. That is made up of droves of Orc Savage, handfuls of Orc Raider, and one each of Orc Wizard and Orc Wolf Shaman. Those don’t seem well equipped, trained, or organized, but a horde rarely needs such beneficial features. For a bit of added shock, have a few Mountain Orc minis mixed into the horde.

Second is the militarized Orcs. That is made up of handfuls of Orc Speafighter, triples or pairs of Orc Warrior, and a squad of Orc Archer. A pair or single Orc Berserker finishes that group. Use an Orc Sergeant or two for leadership. This group looks better prepared to lead raids into settled lands; they look prepared to defend against the horde too.

Third is the civilized Orcs. This is those that live among other settled races. Keep Howling Orc, Orc Mauler and Cleric of Kord in the collection for PCs or unique NPCs.

Drow

I like the Drow minis. I’m not fond of Drow lore, but the minis representing the dark, evil race make up a substantial portion of my collection. If you really play the Drow close to the written description, they’ll need iron-fisted leadership from Drow Sergeant and Spiderbound Drow Warrior minis. Provide a team of Drow Fighter and Drow Archer squads to support an infiltration mission to the surface. For scouting missions within the Underdark, take a patrol of Drow Blademaster minis controlled by Lolth’s Sting or Drow Adventurer. Have a group of Drow Spiderguard for city enforcers and support to Drow Wizard or Drow Wand Mage. Lastly, fill in the remaining gaps with Drow Rogue and Drow Assassin. Any of these minis can serve as a functional PC mini as needed.

Gnolls

The best feature of Gnolls (with respect to minis) is the small, varied selection. I keep a small, purpose-built team of Gnolls. The leadership comes from Gnoll; see, easy. The bruisers are Gnoll; the minions are Gnoll Marauder. If a backup squad is needed, count on Gnoll Archer. It doesn’t have to be largely varied to create a good collection of minis. Grab enough of any to make the raiding band of your own making.

Goblins

In describing Goblin minis, I better start with the oddballs before delving into the collections. For a group of green-skinned goblins, I recommend handfuls of Goblin Sharpshooter and Goblin Cutter; this will do the job without looking oafish to players.

I follow this up with the red-skinned goblins for militant, organized pairs of Goblin Underboss leading hordes of Silent Wolf Goblin squads. These are oddballs, but only slightly, at least they are not as oddball as Goblin Picador, which I recommend in large numbers (I don’t play them as smart and vicious as other Goblins).

For Goblins touched by unseelie fey, I use Goblin Blackblade, Goblin Sneak, and Goblin Skirmisher. That makes up a largely ranged encounter group unless you gather more blackblades than others.

Goblin Adept works as a shamanic figure in their society, but what is best is the support of Graypeak Goblin Archer, Goblin Warrior, and Goblin Runner to provide protective support and meat shields. Make sure to keep a ratio of about 1 adept to 4 other goblins for best results—better odds come when the ratio is 1 to 8.

Lastly, for a strong, martial Goblin force, call on Acheron Goblin in organized teams or intermixed with other groups to hack away adventurers.

Kobolds

I have to recommend Kobolds by the handfuls also. I’ll begin with the select green-skinned Kobolds. Start with a strong patrol of Kobold Slinger with a team of Kobold Soldier intermixed. Place a Kobold Wyrmpriest behind them and roll out an excellent warband of Kobolds.

If you’d prefer for adventurers to deal with cavernous Kobolds, try the following collection. Gather a pair of Kobold Trapmaker; support those with two teams of Kobold Warrior. For the fast-moving, strikers, use a handful of Flamescorched Kobold moving under cover fire from a team of Kobold Archer. That’s something to be afraid of.

For the truly elite, collect a patrol of Kobold Skirmisher mixed with Kobold Champion pairs or triples. Give them a Kobold Sorcerer or two who they ought to protect. That mix will create a potent team of minis that can handle melee, ranged, and magic attacks.

If you really want to give Kobolds a more climactic ending, look for a favorite dragon to use as their patron.

Yaun-Ti

I know these are not the most popular, but they make for good adventure villains. The Yuan-ti Swiftscale is the common soldier, sentry, and slave for the collection; have more than a handful, but maybe not a patrol. Use the Yuan-ti Halfblood as the main stock of elite fighting troops; the minis display both a ranged and melee weapon. Keep at least 3 on-hand, but I suggest more. Follow the elites with a pair of Yuan-ti Pureblood; these ought to put up a grand fight for a team of adventurers. I feel 2 is enough, but I wouldn’t be unhappy if I had more myself; decide how many you want. Finally, make a centerpiece of Yuan-ti Halfblood Sorcerer; it is great as a central villain if the support of other forces can protect and serve.

Lizardfolk

I have to admit the only true Lizardfolk mini I like (but don’t own) is Lizardfolk. I use Troglodytes to represent the Lizardfolk in my campaigns. Troglodyte Barbarian is the common stock and not much trained; they are born in clutches of twenty-ish, so they can be sacrificed to warfare. The Troglodyte mini is a more elite warrior fit to handle weapons and receive training. A good patrol of these bruisers will accompany the mini-horde of the common soldier. With a pair of Cleric of Laogzed to provide order and direction from their twisted deity, the Lizardfolk are prepared to throw themselves into war against inconceivable odds.

Elementals

While I’m dubious about how melee and ranged weapons have effect on elemental manifestations, I don’t question having a good collection of these minis. I like my triplets of Medium Fire Elemental, Medium Air Elemental, and Medium Water Elemental. It gives me plenty to toss into a fight where elementals are needed. For a touch of overwhelming backup, I suggest singles of Large Fire Elemental, Large Air Elemental, Large Water Elemental, and Large Ice Elemental. I also strongly recommend Loyal Earth Elemental. If you really want a great deal, find a handful of Rockfire Dreadnought minis. I’m not a fan of the Archon minis presented during 4e.

Hobgoblins

Unfortunately, this race was given a rather one-dimensional culture as a martial caste. That means few minis to represent them. Try Hobgoblin Sergeant in droves as minions. Follow them with some brutish triples of Hobgoblin Warrior and pairs of Urthok the Vicious. For a bit of added depth, throw in a pair of Hobgoblin Marshal to round out the pack. Most could serve as a PC when appropriate.

(Un)Dead-Folk

The immense variety of undead must be categorized to better illustrate the options available. Just as a treat, keep in mind the Kobold Zombie. It isn’t really needed, but I’ve got a few. I look for places to use these creepy small minis.

For a rather benign undead spirit, have at least one Ghostly Consort. For protective spirits (good or evil) collect a squad of Sacred Watcher with a Cursed Spirit or Spectre (both if you don’t mind the space needed). For a rather wicked spirit, use Deathlock Wight. For general spirits, grab a few Shadow minis; they can pull double duty as several other creatures (like Blackguard Vice).

Among skeletons, there are loads to look at. Start with Skeletal Reaper or Direguard; one or the other will probably do. I’ve got both. I’m pleased with my pair of Wolf Skeleton minis and wish I had more. There is Skeletal Dwarf and Orc Skeleton which should be considered. I recommend a handful of either or both.

If you need armored skeletons, think about Skeleton, Skeleton, and Skeletal Legionnaire. If you need merely armed skeletons, consider Warrior Skeleton, Skeletal Archer, and Skeletal Tomb Guardian (this is a great buy regardless). A slightly more creepy collection would include Boneshard Skeleton and Burning Skeleton.

For more corporeal opponents, look for a few Warrior Wight. I’ve been pleased by and wish I had more of Karrnathi Zombie and Dread Warrior. With those, pick up a Deathlock for a central magic-user.

As a necessary evil, keep a handful of Ghast or Ghoul. Both work quite well as bodily undead.

Other

Duergar are offered in a small selection, but it may be worthwhile to grab pairs of both Duergar Guard and Duergar Cleric of Asmodeus. If you have any other Duergar to combine, it makes a reasonable team.

You could enjoy picking up a collection of Sahuagin Ranger and Sahuagin. These are fairly generic in appearance, so you can get away with a handful of each.

Every so often an adventure stoops to Myconid of various types. It feels confined, but two or three of these Myconid Guard can fill the niche.

I like my squad of Norker minis. They can serve a number of roles; my favorite use was as dragonspawn from a gray dragon.

Although these are not very important, the Witchknife minis can act as a number of useful small humanoids. Your mileage may vary, but I’ll still suggest at least a handful is worth the space they occupy.

I like to use Kuo-Toa Hunter minis in large patrols with a pair of Kuo-Toa Whip acting as some sort of frog-folk. Similarly, a few squads of Bullywug Guard and a pair of Bullywug Mud Lord make a good group of toad-folk. I have to admit: I haven’t actually used these minis much—only once. They aren’t well worth the cost and effort to collect, but look fun.

Pick up plenty of Kenku Sneak and Kenku Warrior. One or two Kenku Wing Mage should cover any needs for a battle. Those three minis in numbers will provide a good combat encounter. In a pinch, any serves as an excellent PC (if you’re allowing the race).

I like having a triplet of Ochre Jelly and a Yochlol Tempter to act as slimes, oozes, and molds. It isn’t quite as fear-inducing as a gelatinous cube, but serves its role.

Men

Among the minis, there is a plethora of human-like shapes and sizes. It is also pretty easy to use these minis as Half-Elf. In fact, there is a variety from barbaric to civilized. For some early-man savages, use Carrion Tribe Barbarian; as mankind gains power over steel, use Barbarian Mercenary and Human Bandit. A couple of either mini provides just enough; a handful makes a good looking team of minions. For a layer of leadership, grab a Human Thug.

As mankind develops, so too do the tools for combat. Use Free League Ranger to lead a troupe of Greycloak Ranger while Dragonmark Heir of Deneith and Everfrost Ranger lead the horde of Male Human Barbarian against the forces of Aasimar Favored Soul supported by Human Fighter pairs and Male Half-Elf Fighter/Warlock. That would easily create a strong force of combatants for adventurers to challenge.

If you only need some unique individuals for PCs, consider Kerwyn Human Rogue, Regdar Adventurer, Half-Elf Hexblade, Male Human Swordmage, and Cleric of Syreth. Each has a strong personality which seems to exude from the mini.

Monks

Players may find it hard to select the best mini for a monk. I help out with a limited selection of minis that really fit the bill better than others. The Half-Orc Monk serves well and can be doubled or tripled for extras in a group of monastic orcs or hobgoblins. The Scarlet Brotherhood Monk, Drunken Master, and Whirling Steel Monk fit the role of humanoid monk quite well.

Tiefling

For the Planescape in all of us, the Tieflings are represented by a fairly small number of minis. I don’t make much use of this race, but I’ve got one each of Tielfing Cleric of Asmodeus, Tiefling Rogue, Tiefling Warlock, Tiefling Warlord, and Tiefling Warlock (/Rogue). I wish I had a Tiefling Blademaster. With the small number available, I’m not sure I’d recommend multiples. Instead, use Legion Devil Legionnaire minis to fill out the group if you are looking for a band of Tieflings as a group. For a bit of variety, the Mephling Pyromancer can serve as a Halfling/Tiefling combo (and doesn’t look so unique it couldn’t be used in multiples.

Dwarves

I can’t say that I dislike Dwarves when reflecting on my collection of minis. I can say that it is a bit hard to select Dwarves in multiples; for the Dwarven host, consider Gold Dwarf Fighter, Dwarf Mercenary, and Anvil of Thunder. If you throw a number of Dwarf Axefighter and Dwarf Battlerager into that mix, it is a good representation of the Dwarves. However, it doesn’t hurt to grab some unique minis including Dwarf Phalanx Soldier, Dwarf Artificer, Dwarf Maulfighter, Cleric of Moradin, Male Dwarf Rogue, and Dwarf Beguiler.

Half-Orcs

You know some players will always want this half-breed for a PC. Keep a collection of some unique minis to provide the representation for them. The Half-Orc Paladin, Half-Orc Spy, Krusk Half-Orc Barbarian, and Half-Orc Fighter all provide an excellent option. For a special treat, pick up a Hobgoblin Impaler just in case. It can do a good job as a Half-Orc. Just in case you want a magic-using Half-Orc, I suggest having at least one Red Hand War Sorcerer to fit the need.

Fey-Folk

Elves and Eladrin minis can be used almost interchangeably without remorse. Look for a small batch of multiples among Elf Ranger, Elf Archer, Elf Warrior, Deepshadow Elf, and Elf Spearguard. These can stand in as PCs, but you could also have some command structure among the elves with Elf Stalker, Greenfang Druid, Female Elf Fighter, and Female Elf Druid. Pick up Elf Warmage and Female Eladrin Fighter to finish off the kit of fey-folk.

In contrast, a group of fey creatures may be needed to protect the deep forests and magic places. A good selection of protective humanoids can be found among a group of Nentyar Hunter and Satyr. For a bit less mythical in nature, try the Twig Blight and Will-o’-Wisp in small teams. In either group, collect a handful then mix as desired.

Little-Folk

The Halfling and Gnome minis can easily serve double duty for either race. To gather a selection of unique minis, try Cleric of Garl Glittergold, Lidda Halfling Rogue, Halfling Tombseeker, and Halfling Sneak. If you can imagine making groups of the little folk for combat encounters, try gathering multiples of Halfling Ranger, Halfling Wizard, Halfling Rogue, Gnome Fighter, Halfling Paladin, Halfling Veteran, Gnome Recruit, Male Gnome, and Halfling Brawler. Each of these can serve as PC or NPC just as expertly.

Magic-Folk

So, you’re looking to get a collection of generic magic-users? Well, that’s not hard. The selection is actually fairly good, but several wield a staff. For the fey or elven magi, offer Eladrin Pyromancer, Female Eladrin Wizard, Tomeound Arcanist, or Golden Wyvern Initiate. The Male Human Druid looks purpose built, but can serve other representations with some imagination. Male Human Invoker, Bonded Fire Summoner, Male Human Wizard, and Evoker’s Apprentice each do quite well as a general magic-user; the Sage or War Weaver gives a more specific look.

To offer a magic-user protection, I’d say that constructs are never a bad idea. Grab a few Helmed Horror with Iron Defender cohorts to arrange a protective barrier for any mage’s tower. If the magic-user is divine, swap for Protectar squads. As a last resort, the magic places might be protected by Animated Statue or Earth Element Gargoyle. Those work alone or in groups, but I suggest groups.

In contrast, there are some good minis for representing cult figures or dark magicians. Three work excellent as unique individuals, Snaktongue Cultist, Blood of Vol Cultist, and Cultist of the Dragon each have a strong presence. They might be used as PCs as needed. For generic supportive minions, try Doomdreamer crowds. If the summoning is in need of protective creatures from another plane, the Spined Devil is a great choice and looks fine in handful sized groups. To support them you could pull out a few Berbalang minis. If you feel there is need for numberless hordes, I suggest the Crazed Kuo-Toa in multiple handfuls (about 30).

Warforged

These constructs with sentience can really work well in any campaign. I’ll describe them as both combat troops and adventurers. Begin with a pair of Warforged Scout minis. In fact, you could collect more, but I think 2 about does it. These should be used as fast-moving, easily-hidden ankle-biters (almost like Halflings). Provide support with two teams of Warforged Fighter and Warforged Bodyguard. The fighters are more roguish while the bodyguards are more brutish. Provide for leadership with a pair of Warforged Captain. That will give you a good set-up for creating mixed combinations of Warforged to act as protagonists.

For players that like to use Warforged as a PC race, keep these excellent choices. A Warforged Wizard fits many magic-using classes. The Warforged Infiltrator fits a number of martial classes. Warforged Cleric lacks some of the heroic quality, but can fit some divine classes. With those three and the military force mentioned above, that will be enough to make loads of use from Warforged minis.

Soldiers and Guards

The excessive collection of humanoids leads to another split from the group to outline some great choices for soldiers and guardsmen. Some seem to work well together. Look at the Purple Dragon Knight with a squad of Soldier of Cormyr. Send that against the Zhent Champion and a squad of Zhent Soldier. Imagine a Skullcleave Warrior with support from a team of Human Town Guard and Sharn Redcloak facing off against the leadership of Inspiring Marshal and Captain of the Watch backed up with two Arcanix Guard and a handful of Caravan Guard.

If you only need some simple village militia folk, use several Greyhawk City Militia Sergeant with Dalelands Militia. Maybe the group is better trained and equipped, like the Human Crossbowman and City Guard. If the mercenaries are called in, use a group of Man-at-Arms (1) and Man-at-Arms (2).

For protective forces that are more stationary and highly equipped, use a handful of Merchant Guard, Axe Soldier, or Royal Guard. These minis can make fairly good PCs as needed. Lead them with Human Cleric of Bahamut for the appearance of a truly royal guard.

Female Dragonborn Rogue

This mini is among the rarely used favorites. I like it so much, despite that dragonborn aren’t optimized to serve as hand-crossbow rogues. This doesn’t often catch the attention of players in D&D Encounters, but I’ve used this mini in custom adventures to represent a polymorphed copper dragon to great success. It is a memorable mini that holds a personality well.

Tiefling Necromancer

While I’m not a fan of necromancy, this tiefling seems a better choice for a wizard, sorcerer, warlock, or witch than several other tielfings. I’ve found that every other D&D Encounters season seems to draw this mini out of the box—making it a rarely put away mini for my collection.

Emerald Orb Wizard

Oh, I like this mini so much. I like the pose, the colors, and the orb. I’m simply surprised that this rarely used mini gets no love from players. I’ve tried to encourage players to allow this mini to represent their wizard to no avail. It is strange to me, but players don’t seem interested in the black wizard.

Mercenary General

I’ve used this largely as an NPC in custom adventures, and on occasion as a PC for myself. I’ve found this rarely put away mini also stands among the rarely used minis for D&D Encounters players. The colorful character with a generic pose is a great mini, but doesn’t seem to garner attention from everyone.

Zhentarim Fighter

This mini is possibly the most rarely put away mini in my collection of humanoids. This has been used in each and every season of D&D Encounters and each and every custom adventure at least once. It has been a fighter, cleric, warlord, paladin, warden, battlemind, and a variety of NPCs. This might be representing the Zhentarim—a villain of the Forgotten Realms—yet the ambiguously generic appearance lends itself to a host of other personifications.

Changeling Rogue

Although the official rules of D&D Encounters would not allow a changeling in most seasons, our group typically allowed some leeway. As such, this became a rarely put away mini, since players found it was a good stand-in for vryloka, changeling, revenant, drow, and vampire. It wasn’t often, but enough that I rarely felt the need to put away this mini from season to season. It sure helps that the dark red coat and aggressive pose make it a good-looking mini.

Sharn Cutthroat

This has served as a quintessential rogue for most human, elf, half-elf, and eladrin PCs. This is a rarely put away mini which has been more than worthwhile over the years. I’ve never been quite as pleased with any other heroic mini.

Cleric of Sune

This is a break-out surprise for me. This seemingly seductive femme fatale has become a rarely put away mini among D&D Encounters players as well as being a PC from a custom adventure. This mini has great coloration and an excellent pose.

Halfling Enchanter

As one of my favorites, this rarely used mini is also a rarely put away mini. It sits in both camps largely because I found few players interested in a halfling or gnome. This did become the PC representation for my wife’s gnome sorcerer; however, in D&D Encounters no one seemed interested. In another custom adventure, this was a brief cameo NPC.

Dwarf Warsword

Only once have I seen a dwarf swordmage played with this mini. As a rarely used mini, I suppose I could live without it, but among the dwarves, I really like this mini. It does have a sprinkling of strong dwarven features, but otherwise seems to enjoy a personality which is more cosmopolitan, especially sporting a cloak which seems elven and a sword which seems human. I could be reading it wrong, but to me, this dwarf is distinctly well exposed to other cultures.

Dwarf Wizard

I do like this mini, but it is rarely used. In fact, its best use has been a cameo NPC role in a custom adventure. When I look back, it is a favorite, but I could have gone without and never felt the lack.

Dwarf Sniper

I love to see characters that extend beyond the stereotypes. In the dwarf sniper, there is a little bit of stereotype—a dwarf which tinkers with machines and optics comes to mind—and a little bit outside the stereotype—a dwarf wearing leather or hide, using a ranged weapon. This is a rarely used mini, yet in its most memorable usage, a player agreed to drop his trend of Eladrin Mages in favor of a Dwarf Slayer. With a bit of work, he and I created a Slayer that could focus on ranged basic attacks using a superior crossbow. He did have a battleaxe available as needed. It turned out great and the entire season of Lost Crown of Neverwinter was enhanced for the presence of our Heir of Delzoun sniper.

Bat Familiar

This isn’t a humanoid, but among the tiny minis which can serve as familiars, this is my favorite rarely used and rarely put away mini. It usually served a reskin role for pixies, falcons, pseudo-dragons, and the like. I once used it as a cameo NPC spot for a swordmage with alias, "The Blazing Bat."

Inspired by Hartlage's recent post of the most useful minis, I wanted to pay homage by writing a few posts about my favorite minis which are either rarely used, rarely put away, or both.

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My real favorites are the minis that are memorable to players time after time. These are the villains from my collection which I’d never use a generic mini to represent.

Yuan-Ti Malison Incanter

Nothing looks like a yuan-ti but a yuan-ti. And, nothing evokes the terror of a malison spellcaster. I’ve got to admit that this twice used mini might never be quite worth its original price, but I could never trade it. I’ll probably make another adventure with the yuan-ti for the future, and I couldn’t do it right without this mini. In my case, this rarely used mini is a highly recommended purchase if you plan to support it with other yuan-ti minis.

Deathpriest of Orcus

I’ve never taken a liking to undead as monsters, but I do love the death cults in D&D. Somehow, despite all the freedom offered in the game, an unwritten rule seems to exist which speaks to the vilest form of evil—death cults! I don’t know where it comes from, but nothing quite fills the role like the deathpriest of Orcus. I’d never run a proper death cult adventure without this mini. While rarely used, this is a mini to have.

Concord Illithid

I used the lovely concord illithid for a custom adventure which has to be among the most memorable campaign finishers ever. When I look back, it is easy to see how inexperienced I was as a DM in the ease which PCs experienced walking into the lair of an illithid and taking out two before this mini walked out. In fact, even then, it wasn’t enough to strengthen the forces arrayed against them, but it struck fear to see a few mindflayers with a leader. I’d never do mindflayers again without this mini. Though rarely used, this is a mini to have.

Howling Hag

In truth, I’ve used this mini for a variety of things. One aspect I love most is that I can reskin this as a witch, hag, fey troll, soothsayer, plague-changed magic-user, and once an oni. That is just the sort of lovely mini this happens to be. I’d never make an adventure that doesn’t pull out this evocative mini at least once. As a rarely put away mini, this is a mini to have.

Snig the Axe

When it comes to goblins, I love the lot of them. I’ve got plenty and I use them plenty. But, most of all I love Snig the Axe. I’ve used and reused this mini for just about every group of goblins I’ve placed in front of the heroes. Snig does a bit of double duty as a hero from time to time also. He’s been a stand-in for a barbarian, paladin, slayer, warlord, and cleric. None seem a perfectly goblin class, but Snig pulls it off beautifully. As a rarely put away mini, I would never trade this away.

Meepo Dragonlord

Where would the kobold race be without Meepo. I praise this mini as I praise Snig. It serves in every army of kobolds (which I use with frequency equal to that of goblins) and as a hero. Meepo has often been a paladin, sometimes a knight or fighter, a few times warlord, cleric, and warden. As a mini, this gets excellent usage both for and against adventurers. As a rarely put away mini, this is a favorite for sure.

Poison Dusk Lizardfolk

I don’t have but the one, yet this mini gets used alongside any lizardfolk (which is only slightly less often than kobolds or goblins). Though rarely used, I love this mini. The pose is great, the size is fine. I like the high-quality sword he wears. If there were some great rules for using lizardfolk as PCs, this is the one I’d always use. Among lizardfolk, he clearly exists as a stand-out star. I know lizardfolk ought to praise size and strength, but his cunning and skill appear to be more valuable assets. Though a rarely used mini, I’d choose this over many others.

I have a collection of beast minis that I love. Some get plenty of use and some get little use. These are the absolute favorites of mine, but are not the whole list of my best beasts.

Grick

Now, this is a fantastic mini. The grick seems like a semi-sentient worm or slug with a bit of squid-like danger. The tentacles reach out and pull meat toward the crushing beak! Who could not love that for a monster? There exist two grick mini renditions—the green and the blue. While the blue still evokes the shape and agility of the monster, it doesn’t seem to be the right color. The green mini is a far better mini for a powerful, muscular, flexible, rubbery, mindless predator. In the last adventure with a few gricks, I emphasized the distance from these hunting worms which the lizardfolk maintained before having them slither toward the heroes.

Ankheg

After mentioning the giant beetles, maybe the ankheg is a less impressive inclusion. I’m certain it is a less surprising inclusion. Yes, I love the ankheg just as much as the giant beetles. I only have one, so this often ats a bit like the tyrannosaur and giant beetle combined. I keep it mobile and tough. The hardened outer exoskeleton keeps the ankheg safe from adventurers a bit longer. I like this mini for looks too. I’m not an insect or arachnid fan, mind you. Still, the pose, coloration, and anatomy of the ankheg make for a statuesque monster.

Gray Render

I can’t forget my favorite tool for party chaos than a gray render. I’ve used a gray render in more than one custom adventure and always seen the party flee in terror as they see the render dismember a fellow. Right, I dismember PCs with the gray render. I never place a render that can’t attempt a Dismembering Bite at least once in a combat encounter. I find that dismemberment leads to fascinating decision trees for a player. You see, they like the PC enough to keep playing, but don’t want to go on missing a limb completely. They don’t feel an outright suicide would be warranted, but feel hesitant to bargain for a replacement prosthetic. In one instance this led to a Bard gaining a warlock’s pact with a powerful archfey all too glad to help. The result was a permanent Mage Hand enchanted to the stump left from the render’s bite. While I respect that the bullette is often nicknamed the ‘landshark,’ for me, the true shark’s-mouth, land-dweller is the gray render.

Displacer Serpent

When it comes to large snakes, the use of a deathstrike rattler is a pitiful match-up to the displacer serpent. Now, this comes best when you make use of a few tactics available to a displacer beast in addition to some neat tricks of a snake. I like this as a familiar to magic-users as much as I like it for an adversarial, semi-intelligent serpent placed inconveniently (for the adventurers) near the destination of an adventure. It doesn’t have to represent a snake which is hard to kill or chase off, but it makes a really nice looking mini for a great monster.

Fiendish Tyrannosaurus

Only a few times have I really placed this mini into an adventure as a drake for the adventurers to hunt, but those few times have been deeply rewarding as excellent sessions of crafty hunting, tracking, trapping, and fighting with an oversized beast. In fact, among my collections, there are very few minis (very few indeed) that rank larger than (or even as large as) this mini. I’ve borrowed the white dragon, Icingdeath, once and decided it was too large, but the fiendish tyrannosaur I never question. It is just the perfect size for its purpose every time.

Celestial Giant Stag Beetle

I can’t resist the giant beetle. Somehow the small-brained, simple instinct of insects evokes a dangerous critter when crossed with gigantism and adventurers. Although this resides among the rarely used minis, I certainly don’t forget that I’ve got three of these giant beetles when needed. On those occasions these minis came to the table, the players not only worried for their PCs, they also picked up the minis for a better look at their opponent.