Miniature painting is often viewed as a solitary hobby, a quiet pursuit undertaken at a desk late at night. However, it is also a fantastic, focused activity for small groups, offering a blend of artistic expression, social interaction, and shared accomplishment. While mainstream games dominate the spotlight, there is a wealth of “underrated” miniature ranges and games that are perfect for smaller, more intimate gatherings. These choices offer unique, often faster-painting models that allow for a complete, rewarding experience in a single session. Charming and Quirky Tabletop Experiences
For a group looking for something lighthearted, Wyrd Games’ Malifaux is frequently overlooked in favor of larger skirmish games. The models are highly detailed, often possessing a distinct, Gothic, or steampunk aesthetic that makes them rewarding to paint, yet they are smaller in force size, allowing for quicker painting projects. The sheer variety in the sculpts means everyone in the group can find a thematic match for their personal style, from Victorian-era cowboys to magical constructs. Another fantastic option is Bushido by GCT Studios. This samurai-fantasy game offers exquisite, small-scale models deeply rooted in Asian mythology. The models are small, often requiring detailed work on fabrics and armor, making them perfect for painters looking to hone their skills in a relaxed setting.
For a whimsical, low-pressure painting experience, Burrows & Badgers by Oathsworn Miniatures is an underrated gem. Featuring anthropomorphic animals in a gritty, medieval setting, these models are packed with character and are generally easy to paint, allowing for rapid progress. The small number of models required per person makes it perfect for a “paint and take” night. Similarly, Moonstone by Goblin King Games offers an Alice in Wonderland-inspired fantasy world with whimsical, artistic sculpts that encourage creative, vibrant color schemes. These models are larger in scale but few in number, allowing painters to focus on high-detail techniques without being overwhelmed by a large army. Atmospheric and Niche Miniature Ranges
If your group prefers dark, atmospheric themes, Morkborg-inspired, grimdark miniatures are a fantastic, albeit unconventional, choice. Many boutique companies offer dark fantasy figures that don’t belong to a major game system, encouraging creativity in painting skin tones, rust effects, and unconventional color palettes. For a more scientific, yet still intimate experience, Infinity by Corvus Belli offers exceptionally detailed, sci-fi miniatures. While some find the high level of detail intimidating, it is perfect for a small group session where members can share tips on fine-line painting, shading, and highlighting small components. The futuristic aesthetic allows for bold experimentation with metallic and neon paints.
For those who love historical or pseudo-historical settings, Frostgrave, while popular, has a massive, underrated, and diverse range of wizards, apprentices, and cultists that are fantastic for quick painting, especially in a small group. Their versatility means you can paint them for fantasy games or turn them into narrative characters. For a completely different, fast-paced, and highly detailed range, consider Star Wars: Legion miniatures. While a major IP, the infantry models are often overlooked for the larger vehicles, yet they provide excellent, quick painting opportunities that look stunning with basic techniques like dry-brushing and washes, ideal for a social, group painting session. Skirmish Systems and Smaller Scale Adventures
Rumbleslam by TTCombat is an incredibly fun and underrated wrestling game. The miniatures are colorful, exaggerated, and fun to paint, often allowing for vibrant, characterful, and quick paint jobs that can be finished in a short session. It’s a great way to explore bold colors and highlight techniques. On the other hand, Dracula’s America, a Weird West skirmish game from Osprey Games, provides a fantastic, dark, and thematic range of figures. The small-scale skirmish means players can focus on creating highly personalized, atmospheric models like vampires, gunfighters, and creatures of the night.
Finally, for a fantastic fantasy skirmish game that doesn’t get enough attention, Oathmark by Osprey Games provides high-quality, plastic kits that allow for a lot of customization, encouraging a shared painting experience where members can swap parts and brainstorm themes. Another underrated gem is The Drowned Earth, a pulp-adventure game with stunning, detailed miniatures, often featuring unique, colorful, and highly imaginative creature designs that are a joy to paint in a small, focused group setting.
These twelve underrated miniature painting options offer a fantastic, intimate, and creative outlet for small groups. By focusing on smaller, highly detailed, or thematic ranges, painters can enjoy the social aspect of the hobby without the pressure of a massive army. From the whimsical animals of Burrows & Badgers to the gritty, detailed sci-fi of Infinity, these choices provide a perfect, rewarding experience for painters of all skill levels, turning a simple, quiet activity into a memorable, creative, and social, shared adventure.
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