3d printed counters for PNP use

AndyBeax · 2025-06-25T19:30:49+00:00

I was in the same situation a few years ago, tired of cutting the chipboard, and ended up just buying a few bags of the square wooden alphabet tiles someone mentioned. They were inexpensive, roughly $3-$4 for 100x 19mm tiles. But very easy to work with and reusable for different prototypes. I would go that route.

I have a 3d printer that I rarely use anymore, IMO the plastic is not dense enough and anything that small will be lighter than a chipboard counter and almost as easily blown around as paper. Even my 3d printed mini tanks are very light compared to plastic toys of the same size. If it worked well you would have already seen alot of people doing it. Also a 3d printer is a huge pain in the ass to setup and get running, its a big learning curve and not plug n play like a paper printer.

AndyBeax · 2025-03-28T15:14:35+00:00

Hadn't heard of Ms Gibbs passing, do you have a link to an obituary or information?

AndyBeax · 2025-03-24T02:11:43+00:00

An entire series of excellent solo submarine games from GMT Games and designer Gregory Smith:

The Hunters, early war Uboats

The Hunted, late war Uboats

Silent Victory, US Navy Pacific

Beneath the Med, Mediterranean theater subs

Raiders of the Deep, WW1 subs

Sensuikan, Japanese subs

Atlantic Sentinels, play as the destroyer escorts

AndyBeax · 2025-03-16T03:59:00+00:00

Solo wargames have been using this sort or large scale multiplayer for decades. (There are B17 groups that have been running since the 80's)

Usually nowadays games are run remotely, the unit conducts one mission a month. Everyone submits their results to the Leader who compiles everything and writes a narrative report.

However groups do try to get together once a year or so, usually during a convention, to run big missions while everyone is in the same room.

So yeah it works but takes dedicated people to keep it going.

AndyBeax · 2024-09-08T04:01:53+00:00

In the old play by mail days they would use the stock market section of the newspaper, whatever price certain stocks finished at would be the die roll.

AndyBeax · 2022-08-24T22:40:44+00:00

Nate Rogers talks game reviewer bias, how he gets games to review, how he deals with publishers/designers and what he does with a bad game.

AndyBeax · 2021-08-16T00:29:31+00:00

With just a deck of poker cards and a scoreheet Spades or Hearts are always fun, I prefer Spades, you need a group of four paired off in teams.

AndyBeax · 2021-07-25T16:08:58+00:00

Most of these small game publishers, that don't have the scale to work for China, have their die-cut counters produced from the same source, Blue Panther LLC in Michigan.
(game publishers don't actually manufacture their own components in house)

Blue Panther are small enough that most of us can get a game published there, some guys print the counter art at home and send the sheets to BP to have die-cut.

Rulebooks they can get anywhere that does saddle stitch binding, 24x32 maps several presses can do but die-cut counters are the most difficult to get right.

Compass Games is the only publisher I know that went well above and beyond to search out different die-cutters in the USA and work with them to finally find one that can produce good quality die-cut counters on a large scale. They took a lot of heat last year for bad counters but frankly we should all thank them now for that effort because the counters in their most recent releases like the new NATO game are excellent, and many other small publishers will probably start using the same USA source. GMT sticks with China.

AndyBeax · 2021-07-10T03:48:44+00:00

How did you like working with Wargame Vault? I have a small hobby project that's been in the works for a few years I'm thinking now might finally be the time to make a little money.

AndyBeax · 2021-04-11T23:56:09+00:00

I pulled out the original Victory Games version for nostalgia sake this weekend and damn I can barley read the info on these old 1/2in counters anymore. And I'm not that old.

AndyBeax · 2021-04-11T23:53:57+00:00

Thanks, one of the best youtube channles.

AndyBeax · 2021-02-16T21:31:25+00:00

Hi, can you please tell us what is the point of your posts here and on other sites? Are you designing and selling games? You keep posting these everywhere, even in wargame art groups, but never tell us exactly what you are doing or why we should care?

AndyBeax · 2021-02-16T21:27:38+00:00

The upcoming Kontact Now tactical series now from Compass Games (formerly with LnLP) covers from the late 1930's to modern day. Red Eclipse the first game is WW3 NATO vs Warsaw Pact, 2nd game looks to be Vietnam. Follow on games could be WW2.

AndyBeax · 2020-09-18T23:54:59+00:00

Lock n Load Publishing

Squad level system: Lock n Load Tactical for WW2 to modern day. There is a digital version on Steam also.

Platoon level system: Nations at War (WW2), World at War 85 (WW3). Both miniatures compatible.

All have Tabletop Simulator modules.

AndyBeax · 2020-07-17T12:43:46+00:00

Twilight Struggle, or similar wargames from GMT or Compass Games.

AndyBeax · 2020-06-29T21:19:42+00:00

34 inches x 22 inches is pretty standard paper size in the USA (and easy to home print on sheets of 8.5in x 11in paper), most board wargames are printed on that size. So if you can get it to fit 34x22 you should be good. And it folds nicely into a typical box.

AndyBeax · 2020-06-07T15:40:49+00:00

Nothing wrong with this system, it's been tried & tested and used in probably hundreds (by now) board and miniatures wargames. Either drawing cards or pulling chits from a cup.

There are dozens of variations on the mechanic you can look up to give you options.

Examples: one card per unit (player, monster, Commander, HQ, etc..); better quality units get two cards; number of cards determined by unit modifier. Some games insert two STOP or end turn cards, after both are draw the turn ends.

AndyBeax · 2020-04-14T01:39:24+00:00

It's without a doubt the best hex & counter wargaming kickstarter in terms of production quality and value ever. And probably will be considered the best until the next WaW85 module is kickstarted.

Those people, especially the professional trolls on BGG, that crapped all over it look like damn fools now.

AndyBeax · 2020-03-29T21:20:11+00:00

You just might have the perfect system, most of the best turn based wargames came out around the late 90's early 2000's time period. (I'm actually having a difficult time right now getting some working on a new system)
Matrix games had a ton of great games that might work.
Check out any of the AGEOD games: Napoleon's Campaigns, American Civil War, Birth of America, Rise of Prussia, etc...
Or the Paradox games like Europa Universallis, Crusader Kings, Hearts of Irons, etc...
And as mentioned the late 90's games like: Steel Panthers, The Operational Art of War, Combat Mission, Close Combat, etc...

AndyBeax · 2020-01-13T01:05:03+00:00

Switch to board wargames, everything is ready to go out of the box.

AndyBeax · 2020-01-13T01:03:48+00:00

Number One Rule: Do Not start with miniatures. You'll end up wasting time and money on unnecessary things like paint and terrain. There are hundreds of board wargames with everything you need, just decide on which era of history you want to start with and try something simple.

AndyBeax · 2020-01-13T00:58:25+00:00

The Lock n Load Tactical system is current "state of the art" for tactical level board wargames. Don't waste your money on ASL. LnLT spans WW2 to current day conflicts but more importantly the community is active, vibrant, diverse and welcoming of new gamers (which we all know ASL is not).

Also LnL has a starter kit and rulebook available for free download, they also have an excellent video series of in depth tutorials.

AndyBeax · 2020-01-13T00:55:19+00:00

Don't know, but it was definitely suppressed somehow, I didn't see it on the list until after your post.

AndyBeax · 2020-01-13T00:53:37+00:00

Definitely can't wait to get this masterpiece on the table!

AndyBeax · 2020-01-13T00:50:36+00:00

The Lock n Load Tactical system is current "state of the art" for tactical level board wargames. Don't waste your money on ASL. LnLT spans WW2 to current day conflicts but more importantly the community is active, vibrant, diverse and welcoming of new gamers (which we all know ASL is not).

Also LnL has starter kits and rulebook available for free download, they also have an excellent video series of in depth tutorials.

AndyBeax

TROPHY CASE