15 Common Mistakes New D&D Players Make When Buying Miniatures
Starting a Dungeons & Dragons miniature collection is one of the most exciting parts of entering the hobby.
You begin imagining your adventuring party:
- The legendary fighter charging into battle
- The mysterious wizard casting powerful spells
- The terrifying dragon waiting at the end of the dungeon
- The monsters hiding around every corner
However, many new players make the same mistakes when buying their first miniatures.
They buy too many too quickly, choose models they never use, overlook important details or spend money in the wrong places.
The good news?
These mistakes are easy to avoid.
Whether you're building your first D&D collection, preparing your first campaign as a Dungeon Master or looking for your perfect character miniature, this guide will help you make smarter choices.
Just Re-Roll creates detailed tabletop miniatures designed for gamers, collectors and hobbyists, with models produced using high-detail printing materials suitable for painting and tabletop use.
Mistake 1: Buying Too Many Miniatures Too Quickly
One of the biggest mistakes beginners make is trying to build an entire collection immediately.
It is easy to see hundreds of amazing fantasy miniatures online and think:
"I need all of these."
But a large collection takes time.
Instead of buying dozens of random models, start with miniatures you know you will use.
A great beginner collection might include:
✅ Your own player character
✅ Your party members
✅ A few common enemies
✅ One impressive boss monster
This gives you everything needed for many adventures.
Remember:
A collection of 10 useful miniatures is better than 100 models sitting unused.
Mistake 2: Buying Miniatures Without Knowing Their Purpose
Before buying a miniature, ask:
"What role does this model have?"
Are you buying it for:
- Your own character?
- A Dungeon Master collection?
- Painting practice?
- Display?
- A specific campaign?
A fighter miniature, for example, might be perfect if you are playing a warrior character.
A giant monster might look amazing, but if you never run high-level encounters, it may sit unused.
Think about how the miniature fits into your adventures.
Mistake 3: Choosing Looks Over Usefulness
A miniature can look incredible and still not be practical.
Some new collectors buy only the biggest or most impressive models.
While a huge dragon or monster looks amazing, smaller creatures often get used much more frequently.
Useful beginner purchases include:
Goblins
Perfect for early adventures.
Skeletons
Great for:
- Ruins
- Tombs
- Necromancer campaigns
Wolves
Useful for:
- Wilderness encounters
- Animal companions
- Random battles
Bandits
Perfect for low-level adventures.
Build your foundations first, then add the centrepiece models.
Mistake 4: Not Buying a Miniature for Your Own Character
Your character is the heart of your adventure.
Many beginners focus entirely on monsters and forget the most important miniature:
Your hero.
Your character miniature represents:
- Your choices
- Your personality
- Your story
- Your adventures
Whether you play a wizard, fighter, rogue, ranger or sorcerer, having a miniature that represents your character makes every session more immersive.
Just Re-Roll offers a range of fantasy character miniatures including detailed heroes designed for tabletop campaigns.
Mistake 5: Ignoring Scale
Miniature scale is extremely important.
D&D miniatures are usually designed around tabletop gaming scales, but not every miniature collection uses the same measurements.
Before purchasing, check:
- Base size
- Character height
- Monster size
- Compatibility with your existing collection
A huge creature miniature can look impressive, but make sure it fits your gaming setup.
Mistake 6: Thinking More Expensive Always Means Better
Price is not always an indicator of quality.
A more expensive miniature may simply be:
- Larger
- More complex
- A collector piece
The important things to look for are:
- Detail quality
- Printing quality
- Design
- Material
- Reviews
- Purpose
A simple character miniature with excellent detail may provide more enjoyment than an expensive model you never use.
Mistake 7: Not Understanding Resin Miniatures
Many beginners are unfamiliar with resin miniatures.
Resin has become extremely popular because it allows creators to produce highly detailed models with:
- Sharp features
- Intricate designs
- Detailed textures
- Unique characters
Just Re-Roll uses high-detail printing materials designed to capture fine textures and sharp features, while ensuring models are suitable for priming and painting.
However, resin miniatures should still be treated with care because detailed parts such as weapons, wings and accessories can be delicate.
Mistake 8: Buying Only Heroes
A common mistake is creating a collection full of adventurers but having no enemies.
A great D&D game needs both sides.
After buying your character miniature, consider adding:
- Goblins
- Orcs
- Skeletons
- Zombies
- Monsters
- Boss creatures
A balanced collection gives you far more options.
Mistake 9: Forgetting About Painting
Many beginners buy miniatures without considering whether they want to paint them.
Ask yourself:
Do you want:
Ready-to-use models?
Great for immediate gameplay.
Painting projects?
Perfect if you enjoy creativity and customisation.
Many hobbyists enjoy buying unpainted resin miniatures because they can create their own colour schemes.
Just Re-Roll supplies models ready for hobbyists who want to prime and paint their miniatures themselves.
Mistake 10: Buying a Miniature That Doesn't Match Your Character
Your character's appearance matters.
Before buying, think about:
- Class
- Race
- Equipment
- Personality
- Backstory
A barbarian should feel powerful.
A wizard should feel magical.
A rogue should feel mysterious.
The miniature should tell the story of the character.
Mistake 11: Ignoring Custom Miniatures
Sometimes the perfect miniature doesn't exist.
Maybe your character has:
- A unique weapon
- Special armour
- A specific appearance
- A memorable campaign design
This is where custom miniatures become valuable.
Just Re-Roll offers custom orders for personalised and bespoke 3D printed models, allowing players to request unique designs and modifications.
A custom miniature can become one of the most memorable pieces in your collection.
Mistake 12: Buying Only Large Monsters
Large monsters are exciting.
A dragon arriving on the table creates an incredible moment.
However, beginners sometimes buy only huge creatures and forget everyday encounters.
A Dungeon Master will usually use:
- Smaller enemies
- NPCs
- Creatures
- Basic monsters
far more often than legendary bosses.
A balanced collection always wins.
Mistake 13: Not Considering Storage
Miniatures need somewhere safe to live.
Especially detailed resin models.
Good storage helps prevent:
- Broken weapons
- Damaged details
- Dust build-up
Consider:
- Storage boxes
- Foam inserts
- Display cabinets
- Organised containers
Looking after your collection means enjoying it for years.
Mistake 14: Expecting Your First Miniature to Be Perfect
Many beginners buy their first miniature and expect professional results.
Remember:
Every great miniature painter started somewhere.
Your first model teaches you:
- Brush control
- Colour choices
- Techniques
- Patience
The goal isn't perfection.
The goal is improvement.
Mistake 15: Not Building a Collection Around Your Adventures
The best miniature collections tell a story.
Instead of buying randomly, build around your campaigns.
Running a forest adventure?
Collect:
- Rangers
- Wolves
- Beasts
- Druids
Running an undead campaign?
Collect:
- Skeletons
- Zombies
- Necromancers
Running a dragon adventure?
Collect:
- Knights
- Dragons
- Treasure
- Cultists
Your collection becomes connected to your own adventures.
The Best Way to Start Your First D&D Miniature Collection
If you are completely new, start with:
Starter Collection
1 Player Character
Your hero.
5–10 Common Enemies
Useful monsters.
1 Boss Monster
A memorable encounter.
2–3 NPCs
Characters to bring your world alive.
This gives you enough variety without overspending.
Recommended Beginner Miniature Collection
A great first collection could include:
⚔️ Fighter or Warrior
🧙 Wizard or Sorcerer
🗡️ Rogue
💀 Skeletons
🧟 Zombies
👹 Goblins
🐺 Wolves
🐉 Dragon or Boss Monster
This gives you everything needed for many fantasy adventures.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many D&D miniatures should a beginner buy?
Start small. Around 10–15 useful miniatures is enough to begin many campaigns.
Are resin miniatures good for beginners?
Yes. Resin miniatures are popular because they offer excellent detail and are ideal for painting and tabletop gaming.
Should I buy painted or unpainted miniatures?
It depends on your preference. Painted models are ready immediately, while unpainted miniatures allow full creativity.
What is the first D&D miniature I should buy?
Your own character miniature is usually the best first purchase because it becomes part of your personal adventure story.
Start Building Your D&D Collection With Just Re-Roll
A great miniature collection is not about owning the most models.
It is about owning the right ones.
The hero who survived impossible battles.
The monster your party still talks about.
The villain that changed your campaign forever.
Just Re-Roll creates detailed tabletop miniatures for players, collectors and Dungeon Masters who want to bring fantasy worlds to life.
Explore:
Start your collection, paint your characters and create your next adventure.
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