Product Review - Monster Lab Miniatures

I was recently contacted by a gentleman called Matt Ochs from a company called Monster Lab Miniatures...

...who apparently does a fine line in bases that he claimed were perfect for Malifaux, Warmachine and other systems as both model bases and scheme markers of various kinds. Lets see if he was right...

I received six bags of bases covering a number of types. There were 'Corpse', 'Crystal', 'Wreck' and 'Scrap' Markers in 30mm and 'Wreck' markers in both 40mm and 50mm versions. The ones in the brighter white material are made from a newer material that apparently holds detail better but to be honest I had no issues with any of them and did no clean-up on them at all for the pictures.

First lets have a closer look at the 'markers' though it's worth pointing out that many of these have plenty of room to put a model on them so it's probably more accurate to call them bases that can be used as markers rather than the opposite. The detail is excellent on all the ones I received but we'll look at each type in turn so you can make your own decisions...All the painted pictures are courtesy of Monster Lab Miniatures should you wish to take advantage of the companies painting or modelling services.

On with the review then...

Crystal Markers.

These 30mm bases are perfect as scheme markers for a Rasputina crew if painted as ice and for any Arcanist or similar magic user if painted in brighter colours. All the Rasputina players should also immediately start nagging him to produce 50mm versions for use as ice pillar markers....

Corpse Markers.

These are excellent both as markers and as bases and are easily comparable in quality to the Secret Weapon Miniature ones that many people use for the same purpose though these are more 'bones in the sand' than 'field of corpses' so are more likely to match the basing material (sand) that is more commonly used by most hobbyists. These are generic enough to work with virtually any model you care to think of...

Scrap Markers.

These (like the 'Corpse' ones) work both as markers and bases and are particularly suited for those Malifaux masters with a Steampunk Vibe. They would also work with many of the Warmachine forces as well as models from other similarly styled product ranges.

Scheme Markers.

With themes including treasure chests, tool boxes, sacks, dynamite and others these 30mm bases are ideal as Malifaux scheme markers and as bases for certain models. The dynamite one (for example) would be perfect for Papa Loco and the tool chest would suit several of the more mechanically inclined masters and henchmen...

Some close-ups...they are purchasable individually should you wish multiples of a particular one.

Before we move onto the 'Wreck' markers lets have a look at some of the above bases with some painted models on them just to give you an idea of the viability of doing so...

Now lets look at the 'Wreck' Markers.

40mm Wreck Markers.

These will work fine both with and without models on them as either indicators that some-things been destroyed or as an appropriate base for a model, I particularly like the crater one and I may use these for my Mutant Chronicles Warzone Resurrection 'Necromutant Squad Leaders'. I always find it fun to paint wreckage in the colours of my most regular opponents armies, lol.

50mm Wreck Markers.

As with the 40mm ones these will be perfect for both larger destroyed models and as scenic bases and are packed with detail. These are obviously ideal for Warmachine though they are also a good match for Malifaux and any number of other systems in the 'steam/diesel-punk genres'...

...and here's some pictures of the bases with painted models on them...

The all important cost bit...
They retail for between $5 and $6 a pack depending on whether you wish 5x30mm, 3x40mm or 2x50mm of the types above. They're also available individually at a $1 each (ish) should you want multiples of a single type for the sake of a particular theme. Shipping is based on location so you locals in the United States are going to get them for about $4 extra P&P but it'll cost me in the UK $8.50. Even with the postage costs the price per base is very reasonable indeed for the quality of product your receiving.

As I mentioned earlier the company also does both painting and custom modelling jobs as well as their base sales and their website has many stunning examples of their own projects and that aforementioned website can be found here.

Thoughts and comments are (as usual) most welcome.