The Inside Scoop on Gaming

There are a lot of miniature battle games on the market today. Many of these games feature high-quality miniatures that really make you want to paint them up and give the system a try. Trinity Battleground's line of 28mm metal miniatures fits nicely into this category. With a few exceptions, the figures in this line are sold in brown blister packages of two to five figures per pack. Some larger figures are sold separately.

Sculpted by the ubiquitous Bob Naismith, the Trinity figures released so far generally belong to one of two categories: Psions (the good guys), and Aberrants (the bad guys). Naismith has done a wonderful job at capturing the heroism and dynamism of the Psions, and the horrific and monstrous natures of the Aberrants.

The Psions can come from a number of different sub-groups: the Legion, the Ministry, the Aesculapians, etc. The models belonging to the Legion (the bulk of the Psions released thus far) are sculpted in a unified scheme of leather and combat armor, with a few subtle variations from model to model. It is in the little details where these figures shine. Leather straps, equipment pouches, holsters, and special equipment are all clearly defined and provide excellent surfaces for paitning. Many of the little extras sculpted onto the Legion Psions give each figure a sense of individuality that is in keeping with the skirmish scale of the game. For example, Alex McGowen's Spider Harness (WWP 09413) is a visually stunning piece of equipment which will get the model noticed from across any gaming table. The bio-mechanical arms of the Spider Harness seem to reach and grasp with an animation rarely seen in any line of figures.

Outside of the Legion, the other psionic orders are sparsely reperesented by a few two-packs of figures. The biggest standout of this group is Orgotek's Dr. Sager (WWP 09408), who looks as if he stepped from the pages of a Jack Kirby's Fourth World in his ESS battlesuit, hands in front of him, toying with electrical power at his command. Other notables include the Aesculapian's Holt (WWP 09407), equipped with a deadly Las-Gauntlet, and posed with left arm darting forward, ready to use it.

Looking like they stepped from out of some late-night sci-fi horror classic, the Aberrants ooze menace. Naismith obviously had a good time sculpting these figures. The Aberrants range from masses of muscle with pummeling pile-driver fists to lithe slivers of chitinous doom complete with pincers multiple, clawing legs. Gomorra (WWP 09416) is the most massive release of this lot, a fitting foe for any two Psions with his massive fists, single eye, and hulking armored form. He's so much miniature, he's sold by himself! Other favorites include Caul Fein (WWP 09418), a spiked, lithe fellow who looks as if he is risng from the earth, ready to take off and fly into his opponets with his barbed body.

Both Psions and Aberrants are cast from a lead-free pewter that though not as maleable as lead, is not impossible to work conversions with. On the whole there is little flash on the models, and mold lines clean up nicely with the proper file, although a few figures seem to have gouges or pits in certain spots along a shoulder or a leg. Some of the psion models lose a little detail in the hands, where the metal has moled the figures together in a "webbed" effect, but this is correctable with a good hobby knife, or if you prefer, a light black wash to create balck lines in the cracks and make the webbing less noticeable. All figures come with a plastic slotted base similar to Warzone or Warhammer 40,000, but a few are so large (Gresko-WWP 09420)that rebasing might be a good idea.

The price of the figures in this line is consistent with current market trends. Translation: they may seem expensive for some folks. At between $7.95 and $9.95 for a blister pack of two, this may seem to be the case, but Trinity Battleground really is a skirmish scale game. With the notable exception of Support Squads ($8.95 for 3-6 models), each model is a unique character, and engaging battles can be played with a mere four models per side. This does not work out to very much cash to lay out to get started, provided at least one person buys the boxed set containing the rules. Larger models sold singly can cost between $7.95 and $9.95, but these models are generally commanders or troops armed with a lot of gear.

One very innovative thing that all of the blister packs do include is a character card that provides all of the relevant game information on the miniatures right in the pack. A nice touch, and one of many in this line. Overall, the Trinity Battleground figures are a solid set of 28mm sci-fi models, and an excellent complement to the boxed game (which now retails for the introductory price of $29.95). Bob Naismith has done an excellent job in capturing the feel of the Trinity RPG for this excellent miniature battle game.

Style: 4 (Classy and well done)
Substance: 4 (Meaty)

Trinity Battleground Figures
Author: Bob Naismith (sculptor) Category: miniature Company/Publisher: White Wolf Game Studio Line: Trinity Battleground Cost: $5.95 - $9.95 Page count: n/a ISBN: n/a Playtest Review by Scott Pyle on 06/17/99. Genre tags: Science_fiction	There are a lot of miniature battle games on the market today. Many of these games feature high-quality miniatures that really make you want to paint them up and give the system a try. Trinity Battleground's line of 28mm metal miniatures fits nicely into this category. With a few exceptions, the figures in this line are sold in brown blister packages of two to five figures per pack. Some larger figures are sold separately. Sculpted by the ubiquitous Bob Naismith, the Trinity figures released so far generally belong to one of two categories: Psions (the good guys), and Aberrants (the bad guys). Naismith has done a wonderful job at capturing the heroism and dynamism of the Psions, and the horrific and monstrous natures of the Aberrants. The Psions can come from a number of different sub-groups: the Legion, the Ministry, the Aesculapians, etc. The models belonging to the Legion (the bulk of the Psions released thus far) are sculpted in a unified scheme of leather and combat armor, with a few subtle variations from model to model. It is in the little details where these figures shine. Leather straps, equipment pouches, holsters, and special equipment are all clearly defined and provide excellent surfaces for paitning. Many of the little extras sculpted onto the Legion Psions give each figure a sense of individuality that is in keeping with the skirmish scale of the game. For example, Alex McGowen's Spider Harness (WWP 09413) is a visually stunning piece of equipment which will get the model noticed from across any gaming table. The bio-mechanical arms of the Spider Harness seem to reach and grasp with an animation rarely seen in any line of figures. Outside of the Legion, the other psionic orders are sparsely reperesented by a few two-packs of figures. The biggest standout of this group is Orgotek's Dr. Sager (WWP 09408), who looks as if he stepped from the pages of a Jack Kirby's Fourth World in his ESS battlesuit, hands in front of him, toying with electrical power at his command. Other notables include the Aesculapian's Holt (WWP 09407), equipped with a deadly Las-Gauntlet, and posed with left arm darting forward, ready to use it. Looking like they stepped from out of some late-night sci-fi horror classic, the Aberrants ooze menace. Naismith obviously had a good time sculpting these figures. The Aberrants range from masses of muscle with pummeling pile-driver fists to lithe slivers of chitinous doom complete with pincers multiple, clawing legs. Gomorra (WWP 09416) is the most massive release of this lot, a fitting foe for any two Psions with his massive fists, single eye, and hulking armored form. He's so much miniature, he's sold by himself! Other favorites include Caul Fein (WWP 09418), a spiked, lithe fellow who looks as if he is risng from the earth, ready to take off and fly into his opponets with his barbed body. Both Psions and Aberrants are cast from a lead-free pewter that though not as maleable as lead, is not impossible to work conversions with. On the whole there is little flash on the models, and mold lines clean up nicely with the proper file, although a few figures seem to have gouges or pits in certain spots along a shoulder or a leg. Some of the psion models lose a little detail in the hands, where the metal has moled the figures together in a "webbed" effect, but this is correctable with a good hobby knife, or if you prefer, a light black wash to create balck lines in the cracks and make the webbing less noticeable. All figures come with a plastic slotted base similar to Warzone or Warhammer 40,000, but a few are so large (Gresko-WWP 09420)that rebasing might be a good idea. The price of the figures in this line is consistent with current market trends. Translation: they may seem expensive for some folks. At between $7.95 and $9.95 for a blister pack of two, this may seem to be the case, but Trinity Battleground really is a skirmish scale game. With the notable exception of Support Squads ($8.95 for 3-6 models), each model is a unique character, and engaging battles can be played with a mere four models per side. This does not work out to very much cash to lay out to get started, provided at least one person buys the boxed set containing the rules. Larger models sold singly can cost between $7.95 and $9.95, but these models are generally commanders or troops armed with a lot of gear. One very innovative thing that all of the blister packs do include is a character card that provides all of the relevant game information on the miniatures right in the pack. A nice touch, and one of many in this line. Overall, the Trinity Battleground figures are a solid set of 28mm sci-fi models, and an excellent complement to the boxed game (which now retails for the introductory price of $29.95). Bob Naismith has done an excellent job in capturing the feel of the Trinity RPG for this excellent miniature battle game. Style: 4 (Classy and well done) Substance: 4 (Meaty)

Trinity Battleground Figures