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The Dungeons & Dragons Miniatures Game (DDM) is a collectible, skirmish tactical game played with pre-painted, plastic miniature figures based on characters and monsters from the Dungeons & Dragons games. Released in September of 2003 by Wizards of the Coast, which is owned by Hasbro, DDM is composed of loosely themed sets that are released roughly every 4 months.
All figures are designated as being a "common", "uncommon", or "rare" piece. This rarity determines the odds of obtaining each piece within a pre-packaged expansion pack or starter set. By making certain pieces of higher worth to be less available, DDM has a collectible component similar to collectible trading card games such as The Gathering (also published by Wizards of the Coast).
Unlike Dungeons & Dragons, the Dungeons & Dragons Miniatures Game is (usually) played by two opponents playing against each other. In order to allow rule adjudication without a Dungeon Master, the DDM rules are simplified from Dungeons & Dragons, with a few additional features unique to the skirmish game.
Wizards of the Coast also makes a Star Wars Miniatures Game, based upon their own Star Wars rules, which are similar to the rules of DDM, although simpler.
Sets
| Set Name | Release | Breakdown | Representative Figures |
| Harbinger | 9/2003 | 80 figures (starter set): 27R, 33U, 20C | Ogre, Umber Hulk, Human Blackguard, Drow Cleric of Lolth |
| Dragoneye | 12/2003 | 60 figures: 20R, 24U, 16C | Large Red Dragon, Eye of Gruumsh, Purple Dragon Knight |
| Archfiends | 3/2004 | 60 figures: 20R, 24U, 16C | Drizzt, Large Silver Dragon, Aspect of Orcus, Orc Champion |
| Giants of Legend | 6/2004 | 72 figures (huge set): 6RH, 6UH, 23R, 21U, 16C | Huge Gold Dragon, Mordenkainen the Mage, King Snurre, Treant |
| Aberrations | 10/2004 | 60 figures (starter set): 23R, 21U, 16C | Frenzied Berserker, Ryld Argith, Mind Flayer Telepath |
| Deathknell | 3/2005 | 60 figures: 24R, 24U, 12C | Beholder, Large Blue Dragon, Couatl, Dire Bear, Greenfang Druid |
| Angelfire | 6/2005 | 60 figures: 24R, 24U, 12C | Imp, Sword Archon, Efreeti, Trumpet Archon, Hezrou |
| Underdark | 11/2005 | 60 figures: 24R, 24U, 12C | Elminster, Iron Golem, Dark Naga, Balor, Marut |
| War Drums | 3/2006 | 60 figures (starter set): 23R, 21U, 16C | Chimera, Night Hag, Large Bronze Dragon |
| War of the Dragon Queen | 7/2006 | 60 figures: (huge set) 6RH, 6UH, 18R, 16U, 14C | Aspect of Tiamat, Dracolich, Nightmare, Meepo |
| Icons | 8,9/2006 | 2 figures | Gargantuan Black Dragon (August), Colossal Red Dragon (September) |
| Blood War | 11/2006 | 60 figures | Marilith, Ice Devil (unconfirmed) |
| Icons | 1/2007 | 1 figure | Gargantuan Blue Dragon |
| Unhallowed | 3/2007 | 60 figures |
Commonly Used Terms and Abbreviations
As is usual in the internet age, abbreviations or short-hand terms are commonplace in discussions relating to Dungeons & Dragons Miniatures. Attempting to follow a conversation about this topic can be confusing for new players or casual observers. Various lists exist on internet forums and discussion boards (see, for example MaxMinis).
Miniature names
Most miniature names are simple abbreviations, however there are a few which are not and instead relate to other aspects of the miniature.- AoB : Aspect of Bane/Aspect of Bahamut
- AoL : Aspect of Lolth (not to be confused with America Online)
- AoM : Aspect of Moradin
- AoN : Aspect of Nerull
- AoT : Aspect of Tiamat
- AW : Adventuring Wizard
- Barneyspawn : Bluespawn Godslayer, so named for his alleged resemblance to the infamous purple dinosaur. Also called Blue Barney.
- Baldy : Ialdabode, Human Psion (also called Da'Bode)
- BCoE : Bugbear Champ of Erythnul
- CG : Clay Golem (sometimes referred to as Clay Boy)
- ChoY : Champion of Yondalla
- CoCL : Cleric of Corellon Larethain
- CoDA : Cleric of Dol Arrah
- CoE : Champion of Eilistraee
- CoL : Cleric of Lathander
- CoO: Cleric of Order
- CoY : Cleric of Yondalla
- DB : Displacer Beast (sometimes also called a D-Beast)
- DBPL : Displacer Beast Pack Lord
- DCoC : Divine Crusader of Correlon
- DCoL :- Drow Cleric of Lloth
- DD : Dwarven Defender
- DSgt : Dwarf Sargeant
- DW : Drow Wizard
- EMW : Evermeet Wizard
- EP : Elf Pyromancer (often just called the Pyro)
- EW : Elf Warrior
- EoG : Eye of Gruumsh (often called simply the Eye)
- FB : Frenzied Berserker
- FGPM : Fiendish Giant Praying Mantis
- FMS : Fiendish Monsterous Spider
- GC : Gold Champion
- GCR : Graycloak Ranger
- GD : Green Dragon
- GFD : Greenfang Druid
- GSgt : Gnoll Sargeant
- HCoB : Human Cleric of Bane
- HDW : Hill Dwarf Warrior
- HEBI : Half-Elf Bow Initiate
- HGD : Huge Gold Dragon
- HGPW : Half Giant Psychic Warrior
- HILF : Half-Illithid Lizard Folk
- HFE : Huge Fire Elemental
- HRD : Huge Red Dragon
- KS : Kobold Sorcerer
- IM : Inspiring Marshall
- LBD : Large Blue Dragon
- LRD : Large Red Dragon
- LSD : Large Silver Dragon
- MAA or M@A : Man at Arms
- MEF : Moon Elf Fighter
- MF : Mind Flayer
- MFT : Mind Flayer Telepath
- MP : Mounted Paladin
- OC : Orc Champion
- OD : Orc Druid
- OS : Orc Savage
- OW : Orc Warrior
- PDK : Purple Dragon Knight
- PoT : Paladin of Torm
- RW : Red Wizard
- SoH : Sword of Heironeous
- SoBD : Sorcerer on Black Dragon
- SR : Sahuagin Ranger
- SS : Silver Sorcerer
- TKB : Thri-Kreen Barbarian
- Trog : Troglodyte
- TS : Tundra Scout
- TW : Timber Wolf
- WFH : Warforged Hero
- WFF : Warforged Fighter
- WFT : Warforged Titan
- WFW : Warforged Wizard
- WTF : Wrackspawn (the WTF is not an abbreviation but rather a commentary on this creature's unknown and obscure concept)
- WPoH : Warpriest of Hextor
- ZWD : Zombie White Dragon
Rules terms
- AoE : Area of Effect
- AoO : Attack of Opportunity
- CE or CFx : Commander Effect
- GBA or GMA : Grant Move Action, a special ability of the Inspiring Marshal (GBA refers to Game-Breaking Action)
- LOS : Line of Sight
- MC : Morale Check
- MW : Magic Weapon
- OOC : Out of Command
Warbands (General)
- Quad : Warbands designed around a core of four efficient combat hitters, usually in the 30-45 point range. Examples include CE Quad (where typical hitters include Orc Champions, Eyes of Gruumsh, Red Samurai and Ogre Ravagers) and LE Quad (with Duergar Champions, Helmed Horrors, Chraals and Zakya Rakshasas as the usual suspects).
- Titan : Warbands designed around a single powerful piece (generally costing upwards of 60 points), with the remainder of the band there to support the Titan. Common Titan pieces include the Marut (LG), Aspect of Kord (CG, but usable in LG via the Couatl), Archmage (CG), and Large Silver Dragon (LG)
- Dual Titan : Warbands centered on a pair of Titan-level pieces. While their supporting pieces tend to be weaker than those of other bands, few can match a Dual Titan build in raw offensive power. The most well-known of such bands is based around a pair of Hill Giant Barbarians (CE).
Warbands (Specific)
- GAS : Githyanki Assassin Squad; a LG band based around the Young Master commander and multiple Githyanki Monks.
- SWarm : A LG band consisting of a swarm of Sacred Watchers, often commanded by a Sword Archon.
- LRB : Large Red Beatings; a CE band centered around the Large Red Dragon.
Other
- DCI : Duelist Convocation International
- FLGS : Favorite Local Gaming Store
- MHB : miniatures handbook
- OP : Organized Play
Sets
- Ha or HB : Harbinger
- De or DE: Dragoneye
- Ar or AF: Archfiends (ArF is the official designation)
- GoL : Giants of Legend
- Ab or AB: Aberrations
- Dk or DK: Deathknell
- Af, AN, AF, AnF or AgF: Angelfire (AF is the official designation)
- UD: Underdark
- WD : War Drums
- WDQ: War of the Dragon Queen (DQ is likely the official designation)
- Blood War: Unconfirmed, although it is likely to be Bw or BW.
External links
Official sites
Fan sites
- Merric's DDM – D&D Miniatures News and Resources
- MaxMinis – Forums for D&D and Star Wars Miniatures
- Hordelings – Forums and Articles about D&D Miniatures
- Danno's War Collage – Blog focused on strategy and statistics
- Fox Den Strategy – Blog focused on strategy
- The Miniature Page – Forums and Articles about D&D Miniatures
- Dungeoneering – Downloads and dungeon tiles for D&D miniatures.
- Le forum de blackguard – French language DDM community
- JoePatent – French language DDM community - Ligues Montreal Rive-Nord/Sud.
- Alepulp's European DDM site – WoTC tiles, EU DDM Champs and much more about D&D miniatures
- DDShoebox – Free online Unit Browser, Collection Tracker, and Warband Builder
- Dungeon Grids – Unofficial Battle Maps,
- Forum Brasileiro D20 Miniaturas – Brazilian fan site and discussion forum.
Strategy Articles
- Gen Con 2005 Championship Report by Fenris
- Gen Con So Cal 2004 Tournament Report by Synecdoche
- 2005 D&D Miniatures Championships, Part 1 by Bill W. Baldwin
- Secrets of the Champions, Part 1 (Chaotic Good) by Kiddoc
- Secrets of the Champions, Part 2 (Lawful Evil) by Kiddoc
- Secrets of the Champions, Part 3 (Chaotic Evil) by Kiddoc
- Secrets of the Champions, Part 4 (Lawful Good) by Kiddoc
- Skirmish Tool Kit Introduction
- Chaotic Good Skirmish Tool Kit
- Lawful Good Skirmish Tool Kit
- Chaotic Evil Skirmish Tool Kit
- Lawful Evil Skirmish Tool Kit
- Merric's Strategy Page
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