Has anyone ever had a problem with the scaling of some of the Warhammer 40k models? I just bought a space Marine Captain figure to make into an inquisitor, The figure is beautifully sculpted and all but a standard Cadian Imperial Guard seems much larger in comparison to him. The same goes for the Space Marines he should be commanding, they all look much larger comparitivley. the same goes for the henchmen from the Daemonhunters line. What is everyone else's thought on the scale differences?

Ive never had an IG real close to my SM so I cant tell. Ive played them tons of times but some how I always end up defending and they dont come anywere close enough for me to try any cc with out getting killed. Is it really that bad? In everything ive read arent sm supposed to be something near 9ft tall So they should at least be 1/3 of the height taller than a IG guy. If that IG was 6ft tall

the scale is good for making scenery though, lots of household things that you would make into scenery or other toys and things are about the same scale

It dose bug me, but I'v learned to live with it.

Try standing a Terminator next to a Cadian, it just makes you want to cry.

Nothing in GW is properly scaled in reference to itself. The vehicles are different from the weapons, weapons from troops, and the troops from each other, even within the same army. To make matters worse, as the lines continue, GW has been making the models more "heroic" in proportions, so older models don't match the newer ones.

Yeah, I read that Space Marines were supposed to be 7ft tall, and those are the short ones. And theres not much difference between that and my Imperial Guard figure. Somehow, the Marines have had their geneseed switched or the Guard are having a growth spurt.

Also, have you seen the size of a Rhino? How do they fit 10 Marines inside that? Anyway, it does also cause problems when figuring out line of sight. Dreadnoughts are supposed to be three times the height of a man, but they're about 1.5 times the height of a Marine model. Marines are not twice the height of a man. Now I have to eliminate troops first. Ah well. One day Games Workshop will make all models the same size.

From what I have seen of the Space Marine line specifically, the metal miniatures are generally smaller than the plastic ones by a MM or two in proportion. *glances over at his metal Sergeant standing next to a plastic bolter marine*.

And aye, those damn Rhinos and Land Raiders...you've got to wonder what kind of orgy is going on in there to fit 10 of the Emperor's Finest :D.

The Tyranid line isn't SO bad though, from what I've seen. I'd think the gaunts would be a little smaller, b/c as is, they are about the size of a SM/Man. The Monstrous Creatures are pretty good. I mean, they are about two and a half times the size of any other standard miniature, but even then, I figured they'd be at least three.


And as for the height of a SM, I believe it's supposed to be between 7-8 feet. 9 being for maybe those who were like giants prior to becoming a SM, but as such, are rare cases.

Originally posted by T10@Apr 11 2004, 02:27
? Anyway, it does also cause problems when figuring out line of sight. Dreadnoughts are supposed to be three times the height of a man, but they're about 1.5 times the height of a Marine model. Marines are not twice the height of a man. Now I have to eliminate troops first.
A little off topic, but you can shoot the dread without regard to the marine. Since dreads are vehicles, troops don't block LOS to them. ;)

Originally posted by Korias@Apr 11 2004, 09:15
From what I have seen of the Space Marine line specifically, the metal miniatures are generally smaller than the plastic ones by a MM or two in proportion. *glances over at his metal Sergeant standing next to a plastic bolter marine*.

And aye, those damn Rhinos and Land Raiders...you've got to wonder what kind of orgy is going on in there to fit 10 of the Emperor's Finest :D.

The Tyranid line isn't SO bad though, from what I've seen. I'd think the gaunts would be a little smaller, b/c as is, they are about the size of a SM/Man. The Monstrous Creatures are pretty good. I mean, they are about two and a half times the size of any other standard miniature, but even then, I figured they'd be at least three.


And as for the height of a SM, I believe it's supposed to be between 7-8 feet. 9 being for maybe those who were like giants prior to becoming a SM, but as such, are rare cases.
yeah my terminator captain mini is about the height of an IG! its really confusing when I use them together in my Daemonhunters force, because all of the DH models seem to be larger than it.

yeah my terminator captain mini is about the height of an IG! its really confusing when I use them together in my Daemonhunters force, because all of the DH models seem to be larger than it.


Well, at least they made the DH metal miniatures more to scale it seemed in my opinion. I don't own any, but from what I was looking at in the store in the blisters, they seemed to be of the appropriate height to actually stand next to a plastic Terminator or Marine in power armor and be "to scale" (as little worth as those words may be ;) :P) lol.

Quick question, what is the actual "scale" of Warhammer 40k? Is it 25, 28, or 30mm scale? I have always wondered but never got around to asking. Would help when coming up with scenery since I used to do amateur drafting and would love to come up with some nice designed pieced "scaled down" for fire bases/buildings etc.

Carefully look at the Space Marine then Guard Models. You will see that the Space Marines are bent at the knees a small bit and the Guardsmen are usually standing tall. If a Space Marine didnt have his knees bent they would probably be the Designated size of 8ft, to scale :)

Its 28MM to my knowlage.