Mad Scale Guide
We take care of the math, so you can focus on the game.
The Golden Rule of Miniatures
In the tabletop world, "scale" can be notoriously tricky to pin down because different creators measure things differently. To make sure you always know exactly what you are getting, we use a universal industry standard: we measure our miniature scales from the sole of the foot straight to the center of the eyes of a standard, average-sized human adult. We scale every miniature to the right size so your heroes, NPCs and foes look naturally proportioned right out of the Mad Miniatures box. Because we scale dynamically based on realistic fantasy anatomy, a human soldier will hit the millimeter mark of your chosen scale, while characters like children or dwarfs will naturally be shorter. On the flip side, creatures like orcs, monsters, and towering trolls will be appropriately massive, bulky, and imposing on the battlefield. You choose your baseline scale - we make sure the rest of the world scales around it.
Our Miniature Scales
28 mm Scale (~ 1/60 Real-World Ratio)
- The Eye-Line Height: A standard standing human measures 28 mm from the soles of their feet to the center of their eyes.
- Best Used For: Classic tabletop wargames, large-scale army deployments, and historical modeling where precision formation matters.
32 mm Scale (~ 1/54 Real-World Ratio)
- The Eye-Line Height: A standard standing human measures 32 mm from the soles of their feet to the center of their eyes.
- Best Used For: Modern skirmish games, high-detail roleplaying campaigns (like D&D), and centerpiece encounters. This is our default standard across our core fantasy and sci-fi lines.
32 mm Heroic Scale (~ 1/50 Real-World Ratio)
- The Eye-Line Height: While technically in the 32 mm family, "Heroic" geometry amplifies the model's presence, standing roughly 35 mm to the eye line.
- Best Used For: High-impact gameplay where details need to pop from across the room. Proportions are bulkier with thicker weapons, pronounced facial features, and distinct armor textures that make painting an absolute joy. Perfect for heroes and bosses.Â

Tabletop Terrain & The Architect’s Touch
Our structural terrain and scatter scenery are meticulously scaled to 28mm and 32mm to seamlessly mirror our miniatures line. However, a common question modelers ask is why two structures in the exact same scale can occasionally vary in their visual appearance.
The answer lies in individual design concepts and world-building philosophy:
Real Worlds Aren't Mass-Produced: Just like in history or fantasy lore, architecture adapts to the culture that built it. A fortress designed by a master military engineer will feature thick, heavy walls and narrow slits, whereas a bustling city tavern will boast grand arches, high ceilings, and wider doorways - even though both are technically built for the exact same 32mm citizens.
Instead of forcing every single brick from different artists into a rigid, artificial mould, we preserve the unique artistic style of our world-class designers. This stylistic variety gives your tabletop an organic, immersive depth. When you look across your finished table, it won’t look like a single repeated 3D file - it will look like a real, living settlement.
The Epic Scale — 32mm Oversize
If you want the ultimate tactical tabletop experience, our 32mm Oversize tier is engineered for pure immersion. This is the original, signature scale of the Helwick range, designed specifically to bridge the gap between stunning aesthetic detail and actual, unhindered gameplay.
Here is how we deploy our Helwick collection:
- Helwick Surface Buildings: To ensure complete flexibility for your existing armies, we print Helwick's stunning surface structures in three distinct sizes: 28mm, 32mm, and the flagship 32mm Oversize.
- The Helwick Modular Underworld: The massive, interlocking dungeon module system - the subterranean heart of Helwick - is offered exclusively in 32mm Oversize.
Why Choose 32mm Oversize?
Traditional true-to-scale buildings often create a frustrating tabletop bottleneck. While a miniature might look right standing next to a standard 28mm wall, once you put that model on a chunky 25mm or 32mm plastic gaming base, it physically cannot fit through the doorways, corridors, or arches. Characters get stuck, miniatures tip over, and roofs have to be permanently removed just to move a squad.
32mm Oversize completely solves this. By expanding the architectural boundaries beyond standard "Heroic" proportions, this epic scale guarantees that your miniatures can easily maneuver through hallways, clear doorways, and occupy rooms while remaining securely on their gaming bases. It delivers a massive, sweeping presence on your table and creates a truly immersive, uncompromised adventure where the terrain functions exactly like a real tactical environment.
Custom Scaling — Looking for Another Size?
If your favorite game system runs on a different scale than our standard line-up, you don’t have to miss out. Because we manage our own printing pipelines right here at Mad Miniatures, we have the ability to adapt to your needs.
If it is within our technical means, we will custom-scale it for you. Whether you need a massive fantasy centerpiece scaled down to fit historic 1/72 scale battlefields, or a specific squad upscaled to dominate a display shelf, we are happy to look at the math and see if a custom print run is possible for your project.
Get a Custom Quote: Have a specific scale or real-world ratio in mind? Reach out to our team here with the name of the product and your desired target size. If the design geometry allows for it, we’ll custom-print your order to match your exact battlefield specifications!
Please note that because custom scaling requires some manual reworking of the print files and of course print time itself, custom orders carry a production lead time of approximately one to two weeks before shipping.
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Tokugawa Samurai – Thrusting Blade Leader
In the chaos of a cavalry charge, someone had to point the way. Samurai sword riders weren't just rushing in blindly; they were looking for specific breaks in the enemy lines to exploit with speed and precision. This model captures that exact moment of battlefield leadership. The warrior is leaning into the gallop, holding his katana straight out in front of him to direct the assault, his face twisted in a shout as he guides his men forward into the gap.
From a hobby perspective, the sculpt is clean and highly rewarding to paint. The armor plates on his chest and shoulders have sharp, deep recesses, so your washes will naturally settle right into the gaps between the laces. The fabric on the sleeves has a nice weight to it with natural folds, and the horse has great muscle definition and clean tack lines without being overly complicated. The intense, yelling expression on the rider gives you a perfect focal point to bring the whole piece to life on your workbench.
This forward-pointing pose makes the miniature an obvious choice for a unit champion or army commander on the tabletop. Because he is actively directing the attack with his blade, he stands out immediately in any group of riders. Whether you need an elite officer for a historical layout or a specific mounted hero for an RPG campaign, this model looks like he is actively running the show from the front of the line.
Height (32 mm): 53 mm
Height (28 mm): 47 mm
Height (32 mm heroic): 58 mm
Heights are with base. Bases are about 4mm high. Base size is 25 x 50 mm
Colour images are visual representations.
While they closely reflect the final model, minor variations in fine details may occur.
The final product is a physical 3D-printed item.
The unpainted renders show the exact sculpt that will be printed.
This Mounted Samurai was designed by Forged Path Miniatures and made by Mad Miniatures under license. He comes unpainted and with a separate base as shown in the grey renders. Rider is not attached to the horse. That means some assembly is needed. The base was designed by Monolith Arts.
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