For most Hero Forge characters, the answer is Regular.
A standard Hero Forge miniature is designed at approximately 30mm scale, with a humanoid character usually standing around 30-35mm tall. That makes it a comfortable match for most modern tabletop RPG miniatures and a standard 1-inch battle-map square.
The other size options are there for larger creatures, mounted characters and anyone who deliberately wants a display-sized version of their hero. Here is how to tell them apart.
The quick answer
- Regular: Standard adventurers, humanoids and character-sized creatures
- Large: Monsters and creatures designed for a 50mm base
- Mounted: A character riding a horse, motorcycle or another creature
- Double Size: A standard character printed at twice its normal scale for display or painting
If you are looking at an ordinary player character on a standard round, square or hexagonal base, choose Regular. A tall hat, raised sword or dramatic spell does not automatically make the miniature Large.
What does 30mm scale mean?
Hero Forge designs its standard miniatures at approximately 30mm scale, also described as 1:60 scale. Its standard human male preset is around 30mm from the ground to eye level when standing upright.
That sounds slightly larger than the 28mm scale used by many miniature ranges, but the difference is rarely as dramatic as the names suggest. A lot of 28mm gaming miniatures use exaggerated heads, hands and weapons, which is commonly called heroic scale. A standard Hero Forge character will usually look perfectly at home beside them.
The character creator accounts for different fantasy species, so a gnome should still look smaller than an orc. You do not need to resize a shorter species to match the height of a human. If you need to match a particular miniature range, open Body, select Measure, then use the settings icon beside the height control to preview the approximate physical height.
Choose Regular for most player characters
Regular is the right choice for most adventurers and character-sized creatures.
Choose it for designs such as:
- Humans, elves, dwarves, halflings and similar player characters
- Standard familiars and companions
- Characters standing on a normal 1-inch base
- Figures intended for regular play on a square or hex battle map
Hero Forge characters can have very different poses, so their total heights vary. The base and intended tabletop footprint are better guides than measuring the highest point of the model.
Regular Hero Forge prints from I Cast Minis start at £5.95.
Choose Large for a 50mm-base creature
Large is for creatures designed to occupy a larger space on the table, usually with a base around 50mm or 2 inches across.
This commonly includes:
- Large monsters and boss characters
- Broad creatures that need a 50mm base
- Designs created to occupy a 2-inch by 2-inch area on a standard grid
Large does not mean a normal character who happens to be tall. If your adventurer uses a standard 1-inch base, Regular will normally be correct.
If your design uses a base larger than 50mm, contact me before ordering. I can check the file and put together a custom price based on the space it will need on the printer.
Large Hero Forge prints from I Cast Minis start at £11.95.
Choose Mounted when the character is riding something
Choose Mounted when your character is riding a horse, motorcycle or another creature. Centaurs and similar long-bodied designs also normally use Hero Forge’s longer 1-inch by 2-inch base.
Mounted models need more printing space and support work than a standard adventurer, but they are not the same as Double Size. The character and mount remain at their normal gaming scale. They simply have a larger footprint.
Mounted Hero Forge prints from I Cast Minis start at £8.95.
Choose Double Size for display and painting
Double Size takes a Regular miniature and prints it at twice its normal scale. A character that would usually be around 30 to 35mm tall will commonly end up around 60 to 70mm tall.
It is a good option if you want:
- A display version of a favourite character
- More room to practise miniature-painting techniques
- A commemorative model from a completed campaign
- Fine details to be easier to see and paint
A Double Size print is usually too large to represent a standard character accurately on a battle map. It is primarily a display and painting option.
Double Size Hero Forge prints from I Cast Minis start at £14.95.
Large and Double Size are not the same thing
This is the distinction that causes the most confusion.
A Large miniature is a creature designed to be large within the game. It stays at the intended Hero Forge scale and normally uses a 50mm base.
A Double Size miniature is a normally sized character enlarged to 200 percent. The character has not become a larger species or monster. The whole model has simply been scaled up for display.
If you have designed a troll or boss monster on a 50mm base, choose Large. If you have designed a standard human fighter but want a larger version for your painting shelf, choose Double Size.
Which resin colour and primer should I choose?
Size decides how large the print will be. Resin colour and primer decide how it arrives.
Choose No Primer if you prefer to prepare the miniature yourself or want the resin colour to remain visible. Grey is the standard and least expensive resin option. White, black and clay resin are also available.
Choose Grey Primer for a neutral, dependable painting surface that makes details easy to read.
Choose White Primer for bright colours, pale skin tones or translucent paints. Colours generally look brighter over white.
Choose Black Primer for dark armour, drybrushing and schemes built up with lighter highlights. It leaves natural shadow in awkward recesses.
Primer costs £1. Every miniature is cleaned, cured, has its supports removed and is checked by hand before dispatch, whether you choose primer or not.
What if I choose the wrong size?
Do not panic. I check every uploaded STL before it is printed. If the selected option clearly does not suit the file, I will contact you rather than quietly sending an ogre through the Regular queue.
If you would rather check first, send me the file or a link to the character through the Contact page. I am happy to help you choose.
When you are ready, select the size, resin colour and primer on the Hero Forge 3D printing page, upload your STL and add it to your basket.
If you are still deciding whether to buy the STL or order a physical miniature directly, the Hero Forge UK cost comparison breaks down both options.
I Cast Minis is an independent UK 3D printing service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Hero Forge.