Miniature Paint Set vs Individual Paints: Which Is Better for Beginners?

Quick answer

For most beginners, a starter paint set is the better first purchase because it provides a coordinated range of colors and reduces decision fatigue. Individual paints make more sense once you know which colors you actually use, want to upgrade a specific hue, or are matching a particular model. If you already own a set, buy singles only to fill real gaps.

Starting miniature painting usually comes down to one purchase decision: buy a boxed set or pick individual bottles. The right answer depends less on brand loyalty and more on how you learn, what you plan to paint, and how much you want to spend up front.

This comparison looks at the real trade-offs between a miniature paint set and individual paints, using concrete examples from the Wyrd Games catalog. It will help you choose a first purchase, avoid duplicate colors, and build a paint collection that grows with your projects.

What a starter paint set actually gives you

A starter paint set bundles a curated range of colors, usually enough to basecoat, shade, and highlight a small force. The main benefit is not volume; it is a working palette chosen by someone who has already solved color selection for you. That matters when you are still learning how paints thin, cover, and mix.

Sets also reduce the number of separate purchases. Instead of ordering six bottles and discovering you are missing a mid-tone, you open the box and start painting. The trade-off is that every set includes at least one color you may rarely use, and you cannot customize the selection before buying.

• Choose a set that matches the faction or game you plan to paint first, so most colors are immediately useful.
• Check whether the set includes a black, white, and a skin tone; these are the hardest gaps to work around.

When individual paints are the smarter buy

Individual paints win once you have a specific project and a known color list. If you are painting a Malifaux crew with a tight palette, buying only the exact bottles you need can cost less than a set and leave no unused paint. Singles also let you replace one dried-out or empty color without rebuying a whole box.

The risk is decision paralysis. Without a set, beginners often buy too many similar shades or skip essential neutrals. Individual paints work best as a second step: start with a set, then add singles for the colors you actually reach for.

• Buy singles when you are matching a reference photo, a faction color scheme, or a specific model.
• Keep a written list of your current paints so you do not buy the same color twice.

Cost and value: set versus singles

Sets usually cost less per bottle than buying the same colors individually, but value depends on how many of those colors you will actually use. A set with twenty colors where you use twelve is still a good deal if the per-bottle price is low. A set with colors outside your chosen faction may be poor value even at a discount.

Singles give you precise control over spending. You can buy two or three bottles at a time and test them before committing to a full range. For a beginner on a tight budget, that flexibility can matter more than the lower per-bottle price of a set.

• Calculate the per-bottle price of a set before comparing it to singles.
• If a set includes a faction you already play, its practical value rises immediately.

How your first project should shape the choice

Your first models determine which approach makes sense. A small, uniform crew benefits from a set because you need consistent colors across several models. A single character model or a display piece often needs only a handful of specific colors, making singles the more efficient buy.

Wyrd Games miniatures are supplied unpainted and require preparation and assembly, so plan your paint purchase after you have built the models. Knowing the actual model count and detail level prevents buying either too little or too much paint.

• Count your models before buying; a ten-model crew justifies a set more than a single hero.
• Leave room in your budget for primer, brushes, and a palette, not just paint.

Mixing sets and singles over time

Most painters end up with both. A set provides the core palette, and singles fill the gaps that appear as your taste develops. This hybrid approach keeps costs down while giving you the exact colors you want for special projects.

The practical rule is simple: buy a set to start, then buy singles only when you have used a color enough to know it is missing. That sequence avoids duplicate purchases and keeps your paint drawer usable rather than crowded with near-identical shades.

• Replace empty or dried bottles with singles rather than rebuying a full set.
• Add one or two specialty colors at a time to test before expanding further.

Trade-offs at a glance

• Convenience vs. control: A set gives you a ready palette and fewer decisions; singles give you exact colors but require you to plan the palette yourself. Beginners should prioritize convenience first, then add control later.
• Upfront cost vs. long-term value: Sets lower the per-bottle price but may include unused colors; singles cost more per bottle but you buy only what you need. If your chosen faction uses most of a set's colors, the set is the better value.
• Learning speed vs. precision: Sets help you start painting immediately and learn through repetition; singles let you match a specific scheme but slow the start. Choose a set for your first month, then switch to singles for targeted upgrades.

Catalog examples that show the trade-off

• Malifaux Third Edition: Devoted Students: Six students give Monk crews a broad foundation of practiced technique; contents are Low River Monks x3 and Wondering River Monks x3, supplied unpainted in high-quality plastic and require preparation and assembly. A six-model unit like this rewards a coordinated paint set because you need consistent colors across several similar figures, which is exactly where sets reduce guesswork.
• Malifaux Classics: Spawn Mother: A solid metal sculpt from Malifaux's First Edition era, preserved for collectors, painters, and longtime players. A single character model often needs only a few specific colors, so individual paints can be more efficient than buying a full set for one project.

Which should you buy?

Best for

• New painters who want a coordinated palette and fewer decisions
• Players building a full crew or faction where consistent colors matter
• Anyone who wants to start painting immediately without planning a color list

Not for

• Painters who already own a core set and only need one or two specific colors
• Hobbyists matching an exact reference or display scheme with a known short list
• Budget-focused buyers who will not use most of a set's colors

Start with a paint set if you are new, then switch to individual paints once you know which colors you actually use. That sequence gives you a working palette without wasting money on duplicates, and it keeps your options open as your painting improves.