Fractured Identity - Ranking The Best Batman Models For The ‘Batman Miniature Game’

Welcome back to another installment of Fractured Identity, our personal rankings of the character that have multiple models and options in the Batman Miniature Game by Knight Models. Our previous entry looked at our opinions on the best Harley Quinn models. Since we just took another look at our review for the Batman Miniature Game: Back to Gotham two-player starter, we decided to break down our rankings for the other faction’s leader - Batman.

Much like the previously mentioned Harley Quinn, Knight Models’ has released several Batman models over the years. There are currently fourteen different Batman models you can purchase via their webstore, not counting the gorgeous Gotham Kings variant model or the horrendous Big Bang Theory cosplay model. With that in mind, we are going to narrow our list to what we feel are the top five models that any player could feel confident bringing to the streets of Gotham.

#5. Batman (Red Rain)

Starting off with an Elseworlds variant of the Dark Knight, this Batman represents a story in which he was bitten by Dracula and became a literal creature of the night.

This version of Batman is one with a very unique set of abilities that we think makes him a candidate for the top five. While has the usual bag of tricks with things like Bat Cape and Bat-Armor MK 1, some of his other tricks are rather supernatural. Fly allows the model to add 8” to its movement, ignoring obstacles and Difficult Ground penalties. It can heal a damage marker when it deals blood damage with melee attacks and at the start of its activation if it isn’t in a Light source with Vampire. Finally, Vampire Reign forces enemy models within 8” of it to lose -1 to all attack and defense rolls.

At 150 Rep, this is one of the most expensive models on the list. He comes equipped with Batlings, a two-shot ranged weapon, which possibly accounts for some of his higher cost. That being said, this is still a fine model and one that can surprise even the most veteran of players.

#4. Batman (Death Metal)

In 1982, in a concert at the Veterans Memorial Auditorium, legend Ozzy Osbourne bit the head off of a live bat. Nearly 40 years later in the DC Comics’ event, Dark Nights: Death Metal, Batman graced the variant cover of the first issue as a heavy metal guitarist.

Like the previous entry, Batman (Death Metal) is a solid 150 Rep with several fun abilities. Changing the Tempo increases his Inspire range by 4” or gives friendly models within his Inspire range 1 free Effort. Legendary Solo gives an additional 1 free Effort to friendly models while enemy models have to make an Effort or lose any benefits from their Leader’s Inspire trait. The Power Supply trait starts the model with three Power counters that can be spent for various bonuses, and manipulate Streetlamps to gain additional counters. With the Undead trait, the miniature is immune to pretty much all effects and CRT with the exceptions of Knock Down and Smoke.

This Batman comes to the table ready to rock with two weapon based attacks. When it uses the Electric Guitar, the model gets +1 to its Strength Rolls (Heavy) and targets of the attack get -1 to Defense rolls (Overwhelming). Devastating Riff offers a range attack that uses the Spray template to determine how many models get rocked (Expansive). The attack always rolls two Strength die (Devastating) that hits on results of 3+ (Mechanical), while hit models suffer -1 to their Special skill until the end of round.

#3. Batman (Classic)

A classic Batman in more than name alone, this model represents the traditional idea of what makes Batman.

This version of Batman continues the trend of a solid stat line with exceptional Willpower and Endurance. The model also includes the Batlings first mentioned in the Batman (Red Rain) model. Where this particular model shines is the abilities it brings as a Leader for only 125 Rep.

The Batclaw trait gives the model an addition 6” to its basic movement, while allowing it to move over obstacles and Difficult Ground without any additional costs. Groundwork allows you to manipulate your Objective deck to find the cards you need. Master Fighter gives the model +1 to attack dice rolls for Unarmed Melee Attacks, and Obstinate gives it a free Effort when attacking/defending with a minimum three dice when rolling for Willpower. Other abilities seen on the other models, like Detective and Vigilante’s Work, gives the model a modest buff when interacting with Suspect markers and Manipulate actions.

All in all, it is a solid representation of the character and its Rep total helps it break the top three.

#2. Batman (The Batman)

There were as few surprises than just how amazing The Batman was as a movie, let alone how good Robert Pattinson’s portrayal of the Caped Crusader turned out to be.

This Batman has the distinction of being the cheapest on the list, as well as one of two models that were originally offered in a two player starter box. With a 112 Rep, this model is also rocking the lowest stat line. Thematically it fits as this character was only into his second year as the Dark Knight at the start of the movie. Where he lacks in stats, he makes up for with some new weapons and traits.

Ballistic Bat-Armor nerfs an enemy model’s attacks, including rolling 1 fewer die when making a ranged attack. The model always scores a Critical result with a natural die roll of 5 or 6 with Brutal. The I’m Vengeance trait offers two different effects, Vengeance and Hope, depending on how many objective cards you’ve scored. Meanwhile Serum Injection [2] gives the model two free Effort to Attack and Defense rolls, while ignoring any modifiers to the Effort limit for the round.

This Batman also comes to play with some fun gear. Drag Shot pulls the model its attacking towards it (Pull [4]) while the Strength die always hits on a 3+ (Mechanical). The Shock Gauntlet is a once-per-game attack that will leave the attacked model Stunned and only able to perform Movement actions until the end of the round (CRT [Stunned]).

#1. Batman

Another fantastic example of the wonderful artists at Knight Models being inspired by classic comic book covers and moments, this Batman model is based on the cover of Batman #423 by the legendary Todd McFarlane (creator of Spawn).

This Batman, to us at least, is an exceptional example of all the things that makes for a perfect representation of the character. For 146 Rep, this Batman offers a great stat line with a high Willpower and Endurance. It includes the Batlings we’ve seen on previous models. Most importantly, the traits present players with a model that combines combat, objects and durability.

Informer gives the crew an additional Pass on Activation, at least until the model is KO’d. Master of Stealth reduces the range in which it can be targeted to 6” with Night in effect, as well as a +1 to attack dice rolls if the Sneak Attack trait is triggered. Sneak Attack forces the target of an attack to be unable to make Effort checks if Batman began its activation out of the target’s line of sight. The Sneaking trait allows the model to move up to 4” during the Recount phase. And lastly, but not at all the least, The World’s Greatest Detective allows a player to force any opposing model to make a Willpower roll and activate that model first if it fails, thus potentially ruining the opponent’s entire turn (and possibly day).

And that brings us to the end of this installment of Fractured Identity. The Batman Miniature Game has so many great options for Batman models that this was a hard one to really narrow down to only a handful, and that is with us only looking at models they still offer via their webstore and local game shops. If we were to look back in the Eternal format, which includes the first and second editions of the game, we’d be so hard pressed to pick a favorite. This list also represents our personal opinions and experiences with the game, so it may vary for you.

As always, we hoped you enjoyed this. If you have any Batman Miniature Game characters with multiple iterations you’d like us to discuss, feel free to message us on any of our social media platforms or drop us a line at thelatenightplayers@gmail.com.