Fractured Identity - Ranking The Harley Quinn Models For The ‘Batman Miniature Game’
Over the last ten years, the Batman Miniature Game has brought many of our favorite DC Comics characters to the tabletop. Some of those characters have gotten multiple models as the game has evolved and gone through various editions. Today we’re going to take a look at the models for our favorite Clown Princess of Crime - Harley Quinn.
The Batman Miniature Game is currently in its third edition as it celebrates its tenth anniversary. We will only be considering Harley Quinn models that are currently Standard legal. The game has an Eternal format that takes advantage of all the models, but we want you to be able to find these models in the wild (or on their webstore) if one sparks some interest in you.
#7: Harley Quinn (Suicide Squad)
This was actually the first Harley Quinn we brought to the tabletop, ironically enough. Knight Models had released a two-player starter set to celebrate the Suicide Squad movie releasing. That starter would also be the reason we have come to loath working with metal miniatures. We digress.
At the cost of 90 Reputation and $300 in Funding, this model is the most expensive of the Harley Quinn options in the current Standard environment. Like most of Harley’s versions, she has fairly standard stat lines. What makes this one stand out (and factors heavily into her cost) is that she is the only model with a Firearm. The Hate/Love Gun isn’t the strongest gun in the game, but it helps pick off other figures faster than simply smashing their heads in with a bat.
For the model’s traits, she is a decent tie-up piece. Abilities like Acrobat and Combat Flip help keep her mobile, while Confusion and Goad force your opponent’s models into a corner at times. True Love (Joker) will only be of use if you are running another model named Joker in your crew.
For us, this just isn’t the best option to represent Harley Quinn on the tabletop. If you do want to run this model (maybe you are a big Suicide Squad fan), we would recommend finding the Harley Quinn (Bombshell) variant. It has the exact same stat card, but the model is so much more impressive and dynamic.
#6: Harley Quinn (Arkham Asylum)
Ah, Arkham Asylum. One of the first video games to make the world realize you could have a really good superhero game. It was also the game that gave us Harley Quinn’s original voice actress, Arleen Sorkin, back in the role one last time.
This is definitely a more support piece Harley Quinn. She is the weakest in terms of Willpower and Endurance but makes up for it with her traits. Acrobat and Fast help keep her on the move. Follow Me! and Psychiatrist help other friendly models boost their stats as long as they are within her distance. Brainwash nerfs an opposing model’s train of your choosing.
The Reinforced Bat is a nice combat weapon, too. When used, Harley gets a +1 to Strength die rolls and can preroll failed attack dice rolls.
For a Rep of 55, this Harley is a fun little piece to fill out the support role in your crew. She can also handle some of the lesser threats on opposing crews without much problem.
#5: Harley Quinn (Bewitched)
One of the things to truly evolve with the game over the years has been the art direction of Knight Models. They have drawn inspiration from come great places. This model, in particular, is based on a killer variant cover by legendary comic artist Frank Cho.
For 77 Rep, this Harley Quinn’s uniqueness resides in her weapon most of all, as her stats and traits are pretty par for the course. Your Face Here is an improvement to the previous models Reinforced Bat. While it does lose the ability to reroll failed dice, it doesn’t require you to be in base-to-base contact to perform the melee attack. To top it off, after you smack someone with it, the enemy model is moved away from Harley. Out of the melee weapons on the various Harley Quinns, this one is the strongest.
Her traits are par for the course to make her a very mobile model. The one new trait that is exclusive to this model is A Bit of Magic. While she isn’t capable of casting any spells (that would be wicked), she will still count as a Magical User for other game effects.
This Harley Quinn is also the first on the list to feature a 40mm base as opposed to the game’s traditional 30mm.
#4: Harley Quinn (The Suicide Squad)
The Suicide Squad was one of our absolutely favorite DCU films in recent memory, if for no other reason than James Gunn nailing Harley Quinn’s personality and character growth so well.
The second most expensive Harley Quinn on the list is by far the most deadly. While her stats are on par with the previous models, with a small ding to her movement, the Javelin helps her squeak by. The ability to cause Bleed damage to a model consistently without needing to reload a Firearm is awesome. Like with the Harley Quinn (Bewitched) model, this one doesn’t need to be in base-to-base contact to be able to attack the enemy model. The Javelin Throw offers a one-time ranged attack with it, while not losing any dice due to moving before attacking. Its Medium Range (M. Range) also reduces enemy Attack dice by 2 when she is target.
Her traits are identical to the Harley Quinn (Suicide Squad) model except for the loss of True Love (Joker), which is rather fitting thematically to the model and its place on the DCU timeline.
#3: Harley Quinn
As we get into the final three models, deciding which should be number one became increasingly difficult.
This model and the previous one could easily have been swapped around. The main reason we are putting this model, based on Harley from Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn), is simply due to the face that she loses the Funding costs for building your crew. For the additional 17 Rep points, you also get +1 Willpower and +1 Movement, as well as a Strength check of 4+ as opposed to 5+.
The Mallet is weaker to the Javelin as it doesn’t offer Bleed damage, but it does have +1 to Stength die rolls. You would be hard press to honestly fail an attack with the Mallet.
This model is the first one to also include the Adaptable trait. Players are able to buff either Attack, Defense, or Movement basic skills until the end of the round. This is fantastic for being able to switch up offensive and defensive tactics on the fly. The rest of the traits are par for the course.
#2: Harley Quinn
The first and only classic jester version of Harley Quinn on this list. We aren’t saying that is a factor in our decision, but it did almost make us select this model for #1 on principle alone. This model was also included in the Batman Miniature Game: Back to Gotham two-player starter.
At 70 Rep, this Harley Quinn is a bit of a wildcard. This one is the first model to have 360 Strike, a trait that triggers a melee attack against ALL models available. Friend or foe, it doesn’t matter. If it is within 1” of that Mallet, they are getting hit. Acrobat and Fast keep this large model mobile, while Discourage and Distract nerfs enemy models’ Willpower and Defense respectfully. Along with having True Love (Joker) back, she also has Affinity (Poison Ivy) which allows her to be on any crew with Poison Ivy, even if she couldn’t normally be so.
The Mallet this Harley Quinn is an upgrade from the previous one. This one gets to roll two Strength dice with the attack, as well as knock the enemy model back.
The model gives off a very spirited energy, really indicative of Harley Quinn from Batman: The Animated Series. It is definitely a joy to build and paint.
#1: Harley Quinn (Roller Derby)
This one was honestly a no brainer for the #1 pick. Harley Quinn (Roller Derby) represents the modern comic book Harley Quinn perfectly, while also incorporating the best of the previous Harley Quinn models.
This model gets a +1 to Willpower while keeping a strong 7 Endurance for 84 Rep. She does loss a point in Movement, she makes up for it with a 4+ Strength. The loss in Movement can be offset by her Fast and Adaptable traits.
One the topic of traits, this one includes a few new ones. The Harlequin Show trait pairs with the Harlequin keyword, allowing you to discard a card in order to give a model with the keyword a various affect. This can be anything from being placed in base-to-base contact with an enemy model within that models movement, a free attack, or removing 2 damage. True Love (Poison Ivy) gives her a +1 Willpower and +1 Attack should Poison Ivy be in the same crew and later removed from the game as a Casualty.
The Reinforced Bat is the same melee weapon as previously used on the Harley Quinn (Arkham Asylum) model.
The actual model is a beauty as well. It is a fun pose with a great base, including one of her babies.
There you have it. Of the current era of Harley Quinn models, these are how we would go about picking them. Ultimately, they each offer their own unique blend of weapons and traits to throw down on the dark streets of Gotham. For us, when selecting a model, we try to look for a fine balance of offensive and defensive abilities or stats, while at the same time being mindful of the theme of the team.
We hope you’ve enjoyed this first installment of Fractured Identity. If you have a character with multiple variations out there that you’d like to have us talk about, drop us a line at thelatenightplayers@gmail.com.