All figures are designated as being a "common", "uncommon", or "rare" piece. This rarity determines the odds of obtaining each piece within a pre-packaged expansion pack or starter set. By making certain pieces of higher worth to be less available, DDM has a collectible component similar to collectible trading card games such as (also published by Wizards of the Coast).
Unlike Dungeons & Dragons, the Dungeons & Dragons Miniatures Game is (usually) played by two opponents playing against each other. In order to allow rule adjudication without a Dungeon Master, the DDM rules are simplified from Dungeons & Dragons, with a few additional features unique to the skirmish game.
Wizards of the Coast also makes a Star Wars Miniatures Game, based upon their own Star Wars rules, which are similar to the rules of DDM, although simpler.
Gargantuan Black Dragon (August), Colossal Red Dragon (September)
Blood War
11/2006
60 figures
Marilith, Ice Devil (unconfirmed)
Icons
1/2007
1 figure
Gargantuan Blue Dragon
Unhallowed
3/2007
60 figures
Commonly Used Terms and Abbreviations
As is usual in the internet age, abbreviations or short-hand terms are commonplace in discussions relating to Dungeons & Dragons Miniatures. Attempting to follow a conversation about this topic can be confusing for new players or casual observers. Various lists exist on internet forums and discussion boards (see, for example [MaxMinis]).
Miniature names
Most miniature names are simple abbreviations, however there are a few which are not and instead relate to other aspects of the miniature.
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AoB : Aspect of Bane/Aspect of Bahamut
AoL : Aspect of Lolth (not to be confused with America Online)
AoM : Aspect of Moradin
AoN : Aspect of Nerull
AoT : Aspect of Tiamat
AW : Adventuring Wizard
Barneyspawn : Bluespawn Godslayer, so named for his alleged resemblance to the infamous purple dinosaur. Also called Blue Barney.
Baldy : Ialdabode, Human Psion (also called Da'Bode)
BCoE : Bugbear Champ of Erythnul
CG : Clay Golem (sometimes referred to as Clay Boy)
ChoY : Champion of Yondalla
CoCL : Cleric of Corellon Larethain
CoDA : Cleric of Dol Arrah
CoE : Champion of Eilistraee
CoL : Cleric of Lathander
CoO: Cleric of Order
CoY : Cleric of Yondalla
DB : Displacer Beast (sometimes also called a D-Beast)
DBPL : Displacer Beast Pack Lord
DCoC : Divine Crusader of Correlon
DCoL :- Drow Cleric of Lloth
DD : Dwarven Defender
DSgt : Dwarf Sargeant
DW : Drow Wizard
EMW : Evermeet Wizard
EP : Elf Pyromancer (often just called the Pyro)
EW : Elf Warrior
EoG : Eye of Gruumsh (often called simply the Eye)
FB : Frenzied Berserker
FGPM : Fiendish Giant Praying Mantis
FMS : Fiendish Monsterous Spider
GC : Gold Champion
GCR : Graycloak Ranger
GD : Green Dragon
GFD : Greenfang Druid
GSgt : Gnoll Sargeant
HCoB : Human Cleric of Bane
HDW : Hill Dwarf Warrior
HEBI : Half-Elf Bow Initiate
HGD : Huge Gold Dragon
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HGPW : Half Giant Psychic Warrior
HILF : Half-Illithid Lizard Folk
HFE : Huge Fire Elemental
HRD : Huge Red Dragon
KS : Kobold Sorcerer
IM : Inspiring Marshall
LBD : Large Blue Dragon
LRD : Large Red Dragon
LSD : Large Silver Dragon
MAA or M@A : Man at Arms
MEF : Moon Elf Fighter
MF : Mind Flayer
MFT : Mind Flayer Telepath
MP : Mounted Paladin
OC : Orc Champion
OD : Orc Druid
OS : Orc Savage
OW : Orc Warrior
PDK : Purple Dragon Knight
PoT : Paladin of Torm
RW : Red Wizard
SoH : Sword of Heironeous
SoBD : Sorcerer on Black Dragon
SR : Sahuagin Ranger
SS : Silver Sorcerer
TKB : Thri-Kreen Barbarian
Trog : Troglodyte
TS : Tundra Scout
TW : Timber Wolf
WFH : Warforged Hero
WFF : Warforged Fighter
WFT : Warforged Titan
WFW : Warforged Wizard
WTF : Wrackspawn (the WTF is not an abbreviation but rather a commentary on this creature's unknown and obscure concept)
WPoH : Warpriest of Hextor
ZWD : Zombie White Dragon
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Rules terms
AoE : Area of Effect
AoO : Attack of Opportunity
CE or CFx : Commander Effect
GBA or GMA : Grant Move Action, a special ability of the Inspiring Marshal (GBA refers to Game-Breaking Action)
LOS : Line of Sight
MC : Morale Check
MW : Magic Weapon
OOC : Out of Command
Warbands (General)
Quad : Warbands designed around a core of four efficient combat hitters, usually in the 30-45 point range. Examples include CE Quad (where typical hitters include Orc Champions, Eyes of Gruumsh, Red Samurai and Ogre Ravagers) and LE Quad (with Duergar Champions, Helmed Horrors, Chraals and Zakya Rakshasas as the usual suspects).
Titan : Warbands designed around a single powerful piece (generally costing upwards of 60 points), with the remainder of the band there to support the Titan. Common Titan pieces include the Marut (LG), Aspect of Kord (CG, but usable in LG via the Couatl), Archmage (CG), and Large Silver Dragon (LG)
Dual Titan : Warbands centered on a pair of Titan-level pieces. While their supporting pieces tend to be weaker than those of other bands, few can match a Dual Titan build in raw offensive power. The most well-known of such bands is based around a pair of Hill Giant Barbarians (CE).
Warbands (Specific)
GAS : Githyanki Assassin Squad; a LG band based around the Young Master commander and multiple Githyanki Monks.
SWarm : A LG band consisting of a swarm of Sacred Watchers, often commanded by a Sword Archon.
LRB : Large Red Beatings; a CE band centered around the Large Red Dragon.
Other
DCI : Duelist Convocation International
FLGS : Favorite Local Gaming Store
MHB : miniatures handbook
OP : Organized Play
Sets
Ha or HB : Harbinger
De or DE: Dragoneye
Ar or AF: Archfiends (ArF is the official designation)
GoL : Giants of Legend
Ab or AB: Aberrations
Dk or DK: Deathknell
Af, AN, AF, AnF or AgF: Angelfire (AF is the official designation)
UD: Underdark
WD : War Drums
WDQ: War of the Dragon Queen (DQ is likely the official designation)
Blood War: Unconfirmed, although it is likely to be Bw or BW.