[3D Printing Guide] What scale is Star Wars legion?

“What scale is Star Wars legion?” is the question to provide valuable information about the scale and its relevance to the game’s miniatures.

The Scale Calculation

Since Fantasy Flight Games, the creators of Star Wars Legion, haven’t disclosed the exact scale they use, it falls upon the fans to determine the appropriate scale for printing miniatures, landscapes, and props.

Fortunately, diligent enthusiasts have done the math to decipher the scale. Onebit, a Reddit user, developed the following equation:

By determining that the average height of a Stormtrooper is 5’11”, equivalent to the height of a 75th percentile male, it becomes possible to deduce the average eye height of a 75th percentile male from the ground, which measures 1678mm.

The distance between the ground and the eyes of a Stormtrooper miniature is 35.7mm.

By dividing the actual eye height of a Stormtrooper (1678mm) by the eye height of the miniature (35.7mm), we can calculate the rough scale of the miniatures themselves. 1678mm / 35.7mm = 47 (1:47 scale)

Therefore, the miniatures in Star Wars Legion are approximately at a 1:47 scale.

The Misconception of 35mm Scale

Contrary to popular belief, Star Wars Legion is not referred to as a 35mm scale due to the height of the miniatures themselves, which measure 40mm.

The 35mm reference pertains to the eye height of the miniatures, which is approximately 35.7mm from the ground. This serves as an interesting fact about the game.

Official Star Wars Legion Model Kits

While the calculations point towards a 1:47 scale for Star Wars Legion miniatures, the official model kits from companies like Bandai and Revell indicate a 1:48 scale. Both these manufacturers offer Star Wars model kits at a 1:48 scale, and they also provide kits at 1:52 and 1:53 scales, which are compatible with Star Wars Legion.

Understanding the Sliding Scale

Nearly all tabletop games utilize a sliding scale to downscale larger objects. This approach ensures that if a large vehicle were at the exact same scale as a miniature, the battlefield would become overcrowded. It would be difficult to fit all the models onto the battlefield, limiting the miniatures’ movement space.

To address this issue, a sliding scale is introduced. It compresses the scale of larger objects. For instance, small objects and vehicles in close proximity to the miniatures or used by them retain the correct 1:48 scale, representing 100% scale accuracy.

As objects or vehicles increase in size, the scale percentage decreases. For example, an AT-ST figure might be approximately 80-85% scale, meaning it is 85% true to scale when compared to a miniature.

When a miniature stands next to an 80% scale AT-ST, it will appear slightly larger than if everything were at a true 100% scale. The sliding scale ensures that objects, terrain, and vehicles maintain a realistic scale.

Reducing an AT-ST to a 50% scale would make it unreasonably small, negatively impacting both immersion and gameplay.

Therefore, if a miniature or a small vehicle like a speeder bike is at 100% scale, and a medium-sized vehicle such as an AT-ST is around 85% scale, a larger object like a large AT-AT could be reduced to approximately 70% scale using the sliding scale.

When the battlefield features these objects simultaneously, an AT-AT at 70% scale will still tower over the miniatures, occupying less space on the battlefield compared to a 100% scale AT-AT. This approach maintains believability while enhancing gameplay through the sliding scale.

Understanding the scale and the sliding scale concept is crucial for players and hobbyists who engage in 3D printing or purchasing additional models. By maintaining consistency with the scale, players can create immersive and visually appealing game setups while enjoying the Star Wars Legion experience.