LA-1 Miniatures and When Laws Fail: Tabletop Starter Guide

Quick answer

Set up LA-1 with the base components first, then add the When Laws Fail expansion only after you have sorted its case cards and Darkness cards. If you plan to paint the miniatures, clean and prime them before your first session so you are not handling wet figures mid-game.

Step-by-step LA-1 setup and painting prep

1. Sort the expansion before you open the base game: Open the When Laws Fail expansion and separate the case folder, the 42 numbered case cards, and the four Darkness cards. Check that the numbered cards run in sequence before you shuffle anything. Common mistake: mixing the expansion cards into the base game deck before reading the case setup, which makes it harder to reset the case later. Keep the expansion cards in their own stack until the base game is fully set up.
2. Set up the base game first, then add the case folder: Lay out the base game components as you normally would, then place the expansion case folder within easy reach of every player. Do not deal the Darkness cards until the case instructions tell you to. Common mistake: putting the case folder in the middle of the play area where it gets covered by tokens and dice. Give the case folder its own clear zone on the table.
3. Decide on miniatures versus standees before the first session: If you are using the LA-1 Miniatures, replace the standees now rather than mid-game. Count the miniatures against the standees you are removing so no figure goes missing. Common mistake: swapping miniatures in during play and losing track of which figure represents which character. Make the swap once, before play, and store the standees together in case you want to switch back.
4. Clean and prime miniatures before painting: Wash the miniatures in warm water with a drop of mild dish soap, rinse thoroughly, and let them dry completely. Apply a thin primer coat in light passes rather than one heavy coat. Common mistake: priming in humid or cold conditions, which can leave a chalky or fuzzy texture on the surface. If the primer looks speckled or gritty, stop and wait for better conditions rather than adding more coats.
5. Paint in thin layers and seal after: Thin your paints slightly and build color in two or three thin layers, letting each layer dry before the next. Finish with a matte varnish once the paint is fully cured. Common mistake: handling the miniatures during a game session before the varnish has cured, which rubs paint off the high points. Plan painting at least a day or two before your next game night so the varnish has time to set.

Product facts

• LA-1 When Laws Fail - Expansion: The When Laws Fail expansion contains one case folder, 42 numbered case cards, and four Darkness cards. Knowing the exact component count helps you plan table space and keep the case cards in order for replay.

  

• LA-1 Miniatures: LA-1 Miniatures stand about 45mm tall and are paintable, and they can replace the base game's standees. That height makes them easy to see across the table, and the paintable surface means you can customize them to match your group's detective colors.