Best Practices for Storing and Transporting Kill Team Models

A Kill Team collection spends much of its life away from the gaming table. Models may sit in a cabinet between matches, travel in a backpack to a local club, or cross town for a tournament at a games store. Good storage and careful transport protect painted details, fragile weapons, scenic bases, and the time invested in building each operative.

The right system also makes game day easier. When every operative, token, measuring tool, and roster has a defined place, setup takes less time and forgotten equipment becomes less likely. This matters in Australia, where players may travel long distances to events, deal with hot cars, or carry their collection on public transport through busy city centres.

Choose A Case That Fits The Collection

A dedicated miniature case with pick-and-pluck foam, magnetic trays, or adjustable compartments is usually safer than a loose cardboard box. The best option depends on the models in your roster. Tall figures with banners, aerials, or extended weapons need vertical clearance, while compact teams can sit securely in shallow compartments. Measure the finished miniatures, including scenic bases, before buying a case.

Magnetic storage is particularly useful for players who attend frequent events. Glue a suitable magnet beneath each base and place the models on a steel sheet inside a latching container. This keeps operatives upright without pressing foam against painted surfaces. A plastic tub with a secure lid can work for local transport, but it should have a fitted insert or magnetic plate so models cannot slide into one another.

Avoid filling the case until miniatures are tightly packed. A little space around each model makes removal safer and allows for unusual poses. Keep spare foam, dividers, or small zip pouches available as the collection expands. A case that works for one team may become awkward once several factions, specialists, and alternate operatives are added.

Protect Paint, Weapons, And Bases

Before storing a team, inspect every model for loose arms, bent parts, chipped paint, and lifting basing material. Transport is a poor time to discover that a thin power sword has snapped. Pinning vulnerable joints, reinforcing them with a small amount of superglue, and replacing overly delicate parts with sturdier alternatives can prevent repeated repairs.

Foam should touch robust areas such as a model’s torso or base rim rather than antennae, blades, claws, or raised shoulder details. If a figure has an especially fragile pose, wrap the vulnerable section loosely in soft tissue or use a custom compartment. Bubble wrap is acceptable for short-term protection when it does not press hard against the miniature, though it is less reliable than a properly fitted case.

Bases deserve attention because they take much of the impact during movement. Make sure scenic rubble is firmly attached and that magnetised bases sit flat. A transparent base protector or shallow individual box can help preserve elaborate basing. For advice on avoiding common handling and gameplay errors, this review of common Kill Team mistakes is a useful companion to a careful transport routine.

Manage Australian Heat And Humidity

Australian conditions can be hard on miniatures and storage materials. A case left in a parked car at a Parramatta shopping centre or outside a Perth venue can become extremely hot within minutes. Heat may soften some adhesives, warp thin plastic, loosen magnets, and make foam press against paint. Carry the collection into the venue rather than leaving it in the boot while collecting food or running errands.

Humidity creates a different risk, especially in coastal Queensland, Darwin, and parts of New South Wales. Moisture can encourage mould in fabric cases, affect paper rosters, and make metal components prone to corrosion. Store miniatures in a cool, dry room, allow a damp case to air out fully, and use silica gel packets where appropriate. Desiccant should sit in the case without rubbing against models or shedding material.

Never seal a case immediately after bringing it in from a wet event. Open the lid, remove damp paper, and let the contents reach room temperature. A soft brush can clear dust and grit from bases before it becomes embedded in foam. For long-term storage, keep models away from direct sunlight, roof spaces, and garages that experience large daily temperature swings.

Pack For Public Transport And Long Drives

Tournament travel often involves more than a short car trip. Players in Melbourne may carry a team on a tram to an event, while Sydney players might combine trains and walking through crowded stations. A compact case with a reliable handle is easier to manage than a large open tray. Place it inside a padded backpack or shoulder bag, keeping the case upright and avoiding areas where it can be crushed.

For interstate journeys, separate the essentials from the wider collection. Pack the active team, tokens, dice, measuring tools, roster, and rule references in one clearly marked case. Additional factions and display models can travel separately. This reduces the weight carried into the venue and limits the number of miniatures exposed to accidental drops, spills, or rough luggage handling.

Long drives call for a stable position in the vehicle. A case should sit flat on the floor or be secured so it cannot slide under braking. Avoid placing it on a seat in direct sun. If flying, keep fragile miniatures in carry-on luggage where possible, because checked baggage can experience hard impacts and temperature changes. Check airline size limits before travelling with a larger display case.

Organise The Game-Day Loadout

A reliable packing list prevents small items from becoming tournament problems. Alongside the miniatures, carry dice, objective markers, tokens, barricades, measuring gauges or tape, a pen, roster copies, and any required faction materials. Keep these in labelled pouches rather than loose pockets. A missing token can waste time between rounds, while a loose die can rattle against a painted model.

Use separate containers for dirty gaming accessories and finished miniatures. Tokens often collect grit from club tables, and dice can carry moisture or residue from repeated handling. A small zip bag for used or damaged items keeps the main case tidy. Clear labels such as “active team”, “tools”, and “spares” are easier to read in a busy venue than tiny handwritten notes.

Before leaving home, check the event packet for terrain, board, and equipment requirements. Some Australian tournaments use specific terrain layouts or ask players to bring particular markers. Events at local clubs, conventions, and independent stores can have different table arrangements, so a quick review prevents overpacking and last-minute purchases. Keep a digital copy of the roster on your phone, while carrying a paper backup in case the venue has poor reception.

Store Collections For Easy Rotation

Long-term organisation matters when a player owns several teams. Give each faction its own labelled container or compartment, and record the operatives included in that box. A simple inventory can list the team name, specialist weapons, alternate sculpts, base sizes, and any models currently undergoing repair. Photos of the finished contents are useful when checking that everything has returned after an event.

Display cabinets are suitable for teams that are painted and rarely used, provided they are kept away from direct sunlight and household dust. For active collections, a shelf with sealed tubs makes rotation easier. Store books, event packets, and printed rosters separately from models so paper does not crowd the case or absorb moisture from a damp gaming bag.

After each tournament, unpack the collection before putting it away. Count the operatives, inspect fragile parts, remove dust, and recharge any electronic lighting used in display pieces. Note repairs immediately instead of relying on memory. This habit keeps a Kill Team ready for the next club night, whether that means a local game in Adelaide, a weekend event in Brisbane, or a major tournament reached after a long trip.