How to Choose the Right Wargaming Token Set?

Wargaming token sets exist to solve a simple problem: there are too many active abilities, buffs, and effects on the board to reliably track from memory. One forgotten aura in a casual game is a shrug. One forgotten aura in a competitive game is a lost unit.

But with dozens of token sets available — universal sets, army-specific sets, mission sets, terrain sets — figuring out which ones you actually need can feel overwhelming. This guide walks through the differences, what each type covers, and how to build a token setup that matches how you play.

Universal vs. army-specific: what's the difference?

These are two different tools for two different layers of the game.

A universal token set covers the core mechanics that every army in a game system uses, regardless of faction. Things like objective control, command points, battle shock, cover, and common combat modifiers. These are the rules that apply to every player at every table.

An army-specific token set covers the abilities, buffs, auras, and effects that are unique to your faction. These vary wildly between armies — some factions have a handful of straightforward abilities, while others stack conditional buffs, resource systems, and stance effects across dozens of units simultaneously.

Think of it this way: universal tokens track what the game does. Army tokens track what your army does.

Which one should you get first?

It depends on where you're losing track of things during games.

If you're a new player still learning core rules, a universal set gives you the broadest coverage. It marks the mechanics you'll use in every game regardless of which army you pick up next. Start here if you're not yet committed to a single faction or if you play multiple armies.

If you're an experienced player running one main army, the army-specific set is where you'll see the biggest impact. You probably already know the core rules — it's your faction's unique interactions that get forgotten mid-game. An army set puts markers on exactly those abilities.

If you play competitively, most tournament players end up with both: the universal set for baseline tracking and the army set for faction-specific precision. The two sets complement each other without overlapping.

Universal Sci-Fi Token Set · Universal Fantasy Token Set

How many tokens do you actually need?

Token counts range from around 40 to over 100 depending on the army. The count reflects the complexity of your faction's rules, not the number of models you field. An army with a few straightforward abilities might only need 40 tokens, while one with many characters bringing layered auras, conditional buffs, and interlocking resource systems might need 80-100 to cover every active effect.

Every set we make is designed around the actual mechanics of that specific army — the count isn't padded. The product images on every set show a full visual overview of every token included, so you can see exactly what you're getting before you order.

What about mission and terrain tokens?

Beyond army-specific and universal sets, there are two utility sets that cover the table itself rather than the armies on it.

A mission token set tracks objectives, scoring conditions, tactical actions, and other mission-specific mechanics. These change every game based on which mission you're playing, so having dedicated markers keeps the mission layer clear without borrowing tokens from your army set.

A terrain token set marks terrain effects across the board — cover, obscuring, breachable, and other features that both players need to agree on before the game starts. Marking terrain clearly at the start prevents mid-game disputes about what a ruin does or whether a wall blocks line of sight.

Mission Token Set · Terrain & Scenery Token Set

What to look for in a good token set

Not all token sets are built the same. Here's what separates a useful set from a decorative one:

Readability from across the table. Your opponent needs to see what's active on your units too. Tokens that are only readable from one side create confusion and slow down the game. Look for high-contrast colour combinations and clear text that's legible from a normal playing distance.

Magnetic storage. Loose tokens in a bag or box get lost, scratched, and jumbled. A magnetic storage box keeps everything organised and protected during transport — and makes setup between tournament rounds much faster.

Accurate coverage. The tokens should reflect the mechanics your army actually uses, not a generic approximation. Army-specific sets that are built around the current rulebook are more useful than universal alternatives that try to cover everything loosely.

Colour customisation. This isn't just cosmetic — matching your tokens to your army's colour scheme makes them visually scan faster during play. Your eye learns to associate your army's colours with "mine" and quickly spots what's active.

All of our token sets come in a magnetic storage box, offer 28 colour options for base and text, and are designed around the current mechanics for each faction. Every set is made to order in Stockholm, Sweden.

Recommended starting points

Playing one army competitively? Start with your army-specific token set. Add the universal set later if you find you're also losing track of core mechanics.

New to the game or play multiple armies? Start with the universal set for your game system — it covers the fundamentals for every army.

Preparing for a tournament? Both universal and army-specific, plus mission tokens. This gives you full coverage across every layer of the game.

Running a club or gaming group? The terrain & scenery set marks the board itself and benefits every player at every table, regardless of army.

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