Octopiti and Rafter vs DUELIST: Which Figure First?
By SCALE75 - HOBBIES & GAMES – SCALE75 - Hobbies & Games | Published: 2026-11-04
Category: Comparisons
Compare the 35mm Octopiti and Rafter figure with the 1/12 DUELIST bust on scale, assembly, and painting demands to decide which to paint first.
Quick answer
Paint Octopiti and Rafter first if you want a small, assembled 35mm figure that lets you practice basecoats and detail work without a large surface. Choose DUELIST first if you prefer a larger 1/12 bust with more room for expressive skin and fabric, and you are comfortable painting an unpainted resin piece.
Scale changes the painting job
Octopiti and Rafter is a 35mm figure, so its details are small and tightly packed. That makes it a practical first project for learning brush control on a compact area, but it leaves less room for subtle blends. DUELIST is a 1/12 scale bust, which gives you a much larger canvas for faces and clothing. The trade-off is that larger surfaces show uneven coverage and brush marks more clearly, so you need to thin paints and build layers patiently.
Assembly and preparation differ
Octopiti and Rafter requires assembly, so you will need to clean parts, test-fit, and glue before painting. That extra step teaches you how resin kits go together, but it also means you cannot start painting immediately. DUELIST is supplied as a single bust format, so you can move straight to washing and priming. If you want the simplest path to a brush in hand, the bust removes assembly from the equation.
What each kit includes for guidance
Both figures are unpainted resin and come with a SCALE75 painting reference in the box. For a first project, that reference is useful because it shows a finished direction without locking you into one scheme. The difference is how you use it: on the smaller 35mm figure, the reference helps you simplify details; on the larger bust, it helps you plan where to place highlights and shadows across a broader area.
Trade-offs to weigh before you start
- Time to first brushstroke: Octopiti and Rafter needs assembly before painting; DUELIST is a single bust ready for washing and priming. If you want to start painting today, choose DUELIST. Assembly time is the main scheduling difference between the two.
- Detail versus surface area: The 35mm figure rewards tight brush control but punishes overpainting on small areas. The 1/12 bust gives you more room to blend, but larger areas demand even coverage. Match the size to the skill you want to practice. Pick the scale that matches the technique you want to improve.
- Display and diorama plans: DUELIST is described as suitable for display or diorama use, so it works as a standalone piece. Octopiti and Rafter is a small figure that fits into a scene or a shelf without dominating it. Decide whether you want a centerpiece or a supporting figure before you buy.
Product facts at a glance
- Octopiti and Rafter: 35mm scale resin figure, unpainted, assembly required, with a SCALE75 painting reference included. The small scale and assembly step make it a good first kit if you want to learn construction and detail control on a compact model.
Octopiti and Rafter - DUELIST: 1/12 scale resin bust, unpainted, part of the SCALE75 Hobbies & Games collection, suitable for display or diorama use. The larger bust format gives you more surface area for painting faces and clothing, and the display-ready size suits a first showcase piece.
DUELIST
Which figure fits your first project?
Best for
- Painters who want a compact 35mm figure and do not mind assembling resin parts before painting.
- Hobbyists who want to practice detail work on a small scale with a supplied painting reference.
Not for
- Painters who want to skip assembly and start painting immediately; choose DUELIST instead.
- Anyone looking for a large-format bust with more surface area for blending.
