Collectible Enamel Pins from Chip Theory Games: What to Know Before Buying

Quick answer

Buy Chip Theory Games enamel pins when you want a small, wearable way to show which Gearloc or game you love, not when you need a gameplay component. Start with a pin for a character or faction you already play often, check the backing style before you plan to wear it daily, and treat the purchase as a collectible display item rather than a game upgrade.

Enamel pins are the smallest collectible in the Chip Theory Games catalog, and they solve a specific problem: you cannot carry a full Too Many Bones party in your pocket, but you can carry a pin. That makes them a natural add-on for players who already own the games and want a visible, low-commitment collectible.

This guide explains what to check before buying, how pins differ from plushies and miniatures, and when a pin is the wrong choice. It covers the Too Many Bones Enamel Pin (Patches), the Pigadillo Plushie, and burncycle: BrassMag Miniatures Volume 02 so you can compare collectible formats honestly.

What an enamel pin actually is and is not

An enamel pin is a decorative metal badge with colored enamel filling, usually worn on a backpack, jacket, or lanyard. It is not a game component, it does not change gameplay, and it does not replace a miniature. If you want something that sits on the table during a session, a pin will not do that job; a plushie or a set of miniatures will.

The value of a pin is identity and display. It lets you signal a favorite Gearloc or faction without carrying a box. That makes pins a good fit for players who already know which characters they enjoy, and a poor fit for anyone still deciding whether they like a game at all.

• Check whether the pin has a rubber clutch or a locking back before you plan to wear it on a daily bag.
• Decide where the pin will live before you buy: a pin board, a lanyard, or a single jacket lapel.
• Do not buy a pin expecting it to double as a token, marker, or miniature.

Sizing, durability, and daily wear

Enamel pins are small by design, which is exactly why they travel well. The trade-off is that small pins can be harder to see from across a room and easier to lose if the backing comes loose. If you plan to wear a pin on a backpack that gets thrown around, choose a backing you trust and check it periodically.

Durability depends on the metal and enamel finish, not on the artwork. A pin that stays on a shelf or pin board will look new for years. A pin that rides on a commute bag will pick up scratches and may lose its clutch. Neither outcome is a defect; it is simply how pins age.

• Pin backs can loosen over time, so consider a locking back if you wear the same pin daily.
• Keep pins away from keys and loose metal in a bag to reduce surface scratches.
• If a pin matters to you as a collectible, store it on a board rather than a pocket.

Pins versus other Chip Theory collectibles

Chip Theory Games offers more than one kind of collectible, and they serve different purposes. A pin is the cheapest and most portable option. A plushie is larger, softer, and better for a desk or shelf. Miniatures are the most table-relevant collectible because they can stand in for characters during play, but they cost more and take up more space.

The right choice depends on whether you want to wear it, display it, or use it. If you want something on your person, a pin wins. If you want something on a shelf that guests will notice, a plushie wins. If you want something that appears on the table, miniatures win.

• Wearable: enamel pin.
• Shelf display: plushie.
• Table presence: miniatures.

How to decide which pin to buy first

Start with the character or faction you actually play. A pin for a Gearloc you never field is a display piece, not a signature. If you already own Too Many Bones and have a regular character, that is the pin to buy first. If you are buying for someone else, pick the character they talk about most, not the one you like.

Second, decide whether you are collecting or accessorizing. Collectors often want one pin per character and a place to store them. Accessorizers usually need one or two pins that match a bag or jacket. Both are valid, but they lead to different purchase sizes.

• Buy the character you play most before you buy the character with the best art.
• If you are gifting, confirm the recipient's favorite Gearloc rather than guessing.
• Set a limit: pins are easy to buy one at a time and hard to stop collecting.

Where pins fit in an order

Pins are often added to an existing order because they are small and inexpensive relative to a base game or expansion. That makes them a reasonable add-on when you are already buying a game and want to push the order into a different shipping tier or simply include a gift. They are a poor reason to place an order by themselves if shipping costs more than the pin.

If you are buying a pin alongside a game, check that the pin is in stock at the same time. A single out-of-stock collectible can hold up an otherwise ready order, and pins are frequently the item that sells out first because they are produced in smaller runs.

• Add a pin to an existing game order rather than ordering it alone.
• Confirm stock before you rely on a pin arriving with a larger purchase.
• If a pin is a gift, order it early enough to avoid a restock delay.

Decision rules for buying Chip Theory enamel pins

• Buy if you already play the character: A pin is a signature item. If you regularly field the Gearloc or faction on the pin, it will mean something every time you wear it. Pick the character you play most, not the one with the rarest pin.
• Skip if you want a gameplay component: Pins do not affect play, do not act as tokens, and do not replace miniatures. If you need something on the table, buy miniatures or a plushie instead. Match the collectible format to the job you actually need done.
• Check the backing before daily wear: A pin that rides on a backpack will age faster than one on a shelf. If you plan to wear it often, use a backing you trust and inspect it periodically. Daily wear is fine, but expect scratches and check the clutch.
• Add pins to an existing order: Pins are small and inexpensive relative to games and expansions, so they work best as add-ons. Ordering a single pin alone may not justify shipping. Bundle a pin with a game or expansion you already plan to buy.
• Confirm stock before gifting: Pins are produced in smaller runs and can sell out. If the pin is a gift, order early or choose a backup collectible. Do not rely on a pin arriving in time unless you confirm availability.

Product facts to compare

• Too Many Bones Enamel Pin (Patches): The pin is described as the perfect size to rep your favorite Gearloc on a backpack, clothes, or practically anything that can sport an enamel pin. This confirms the pin is a wearable collectible rather than a game component, so buy it for display or identity, not for play.
• Pigadillo Plushie: The plushie measures 6 inches tall and 12 inches long from tusk to tail, and it is a soft collectible rather than a pin. If you want a larger shelf presence instead of a small wearable, the plushie is the better format, but it takes up more space and costs more.
• burncycle: BrassMag Miniatures Volume 02: These are pewter sculpts with a brass alloy finish designed for visibility while you play, and they are miniatures rather than pins. Choose miniatures when you want a collectible that appears on the table during a game; choose a pin when you want something portable to wear.

Who should buy a Chip Theory enamel pin

Best for

• Players who already own a Chip Theory game and want a small wearable collectible.
• Fans who want to show a favorite Gearloc or faction on a backpack, jacket, or lanyard.
• Gift buyers who know the recipient's favorite character and want a low-cost add-on.

Not for

• Players looking for a gameplay component, token, or miniature substitute.
• Anyone who has not yet decided whether they enjoy the game.
• Buyers who need a large display piece rather than a small wearable.

Enamel pins are the most portable and least expensive way to collect Chip Theory Games, but they only make sense if you value wearability or character identity. Buy the pin for the character you actually play, add it to an order you were already placing, and choose a plushie or miniatures instead when you need something for the shelf or the table.