Quick answer
Buy Combat Zone: Going Metal if you want a full squad of cybernetic bodies plus their Full Body Conversion cards in one purchase, and you are comfortable working with models sold without retail packaging. If you only need one or two figures to test a list, start with a single miniature such as Edgerunners - Solo Bodyguard instead. The Going Metal box is a commitment to a chrome-heavy gang, not a small top-up.
What the Going Metal box actually gives you
Going Metal is a Universal Full Body Conversion expansion. Each model in the set is paired with a Full Body Conversion card that details its unique abilities and stats, so the box is both a miniature purchase and a rules purchase. The models are engineered for raw power and tactical versatility, which means they tend to replace rather than support ordinary gang members.
One practical detail matters before you order: the set is sold without retail packaging. That is normal for this type of expansion, but it means you should plan your storage and transport before the box arrives rather than after.
How to judge conversion compatibility before you buy
The most common mistake is assuming that any cyberpunk miniature will slot into any gang list. Going Metal is built around Full Body Conversion cards, so its value depends on whether your games use those cards. If your group plays Combat Zone with standard gang-building rules, check that FBC entries are allowed before you spend.
For kitbashing, the practical question is scale and silhouette. These are full-body replacements, so they read as taller, heavier, and more mechanical than a typical ganger. Mixing one into a squad of standard Zoner figures works as a visual centerpiece; mixing a whole box into a light-skirmish gang can look unbalanced on the table.
Cheaper ways to test the chrome look first
If you are not ready to commit to a full conversion set, single figures let you test paint schemes and basing before you scale up. The Edgerunners - Solo Bodyguard is a remastered resin single shot that comes with its character card, so it is playable on its own and doubles as a painting project. Civilian: Discreet Contractor follows the same single-shot format and gives you a non-combat silhouette to contrast against armored figures.
Civilian: Discreet Contractor
Zoner Gonks sit at the other end of the scale: a small box of three initiate gang members with the miniatures and cards needed to add them to your gang. They are a low-cost way to fill out a roster while you decide whether full body conversion is the direction you want.
Decision rules for buying Going Metal
- Rule 1: Buy the box only if you will use the FBC cards: Going Metal is a card-driven expansion. If your group does not use Full Body Conversion rules, the models are still usable as kitbash parts but you are paying for cards you will not play. No FBC games in your group? Buy singles instead.
- Rule 2: Match the box to your gang's visual identity: Full body conversion figures are visually dominant. One or two reads as elite; a whole box can overwhelm a gang built from lighter Zoner or civilian models. Plan how many chrome bodies you actually want on the table.
- Rule 3: Budget for storage before you buy: The set ships without retail packaging, so foam, magnets, or a case is part of the real cost. Resin figures also reward careful handling and a proper wash before painting. Add storage to your total, not just the model price.
Products that answer this decision
- Combat Zone: Going Metal (Universal Full Body Conversion 1): Sold without retail packaging, and each model is paired with a Full Body Conversion card detailing unique abilities and stats. You get rules and models together, but you need your own storage and you cannot rely on a retail box for protection or resale.
- Combat Zone: Take Up Irons (Zoner Gonks): A box set of three Zoner Gonk initiate gang members that includes the miniatures and cards needed to add them to your gang. A cheaper way to grow a gang or to practice painting before committing to a full conversion set.
- Edgerunners - Solo Bodyguard: A remastered resin-printed single miniature that comes complete with its character card. Lets you test scale, basing, and paint scheme on one figure before buying a whole conversion box.
Who should buy Going Metal, and who should not
Best for
- Players running a chrome-heavy Combat Zone gang who will use the Full Body Conversion cards
- Painters who want several detailed cybernetic bodies in one purchase
- Kitbashers who want a consistent set of conversion parts rather than mixed singles
Not for
- New players who have not yet chosen a faction or learned the core gang-building rules
- Buyers who want retail packaging or a display box
- Anyone who only needs one or two figures; a single miniature is cheaper and easier to test
