> Should I start with men or might a tank or a plane be easier?
Some dudes will probably be easier if you're new and want to learn. Later on vehicles and dioramas will let you have some fun for purely painting-and-modelling projects.
> What are good scales? I hear men referred to as "6mm" and tanks as "143:1" and the sort
If you just want to paint stuff, 28mm (approx 1/48...ish, it's not an exact science) and larger models will generally have lots of nice details and be big enough for you to really go to town on making them look good. Alternatively if you want some really cheap stuff for practicing on, try 1/72 (about 20mm).
> I'm obviously not going to buy any now, but are metal minatures generally made of one piece instead of multiple pieces like the plastic ones?
Sometimes, but the ones that do require assembly usually only come in a few parts, rather than the multipart kits you often get in plastic.
> Where should I buy paints? Is there a brand everyone uses? That's how the Warhammer people handle it I believe
At your local hobby store (if you have one). Brand is personal preference, I personally think GW paints are overpriced and dry out way too easily. I'd recommend brands that come in a dropper-style bottle as they last way longer.
Personally I mostly use Vallejo with a bit of Army Painter, especially the latter's washes.
> Are there any good minatures for late antiquity? That would be my favorite
We have a manufacturer's list in the OP, it's a bit old but you might find some stuff there. As an example I quite like Footsore for late romans (assuming that's what you meant by 'late antiquity')
> If not someone in the last thread suggested Perry minatures to another newcomer
Perry's stuff is nice, for sure. You can also buy individual frames from them so if you just want a few dudes rather than a whole bunch you can save money
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