Miniature

General
Miniatures, also referred to as "mini pets," are items that reserve one of your inventory spots. When activated, a small duplicate of the named creature will appear and follow you around. This is a "frill" feature that makes the game more interesting. It does not affect combat balance; however, it does affect the in-game economy. Miniatures were added by the developers to show appreciation for long-time players (see acquisition).
 * You can trade, give away, drop, and destroy miniatures. You cannot dye them, and no merchants will buy them.  You can have multiple miniatures in your inventory.
 * To activate or deactivate a miniature, double-click on it in your inventory while in an explorable area or cooperative mission.
 * Only one miniature can be active at a time. If you activate a second one, it will replace the active one automatically.
 * Miniatures only appear while you are in explorable areas or missions.
 * Miniatures do not affect combat in any meaningful way. They cannot attack, nor do they have skills or special abilities.  They also cannot be targeted, harmed, cause collision, or trigger any effects.
 * Certain miniatures make sound effects, such as growls or the beating of their wings.

Miniature Parading
Some of the more entrepreneurial collectors of miniatures who have full or near full sets, have begun parading them for payment/tips.

Acquisition
Miniatures are received via Birthday Presents, entering a Factions Collectors Edition Key, or through promotional giveaways.

Birthday Present
Each character will receive a present when that character is 1 year old (Type /age in game to see a character's age).


 * You will receive a Birthday Present on any character who is one year old.
 * You may keep the present forever; it will not vanish later.
 * Double-click on the present to unwrap it and reveal the miniature.
 * You will not lose a minature if you receive one via trading and your character is under a year old.

Collector's Edition Present (Guild Wars Factions)

 * ANet has prepared a nice present - a miniature Kuunavang - in appreciation for the support and patience as players who bought the Guild Wars Factions Collections Edition wait through the production delay.
 * Once you add the CE key to your account you will receive a message to type /bonusitems in any outpost or town. After doing so you will receive an item named Collector's Edition Present. Double-clicking on it will turn it into a Miniature Kuunavang.
 * Each account may use this command to generate only one Collector's Edition Present.

Rarity & Types
Miniatures take the form of creatures in the game, from any campaign. It is possible for someone who only owns a Prophecies account to receive a miniature of a Factions creature.

The miniature that comes with the Factions Collectors Edition is always Kuunavang, while the birthday present miniatures differ for each annual series.

Miniatures have rarity similar to regular items:
 * White = Common, 8 types per annual series.
 * Purple = Uncommon, 3 types per annual series.
 * Gold = Rare, 2 types per annual series.
 * Green = Unique, 1 type per annual series.

Factions Collectors Edition

 * Kuunavang

Promotional Giveaways
The following miniatures are unlocked by a special one-time key code included with games related magazines: Unlike other promotional items these miniatures are not customized and can be traded ingame.
 * Gray Giant (PC Gamer, US edition, November 2006 issue)
 * more promotional miniatures in European magazines have been announced by NCsoft (source)