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I want a matte or semi-matte finish on my miniatures that will be used in a board game (Blood Rage).

After Googling, some options appears to be...

- Citadel Purity Seal
- Testors dull coat
- Vallejo matte

Which would you recommend?

I've read so many horror stories about miniatures being cloudy or frosted after varnish so I'm consider that perhaps it may actually be LESS risk of ruining my minis by NOT applying a varnish.
What are your thoughts on this?

I ran into clouding SO often, basically everytime I tried a satin or matte varnish.
I have a hard time nailing down the issue.. if I'm applying it too thickly, didn't thin enough, too far away etc... and I had that with purity seal as well as with Vallejo.
Luckily I mostly use models where a gloss coat looks nice because they're either black or mostly metallic.

That said, always remember that if the varnish clouds your mini, you can always apply gloss over it to fix it and try again. Well, at least once

Many seem to swear on Testors though.

I apply a coat of Testors dullecoat to every mini I paint. Having said that the finish is very matte. For a semi gloss look I always do a first cost of GW 'ard coat and then the Testors.

Never had a problem with frosting but I always make sure to apply in low humidity.

Testors Dullcoate is great. It is very matte, so be aware.
I like Krylon Crystal Clear too, for gloss.