It gets to that time of the year where people reflect on
what has happened over the past 12 months and make promises they aren’t likely
to keep because ‘real-life’ gets in the way or priorities change.
I, myself, have been a great testament to this in 2016.
Looking back, hobby has suffered a drastic nose dive due to other/increased
commitments. This is partly my fault for being a sucker but it just seems that
I have so much on that something has to give at some point. I know, you’re
reading this and you’re like: ‘OMG! You’re totes so popular!’ and you wouldn’t
be far wrong but being a social butterfly is draining!
Anyway, enough about my terrible life – let’s get on with
some hobby!
Best Bits of 2016
It’s hard to think about achievements and what has happened over
the past year, it’s kind of been a blur.
*Starting to play Guild Ball
This has been a great game to pick up and play this year and
I’ve really enjoyed playing the game – particularly the technical aspect of it,
even though I’m not particularly good at it. I’ve quite enjoyed the freedom
that I have had with the being able to come up ways to individually base
models/guilds which make them stand out – Hunters for example. It’s a bit of a
shame that this will change with the release of the all in one plastics but I
guess I’ll have to find a way of taking them off their bases if I am to get
some of the new models based in interesting and unique ways.
*Age of Sigmar
Although quite a recent resurgence, I have really enjoyed
playing AoS throughout the year. I’ve enjoyed the freedom it has given me in
forming an army of basically whatever I wanted – case and point; Spiders. It’s
a great social game to play but after watching a lot of bat reps and games
being played, it does have a hidden depth to it. I’ve started painting up my
Stormcast Eternals and I’m hoping to have a decent army before moving on with
other projects. I have also promised myself that they will be painted before I
move on!
*Digging old models back out
I’ve really enjoyed the Kill Team aspect of 40k this year
and it is something which I think should be explored further in the coming
year. I’ve really enjoyed putting the 40k models back on the table and playing.
The thing that holds me back with 40k is the amount of books and knowledge you
have to have. I guess this is the same with other games as well but in total
the requirement to play the game has far surpassed what I want out of a wargame
at the moment. Don’t get me wrong – I enjoyed playing when I played a lot and I
still enjoy it now, I just don’t like having to find different sources for
different armies from different books! Now, you’ll be reading this and be like:
‘Well, you don’t have to do that – you can just use ONE BOOK and play a game.’ And
you would be correct but that’s not how I play. I know, a contradiction of
terms! I know! Don’t keep saying it!
One thing I have missed this year is playing a lot of
Malifaux. It was a game I really loved and it’s fallen by the wayside in favour
of other games. I’m not sorry that I’ve not played it because the games I have
played, I’ve really enjoyed but it has been a shame that a game I spent a long
time playing has gone off a bit. I understand there have been a few rules changes
which have seen a little bit of disharmony in the community. I would like to
read them fully and judge for myself. I might need to pick myself up a new
faction to play with – perhaps Gremlins! There are a fair few people down my
FLGS who play Malifaux but it hasn’t been a regular occurrence down the store
for a very long time. The last game I played was perhaps 6 or 7 months ago.
*Picking up a paintbrush
Sounds silly but I don’t have a lot of time to paint. This leads
to models just looking grey and dull or have a gentle undercoat on them in
preparation for the inevitability of them being sold on! I’ve actually decided
that I need to, for my own sanity, have some time just to relax and paint. I’ve
started off by painting my Stormcast army and I’m really enjoying it.
What about 2017?
*Guild Ball
Looking into 2017, I want to get the league finished and
start playing a few tournaments. I’ve been lucky enough to get into the Heroic
Play’s tournament which is a team tournament (more on this later) and an
individual tournament hosted by THE Rob Smith (@derby_malal) at my FLGS. I’m
really looking forward to the Farmers Guild coming out and that will be my main
team going forward. I will still continue to have other Guilds – Hunters,
Morts, Engineers and Alchemists because I like the models but I think I need to
be more ruthless with what I have/collect.
*Age of Sigmar
My biggest thing for AoS for the immediate future is to have
my Stormcast force painted before I move on to other projects. At the moment,
my two main games are AoS and Guild Ball and I’ve got enough to sustain me for
a while! I also want to have a force for each of the 4 Alliances. I already
have a Chaos Force…which may or may not include Hellcannons, Destruction Force
of spiders and an Order force of Stormcast (and Slyvaneth which may or may not
be coming). So my next project will be Death: Malignats I think! A lot to do it
seems! At least the painting will be easy for that ;)
*Hobby Clear Out
I have a ton of crap! By crap I mean like loads of different
games systems which are stored away in dusty cases not being used. The biggest
problem with these is getting rid of them. With few people who buy in bulk it
is difficult, without heading to eBay, to sell such items.
I’ve got the following systems:
AoS // 40k // Guild Ball // Malifaux // Firestorm Armada //
Battlefleet Gothic // Batman // Wild West Exodus.
Something does have to give! I don’t really play Batman,
Firestorm, Malifaux and WWX so they can get going if I can find anyone to take
them off my hands. Additionally, I do have some spare 40k and AoS stuff which
can go!
A huge sort needs to be done!
*Attend 5 tournaments
Seems a silly thing to say for someone who doesn’t have a
lot of time however I want to make sure I have a bit of time to myself. I’ve
mentioned that I’m attending 2 Guild Ball events but I do want to get to some
AoS events. Luckily, the gaming club I attend once a year (WS10 gaming) will be
hosting an AoS tournament. Additionally, I wouldn’t mind going to a Grand
Tournament at Warhammer World for AoS!
5 is the target!
*Run 3 tournaments
In tandem with my FLGS in Stourbridge, I’ve written a couple
of rules packs for different events. I’ve mooted the possibility of getting
events such as AoS, Kill Team and a Warmachine Journeyman Tournament up and
running which players can enter. I say tournaments with the loosest sense of
the word with events such as Kill Team being a narrative event much like it was
in the store’s campaign.
Overall, it’s about engagement and trying to get people to
enjoy playing at an event in a friendly setting. It is difficult sometimes to
get down to the store on a Thursday for people and Saturdays often become a
slip date to come down. Generally, if you can get a day pass from loved ones
why not spend it playing 3 or 4 games in a store full of loved ones! Win!
*Painting
I keep going on about how I can’t paint and because I
outsource it the majority of the time, I won’t ever get better. This being
said, it has been excellent to have a fully painted army on the table and ready
to go for once in my life! I want to get better at painting and I have a few
books from different people which give guidance, so hopefully I can get some
painting done with excellent results!
*Moonstone
You may have seen the recent Kickstarter of Moonstone. It’s
a great little game with miniatures which is a ‘beer and pretzel’ type of game
with some excellent characters. It has brought something new to the tabletop –
Fairies! Love the models, love the mechanics – bring it on!
Doesn’t seem a lot does it?! Not asking for a lot!
Here’s to a successful 2017!
Thanks for reading.
I hope you have a great New Year too!
I’ll see you soon!
@geekphotoguy
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