Wargaming ASKEW: The Break Up
It was love at first sight. The second you opened that first blister and the smell of finely forged metal filled your nostrils, your heart started to race.
The bond between army and player is a beautiful thing. Neither have any expections, everything is a new and exciting experience. The future and possibilities are endless. As this new relationship starts, you look at the players around trying to avoid the mistakes they have made.
You have seen the player that spoils his army; buying everything, not even knowing what he really wants from the relationship. Then, there is the player that only focuses on one part of the army never knowing the real army inside. There is also the poor guy that meets his army through a friend or family member– pawned off or handed down in the Wargaming equivalent of an arranged marriage. You see guys with older armies, the ones from the island of misfit minies and archaic codices. Often these souls are bitter and only seek to punish themselves by playing out some sad charade.
Your relationship is different! There is no way you and your army could ever come to that. As you grow together you learn what your army does and doesn’t like. You become inseparable. Everywhere you go you let people know the special bond you have with your army. From the “unique” army lists to paint scheme; where do you begin and the army end?
As the months and sometimes years go by, you continue to play the same army. You add new units for your army. You make sure it is painted well. Still time goes by you begin to wonder. You look at the store walls to the other armies. It is ok, looking does not mean anything. Sometimes even pick up a new codex you know– for opponent “research”. You flip through the pages harmlessly enough to the glittering new units displayed and painted to perfection. In your head you think, it wouldn’t be cheating if I just pick up just one unit from another army. It is not like you can make an army out of one unit…
You go back to your army and play a few games, things start to feel different. You find yourself getting upset or bored with the performance of your army. You start to post on forums claiming everything else is broken, but your army. Metal starts to chip and you stop taking the time to fix it. The dust collects and you don’t brush it off. The dice stop spinning the way they use to. Your friends ask you what is wrong? You just cannot explain it. Then, that same guy comes walking into the store with that old army; he slowly takes it out with his shoulders slumped and face sullen. The rock in your throat drops to your stomach. You realize your future could be right before your eyes!
Your head falls as you stare at the ground in disappointment. Then, you realize this could be your chance to break free. Why hold on to something if it only means living on memories past? So you let go. You pack up your army knowing that it is over. It is time to move on.
Can you still be friends? Even though it is over you know your army will understand; to the point you can always go back and at least play a few games together just like old times. Finally, you go down to that wall of unopened armies and look with the benefit of experience. This new army will be something fresh where you can create new and exciting memories… just like it was the very first time.
