Wargaming Open Thread – How to Begin?
Its very easy to forget about the newest in out midst. Lets take a moment to talk about how to get the greenhorns up and running with Tabletop Wargaming.
Think for a second about what it was like even 5 years ago if you walked into a game store having decided to get into this “tabletop wargaming” your friends keep pestering you about. Back then, you walked in, ponied up your (say $200) and bought probably Black Reach for $75, A codex for $30, $50 of paint/brushes, and a boxed set of your choice to round it out. Off you went.
Now look at today. You walk into that same store and see $99 boxed sets for Dark Vengeance, Island of Blood, Warmachine, Hordes, (the new fancy all plastic Flames of War boxed set is coming this month), and at least 3 competing lines of paint and hobby supplies, from Games Workshop, Privateer Press, Army Painter, and Vallejo.
Now you need to factor what you think is cool, what is popular, and what is a great starter set for a beginner with no previous experience either playing wargames, or painting. Last but not least, is value and longevity of the purchases.
What’s a newcomer to do?
In 40k there was a time when Black Templars filled this niche, being brain-dead easy to paint and very forgiving on the tabletop. They aren’t so much a good option these days. The Island of Blood box is somewhat of an uphill struggle with such a large number of complex minis, and the non-Games Workshop brands represent smaller player pools in general. So what’s the right choice? I have a good idea, but that would be spoiling the fun…
~Lets hear your best pitches for what gives a new gamer the best bang for their buck with $200 dollars to spend.
