"If You Could Do It Over Again..." Topic

If you could go back into your miniature wargaming past and change one thing, what would you change?

I would have started at a much younger age.

I would have the courage to dispose of models I no longer use!

I would have bought AB figures when they first came out over 30 years ago, rather than other peoples Napoleonics that were around at the time.

Nothing! I have enjoyed every minute of it.

I would have bought all the 15mm Mikes Models Colonial figures that I'd ever needed.

I'd have invented dungeons and Dragons.

I'd have stopped at two scales--three at the outside.

Nashville +1

I would not have bought so much that I will never paint & am trying to downsize.

Focused more on finishing a few projects a little earlier

I would have been more focused.

I wouldn't have changed jobs and 20 months later been down-sized out of a job….

More controlled purchases and smaller, less varied projects.

I'm with Doug MSC & Nashville!

My only gaming regrets were about what I didn't buy when I had the chance, (more mikes Models 7YW, Heritage WW2, ACW & Ancients). Getting enough to complete armies – both sides.

I've kept most of what I've bought and can't fathom selling off any more of what I've painted.

I would have taken up bowling.

LT

As with Allen57, been more focused. Not gone off into a dozen scales covering every part of history. Just concentrate on the things i really liked.

never sold my 15mm naps

Like many others I would have stayed more focused.

I'd like to say more focused, but who am I kidding?

I would have better dice luck.

Wish I had bought a ton more MegaMinis when they were $.99 USD each.

Among many other things, paint what I field!

I'd have walked straight past that wargames shop 20 years ago and spent all my future money wisely on beer and women.

I'd have written down what I did with the 5mm SYW armies?

(I still think they're in the garage somewhere.)

I would admit to myself what I like the best earlier (big battles ancients and black powder) and I would work with my friends more to do things we are all interested in.

Stick with 54mm.

I would have more aggressively learned how to sculpt. Made several attempts but gave up too quickly.

I wouldn't have been a butterfly, and the lead mountain of things I will never paint wouldn't exist, or at least, it would be much, much smaller.

I'd have bought up every pack of Napoleonettes in sight. Those seem to be gold today (and I love the castings).

Yes to :

I would have the courage to dispose of models I no longer use!

I'd have stopped at two scales--three at the outside.

And I'd add that I'd have stuck t 20mm plastics for mostly everything.

I would have focus on smaller, more manageable projects

I would have probably spent more in 10mm/12mm buildings for my 15mm armies, and less on 15mm terrain.

I would have bought half as much, but painted twice as many. And I would have done most of that painting before age 45.

Dan

I'd have done just two periods for big battles, ECW and Napoleonics and both in 15/18mm.

I would have planned better.

Painted more figures, played more games. Stuck with simple, playable rules like Charge! and not bothered with more complex ones.

I would have done a lot more figure painting while I was in the Army so I wouldn't have such a "mountain" today.

Jim

I would have bought half as much, but painted twice as many. And I would have done most of that painting before age 45.

Dan

Oh Yeah ! And that !

Started in ACW 25/28mm at least 15 years earlier then I did.

Start organized gaming sooner.

That late teen/early twenties period, enjoying the university life, spending so much money on … other things.
Ugh, what a waste.
I should have been hoarding the early GW figures! :)

I'd have tried to market my generic massed Fantasy miniatures battles rules in the early to mid-1980s, when they were designed and playtested, rather than let the Warhammers and their ilk move in and seize that segment of consumers.

And then not invested so much money in terrain systems I later rejected and am now trying to sell (e.g., all those Geo-Hex boxes in the shed).

I would have used more of my small amount of money to buy minis and games and left them unopened. Then I could be selling them now and using that money to buy more. Everything I bought in the 80s and 90s is very well used.

I would have done what Fusilier Dan did, gone into collection, followed Foxweasel's advice and forgotten all about war games.

Not got rid of a load of stuff before I left home (including, but not limited to, Space Hulk, Heroquest + all expansions, Advanced Heroquest, Squad Leader plus expansions, Ambush! plus explansions, an El Cid Gripping Beast Army, lots of nice 1/72 plastics, 1/300 WW2 armies, 15mm Napoleonic Armies…"shudder"). I'm all for not owning too much stuff, but that was madness. And by got rid of, I mainly mean "donated to the church jumble sale"…

But having said that, I think I would agree that too many projects and too much money spent on things that stay in cupboards is an issue for many people. So I really learned from that and have more or less avoided it. More or less…

I would avoid spending too much time on the Internet talking about gaming, or arguing with people about aspects of history when you know beforehand they simply aren't going to change their mind no matter what you say.

Anyway, lots more good advice here TMP link and here TMP link

Just all my current knowledge. Theres a pitfall or two I can avoid,and enough grasp of world events that I could become wealthy.

Nothing – it's been a wild and interesting ride. I hope to only falloff after I'm dead. Before is too soon.

I wish I had bitten the bullet much earlier to purpose build my own wargames room. Getting huge enjoyment out of it now and should have spent the money on it years ago.

Nothing. Pretty much content with my progression. Also, looking forward to my retirement years (in 9 yrs)to fully embrace this hobby.