"Just What You Need?" Topic

When you collect a new army/force/faction, do you limit yourself to only buying what you need to play the game according to the rules you're using?

Or do you tend to buy extras too?

Got to have extras, so you can field all possible configurations!

Grelber

Extras are the "spice" that keep the faction interesting!

Hmm. Only games I know with hard limits are some of the tournament games like DBA. I did try to just buy "all options" DBA armies and let it go at that, but Phil kept changing the armies, so that was a complete waste. From what I'm hearing that's a regular feature of such games: doesn't matter what you build, just count on doing it again about every five years.

Most miniature rules are pretty open-ended, and then Completist Syndrome sets in, so you can't own most of the VIII Corps and not own all, and you can't own all the VIII Corps and not the entire Westphalian Army. That also does not end well. It doesn't end at all, actually.

Current practice is to build to everything needed for a beefed-up Charles S. Grant scenario--about 20 units total--or everything needed for a "One Hour Wargame" scenario--10 units, 4/2/2/2. Skirmish stuff gets bought because it looks cute. I'll figure out what to do with it later.

I make a list, I buy and paint thatvlist, I rage at my friends if the scenario requires something different.

I play scenarios so someday some scenario might need more.

I pick a scenario and paint what I need for that scenario. Then, when I'm ready for the next scenario, I find one that I already have most of the needed figures and buy the additional stuff.

I buy tank transporters. They're cool models. I can't imagine a scenario that would ever require them.

Must. Have. Everything! That's why I'm still adding to armies begun 35 years ago. Gotta have that heliograph team. No. TWO heliograph teams so they can communicate with one another!

@Ragbones, that sounds like something veey important to have in a basic force. And Hale rockets.

Always pick up what I think I might need and then have lots of leftovers for the lead pile

Always extras…

I buy enough to do the major battles of the period, and then a few more…

The extras are great fun. In the front rank of my Viking army stands a one eyed, balding, one armed, one legged guy on a crutch ready to die in battle and get to Valhalla.

Didn't need him or the civilians pack, the jarls pack, Ragnar, lagertha, rollo, the seer, the Viking boat, the Viking village or quite a few other bits and pieces. But thank you anyway to GB, foundry, archeson, stronghold and others for making the extras.

I run science fiction games and have built up a collection of useful things over a very long time. So now I only buy things that are not expensive, attractive, and appropriate for the universe (Classic Traveller).

The question for me is, what do I put together to make a unit?

I buy extras then wonder why in a year or so.

I try to buy what I need but end up with extras do to pack sizes.

I play scenarios so someday some scenario might need more.

I create most of the scenarios we play, so I can definitely work some new units in. Plus, there tends to be a lot of variation in the figures I need or could use for a scenario.

I wind up with extras due to packaging.

"Enough is never enough !"

Always buy too much.

If the there are scenario books that either go with the game or adapting another that is what I initially get figures for. After that I see if there are other battles not covered in the books. I will then add what is needed.

I build forces historically. Not according to a rule set's army lists.

There's no such thing as "extra" figures as far as I'm concerned.
So, if you think you have some, just send them to me and I'll adopt them.

It depends if I am building both sides of a game because I am interested in the period. Or if I am just building some forces to add to what the rest of the group has.

Currently I am only buying everything available for AQOTMF. Everything else is by units for a game. For games like Regimental F&F, the group has plenty of figures, so I am just building a couple of brigades for each side.

I get way too much.

Oh cool, bolt action, everything i need to play is in this 1000 point starter.

haha right

I buy what I need according to the official scenario or for my own scenarios. I still end up getting more than I need.

Hmmm, define "need".

I buy what I want (and can afford) and paint them in no particular order.