"Top 5 Tips?" Topic

If you go back in time, what are the five bits of advice you would give yourself as a novice miniature wargamer?

Don't buy so many figs! Only buy what you will be using NOW!!!! No future projects!

Stick to only one period – yeah right!

1. Don't listen to the Old Farts trying to give you advice. If you listened to them, historical miniature wargaming would have died in 1977.

2. Buy what you want. If that project doesn't pan out, sell the figures to someone who wants them, and invest in more figures in the periods you're really interested in.

3. Don't waste time chasing after the "perfect rules". The perfect is the enemy of the possible. Write your own, or settle for something that works 90%.

4. Have fun. If you're not, why are you throwing money away? If you're not having fun, sell your figures and buy beer.

5. Napoleonics is fine if you like it. But don't fall for the propaganda that all "true wargamers" do Napoleonics. Do what you like.

6. If you are the only one interested in a period, do both sides. Let others play, but they have to paint up both sides for different periods.

1) Buy up the stuff you can't get cheap anymore
2) Avoid CCG'$
3) Start sculpting earlier
4) Switch to acrylics sooner
5) Other advice I can't mention here…

1) Read up on the history of the protagonists, if it does not excite you try again.
2) Start with one period that inspired you with luck you will never need another peruiod.
3) Don't listen to the old Farts who spend all their time painting instead of playing, you will end up bored before you even start.
4) Don't listen to the old Farts saying you cant play with unpainted figures, you can and its fun, paint as you play.
5) Small scale figures are better, cheaper and let you get closer to visulising a real action or battle.
6) Do what you want not what other folk tell you, it's your hobby.
4) Read up on the history of the protagonists, if it does not excite you try again.
5) Start with one period that inspired you with luck you will never need another peruiod

Buy and paint both sides.

1) Buy and paint both sides.
2)decide on how big you want the armies to be and buy all you need at once or within a few months.
3) don't sell off extra figures because if you change rules you may need 1 or 2 to flesh out units.
4) remember it's supposed to be fun and relaxing
5) keep track of what you have

1. Go for the period you love.
2. Build (or at least buy) both sides, and troops before commercial terrain.
3. Always keep storage and transportability in mind.
4. If (when) you expand, think twice about changing scale and climate--or season--and needing more terrain as well as more troops.
5. Keep things easy to identify and to handle. You're not going to get sharper-eyed and more dexterous over the years.

No GW.
Scales come back in favor.
Yes you can make the perfect rules but don't. Use what others are using.

Buy and paint matched pairs of armies. You don't want your playing enjoyment to be subject to the vagaries of variable levels of commitment to the project.

While I easily sell armies that I didn't paint myself or readily do commission work, I sold an army once that I painted for myself and have always regretted it. I haven't done it since.

Stick to one scale.

1) Forgive yourself your mistakes
2) You will evolve
3) Satisfying and Gratifying are two different things and will become apparent.
4)Scratch the itch that remains
5) Never,ever, follow the crowd. Follow your passion. It will inspire others, even if only temporary.