"Are painted armies gatekeeping?" Topic

When we get newbies, chances are they won't need to do anything but read the rules once. We have all the figures and terrain. Then if they want to go further we help them with selecting figures or another period. Playing with unpainted figures I don't feel it is a real issue in the historical miniatures gaming hobby. We tend to paint or have them painted before they are put on the gaming table.

In the story about the tournament, the hosts should have told the young teen that unpainted armies were not allowed to participate, rather than humiliate him at the end.
I, for one, would find nothing to be proud of in winning out over the kid. In fact, I'd have split the winnings with him, and offered to show him some techniques for painting his figures.

An adult should NEVER be proud of disparaging a child over a hobby. To me, that sort of behavior is far more childish than not having perfectly painted (or even unpainted) figures.

Well said, Parzival! The harm done by such treatment, could very well turn the poor kid off on gaming, forever. Sad. Very sad, indeed. Cheers!

your two year old gray pile

If you're going to make up things, then at least make up something that fits in the metaphor.