Davy Jones’ Locker – best in miniature wargaming #4

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It has been almost eight months since the last issue of Davy Jones’ Locker – best in miniature wargaming. I had been really busy with some hobby projects. But now the series will continue regularly. So let’s jump right into issue #4.

Pick #1: Is wargaming getting too easy?

I want to start with a controversial topic. Joe from The Renaissance Troll asked the question if wargaming is getting too easy? I don’t want to quote his full argument here, but he basically said, that wargaming nowadays is too convenientHe uses X-Wing with his prepainted miniatures as an example. And yes, there is not much hobby into that game. Well at least if you define the hobby as the full process – building & painting the models, building terrain, playing the game. And yes, there are also a lot of premade cards in that particular game, which made it quite easy to pick up for new players. Is this a good thing? It depends. To me, prepainted miniatures are no alternative. It’s not about the way how they look. I simply like to paint my miniatures by myself, so that I am able to play with my own miniatures. But let’s be honest, not everybody has the time to paint. And for some of us, maybe prepainted miniatures are the only possible way to play at all. I am totally fine with that. But honestly, I prefer an opponent with an army, painted by himself. Even if the result is mediocre at best, I respect his efforts and commitment to the hobby.

In regard to character cards and stuff like that, I am totally convenient. I simply like them, because I hate it to consult the rule book constantly. Do I need premade character cards like in X-Wing? No. I prefer making my own. The same goes with cheat sheets for rules. The act of making a cheat sheet is a big help for me to understand the rules. Maybe that’s a little weird, but it works.

I guess Joe wants to underline the fact, that miniature wargaming is a social and a creative hobby. Painting your own models, building scenery and writing scenarios is a big part of the hobby for me too. But I guess, the intensity of the hobby is different in various people. Just like in video games, some gamers are more casual players, which simply want to play their game without much hassle. That’s totally fine to me, but I guess we hardcore gamer can’t understand their point of view fully. What’s your take on that? Let me know in the comments!

Pick #2: Edoras Gatehouse & Palisade Wall

After you have read my rambling from above, it’s time to relax and watch this amazing tutorial by Lachie. There is nothing more to say. Simple amazing!

Pick #3 Frostgrave – Into the breeding pits (Review)

The third pick is a lovely written review of the Frostgrave supplement Into the breeding pits by Jacob. He gives a swift overview of the changes which come with the supplement and some well-thought reflections about them. I have no first-hand experience with the supplement due to many other projects, but it sounds great.  If you like Frostgrave, this review is for you.

Pick #4

I am a huge fan of beautiful gaming tables and nice miniatures, that’s why I like to read AARs. I guess there was no issue of Davy Jones’ Locker – best of miniature wargaming without an AAR. So we won’t break with this tradition. This time I want to present you an AAR by Malamute (LAF): Kiss of the Vampire.  It is a cheerful read and the gaming table is stunning. Have fun.

That’s it for issue #4 of Davy Jones’ Locker – best in miniature wargaming. I hope you like my picks. If you have questions or suggestions for further issues, please feel free to contact me. And as always, happy wargaming!

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2 thoughts on “Davy Jones’ Locker – best in miniature wargaming #4”

  1. “..miniature wargaming is a social and a creative hobby.”

    I play solo, as many others, I do talk to myself and the little chaps but never thought of that as social.
    Nor am I sure that it has to be creative. I choose my figures carefully and write the stories for the characters, campaigns and scenarios but rarely paint. I enjoy the game, the rearch and the history; I pay others to paint for me. I use three different painters and each works to a different standard. The cheapest is wargame table standard, the second better than that and the third paints my officers and gentlefolk.

    Reply
    • Thanks for your comment dexey. As long as you have fun in your hobby, everything is fine. The hobby should never become some kind of pressure. There is no you have to do this or that. Honestly, there is no right or wrong either. Just personal preferences and that is totally fine.

      Besides that, creating your own characters and crafting scenarios/campaigns seems very creative to me. I like doing that for myself too. It’s fun and it adds some depth to the game. Suddenly the game has some meaning. It sounds lofty, but I hope you understand what I mean by that.

      Reply

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