Hobby Catch Up

So, I just posted about the Battle of Pelennor Fields "Mega-game" we had the other week. But what have I been doing in the months between the last post and the new one?

Well, I've found time to go to club days and play a variety of games, mostly Lord of the Rings and Warhammer but also a bit of Flames of War.

Playing these systems have made me realise I've done what I said I wouldn't do when I first got into the hobby, namely being pulled in many different directions by all the brilliant games and systems out there. I've been rationalizing what priorities I have within the hobby and I've come up with a fairly decent plan for moving forward.

Lord of the Rings - Priority status: Low-Middle.
I've played enough of SBG to know that this game will be one that I enjoy for a very long time and that nothing short of GW butchering it (Which is always on the tables... though props to the current Middle Earth team, who I have very good faith in, means this hopefully won't happen) is likely to stop me playing it. Recent forays into the world of Battle Companies has even further cemented this, as it makes for a fun, short alternative and the progression options for your company heroes/soldiers are thrilling. In terms of "purchasing priorities" though, they remain possibly at the bottom of the pile. I have a decent sized "Sacking of the Westfold" list (though it is missing wild men, until GW hopefully bring them out on a made to order.) that is both a theme I enjoy and competitive enough to win at least half of the games I play. I also have plenty of Moria goblins lurking around which I'm using for my battle companies. True I'm missing a good army and though I have The Fellowship which can be a decent force, I would like to begin collecting for a themed Rangers of Ithilien legendary legion. But since I have all the models I need right now to play the game regularly, it will stay at the bottom unless I find a hard pressed reason to purchase more.

The Fellowship begin their journey -

Much like mine into Wargaming!

Bolt Action - Priority status: Middle.

My British army is quite small, composing of two full infantry squads and a full commando squad with upgrades, a medium mortar, a HQ team and a Cromwell. It's something I'm looking to expand and begin painting, but it's also something that isn't played as often at the club. I know of at least two people that would be down for a game of it, should I ask however. So whilst there may not be a mad rush to get the army built up to full strength, it is something I'm hoping to do around Christmas time. I'm thinking of adding some more armoured power perhaps in the form of something heavy like a Sherman Firefly, or perhaps a more subtle approach, relying on some Bren carriers or an AEC armoured car.

A unit of British Commandos

Warhammer Fantasy 8th Edition - Priority status: High.
I've had so much fun with this game so far. The random elements, such as your cannon potentially blowing up on turn 1, or an enemy cavalry unit hilariously failing the charge to then be swarmed and defeated by lowly goblins, they all add up for a fun time. I've currently got 3 Orc lords/heroes and a rock lobber as well as 16 handgunners, 16 spearmen with musician and banner and an Empire cannon, as well as the Core rule book and the battle magic cards for the 8 standard lores of magic. I DID plan on purchasing a block of night goblins and orcs from the local "bring and buy" at a flgs… but this deal fell through as the seller is unable to make it. I will be purchasing them from him at a later date but this has thrown all my plans into the air, as I'm now sorely tempted to just buy the rest of the Empire forces instead, with many companies out there selling miniatures that easily pass as swords men/ spear men/ cavalry... time will tell!

Flames of War - Priority status: Low.
I've only played the one game, and whilst I like it, I do enjoy Bolt Action a lot more. I might dabble in getting a German force just to play the few games here and there, but not for a while. The only way I can see myself getting an army of these before any of the above would be if I run across a bargain or split a starter set with a friend.

One of the many Flames of War starter

forces available.

And that's pretty much the list! I do have some other games I have a vague interest in (because I refuse to let myself get pulled in yet another direction) such as Star wars legion and Empire of the Dead. But it will be a fair while indeed before I

choose to dive in to these games with both feet.

And yet, the best laid plans can always change!