How Do I Get Started?

Introduction

I have met many people at the Warlords and at conventions who are interested in wargaming but do not play.  In particular, there seem to be two barriers to their joining in: finding someone to talk to and get information from; and getting an army. 

Games Workshop has done a tremendous job of overcoming these barriers for Fantasy and Science Fiction wargaming.  Firstly, its shops and publications provide a wealth of relevant, easily accessible information and they also help set up networks of gamers.  Secondly, you can buy everything you need in one place, often even in one box. 

Battlefront has done a similar thing for World War II historical wargaming. The rules for Flame of War result in fast flowing battles, they produce very nice miniatures, have a good network for agents and an excellent website. 

The people

I believe that the most important thing in wargaming is finding the people.  Playing games against and amongst other people is fundamental to wargaming.  We need each other to be opponents, to help find information and, probably most importantly, to share a common interest.  After all, “I play with toy soldiers” is unlikely to be a great pick-up line at a party, but I still really enjoy it.

The people that you can contact about particular periods are listed on the previous page.  Also, talk to other people at the club and ask them questions.  There is heaps of information stored away in people’s heads about how different armies work, manufacturers, painting etc.  It is also an excellent way of getting involved in games, even before you have your own army. 

The army

After you have taken that first step of getting to know people who play with toy soldiers and getting background about the period you are interested in, how do you actually get the figures?  There are four steps: 

(1) Choosing an army.

(2) Choosing exactly what you want from that army list. 

(3) Buying the figures. 

(4) Painting and basing them.

(1) Choosing an army

Rules usually use army lists.  These list what troops a particular army must have, what it can have and, by omitting them, what it cannot have.  Some rules have literally several hundred armies to choose from, how do you pick one?  It has to be an army that will hold your interest.  I have 15^th Century Poles because my parents are Polish.  I bought Early Byzantines after reading Robert Graves ripping yarn, Count Belisarius.  However, I also have other armies because they were being sold second-hand when I was looking for a new army.  You might want an army because you like the shield patterns or the vehicles – these are as good a reason as any.

The other part of holding your interest is, how does the army “play”?  Do you want a shooting army, or a close combat army, or one that will manoeuvre quickly?

A word of caution,  not all armies are created equal.  Despite the points system, there are a few dog lists that produce armies likely to lose all their games.  Some armies may be powerful, but tricky for a beginner.  Talk to people whose opinions you value before buying.

(2) Choosing exactly what you want from that army list

Get a copy of the list for the army you want. Work out some different options for that list on paper. Talk to other players.  What do they think of your options?  Do they use the same or a similar army?  Why do they use it in a particular way?  Something else to consider is, can I use these figures for different armies?  For example, later in the Middle Ages, a knight from one European country looked much the same as from another.  Also, they may have been allies in a different army.

(3) Buying the figures

There are many suppliers of figures, rules, lists and other books - some in New Zealand and many more overseas.  In Wellington, there are:

·        Games Workshop, for Warhammer figures, ground floor Mid City Centre Manners Street, Wellington. 

·        Mack’s Track Model Railway Supplies, is an agent for NZ manufacturer Battlefront, WWII figures in stock and will order the other ranges, 4 Johnsonville Road, above the Mobil petrol station.

·        Modelcrafts and Hobbies, plastic figures for various periods, corner of Victoria and Dixon Streets, Wellington and 219 High Street, Lower Hutt.

·        Toots Models and Hobbies, an agent for Games Workshop, 6D The Strand, Wainuiomata

·        Battlefront, go to their website http://www.flamesofwar.com/ or to Mack’s Track Model Railway Supplies (their agent in Wellington,).

Check out Wargames Illustrated for overseas companies.  Contact suppliers for catalogues and prices – many will send a free sample if asked to.  Talk to people who have bought from them or have a good knowledge of that range.  It is also well worth keeping an eye open for second-hand figures and armies at conventions, clubs and advertised in the Warlords’ newsletter, Dispatches.

Should you buy the army all at once, or in several smaller orders?  Your budget has at least some bearing on this!  Personally, I like painting but I’m slow at it.  At times I have found a large pile of unpainted figures demoralising, but there are often discounts for larger orders and, if buying from out of town, postage is usually cheaper for large orders.

(4) Painting and basing them

I can do no better than refer you to Mark Plants excellent article about painting.