Christopher Jones.
1. So, you are new to the world of Miniature Wargaming, what inspired you to try out Warhammer 40K?
There were a couple of things that piqued my interest. For one, I was intrigued by what most 40K players refer to as “fluff”. A good story is a good story in any context, and the Warhammer 40K universe is an anthology of good stories that draws the player in to who it is they are portraying on the battlefield. It also encourages rivalry, and the desire to show that your forces are superior. Secondly, the seemingly infinite combinations of models, units, weapons, and vehicles that makes each and every 40K game different from the last. It adds the fun of trying to determine which weapons, units, and abilities are best against your current foe.
2. What other miniature war games have you played, or are you planning to try any others out, do you play any other RPG’s either table top or online?
When I was a kid my brother and I played a Starship Troopers game that was based on Robert Heinlein’s book of the same name. It wasn’t a miniature war game per se, because the units were represented by cardboard tiles, but it was my first experience with the genre. I hadn’t played anything remotely like it for many years after that. I casually played D&D in my pre-teen years but never really took it seriously. Then I was introduced to what was, then, the sci-fi equivalent of D&D, made by the same game company, called Star Frontiers. Having sci-fi in my blood from an early age, I was hooked. Sadly, it was hard to find other SF players since the game really didn’t catch on where I lived. As I got older, and as I became more and more influenced by Star Trek and starship combat in particular, I bought a copy of FASA’s Star Trek: Starship Combat Simulator, which was an extension of its Star Trek-based role playing game. This was the first game I played that actually offered miniatures in place of the cardboard tiles, which came with the game. I use the word “played” loosely, because I never actually played it with another person. Surprisingly I never heard about Star Fleet Battles until much later, a game that even now I’m eager to play. Of course, I’ve had many video games in my life, and I’ve played just about everything from Dungeons and Dragons for the Intellivision to Baldur’s Gate to World of Warcraft. As of now, Warhammer 40K is the only war game in my repertoire, online or otherwise.
3. What is your favorite army in 40k? Why?
This is probably the hardest question for me, because between you and me, I like most all of them. My first 40K game was with the Orks, which I didn’t really appreciate…at first. Looking back, I’m glad I started with Orks because then I might not have learned just how much fun playing Orks can be. Yes, rolling 6 to save for my Boyz really sucks, but I have since learned how to better field my green minions and what their true advantages are, so I’d have to rank Orks as my second favorite. My current favorite is the direct result of what I experienced playing Orks, who are generally poor at ranged combat but deadly up close. My army of choice? The Tau Empire. They are the exact opposite of Orks in many ways. They’re fairly well armored, and extremely dangerous at long range, but have the weakness of being poor melee fighters. The Tau make their own rules. They owe nothing to the Emperor or the denizens of the Warp. And quite frankly, they have the coolest looking stuff (in my opinion, of course). That said, I would like to acquire a Space Marine army of some kind eventually, I’m just not sure which one just yet. Also, The Necrons have a certain appeal to me as well.
This is probably the hardest question for me, because between you and me, I like most all of them. My first 40K game was with the Orks, which I didn’t really appreciate…at first. Looking back, I’m glad I started with Orks because then I might not have learned just how much fun playing Orks can be. Yes, rolling 6 to save for my Boyz really sucks, but I have since learned how to better field my green minions and what their true advantages are, so I’d have to rank Orks as my second favorite. My current favorite is the direct result of what I experienced playing Orks, who are generally poor at ranged combat but deadly up close. My army of choice? The Tau Empire. They are the exact opposite of Orks in many ways. They’re fairly well armored, and extremely dangerous at long range, but have the weakness of being poor melee fighters. The Tau make their own rules. They owe nothing to the Emperor or the denizens of the Warp. And quite frankly, they have the coolest looking stuff (in my opinion, of course). That said, I would like to acquire a Space Marine army of some kind eventually, I’m just not sure which one just yet. Also, The Necrons have a certain appeal to me as well.
4. Do you like the building and painting of the models or is it just all about the game for you?
I do enjoy the building and painting, but that’s because it’s a part of playing the game itself. I have to say I enjoy both about equally.
5. What is your least favorite army? Why
Probably the Ultramarines. They seem average by comparison to other armies, and they are pretty much warriors of virtue, fighting for honor and glory in the Emperor’s name. In other words, they’re your standard “heroes”. How boring is that? I’m also not a big fan of Tyranids, mainly because they don’t seem to fit in the 40K universe in general, and they look like dinosaur skeletons that escaped from a museum.
Probably the Ultramarines. They seem average by comparison to other armies, and they are pretty much warriors of virtue, fighting for honor and glory in the Emperor’s name. In other words, they’re your standard “heroes”. How boring is that? I’m also not a big fan of Tyranids, mainly because they don’t seem to fit in the 40K universe in general, and they look like dinosaur skeletons that escaped from a museum.
6. Would you use heavily customized miniatures from someone else or would you prefer to make your own?
I would prefer to make my own, but wouldn’t hesitate to use an idea that someone else came up with. So if I used something that someone else made, I’d rather make one just like it than use one from someone else.
I would prefer to make my own, but wouldn’t hesitate to use an idea that someone else came up with. So if I used something that someone else made, I’d rather make one just like it than use one from someone else.
7. How far would you travel to play a game or to get together with friends to work on your armies?
Depends on the friends involved. For my best gaming friends, I’d travel just about anywhere. To play in a tournament where no one else I know is playing…it would have to be close.
Depends on the friends involved. For my best gaming friends, I’d travel just about anywhere. To play in a tournament where no one else I know is playing…it would have to be close.
8. What is the most you would pay for that one special piece that would finish your force?
I cannot answer that question, because Games Workshop will see it and charge that much for the piece. Honestly, I prefer to pay less than $50.
I cannot answer that question, because Games Workshop will see it and charge that much for the piece. Honestly, I prefer to pay less than $50.
9. How many different armies do you plan to play?
I can see myself easily playing three armies, and possibly four if funds permit it.
I can see myself easily playing three armies, and possibly four if funds permit it.
10. Would you use non G.W. bits such as heads, scenic bases, weapons and such to alter a stock model or to make a custom piece, or are you a G.W. purist?
I prefer to use whatever inspires my imagination, whether it comes from Games Workshop, an old model of a WWII tank or battleship, another brand of miniature, or a broken action figure. My first customization was putting a large Darth Vader head on top of an Ork Killa Can.
I prefer to use whatever inspires my imagination, whether it comes from Games Workshop, an old model of a WWII tank or battleship, another brand of miniature, or a broken action figure. My first customization was putting a large Darth Vader head on top of an Ork Killa Can.
Daniel Guyer
1. So, you are new to the world of Miniature Wargaming, what inspired you to try out Warhammer 40K?
As a kid I played a lot of starcraft, and I loved the story line of the game and how it drew you in. The game is very detailed and has complex rules. I am drawn to the complexity of the gameplay. I also love to personalize my races and make them my own.
2.What other miniature war games have you played, or are you planning to try any others out, do you play any other RPG’s either table top or online?
I played world of warcraft for about 3 years. 40k is the first miniatures game that I have ever played.
3. What is your favorite army in 40k? Why?
I like eldar a lot. I have always been drawn to the standoffish perfect jerkish characters in books and games. I really like the dark angels as well . The whole unforgiven / secret society really compliments the gothic style of the humans in the 41st millennium. I like how the orks will make anything a weapon and are always tinkering and making new ways to kill stuff.
4. Do you like the building and painting of the models or is it just all about the game for you?
Both. I will get burned out just doing one and not the other. There is a cycle that I have to be in. I have to paint some, and play some. I guess it helps me with setting goals to paint too.
5. What is your least favorite army? Why?
Necrons, hands down. They are like robot zombies. Don’t get me wrong or anything, that is cool, but it’s just not me.
6. Would you use heavily customized miniatures from someone else or would you prefer to make your own?
Either. I would use whatever looks good to me. My first attempt at a custom mini was a failure. It ended with me tossing it all in the garbage.
7. How far would you travel to play a game or to get together with friends to work on your armies?
Depends on the friend. : D
8. What is the most you would pay for that one special piece that would finish your force?
I have spent way too much in 2 months as it is. It would have to be very special to me to spend a lot. But I would say 50$ and it would have to be flippin awesome.
9. How many different armies do you plan to play?
As many as I can get my hands on. I have plans for at least 6 now. I have an army of dark angel infantry (around 1000pts or so), and I have an Ulthwé army of around 2500 pts.
10. Would you use non G.W. bits such as heads, scenic bases, weapons and such to alter a stock model or to make a custom piece, or are you a G.W. purist?
One of the next armies I build will be a Japanese imperial guard army. I am still scouring the net looking for places to get bits and pieces. I am not completely sure how it will pan out, but the next thing I will get is a Dremel tool.
