Is how I might rudely reply to someone asking me to pick one, absolutely key, aspect to enjoyable gaming*. There needs to be characterful scenery and plenty of it. An open battlefield simply won't do. Players of skirmish gamers know this very well. But there's an odd situation at present with WFB, where 8e calls for (demands even) hordes, but GW also provide some excellent and reasonably inexpensive scenery.
Until recently I had depended on old card buildings to provide the scene for games. However, having amassed so many miniatures I don't know what to do with them all, I reasoned I ought to turn my compulsive buying in the direction of some buildings of substance. Here is a Chapel I've had knocking around for a while, and a new Watchtower, both WIPs:
Pretty standard stuff at the moment. Yet I've noticed how easily these can be combined to make a whole range of great looking buildings. Hence, that's my new obsession. I may try something with the SKULLZ GW buildings if I think I might be able to make them look half as silly. That's a long shot though...
* Luckily I'm a jolly nice fellow and would never be so disrespectful ;-)
A cynic might suppose that those who can't stretch to buying hordes will at least be forced to buy terrain to clog up the battlefield. That cynic would be me. I agree that the GW terrain is ace and surely must be bought up in vast numbers before some corporate whizz realises it would still sell at twice the price.
ReplyDeleteThe reason I'm advocating scenery and terrain here is a solid positive gaming one. Buildings, ruins and the like force players to adopt and develop tactics. An open field is just a roll off waiting to happen. That's where I'm cynical. Why not just pile up unboxed miniatures on either side and just push then against each other? ;-)
DeleteI use a skip-load of scenery for my 40k, Rogue Trader, Necromunda and Mordheim games. It has such a positive effect on the game it's unbelievable. I have had mixed results with WFB and Hail Caesar (which also involves shunting blocks of troops about). I find it narrows your tactical options by creating bottlenecks that favour elite troops rather than expanding the experience. I will admit though, if you get your balance of scenery right for you and your opponent it makes a good game look fantastic. I find people local to me have a downer on the WFB terrain rules too, they are not keen on the rivers of blood and stupidity forests and stuff.
DeleteSetting the scene is an important part of playing the game though, that's undeniable.
Davey, I totally agree with the terrain really making the table and the game to come to life. I think your two properties look fantastic! The tower and the chapel would grace any table Sir! Well done, and thanks for a great post!
ReplyDeleteThank you Sindey, what a lovely chap you are!
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