More thoughts on Game Funk

I think we can all identify the symptoms: Apathy, army hopping, game system hopping, feeling like you'd rather talk about/read about the game than actually playing the game.  These are all classic signs of Game Funk.  I'm a recent and frequent sufferer.  I funny thing happened during one of those mindless hours working as a drone in sector G.  I realized I don't have classic game funk, I have 40k Game Funk.

I've always maintained I prefer skirmish games, but I've always continued to play 40k.  Mostly because that's what the majority of the game store played where I previously lived.  Except for Confrontation (best game ever...) no other small scale game garnered the critical mass necessary to make a real go of it in a limited numbers gamer environment.  So between extremely enjoyable bouts of Confrontation and Warmachine there was always 40k, always would be 40k.  So I did the 40k thing.  Built an army, stomped people's nuts, built another army, rinse and repeat.  But I don't think I can continue doing that.

This has been an odd year for me, I've moved to Austin (Dragon's Lair, stop in for a game Wednesday and Thursday nights), and found new people to game with.  I've considerably downsized my collection of unpainted metal and even started painting my little toys some too.  I don't think I will make my new years resolutions for the year but I've accomplished alot of my long-term hobby control goals.

For the remainder of this year, and probably next year I am going to focus more on the games I like and less on 40k.  I've found when you play games you really like the gamer funk tends to go away.

I will be keeping 1-2 armies (right now that Dark Eldar and Chaos Space Marines) and letting the rest go. 

I will be focusing on playing Warmahordes, Malifaux, trying Helldorado, Dystopian Wars, and maybe even Anime Tactics.  If Confrontation makes a real comeback I will play the hell out of it.

I want to see how good a WarmaHordes player I can become, right now the answer is I know most of the rules but I don't think that counts.  I would like to get good enough to win games consistently against quality opposition.  I want to get an army painted.

Stupid Hobby Advice

I used to use medical forceps to hold models while I painted and it worked ok.  I moved to GW paint pots this year and like it much better,  Unfortunately I don't have 10 empty paint pots to use as holders, and while I could use pots with paint in them I might needs those colors.

After a trip to Hobby Lobby I came home with a bag of these:

These things work really well as illustrated here:

That model is mounted on a 1" square base, just so you have a frame of reference. 

These Birch Candle Cups are taller than the GW paint pots allowing me a better, less cramped hand hold a greater ability to manipulate angles (though that last might just be in my head).  The large holding surface is a much more comfortable to hold than the GW pots or forceps I used to use.

They also have some Birch Spools that I think will work even better as they have a more stable bottom base that these do.

Dirt cheap too, I think they were $2.50 for a pack of 6, I need to get one more pack so I can do full units at once.  Hopefully you find this helpful.

WIP: Lodge of Hod

Been working on my Lodge of Hod here are some WiP shots.  As usual the pictures are only ok, cropped and hit with Picassa's are you feeling lucky.  The browns are close to done, I may try and darken the shadows a bit more.  Some of the armor has been worked on for a few models and the faces have all been based, washed and had first highlights applied.

So thanks for taking a look and feel free to leave feedback.  I figured I'd better post something to let a few people know I'm still alive.

Thoughts on Gaming Funk

Quick little post, something of a place holder I guess.  I've been doing a lot of thinking lately on what I like about gaming and what kinds of games I want to play.  I like 40k well enough, but don't really love it.  I have always preferred smaller games, more skirmish style ( I think it comes from playing D&D as a tactical skirmish game rather than an RPG).  I currently have Deathguard, DE, and Sisters for 40k, and I think one must go.  I don't know how much 40k I'll be playing going forward but at this point I think I should keep something for the game.

I want to concentrate on skirmish games, no bigger than 50pt WarmaHordes, and even that is pushing the scale I want to play at but I really like that game.  Malifaux has been on my mind a lot recently as has Confrontation (I got a game in yesterday...It's still the best game ever) and WarmaHordes.  Helldorado is coming out and Anima Tactics looks interesting and Dystopian Wars is kind of pushing buttons as well, I love that aesthetic and I don't really play anything like it currently.  Of course if Confrontation actually makes a full comeback all bets are off.

What does this mean? Generally it means I want to play smaller games and I think I am going to concentrate on that for a while. I guess the local FLGS (Dragon's Lair in Austin, stop by if your in town) is going to do a Malifaux league starting next month and I think maybe I'll try that or start showing for the regular WarmaHordes night. I'm not quitting 40k, just taking a sabbatical (maybe a long one).