In Wargaming the idea of why I collect historical miniatures is a veritable round-about, a mystery to me, circular at one moment, ultimately clear-eyed the next moment.
Eastern Medieval Knights
For my money, the historical period must be of some interest to me to gain my enthusiasm. I am attempting to come to some conclusion about how I choose historical miniatures (minis). The why is straight forward, to play with them, well eventually. I am going beyond the usual reasons people exchange currency for plastic, tin, pewter, or resin: first, ‘That’s cool!’ and “Oh, shiny!” comes in a close second.
As I try to describe my interest in historical minis let me point out a collection may exist more for the aesthetic appreciation than for an eventual romp on the gaming table. Show me some terrific Franco-Prussian War figures in an appropriate scale I will probably scoop up a few for a diorama or even enough to create a unique unit for display on a plaque base or in perpetual formation under a bell jar. I admit, gaming the Franco-Prussian War or anything in Europe of the 1870’s, not so much, not interested.
On the other hand, when I go for historical minis they are usually the second purchase I make when I am collecting with gaming in mind. I really do maintain I am attempting to understand why I purchase historical minis, but, first I obtain the rules book, then the minis are second.
As a habit I make a smallish but very functional army for two opposing sides, two armies in other words. I can find a willing gamer most times even if they do not have an army, or if their army is unfinished, or if I wish to host a demonstrate a game. I maximize my play-time this way and usually spend about the same amount of time painting, and a similar amount of treasure purchasing only one army. It is a matter of increasing my odds to get a game. Increasing one’s favorable odds is an obvious part of gaming. This practice is catching-on as more gamers see the simple beauty of this idea.
So it would seem I have rule book lust first, then purchase the minis, and capitalize on improving my chances of actually using them for game purposes. Minis sit well in boxes on shelves, banners frozen, and fierce bellicose fighters petrified in mid-action do have a certain appeal. I want to take mine out and push them around a bit, kinetic over potential. The reality is another person is necessary to fully appreciate historical Wargaming unless the intent is to go solo. Not so much for my tastes, back to my previous idea.
I have to face the second fact: Wargaming interests rise and shift as producers market new products or as conventions present the latest must-haves. Locally, common interests may take a cue from the big events and the marketing departments but a certain independence of mind prevails when it comes to what historical era is actually played. This seems to be a certainty as I travel and visit various shops, get acquainted with the gamers, and see what products stockists offer.
The main emphasis of that independence of mind (or taste) differs in which title of the rules book is used at the local level. Poll six local game shops you will find at least four varied rules sets used but the same minis by Producer X may be oft as not found in all six locations. For example, Producer X has a 25mm Napoleonics line. Producer X have great sculpts, a variety of belligerent nationalities, certainly well covered troop types, molded in plastic, for a ‘relatively affordable’ price. Here take my money because I have the best Napoleonics rules available! Then, all my associates have the same title, it’s “what we use.”
So, the third reason Wargamers choose minis could be described as: rules books seem to at least unify the decision making process in determining the gamers’ interest in warfare at some time in history, “and so say all of us.”
Mia culpa to all three reasons, “That’s cool!”, “Oh, shiny”, and “Napoleonics on Thursday, noon”, the title of the rules will not be specified because we are all-in, convinced we are right, and of course, very independent thinkers.
Certainly more pondering on this matter is necessary.
Next, sometimes I collect minis and then search for a rules set. The minis are just that sweet.
The local games shop Opinion-Maker should just remain quiet, getting shanghaied whilst walking the aisles is almost inexcusable.
Perhaps I will consider this, if the herd is going to jump, “I can be lead, but not pushed” into Franco-Prussian War gaming.
Devereux's Volunteer Company of Misfits & Ridiculous Diversions 