Hardcore Hobby

Back in January of this year (2025 if you’re from the future), a few good folk from Australia’s growing indie Wargaming scene put on a little counter-con called CAN’T CON. This of course ran on the same weekend as Cancon and was inspired by a number of things - a lack of free/open gaming space at the afore mentioned big event, the growing need for creative expression and collaboration among a community of narrative minded gamers and in no small part, the success of Under the Dice Fest and IRWT on the East Coast of America.  Many other far more qualified and articulate legends have shared at length about the event, so I’ll keep my thoughts to a minimum. The main thing to remember is.. I couldn’t go! Living on the west coast of Australia means that travel can be prohibitive at the best of times, coupling that with family commitments meant the timing was off. However, I did send along a little miniature avatar with hobby bf Grombatmole so that I could still participate vicariously in ...

I've done a lot of hobby this year, mainly Old World focused. The reason for that being the little gaming group that's formed out of mutual friends. After being introduced by my wife to some other like-minded Warhammer Fantasy freaks, the extended friend circle has grown and I've gone from 1-2 game sessions a year to almost once a week! Whether it's the Badlands Campaign, or playing skirmish games @ the Great Man Dan's place - the hobby fire is sizzling.  Anyway, after my last post, it probably will come as no surprise to read that I've painted shitloads of Bretonnians. I earned most of these by painting a commission, I three-dee-printed a bunch, bought a couple of bits and pieces and traded for others. At the end of the day, I've not spent a heap of money on this army, certainly not as much one might think in passing. I really wanted to show you can put together a good looking army without spending a fortune. I would never have stuck to painting a project t...

********************** The Red Prince surveyed the ground before him. Astride Pierre, his faithful pegasus, Matthias Gisors had a commanding view of the surrounding battlefield, a relatively featureless valley spotted with farms and woodland. On his flank were proud ranks of knights, the old guard who had followed him staunchly from Bretonnia, their pennants fluttering in the breeze. Veteran men-at-arms deployed in the centre, layers of heavy shields decorated with the colours of their liege lords locked together, making for an impressive defensive bulwalk. Meanwhile, levies of longbowmen fanned out ahead in skirmish formation, preparing a volley from the cover of the swaying wheat fields. Finally, to his right, dozens of hireling foot-knights took position, backed up by an enormous bombard and Tilean crew that he had hired in the Border Princes. He could trust them no more than he could trust the black powder. Nevertheless, they would be crucial to his success in the coming battle. Fr...

This week I managed to finish up my Bretonnian Baron on Pegasus, the biggest model I’ve painted in a long while. I actually bought the BSB model, took the standard from the kit and whacked that on another character.  The big fella here has had a little conversion work done, just an Empire helmet and a normal knight’s lance was added. As a mercenary general, maybe he’s picked up a few odds and ends along the way. Mad Matt is the leader of the Brigands army I’ve been building this year as part of a slow-grow Old World: Blood in the Badlands campaign. We’re onto our second season and the guys in our gaming group have kept the fire lit under this for over six months and I can see it running for quite a bit longer! Anyway, hope you enjoy.. Mad Matt in all of his glory! A couple of notes on his paint job, I made a few sketches with my kids colouring pencils to decide on the main colours - red, white and yellow, plus I knew I would follow over the checkers theme from my other units I'd pa...

************** Well met, traveller. It is the year 2025 of our Imperial Calendar and fair warning to thee, for evil has once again come to our fair country of Ostermark. Grim tidings abound from Grunveldt, nought but a days ride west along the River Stir from the damed city. Reports of strange beasts and other ne’er well doers once again lurk within. Even the dead do not rest easy, twenty-six years on. Evil as these times may be, there is fortune to be made! Rumours of a mad dwarf brewmaster residing in the olde’ brewery are true. Some say he uses the wyrdstone fouled waters that flow downstream from Mordheim to brew a diabolical beer. There are certainly many folk, some well to do, some not.. that would pay a pretty penny for a keg of that concoction, not to mention the price on the dwarf’s head. By Sigmar, go well but beware. Word travels and it is not just you and I that would seek gold and glory in Grunveldt. The shadow of Mordheim lies heavy for leagues around and it’s hard enough...