Armies on Display: Getting Started

 Hey Game Fans, today we're going to give you a bit of advice on how to get started with your Armies on Display project. First off, if you've signed up for it, wonderful, you'll get an information packet in the next few weeks and can get started with the project. If you haven't signed up yet, that's okay too, you have plenty of time. Now let's answer two major questions for this project and we'll branch out from those in the next few weeks. So, get out your notepad and if you have questions, please save those until the end. Ready?

Where do I get started with this?

This is a super good question. Once you have signed up and have the documents, you have some questions you need to answer to get yourself in the right mindset to dig into this project. First, what game system are you wanting to build an army for? I wrote this first set of documents with the idea that you'd build a Warhammer 40,000 or Age of Sigmar army, but I'm putting together guidelines for other game systems. You're going to need a few things before you pick up your first model kits, so let's dig into that and we'll expand out from there.  

1. Game rules. This may not seem important, but in order to build a coherent "Army" for this army project, you're going to need to have at least a passing understanding of how to build an army. this means the point costs/allocations for your army, what units are capable of being fielded together, and a few other core concepts. Some of these rules can be found for free, but it depends entirely on the system you're using and your budget. 
2. Army Rules. Way more specific than the general game rules, your army's force construction rules (often called a battletome, a codex, or an army book) will give you the specific rules for your project. It can also give you a wealth of ideas for the specific models you want to pick up, color schemes you could try, and is a resource for you in this project.  
3. Scratch paper. You can use a computer program like Battlescribe or an excel spreadsheet for the calculations, but a notepad to jot down ideas is almost always going to be handy for the project.  This also includes a preferred writing utensil to put ideas down on paper.  
4. Budget. This project can be a heavy investment in money, time, and other resources. You should know how much you're willing AND capable of putting in so that you don't put together a project that is far outside your capacity to finish.  

What if i don't know What I Want to put together for this project at all?

This is also a super good question. Miniature gaming can be a hobby driven by the aesthetic choices of the people who play in it. Most of us will not collect and paint minis we don't like the looks of, (This happens, but we'll cover that in a different article). If you're reading this, you have the internet available to you (or you are sitting over my shoulder, in which case, please grab a breath mint) and that gives you access to a host of YouTube videos, hobby blogs, and google images to search for an army you like the look of. If you're playing a historical, you also have the massive collection of Osprey's line of military history books to work with too. Most miniature games have their own websites you can check out their line of minis, see what other hobbyists are doing, and get connected with their community.  

You can also ask friends who are in the hobby for ideas, or you can ask me. I will do my best to help you find an army you like the look of and is compatible with your budget. Remember, this isn't an inexpensive hobby, so you may need to plan accordingly.  

What's a display board?

A display board is basically a diorama base for your entire army.  It has scenic elements, paintwork, and a host of other customizations that make it stand out as the place your army occupies. It can be simple or elaborate, depending on the time and energy you want to put into it. There are sheets in the packet that will help you get started in putting together your display board alongside your army. There is a host of wonderful people who can show you how to put terrain together, and I'll provide some examples as we go deeper into the project.  

I don't think I can do this....

We all feel that way from time to time. This project is absolutely intended to be a low stress, steady progress approach to finishing up an army project. We're in this together and if you hit a wall, that's okay. We all hit walls from time to time, but we are in this together, and there are other people you can bounce ideas off of, get some tips and tricks, and maybe even get some inspiration. You can also help other people who are struggling with the same problems. We will get across this threshold together though. 

As stated, you still have time to sign up for this, and you can do so here. That's it for us today, we'll catch you all again next week.