WFB-Getting Started Part 1: So You Want to Start Fantasy?

Amongst the rumours and upheavals of GW and fantasy there is still plenty of time and opportunity to get started with Fantasy. Here’s how.

The solution: all of you need to just come visit me so we can have a conversation and get you set up.

No? Well then I guess I will have to do my best in this series of articles.

If you have already got this far I am going to assume that you have already found a reason that you want to try it out and skip forward past that part. 

In my opinion thee are a couple of steps that you need to go from finding your reason for involvement to actually starting your involvement in Fantasy.

1. overcome objections
2. decide your level of commitment
3. find a place to buy from
4. build , paint and play

Whether you are 10, 23, or 52 models are bloody expensive. There are a few things to be remembered though and I find most of the time remembering these will help to clear up the expense objection of most parents, spouses and even self.

1. Models are not toys. GW and others did not create models to be action figures or you would find them in Walmart and
   

   other  big box retail stores. They created miniature figurines for visual enjoyment much like model trains, they were created to be used and played with but also to be treated with care and put on display.

2. Fantasy is a social gameUnlike MMORPG games like WOW or browser games like Bejeweled or World of Tanks, Fantasy requires interaction with live people, conversations and even *gasp* drinking and meals in each other’s company.

I have three kids and I work part time, others I know have kids, work full time, play hockey and travel. Whatever your story and commitments, like anything Warhammer Fantasy does take time. How much time depends on you.

1. Casual gaming.
   It is just that: casual. Like board game night it just happens on your own time. Up here where I live that means each week we call or email around and find out who can or wants to get together and pick someone’s house to congregate at, some places there are stores or halls rented where people game on a regular basis. No matter what or where it really is casual and arranged on your own time.
2. Tournaments
   I personally love them but not everyone can. They can be consuming and pull you away from other things. If and how often you attend is up to you. One of my friends attends tournaments once a year because he can’t justify the time away as often. Another friend attends every event and local tournament organizers just assume he will be there and hold a spot for him.

Only you can decide if you only want to paint or if you want to attend 50 events a year or if one is enough. Better still: you can always change your level of involvement.

This is the easiest part in my opinion. Personally I prefer to buy my models brand new from a retailer (particularly one local to my area like Grounds and Games or Dice Bag Games). I know some people that only buy off EBay or or discount stores. In this world of retail therapy we all know we can find online stores or brick and mortar stores to buy from.

A place to buy from is only useful if you know what to buy and what to do with it once you do. There is so much to this that I can’t cover it all in just one or two installments, but to play Fantasy you need to build models, paint models and play the games. Sounds simple right?