Getting Started in Table Top Miniatures

It's happened to all of us. You walk into a store and see a crowd of people huddled around a table in the back. Your curosity gets the better of you and you walk back to see what's going on.

On the table in front of you is a scene right out of some fantasy or science fiction movie! There are little painted models arrayed around the table; scattered around little trees, ruins, buildings, and maybe even some vehicles.

The people around the table appear to be playing a game; they are rolling dice and consulting charts; talking about killing models and morale breaking. Then, all of a sudden, one player pulls out a ruler and starts moving some of the models on the table!

Entranced, you sit and watch this game. You quickly decided that this looks like a lot of fun and you'd like to get involved, but how?

Often times I have been asked how one gets started in these miniature games. Well, it's quite easy.

First off you should go down to your neighborhood store and look around at what games are available; find one that looks interesting to you. Then, don't buy it!

No, you should first ask around and locate someone who plays that game. Talk with them about the game and ask them to show you how its played. Most people will be quite willing to show you how to play and will even provide some forces so you can try it out.

Once you played the game and know this is the one for you, you should then buy either the basic set or the basic rules, depending on how the game comes. Then read the rules and the army lists. Study them and figure out which army you want to play; which one appeals to you the most.

Then, before buying any figures, point out a basic army -- usually 500 to 1,000 points worth. Try and get a balanced force which can take on any mission or scenario. Then go buy the figures for the first unit. Avoid the tendency to pick up neat figures or powerful characters at first.

Once you've bought the first unit; paint it up. Don't worry if it isn't the most amazing paint job in the world; no one starts out good. You will get better with practice. Once that unit is done, go buy and paint the next one. Keep this up until you've got your army put together.

Now its time to field your new army -- take it out and play some games. Play a lot of games. Don't worry if you loose a lot at first, that's how you learn. After you're comfortable with your army, sit back and take a look at your force. What is it missing? What does it need to be more powerful. Figure that out and go buy the next unit you need.

This page was last modified on 3/7/07
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This page is copyright 2007 by Michael Tisdel.