A Break for Heroes

 One thing I haven't talked about much on this blog? Hero Quest! And yet, it's a game that my wife and I play almost weekly with my parents. It's a game that, mechanics wise, probably hasn't aged all that well, even with the new version, but that's part of the appeal for my family, I think. My parent's usually aren't in the mood to learn a whole new set of game mechanics after dinner, and my nephews are still a bit too young for the crazy complex games of today. Hero Quest is easy enough to pick up and play for everyone, and just balanced enough in the direction of the players so that kids don't get frustrated.

Last week we managed to finish the final of quest of Kellar's Keep, with some suitably dramatic moments. I'm Zargon most games, and while I personally want my family to win against me, it's nice to have a good challenge for them. And the gargoyle at the end surprised them and gave them some tense action, so all was well.

 

                                                        (Note the druid is a bear now.)

All in all, a good time.

The Orc Horde

 Let no one say that I have too many projects... because I already said it. Just now. I have too many projects! A few months ago I placed an order for some orcs with em4 miniatures. They arrived a couple of weeks ago. And there are a lot of them. 150 to be exact. Only 3 simple sculpts, an archer, a spear orc and a swordsorc, but that's all I was looking for. I have such a weakness for cheap, simple miniatures. Since then, I've been trying to practice my speed painting.

I've got about 60 done, which is honestly far more than I would have expected.

Maybe I can do this after all!

Minotaur Time

 It's been a heck of a year, mostly in not great ways. Health problems! I would advise not having them.

Anyhow! Enough of that. I've managed to aquire and paint up some more minotaurs!

The three at the bottom are the newest ones, two from Reaper and one from those dnd figures. Some variance in size, but that doesn't bother me. I suppose if I wanted to use these guys for KoW that's at least two regiments and a leader for the herd. Either which way, I like 'em. Fun to paint too.

December Updates

 That's a thrilling title right there!

Some good things have happened this December, though. I got some new ogres and the new rulebook for Kings of War, which meant it was time for a game of Ambush! New ogres vs elves, in a nice little pillage skirmish:

A nice, fast paced game that ended in victory for the Elves, thanks in no small part to the regiment of gladestalkers. This is definitely my preferred scale.

I'm still trying to complete the Middle Earth bingo, but I've also accepted that it probably won't happen. It was worth the attempt, anyhow.

Farmer Maggot Probably Loves Bingo

 Keeping on with the bingo trend, here's farmer Maggot!

He showed up in the mail the other day, and I got him painted fairly quickly, quick enough, in fact, to it fit the bingo square for painting a model within 48 hours of receiving it!

Here's the card, since I forgot it last time.

I always liked the Shortcut to Mushrooms chapter in Lord of the Rings. I read the books as a kid, and for some reason I actually liked the slower, more domestic chapters at the beginning. I read and reread Bilbo's party, and the parts where the hobbits are traveling together, before the Barrow Downs. That's still kind of my thing when it comes to reading, I like stories that are small and quiet. Odd for someone basically doing a wargaming blog, I suppose.

A House of Bingo

 Did I forget about the LoTR bingo thing? Maybe! But here's a house!

So, I think that counts as building and painting a scenery piece. Huzzah!

Halloween Hunter!

Alas, I am too busy for anything but tiny boats these days.

But heck, tiny boats are cool! Enjoy.