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Many wargamers have a large backlog of models unbuilt or unpainted.

When it comes time to reduce it, what is your priority?

I try to get stuff built so I can test it on the table first. If I don't think it would be useful in a league or tournament setting it usually goes on ebay and I don't waste time painting it.

Reducing a backlog...whats that?

Toofast wrote:
I try to get stuff built so I can test it on the table first. If I don't think it would be useful in a league or tournament setting it usually goes on ebay and I don't waste time painting it.

Why not proxy to test then?

I suppose painting over building, but I build everything the day I buy or receive it, so I don't have an unassembled backlog to begin with.

Both. I try to make sure there is enough built and primed stuff on the paintbench for me to work on, and last the winter (when I can't spray prime new stuff). I like to have options for things to paint, just to keep things fresh, so a back log of primed stuff is good to have

But I need to keep things moving across the paint station so I can use them. I only field WYSWYG painted armies, so there is a drive to get some colors down.

It comes in waves. Sometimes I want to build, other times paint. When the mood strikes me that I need to cut down the back log, I look at which pile is higher: the grey plastic, or the primed legions.

I try hard not to let the backlog get too far ahead of me. I try to keep purchase, assemble, and paint reasonably close together, and if the backlog is getting too big I try not to buy anymore.

It's become a lot easier lately; sadly I don't have a lot of money to buy new stuff anymore.

Sigh.

I assemble first if I'm going to use it. I'd rather field a grey army than nothing. I use coloured primers anyway so everything is usually part painted

Paint first. I play a tank army, and vehicle models can't be completely assembled until they're painted. So there isn't much point in half-assembling a bunch of stuff that I can't use yet.

I build everything as soon as I get it, an unbuilt model is something I've paid for and not used, which is pointless.

Had a tough time with this. I didn't check "Build stuff first -- I want all of my models available for play" because I don't play with unpainted minis and I didn't check the first one, because I have to build/assemble/cleanup models first before painting them.

I have a really huge backlog of unassembled and unpainted models and figures and when it comes time to work on them I tend to assemble and paint models or terrain that most closely correspond to the games that the club will be playing in the near future or games that I personally would like to play. Of course sometimes it's just a matter of "I want to make that now" with no real rhyme or reason other than it catches my eye.

I do have a backlog, but quite a bit of it is either for future projects or they were purchased used and I haven't gotten around to stripping, prepping, and reassembling them yet. I do my best to play all painted, but at the very least, any models on the tabletop are fully-assembled, based, and basecoated.

A lot of my armies are all metal, so I'm always on the lookout for OOP additions to my forces. Sometimes, when I see a good deal, I might buy more than I truly need: the old, "big eyes, small wallet" syndrome.

I just keep buying. Luckily for me, GW priced me out, so now I am buying X-wing and Star Trek Attack Wing, so I don't need to paint for now.

If I had players, my minis would be put together. If 40K had good rules and good codices, my minis would be painted. It seems GW can't be bothered to make good rules/codices I can't be bothered to paint no more.

Not trying to complain so sorry if it came out like that. My wife always keeps asking my why I am not painting or putting all my plastic crak together and it just hit me, and now I can tell her.

 carlos13th wrote:

Toofast wrote:
I try to get stuff built so I can test it on the table first. If I don't think it would be useful in a league or tournament setting it usually goes on ebay and I don't waste time painting it.

Why not proxy to test then?

I typically play leagues and tournaments or at GW stores. Also I rarely end up not liking a unit as I only buy stuff that already fits with my army and the current meta.

For me it's a case of paint one mini and two more unpainted minis take its place