Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

Because I kind of have a piece sitting around... and it would make a great... rock... an epic looking rock for a certain project that I'm working on right now. I'm just wondering if someone would be offended if I were to use a fragment of a symbol of such historical signifigance in a toy soldier. On one hand, it looks absolutely perfect. On the other hand, it's the fething Berlin Wall.

I just don't want to get dirty looks if someone sees the model and goes "Wow, that's an awesome base! How'd you make it?" and I say "It's a chunk of the Berlin Wall."

It would be a great conversation piece though ehh?

A beautiful conversion piece.

You'd be raising the value of pieces of the Berlin Wall everywhere....

That is quite true. It's a cheap vacation gift above all else. You can buy them for very little if you find yourself in Germany. It's just there are always some people out there who like to get offended at just about... everything.

If for some reason you thought someone would be offended, just call it a rock. Problem solved

But I don't think anyone would... especially if you put a lot of care into the piece, or even better, if the piece somehow relates symbolically to the falling of the wall / freedom / liberation /etc. That might be hoping for a bit much, but I think you'll be fine

Good to know there's a general concensus. People these days tend to get immature and violent about the tiniest things these days (not making reference to any dutch cartoonists being assailed or anything like that...).

What would be offensive about using a piece of the Berlin wall for basing? I mean...most people would be happy to see it used as a rock. Honestly the only ones who might complain are people who actually want the wall back.....

I would think it a great idea.
got to let us see it when you're done though!

I've heard worse ideas. As far as historical desecration goes, it's not like making your Space Marine's back banner out of the Bill of Rights. Shouldn't have too much of a problem there.

If anyone is offended, say "What is wrong with you?" and then walk away.

They will feel as if they did something wrong if they have the mindset to say "I'm offended by that"

Later, take a piece of the berlin wall you have, throw it through his car window.

Depends.

Would you be offended if I used rock from Masada for my bases?

Or rubble from the Alamo?

I wouldn't be. Rock and rubble is rock and rubble. It looks much like any other rock or rubble and I doubt it is hallmarked to make provenance easier.

I don't get why you would even ask?

Who is meant to be offended?
The hardcore communist, former communist bloc reidents who just happen to be 40k players and lurking in your area of Canada?
The people of germanic persuasion who see the wall coming down as the most momentous thing to happen to Germany in 60 years?
GW staff who want to sell you their basing kits?
Yourself?

I have a piece of the Berlin wall.
It sits in its container with certificate in a box in my shed. I don't hide it in fear of being called out and attacked for having it. Its there because I have nowhere to display it.

I guess all of the above could have been summed up with a simple:

'Dude....'

I've known people who have been offended at almost nothing, and have been very offensive about the offense I've apparently committed.

It's a simple matter of me knowing a lot of vindictive witches, and making sure that most people aren't.

Fafnir wrote:Because I kind of have a piece sitting around... and it would make a great... rock... an epic looking rock for a certain project that I'm working on right now. I'm just wondering if someone would be offended if I were to use a fragment of a symbol of such historical signifigance in a toy soldier. On one hand, it looks absolutely perfect. On the other hand, it's the fething Berlin Wall.

I just don't want to get dirty looks if someone sees the model and goes "Wow, that's an awesome base! How'd you make it?" and I say "It's a chunk of the Berlin Wall."

I also find myself wondering why you are even asking the question? I mean are you going to go around telling everyone that you did it? I think that would be a little odd. Other than that I can't imagine anyone really caring all that much.

Do it and post pics please!

Use it.

If anyone gets offended just explain that you're recycling and it's good for the environment.

Well, if someone were to ask what I used, I'd tell them. Much like I tell people about my dogfood based Typhus when they ask how I did it (and it does look quite good). I disclose anything I use in case someone wants to do something similar (although, sadly, no one else has tried making a base out of dogtreats yet).

If every piece claimed to be from the Berlin wall actually came from the wall we'd probably have enough rubble to build it ten times over.

Making a positive from a negative isn't a bad thing. Go for it.

It's probably just some random chunk of rubble anyway.
Do it

Fafnir wrote:I've known people who have been offended at almost nothing

Most hardcore "hobbyist" gamers are like that, I've found. It doesn't get any sadder than when someone admits to wanting to cause bodily harm to someone for taking "cheesy" lists.

So knowing that I wouldn't do it, or at least I wouldn't tell anyone I had, since I'm pretty sure someone would get offended by it. Personally though I think I'd rather not anyway, simply because it isn't just a piece of rock and actually has some sort of neat historical significance.

Just call it a chunk of rock. I think you think that its such a good idea that people will specifically ask (hey! Whats this rock all about).

If you were going to make a diorama it would probably be least wasted in one that was of the Berlin wall

I wouldn't have a problem with it. In fact, I'd be honoured to be playing against a piece of history.

I'd totally be offended by a mini using a chunk of rubble that arbitrarily represented the ideals of a government that I disagree with that was overthrown decades ago.

/sarcasm

I say go for it mate. Though, it seems like a waste of something that does mean something to some people. I mean, isn't there another, less significant chunk of concrete you could use?

Boss 'eadbreaka wrote:I wouldn't have a problem with it. In fact, I'd be honoured to be playing against a piece of history.

I totally agree.

For what its worth, if I was playing you & it came up, Id find that pretty interesting.

Do it. If someone gets offended by something so ridiculous, its your duty as an intelligent person to offend them some more.

Would anyone actually know that its the berlin wall piece?
If you are worried , you certainly dont have to tell them lol...

I wouldnt be offended about it but being a person who studies history I would rather preserve it than put it on some bases.

I got a piece of some old wood from the USS Missouri that they sell at the gift shop as a small piece of history in my house.

chromedog wrote:Depends.

Would you be offended if I used rock from Masada for my bases?

Or rubble from the Alamo?

I wouldn't be. Rock and rubble is rock and rubble. It looks much like any other rock or rubble and I doubt it is hallmarked to make provenance easier.

Messing with the Alamo is a crime. If a Texan is around he's honor bound to horsewhip you with a horsewhip, or if a horsewhip is not around, Alfred E Neuman.

EDIT: Wouldn't that be a really heavy mini? Bit of a pain to carry around?