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Plain and simple, I am curious as to why everyone on this forum builds these expensive little models?

The answer to that question is in the darkness of the dungeon of my mind, behind a massive rusty iron door, banging furiously, trying to get out. Don't taunt it!!!

Because the game is fun.

same reason I Ev train pokemon

same Reason I build decks for Yugioh

I enjoy the game enough to do the work of getting everything put together so I can play.

Painting is my stress relief. Believe it or not, its cheaper than therapy.

Why not?

Some people collect belly button lint (I kid thee not).
Some people collect sports statistics
Some people collect and play with model trains.

It's just another hobby, and as such, neither requires an explanation nor justification.

It's fun and I enjoy it. Besides if I didn't spend money on this, well I would be much much drunker.

I enjoy the game and the hobby and painting aspect of it.

1.) The fluff is amazing and fantastic, the cultures and races are amazing.
2.) The Models for the most part are fantastic. I love sci fi.
3.) They are not just models. 40k is like super advanced Chess on a scale and complexity not seen anywhere else. Strategy matters

Mmm... because I like the game in all its forms, and because it relaxes me

Escapism and creativity.

I could either spend a fair few evenings watching telly or playing a PC game and end with nothing but a "Congratulations, you've completed the game".

However, if I spend the same time painting a model, I have something that lasts a lifetime and can enjoy constantly through gaming or simply looking at.

General Seric wrote:I enjoy the game and the hobby and painting aspect of it.

This.

I come from a crafty/handy family, which I express through hobby modeling.

Cranberry Muffinman wrote:3.) They are not just models. 40k is like super advanced Chess on a scale and complexity not seen anywhere else. Strategy matters

I do it because it's fun, and I enjoy it.

Its fun, and when your done, painting them and then playing in epic large scale battles is awesome, its a decent way to spend time

My e-peen approves of putting together space elves.
More seriously, I enjoy this game because it's just enjoyable. I do bitch about GK and SW a lot, but not everyone plays them around me so it's all good.

Cause building miniatures is fun.

Same reason most of my built minis are unpainted - cause I don't find painting to be as much fun as it used to be.

I plant a small micro chip i between the back and chest of my Space Marine's and shall one day rule the world with an army of plastic men.

In the secret hopes that they come to life and kill my enemies. Or because it helps my ADD mind focus.

I must find the process satisfying, otherwise I wouldn't do it. Modeling and painting can be draining and frustrating, at times, but the satisfaction of a completed model is greater than that of simply owning it, otherwise I'd only buy finished pieces. I barely even play the game, so it's not simply a means to an end.

I have a general urge to build and tinker and create, but I'm not much for the fine arts. I like having a framework in which to "do my thing," so I tend towards painting models instead of providing my own subject for a canvas, converting figures instead of sculpting them, building armor instead of metal sculpture, etc. Minis fall along those lines, giving me the universe of the wargame in which to frame my ideas, and the form of the miniatures on which to execute them.

I got out of the army and had absolutely nothing to do for a summer. I played from when I was 8 to around 16, then stopped...got back into it at age 24. It's a great hobby. The way I see it, I can either spend my time playing video games and have nothing to show for it, or spend my time painting and have armies of little plastic men. Plus I enjoy the gaming aspect. It's mentally stimulating and gives me a creative outlet for tactics.

I build and paint because I have to to play the game.

I would buy pre-painted if they offered it, and it was not too costly (Though the kits are a bit too costly as is, so I buy from E-Bay instead of buying from GW)

Well, I mostly use 40K as a social tool, admittedly. Painting is just part of the process of getting models ready for the tabletop. But even then, I gives me a warm fuzzy feeling when I look at the finished model and I can say: "I did that."

Between moving, military and civilian life, and school, it is nice to have some stable constant. Warhammer is that constant.

-cgmckenzie

I build models because its lots of fun. Ever since I was introduced to Gundam Models I've loved to build those models. Now with 40k I've learned how to paint them and assemble them with better tools. Its really relaxing and helps me calm my nerves.

For the same reason people have sex, it's fun to make little people!

I build them because they're fun to build, it's like giving life to inanimate plastic, and GW makes some gorgeous models, like the old flamers of tzeentch, or the sanguinary guard, even the soul grinder is beautiful.

I also love the tactics, I might not be able to paint to save my life, but, I can come up with tactics to make a game interesting.

I like the idea of fielding an army of painted miniatures which you painted and assembled yourself. But the real treat is mastering the tactics of that army (I'm not talking about the cheesy repetitve armies like razorspam), and seeing it destroy your opponent on the battlefield.

Also because I am bound for AN ETERNITY OF WAAAAAAAAR!!!!!!