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I find it strange that in a hobby that is considered quite expensive that i see so many unpainted armies. For example i played a guy yesterday at my club who didn't have 1 painted model yet about 4000 points of marines. Now im a casual gamer and i understand that sometimes you cant have everything painted but i love the visual appeal of playing a fully painted army on a board with excellent terrain and i think a large amount of unpainted models detracts from this. What do you guys think, do you care about unpainted armies and is it common in your area? Is it just the appeal of buying that causes it?

I don't mind if someone has a new unpainted army or new models not yet painted in his army, as long as he's clearly painting
When someone just doesn't care and never paints anything for a long time, I simply don't play with him, no pleasure there.
You might as well play boardgames / wargames (that often have better rules / balance) if you're not doing the hobby part of 40K

It does not really matter to me. I ultimately want a good game against a friendly opponent. I don't mind painting, but I am a little busy and would feel offended if someone was angry I was not painting or painting quickly enough for their standard. In my case, I travel for a living and, when I am not, put in 50 hours a week at my job. Sometimes, paint time just does not happen. :-(

Honestly, I'm okay if they don't have their army painted as long as it is assembled and ready to play. It's much more preferable to playing against a half-built army, like someone who used to play at an LGS a few years ago. His vehicles had only the shells built, like his Land Raider with no doors, top or weapons or his Marines without arms. When we asked why he showed up to play with his army in such a ... ridiculous state, he told us he wanted to prime them before finishing the assembly process. After six months, we just got tired of playing his unprimed door-less vehicles and arm-less Marines.

I will play whoever as long as they are at least built. But painting adds so much to the game I always push people to paint!

I paint as i can.

I have two kids and a 7-5 job, so that doesn't happen much.

Add that to nerve damage in the hands, and the fact that i far prefer to build models than to paint them...

I have a paintbox at work, and get 40 mins or so of painting in a day on my lunch, but it can take me a couple of hours solid painting time per model to get one half-decent.

Probably shouldn't have got into Orks then, but hey...

I'll get them all painted eventually. At least they are all fully assembled

Fully assembled and Identifiable models- all that you need to play

Painted completely- A visually enjoyable experience that makes the game even more fun.

Like other's have said, what grinds my gears are people who get into a huff about unpainted models.

Sometimes people like wargaming for wargaming. There is a certain draw to it, its like a real time strategy game on the table top. And GW is undeniably the most popular varient, and offers one of the largest scales.

Its also true that a lot of times people just don't have the time or energy to paint, but that doesn't mean that they don't like to play. I am always amazed at how quick people on the Net seem to be willing to deny these individuals the fun of the hobby just because they believe everybody should slap some paint on, with minimal consideration to outside factors like the aforementioned children or long hours on the job, or just not enjoying painting. Its absurd. Especially when they have the gall to qualify it and say things like "but its ok for them to play with unpainted models only if they made adequate assurances to me that they will be painted soon" GAH!

I get that painted models look better, and there are times when they are required. Like many tournaments or narrative campaigns. and I am all for encouraging people to paint models. But denying people the fun of playing a casual pick up game when they finally manage to get some free time from their life, simply because they haven't devoted all their prior free time to painting just seems mean spirited.

EDIT: I also think the worst people are the ones who actually suggest playing a different game if someone doesn't have time to paint. Magic (for instance) is NOTHING like 40K. People may like one and not the other. Telling somebody to "screw off" and play a different game just because they don't view the hobby the same way is just horrible.

I think painting is part of the game..if you don't want to paint would it be acceptable to use print outs of the models that have the gear very visible? Of course not. If you don't have the time and/or money you really should find another hobby.

There are great hobby games out there (example: MAGIC) that require just the purchase of the product to play.

IN RESPONSE TO THE ABOVE: You can always print out foldouts of the WH40K army. This would let you play the game with no money problems or painting problems. Would that be acceptable to other gamers....I am guessing not. Now please reply in a new comment so everyone can see it instead of hiding in your edits.

I dont have the time to paint my army fully, work and life and.all that.

People have different reasons for playing 40k. It certainly isn't for a tight rule set.

The models at least need to be assembled. My friends have been slowly painting model by model, unit by unit, so we are fielding fewer units. In my last game, everything of mine was painted except for a storm bolter on a rhino.

I was ashamed!

However, if you are getting satisfaction from having a fully painted army, good for you!

 Formosa wrote:
I dont have the time to paint my army fully, work and life and.all that.

Why don't you just use printed out cut outs then? They would be in color..follow the WYSIWYG rule...and you could still play the game.

I prefer playing pretty armies, but I will play anyone, even the armless marines. I especially don't mind if someone has a few new units they have not painted yet, but wanted to try out while they paint them, I mean, I do that too.

J0kerrMT wrote:

 Formosa wrote:
I dont have the time to paint my army fully, work and life and.all that.

Why don't you just use printed out cut outs then? They would be in color..follow the WYSIWYG rule...and you could still play the game.

Why does it bother you so much? Your fun is not his fun, and vice-verse.

There's also a huge leap from playing unpainted to using card board cut outs. And unpainted has nothing to do with WYSIWYG.

 kronk wrote:

J0kerrMT wrote:

 Formosa wrote:
I dont have the time to paint my army fully, work and life and.all that.

Why don't you just use printed out cut outs then? They would be in color..follow the WYSIWYG rule...and you could still play the game.

Why does it bother you so much? Your fun is not his fun, and vice-verse.

Answer my question first please. And as for those that want to test armies before they paint it...that is cool.

But again, if you don't have the time/money...play with printed cut outs...I am sure the other gamers will understand your lack of time/money.

No, I play with 90% or fully painted armies. You're question doesn't apply to me.

Now answer my question. Why are you trying to force your definition of fun on others?

 kronk wrote:
No, I play with 90% or fully painted armies. You're question doesn't apply to me.

Now answer my question.

So you would play against someone who uses a printed out army? They don't have the time/money...but they love the game.

No. I would not play against such a person. That isn't 40k.

I notice you ducked my question. Again.

 kronk wrote:
No. I would not play against such a person.

But why? Why are you trying to force your definition of fun on others?

That's pretty much what I thought you'd say. Troll elsewhere or answer my question.

Huge difference between not playing someone and forcing anything.

 kronk wrote:
That's pretty much what I thought you'd say. Troll elsewhere or answer my question.

Huge difference between not playing someone and forcing anything.

Dodging your own question? Trying to define the fun of others? Hypocrite. That is what you are called.

And ignored.

 kronk wrote:
And ignored.

Of course I am. I put forth a valid point that made you look foolish. Running away is a common tactic to those who have no good answer.

I just asked that if you can't define fun...and someone doesn't have the time/money to play warhammer, but they LOVE it...would you play them if they used a printed out army?

 Formosa wrote:
I dont have the time to paint my army fully, work and life and.all that.

I have a friend who is in the same situation. He sets aside 15 minutes each morning to paint. I'm not singling you out, Formosa. Just pointing out one option. He also doesn't have kids, so that helps his situation greatly.

I don't have a problem playing against people with unpainted armies, nor do I feel that they are taking away from the experience. Some people do, and that's their choice I suppose.

I just ask for WYSIWYG as much as possible.

I'm not sure what that crap about card-board cut outs is all about, though. Seems like an odd way to play. I honestly don't think anyone plays that way, so it seems like an odd argument to make.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

J0kerrMT wrote:

 kronk wrote:
And ignored.

Of course I am. I put forth a valid point that made you look foolish. Running away is a common tactic to those who have no good answer.

I just asked that if you can't define fun...and someone doesn't have the time/money to play warhammer, but they LOVE it...would you play them if they used a printed out army?

And now personal attacks. Glad I don't have to read this crap anymore. Thanks for the lesson in trolling.

 kronk wrote:

 Formosa wrote:
I dont have the time to paint my army fully, work and life and.all that.

I have a friend who is in the same situation. He sets aside 15 minutes each morning to paint. I'm not singling you out, Formosa. Just pointing out one option. He also doesn't have kids, so that helps his situation greatly.

I don't have a problem playing against people with unpainted armies, nor do I feel that they are taking away from the experience. Some people do, and that's their choice I suppose.

I just ask for WYSIWYG as much as possible.

I'm not sure what that crap about card-board cut outs is all about, though. Seems like an odd way to play. I honestly don't think anyone plays that way, so it seems like an odd argument to make.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

J0kerrMT wrote:

 kronk wrote:
And ignored.

Of course I am. I put forth a valid point that made you look foolish. Running away is a common tactic to those who have no good answer.

I just asked that if you can't define fun...and someone doesn't have the time/money to play warhammer, but they LOVE it...would you play them if they used a printed out army?

And now personal attacks. Glad I don't have to read this crap anymore. Thanks for the lesson in trolling.

My question for you was would you block the fun of someone who doesn't have the time/money to play WH..but they love it, so they use cut outs for their army..you said no. Meaning there is a line you draw somewhere on defining fun for other people...I just want to know where it is.

And good for your friend..he is still painting..not giving up..putting effort. We are talking about those that refuse to paint and just play with assembled models. Don't change the subject please.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

 kronk wrote:

 Formosa wrote:
I dont have the time to paint my army fully, work and life and.all that.

I have a friend who is in the same situation. He sets aside 15 minutes each morning to paint. I'm not singling you out, Formosa. Just pointing out one option. He also doesn't have kids, so that helps his situation greatly.

I don't have a problem playing against people with unpainted armies, nor do I feel that they are taking away from the experience. Some people do, and that's their choice I suppose.

I just ask for WYSIWYG as much as possible.

I'm not sure what that crap about card-board cut outs is all about, though. Seems like an odd way to play. I honestly don't think anyone plays that way, so it seems like an odd argument to make.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

J0kerrMT wrote:

 kronk wrote:
And ignored.

You mean the personal attack when he called me a troll...yes..he did go for the personal attack. I wasn't going to point it out.
Of course I am. I put forth a valid point that made you look foolish. Running away is a common tactic to those who have no good answer.

I just asked that if you can't define fun...and someone doesn't have the time/money to play warhammer, but they LOVE it...would you play them if they used a printed out army?

And now personal attacks. Glad I don't have to read this crap anymore. Thanks for the lesson in trolling.

I paint my armies, and I really prefer it when my opponents army is painted too, but I'm not going to refuse a game just because it's not painted.

I have a much bigger problem with proxies. Having a few stand-ins now and again doesn't bother me. Infantry bases with nothing on them is a declined game from me. I've literally come across a person who wanted to play a full 2000 point game with nothing but different sized bases.

 BarBoBot wrote:
I paint my armies, and I really prefer it when my opponents army is painted too, but I'm not going to refuse a game just because it's not painted.

I have a much bigger problem with proxies. Having a few stand-ins now and again doesn't bother me. Infantry bases with nothing on them is a declined game from me. I've literally come across a person who wanted to play a full 2000 point game with nothing but different sized bases.

That is a bigger degree. Again, people that want to test their armies out or new models that don't have them painted or proxied is OK.

And I wouldn't refuse to play an unpainted army either...for the 6 or 7th time. After that, I know they have no intention of painting. Unless I see progress.

 kronk wrote:

J0kerrMT wrote:

 Formosa wrote:
I dont have the time to paint my army fully, work and life and.all that.

Why don't you just use printed out cut outs then? They would be in color..follow the WYSIWYG rule...and you could still play the game.

Why does it bother you so much? Your fun is not his fun, and vice-verse.

There's also a huge leap from playing unpainted to using card board cut outs. And unpainted has nothing to do with WYSIWYG.

I just assumed he felt like Saying something in an "edgy" way. Fact of the matter is anyone who cares enough to make absolutes like that should really try and think about how rediculous they are and focus on makig themselves a tolerant individual. No one is making you play these "unpainted armies. I personally prefer painted armies but who cares really? Hanging out and having fun for a couple of hours with friends trumps "cooler" looking armies every time.

I perfer playing painted armies, but I am just happy to get a good game.

 Formosa wrote:
I dont have the time to paint my army fully, work and life and.all that.

Painting does not take that much time or money. A simple 3 color paint scheme can be done extremely quickly. Follow these steps.
1) Get a colored primer. Red if your blood angels, etc...
2) Get a ink. Ink all your primered models. A black ink is pretty good for most marines.
3) Touch up the guns and/or shoulderpads with a silver, gold.
Painting an army like that won't take you any more time than it took to assemble your models. You could do it after the kids go to sleep.

Chancetragedy wrote:

 kronk wrote:

J0kerrMT wrote:

 Formosa wrote:
I dont have the time to paint my army fully, work and life and.all that.

Why don't you just use printed out cut outs then? They would be in color..follow the WYSIWYG rule...and you could still play the game.

Why does it bother you so much? Your fun is not his fun, and vice-verse.

There's also a huge leap from playing unpainted to using card board cut outs. And unpainted has nothing to do with WYSIWYG.

I just assumed he felt like Saying something in an "edgy" way. Fact of the matter is anyone who cares enough to make absolutes like that should really try and think about how rediculous they are and focus on makig themselves a tolerant individual. No one is making you play these "unpainted armies. I personally prefer painted armies but who cares really? Hanging out and having fun for a couple of hours with friends trumps "cooler" looking armies every time.

Same question to you then. Would you play a printed cut out army?


Automatically Appended Next Post:

 labmouse42 wrote:
I perfer playing painted armies, but I am just happy to get a good game.

 Formosa wrote:
I dont have the time to paint my army fully, work and life and.all that.

Painting does not take that much time or money. A simple 3 color paint scheme can be done extremely quickly. Follow these steps.
1) Get a colored primer. Red if your blood angels, etc...
2) Get a ink. Ink all your primered models. A black ink is pretty good for most marines.
3) Touch up the guns and/or shoulderpads with a silver, gold.
Painting an army like that won't take you any more time than it took to assemble your models. You could do it after the kids go to sleep.

You are correct sir.