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So the Bog Trogs for Hordes led me to thoughts of Lizardmen, and I started contemplating how cool a little skink army would be, throw in some terradons and a salamander, a few kroxigor etc., just something between 500-1000 points, or maybe a Mordheim band. Then the following thoughts occurred to me:

1. I'm not playing Fantasy, or mordheim, right now, and even if I were, the people I know who do want to play 2000+ points
2. I have enough projects to fill my time. Do I really want to get started on another one that will cost money?
3. I really don't like square bases anymore (WM has really spoiled me), and I find the idea of lizardmen on WM bases more aesthetically pleasing. Too bad that doesn't work for WHFB
4. Did I mention this will cost money?

I've been smitten by the bug to do random projects (the odd Chainmail or Battletech figure lying around the house, finishing off my elderly Valhallans); lately I've been working on a bunch of Vikings--including 6 Old Glory Wagnerian Valkeries that I got YEARS ago that really should have been melted back down for fishing weights. But this is another animal entirely. This would involve buying new models, creating a new force from scratch, basing them in such a way to render them ineffective for gaming in either of their standard settings, and not having anyone to play with anyway.

So, here's the questions:
1. Does this ever happen to you? If so, what do you do? (Okay, that's like asking addicts if they miss the crack, I understand. Nevertheless...)
2. Should I just go for it and use them as a proxy army for some other system? If so, what? Kroot for my Tau (also not playing 40k right now...)? Some kind of wacky army for WM/Hordes? Ares? No Quarter? ??
3. Should I just consider this a little modeling project to make myself happy and not worry about a system? This would be odd for me; aside from the occasional fantasy fig, I usually paint minis with the intent to use them in some kind of mini game--even those aforementioned fantasy figs are used for D&D at least sometimes.
4. Should I just buy 'em and put them on the 'correct' bases and figure I'll get to playing them eventually? I mean, we're only talking at most 40-50 figs, not a lot of space to take up...

I know people are going to say, "you do what you want..." Let me say in advance: while the support is nice, I'm kinda looking to see what other people do in this case (assuming it occurs). So throw me a freakin' bone here people!

Thanks in advance!   

In the fewest words possible: I delay the inevitable long enough to chew up some of my backlog so that I can justify adding more miniatures to the ever increasing collection.

For example: I have, currently unbuilt and at various stages of progress, three small armies for 40k and a Menoth battlebox being painted. I really have the urge to start a Tau army, and I know that if I wait it out and resist the urge to drop $150 I just may change my mind and move on to the next army idea. Or, I'll end up starting the new army, but only after I've completed one of the unfinished three.

Well that didn't turn out to be as brief as I had hoped.

I think sometimes modeling and wargaming cause me to get ahead of myself in terms of what is possible and desirable, it seems like you are in a similar predicament.  Three considerations worth contemplating are time,money and sustainability. 

There's an expression.  If you really want to do something you'll find a way.  If you don't really want to do it, you'll find an excuse.  I think that is a decent maxim to apply to any project before you start.  Is starting this Skink force something you really want to do or is it an idle fantasy?  For example, There is a pretty strong Fantasy group where I am and watching them play has made me want to try it out again (haven't played since 3rd Edition).  I've been thinking about a High Elf army, but meanwhile my Witch Hunters project stalled out so that I could build my foamboard City of Death and my Plague Zombie Horde.  I also still have a ton of unpainted IG and pressing concerns that really should be occupying my free time.  This is the time consideration.  Where is the modeling going to fit into my schedule?  How often will I use this army?  Will I be willing to spend the mental energy to study the meanest enemy lists and create a powerful, balanced army that is fun to play?  Or would I rather stick with what I know?  In my case, I know that I really shouldn't buy a High Elf army, it is just an excuse not to paint the minis I already have.

The money consideration is much more person to person.  If you've got the spare cash and you feel like it is a worthwhile purchase, then buy it.  I bought an Eldar force from Lazarus that was totally worth it and I love playing with it.  Although, purchase discipline is important.  I find its best to plan out exactly what kind of force you want to use, proxy it, and then buy the figs.  It sucks having an army that has a lot of fatty extras that never gets used. 

The last concern, sustainability, is about how often this new force will be used and for how long.  For example, I built a Tyranid force back in 3rd Edition but never liked playing it that much, I bought a bunch of support troops from ebay and then painted up a few more squads when the 4th edition codex came out.  Still, I never liked playing it that much  The army is currently sitting in my parents basement 1000 miles away.  I'm probably going to sell it, but that may just be an idle fantasy.   I don't regret spending a lot of money on GW stuff because I use my armies and scenery almost every week.  Its something I really enjoy that I look at like an investment that doesn't appreciate much and also as a labor of love. 

It seems like you are primarliy a player, but want to paint something radically different that what you've been doing.  Is this skink force a diversion to keep your mind off something?  Is it the seed of a larger force?  Is it something you'll find a use for in the game you play most?  The third question is important.

Posted By Samwise158 on 03/05/2007 1:13 AM

It seems like you are primarliy a player, but want to paint something radically different that what you've been doing.  Is this skink force a diversion to keep your mind off something?  Is it the seed of a larger force?  Is it something you'll find a use for in the game you play most?  The third question is important.

Heh, that's actually kind of funny, as while I've been in a 'sweet spot' the lately, I've gone long periods of time where I was basically painting armies with no one to play.

Good advice. I'd prefer to keep this project small; I'm really not that into huge battles with hundreds of figs on either side, regardless of system. I'm much more focused on skirmish-y games (Warmachine, COD, Combat Patrol, etc.) and would want to keep this force the same size.

It's probably a passing fancy, but its one that's captured my imagination for the moment, and really, aren't all aspects of our hobby passing fascination?

Teach at the Yeshiva in Chicago, Yair! Then we coiuld both sit around
with no one to play!

Here at work - *glances about, peeks out of cube* - I have far too much time free for forums and scheming up a limitless number of "possible" projects that I could very very very easily spend the money on and add to the queue. For example, I've got a real need to play Necromunda (never have before, always wanted to, etc), and in the last month or two have not only created a dozen gang rosters, but broken down each list into what models I would need to buy, where to get them for cheapest, and come this close to buying at least one. Right now I'm on making an all-jakara spyrer team converted from banshees or i-Kore black legion ...

And the same day I was scheming up 500 points of skaven for fantasy - just check army lists for proof

My point is I completely feel your pain, and really really wish I had a solution to suggest. Back in January I decided that as my Chaos army is almost painted, I could get another 500 point 40k army and have that painted for Games Day this summer. So I made a Tau list, ordered some boxes, ordered a few more, expanded the list to 750, then expanded to 1000 and now am waiting for the rest of the army to show up And then I bought the bitz for a GorkaMorka resurgence that isn't apparently happening any more. And then we got back into INQ and I got ahold of a marine to paint up all nice. And then I wanted to finish my Chaos real bad and so here I am painting noise marines and converting up a defiler.

Currently I'm trying to a) make a "Projects" list and stick until this summer and stick to that, checking off boxes of "built" "base-coated" "painted" until everything is done; and b) drain my PayPal account so I can't buy anymore!!

Good luck with those lizardmen

- Boss Salvage

Well I have such a backlog on minies that it will take me a few years too paint them( there all primed and put together). Plus i have other projects too( three game tables being built), Flames of war armies being built, Not to mention the numberous model kits i have horded over the years.
I have yet to buy any minies or models( i get them as gifts or inhert them from freinds that get fed up with them...

What's funny is I'm probably having one of my most productive time periods of late. Since Jan. 1 I've painted 30+ figs--not too shabby (not anything like SOME people I know who bang out a fig a day, but still). Since last June I've managed to get my Khador back up to snuff, and build/paint a Cygnar army, a Reaper Reven army and a Trollbloods army, as well as those valhalans that waited patiently for 10+ years). I'm really trying to clear out as much backlog before the summer hits and think I making some real progress, but I'm not sure I want to add to that backlog. Then again, you can't die if you've got leftover projects, can you?

Well I have a Ba army all converted and not painted, I have some wulfen (about 7-8) for confrontation/rackham not painted, also about 20 wolfgaurd in power armour with lightning claws and a leader with thunder hammer not done,

Some grey nights that I bought and nevr painted cos the models looked cool.

Some 20 or so heads and bolters for deathwatch just sitting there and a wolf lord conversuion on giant wolf lying in bits

but the best is my araby army (well cavalry of 10 models) just waiting to be done but I dont play fantasy at all just liked the theme.

Yair:

I have tons of stuff that I'm "supposed" to be working on.

I only allow myself to purchase things for that game system/army if:

1) I am actually painting them.
2) I am actually gaming with them.

Otherwise, I can stand to hold off.

For instance:

to do:

Cryx
Skorne
PRotectorate
Circle
Dwarfs
Wood Elfs
Imperial Guard
Eldar
Cadwallon figs
Necromunda

However, the only stuff I game with is Protectorate, so I mostly buy for them.

Then the only stuff I actually paint is the Wood Elf, Cryx stuff, so I only allow
myself to buy extra pieces for them.

The rest is in limbo. Sure the projects weigh a bit on the psyche, but I think I can
hold things off in the meantime.

Posted By malfred on 03/05/2007 3:20 PM
I have tons of stuff that I'm "supposed" to be working on.

I only allow myself to purchase things for that game system/army if:

1) I am actually painting them.
2) I am actually gaming with them.

Otherwise, I can stand to hold off.

It's a good protocol. I've been following a similar set of rules, and it's given me a real sense of accomplishment to have a fully painted Khador or Cygnar force, rather than a half-painted 40k army.

A few years back I went a bit insane on the LotR-buying front and wound up with a big backlog several hundred figures strong. I managed to sell off some of the more unlikely figures, but still have a large box full of stuff to fill in those awkward hours.

Since that time I have managed to reign in my insanity and now only buy stuff if I know I will be using it in the shorter term for a game (I do play several game systems - WM, Confrontation, LotOW, 5150, Full Thrust, BFG, Epic - so that still leaves variety). But when it comes to more speculative projects I make myself think of that box under the bed and the desire tends to wilt.

When it comes down to buying new stuff I have disciplined myself to use the "bottle of wine test": I think "will that £10 (or whatever) give me more enjoyment if I buy those figures, given it will take me a couple of months to prep and paint them and will involve putting off something more "useful", or if I spend it on a couple of bottles of wine?"  If it's the wine, I pass on the figures! Nowadays I find only stuff I am likely to game with in the next month or two passes the test unless it is very cheap!

When you said "bottle of wine" test I was thinking "Madonna".

That is all.

Wash your mind out with soap young man...

My personal project list was completed with the help of paintedfigs.com over an approximate 17 month period.

Unfortunately, as I would have NEVER predicted, I'm looking for MORE projects to work on now. Hell, I've started on the 2008 Adepticon Team tournament armies already.

Every army I own is now painted thanks to partnering with them...methinks more toys need to be purchased.

Whenever I get the urge to start a new project, I try to resist it. Typically, I will become fascinated with the idea of building a new army and obsess over it for about a week, looking at the available models, figuring how expensive it will be, planning out an army list. Then, soon enough, I become interested in something else and the initial project is forgetten about (or at least put on the back burner for a while. Like that medieval French army I've been planning...).

Anyway, if I can hold out long enough for my attention to turn to something else then I can usually avoid spending money on something I'll never get around to painting.

Its ok to muse an idea, but when cash and time are concerned, it becomes a whole new issue.

Unless you are going to play the game, I would tell you to go paint up your witch hunters, and then maybe later, paint up a regiment ( ONE regiment) of the skinks to fight against.

Then, as you play a few games of Mordhiem, you can fight the skinks and slowly build on your little regiment.

As you get your game on, you will either play them or your going to fall out of favor with them and go back to your witch hunters. Whichever one you decide on, put the other ones away for a while, then play your choice for a while.

Thats your choice.

In another thought, you can always be practical and make a list of your projects, and decide for yourself if your schedual has room for your new choice.

I do both, but lately, I've been curbing alot of " Chooseing" and leveled off to builds/ paints mode. NO buying, except things such as brushes, or paint.

My problem is that my attention span for projects is low, so I can only do smaller projects and I can't fart around too much on them or they won't get done.

- Daleks and Cybermen (citadel minis from 1987!)
- "Zombie containment" troops (Eureka minis)
- Fallen Angels kill team
- Eldar heroes
- Pulp Scifi minis (Proton Rangers line, indie British sculptor)
- 15mm Aphids army (atomic scifi) for Flames of War (Zombiesmith)
- 15mm Nazi Superscience army for Flames of War (Battlefront)
- Torchwood troops (probably from Copplestone Castings)

At varying stages on all but the last of these.

My other problem is that I just can't spare painter capacity for my own projects, and that I don't have enough free time to work on them myself.

Navin

I buy the codex, study it over, and create an on-paper list. I then save until I have enough spare cash to buy the entire army or project, and reward myself by buying it when do something good (like finishing an army or getting laid).

Chuck

I bring out my box of unfinished projects to stifle any thoughts about putting more plastic crap in there (the box). Looking at a dozen unopened Bret boxes for your future RAF army does a good job of curbing the hardon for new projects.

Posted By chuckyhol on 03/12/2007 3:05 PM
I buy the codex, study it over, and create an on-paper list. I then save until I have enough spare cash to buy the entire army or project, and reward myself by buying it when do something good (like finishing an army or getting laid).

Chuck

So in other words...you don't buy much?

Thank god, I'm not the only one!

(A/S/L?)