Many would scoff at the idea of using the word "proper" when matching two Battlebox starter forces against each other (a game that doesn't even match the minimum 15 pts Duel size game format), however I define "proper" in a more wholistic sense: a nice gameboard, painted miniatures, keen and focused players, etc.
I used my Cygnar force (although I have a Retribution of Scyrah force ready as well), and my buddy Marw brought his newly painted Marcenaries Battlebox force! So the evening had to begin with enjoying the study of newly painted models over a cup of coffee (Marw's own picture copied below, with an additional 'jack to the force played yesterday)!
I love the way the greens and browns characterize the more rural and rugged Mercenary character - and although I don't have a picture of it the freehand on teh back of Magnus's tattered cape is fantastic! I hope to get a picture in the future!
We used some of the Wrath of Kings terrain for the evening's game, and outr objective was to give the Quickstart rules a try! We'll have to learn all the rules again when MkIII (3rd edition) is released this summer - but who cares? The journey of learning these rules together, with new forces; is a joy in itself!
We spent the evening playing through the game, filling most moves with a lot of discussion and exploration of the Quckstart and unit rules; but that was alright! Getting a sense of the possibilities, and watching Marw get his head around how this game works - made it a great evening!
Cygnar got off to a great start and destroyed the Mercenary Talon turn two, and although they retaliated by destroying the Lancer the boys in blue kept the moementum and looked like they were going to roll over Magnus's battlegroup. However, just as Stryker was about to close the trap Magnus caught him getting just a bit too close and managed to strike him down with his near-destroyed Ravanger 'jack. Very exciting!
I'm still thrilled with the feeling of having to constantly be on your toes playing this game! Even though you feel like you have the upper hand, and sudden mistake and some creative play can turn the tables in a heartbeat! That suits me just fine, as I have come to realize that I can easily loose focus on a game with a more predictable for which requires a lot of waiting.
I am also thrilled by the knowledge of how quickly you can make switches in this game (by switch I mean adding new models and changing the way you play), knowing how dramatically your force can change with the addition of even a single model! Even though I haven't played much yet I have already come to greatly appreciate less of a feeling of rush to get my models painted. I can take a little more time and explore the painting side with less sense of pressure to wrap them up for the tabletop!
On the subject of painting, I've been investing a little time and working on how to make my own bases and explore snow effects. I started with EonsofBattle's tutorials (EonsofBattle), and have been adding my own variations to the process (in particularly adding washes and turfts of grass) as I gain more experience.
I also attepted the harispray technique when painting the 'jacks, using SchnauzerFaceMini's turtorial (Stormwall Tutorial) as a guide. I'm not convinced it is worth it on such small models and normal warjacks, but it was a fun learning experience nonetheless. Point is, I felt comfortable taking my time trying new things since I only had to paint 4 models to get started!
As I mentioned earlier my Retribution of Scyrah Battlebox force is finished, but I am almost finished (around 90%) with my Trollblood and Legion of Everblight Battlebox forces as well. Perhaps it is overkill to have four armies, but I am still enamored by how quickly I can get a new force up and running - even when experimenting at the painting table - and love the idea of exploring the game at such a basic level as the Quickstart Rules.
That's my segway into my parting thoughts. Usually getting started with a miniature wargame involves collecting and (depending on your local gaming culture) painting a force to match what your buddies (or local meta) is playing. Locally there is a good group of guys who gather for weekly 35 and 50 pts matches, for instance. Regardless of how experienced you are at painting, and how friendly the group is - this will typically entail a gruelling aspirant period of pressuring yourself into getting done with your painting and subsequently getting your rear end beat for a number of games until you start to figure things out - all while being excessively influenced into changing your army and playstyle into "what wins" - quite often form a competitive point-of-view.
Although there is nothing wrong with this, given your tenacity to stick out a hard aspirant period - I find it robs one of a great experience of discovery and exploration! Keeping the painting limited to 3-5 models, learning the rules with a friend, figuring out tactics and combinations as you play more evenly matched games, and developing your collection based on a far more personal desire for new models / units is arguably a far more rewarding journey!
