Wargame Hobby Bingo for 2020

This year, I decided to update my Wargame Hobby Bingo card. A few squares got a bit of a tweak, and some are brand new:

 

If you'd like to participate in Wargame Hobby Bingo, here's how it works: Over the course of the year, check off the squares as you finish your hobby projects. Score a Bingo by completing a row, or try to fill in the entire card!

A model or unit can only count for one square. Each column and row includes some painting, converting, and scenery building, so it will encourage you to work on all aspects of the hobby and experiment with new techniques.

Here's a look at the squares:

–Convert a model into a different unit or character and paint it.

One of the great things about the hobby is finding a use for a model other than its "normal" function. If you don't like the way a particular unit looks, kitbash your own conversion out of alternate models. Some of my favorite projects were born of this practice– Blood Knights, converted from Dreadblade Harrows and Vampire Lords. Even one of my oldest Necromancers was originally a Necromunda Arch-zealot.

 

 

–Break out a game or army you have not played in over a year. Play it and paint at least one new model for your force.

If, like me, you play different games and collect different armies, some of those can fall by the wayside. This is an opportunity to renew your passion for an older army that doesn't see the table very much. I think my Black Templars haven't seen action in at least a year...

–Paint either: all the models in a faction starter box, or all the models for one of the armies in a 2-army starter set.

This is an update from the original square. I decided to include one half of the 2-player starter game as a "faction starter" to allow more freedom in finding something to paint.

–Paint a model and incorporate a technique you haven't mastered.

An oldie but a goodie. Don't be afraid to experiment with something new. My Quicksilver swords endless spell came out great, and painting white-hot metal isn't something I would have tried otherwise.

 

–Make a 2' x 2' battlefield section or army display board with integrated terrain.

As I mentioned in a previous blog post, I was dropping the "whole battlefield" square, but I reworded this one to count for a modeled battlefield or a display board. Everyone would have an opportunity to make a scenic display board for their army (or armies), or they could build up a modeled battlefield over time by adding 2' x 2' tiles with scenery incorporated. I was hoping to participate in "Armies on Parade" last year, but work got in the way, and I wasn't able to finish my Nighthaunt or build a display board in time. This year for sure!

–Paint a model or unit in a color scheme you don't normally use.

I don't know about you, but I paint in 4 basic colors: Grey, red, brown, and bone. It's nice to change things up once in a while and break out of the default color palette. I didn't even know that I HAD purple paint!

 

–Build and paint 3 pieces of scenery, all themed to match the same battlefield aesthetic.

Rather than building a game board, I changed the square to be a collection of scenery pieces. While most players only ever need one battlefield, they can always use more terrain to fill it out, and building three pieces that are themed to match the same aesthetic is a great way to build up a collection of terrain that all matches and contributes to a nice-looking, thematic battlefield. (If you are trying to fill in the entire card, remember that a piece can only count for one square, so you'll need to make two more pieces of scenery for the "Scratch-build" and "Scenery Kit" squares. If you check all three boxes, you'll end up with five pieces for your battlefield.)

 

–Paint a unit and add scenic bases for all the models.

If you're like me, you do this across most of your army anyway. But scenic bases are a nice way to unify your army, or to call attention to a special or elite unit.

 

–Sculpt something on a model.

Another attempt to experiment and develop your modeling skills. Add a fur cloak or belt, make some purity seals for your Space Marines, an army icon, anything. Practice sculpting little things here and there, and you'll be able to combine those skills and make wonderfully converted models.

 

 

 

–Finish painting and basing a model within 48 hours of receiving it.

Don't let your projects linger! Take time to complete at least ONE model within two days of getting it. And it's easier than you think– We're not talking about a giant Forge World dragon, here. Just pick a simple character, or the leader of a unit, and make time to finish him. My Knight of Shrouds and Necron Cryptek are both two-day projects.

 

 

–Paint a vehicle.

This one is an easy square to check for 40K players. Fantasy-focused players might struggle, but remember– airships, chariots, coaches, carriages, and contraptions all count as vehicles.

 

–Convert and paint a character model to represent a special artifact or relic that they are equipped with.

This is a new square that involves a little conversion work. Make a model to represent a specific magical artifact or armory relic that he can be equipped with. It's a great way to create a unique model to represent your general or warlord. Some of my favorite Skaven models were converted to represent magic items that they were equipped with (at least, they were magic items when I made the models):

 

 

 

–Scratch-build a piece of scenery.

This one can be as simple or complex as you want– a hill or wood, or kitbashing a large citadel. My haunted crypt was made form foam and plastic skulls from the Halloween store, and a ton of model bits.

 

–Add a new unit to your army and completely paint it before using it on the battlefield.

Avoid the temptation of playing with unpainted models by forcing yourself to not use a unit until it's finished.

–Paint a new unit for your army and give it unique markings or color to designate it as your general's personal retinue.

Another new square. This one provides an opportunity to try some different techniques, experiment with color, or make use of transfers and squad markings. It also encourages a little creativity with the lore of your army– Who is your general, and what unit would accompany him or her on the battlefield? They might be veterans with their own individual character and flair.

–Make something for your hobby that's not for the battlefield.

I always check this box for work on my army transport. I've taken to scratch building custom foam trays to fit my models. This year, I'm working on a magnetized carrying case for my Nighthaunt army.

 

–Build and paint a scenery kit.

Straightforward and easy considering most Age of Sigmar armies include scenery kits. You can build it "stock" out of the box, or customize it. My Warscryer Citadel is mostly stock, but there's a lot of extra detail and basing added:

 

–Paint a monster.

With all the monsters available across all the different model ranges, I have a sinking feeling that I'm still going to stuggle to find one to paint this year. Do I really need ANOTHER Terrorgheist...?

–Convert a model.

Like the square says, it can be as simple as a weapon-swap or re-pose. Sometime the most minor alterations can add a lot of character to your army.

–Make a diorama.

I had a lot of fun with this last year, and am looking forward to making another one.

 

–Paint a model from an army or faction that you don't own any painted models for.

Another opportunity to break out of your wheelhouse. I reworded the square so it's not just an army you don't "already paint and collect," but rather an army you don't "own any painted models for." So if you've got an army of grey plastic that you've been playing for years, painting the first model for it will count toward this square.

–Build and paint a thematic marker to represent a psychic power, ability, or spell's persistent effect on the battlefield.

This is a new one, replacing "make something for your army like objectives or a baggage train." I wanted to encourage people to make modeled counters to represent effects on the table top, so the battlefield aesthetic an be maintained. For example– Instead of putting out a token with "Mystic Shield" written on it next to the unit, put out a modeled representation of the Mystic Shield spell. I made this Mystic Shield a while back, but I've been meaning to make representations for my other command abilities and spell buffs and de-buffs. I've got some for my Skaven Pestilens army, but none for my undead.

 

 

–Finish painting a model that's been in your to-do pile or that's remained unfinished for more than a year.

We've all got them. This is a great chance to catch up on the old backlog.

–Paint a team you built and converted specifically for a skirmish game.

This square replaces the "board game" square. The idea here is to make some uniquely painted or converted models for a Warcry warband or a Kill Team, and NOT just port over already-painted models from your regular army. This gives you the opportunity to add extra bits of character to the team and make them stand apart from the rest of your collection. If they eventually make their way into your main army, they could fill the roles of unit champions and mighty heroes. (Note that painting a "stock" Underworlds or Warcry warband counts for this, as they are purpose-built for that game.) I had a lot of fun making and naming my Shadow War: Armageddon Sisters of Battle team. And even though that game fell off the face of the earth, they occupy a prominent spot on my display shelf.

 

So, what are you waiting for? Print out the Bingo card and get painting. You've only got a year to finish!

'Til next time!