Lockdown Hobby: Recovering your Mojo: Introduction
In these unprecedented times, it is more important than ever that we make time for the things that we enjoy; activities that can distract us from the mania around us and provide solace and sanctuary, as we strive to stay safe via social distancing.
In this series: (Yes another series! I must be doing something right) we will be looking at the Three Pillars (as I perceive them) of ‘the hobby’ and how you can carry them on in this Lockdown world we find ourselves in. Methods you can use to maintain your motivation, and basically the ways in which you can keep your enthusiasm and ensure that when you get to engage with everyone again, you can do so with full glee and gusto!
So, the three pillars: What do I mean? Well, I mean the three main aspects of miniature wargaming. Cast ye eyes below dear reader!
1: Modelling.
This includes both assembly AND painting - though I know of certain individuals that eschew the latter and embrace the former! Some people collect models just to have the models in a collection with little if any, intention of playing a game, and of course, this is totally fine. After all, painting miniatures is in its own right a hobby. There are some that excel at it and enjoy that part of the whole process more than any other. And there are some that see it as a necessary chore in order to get to the part they really like…
Painting can be a very therapeutic activity but like anything else you do can be all too easy to burn out. Especially with Space Marines. Don’t be too hard on yourself, it happens to nearly all of us and I will be bringing you some Mojo saving ideas next week to help you get back to modelling with verve once again!
2: Gaming.
Yes, the time-honoured tradition of throwing dice and throwing down. Whichever polygons you cast to the table; you will need a mix of fortune and fortitude to see your foes defeated! For some, the game is all, or at least the primary part of the hobby. Quite happy to see others paint their miniatures - and in some cases paying a lot of money to commission an army - they just want to wage war. For them, the joy of the hobby is found on the tabletop facing an opponent. Surely it is they who are the most afflicted in these times of social distance, unable to meet up and battle? Fear not! We will address this in due course and I have a few ideas even for this pillar.
Nothing quite beats a tabletop battle with fun opponents, this time during a Warhammer 40,000 Doubles Tournament held at Wayland Games centre. Fingers crossed we’ll all be able to face each other across a table full of scenery soon.
3: The Lore.
Personally, I consider this a valid pillar of ‘the hobby’. After all, many of these games would be nothing without a universe in which to stage your epic battles. Be it the worlds of the 41st Millennium, the Wildlands of Ulaya, or even a Galaxy Far Far Away. You need to have the backdrop, the setting, for the struggle you are reenacting.
The atmosphere is essential in allowing gamers to engage with the setting; to drive a narrative and give people a reason to KEEP playing. This is an important factor, you can have the nicest models in the world (and this will please a facet of the community just fine) but all of these pillars tie into one another. If you do not develop your universe it will die. New events, new characters and battles, these are the lifeblood of any game, and it’s these things that keep the fanbase loyal and ensure a game’s longevity. For me personally, playing a STORY is one of the most important things.
A game like The Drowned Earth has loads of background and a really strong setting. The cinematic dynamic reaction rule set really helps drive the narrative with loads of really cool moments, as characters hurl themselves about, jump gaps shooting mid-air and all while trying not to be eaten by Dinosaurs!
So over the next three weeks, we will be looking at each of these pillars in turn, starting with modelling, then going on to gaming and finishing with the lore. I’ll be talking about each pillar in-depth, what it means to hobbyists, and presenting some ideas on how you can get the most out of that aspect of the hobby even under lockdown. It can be hard to maintain motivation at a time like this, and I’m hopeful that my articles might provide the catalyst for you to pick up a paintbrush or a book and re-engage with the hobby. To use it as a crutch in these difficult times and embrace the wonder that it can bring us.
It’s time to recover your Hobby Mojo.
