The other battle off the gaming table...

I recently looked at Defiant Games to see what new models I could purchase for the Menoth or for my Malifaux. There's quite a few models I would really like to get, but I had to stop and think about something I thought would never cross my mind as an impulse-buying gamer - do I really need it?

As a gamer, you want everything available in a factions army. Characters. Infantry units. Cavalry units. Air units. Land units. And of course, the shiny new-release models. But I'm trying to adopt a new way of thinking when it comes to purchasing models. Here are a few things to think about the next time you are browsing online or at the LGS:

Am I going to use it now?
So, you've just seen the latest, coolest looking model to come out. Great. Gotta have it. But is it really going to fit in to what you're trying to build? Do you really need that new Dark Elf Sorceress on Dragon model when you don't even have a Dark Elf army? Purchase something that you're going to use within 12 months. Not something you may want to use within 12 months.


Can this purchase wait?
This ties in heavily with whether you will use a miniature now or later on. If you're trying to practice with a pKreoss list for an upcoming tournament in 2 weeks time, then surely purchasing an eFeora mini can wait after. It saves you cash. Plus that time spent on playing and practising your army list instead of assembling/painting models will prove invaluable in the long run. What's not to like?


Do I have the financial means to do it?
This is the one that's been hitting me the most lately. The mortgage and bills have to come first. If I know I have to pay a massive amount of bills (which is every 3 months), less money must go into miniatures this month (if at all).

I know it's not a comprehensive list on money saving tips, but it's something. And something is better than nothing. Prioritise your needs. If there's something you want, I advise writing them down on a piece of paper, then go over it and prioritise them from most important to least important.

So with all that being said, I will use myself as an example.

I'm really keen on running an Exemplar themed based army for Warmachine. Since I have most of the models purchased from awhile back, big back-breaking purchases are (thankfully) out of the way.

I do, however, want to run Exemplar Errants. Which is what I'm currently painting. Check.

In order to make the unit effective, they will need the Officer and Standard unit attachment. Check.

I am running 2-3 jacks with a lot of firepower, hence the need to give them offensive buffs. Hmm, I think I'll need some Vassals of Menoth. It looks like I can only field 2 of these in any one army, so I don't have to go overboard and buy 4 or 5. I think I'll just get 1. Check.

I really want the Fire of Salvation jack to go with eKreoss. But I have 3 heavy jacks in the Castigator, Vanquisher and Crusader all painted up and ready to use. Not to mention the Reckoner, Guardian and 2x Devout jacks that need to be assembled. I think I can wait to purchase this item. Check.

In my 50 pt list, I'm going to be running a unit of 10 Flameguard Cleansers. Oh crap, I'm two grunts short. I will need these guys to make what I need. Check.

I'm running out of Astronomican Grey and Shining Gold paints - an essential colour to the current project I'm painting. Check

OK so to finalise, I need a Vassal of Menoth blister ($8), Exemplar Errant UA ($25),  Flameguard Cleanser blister ($11) and 2 pots of Citadel paints ($12). It's a grand total of $56. Considering that a box of the Fire of Salvation warjack is $58 (something I don't need until later on), I think I'm allocating my funds wisely when I'm getting the things I need now and for $2 cheaper.

See? How easy was that? Alright, so it's much easier said than done. My strongest advice is to write them down as seeing the facts on a piece of paper (or even a blog) helps you realise what the reality is rather than just going through the math in your head.

Oh and one more thing, some WIP pics of the Exemplar Errants.

Have a good one folks.