8 things the Pros DON’T tell you when you start Warhammer

Thanks to MANSCAPED for sponsoring today’s video! Get 20% OFF + Free International Shipping with promo code “BWG” at manscaped.com/broadswordwargaming

For me, accepting that my paint jobs will probably never be at the golden demon level was a huge boost to my overall enjoyment of the hobby. I'm still very proud of the majority of what I produce, even if it isn't gonna be placed upon a podium with a chorus of angels singing in a choir. I enjoy what I do with my spare time, and I'm good with that.

Here is an important lesson for the hobby: A hobby is just that, a Hobby. It's not a job, it's not a competition, it's not an obligation. Do it for as long as you like, and when it stops bringing you joy, stop. You can take a break, you can put your unfinished models away, same with your paint, and come back to them when the hobby feels fun again.

My top tip for newbs is when painting to pick out your colours in advance and try them on a small single model first to make sure you like the colour combo. Also, I cannot believe that Oliver is in his fourth decade, he must be a vampire.

Me, who decided to get into Thousand Sons and just bought the army in one go, watching Ciara's first point and instantly doing the Pikachu :o face

Something I wish I knew before I got too FAR in the hobby… I would say, to the younger me… “You don’t need 1,000 guardsmen.”

Spray cans are amazing - I'm an experienced hobbiest with an airbrush but still love spray cans. No fuss and really quick. More time for actually painting and playing rather than an@l retentive an air brush cleaning or 5 thin coats. Nice little video. All tips 100% relevant.

Tip#1 is golden (the first#1 not the "off list" #1). I just sold a load of my pile of shame consisting of various army boxes i bought and never even opened. Feels like a weight lifted.

All great advice. One extra thing I'd add is that as well as deciding what sort of player or hobbyist you want to be, is surround yourself with like minded people. Sometimes people play ultra competitive and if you're more casual it's important to agree beforehand what sort of game you're going for. I've played vs competitive people before and because it's been clear, I don't mind. What is off putting is when you think you're meeting up for a casual game and someone brings extra strong lists to the table and smashes your force in two turns. So make sure to have the conversation with your friend/opponent so that you're both aiming for the same experience.

Watching your interview on painting phase...cannot believe how hard you work. Thanks for sparing the time to make these videos.

I think you missed the biggest tip: It takes Time. I have a job and three kids that consume my life from wake-up at 5 AM until somewhere between 8 and 9 PM, but I have a few painted armies because I set aside at least 30 minutes every night for building or painting.

Enjoy the hobby. Well said. Not quite what GW were pushing when I was there, but something I tried to get people to do.

As a mechanic I just fell in love with the orks, the monopose white metal miniatures were fairly limiting but there were a lot to pick from, the best thing about them though was their vehicles. The idea that each would be individually customised to the extent that no two would look alike led to much merriment with razor-saws, aluminium mesh, plasticard, none GW model kits, Milliput modeling putty and recycled tinplate from evaporated milk tins (flat sided rather than corrugated). The whole ork ideology so lends itself to experimentation and downright bodging that it really encourages imagination, lateral thinking, saving pennies by finding cheaper ways to do or build things.

Don't let anyone tell you what the hobby should be. 2nd decade me loved playing WFB but got stressed about 'having' to paint a whole army, he'd have enjoyed it more if he'd let it go. 3rd decade me got mega into BB and loved putting more time into a smaller painting project. 5th decade me (oh jeez) has managed to paint almost 6 miniatures this year but has been using it to escape, relax and enjoy in a stressful phase of life, without currently playing. That's quite a range of purpose for one hobby over my life so far 😊

I thought of another one! Have a dedicated space to do hobby in where you can leave your current project. This does not have to be a big area, for me it’s ranged from a desk to a corner or the floor to a cupboard. Whatever it is, it just needs to be a way you can quickly pick up a project work on it for 5min then put it down again. Having to spend a long time getting ready to paint and then tidy everything away is a killer for me. I’ve always got more done when I have a dedicated space no matter how small that space is.

A fantastic vid. Lots of very good points made with the last one being the greatest, have fun❤️❤️

Thoroughly enjoyed the review. Found ya from the Miniac Vid. Thanks for hoppin' on with him and goin' hard.

Your n°1 is so true. Take the time to enjoy the hobby, buy a box, paint the models, play a game, then buy a new box, etc etc. This hobby is about collecting, and waiting before buying a new toy is part of the excitement of a collection.

That was a really great list. I was thinking if I’d anything……. It’s more just linked to the last point about enjoying the hobby/the one about finding out what kind of collector you are. So I’d say do what you want to do in the hobby, looking online it’s very easy to get sucked into doing someone else’s kind of hobby. I so often get sucked into the competitive mind set of I need X or Y to win, when actually all I really want to do is collect a cool narrative army. Also with regard to enjoying the hobby don’t be afraid to put a project aside for a bit and do something else. The number of times I’ve needed a rest from something but then come back and finished it at a later date is astonishing, it might just be my way of working, but I find it really helpful.

The biggest thing for me is to just enjoy the process and not sweat the results so much when you start out. I'm sure a lot of people are like me, so need to hear this: your first one will suck. Just savor whatever you achieve and try to do better on the next one. Don't give up just because it doesn't look like Ciara's amazing paintings on first go!