NEVER paint your last miniature

Every wargamer, painter, or tabletop enthusiast knows that moment — you walk past a trade stand, spot a shiny new box of figures, and your rational brain simply shuts down. “I need that,” you tell yourself. “For the next project. For the collection. For... reasons.” And just like that, another addition joins your ever-growing Lead Mountain.

In my latest YouTube video, I take a humorous (and painfully honest) look at this very real phenomenon: Shinyitus. It’s that uncontrollable urge to start new projects, buy more miniatures than you’ll ever paint, and somehow justify it all as “essential hobby investment.”

From the ghosts of unfinished armies to the sacred rule of never painting your last miniature, the video dives into why so many of us can’t stop collecting — and why that might not be such a bad thing. For many of us, the mountain of unpainted figures isn’t a source of guilt; it’s a source of joy, potential, and motivation.

I share my own story of purging (and inevitably restocking) my collection, as well as the self-deprecating truth that no amount of maturity can cure Shinyitus. Whether you’re into historical wargames, fantasy battles, or just miniature painting, this is one video every hobbyist will relate to.

Watch the full episode, join the comments, and tell me: how bad is your case of Shinyitus?

RE-PLAY 2025 Show Report

I've just dropped my latest video, a show report covering our fantastic day at RE-PLAY 2025, the annual wargaming event hosted by the Milton Hundred Wargames Club and the Royal Engineers Museum in Gillingham, Kent. 

What truly sets the RE-PLAY show apart is its unique and incredible setting. As we discuss in the video, the games aren't simply on tables in an empty hall; they are meticulously placed amongst the museum’s jaw-dropping historical exhibits. Imagine setting up your dice and tape measure next to a piece of the Berlin Wall or a massive V2 rocket! This spectacular backdrop creates an electric atmosphere, combining the joy of tabletop wargames with the gravitas of genuine historical relics. It’s an immersion unlike any other and genuinely great for introducing the general public to the hobby.

Our focus for RE-PLAY 2025 was a deep-cut historical scenario: "The Attack on Hill 112," set during the brutal fighting in Normandy, July 1944. This fierce engagement was part of the wider British offensive, Operation Jupiter. Using the beloved Rapid Fire Reloaded rules, Reject Dan (running his first-ever show demo—a huge congratulations to him!) guided players through the assault. The British VIII Corps, spearheaded by the veteran 43rd (Wessex) Infantry Division and supported by the heavy armour of the 31st Tank Brigade—including scary Churchill Crocodile flamethrower tanks—were tasked with seizing Hill 112. This seemingly innocuous ridge was, in reality, a critical fortress commanding the battlefield.

The game mechanics perfectly captured the tension of WWII wargaming. The British faced a difficult, costly climb against entrenched German Panzergrenadiers, who were using interlocking machine guns, concealed anti-tank weapons, and deadly Nebelwerfer rocket artillery to hold the line. The German orders were strict: hold until the inevitable counterattack arrived, featuring heavy armour like Tiger I and Panzer IV tanks.

While we were incredibly busy talking to both wargamers and the general public and running our own scenario (a testament to how engaging the show was!), I managed to grab ten minutes to dash around the hall. The photos and video snippets show the sheer variety of wargaming on display. This annual event, expertly organised with the Milton Hundred Wargames Club, always draws a wide range of clubs, showcasing everything from ancients and fantasy to modern skirmish games.

Paint Pen Comparison: Are they any good?

Every so often, a new hobby product comes along that gets a lot of attention, and lately, paint pens for miniatures seem to be everywhere. I decided to give them a fair try to see what all the fuss was about. This isn’t a sponsored video; I bought all three sets myself for an honest, unscientific comparison. The three types I tested were Army Painter Speed Paint Markers, AK Real Colour Markers, and AK Playmarkers. To keep things consistent, I applied all of them onto an old 28mm fantasy miniature that had been base-coated white. I wasn’t aiming for a masterpiece — just a sense of how they behave in real use.

Each brand had its own quirks. The Army Painter Speed Paint Markers offered the expected semi-transparent finish, but dried so quickly that the paint couldn’t settle into recesses as intended. The result? A slightly streaky, uneven look.

The AK Playmarkers use a brush-style nib made of nylon, which felt more natural to handle, but the paint itself was quite runny. Combined with the large nib, it made precise control difficult — not ideal for small-scale detail work.

Finally, the AK Real Colour Markers provided much stronger, opaque coverage. Unfortunately, the chunky felt nib made fine detail almost impossible, especially in tight areas of the miniature.

In short, while all three pens have interesting features, none of them felt like a real alternative to a standard paintbrush. The humble brush still offers far more control, subtlety, and versatility. Of course, this is just my personal first impression. My technique might not be the ideal way to use these pens, and I know some hobbyists swear by them. So, if you’ve tried any of these paint markers and found success, I’d love to hear from you!

Watch the full video for the side-by-side comparison and let me know your thoughts in the comments.

Plastic be Damned! Why Metal Miniatures are Best

For many tabletop and historical wargamers, the choice between metal, plastic, and resin miniatures isn’t just about materials — it’s about identity, history, and how we connect to the hobby. In my latest YouTube video, I explore why I remain so devoted to metal miniatures, even when logic, cost, and convenience might suggest otherwise.

There’s something deeply satisfying about the solid weight of a metal figure. That little “clink” when you drop it on the table, the way it feels between your fingers — it has substance and presence. Plastic may be lighter and resin may hold crisper detail, but metal just feels right. It’s a sensory connection that taps into decades of wargaming heritage, reminding us of those first armies we assembled, often with a tube of superglue and a healthy dose of swearing.

Of course, there’s more to it than nostalgia. Metal figures are durable, easy to strip and repaint, and often outlive the rulesets they were made for. They connect us to a craft tradition where sculptors and casters worked by hand, long before CAD and injection moulding transformed the industry.

But times are changing. Commodity prices mean metal casting is more expensive than ever, and the tooling and production efficiencies of plastic make it the logical choice for most manufacturers. Resin, too, has revolutionised what’s possible for small-scale producers. I’m realistic enough to know that metal may eventually become a thing of the past — but while I still can, I’ll be buying it.

If you’re a tabletop wargamer, painter, or hobbyist with a soft spot for the old days (or if you’re just curious about why anyone would still pay more for metal figures), this is a conversation worth joining.

Keywords: metal miniatures, tabletop wargaming, historical wargaming, miniature painting, pewter soldiers, resin miniatures, plastic miniatures, hobby talk, wargaming nostalgia, wargaming discussion

Interview with me on Pazoot Wargaming

Ray and I hit the road and headed down to Dover for what turned out to be an absolutely fantastic day of gaming, filming, and hobby chat with Paul from @Pazoot-Wargaming. If you’ve watched Paul’s channel, you’ll know how full of energy and enthusiasm he is about all things tabletop — and meeting him in person was every bit as fun as we’d hoped. From the moment we arrived, the welcome was warm, the tea was flowing, and the conversation quickly turned to miniatures, rulesets, and all the strange and wonderful stories that come with this hobby of ours.

Between filming and gaming, Paul made sure we were extremely well looked after — let’s just say the food was far too good to resist! All in all, it was a perfect wargaming day — great company, great games, and plenty of laughs. Huge thanks to Paul for hosting us!

#BoltAction #Wargaming #Miniatures #TabletopGaming

The Other Partizan Wargames Show 2025 – Full Video Report

Held at Newark Showground on Sunday, 12th October 2025, The Other Partizan once again proved why it’s regarded as one of the premier events in the UK wargaming calendar. Known for its outstanding presentation, creativity, and the sheer enthusiasm of exhibitors and visitors alike, Partizan has become a must-attend show for anyone interested in tabletop wargaming, historical miniatures, and the wider hobby scene.

🎥 Watch the full video here:

In my latest YouTube video, I take you on a detailed tour of the event, showcasing some of the most impressive demo and participation games on display. From large-scale historical re-enactments to small skirmish setups, each table tells its own story — brought to life through expertly painted miniatures, beautifully built terrain, and the dedication of the hobbyists behind them.

Breaking Point: Why Armies Stop Fighting

Most of us have played games that just go on too long. The last few turns feel like a slog, both sides hanging on by a thread but still fighting when, historically, any real army would have called it quits. In real battles, soldiers didn’t fight to the death. They broke when morale failed — when fatigue, fear, and chaos overcame training and leadership.

That idea of what keeps soldiers in the fight sits at the heart of this week’s video, where I look at how different wargames handle morale, resolve, and fatigue. We often use “morale” as a catch-all term, but it really covers everything from discipline and leadership to exhaustion and shock. It’s the hidden mechanic behind every victory and every collapse.

In Chain of Command, morale works on two levels. Units suffer shock as firefights wear them down, while the entire platoon has a Force Morale that drops as losses mount. When it hits zero, the fight’s over. It’s elegant and tense, making battles feel alive.

Test of Resolve takes a broader view. Its English Civil War battles hinge on “resolve” — a measure of determination that slips steadily away. Early on, units can recover, but once the army’s resolve starts cracking, collapse comes fast.

Meanwhile, Clash of Spears ties fatigue and morale together. Every action, from running to fighting, adds fatigue, but seeing comrades flee or die adds even more. The result is a wonderfully organic system where armies don’t shatter all at once — they slowly crumble, just like in history.

Across these games, the message is clear: morale isn’t just a number, it’s the soul of the battle. Understanding how different designers approach it can change the way you see your tabletop wars.

Watch the full video to explore how realism, psychology, and playability collide when wargamers try to capture that crucial question: what really keeps soldiers fighting?

Is Big Wargaming Changing?

The tabletop wargaming hobby is full of exciting variety right now. On one side, we’ve got the traditionalists who love the sight of two massive 28mm armies clashing across a six-by-four table. On the other, we’ve got innovations that are changing how people collect, paint, and play. The real question is, can we identify the “weathervane products” that point the way toward the future of the hobby?

A weathervane product isn’t necessarily the biggest or most profitable release of the year. Instead, it’s the kind of product that shifts expectations, inspires imitation, and shows us which direction the wind is blowing. In my latest YouTube video, I take a closer look at several examples that I think are acting as true signposts for where wargaming is heading.

Games Workshop’s skirmish titles like Kill Team and Warcry prove that accessibility and narrative-driven play are here to stay. Warlord Games’ Epic Battles line shows how even large-scale historical games are moving toward affordability and practicality. The rise of 3D printing subscription services decentralises production, allowing hobbyists to personalise their armies in ways that were unimaginable just a decade ago. Hybrid boardgame-wargames, such as Marvel Crisis Protocol and Star Wars: Shatterpoint, are attracting completely new audiences through popular IPs. And digital tools, from army builders to campaign apps, are transforming how players engage with the hobby on and off the table.

These products don’t replace the old ways. Big armies, physical books, and traditional clubs are still thriving. But they do point toward a future where the hobby is more accessible, more diverse, and more flexible than ever before.

So what do you think are the real weathervane products of today? Do you agree with my analysis, or do you see other trends leading the way? Watch the video and join the conversation.