Pig Hunting Giant

Hey, if you get a chance, swing over to our sister blog: http://aliendungeon.blogspot.com/

We just posted the first of our Table Fables Series...this one is about a Pig Thief.

The Role of the Gaming Convention

Over the weekend, I was able to get a much needed weekend away at a long running convention - CosCon in Butler, Pennsylvania (about an hour north of Pittsburgh). Returning to this convention for the first time in nearly a decade (since I now live many hours away) created a huge sense of nostalgia for my initial exposure to miniatures and gaming.

This particular convention was the first gaming event I ever attended over 20 years ago in 1991. At the time, I was all of 16 years old and  only into Dungeons and Dragons - a fact that quickly changed upon walking through the doors to the gaming hall!  When my eyes saw those first massive tables of elaborate scenery and huge painted armies I was instantly hooked on a hobby that would come to dominate my gaming for the next two decades. Miniature Wargaming had me and I have never looked back.

Civil War battle in progress

At the time, gaming stores were rare and finding one with the space for playing miniature games was even rarer. Yet gaming conventions were a perfect source of ample space and lots of time to experience all manner of gaming opportunities. It was at these early gaming conventions that I first experienced the thunderous charge of heavy cavalry against a wall of infantry, the massed ranks of guns pitting brother against brother in a Civil War recreation, and the blasts of lasers and missiles across a far future battlefield.

Through the patience and willingness of a variety of individuals, my friends and I were taught many different games at various conventions. Each time we came away with a new appreciation for not only the intricacies of the game, but a deeper knowledge of history and tactics as well. These games created a passion for a hobby that I have to this day, and one that I look forward to introducing to my son when he is old enough as well.

Americans and Germans battle for an airfield

At this most recent convention, I was very proud to see a new generation of gamer playing miniature games all weekend. A good friend of mine is a History teacher at the local high school and he has managed to introduce gaming to many of his students. Seeing a dozen high school age kids showing a passion for pushing around toy soldiers made me very happy!

So next time you are at a convention, take a moment and remember the roots of your gaming experience. Be sure to help out that new player across the table from you and you may just have created a hobbyist for life!

Saga: Northern Fury

The first expansion for Saga is almost here!

The fine folks at Gripping Beast has announced that Saga: Northern Fury is set to release next week! This exciting expansion will add four new warbands to your games: Anglo-Saxon, Bretons, Jomsvikings, and Scots. We are now taking preorders for the supplement, warbands, and new Scots dice now on the Architects of War Website.

The new Scots Dice set

One of the special offers we are running is the FREE Scots Warlord with orders of the book!  This is an excellent model that will be a wonderful figure to paint and game with.

The free Scots Warlord Preorder Figure

As you prepare for the Northern Fury, be sure to get your gaming tables ready as well!  Our excellent Dark Ages terrain is perfect for making your table the best gaming board around!

The Daub and Wood and Dark Age A Frame Timber houses

Interior Detail

Daub and Wood House

Rear views of both houses

Cold Wars!

The calm before the storm

The crowds descend on the booth!

Cold Wars is in full swing and day one of the show was a blast. We were packed with eager hobbyists all day long at the Architects of War booth. Gamers young and old were eager to get their hands on all the newest releases from our terrain line, Otherworld Miniatures, Gripping Beast, Perry Miniatures, Warlord, and more!

Loads of Architects of War terrain for sale

Just some of the Otherworld Miniatures available for the first time!

SAGA was a huge hit once again

Just arrived - Woodbine Designs Sci-Fi!

If you were not able to make it to Cold Wars, look for us at Historicon this July!  We will have some additional blog updates coming next week as well so be sure to check back!

Cold Wars Sneak Peak Part 2

Here is our second preview of new Architects of War terrain that will be on display this weekend at Cold Wars 2012. This fantastic Campsite and Poacher's Den will be available to order soon!

Campsite

Poacher's Den

Cold Wars Sneak Peak Part 1

This weekend the Architects of War team is hard at work at Cold Wars 2012 in Lancaster PA. At the event we are showing off a number of upcoming releases for our Architects of War terrain line. Just because you can't make it to Cold Wars doesn't mean you have to miss out though! Here is our first sneak peak, the new Middle Eastern Balconey House and Middle Eastern Shop.  Enjoy!

Middle Eastern Balcony House

Middle Eastern Balcony House

Middle Eastern Shop

Middle Eastern Shop - Interior

It's Alive!

Continuing our series of excellent new Frightmare releases, here is another variant paint job for the Hole Beast. For my creature, I went with a sickly, human skin tone. I started with some Tallarn Flesh (GW) and then gave it a wash of Leviathan Purple (GW). I then highlighted that with more Tallarn Flesh and Ryn Flesh (P3). I decided to give it some lizard like eyes as well.

Hope you like how it came out!

Another Take On The Hag Stone

Hello everyone! I am very excited about all the awesome Frightmares terrain pieces we have coming out soon. I couldn't wait to get my hands on the Hag Stone and paint it up for my D&D campaign. I am sure my players are not going to like what I have in store for them...

Remember, this piece and the other Frightmares terrain will be available next week at Cold Wars. Be sure to stop by and see us!

Jeff

Tree Haunts

From the Scrolls of Eos: Tree Haunts

Deep in the Satyr and Pixie riddled Forests of Nowhere are groves of Tree Haunts. Mortals who have entered the Forest more often than not come to an untimely and violent end from any of the terrifying and viscous creatures that live there. The souls of the most innocent of victims linger to haunt the woods. These souls can congregate in certain areas and become absorbed by the very trees themselves. These trees are known as Tree Haunts, are demonic, and groves of them are not uncommon. The low wailing and moaning of these lost souls fill the forest for miles around with a remorse that can bring even the stoutest warrior to tears. Filled with melancholy and bewildered, those affected by the wailing of the Tree Haunt groves are even more unready for the terrors of the forest and often become just more victims. If one has the misfortune to come within the grasp of these demonic arboreal monsters, they are often torn limb from limb, there precious blood spilling to fertilize the trees in their unending desire for more souls.

Our Tree Haunts Kit comes with three resin trees, metal limbs, metal mushrooms for detailing and enough Woodland Scenics Readymade trees to complete the models. The Tree Haunt models go together quite readily and are easy to paint. 

Gaming Ideas: The Tree Haunts are perfect as they are to just give your Fantasy woods some real visual flavor. You can of course make them interactive with appropriate attacks or even give them limited mobility if you wish. They mix well with our larger “regular” trees in our historical line too.

Price- $58 For THREE Tree Haunts