I'll often recount a story from the mid 90s when, on a trip abroad in the city of Stirling, Scotland visiting the Stirling Castle with my family, I turned my head and beheld a sign that simply said "Games Workshop" and, as if following a siren's call I wandered inside.
My 5th Ed Limited Edition fancy big rule book. I regret this purchase less than the flamer airbrush that's buried in a box somewhere.
While I wasn't a total stranger to miniatures, being the owner of such games as Hero Quest, BattleMasters and The Dark World, nor a total stranger to strategic battle games thanks to the aforementioned BattleMasters and BattleTech, my mind was somewhat blown by the dudes in power armor with heavy metal horns on their heads fighting the lithe space elves on an expansive table covered in handmade terrain.
This was the beginning of an on-and-off love affair with an IP that has changed drastically over the years but then, I can hardly blame it. After all, so have I.
A truly terrible photo of my Space Marines circa 2009. The lack of smartphone technology means I have few if any photos of models prior to this.
Shortly after the conclusion of 40k 5th Edition and the rise of 6th, I opted to focus my hobby time on other, smaller game systems for many years. In that time period I was quite critical of changes to the 40k IP and the behavior of Games Workshop as a company and, frankly, I remain critical to this day.
I did continue to dabble in the model ranges and play various incarnations of Kill Team over the years, but shied away from anything like a full size game.
But this post isn't about why GW is the devil, or about how you should play other games. It's about the fact that the rise of 10th Edition is the doorway I've chosen to walk back through, thanks largely to a good friend of mine wanting me to play with him at long last.
I've painted a lot of Space Marines, and part of what has caused my reticence to return to the IP is a general aesthetic shift in my favorite faction that I don't love. Instead of just dwelling on the fact that I don't much dig the look of Primaris stuffs, I've decided to dive in on a model range I've never painted or built in the entire time I've played 40k.
SPACE BUGS!
Hive Fleet Behemoth as shown on the 3rd Edition Tyranid Codex
I've begun building a 1k point list from the new Tyranid models based on the old 3rd Edition artwork of Hive Fleet Behemoth, and intend to chart my progress and post more about it here, in addition to my other personal projects, thoughts, goals, and more in this here hobby blog.
My first WIP of the new Psychophage and Screamer Killer models, with plenty of 3d printed details.
My intent is mostly to keep this going so I can look back on it but, if you care to come along with me on this journey, you're absolutely invited!
What are you working on for the new edition of Warhammer 40k? Let me know in the comments!