How to Hook a New Wargamer with Just One Game

Every wargamer remembers their first real battle. The first time the dice rolled just right, a unit did something heroic, and they realised this was more than a game. It’s that spark, that sense of discovery, that we try to recreate when introducing someone new to the hobby. But what exactly makes a good set of introductory wargame rules?

In my latest video, I explore that question in depth. A subscriber asked, “What should we look for in a set of wargame rules when you want to introduce a new player to the hobby?” It’s a deceptively simple question that gets to the heart of what makes tabletop wargaming so special. From clarity and pacing to theme and presentation, a great starter game needs to be approachable but still exciting. The best rules make sense as you play, keep both players engaged, and encourage moments of drama and laughter. Whether it’s Bolt Action, What a Tanker, or Chain of Command, the goal is always the same: to create memorable stories and share the joy of miniature wargaming.

The video also touches on the importance of presentation and community. The way we teach, play, and welcome new players says as much about the hobby as the rules themselves. Wargaming, after all, isn’t just about rolling dice. It’s about creativity, connection, and storytelling. If you’re a historical wargamer, painter, or just someone who loves the hobby, this discussion is for you. Join me as we explore what makes a first game great.

The Secret Every Wargamer Shares

Today’s video takes a slightly more reflective turn, looking at something many hobbyists experience but rarely talk about openly: imposter syndrome in tabletop wargaming. It’s that odd little feeling that creeps up when you read comments, talk to other gamers, or scroll through painting posts online and suddenly think, “Everyone else knows far more about this hobby than I do.” It’s familiar, it’s uncomfortable, and it’s surprisingly common. But as I’ve discovered through countless conversations at recent shows, it’s also based on a complete misunderstanding of how this community works.

Every one of us arrives in wargaming by a different route. Some come in through history, others through RPGs or boardgames, others through painting, collecting, or social clubs. Our personal routes shape the way we learn, what we love, which periods we specialise in, and the areas where our knowledge is deep—or hilariously shallow. When you bring thousands of these unique journeys together, the result is a community full of extraordinary expertise, but spread across many different people. The illusion that “everyone else knows everything” comes from seeing many individual specialists at once.

The heart of the video isn’t about inadequacy—it’s about the shared passions that tie us together despite those differences. A love of storytelling runs through every corner of the hobby, whether historical or fantastical. A love of making things keeps us painting, building, converting, and creating. A love of playful competition keeps us rolling dice and swapping tales of glorious victories and ridiculous defeats. A love of learning keeps us exploring new techniques, new eras, and new ideas.

And, of course, there’s the universal joy of playing with miniatures on a real tabletop. Big figures or tiny ones, sci-fi or historical, epic battles or skirmishes—it doesn’t matter. The moment painted figures line up on a table, something instinctive flickers to life in the hobbyist's brain. That spark is one of the strongest threads holding this community together.

Warfare 2025 Show Report

Day Two of the Warfare Show at Farnborough has its own distinct pace, and this year’s Sunday had that familiar mixture of relaxed browsing and last-minute wallet-emptying urgency. For many of us in Posties Rejects, it’s the last show of the season, making it the perfect opportunity to enjoy the atmosphere, grab some essentials for future projects, and catch up with the traders and clubs who make Warfare such a standout event on the UK wargaming calendar.

This video takes a slightly different approach from my usual show coverage. Instead of focusing entirely on the demo games, I spent more time exploring the trader hall and capturing the variety of products, scenery kits, miniatures and accessories on display. Shows like this aren’t just about watching games—they’re about inspiration, discovery and the joy of uncovering something new that sparks a fresh idea for the painting desk.

I caught up with Parkfield Miniatures while hovering suspiciously close to their display (purely research, of course), chatted with the team from Blotz about their acquisition of Charlie Foxtrot’s ranges, and admired the impressive scenery and terrain options available. The bring-and-buy was as strong as ever, filled with hidden gems and irresistible temptations. Even though I managed to resist this year, several members of our group didn’t escape quite so easily.

The demo games and tournament area provided a great atmosphere despite some early packing-up thanks to the tight end-of-day schedule. Still, there was plenty to see, from beautifully painted armies to some fantastic terrain setups created with obvious passion and effort. Most importantly, the show was filled with friendly faces. A number of viewers stopped to say hello, share their own projects and offer kind words about the channel. These conversations genuinely mean the world and continue to motivate me to keep producing videos like this one.

If you enjoy wargaming show tours, hobby chat and plenty of photos and clips from one of the UK’s best events, this video is well worth a watch.

Does Anyone Still Strip Miniatures?

There was a time when every wargamer worth their salt had a paint-stained toothbrush and a jar of mystery fluid lurking under the sink. Stripping old miniatures, restoring them to bare metal, was a core part of the hobby’s DNA. You’d come home from a bring-and-buy with a handful of battered veterans, dunk them in Dettol, and scrub until they gleamed again. It wasn’t glamorous, but it was deeply satisfying. A mix of thrift, archaeology, and creative rebirth.

So, what happened? In my latest video, I explore whether stripping miniatures is now a dying art. The shift from metal to resin and plastic has changed the landscape. You can’t just dunk a resin model without risking disaster. Add in the rise of cheap starter sets, constant new releases, and a culture of instant gratification, and suddenly restoration seems… old-fashioned? 

But maybe that’s exactly why it deserves another look. Stripping a model isn’t just about cleaning paint; it’s about preserving history. Those old metal figures carry the fingerprints of decades of hobby evolution, from classic Citadel sculpts to long-lost ranges from Grenadier and Essex. Bringing one back to life is an act of continuity and a connection to the generations of gamers who came before us.