POLL: When Is Your Army Done?

[Bigred]

This poll is to gauge community trends about how we build armies and purchase models.

Hi everybody, it's Hobbyist Poll Time!

The goal is to determine how hobbyists and gamers decide to purchase models and when they consider a collection "done" and move onto the next one.

• Some of us like to plan out exact lists in advance and purchase and built that list and only that list.
  
• Some of us are led primarily by the rule of cool and buy only the handful of models that appeal to us aesthetically, regardless of how they perform on the tabletop.
  
• Some of us like to buy a handful of each useful model from the codex based on rules to have a flexible collection that can make multiple legal lists.
  
• Some of us want to play massive battles and buy multiples of every unit, regardless of appearance and rules, amassing a truly huge force.

Which one most defines you when you collect an army?

[Charon]

Multiple reasons. First of all I create an army list and buy 1,5k points. That army should be able to stand for itself against most other armies. So rules matter too.
After a few games I tend to adjust the army and think about different playstyles.
If I like the playstyle and theme of the army it might be possible that I buy every unit at least once (just to complete the collection).
I do not buy by aesthetic. If I like the look of a powerful model all is well. If I don't like the look I either convertt or buy from another source (like the awful Fleshhounds that got replaced by Puppetswar Barghests)

So in short: If the model sucks (rules or look) it is unlikely I buy it.

[Insert_nickname_here]

Definitely how they look. I do want to collect a coherent army, and I rarely care what the model actually does on the tabletop. I've just finished painting a Gorkanaut, which the internet tells me is terrible in game but was an absolute joy to paint. I play so rarely nowadays the rules are not an issue to me.

[ted1138]

I don't just buy miniatures to build armies, I buy them to display, to sell on for profit, and sometimes just for the challenge of painting them. So, all of the above.

[Erik Setzer]

The poll doesn't match the title thread. The title's question, "When is your army done?", would be answered in my case with: "When I'm dead, and not a moment sooner."

But to the actual, real question... there's not a good answer for me, so I went with "Rules-based." I want models that look good, and in some cases won't run something that looks awful or offends my sensibilities even if it's good in-game (like Murderface McMurderpants), but I prefer them to be something that works well in the game, so that it's not just a shelf model. I'm not dropping chump change on these things, so I want to actually get use out of them. The same philosophy applies to other hobbies, like slot cars, where my dad would get nice looking cars to just sit on a shelf and look pretty, but I always got cars that I intended to race (the most "iffy" there, and only because it wasn't sure how well they'd perform, were a pair of Scalextric 320si's, one with the Union Jack and one with the German flag prominently on them... but they seemed to be decent performers on the race track).

I think my biggest questionable model purchase was one of the new Orkanauts, didn't realize how underwhelming it is in-game, but I still bring it out from time to time because it's an awesome looking model (and was pretty pricey).

[Asymmetrical Xeno]

I only buy models that I like the look of. If a new model I like comes out, I'll get it if I can afford it.

[TheCreator]

What about fluff/lore? Some people buy models because of their story. Farsight, for example, does have great rules and a great look but also a great back story. I think a lore option should be here.

[Joshua Rosenblum]

I chose "size based" but really, none of the choices accurately describe why I collect models.

I collect miniatures because I have a nasty case of obsessive-compulsive disorder that compels me to buy at least one of every undead skeleton figure in the 25-32mm scale. I've been doing this for 25 years give or take. Rules, appearance, army lists, whatever - has no bearing on it. I just keep buying and adding to my massive Skeleton Legion.

So my army is never "done".

[grimmas]

Appearance based, the rule of cool is all.

But an army is never really finished my Guard army has been a work in progress since about 1989 and is still getting added to.

[CoffeeGrunt]

I personally took it as asking what the first thing you consider in purchasing a model is. For me, it's the look all the way, but rules are important too, IMO. I don't look for tournament grade ability, just to see what role a model takes and how I can use it. Fluff is also pretty important for me.

E.g., I have a Broadside I bought when I started my army along with the 6th Ed Tau Codex. I built it with a Railgun because it looks awesome and was cool in Dawn of War. Sadly, as many Tau players know, the Railside is kinda rubbish. Especially compared to the Missile Mitten variant that I personally don't like the look of, despite it being superior in terms of rules. Still, I run my Railside and he occasionally performs, but I painted him up pretty nice so he's not going to be wasted. Same with many of my Forge World Guard tanks, which are often mediocre at best, but look lovely and so get table time now and then because I spent a week painting that Macharius Vanquisher, so dammit, I'm using it!

My current 2K list is entirely made of painted models I'm chuffed with, performs alright, and fits my army fluff. Entrenched Guard list with air support and a Tau list in reserves. Essentially it plays out as my Gue'vesa holding the line with heavy losses, 'til the air cavalry swoop in with outflanking and deep striking Tau who help save the day.

I tell you, the MVP of that list is the Breacher Squad in a Devilfish with Darkstrider. It's always nice when models I enjoyed painting and think look cool also kick some posterior. They relieved my beleaguered Guard and took down a Tervigon and a Trygon Prime each in a single volley of close-up firepower. They play exactly how I like playing Tau: close and risky, but with some serious dakka.