A small group at “Axes and Ales” has recently become interested in 12mm science fiction big battle gaming. As often happens in this hobby, what began as a casual conversation quickly evolved into discussions about armies, rules, terrain, painting plans, and the inevitable question: “How many miniatures do we really need?” The answer, of course, appears to be “more than we currently own.”

The attraction of 12mm is easy to understand. The scale sits in a sweet spot between spectacle and practicality. Infantry formations look like formations rather than scattered skirmishers, tanks can manoeuvre in meaningful numbers, and entire battalions can fight across the table without requiring a second mortgage to buy miniatures or a village hall to play the game.

With this in mind, I have decided it is finally time to start working through my Mantic Epic Warpath collection. Most of the figures originate from the Warpath Kickstarter and have been patiently waiting in their boxes for several years. By “patiently waiting” I mean quietly judging me every time I walk past the hobby room and start yet another project instead.

The forces in question are the Plague and the Marauders, which conveniently represent two very different approaches to warfare. The Plague favour horrifying biological monstrosities, rampant mutation, and the sort of battlefield appearance that would make a health inspector resign on the spot. The Marauders, on the other hand, seem to have looked at military doctrine and concluded that if something is worth building, it is worth building larger, noisier, and with considerably more guns attached to it.

The plan at this stage is to begin with the Plague, work out a painting scheme that can be applied quickly across large numbers of figures, and then move on to the Marauders. Whether this sensible plan survives first contact with reality remains to be seen.

Hopefully over the coming weeks I will be able to post some progress photographs as the armies begin to take shape. With luck, this will result in two painted forces ready for some large scale science fiction battles. With slightly less luck, it will simply result in a different collection of partially painted miniatures occupying space in the hobby room.

Either way, it should be an entertaining journey.

Photos from Mantic and image created using ChatGPT.