Sunday, June 17, 2012

Defining Game #8: WH40K Rogue Trader

8. Warhammer 40,000 Rogue Trader, 1988

In terms of miniature gaming, this is the big one, that one defining moment that really kicked it all off to the present. I bought the softcover rules that were shrinkwrapped with the classic box of thirty "beaky" space marines at a Waldenbooks. Yeah, I was shocked when I discovered I not only had to paint the figures, but assemble them as well. Of course putting together thirty beakies made something click deep inside, with superglue stuck to my hands, space troopers with big guns half-assembled on the table I knew something was right with the world. White Dwarf magazine wasn't far behind, and before I knew it I was officially a miniatures gamer. Definitely a defining gaming moment.

8 comments:

  1. Still one of my favorite games. Just put up a bat rep for it on my Terminus Omega blog a few days ago, in fact.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'll have to check that out, I love new batreps using old rules, even better with the vintage figs.

      Delete
  2. I didn't play this addition but had picked up the beakies and various other metal marines at the time and loved them

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Those marines are quite iconic, it's hard to ignore a cool beakie factor. Some of those old Rogue Trader metal figs are amazing.

      Delete
  3. Ah yes, old school warhammer. When it was more meant to be a parody of scifi games than a serious setting.

    For me it was an old box set as well. I still have the books. I dont remember the edition, but squats were still in, and the rulebook was several booklets. I didnt get all the minis because the guy who sold me the box set took all the minis out and gave me everything else for like ten buck. For a very young me that was awesome. I poured over those books for a long time. I bought a single beakie space marine sprue and not knowing anything about the setting i tried painting it camo.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think it was its blatant over-the-topness that really made me take notice. I know the box you're talking about, 2nd edition, you're missing nothing on the figs, they weren't great whatsoever, but the rules were concise and a lot of fun. I have a lot of fond 2nd edition memories. I would've liked to have seen that camo beakie!

      Delete
  4. I had the hardcover and box of marines. Your posts are bringing back a lot of memries, but also making me wonder exactly what I did with all this stuff.. As I sure don't have any of it now.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have let so much of my stuff go over the years it's sad, but even more sad is all the stuff I still have that gets no love anymore.

      So Ben, are you pulling dual-citizenship now on the web? A secret identity perhaps? Whatever the case may be, it's safe with me.

      Delete