Base or Diorama? That is the question

 I've found in my mans-painting endeavors that I'm starting to get really into base-building. Like, I have to be adding lots of trappings to them. I can keep them simple for basic 'filler' minis I do(the ones I paint that can act like proxies for TTRPG enemies, or extra PCs, and so on), but even then I try to give them a little depth and more than just the token grass tuft. For my more serious minis I've been getting more and more into doing all of the grimdark trappings and so on. You've seen some of my bases as of late.

It's at the point, though, where I'm starting to ask myself "...Should I just make this a diorama, and make the base, while still atmospheric and grim with lots of cool trappings, maybe a *bit* simpler?" One can only do so much with 28, 32 or even 40mm bases; in games that have set base sizes, it starts to become trying to fit enough ONTO the base. (There is an option here, which I'll get into.) 

And it's a tough decision sometimes, because 40mm+ bases especially do give you some decent room to play with. Like, while I'm still learning(I'll always be learning), and am only going on six months of painting at the end of this month, I think I did *alright* on this base, given the 40mm room:

The recent Hell Knight.

I managed to get a cursed altar, some trench wire and a couple of poles, some boards to stand on, and so on. You do get some wiggle room, especially depending on the size of the mini, and there are ways, like elevating them, as well. 

But for the 2nd Hell Knight, I had a pretty keen idea of a base and mocked it up with some unpainted pieces and wall tack. I wanted him to have messed up some Pilgrim's chapel, so I was going to set up an elevated part with a stone wall, ruined altar, and dead priest. 

And then I thought about it. The idea was really cool, but then I thought 'Maybe I could put him on the *path* to the chapel on the piece. And then build a much cooler looking ruined chapel, with the same idea, only bigger, and actually place all three Hell Knights around it. One already has the sorta 'trench' looking base, and he could be in an area like that off to the side(the ruined chapel could well be in an area that's somewhat fortified, given the world. I can put another on a haunted looking hill near the chapel, and the third on the outside.

And this of course lead me to think: when to decide to build a diorama? I don't think there's a cut and dry answer, sometimes "When the base gets too busy" might be one time. Again, you don't always get a ton of room to work with(especially when you're dealing with something like a 28mm base.) 

On one hand, it's actually really good practice to see if you can come up with a nice plan in a limited spot, practice and a nice creativity exercise. I had a lot of fun coming up with bases for the Rat Ogors, but those were 50mm, to be fair. On the other hand, 'less is more' does come into play from time to time, and there are times where a base can take away from the model(which should be the focus.) Like, a base can be SO elaborate that it becomes the centerpiece, and I think, at least for me, this is the line I've been trying not to cross. 

The idea I had with the altar I think might've crossed that. So I opted for the idea of the 'path to the chapel'(complete with some stones that might be a road, of course some skulls and branches scattered about, and I'll add a few more bits to flesh it out), but I think that scene will be heading into the diorama. And it'll be even cooler, since I'll have even more room to play with it!

So yeah, just me musing about stuff as I figure out this painting thing. Hopefully I'll have the 2nd Hell Knight based up tomorrow, and start figuring out something cool for the first Yoke Fiend, who I'd say is sitting at about 70% done? The 3rd Hell Knight I'd say is almost halfway there. (Oh yeah, all 3 HK's are getting metal hair, just because.)

'Til next time(when I can also get away from the retro handhelds.) 

Paint Starter Sets, some of my favs!

While enough reviews of paint starter sets exist, I figured to do something a little different and list a few of my favorites for folks looking to get into the hobby. You can go on youtube and find lots of paint reviews of the big GW sets, but I think for the sake of this blog I'll list my three favorite starter sets for folks, why I like them, and the ups and downs of each one(there is no 'perfect' one I think.) I haven't used every single paint in every single line(and I think even painters who have come close probably don't remember every single paint in every single line), but I've used and own paints from all the companies on this list. 

After studying a lot of sets and thinking over what a new painter needs, I see what criteria of mine each one hits. I look at these as if they are for someone who wants to try mini painting and see how they like it, or know they wanna get into it, and are looking for a set to get them grounded. This is not an exhaustive list by any means, though the number of starter sets could be higher! 

The criteria I look for isn't much: 

-Can they get started RIGHT out of the box? (Only one passed this.)

-If not, what else do they need to buy? 

-Availability of the sets(you can always order online, of course, but I'm thinking in-store, like someone could go in and see them.)

Only a few questions, really. So let's get started! (I'll be listing a price range since I usually end up seeing stuff within a 5 to 10 euro range depending on what store you're getting it from.) 

Honorable Mention: Vallejo Game Color Basic Set(45-50e)

This one's down on the list since it *only* contains paint. No brushes, tools, minis, primers or anything; just paint. But you do get sixteen bottles of quality paint, of a variety of colors, and they're 18ml bottles, as well. If you're someone that has, say, a hobby brush lying around and a 3D printer/access to a 3D printer(preferably one that makes good-quality smooth prints), then you may find this one to your taste since you really do get a wide variety of colors here. You even get 3 metallics in the box! But, again, since you do need a supply of your own other things to get started here, I have it as an honorable mention; also, Vallejo is occasionally more difficult to get in some areas than others and you may need to grab this online. 

3. Warhammer 40k Introductory Set(50-60e): 

This big box has a very solid array of things to get people started painting, and even playing the game if they want! It has sixteen minis(some Space Marines and some Tyranids), five paints(black, wraithbone, blue, purple, and gold), a starter brush, a set of clippers for the minis(which are push-fit), as well as a playing mat, dice, a rulebook and a ruler, all for about 55e. If you're someone looking to get into the hobby in general, as well as the gaming part, this will additionally give you a taste of wargaming. It ranks third, though, for me, since it does have its limitations. It's big, winning points I think are the inclusion of the clippers(getting a tool is nice), and the fact it's got the most minis available in a starter set, at a whopping sixteen, as mentioned(and these have both humanoid and bugs, to give starting painters a couple different things to paint.) And it's Games Workshop, so they're pretty widely available. 

If you aren't into the specific games-like, if you wanna paint for TTRPGs, or just a different wargame, the rules additions and all of that stuff might just be extra stuff you don't need. Also, there are limited colors in these, though you do get a bit of a variety(color, metals, Agrax Earthshade which is pretty legendary in painting circles, and even a technical paint for your bases.) Finally, you need to assemble these, thankfully they are press-fit, so glue is not necessary(you might find even snap-fit or press-fit minis need some glue, but if you're just starting out, you might be okay.) Finally, no primer is included, so you'll need to grab that, too(rattlecan, air, brush-on-you can brush on air primer, btw.) But for the price, you get a *lot* here-lots of models to play with, and you get a set of clippers for future models, to boot! It is, finally, the most expensive of the bunch. 55 to 60e(depends where you grab it from) starts to become a little more of an investment, especially when only five paints are involved. And you do need to buy primer(a small bottle of brush-on primer can be less than a fiver, though.) Finally-one personal little annoyance-I prefer dropper bottles over Citadel's paint pots, but I think for a beginner it's more about getting paints and getting into the hobby. 

(As a side note, there is also an Age of Sigmar introductory set, but it lacks both primer AND clippers, so you'd need to go buy both. It's otherwise set up similarly. I'm not sure why they left the clippers out...but if you'd rather get into a fantasy skirmish game, it might be worth looking at.) 

2. Army Painter's Gamemaster: Adventure Starter Role-Playing Paint Set(Around 50e)

This one is packed with stuff. 15 bottles at 18ml each of the Warpaints Fanatic range(these also come with mixing balls in each bottle, which is awesome), at a variety of colors. In addition to ten colors(black, white, gray, blue, green, yellow, red, brown, a light skin tone and an orange), there's two metallics, a wash, a blood effect paint and a brush-on primer. There's also a brush in the box, and five free snap-fit minis. All of this runs you about 50 bucks, and even though the characters have names and little blurbs, they're very system-agnostic and you can pop them into any fantasy game that has elves, humans, dwarves, tieflings(or the Pathfinder equivalent), and so on. You could keep them on hand for whenever you tabletop game and someone needs an 'approximate' model or whatnot! It doesn't have the beasty-models like above, but five minis is nice. (There are two other sets, but they only have one mini each.) 

One thing I really love about this box(and the next) is the inclusion of a brush-on primer. Primers are a necessity, and it's rare that they are included in starter sets. I really wish more boxes would come with it! (Specifically, a brush-on. While you can get inexpensive rattlecan primers from hardware stores, not everyone is in a situation where they can just rattle-prime minis. You need outdoors areas for those.) Army Painter is also generally quite widely available, at least that I've seen. I've never had trouble finding their products in stores. 

The downside here is that the models are unassembled(also snap-fit, at least), and has no tool, so you are going to need some way to detach the models, and thus this will also need another purchase if you don't have some sort of clippers around the house/something to clean up the mold lines with. But besides that, it has a whole lot for the value here. Instead of having to buy the primer(since it comes with brush-on primer), that cash could go to buying a set of sprue clippers. At 50, it's the second-place cost wise, but I think because you get fifteen bottles total, along with the five minis, it becomes a more pleasing deal, hence its spot on the list(along with being pretty system-agnostic-these could work for any fantasy game.) But unless you have some wire cutters or something around(not ideal, but usable in a pinch if you absolutely have to), be prepared to shell out about an extra 10, so in the end it could run you about the same as the first option. 

I will say as an aside for both 3 and 2, at least the tools/primer you need to buy will end up coming in handy for later stuff, and if you want to get further into the hobby, you'll be getting them anyway.  

1. Army Painter Fanatic Starter Set(30-35e):

This one's my personal favorite. I mean, it's in the number 1 spot. It comes with a fully assembled mini, a brush, and 11 bottles of paint, including a brush-on primer. Paints are basic; 2 metallics, a wash, and 7 colors-black, white, blue, green, brown, yellow, and red. The little tray the paints come in can even be used as a palette! All you need is a cup of water and a paper towel and you can paint. The price is about perfect for a birthday gift or some such thing, as well. It's simple, but it has absolutely everything to paint your first mini; you don't need to buy tools or primer, you don't need to assemble anything, and there's a solid array of color choices, even if they're basic.

That's the only little downside to this one. It's got a more solid color array than the 40k set above(all your primaries are present and some neutrals), but it is more limited than the Gamemaster set(I'd personally like to see purple and orange make an appearance.) But, hey, color mixing is a thing, we learned it back in the day, after all! (Some colors mix differently depending on pigments used, which is the only reason why I'd like to see the orange and purple show up.) I will say that perhaps having a more 'core' set of colors may actually be better in ways for a starting painter, though. Less choice paralysis. And its price point is legit in the realm of a 'pick-up', where the other two, leaning into the 50+ range, are very reasonable for what you get, but still a little more out of the 'pick-up' range. Also; this does only have one mini. But-I don't think that's bad for an introductory set. It is mostly just to give people a taste of the hobby, and at the price point, it's much less of a 'buy-in' feeling. Try it to see if you like it! 

--

So yeah. Just a basic little rundown here. And I am just one painter of many-there are tons out there way more experienced than me(I've only been doing this for real for what, four months now?) that may have different opinions, but overall this is mine. 

I think if you had me put together my Perfect Set, it would be right in the range of the Starter set above, with an orange, a purple, and a light flesh tone added to what colors are there(Leather Brown makes for a good dark skin tone-it's very close to the Onyx Skin color they have, and mixing that + a light one and you can basically get a very wide range). I might add a second(pre-assembled, of course) mini, as well-perhaps something like an orc, goblin, lizardman, or something of that nature to counter the knight. I just remember the old Ral Partha goblins being a ton of fun to put green acrylics on, so I'd like to include one of those too(and of course, keep the brush and brush-on primer.) If you could keep this thing around the 40 range with the additions(very possible, given the price of the Gamemaster's set above), it'd be even cooler and still in that 'pick-up' range, I think? (Oh yeah, and I do prefer bottles over the Citadel pots, so whoever made this set, bottles, please.)

Hope someone here finds something useful! 

2025 Wrap-Up

 Well, it's that time to take a look at this year overall and see how it went. 

While some things around the world certainly got hairy or stupid, I personally had a rather excellent year overall, pulling off a whole lot of stuff that I wanted. In fact, I haven't had a more successful "Actually do stuff I wanted to do" year in a *very* long time. I always expect that I won't get to do it all-even my best years had holes in them-but it's really been awhile, due to one thing, the other, or something else. (Not all bad, mind you! Sometimes it's just a busy life.) So getting one of those Really Winning Years is always something, and I hope to continue forward to next year! 

As a whole, I got myself into much better health than I have been for years. Finally feeling my age later last year, I made a few lifestyle changes and it's done wonders. Nothing big, but I think I finally realized around the holidays last year that I am no longer 30 and 'invincible', but when you get to be 'Old Millennial/Xennial Age' at this point, that you can't do all the stuff(like not exercise at all ever) that you used to. I have better overall habits now-again, nothing crazy, just overall in better health, and my watch tells me I am now below my age health-wise, instead of above. 

Also I got to re-build a lot of my physical media collection. I had gone digital like many in the '00s-10s, especially since I moved overseas in the 00s and it was easier to just unload most of my stuff to both make moving easier and wipe out old debts to boot, sorta win/win. But after digital started to suck a lot in the 2020s(I like MP3s and Ipods and such but streaming really started to get weird), I missed the collection, and now I have a nice amount of it back. Plus, for DJing(See below!)

Getting back into working with music in different capacities has also happened. I still have more I want to do there(see below), but suffice it to say I've managed to dip back into it and it's been a lot of fun. (I'm a behind the scenes person.) 

I got to more gigs than ever this year than I have in ages. Having the young guy and just being overall tired all the time made me skip a lot(and the ones I really wanted to go to, like Satyricon a few times, and a couple fests with some cool bands playing, it was often during the times I was out of the country! Just bad luck.) I'd get to hit some now and then-a gig here, a fest there-but in the 2010s+ I just did not get to enough. 

In Feb, I got to see Beherit play live finally, and boy, was it worth it. I also got to catch a rarely seen live band, No Future, a post-punk band I dig. Getting back into more gigs this year was great overall. 

In April, I finally got to see Satyricon, live, in their full form!! I was so, so happy and it was one of my favorite concerts ever. Seeing Rotting Christ for the first time was awesome, and Behemoth were great to see at their own gig(I saw them at a festival once a long time ago, and their stage show wasn't as excessive), but Satyricon are my boys and getting to see Frost actually play live, from the front row, meant everything. (I still need to get my picture with him, tho! The one I wish I got in 2003, but that's the old long story, lol.)

In May I got to see Aura Noir live for the first time! Another one of those bands I've loved for decades but never got to see. They're amazing live and I also got to see the gig with one of my old best buds, who I hadn't gone to a gig with in 20 years since I had moved. (I saw him several times during that time period, both in the US and here, but we never got to a gig together in all that time when we used to go all the time.)

Then comes August and I get to see two 'white whale' bands, King Diamond and Sigh, both at Hellsinki Metalfest! And both were fantastic. The King was every bit as awesome and theatrical as I'd expect(and he sounded amazing, too), and Sigh had packed the ice hall stage, which I thought was awesome for a band playing during the day at a metalfest. 

In hindsight I wish I had splashed for the photo op with the King, but I'll have that as another 'needed photo' to work toward, lol. It's nice to have more than one "I still need my picture taken with this one." 

In the fall, I started mini painting again quite often and it's been grand. I am surprised I managed to get at least decently passable at it in a short time, as it's been a long time since I slapped paint on the old Ral Partha figures. But I'm really happy I started this again as I had been planning on doing so all the way back in earlier 2024, and it never really happened. Finally took the steps to gather some paints up over the summer and once festival season was over I hit it up in September. Now I do it daily! In fact, I even got to do an Art Vs. Artist picture, with some pieces I've done over the months. I'm happy with my progress; as I like to say, I learned a lot, but I still have a lot to learn. Currently I am working on an undead frost giant I hope to have done by New Year's-I'm pretty sure I can as I'm in the detailing phase of it now, and given I'm forcing myself to work with a limited palette my choices are limited. Which isn't a bad thing(doing it for the challenge.)

My very first Art vs. Artist picture!

Winter has been pretty chill all told. We had Xmas and I am pretty content with everything. Beefed out the paint and mini collection a bit. 

And now, I'll just get this out of the way:

Stuff I still need to do(2026 stuff and forward!)

Keep in mind, I don't make 'resolutions.' I just know I wanna do stuff and I try to. Making actual resolutions is a way to failure for me, so I just list a bunch of crap and see what happens. (Even THAT wasn't working out too well for awhile, lol.) Anyway!

Well, as I said, I got my DJ collection well curated by now, AND my outfit, but my introverted ass needs to actually start putting out the feelers to places who might have a free slot to take a specialized metal DJ. that latter thing wouldn't be a problem around here, but the 'free slots' part might be. But there's a few areas. However, I am terrible at actually reaching out to places, given, again, I like to hide under rocks unless I'm going to a gig or something in terms of social times. But we'll see what happens! 

I still need to learn how to place Eclipse properly so I can teach others so we can start playing it once in awhile since it seems really fun. It's the one thing I wanted to do last year and never got a chance to. 

Get a tabletop game going more full-stop. Even if it's just a monthly game. A bunch of us here *want* to play but trying to get adults around a table once a month is challenging. Between TTRPGs and now Trench Crusade, I'm pretty sure we can get something going. 

1349 still eludes me live, but they didn't really play anywhere close enough to me this year, and the one gig that's kinda close-ish in 2025 is a few days before Xmas over in Sweden and I can't quite swing that, unfortunately. May 2026 be the year I get to see them live(also in their full form!) Also, I hope to get that long-awaited picture. XD (Probably the funniest thing on the list, given I am someone who worked/works with music and is acquaintances and friends with a ton of musicians who I have just random pictures of me hanging out with lying around on old sim cards that are a dime a dozen and guys who I chat with regularly.) 

Besides them, I don't have too many white whale bands left-Mercyful Fate, but I'm not sure if they'll be playing live this year, though they do have an album in the works! Assuming all goes well I'll be seeing Tormentor this spring and they're another one I've had on the list that I need to see. So at least I'll get to see them!

Oh yeah, been wanting to get a bullet belt, lol. Or make some chain thing. Either one. 

Continue to improve at mini painting and beefing out the ol' physical collection again.

Really it's a pretty chill list. So long as I keep my current better health state and manage some gigs I'll be happy this year. And see 1349. I really need to see 1349.

All told, 2025 has been a really great year for me overall. I managed to ding off a whole lot of things on my proverbial list, and my list going forward isn't too huge; mostly just continuing to improve things and hoping to keep things going. 

And now, for my Albums of the Year! I'm not gonna go super deep into these in terms of description, as to try to keep this blog somewhat not eight hundred pages long. 

Runner-Up 1: ...And Oceans-The Regeneration Itinerary

If you like blackened, melodic industrial-style metal, ...And Oceans will deliver. This album tears it up in terms of that genre, and I highly suggest it for anyone interested in it. Great album from start to finish. It definitely falls more under 'Clean, thick production' but that sorta thing is fine with me these days. 

Runner-Up 2: Testament-Para Bellum

Holy SHIT this album's heavy! I was surprised how heavy and brutal it was. I've been a Testament fan since the turn of the 80s-90s(in fact, Testament is responsible for a mosh pit at my 8th grade dance when I brought The Ritual in, which is probably one of my top 50 albums of all time), and when this hit I had to give it a spin, and it was incredible. Was really happy to hear them still have it. Hope to get to see them live again soon! 

Shares the Number 1 Spot but Because It's A Live Album, I Didn't Want To Break My Own Rules so I'm Making It Share a Spot: 1349-Winter Mass

You all know this one was coming. I already did a whole review of it in my blog here, so you can read my thoughts in full. In short, amazing live album. Go get it. 

The 'Official' Non-Live Album AotY Spot: Sodom-The Arsonist

And here we go. Even 40 years later(their first EP, In the Sign of Evil, came out in 1985), Sodom proves that they can still keep releasing all-killer, no filler heavy Teutonic thrash. I had this one on a whole lot this summer and any album that gets on repeat often the year it comes out often gets my vote. It doesn't reinvent any wheels but continues to do what they do best. 

I really don't know what my Movie of the Year is since I don't really watch a lot of new movies, heh. Game-wise, I might have to give it to Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves, the follow-up to SNK's famous old fighter Garou: Mark of the Wolves. While its roster left out a couple of characters it really should have gotten in, it's a ton of fun and I found myself enjoying my time with it a lot. THAT said, I'm also tempted to give it to Donkey Kong: Bananza, since holy shit that game has charm out the ass. And it didn't leave out important characters. And there's that amazing remix of Gangplank Galleon. 

(I've been retro gaming more often than not, having not played a whole lot of brand-new games lately. Or I've been playing the good remasters of old favorites. So unfortunately I need to keep track of newer games. I'm hoping 2026 has some more games that I want to play. I've also been kinda busy this year and haven't gotten to play a few games I wanted to, like The First Berserker: Kezan and such, since I've been either, as said, retro gaming or playing FFXIV, or the occasional bit of WoW super-casually.) 

This is mostly my gaming life nowadays.

Alrighty, got games, a recap, music and all of that stuff. I guess from here on we'll see what the New Year brings! I'll be back soon at some point to blog some more about something or other. Maybe do a mini-recap or get on about Trench Crusade or something. 

'Til next time!