A Question Of Money

This is an expensive hobby. I've never been put off by that, as I have always felt that if it's worth it to you, then it's worth it. People buy golf clubs, people buy DVDs, people buy stereo equipment, people buy hockey tickets. It's worth the cost to them, and that's what matters.

I have a lot of Warhammer stuff. I don't have as much as some people, but I have a decent collection. I'm glad I do, too, because I'm beginning to arrive at a certain way of thinking which will make some difference in my future with this hobby. In short: I don't think I'll be buying a lot more stuff from Games Workshop. The reason for this is that the prices are just too high, and they keep rising.

It's no secret that I have been toying with the idea of an Iyanden army, but consider this: Wraithlord are $40 apiece and Wraithguard are $18 apiece. An Iyanden army would typically have 3 Wraithlord and 3 squads of Wraithguard (5 each). That's $390. Add 3 Warlocks at $12 apiece, that's $426. Add a Farseer for $14, $440. Three Wave Serpents at $45 apiece, $575.

So that's an army with an HQ and six troop choices for $575. That's within striking distance of a month of rent for me.

Now, to be completely fair, Iyanden is a hell of an expensive army. Even so, it's not at all uncommon for someone to drop $600 on a decent 1500 point force; once you get HQ and troops and a couple transports you'll want to flesh it out with a dusting of tanks, terminators (or terminator-equivilents), some fast stuff like bikes and maybe one gratuitous heavy support choice that just makes you feel good to field it.

Add to this the cost of paint, maybe a case to transport things in, a few dice and some glue and you could easily crest $1000.

It's funny because I can't tell you how many times I've heard someone tell me "Why don't you start [name of army] just for fun?"... like they're telling me to try a pickup game of basketball or something. I want to play Tau, I want to play Sisters of Battle, I want to play Dark Eldar.... but I don't intend to drop $1500 to get three more workable, flexible forces on the table.

Games Workshop: I love you and I will keep playing your game, going to your stores, getting other people interested in the hobby and going to you to replenish pots of paint and primer. I don't think you'll see my money for another army, though. It's nothing personal; I'm just ready to spend that kind of money on other things.