I don’t remember exactly when it happened, but somewhere along the way I stopped getting excited about new codexes for Warhammer 40,000 and started getting excited about the Napoleonic Wars.
These days I’m just as likely to be reading something like French Tanks of World War II by Steven J. Zaloga as I am flicking through Warhammer content, and when I look at new projects, I’m browsing Napoleonics as well as the latest Games Workshop release.
Which led to a slightly uncomfortable realisation:
“wait… am I a grognard?”
The word “grognard” actually goes back to the Napoleonic Wars, where it was used to describe Napoleon’s veteran troops, the grizzled soldiers who had seen enough to justify a bit of grumbling and bitterness.
In modern wargaming, it’s become shorthand for the kind of player who cares about historical accuracy, rules, and whether your unit really should have that equipment. A player who is less about the sci-fi settings of Warhammer 40,000, or the low fantasy of Warhammer: The Old World, and more about systems, structure, and coherence. The kind of person who can open a drawer and have multiple tiny-scale Napoleonics ready to go, with different forces representing different eras of a war.
In other words… the sort of person I may be slowly turning into.
I’ve always been a WYSIWYG player for myself, and yes, I’ll admit it—I sometimes silently judge those who aren’t. Not in a serious way, more in a “hmm… interesting choice” kind of way. Definitely not gatekeeping. Probably.
For example, my Heresy Death Guard don’t really do fragile or complicated weaponry. Very little plasma, no volkite at all. They’re bolters, flamers, meltas, and lascannons. They footslog rather than bounce around with jump packs, and when it comes to vehicles, it’s tracks and wheels only—nothing overly exotic or suspiciously floaty like grav tech.
Even when options were available in earlier editions, I tended to keep things grounded. In 2.0, they all carried chainswords when that was an option, because lore-wise it just made sense: standard kit, used sensibly, no unnecessary faffing about.
That said, I don’t expect anyone else to play like that. That’s important to me. I don’t gatekeep—I just quietly assume my way is correct and move on with my life. (Joking. Mostly.)
It’s the same with painting. Because I have the time, I insist on fully painted armies for myself. I won’t put unpainted models on the table. But I’m not about to enforce that on anyone else. People have jobs, families, studies, and significantly more important things to do than debating whether that shade of grey technically counts as “battle ready”.
What’s slightly concerning is that the same instinct that makes me design sci-fi armies like miniature historical organisations is now pulling me further towards actual historical wargaming.
Bolt Action in particular has started enabling this behaviour. Instead of building lists that are remotely efficient, I’ve found myself constructing early-war Germans as if I’m curating a museum exhibit, very specifically 1940 to 1942, carefully avoiding “just taking the good stuff” and instead focusing on what feels appropriate for the period. Which is a very normal and well-adjusted way to approach a wargame, obviously.
And I am already planning the next army: a French force to counter it, built around artillery, inexperienced conscripts, tough but flawed tanks, and hastily reactivated WWI Renault FTs.
Even outside the tabletop, it’s spilling over. I played Assassin’s Creed: Unity, told myself I was just enjoying the setting, and then suddenly I’m reading about the French Revolution and Napoleon like I’ve got a dissertation due.
So now the hobby doesn’t feel like separate systems anymore. It feels like different ways of scratching the same itch: structure, narrative, and making toy soldiers behave like they belong in a coherent universe rather than a random pile of statistics.
And I think that’s the shift. Not away from sci-fi or fantasy—but towards becoming the sort of person who says things like “coherent force structure” without irony.
As for Napoleonics, I’ve acquired some STLs and I’m just trying to figure out a system to use. Black Powder is tempting, but my friend Ken highly recommends Sharp Practice. Either way, I’m going to be that basic bitch, which, let’s be fair, I am, and play the Grande Armée.
But I am not leaving behind the Games Workshop stuff. The Horus Heresy remains my favourite setting, and the 3.0 ruleset is my favourite yet (although the missions are not great and are really holding the game back).
I like narrative-focused games, which, with the current way Warhammer Age of Sigmar and Warhammer 40,000 are played, is increasingly difficult. Standard terrain layouts make it hard to run asymmetrical, story-driven games rather than simply racking up points.
These games are very meta-driven, and that’s just not me. I want thematic armies, scenario-driven play, and less obsession with having the perfect list.
But these games do allow for a lot of freedom, exaggeration, and creativity, while historicals give me constraint, realism, and interpretation. I’ve realised I don’t have to choose one philosophy of gaming—the hobby, for me, has always been a spectrum, and I’m just expanding it. It doesn’t need to be binary.
I think this is how I’m going to approach things from now on. I want a choice of armies I can use for different systems, and that means focusing on one or two “main” armies per system and putting the rest into long-term storage.
So I need to go through what I have at home, compare it to what’s in storage, and decide what becomes my core collections, then store the rest. That doesn’t mean I won’t add to them, I probably will, because I love having variety to paint.
I’m going to keep Combat Patrols available because that’s such a fun format, but I’ll have one, perhaps two armies (so Megan and I can play together) for each system:
- Warhammer 40,000
- Warhammer Age of Sigmar
- The Horus Heresy
- Bolt Action/Achtung Panzer
- Some form of Napolionics
- Probably something for Sage
- Legions Imperialis
- Trench Crusade/WWI
- Something fantasy, probably The Old World
This will give me some much-needed space and allow me to develop historicals in a way that represents different eras and theatres. For my Germans, I want a collection that covers early war, Afrika Korps, and eventually Normandy/D-Day, giving me a range of matchups. Meanwhile, my sci-fi and fantasy collections can remain more fluid and constantly evolving.
Terrain-wise, I’ve already sorted my fantasy setup, and I think that will work for Age of Sigmar, The Old World, and D&D. My home 40K terrain is probably going to shift in a new direction, I’m thinking a trench-focused set with two building styles: one sci-fi and one more real world. That way it can cover both world wars and Trench Crusade. One larger box of 3D-printed trenches, and two smaller sets of buildings.
So yeah, I’m not leaving behind fantasy and sci-fi, just expanding the hobby and making things at home a bit more organised.
I still love the grimdark of Warhammer 40,000, and I always will. But I’ve also found myself increasingly drawn to the structure, detail, and reality of the Napoleonic Wars and the World Wars.
So maybe the question was never “am I becoming a grognard?”
Maybe it’s simply that I’ve realised the hobby was always big enough for both.
What I Am Modelling
I painted up a Panzer I for my Germans, thinking of doing another one cause it seems like it’s gonna be good at supporting the infantry in Bolt Action
I added a third Wraithlord to my Iyanden army
And a Marshall to lead the Black Templars
Alongside a squad of Intercessors
After that I painted up an Sd.Kfz 265 which I need for my Bolt Action escalation list, turns out that my idea of taking a Panzer I as a command tank doesn’t work as it can only be taken in this form as the Panzerbefehlswagen
Alongside that I added a couple of Pak 36s to the Germans for some anti-tank
Plus a 2nd Forward Observer
And this test model form the Meuse to Volga Kickstarter
Plan to add models to make him part of a fully Heer squad
I then painted up Karnus the Seeker, a Lord-Celestant from the Spearhead magazine for my Celestial Vindicatiors
At the same time I also painted up the test model from Over There Part 2, a Heer Rifleman
I painted up some Hearthkyn Warriors to add to the Votann for the newer Combat Patrol
And a squad of Brôkhyr Thunderkyn for the Votann too, for the very same Combat Patrol
What’s up next
- Blood Angels Landspeeders
- Heretic Legion Warband
- Acolyte Hybrid’s x 5, Acolyte Iconward, Patriarch & Familars x 2
- Death Korps Squad x 10
- Cadian Shock Troopers x 20
- True Sons Legionaries x 10
- Combat Engineers x 6
- True Sons Daemon Prince
- Krieg Command Squad x 6
- German Pioneers x 10
What I Am Reading
I first listened to Red by Stewart Sheargold, which was fairly good, an interesting concept in that one.
I am currently listening to Trollslayer by William King
What Tabletop Games I Am Playing
On Easter Monday, we played our first game of Gloomhaven.
Then on Tuesday I played a game of Heresy against Graham, I took this list for the Solar Auxilia
Cohort Doctrine: Mechanised Pattern Cohort
Crusade Primary Detachment
Legatine Command Section
• 1x Legate Marshall [15 Point(s)]: Needle Pistol, Power fist
• Augury scanner, Command Vox, Charnabal sabre, Cohorts vexilla, Blast chargers
Armoured Command Section, Battlecannon, Lascannon, Dozer blade, Flare Shield
Line Command Section
• Troop Master, Charnabal sabre, Laspistol
• Augury scanner, Charnabal sabre, Auxilia vexilla, Command Vox, Blast chargers
Prime Unit (Logistical Benefit (War-engine))
Line Command Section
• Troop Master, Charnabal sabre, Laspistol
• Augury scanner, Charnabal sabre, Auxilia vexilla, Command Vox, Blast chargers
Aethon Heavy Sentinel Squadron x 3
• Melta lance, Hunter-killer missile battery
Lasrifle Section x 10
• Auxilia vexilla, Vox interlock, Blast chargers
Arvus Lighter, Flare Launchers, Pintle Mounted heavy stubber
Armoured Support
Leman Russ Strike Tank, Dozer blade, Vanquisher cannon and one Co-axial mounted heavy stubber
Armour Tercio
Leman Russ Strike Tank, Dozer blade, Vanquisher cannon and one Co-axial mounted heavy stubber
Leman Russ Strike Tank, Dozer blade, Vanquisher cannon and one Co-axial mounted heavy stubber
Lap
Leman Russ Assault Tank Demolisher Cannon, Lascannon Dozer blade
Armour Tercio
Leman Russ Assault Tank Demolisher Cannon, Lascannon Dozer blade
Malcador Heavy Tank, Vanquisher cannon, Demolisher cannon, Sponson Mounted lascannon x 2, Pintle Mounted multi-laser, Dozer blade, Flare Shield
Malcador Heavy Tank, Vanquisher cannon, Demolisher cannon, Sponson Mounted lascannon x 2, Pintle Mounted multi-laser, Dozer blade, Flare Shield
Infantry Tercio
Lasrifle Section x 20
• Auxilia vexilla, Vox interlock, Blast chargers
Lasrifle Section x 20
• Auxilia vexilla, Vox interlock, Blast chargers
Dracosan Armoured Transport, Twin Lascannon
Dracosan Armoured Transport, Demolisher cannon
The game was a loss for my, by a lot, but my army scored a lot more kills than normal, the Demolisher cannons proved their worth and my Malcadors were the MVP of the game
The major problem was that the intelligence of my Solar Auxilia is just not good enough to compete in a Relic mission with the Mechanicum, but the mission was great and I throughly reccomend them
On Thursday we started the Bolt Action escalation campaign and I am starting with this list
Rifle Platoon
Oberleutnant - Regular SMG
Heer Infantry Squad x 7, Regular, LMG, NCO with SMG
Heer Infantry Squad x 7, Regular, LMG, NCO with SMG
Sniper Team - Regular
Light Mortar Team - Regular
Armoured Patoon
Panzerbefehlswagen - Sd. Kfz 265
Panzer 38 (t)
I was playing Ken’s Soviet Workers Milita and it was a really nice army he had painted up
It was a pretty good game, but the game turned when Ken’s Ampulomet took out a squad of Heer, and my other squad attempted to run up the flank, but were wiped out by a combination of a machine gun team and a mortar shot!
I played a second game of Heresy against Russell, I took the list Inplayed against Graham with, just added a Stormhammer as we played 3500 points
We played a Relic mission and I lost by 7-28, just couldn’t get my scoring units on the objectives and passing intelligence tests
My fourth game for this post, was my first game of Trench Crusade against Michael, I took my Iron Sultanate using this list
4 Glory Points, 700 Ducats
Jabirean Alchemist - 116 Ducats, 2 Glory Points
Jezzail, Sword/Axe, Grenades, Reinforced Armour, Alchemical Ammunition, Holy Relic
Yüzbaşı Captain - 163 Ducats, 2 Glory Points
Janissary Veteran, Halberd-Gun, Reinforced Armour, Combat Helmet, Alchemical Ammunition, Gas Mask, Wind Amulet, Takwin Anqā Bird
Skirmisher Azeb - 89 Ducats
Light Skirmisher, Flamethrower, Sword/Axe, Standard Armour, Combat Helmet, Gas Mask
Skirmisher Azeb - 76 Ducats
Light Skirmisher, Jezzail, Sword/Axe, Grenades, Standard Armour, Combat Helmet, Alchemical Ammunition, Gas Mask
Skirmisher Azeb - 76 Ducats
Light Skirmisher, Jezzail, Sword/Axe, Grenades, Standard Armour, Combat Helmet, Alchemical Ammunition, Gas Mask
Lion of Jabir - 85 Ducats
Wind Amulet, Standard Armour
Sultanate Sapper - 95 Ducats
Alaybozan, Trench Club, Trench Shield, Standard Armour, Combat Helmet, Alchemical Ammunition
The game was just the basic kill the other team scenario, and it was really a lot of fun, but my dice rolling was attribute and I went 2 1/2 rounds without rolling a 7 and thus didn’t hit anyone and I really think that hampered my results
It ended up being a loss of 31-17, which was fine, it was first game and I have learnt a lot, I just took a starter list suggested by one of the fan sites
Learnt an awful lot, and really had a good time!
What Video Games I Am Playing
I played Verdun for the first time, that was kinda cool
What Achievements I Have Unlocked
Verdun (Steam)
 | Eagle Eye Kill an enemy from over 100 meters | 06/04/2026 |
What I Am Backing
More of the From Meuse to Volga, 1940-1942 was delivered, including the vehicles, the pioneers and a bunch of stretch goals, including the PAK 36, which I have printed two of
And the Over There Part 2 campaign delivered its first STLs as well
What I Am Spending
I fancied watching They Were Not Divided, but couldn’t find it anywhere on a streaming service, so bought it on DVD cheap from eBay to add to the PLEX server
And myself and Megan got the Beast-Snagga Boyz Combat Patrol given that Orks are going to be getting the spotlight in 11th Edition
Also some Order Dice for Bolt Action and an XL Painting Handle
On Steam I picked up
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019)
- Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Ticket to Ride: Germany Expansion
- SSI Classics
- Castle of Alchemists
- Mood:- Having a sleep reset
- Caffeinated Beverages Consumed:- 9
- In My Ears:- Love is a Long Road – Tom Petty
- Tabletop Game Last Played:– Trench Crusade
- Video Game Last Played:- Final Fantasy IV Pixel Remaster
- Book Last Read:– Dropsite Massacre – John French
- Audiobook Last In My Ears:- Trollslayer – William King
- Movie Last Viewed:– Aquaman
- TV Show Last Viewed:- King of the Hill
- Podcast Last In My Ears:- The WAN Show
- Current State of Projects:- A clean desk, need to prime some stuff!
