So, as I predicted, the new Forgeworld Index table of contents has been released, and many beloved models and a number of factions have been removed from the game. Sadly this isn’t the first time I’ve had to deal with this situation (I’ve had 3 armies be discontinued). Let’s take a quick minute to mourn some of those we have lost:
Weep not for the memories
In today’s article I figure I would share some of the things I’ve learned from losing an army, and hopefully it will be of some help for you.
1. It’s okay to be sad
I should start this list by prefacing it that, yes this is just a game, and that having a beloved army discontinued isn’t a national tragedy (in the grand scheme of things). That being said many armies have a deep personal significance to their players. For me, my corsair army was heavily converted and I had a lot of fun scrounging around to find the perfect odd bit to add character. I think for each of us we pour a measure of ourselves into the minis we paint and thus facing the prospect of never getting to use those minis again is dispiriting. In my experience, I have found it helpful to spend some time acknowledging the loss rather then downplaying or suppressing it.
2. Acknowledge that everything has an end
I think if you talked to an average 40k player, they would admit that, at some point in the future, the models in their collection will be discontinued. Whether this is right or not is another matter, but I think we all understand that GW makes money selling minis and that they need to generate new ones to remain profitable. We have seen the arrival of Primaris as a herald of the future of marines. Even looking outside of individual ranges there will come a time when you will play your final game of 40k and you will step away from the hobby for good. Everything has a start and an end and if we don’t acknowledge that we deceive ourselves.
3. Gone doesn’t mean forgotten
Now that I’ve dragged everyone down, here is some hope: While GW has dropped the line, they aern’t going to be sending collection vans around to round up your existing minis. For some minis, what once was a corsair is now a guardian or kabalite warrior in a themed list. Converted models can be used in other capacities and can even give you a start at a new army. By the same logic, you can use your current armies in friendly or narrative events. Just because you can’t take a Corsair army to the LVO (and let’s be honest…were you ever really going to do that?) doesn’t mean you have to relegate your army to the ash-heap of history. Furthermore some of these armies may return in the future. You can never tell when or in what form an army might suddenly re-appear supported by a raft of new minis and rules. Five years ago how many of us would have anticipated wholesale ranges coming for such obscure armies as Harlequins or Genestealer cults?
One of the best things about this hobby is the freedom it gives the hobbyist. At the end of the day your minis are precisely that: your minis. While you may have to conform to certain criteria to play in tournaments there is so much more to the game of 40k then tournaments. I would argue the most enjoyable moments are the small ones found with a few friends, some homemade terrain and some cherished minis.
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