Miniature models, or scale models, is a hobby that is starting to gain traction in Oman, attracting hobbyists, board gamers, and artists. Extremely popular overseas, it is finding its way into the country through enthusiasts like Ali Derweesh. An Omani national and professional software developer, he spends much of his free time on these tiny models. FACES caught up with him to gain some insight into how and why to get into this growing hobby.
Can you provide us with a brief insight into what miniature models are?
From planes, trains and automobiles to historical armies and legendary monsters, there is a wide array of subjects captured in miniature form. Some pick individual models simply to paint them, sometimes even constructing detailed dioramas to tell a whole story. Others collect entire armies to serve as gaming pieces in what are generally referred to as “tabletop games”. Players take turns to move their miniatures in an attempt to out-think and out-maneuver their opponents, akin to a more elaborate and visually pleasing version of chess.
There are many different miniature games of different types and genres, but one thing they all have in common is the social aspect. Meeting up with old friends, joining hobby clubs, or even traveling to large events and competitions to test your skill on a larger stage; it’s a creative and rewarding social activity.
What got you into the hobby?
I was initially exposed to it by an expatriate friends in school, but it wasn’t until I was working abroad and was able to see just how amazing a miniature can look when painted by a skilled artist, and how much fun it could be to play with a large and passionate group, that I decided to take the plunge.
I picked up some miniatures and hobby supplies, and quickly discovered how engaging and multi-faceted the hobby is. Customizing models, learning new painting techniques, building army lists, playing games, admiring other people’s models, and of course showing off my own; I was hooked!
Where do you normally source your models, tools and paints from?
Here in Oman I pretty much have to buy everything online. There are many different companies producing miniatures, most of which have their own webstores. Though purchasing from online resellers such as Noble Knight, The Troll Trader, or Miniature Market can help me save money on shipping when I only want a few items from several different manufacturers.
What are the best models, games, and brands to look out for, and why?
Warhammer 40,000 is one of the oldest and most popular miniature games. A dark sci-fi wargame with an epic story and vast gallery of high-quality miniatures exploring a range of different aesthetics, it is a great choice for newer players and those who enjoy very large-scale battles.
Then there is the venerable Battletech series, which focuses on combat between teams of giant robotic battle machines. Its rules are considered to be fairly complex, however a streamlined version of the game was recently introduced that should be more accessible to newer players.
Infinity is a tactical skirmish game focused on small fast-based battles. Known for its fantastic sci-fi miniatures, the low model counts and fantastic starter sets make this one of the more affordable games to buy into.
Warmachine/Hordes is a fantasy/steampunk skirmish game with a strong focus on tournament play. The ruleset is complex but intuitive, and games rely more on player skill than on random chance.
There are also several well-regarded games built on famous licensed properties. If you love Star Wars, you might want to look into Star Wars X-Wing, Armada, or Legion. For fans of superheroes, there the Batman and the DC Universe miniature games, as well as Marvel Crisis Protocol. A Song Of Ice And Fire will be of interest to the Game of Thrones fans. And while Monsterpocalypse’s giant mecha and monsters might not be licensed, they will still feel familiar to fans of the kaiju genre.
And of course, there’s games like Frostgrave and Zone Raiders that are not written for any specific line of miniatures. These model-agnostic games are great for hobbyists who are pickier with their models, or players who already have sizeable collections and just want to try using them in new ways.
My first piece of advice to all potential newcomers is always: it’s not too late to save yourself, get out while you still can! I am joking of course, but I do feel a little warning is in order: this hobby can be extremely rewarding, but it can also be very demanding. You will almost certainly end up spending far more time and money than you anticipated.
Therefore, it’s important to pace yourself. It is quite common to accumulate models faster than you can assemble and paint them, building up a backlog that can start to become rather daunting after a while. So, buy models in small batches, purchasing more only after they are complete.
Both painting and gaming can have steep learning curves and do not always feel fair, so do not take things too seriously and don’t be afraid to ask questions; experienced hobbyists love to show off their knowledge! Remember that failing is a part of learning and you do not always need to be winning to have fun.
Be creative, experiment. think outside the box, and do not feel like you must stick to an official paint scheme. Thin your paints, take care of your brushes, only do sanding in a well-ventilated area, make sure you have good lighting and posture while painting, and let your eyes rest every now and then.
And of course, remember to have fun!