I’ve recently started playing Kill Team, the Warhammer 40k small scale skirmish game by Games Workshop. While I’ve never really been that into the whole ‘grimdark’ thing something about Kill Team really appealed and I’ve had some very enjoyable games recently. I think it’s the mix of being able to collect and build multiple small squads, the undeniable quality of the Citadel Miniatures and the objective based missions that make it (even though the rules follow the quite clunky and old fashioned to hit/to wound/save approach of most GW games).
With Warhammer World only about 30 miles away down the motorway, I’ve been a couple of times in the past (mainly to look round the exhibition), but never to play games. This changed earlier this week when I ventured down to Nottingham with a few friends for some gaming.
Surprisingly (to me anyway) is that there is no charge to play, so you can go along and take advantage of the amazing gaming tables quite freely (providing you are of course playing GW games with GW miniatures). We booked a single 8 foot square city table, with the intention of playing multiple games of Kill Team in parallel (originally there were going to a few more of us in attendance). In reality this was far too big, but we were able to scout out some really great potential tables for Kill Team on a future visit.
The games themselves were very enjoyable and there is something special about the venue. Yes the fake castle walls are a bit tacky, but they kind of really build an atmosphere, especially with a room full of people all sharing the same passion for gaming. There is of course plenty of opportunity to shop and visit the exhibition, and Bugman’s Bar provides a great range of food, snacks and drinks (at reasonable prices). There are even some painting and modelling stations, so if you really can’t wait to get your new purchases assembled you can get straight to it.
Personally I crashed and burned in all three games I played (losing my leader in the first round of each). Somehow this poor performance was achieved using Death Guard, who are supposedly one of the most resilient factions on the game!
If you are a wargamer and even if Warhammer is not your thing, I’d highly recommend a visit. Entrance to the gaming hall, shops and bar is all free, with the only charge being for the (optional) exhibition tour. I’m even tempted to expand my forces so I can play a full game of 40k there sometime soon!
