War game models: A controversial opinion?

There is a dark rift in the tabletop gaming community. The debate rages across web forms and game clubs around the world. The lines are drawn, and there is no compromise between the factions. Insults, accusations, and profanity spew forth as people argue . . . over whether it's OK to use proxy models.

Seriously, folks? THIS is a point of contention? Let the record show that I, Jacob Tothe, officially approve of and wholeheartedly accept clever use of proxy models in wargaming. If it fits the size restrictions, resembles the intended model enough to be readily identifiable, and especially if it makes me laugh when I see it, it's legit. If you disagree, I consider you an empty soulless husk of a human and pity your sad condition. I also think gamers who insist that other people field a fully-painted army outside of tournament settings are snobs. There you have it. My position in this battle is clear. I stand in opposition to the purist. Of course, if you don't know what I mean by "proxy model" or don't play war games at all, this might not be as clear to you as I would like, so allow me explain further.

War games are typically supported by a range of plastic and pewter models, either manufactured by the publisher of said game or produced under license by another established miniatures manufacturer. These official models are designed specifically to represent the various soldiers, vehicles, siege weapons, monsters, or other game pieces used to for the various factions in the game's universe. These models can be quite expensive, and a large number of them may be needed to play the game. In fact, the majority of the hobby for most gamers is assembling and painting these miniatures.

In many cases, players want to make their armies unique. The first option is converting the official models by altering the components to make new postures, weapons, and special characters. Pieces from various official kits are often used to add diversity to an army by representing the dynamic movement of soldiers since battlefields are not parade grounds of lockstep precision and immaculate uniforms. Several small companies also make components to allow further customization. This, however, is where the controversy begins, since the purist insists that models must only be made from official bitz. Most gamers are nonetheless forgiving toward such aftermarket modifications and scratch-building models out of leftover parts, cannibalized model car and airplane kits, or even assorted junk if it fits the game aesthetics.

There is also the alternative model market, where many companies offer a wide range of models that can be used in lieu of the official models. Some of these other manufacturers might offer more soldiers for a lower price, and others might offer a special hero or monster model the gamer prefers over the "official" version. Such heretical substitution annoys the purist to no end, but now we are approaching the primary area of controversy. . .

...Proxy models. This is where gamers can either produce creative awesomeness, or sad failure. I here define a proxy as a model that was not designed initially as a game piece, as opposed to being merely an alternative model from another manufacturer or a scratch-built model designed from the ground up to fit the game universe. This could mean using toys from My Little Pony to represent mythical beasts as in the image above, or using Thomas the Tank Engine to represent a demonic machine as below.

Note that for both of these specific examples, effort was made to create a base for the models suitable to the setting, and the models were chosen because some level of rational connection could be made between the toy chosen and the unit it replaces. The model scale and count is appropriate for the game rules. In my opinion, these toys are perfectly acceptable. However, some people say they feel insulted when after spending hours painting official models, someone shows up with something they bought. To my mind, such complaints neglect that we're all playing with toys in the end, and the point is to have fun.

I would agree that some proxies are clearly problematic. The goal of using models in a game is to make sure everything is represented clearly on the table as possible. One sin would be using one game model to represent another completely different game model. Oh, that squad of goblins with spears are actually elven archers? WTF? Another sin is using something that does not resemble the model it replaces at all. If the scale is completely wrong, or especially if you're using random objects as game pieces, unnecessary confusion is created. A soup can is not a tank. A water bottle is not a monster, not even if you tell me it's a giant water elemental. An action figure is not a squad of infantry.

Even these sins can be excused in a friendly game between people who are both fully aware of what's going on and have discussed the matter beforehand. If you tell me, "I want to use these T-28 tanks to represent a German Panzer division so I can decide whether I like how they play," I'm OK with that. If you say, "Oh, crap, I left some of my plastic dudes on the counter at home," I'm OK with creative substitutions there. We are trying to create a world of escapist fiction in the end.. Don't look down on other players just because they enjoy different aspects of the game, and especially don't hate the people who build joke armies, because they are there to remind us that our hobby is supposed to be fun first and foremost.

Parting Thought

Free rules are always good. Especially when the game is abstract enough that you CAN try it out by using cardboard rectangles cut to size and marked with unit details. Try before you buy!