|
I'm sure alot of gamers are having to cut back on their spending during these tough economic times so I thought to myself, "Self, what can we do to help other gaming enthusiasts save money on their hobby?" "Well," I responded, "howabout a thread where people can submit tips on how to save money on their hobby?" "That's a terrible idea!" I thought to myself. "You're a terrible idea!" I rebutted, and then I punched myself in the mouth and started this thread. Feel free to submit your own ideas!
Here are a few tips to get this thread started:
Those clear plastic shells that come with Chessex dice sets have a million (actually only several) uses! For one, they make really good gelatinous cube minis. They're big enough to take up most of a 2x2 section of grid and there's enough room inside for it to glomp a standard sized miniature. With a little effort, you can even add small, dripping bubbles of glue to the sides for that sweating effect.
They also make really good flight or elevation bases. They're a little wide, but you can put a mini inside one while a flying creature sits on top as if attacking from the air!
Here's another tip for people who can't afford to buy lots of minis.
Looking for a mini of a Tojanida or can't afford to buy a mini for a monster you'll probably never use again (like a Tojanida?) Make your own (kind of.) Just go online and find a picture of the creature you're looking for. Then, save the image and print it out at the size you need for its base. Cut the picture from the paper, glue it to a piece of cardboard to give it some extra durability and, presto, you've got a cheap, easy-to-store mini! I keep mine in a cigar box!
Do you like crackers? Do you like having a place to store your plastic minis? Do you like collecting things that are made out of tin? If you said "yes" to at least two of those questions, then I've got a tip for you!
Many grocery stores sell 28oz. tins of crackers. These things typically go for about $7-$9 but they're cheaper than most of those clear plastic tubs, they're durable, they hold about the same amount of stuff and they're pretty easy to store and transport. Plus, you get crackers! If you don't like crackers, crush them up and feed them to birds. They'll thank you for it.
|
For indications on where flaming shhere or swarms sit in a battle, a freiend of mine made little stands out of bent fencing wire with a flag at the top (some with flames and some with little bats). They works really well as the wire is bent so it goes around two sides of a square and doesn't interfer with the minis.
You can also use fencing wire to make your own spell templates, not as pretty as Paizo's ones, but lots cheaper.
|
|
It is a fairly heavy gauge wire (probably 2.5-3mm), a single strand bent at 90 degrees in the shape of a corner of a grid square, then bend back on itself to the corner, then upwards, cut off at about 5 cm. Little flags made with some mailing labels "liberated' from work.
We are hopefully playing next Sunday, I can take a photo and send it to you if you wish.
|
|
I just thought of another tip.
Those magnetic GameMastery Combat Pads are neat and useful but, if you can't afford one, here's a cheap alternative. Many stores stock office supplies so go get yourself a plain 8.5x11 magnetic dry erase board and some magnetic labels or order one of the GameMastery extra magnet packs. Either way, you're probably going to save about $10.