How I discovered wargaming: A story of passion and community

My first encounter with wargaming happened by pure chance. As a teenager, I was wandering home from school one afternoon on Národní třída when I stumbled upon a shop with an inconspicuous entrance. Some of you might already know which shop it was. Naturally, it was Ogří doupě. It meant nothing to me, so I decided to peek inside. And that became my fateful "mistake".

Upon entering, I noticed large tables and wondered what they were for, as the rest of the room felt like a classic hobby shop. It was lined with shelves full of brushes, paints, model kits, and boxes of various materials I didn't even know the purpose of. Being a teenager, I didn't ask questions and just browsed one box after another. A moment later, two men in their thirties arrived and started setting up various hills and buildings on the tables.

That’s when it dawned on me that they were about to play, so I stayed and watched. The first battle I saw was in the Warhammer Fantasy Battles system, a world I knew nothing about. I plucked up the courage to ask questions. I discovered what a massive world it was, full of monsters, magic, and everything I loved about fantasy, plus plenty of gore.

The beginning was tough; models weren't exactly cheap, and I didn't get much support at home. My parents would have preferred me to play tennis. So, to play with a friend, I drew and cut out regiments from paper and dragged them across the floor (I really didn't want to bring that to the gaming club). A book served as a hill, a soda can or a chip tube as a tower, and cards as a river or road. I look back on it with a smile now. But even here, the time came to move on, just like in any relationship.

My favorite faction was the Dark Elves, so a few days after my birthday, I went to buy their army book. But as luck would have it, the Dark Elf book wasn't there… and I didn't want to wait, so I figured an elf is an elf, and I headed home with the High Elves book. You might ask why? I didn't want to go home empty-handed. Now I think I should have waited, but impatience is my curse. Which was ultimately confirmed by the fact that choosing this army book was a real mistake. But as they say, you learn from your mistakes.

It just wasn't the right fit. So, less than a month later, the High Elves were gone, traded for quite a few models for the human faction: The Empire. This faction stuck with me for a very long time. I kept waiting to see if I could get my hands on my dream Dark Elf faction, which I eventually managed to do after some time. And as is often the case, the grey plastic must flow! That's why, over the following years, I tried practically every existing faction.

One day, however, a turning point came. I was burned out on fantasy and needed a change, so I switched to sci-fi. The choice was harder here because there were several systems – Battletech, Infinity, or should I stay with the same brand under a different banner? I told myself: the systems are similar, I'll just add a few things and tweak others, and I jumped into 40k (read Warhammer 40 000). The same basic game principles, but with a significantly different aesthetic and thematic focus.

And that’s exactly what fascinated me. Combat in the far future, where humanity faces endless hordes of enemies on countless battlefields across the galaxy, completely consumed me. Plus, the models were fantastic – from majestic Space Marines to terrifying Orks and mysterious Eldar. Even here, I struggled between factions (there are so many options, and more keep appearing, including various sub-factions). So, I stuck to my golden rule – when in doubt, stick to the humans, and I chose what was then the Imperial Guard. Even so, my transition into the world of Warhammer 40 000 was quite smooth.

One of the best things about wargaming is that it's a hobby that is constantly evolving. There's always a new system or a new game to discover. That's how I found Conquest some time ago.

Conquest: The Last Argument of Kings is a relatively new wargaming system set in a world recovering from the fall of gods, with aliens having invaded as well. Conquest appealed to me with its unique combination of old and new. On one hand, there are traditional fantasy elements – heroes, epic battles, and a rich world full of history; on the other, we have game mechanics that make the gameplay more interesting. Players must carefully plan their moves, think about every step, and adapt to a constantly changing battlefield. Unlike WH, where turns are strictly separated, I really like the mechanic here where both players play in the same round and react to each other's unit movements. Plus, each unit has an activation card that determines its order in the round.

What also caught my attention about Conquest is that it can be played in two variants. The first is The Last Argument of Kings (TLAOK for short) – this variant requires a larger number of models and is more focused on regiments. The second variant is First Blood (FB) – this one is based on a main character accompanied by smaller units. Another advantage is (at least for me, and likely for many other players) that the models are in a larger scale, making them more pleasant to paint.

Personally, I fell in love with the City States faction because I've always been drawn to Greek mythology, and this faction is based on it. You have the option to command units of Minotaurs, Titans – the smiths, Satyrs, and of course units of Phalangites and Hoplites (infantry with long spears or spears and shields). The models are beautifully crafted, and as I wrote above, thanks to the larger scale, I enjoy painting individual models in Conquest more. I first got into the First Blood variant, and it captivated me mainly with its fast-paced gameplay. A game takes about an hour, compared to a classic WH game which can take up to 3 hours. Another advantage of Conquest is the purchase price of the models. Especially with the First Blood variant, you don't need a huge investment to have a full-fledged game.

An amazing bonus is the fantastic Conquest community. Players are friendly, willingly share their experiences, and are ready to help at any time. I often participate in tournaments and gaming events where I meet other enthusiasts and learn new tactics and strategies. These events are a great opportunity not just for playing, but also for sharing painting tips and improving gaming skills.

Because this game has truly enchanted me, I would like to start a club for those interested in wargaming within the club where I currently play. I would like to provide them with a more pleasant entry into this fantastic world, show them the possibilities of playing, painting, and strengthening relationships within the wargaming community. I want to get people excited and inspire them to take up this hobby directly, so they don't have to do everything at home on their own like I did when I started.

The creator and publisher of the game Para Bellum Games is very supportive when it comes to building the Conquest community worldwide. Here in the Czech Republic, there is already a foundation for this game in several gaming clubs, and I believe the ranks of players will continue to grow.

In conclusion, I can say that my journey through wargaming has been full of fun, challenges, and constant learning. From humble beginnings with paper regiments to complex battles in the world of Conquest. Every step moved me further and deeper into this fascinating world. And even though I've gone through many different games and systems, and haven't played everything more than once, one thing is certain – wargaming is and will remain a lifelong passion for me.

author Karel Matějka