Fire/Support - Gloomhaven Tinkerer Guide

Note: the Tinkerer's summons are based on some of Wyrd's old Arcanist models.

I've learned, over the years, that I very often gravitate towards generalists that neither excel at one thing nor do they ever really lack a tool.

These classes and characters tend to be devalued, specifically because they're not very straightforward: They're not tough enough to be the tank; they're not strong enough to be a glass cannon; in this case, the Tinkerer doesn't even have enough support to be dedicated support.

In short, they're tricky and don't tend to be very spectacular, and are often even moderately flawed in their design, since even the designers need to go in without such an obvious direction and that can mean a class doesn't run well, or doesn't run well within the intended role. But, I find them immensely rewarding to play once I understand them, so I thought I'd share some thoughts on Gloomhaven's least-loved class.*

One: You Lock the Target / Two: You Bait the Line... - Kingdom Death Manhunter Expansion Review

The Manhunter is I believe Kingdom Death's smallest expansion (not counting ones without monsters). Appropriately, this will be one of my shortest reviews.

The Muck and the Mire (and some other places) - Cragheart, Mindthief, and Gloomhaven continued campaign (part 2)

Everyone's favorite character design was the Cragheart, but the model was a little lumpy and unspectacular, so I decided to do some radical surgery.

Starting Your Career as a Paid Killer - Gloomhaven Tinkerer, Spellweaver, and Game Sessions

Trying a new game and a new aesthetic is always something of an experience.

A Squall in the Dark - Kingdom Death Homebrew scenario (also, First Story + Antelope + Butcher)

With the first set of Kingdom Death expansions on the horizon, this seemed like a nice time to try introducing the first of some rules I've been developing for them.

Is that You, Santa Claus? - Kingdom Death Gold Smoke Knight and Campaign years 26-End

Here's some holiday cheer from an ancient fat guy trimmed in white fur who comes to judge all the little guys, once a season!

The Ghost of Kingdom Death 1.3 - The Watcher and campaign years 21-25

Remember when the Watcher was the Big Bad?

Gone Fishin' - Kingdom Death Survivors and campaign years 16-20

Well, I've been away for a while: turns out, a trip, a nasty cold, and a bit of overworking can do that.

Starting off, a few survivors that didn't fit anywhere else.

Advanced Footwork - Kingdom Death survivors, and campaign years 10-15

The Brawler armor is one of my favorite little survivor kitbashes. The only actual cutting and sculpting was from adding the crest/rack thing to his back and adding a little musculature around his shoulders so he didn't look like a doll/action figure. However, I felt like I hit the right place with the slightly back-leaning upright boxing pose, that looks just a bit unnatural, despite being the best way to box.

Pedomorphic Pachyderm - Kingdom Death Gorm Review

Who's a big boy? That's right! You're a big boy!

Time for a review of Kingdom Death's Gorm expansion.

Crowning Achievements - Kingdom Death Dragon King and Campaign Conclusion

It nearly slipped by me I'm hitting my 500th post... well, I had to do something a little bigger for that, didn't I? (Note the 35mm model on the bottom...)

Creepy Crawlies - Spidicules and Kingdom Death Campaign years 5.1-10

The Spidicules was one of my favorite minis from the first Kingdom Death KS. I've griped plenty about how impractical it turned out to be, which is why it's not still a favorite, but think it's a cool model, and think its little spiderlings are just charming, in an ugly sort of way. I'm particularly happy with how all their eyes came out.

Everybody Knows that the Bird is the Word - Codenames Review

I don't like "party games." I don't like yelling (or buzzers), interruptions, timers, or social stuff relying on poor information or hidden teams. That certainly doesn't mean I don't like having a good time in a social situation, and there are still plenty of times where I like things that become those things*, but what it actually comes down to is that I hate when those elements are essential to the game rules or the inevitable outcome, because I don't really like things that are that high energy.

So, when I had Codenames described to me as something along the lines of "There's lots of yelling and guessing who's the spy, and who doesn't like party games?!" I was skeptical, to say the least.  It basically sounded like the least enjoyable parts (most parts) of Taboo, Pictionary, and Bang!, rolled in to one mess, maybe with some Apples to Apples mixed in, where I'd tolerate a few rounds and then beg off.

Fortunately, that turned out to be a poor description of Codenames and, despite any reservations, in a few rounds, it became my favorite light-weight guessing game, which isn't saying a lot, but the fact that I actually bought a copy the next week does.

Given the game's popularity, I expect that party gamers are well aware of the game, but this strays well outside my normal interests and reviews as mostly a fan of strategy games and thematic games/RPGs, so is worth a review from a different perspective.

A New Light on the Horizon - Kingdom Death Gorm and Campaign (year 0- 5, modified)

So, I finally got around to painting some Gorm survivors.

Dungeon Romp - Warhammer Quest Silver Tower Review

Silver Tower is, well, as the title suggests, a bit of a romp. It's certainly in the tradition of a dungeon crawl, but simple and easy enough that it's a very casual experience.

Tough Love - A Follow-up Kingdom Death Review & Analysis

With the upcoming Kingdom Death: Monster Kickstarter and some sort of edition update, I've decided it's time to reflect.

Head of State - Dragon King Expansion's Tyrant & Survivors; Continued Campaign

The Tyrant, IMHO, basically defines a stylish use of the swagger stick.

The Six P's - Kingdom Death Strategy Guide

Okay, this is a bit of a weird one for me. I'm trying to write a tactics article about a game where you're fighting a cardboard computer instead of other players, and trying to not spoil anything. I guess that makes this my first strategy guide?


This will focus on the early game and some tips for planning ahead, because by the time you're through the mid-game, you'll be pretty well-versed in the system, so this is mostly about getting off the ground and setting up a strong settlement/hunting party.

The End of the Beginning, the Beginning of a New End - People of the Stars Continuation + painting

The Dragon settlement gave me the opportunity to play with a different aesthetic for Kingdom Death.

A Twinkle in His Eye - Gorm & Twilight Knight, and campaign years 5-14

 Kingdom Death's Gorm is an ugly, ugly model. But I embraced the ugly, and think it paid off.