The Independent Characters | Warhammer 40k Podcast

Episode 249 of The Independent Characters has Carl, Josh, and Campbell discussing the merits of Collaborative Wargaming. What does that mean? Well you will find out more when you listen, but at it's core it involves working together to improve your gaming experience. Whether you are playing in a Team Tournament, or launching the greatest narrative campaign this side of the Cicatrix Maledictum, you are going to want to take a listen to this episode for tips, tricks, and inspiration! Time Stamps: 0:00:00 - Show Intro and Elite Choice, Workbench, and Hobby Progress 1:10:30 - Collaborative Gaming: Part 1 1:50:50 - Collaborative Gaming: Part 2 2:20:25 - Final Discussion and Show Closing Relevant Links: The Independent Characters Patreon Tablewar! - SPONSOR Herrick Games & Hobbies - SPONSOR The 40k Badcast Tablewar Charities 40kHamslam on Instagram Hawaii 'War on the Shore' Charity GT 2025 Games Workshop The Black Library

Episode 248 of The Independent Characters has Carl, Josh, and Campbell talking about where Warhammer 40k terrain originated from, where it currently stands, and where it might be going. Yep! Still new intro music you are hearing at the beginning of the episode. We are going to stick with it for awhile, at least as long as Campbell is guest starring on the show, and see how you folks adapt to it! Be sure to let us know your feedback! Time Stamps: 0:00:00 - Show Intro and Elite Choice, Workbench, and Hobby Progress 0:50:25 - Evolution of 40k Terrain: Part 1 1:35:30 - Evolution of 40k Terrain: Part 2 2:08:30 - Final Discussion and Show Closing Relevant Links: The Independent Characters Patreon Tablewar! - SPONSOR Herrick Games & Hobbies - SPONSOR The 40k Badcast Tablewar Charities 40kHamslam on Instagram Hawaii 'War on the Shore' Charity GT 2025 Games Workshop The Black Library  

Episode 247 of The Independent Characters witnesses the return of Josh to the show! We continue to have Campbell from the 40kBadcast as our adopted Podcast Partner while Dan is on Paternity leave! (Congrats Dan by the way!) In this episode Carl, Campbell, and Josh discuss the benefits and drawbacks of two different styles of lists. On one hand, there are those who never, or rarely change anything in their list. While on the other hand, you have those who enjoy changing up their lists every game. We will go into the pros and cons of each option, and maybe a few ideas on how you might want to adjust your approach. And yes, that is still new intro music you are hearing at the beginning of the episode. We are going to stick with it for awhile, at least as long as Campbell is guest starring on the show, and see how you folks adapt to it! Be sure to let us know your feedback! This episode will drop on November 15th. Time Stamps: 0:00:00 - Show Intro and Elite Choice, Workbench, and Hobby Progress 1:05:00 - Fixed Lists and List Fixers 2:13:00 - Final Discussion and Show Closing Relevant Links: The Independent Characters Patreon Tablewar! - SPONSOR Herrick Games & Hobbies - SPONSOR The 40k Badcast Tablewar Charities Goonhammer Trench Crusade Interview Hawaii 'War on the Shore' Charity GT 2025 Games Workshop The Black Library

Episode 246 of The Independent Characters brings onto the roster Campbell McLaughlin of The 40k Badcast fame to join us! While his regular Podcast partner Dan takes some much deserved paternity leave, Campbell will be joining The Independent Characters army roster on a regular basis. We couldn't ask for a better partner! In this episode, Carl and Campbell talk about the ways that Campaigns, in pretty much any system, fail. We discuss what types of speedbumps campaigns often run into, and how those become dead end streets. Then we take a look at what strategies you can apply to ensure that you campaign is a successful one! Even with some choice edits, this episode rolls in at about two and a half hours. But we think this is a solid topic of discussion and we hope you enjoy listening to it as much as we enjoyed recording it! And yes, that is new intro music you are hearing at the beginning of the episode. We are going to stick with it for awhile, at least as long as Campbell is guest starring on the show, and see how you folks adapt to it! Be sure to let us know your feedback! Time Stamps: 0:00:00 - Show Intro and Elite Choice, Workbench, and Hobby Progress 0:52:15 - Why campaigns fail 1:35:00 - Tips to make your campaigns successful 2:22:00 - Final Discussion and Show Closing Relevant Links: The Independent Characters Patreon Tablewar! - SPONSOR Herrick Games & Hobbies - SPONSOR The 40k Badcast Tablewar Charities Hawaii 'War on the Shore' Charity GT 2025 Games Workshop The Black Library

Episode 236 of The Independent Characters has us bringing out the Big Guns! We have not only the return of none other than Justin Keefer to the program, but we also bring in Campbell McLaughlin from the 40k Badcast as well as Phil Hall from The Glacial Geek for a round of The Warrior Lodge! We will cover a variety of topics in this lengthy episode. It will be a long episode but one that we feel will bring you more entertainment than its length would imply. We hope you enjoy! Time Stamps: 0:00:00 - Show Intro and Elite Choice 0:00:17 - Workbench and Hobby Progress 0:41:45 - Warrior Lodge: Part 1 1:58:45 - Warrior Lodg: Part 2 2:42:45 - Final Discussion and Show Closing Relevant Links: The Independent Characters Patreon Tablewar! - SPONSOR Herrick Games & Hobbies - SPONSOR Games Workshop The Black Library Trench Crusade The 40k Badcast The Glacial Geek Goobertown Hobbies video on YouTuber Bias

Episode 244 of The Independent Characters has us joined by Phil Hall, also known as The Glacial Geek (check out his YouTube Channel!). Phil and Carl spent quite a bit of time together during this years Nova Open Tabletop Wargaming Convention and while there we had a lot of conversation around painting, playing, and Kill Team. Phil has agreed to join Carl for an episode all about Small Unit Actions in the Warhammer 40k universe. This includes the new version of Kill Team and a bit about what we hope to expect there, in addition to Boarding Actions. These two unique ways of playing in the Warhammer 40k universe offer very different experiences from both each other, and how other games of Warhammer 40k are played! We hope you enjoy Episode 244. Time Stamps: 0:00:00 - Show Intro, Elite Choice, Workbench and Hobby Progress 0:35:35 - Small Unit Actions: Kill Team 1:13:40 - Small Unit Actions: Boarding Actions 1:44:10 - Final Thoughts and show closing Relevant Links: The Independent Characters Patreon Tablewar! - SPONSOR Herrick Games & Hobbies - SPONSOR The Glacial Geek YouTube Channel Glacial Geek Nova Coverage Games Workshop The Black Library

Episode 243 of The Independent Characters finds Carl joined by Aaron as we discuss the Crusade rules in general, but more specifically how the Crusade Rules for Pariah Nexus offer a unique gaming experience. We will delve into the lore of the Pariah Nexus Campaign before discussing the rules, features, and missions of the Pariah Nexus Crusade book. Even if you aren't interested in Crusade style play specifically, we think you may find the content of this episode interesting! We hope you enjoy Episode 243. Time Stamps: 0:00:00 - Show Intro, Elite Choice, Workbench and Hobby Progress 0:36:30 - Pariah Nexus: The Lore and Impact 1:26:10 - Pariah Nexus: The Crunch and Missions 1:54:30 - Final Thoughts and show closing Relevant Links: The Independent Characters Patreon Tablewar! - SPONSOR Herrick Games & Hobbies - SPONSOR Grimdark Terrain Games Workshop The Black Library

Make sure you stay through the end of the episode to hear a potential new intro song for the show! Let us know your thoughts. Episode 242 of The Independent Characters has us joined by Skye Herrick, who is filling in for Josh at the moment. Skye and Carl spend time discussing how Warhammer 40k (and other gaming related things) can help both your personal and professional life. What skills they help develop, and how you can think about balancing your time for what is important to you. Special Thanks to Corporate Citizen for their music! Time Stamps: 0:00:00 - Show Intro, Elite Choice 0:19:40 - Hobby Progress, and Games Played 0:52:20 - The Role of 40k in Life and Work Pt 1 1:37:10 - The Role of 40k in Life and Work Pt 2 1:57:40 - Show Closing 1:58:40 - Preview of potential new opening music Relevant Links: The Independent Characters Patreon Tablewar! - SPONSOR Herrick Games & Hobbies - SPONSOR Goonhammer Media Network Life After the Cover Save Podcast Adepticon Games Workshop The Black Library Corporate Citizen

Josh will be on a (hopefully) short hiatus from the show. In the meantime we will have a rotating cast of guest hosts as we continue to move forward. Unfortunately, this puts our video efforts temporarily on hold (except for when we do remote interviews). However, the shows audio content continues! This episode has Carl joined by friend, local friendly game store owner, and sponsor, Skye Herrick of Herrick Games and Hobbies! After our usual hobby progress and games played section, we move on to our main topic which seeks to answer the question, "How do you create and sustain a positive gaming community?" With Skye joining us, we have some interesting insight into how the answer to that question may differ for a business as opposed to someone running a club or just local group of friends. We also discuss a bit of the Hobby Progress Challenge for 2024/2025 - if you aren't aware of it, you can find more information on our website. We hope you enjoy!

Make sure you stay through the end of the episode for a SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT about our 2024/2025 Hobby Progress Challenge! Episode 240 of The Independent Characters brings on two special guests from the newly reconstituted Life After the Cover Save Podcast. Ed and Travis join us for a great round table discussion! Time Stamps: 0:00:00 - Show Intro, Elite Choice, Hobby Progress, and Games Played 1:18:00 - The Warrior Lodge Part 1 2:10:05 - The Warrior Lodge Part 2 2:51:35 - Final Discussion and Show Closing 2:58:35  - SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: 2024/2025 Hobby Progress Challenge Relevant Links: The Independent Characters Patreon Tablewar! - SPONSOR Herrick Games & Hobbies - SPONSOR Goonhammer Media Network Life After the Cover Save Podcast Adepticon Games Workshop The Black Library

Episode 239 of The Independent Characters has us finally returning to our Show of Force series! This time we are covering the Leagues of Votann! To help us out, we bring in the famous Dave Taylor! Dave has been a fixture in the miniature wargaming scene for over thirty years. A peerless hobbiest, and incredible painter. Dave has a fantastic Leagues of Votann army. As usual, we issue a warning with this type of show to protect your wallets and tread cautiously as our excitement about the army grows! We hope you enjoy Episode 239! Time Stamps: 0:00:00 - Show Intro, Elite Choice, Hobby Progress, and Games Played 1:19:00 - The Leagues of Votann Part 1 2:21:30 - The Leagues of Votann Part 2 3:19:35 - Final Discussion and Show Closing Relevant Links: The Independent Characters Patreon Tablewar! - SPONSOR Herrick Games & Hobbies - SPONSOR Goonhammer Media Network The Art of Books series Adepticon Games Workshop The Black Library Build, Paint, Play Podcast

Episode 238 of The Independent Characters sees Josh and Carl take a historical and current view at The Lost and The Damned. Don't know what that is exactly? Don't worry we will fill you in soon. We think this leads to some very interesting conversation around the current state of the Warhammer 40k Ruleset, how tight it is, and how you can break free of the constraints that may be inhibiting your gaming! Additionally, we include an interview with Adepticon organizers Hank Edley and Matt Weeks. This interview was originally recorded for our Patreon subscribers, but we felt that the topics touched on here really apply to so many people who attend that fantastic event. We discuss why the decision to move to Milwaukee happened and how it came about. As well as what the future of Adepticon holds! We hope you enjoy Episode 238! Time Stamps: 0:00:00 - Show Intro, Elite Choice, Hobby Progress, and Games Played 0:57:00 - The Lost and The Damned 1:56:45 - Interview with Adepticon organizers 2:30:35 - Final Discussion and Show Closing Relevant Links: The Independent Characters Patreon Tablewar! - SPONSOR Herrick Games & Hobbies - SPONSOR Goonhammer Media Network Adepticon Games Workshop The Black Library

Episode 237 of The Independent Characters has special guest Dan Boyd of the 40k Badcast crew joining us to go into a deep dive about Necromunda House Orlock and exactly why he decided to model for the cover of the House of Iron book. We spend a lot of time talking about the Maelstrom Mixer 40k narrative event that Carl attended in San Jose, and then launch into a 2+ hour discussion about House Orlock. Get your combat shotguns ready, as we hope you enjoy Episode 237! Time Stamps: 0:00:00 - Show Intro, Elite Choice, Hobby Progress, and Games Played 1:26:30 - Underhive Faction - House Orlock: Part 1 2:17:30 - Underhive Faction - House Orlock: Part 2 3:00:50 - Final Discussion and Show Closing Relevant Links: The Independent Characters Patreon Tablewar! - SPONSOR Herrick Games & Hobbies - SPONSOR Goonhammer Media Network Games Workshop The Black Library

Episode 236 of The Independent Characters has us returning to the shelves and storage at the back of the Astronomicon to uncover more Warhammer 40k collectible materials. In our second go around of Rare Warhammer 40k Materials, Carl and Josh discuss several art books as well as a graphic novel which is set in the Horus Heresy era and completes a story that was left untold! With this episode being heavily art-focused, we would recommend checking out our YouTube Channel and seeing some of the graphics that are displayed in review. We hope you enjoy Episode 236! Time Stamps: 0:00:00 - Show Intro, Elite Choice, Workbench and Hobby Progress 0:44:35 - Rare 40k Materials 2: Part 1 1:22:25 - Rare 40k Materials 2: Part 2 2:32:20 - Final Discussion and Show Closing Relevant Links: The Independent Characters Patreon Tablewar! - SPONSOR Herrick Games & Hobbies - SPONSOR Games Workshop The Black Library

Episode 235 of The Independent Characters takes us, primarily, on a review and recounting of Adepticon from Josh and Jody's point of view. Originally we had expected to include a bunch of information about the various game stores and events Carl went to when on vacation in Australia, but things didn't quite work out as planned on that front. If you ARE interested in the Australia Trip, Carl will discuss that as bonus content for our Patreon members of all levels. However, Josh and Jody go into detail about Adepticon, what events they attended and provide some advice for those going in a long discussion. We hope you enjoy! Time Stamps: 0:00:00 - Show Intro and Elite Choice 0:19:35 - Workbench and Hobby Progress 1:05:35 - Games Played and Adepticon 2:25:00 - Final Discussion and Show Closing Relevant Links: The Independent Characters Patreon Tablewar! - SPONSOR Herrick Games & Hobbies - SPONSOR Chris Will (Nahumck) Therapy Website Games Workshop The Black Library

Episode 234 of The Independent Characters has us taking a close look at the Sociology of Warhammer 40K Gaming Groups. We will delve into the various social dynamics within Warhammer 40,000 gaming groups such as clubs, friend groups, tournament scenes, conventions, etc. We discuss how these microcosms build camaraderie, negotiate conflicts, and create inclusive spaces for diverse players. We hope you enjoy the show! Time Stamps: 0:00:00 - Show Intro, Elite Choice 0:12:30 - Workbench, and Hobby Progress 1:15:50 - Unity in the Grimdark Future: Part 1 2:15:30 - Unity in the Grimdark Future: Part 2 2:49:10 - Final Thoughts and show closing Relevant Links: The Independent Characters Patreon Tablewar! - SPONSOR Herrick Games & Hobbies - SPONSOR Games Workshop The Black Library  

Episode 233 of The Independent Characters takes an in depth look at the psychology behind collecting Warhammer 40k. We are going to explore the benefits and pitfalls of the hobby and take a look at some strategies for not increasing your "closet of opportunity"... unless that makes you happy! To help us with this we are joined for an interview with Christopher Will, a psychologist operating out of Southern California. We didn't realize how long this episode had gotten as we explored this topic - so strap yourselves in for a pretty lengthy 3 hours of awesomeness! Time Stamps: 0:00:00 - Show Intro, Elite Choice, Workbench, and Hobby Progress 0:49:50 - The Psychology of Collecting Warhammer 40k: Part 1 1:34:00 - The Psychology of Collecting Warhammer 40k: Part 2 2:16:30 - Interview with Christopher Will 2:56:40 - Final Thoughts and show closing Relevant Links: The Independent Characters Patreon Tablewar! - SPONSOR Herrick Games & Hobbies - SPONSOR Chris Will (Nahumck) Therapy Website Games Workshop The Black Library

In Episode 232 we are joined by not one, but two, distinguished guests! Distinguished may be pushing it, but we are joined by Campbel McLaughlin and Dan Boyd of the 40k Badcast! Two of our favorite people in 40k provide us with a ton of great discussion around various topics that are floating around the Warhammer universe at this time in an episode we are calling The Warrior Lodge - Collab Edition! We hope you enjoy Episode 232 as much as we did recording it! Time Stamps: 0:00:00 - Show Intro and Elite Choice 0:13:25 - Workbench and Hobby Progress 1:05:00 - Legions Imerialis: History of the game 1:37:00 - Legions Imerialis: New Rules, New Fun 2:26:55 - Final Thoughts and show closing Relevant Links: The Independent Characters Patreon Tablewar! - SPONSOR Herrick Games & Hobbies - SPONSOR The 40k Badcast Games Workshop The Black Library Brushstroke Painting Guide on applying transfers

In Episode 231 we are going to take a look at the history of Legions Imperialis. We talk about where it came from, what roles in filled in the past, and what role it fills now. We hope you enjoy Episode 231 as much as we enjoy Legions Imperialis! Time Stamps: 0:00:00 - Show Intro and Elite Choice 0:13:25 - Workbench and Hobby Progress 1:05:00 - Legions Imerialis: History of the game 1:37:00 - Legions Imerialis: New Rules, New Fun 2:26:55 - Final Thoughts and show closing Relevant Links: The Independent Characters Patreon Tablewar! - SPONSOR Herrick Games & Hobbies - SPONSOR Grimdark Terrain Games Workshop The Black Library

Episode 230 of The Independent Characters has us return for an update to our Show of Force for the new Space Marines and Tyranid Codexes! Be warned that Show of Force episodes tend to be damaging to people's wallets. We have two great guests join us as well to talk about each of the armies from a competetive perspective (which is not really our expertise!) and they do a fantastic job of educating us. We hope you enjoy our first episode of 2024! Time Stamps: 0:00:00 - Show Intro and Host Introduction 0:11:00 - Workbench and Hobby Progress 0:42:10 - Show of Force: 10th Ed Space Marines 1:37:45 - Show of Force: 10th Ed Tyranids 2:23:45 - Final Thoughts and show closing Relevant Links: Tablewar! - SPONSOR Herrick Games & Hobbies - SPONSOR Forge World Games Workshop The Black Library