Episode 251 of The Independent Characters takes a deep look at Warhammer 40k and how it is played in both competition, more casual play, and why it matters. How this impacts not only the types of units considered 'good' by those folks on the Internet, but also how the game is played by different sets of players and how it may shape new players approach and introduction to the game. To bring differing views on this, we once again have Campbell McLaughlin joining us to help us understand the importance of the tournament scene standpoint.

We hope you enjoy Episode 251. There is a lot to unpack here, and we hope you get out of it as much as we put into it!

Time Stamps:

• 0:00:00 - Show Intro and Elite Choice
• 0:09:30 - Hobby Progress & War on The Shore
• 1:26:30 - Why Terrain & Layouts Define 40k
• 2:06:40 - Final Thoughts and show closing

Relevant Links:

• The Independent Characters Patreon
• Tablewar! - SPONSOR
• Herrick Games & Hobbies - SPONSOR
• Grimdark Compendium
• Games Workshop
• The Black Library

The end of 2024 brings us around to our annual Warhammer 40k Year in Review Episode. Typically we go down an entire list of all releases for the year and weigh in on our opinions of them. However, this year we have a lot to celebrate here and so we are going to change it up a little bit. Not only is it the end of 2024 and the beginning of a new year, it is the 250th Episode of The Independent Characters Podcast. And although we took a couple of breaks on the way here, we have indeed made it to this milestone episode.

However, for us it isn't about quantity so much as it is about quality. So we will take some time to discuss a little bit of the history of the show, where we see it going, and what is going on currently.

Then, instead of boiling 2024 down to a list of releases by Games Workshop, we will discuss our various favorites of the year in depth. What was our favorite game played of the year? Who was our favorite opponent? What was our favorite release? All of this and more will be discussed as we meander through our opening episode of 2025!

And while we don't know exactly how much longer we will have Campbell on our staff before he heads back to the 40k Badcast, we have him now.

We hope you enjoy Episode 250!

Time Stamps:

• 0:00:00 - Show Intro, Elite Choice, Hobby Progress, and Games Played
• 0:48:00 - 2024 Year in Review: Pt 1
• 1:28:30 - 2024 Year in Review: Pt 2
• 2:02:00 - Final Discussion and Show Closing

Relevant Links:

Relevant Links:

• The Independent Characters Patreon
• Tablewar! - SPONSOR
• Herrick Games & Hobbies - SPONSOR
• Goonhammer Media Network
• Adepticon
• Games Workshop
• The Black Library
• SeeWaaagh's (Andrew) Instagram Feed

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