Back to Basics

[TVsCHACHI]

I recently took a few of my MF creations to work to show my co-workers, they dug them, it was cool. I also took the latest copy of the Tweak, much to their surprise they saw that there is a magazine which informs and represents the MF enthusiast.

I was asked how I got started, who turned me on the the hobby, what figures I use, how I make customs, etc. This led to a long, long description, which also illuminated me to the fact that if I had not been hooked from buzz-one I may have turned around ages ago.

The reason is this: it took me over a year before I had enough materials to really swing. Thanks to my wife's understanding of my love for the hobby she let me invest a CHUNK of loot into this, whether at the hobby store, online, eBay, etc.

I fear these things could easily sway a newbie from getting down into the hobby. And so my question is this:
What are the bare bones (and economical) basics for getting started in the hobby?

Boards,
Bases,
Figures,
Tools?

I plan on a big recruiting drive in 2008 so all of this is research for that.


Thanks for your time and thoughts.

[mark robin]

your list is pretty good, about the only thing i can ad is top quality PEOPLE you get involved with. quality folks beats quanity Every time.

[jeff]

Originally Posted by mark robin

your list is pretty good, about the only thing i can ad is top quality PEOPLE you get involved with. quality folks beats quanity Every time.

+ infinity !

[Orleanian In Exile]

A helpful suggestion for newbies would be advise to troll e-Bay and yard sales for used sets. It's surprising what people are willing to throw out —material which is still in very good and in some cases even excellent condition which you can pick up for next to nothing. It may take a bit of work and waiting to find the right deal but it will save the new hobbyist a ton of cash getting started.

[daghstrydr]

I think for newbies also show and tell, invite them over when you are playing that way they see it all in action. I did the samething by taking the tweak mag and my figures to work just for the visual effect of things, then invited some over that I knew remembered the game. They were quite shocked to realize that this is not a "kids game".