The Tolling of the Dark Bell

August 20, 2024 at 3:56 pm (Miniature Gaming)
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It arrived the other day, and by it, I mean the complete Idols of Torment package. In addition to coming in a nice cardboard box that I’ll probably use for some terrain piece or another, the package was well equipped: gorgeous hardback, set of cards with tokens, bespoke bag with activation tokens and the Lost minis.

I’ve had a chance to read through the book, and I’ve enjoyed it cover to cover. As a first rules/rulebook/minis outing, the Black Magic Craft team turned in a very impressive book. Game play is interesting – Players are competing with each other to reap the Lost, so there’s two targets. Some of the powers (open to both Players) allow outright manipulation of the board and terrain: moving pieces, removing or adding new pieces during play.

I’m still thinking about which of the official BMC Idol minis I might want. In the meantime, I’ve gotten my first band – a group of The Strife – put together using some old Citadel Beastmen. They’re about battle ready, I think.

Definitely eager to get a game or three of this one in.

Until next time, be well and good gaming!

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Checking Out Idols of Torment

August 9, 2024 at 5:52 pm (Miniature Gaming)
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I recently discovered the indie skirmish game Idols of Torment via (and from/by) Black Magic Craft (“BMC”). I’ve been watching BMC as I’m working on a variety of terrain for wargames, and leaning into using recycled material (i.e., trash). I find it an entertaining and easy to watch show. In any event, while watching, I realized they’re recently made their own skirmish game: Idols of Torment. It’s not the usual fare.

I won’t give all the details on the setting. It’s sort of a Purgatoric place – a smash up of ruined Heaven and Hell. Lots of gray. It’s also got a very Hell Raiser feel to it. Each Player controls a warband of 9 models – 8 Idols on 32mm bases and a single Totem on a 50mm base. Players fight over a ruined landscape trying to reap the souls and energy from The Lost, which are wandering … human souls.

There’s standard play, and then a series of scenarios – many of which require a unique terrain piece. Now, this an indie game from a crafter with crafting community support. So, I really took this as an exciting challenge. BMC isn’t selling any pieces for those scenarios, so whatever you think a “Gate of Heaven” is that meets the scenario requirements, go for it. There’s also a nice section on terrain crafting for the game in the book.

There’s a free PDF of the basic rules to try before you buy (or don’t). I really liked what I was seeing, and have the full PDF, and a hardcopy book en route. I’ve been building up a couple warbands using models on hand. I’ve also built a few terrain pieces, as I was really inspired:

All three of the above pieces were done with some scrap wood, wood 3mm bases (intended for DBA), rocks from my yard, paper towel cardboard tube, Mod Podge, PVA glue, hot glue gun, and paints.

Needless to say, I’m excited to get my hands on the hardcopy book, and get a few games of Idols of Torment in. I’ll post the warbands as I get them completed.

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