The Tabletop Miniature Game

For many, Battle Bunker is a peculiar find in the parade of comparably pedestrian consumer electronics stores at Funan. The shop front sports shelves dressed curiously in parti-coloured figurines of what could be best described as futuristic soldiers and combat vehicles. At first look, the collection resembles a parcel of factory painted models but a closer inspection reveals the fine craftsmanship of hobbyists who meticulously assemble and brush each part of a model with a sure hand.

The models in question here are part of the massive Warhammer 40,000 family. The franchise has its roots in tabletop miniatures but has expanded into a number of novels and a series of critically acclaimed strategy videogames in recent years. The reward is a science fiction universe that has become steeped in folklore and a renewed interest in the models. If you are keen in a little adventure and competition, you could extend the pride of your hand painted models onto a tabletop battlefield of handmade or pre-made terrain and elements.

The brainchild of friends and esteemed Warhammer 40,000 enthusiasts Kenny Tan and Daniel Levinge, Battle Bunker was opened 2 months ago when they realised that there was a void in the local market for such a hobby and sunk $400,000 into this work of passion and love. Within the mosaic walls, this cosy space is one part extensive library of Warhammer 40,000 merchandise, one part remarkable gallery of beautifully hand painted miniatures and most parts a convenient place where you can gather with your friends and other fellow hobbyists to assemble, paint and play a tabletop game of Warhammer 40,000.

in2it.sg recently visited Battle Bunker and chatted with the gregarious Daniel about Warhammer 40,000 and his store but we didn’t leave before asking for some friendly advice on how we could get started!

Could you briefly describe the current Warhammer 40,000 tabletop miniature scene in Singapore?

I believe that this hobby has been growing healthily here. We are getting many people who come into the store and say that they want to get started. Different people enjoy different aspects of the hobby. Some enjoy the assembly of the models while others prefer the painting, and some just want to play the tabletop game. There are people who enjoy a little of each but there are also others who exclusively engage in one aspect of the hobby. For example, I would consider myself more of a player.

What is the thing about Warhammer 40,000 that attracts you the most?

I think the chance to interact with other people of similar interests appeals to me. I constantly get to know new people and I really enjoy that. This hobby also attracts me because it lets me explore my imagination. For instance, if I imagine something on the tabletop battlefield, I can actually build it and put it there. There is so much freedom involved in a game of Warhammer 40,000 as well. We can play huge armies or limit ourselves to a small scale battle. We can have different modes and objectives. The game also teaches you some of the things you would use in life like decision making and target priority.

We are interested. Could you tell us how the game plays?

It’s a turn-based game. To make a move, you roll a dice. Get a 6 and you can move 6 inches forward. If the shooting skills of my soldiers aren’t too good, I have to move them closer to the opponent’s soldier to be able to shoot him. There’s a chart to refer to. The game also has melee soldiers and vehicular combat so all in all, there is a great variety of units.

Battle Bunker sells exclusively Warhammer 40,000 tabletop miniatures. What about tabletop miniatures from other franchises? How is Warhammer 40,000 different from other such franchises?

Among all the tabletop miniature games, Warhammer 40,000 is the most popular here. But if someone comes into the store one day and tells me that he would like to introduce another game to me, I would be fine with it. I think Warhammer 40,000 also has the widest range of miniatures. The rules are very fair and the game is balanced. There won’t be a unit that’s super strong and another that’s weak. I also like the fact that there are other materials like novels and even audiobooks that allow people to immerse themselves in the folklore.

A handful of well-received Warhammer 40,000 strategy videogames have been published in recent years. Do you think the enthusiasm for the videogames has translated into more success for the franchise’s tabletop miniatures?

We have players who have played the videogames and are interested to learn more about the tabletop game and vice versa. I guess this balances everything out. But there are still things that the videogames cannot emulate. For example, if I do something funny and laugh, I get to see the others’ reactions. This isn’t possible with the videogames. I also get to sit and talk to you as we play.

What would you say to someone who is interested in the game but too busy to pick it up?

Our store offers commission painting. If you have a packed schedule or simply don’t have the luxury of time, you can actually engage any of our 2 resident painters to fix and paint the models for you. Then all you need to do is amass your collection of figurines and you would be ready! Most importantly, you could just come down to learn more about this hobby first and not worry about the painting.

What direction do you see Warhammer 40,000 and Battle Bunker heading in the near future?

We believe that the franchise is going to have a larger following. More parents are bringing their kids into the store and telling me that they would like to get their kids interested in this hobby as it allows a good break away from the computer games yet still gives excitement and fun. There’s a distinct feeling between being able to play a videogame and enjoy the action on the screen and being able to touch your models and tangibly control the action. Battle Bunker will expand to include more outlets when the demand arises. We are actually actively encouraging people to join the hobby by offering workshops that allow people to learn how to assemble and paint the models, and play the game.  

Battle Bunker
Address 109 North Bridge Road, #05-42, Funan DigitaLife Mall
Opening Hours from 11.30am
Tel 6338 5778
Website http://www.facebook.com/pages/Battle-Bunker-Funan/170298286381852

Story by Loh Yong Jian