Hey there, fellow hobbyists! Ever dreamt of leading your own army, strategizing on a miniature battlefield, and watching your creations come to life? Well, buckle up, because we're diving headfirst into Hachette's Combat Patrol, a fantastic entry point into the exciting world of miniature wargaming! This series, offered by Hachette, is designed to guide both newbies and seasoned veterans through the process of building, painting, and playing with Warhammer 40,000 miniatures. Combat Patrol specifically focuses on introducing players to the Astra Militarum (Imperial Guard) faction. This is a brilliant starting point since it is a great army that has a wealth of miniatures to choose from. Let's break down what makes Hachette's Combat Patrol so appealing and why it might just be your next favorite hobby.

What is Hachette's Combat Patrol?

So, what exactly is this Combat Patrol thing, anyway? In a nutshell, it's a subscription series that delivers everything you need to build a playable Astra Militarum force right to your doorstep, piece by piece. Each issue comes with models, paints, tools, and a detailed magazine to guide you through the process. Hachette’s Combat Patrol is a curated collection designed to make starting in Warhammer 40,000 easier and more accessible, especially for newcomers. The subscription format is brilliant; it breaks down the initial investment into manageable chunks, making the hobby more affordable. The Combat Patrol series isn't just about collecting models; it's about a complete hobby experience. It teaches you how to assemble, paint, and play with your miniatures. Think of it as a guided tour of the Warhammer 40,000 universe. Every issue builds on the previous one, and the magazines provide clear instructions, painting guides, and background lore. You get to learn about the Astra Militarum, their role in the grim darkness of the far future, and the strategies for using them on the tabletop. The gradual build allows you to grow your force, learn at your own pace, and enjoy the hobby without feeling overwhelmed. The Combat Patrol series includes a variety of units, from infantry squads to heavy weapons teams and even vehicles, providing a well-rounded and versatile force. This ensures that you can experience the different aspects of the game and have a solid foundation for expanding your army. The focus on a single faction, the Astra Militarum, keeps things streamlined and focused. This simplifies the decision-making process for beginners. The instructions are clear and easy to follow. Each step is illustrated, and the magazines offer tips and tricks for both building and painting. This makes the hobby less daunting and more enjoyable, even if you have no prior experience with miniatures. It’s like having a personal mentor guiding you through every stage. What's more, the Combat Patrol magazines are packed with lore, introducing you to the rich background of Warhammer 40,000. You'll learn about the Astra Militarum's history, their structure, their heroes, and their place in the Imperium. This adds another layer of enjoyment to the hobby. And, hey, who doesn't love getting mail? The anticipation of each new issue is part of the fun. Overall, the Hachette Combat Patrol is more than just a model kit; it is a gateway to a whole new world.

What You Get in Each Issue

Each issue of Hachette's Combat Patrol is like a little treasure chest of hobby goodness. You'll receive a mix of things, meticulously chosen to progress your army and skills. Generally, you can expect the following: new miniature models to assemble, paints and brushes to bring your miniatures to life, detailed instructions to guide you through the assembly and painting process, the magazine itself, full of useful information, tips, lore, and game rules. The models themselves are from the Astra Militarum range. These are quality miniatures, the same ones you would buy separately in a hobby store. They're made of plastic and require assembly, which is part of the fun. You'll get different unit types in the series, including infantry squads, heavy weapons teams, and vehicles. This variety ensures you have a well-rounded force for your Combat Patrol games. The paints are typically acrylic paints, specifically formulated for miniatures. They come in various colors, enabling you to replicate the official color schemes or create your own unique look for your army. Brushes are included, too, so you have the essential tools to start painting right away. Each issue of the magazine provides clear, step-by-step instructions. These instructions are easy to follow, even if you are a beginner. They include detailed illustrations and helpful tips for assembling and painting the models. The magazine is packed with background information about the Astra Militarum, its units, and its place in the Warhammer 40,000 universe. You will also find sections on tactics and strategies for using your army in the game. The magazine serves as a mini-tutorial, teaching you not just how to build and paint, but also how to play the game. The Combat Patrol magazine often provides tips on different painting techniques, such as dry brushing, highlighting, and weathering. It can also include game rules and scenarios specific to your army, allowing you to use your miniatures immediately. The series is very well thought out, ensuring that each issue adds something new and valuable to your growing army and your hobby experience. Overall, it’s designed to be a comprehensive package, guiding you through the hobby from start to finish.

Building and Painting Your Astra Militarum Force

Alright, let's talk about the heart of the hobby: building and painting your Astra Militarum force! This is where you get to unleash your creativity and bring your miniatures to life. The building process typically starts with the models themselves. Each kit comes with plastic sprues, which are frames of the miniature parts. You'll need a set of clippers to carefully remove the parts from the sprues and a hobby knife to clean up any excess plastic. The instructions in the Hachette magazine are your best friend here, guiding you through each step. Assembly can be challenging at first, but with practice, it becomes very rewarding. Painting is where the real magic happens. The Hachette series provides you with all the paints and brushes you need to get started. The magazine gives detailed painting guides, including color schemes and techniques to achieve the desired look. If you are new, it is helpful to start with the basics. First, apply a primer to the models. This provides a base coat that helps the paint adhere better. Next, apply the base colors to each part of the model, which is typically done in thin layers to avoid obscuring the details. Then, using techniques like dry brushing and highlighting, you can add depth and dimension to your miniatures. Dry brushing involves lightly brushing a brush with a small amount of paint over the model's raised areas, while highlighting involves applying a lighter shade of the base color to create contrast. Weathering techniques add a realistic touch to the models, making them look worn and battle-hardened. You can achieve this using washes, which are diluted paints that flow into the recesses and add shadows, or by applying small amounts of dry pigments to simulate dirt and dust. Experimenting with different techniques is part of the fun, so don't be afraid to try new things and see what works best. There is a great sense of satisfaction in painting your miniatures, knowing that you created them. Building and painting is more than just a hobby; it is a therapeutic activity, providing a break from the digital world and allowing you to focus on something tangible. Remember, practice makes perfect. The more you paint, the better you will become. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes; it’s all part of the learning process. The Hachette series is there to support you every step of the way, and the community of fellow hobbyists is always ready to share tips and advice.

Playing the Game: Combat Patrol Gameplay

Once you have built and painted your Astra Militarum miniatures, it is time to deploy them onto the tabletop and play the game! The Combat Patrol format, which is also a game mode in Warhammer 40,000, is a specific way to play where you use a smaller force, making it ideal for beginners. This game mode uses a limited number of models, which is designed to provide an accessible and engaging experience. Here's how it generally works: Combat Patrol games use a defined points limit, which dictates the number of models you can include in your army. This ensures that the games are balanced and that both players have a similar-sized force. The Hachette magazine will provide you with the rules you need to play the game, including instructions on how to set up the battlefield, deploy your forces, and resolve combat. The game involves a series of turns, during which you move your units, engage in ranged and melee combat, and attempt to achieve your mission objectives. The goal of the game is to score more victory points than your opponent by completing objectives. These objectives can include controlling specific areas of the battlefield, eliminating enemy units, or achieving other strategic goals. Combat Patrol games have a dedicated set of rules, often simplifying core gameplay elements, like special abilities, to make the game easier to learn and play. The Astra Militarum is a good army to start with, because it can be adapted to different strategies. You can choose to focus on massed infantry assaults, long-range fire support, or a combination of both. The game requires you to make tactical decisions about how to deploy your forces, how to use terrain to your advantage, and how to manage your resources. You will also learn to master a variety of techniques that allow you to customize your army. The Hachette magazine will provide tips on the rules and strategies for playing the Astra Militarum, including how to use its different units effectively and how to counter the strategies of your opponents. Playing Combat Patrol games is an exciting and strategic experience. Not only do you get to test your skills, you also get to enjoy the miniatures you have worked so hard to build and paint. It’s a great way to meet and connect with other hobbyists.

The Benefits of Hachette's Combat Patrol

Let’s explore the benefits you can expect when starting with Hachette's Combat Patrol. It offers numerous advantages for both new and experienced hobbyists. One of the main advantages is its accessibility. The subscription model breaks down the cost of entry, making the hobby more affordable. The step-by-step instructions and painting guides make it easy to learn, regardless of your experience level. It will provide a guided experience, allowing you to learn the different aspects of the hobby at your own pace. With each new issue, you build a complete army. This approach avoids the overwhelming feeling often associated with collecting a miniatures army. The series provides everything you need to build, paint, and play the game. The inclusion of paints, brushes, and tools eliminates the need for purchasing these items separately. This will teach you many of the skills necessary to master the art of miniature wargaming, including building, painting, and strategizing. The magazines provide in-depth lore about the Warhammer 40,000 universe and the Astra Militarum. This helps you to develop a deeper appreciation for the game's setting. The series is a great way to meet and connect with other hobbyists, sharing your creations, exchanging tips, and building a sense of community. Building, painting, and playing with miniatures has a proven calming effect. It’s a fun way to reduce stress. It allows you to express your creativity. You have the freedom to choose your color schemes, experiment with different techniques, and create unique models that reflect your personal style. It's a great opportunity to improve your focus, patience, and fine motor skills. As you progress through the series, you’ll develop new skills that you can apply to other hobbies. From assembling the miniatures to implementing new game strategies, this series provides you with a rich set of experiences. This can increase your self-esteem, because you have a sense of accomplishment by completing projects and mastering new skills. Ultimately, Hachette's Combat Patrol is a comprehensive package that offers a fun, rewarding, and accessible way to start and enjoy the hobby of miniature wargaming.

Expanding Your Hobby Beyond the Series

So, you’ve built your first Astra Militarum force with Hachette's Combat Patrol, and you're hooked! That's awesome, my friend! Now what? Well, the beauty of the hobby is that it can go in so many directions. Once you finish the Combat Patrol series, there are several ways you can expand your hobby experience. You can grow your Astra Militarum army further. This will allow you to explore different units, experiment with new tactics, and take on more challenging opponents. The Warhammer 40,000 universe is vast, and there are many factions and armies to discover. You could create a new army by purchasing models and learning the rules for your favorite faction. There are countless resources available online and in local hobby stores. You can also improve your painting skills. There are numerous tutorials and guides on YouTube and other platforms that can help you master advanced techniques. Experiment with different styles and methods to bring your miniatures to life. To enhance your gaming experience, consider joining a local gaming group or club. This is a great way to meet fellow hobbyists, play games, and share your creations. You can find clubs in hobby stores or online. Consider participating in tournaments and events. These events provide an opportunity to test your skills, compete against other players, and showcase your army. The Warhammer 40,000 community is vibrant and welcoming. Join online forums and social media groups. Share your work, ask for advice, and connect with other hobbyists around the world. Expand your terrain-building skills to create more immersive and detailed battlefields. You can start with basic terrain pieces like hills, forests, and buildings. Then, as your skills grow, you can create more complex environments. The possibilities are endless. There are also many other tabletop games to explore. Try out other miniature games, board games, or RPGs. Expand your horizons and discover other areas of the gaming world. The key is to keep learning, experimenting, and most importantly, having fun. Hachette's Combat Patrol is an excellent starting point, but the journey does not stop there. It's just the beginning of a lifelong hobby.

Conclusion: Is Hachette's Combat Patrol Worth It?

Alright, folks, the big question: Is Hachette's Combat Patrol worth it? The answer, in my humble opinion, is a resounding YES! Hachette's Combat Patrol provides a fantastic, accessible, and enjoyable way to dive into the world of miniature wargaming. It's perfect for beginners, offering a complete package with clear instructions, paints, tools, and a growing army. The subscription format makes the hobby affordable and allows you to learn at your own pace. With each issue, you get a great value, and the sense of accomplishment is immeasurable. If you are looking for a new hobby or a new adventure in the universe of Warhammer 40,000, then this series is well worth it! I wholeheartedly recommend giving Hachette's Combat Patrol a try. You might just find yourself leading your own miniature army sooner than you think! So go out there, embrace the hobby, and may the Emperor protect you!