About Me


Jeff Hiatt Been a gamer and a hobbyist since I was a wee lad. Can't remember a time in my life when it hasn't been present one way or another.

Building Warbands and Battling in Strange Worlds: A Space Weirdos Night Recap

November 13, 2024


Recently, I had the pleasure of hosting a Space Weirdos game night for a group of friends interested in learning the game. Space Weirdos is a fast-paced, skirmish-style miniatures game set in a strange, sci-fi universe where players assemble small warbands to fight intense battles in a variety of imaginative environments. The game emphasizes quick, chaotic combat and flexible warband creation, making it accessible for new players while still allowing veterans to dive deep into strategy. With straightforward rules and a focus on quirky, unpredictable gameplay, Space Weirdos invites players to lean into its whimsical, sci-fi weirdness.

To kick off the evening, I gathered an assortment of miniatures so everyone could create a warband that felt unique and personal.

We spent some time exploring the rulebook, discussing the game’s system for assembling warbands, and looking at how different unit types could complement each other. Space Weirdos encourages creativity in both figure selection and tactical choices, so players were free to mix and match to create teams that fit their style. It was rewarding to see everyone building squads with distinct personalities, from alien mercenaries and rogue soldiers to robots and mutant creatures.

For variety, I set up two themed tables, each designed to offer a unique setting and tactical challenges. The first table had an industrial, Necromunda-inspired look with dark, rusty structures, narrow corridors, and hazardous terrain. This setup gave players the opportunity to experiment with close-quarters combat and find creative ways to use cover and terrain features to their advantage.

The second table offered a more open, forested environment, allowing for long-range attacks and maneuvering around natural cover. Players could approach battles from different angles, using trees, rocky outcroppings, and small clearings to their benefit.

The contrasting environments allowed us to explore different tactics, and it was fun to see how each table influenced the way people played.

Once we got into the games, we split up into two groups: three players on the industrial table and two on the forest table. Throughout the evening, we rotated opponents and switched tables, giving everyone a chance to experiment with different strategies and warband compositions. One of the highlights was seeing how each player adapted their approach based on their environment and their opponent’s warband. The industrial table encouraged a lot of sneaky, close-range ambushes, while the forest table led to more careful positioning and long-range exchanges.

With each game, everyone became more comfortable with the rules, and it was exciting to watch the strategic depth of Space Weirdos unfold as players tried new tactics and adjusted their strategies. Some leaned into aggressive, all-out attacks, while others preferred hit-and-run tactics or defensive positioning. The fast-paced nature of the game meant that no match lasted too long, allowing us to play multiple rounds and try different matchups.

All in all, the evening was a big success. Hosting a Space Weirdos night gave us the perfect excuse to dive into this quirky game, experiment with fun setups, and enjoy an evening of light-hearted, tactical gameplay. It was a great way to bring people together, introduce a new game, and share a few laughs as we explored the wild, unpredictable universe of Space Weirdos. Looking forward to setting up more game nights like this and seeing how everyone’s warbands evolve with each new session!

 

Update on Battle of Scarif Event for KublaCon

November 12, 2024

For KublaCon this coming May, I'm deep into prepping my Battle of Scarif recreation from Rogue One. This idea took root last year when I found a massive haul of Star Wars: Legion minis at the flea market, which really drove my focus toward a Star Wars theme. Originally, I’d thought of setting up a pirate game with some Blood and Plunder miniatures that I had purchased, but after finding these minis, it made sense to shift toward a Scarif-themed event. I've previously hosted X-Wing games, bu...


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Scenario: the Bounty

November 11, 2024
The Bounty - Hunt for the Bounty

Here is a new scenario that I put together for Space Weirdos. In this scenario, players each lead a team of bounty hunters tracking the bounty through a rugged landscape filled with traps. The objective is to capture (kill) the bounty by the end of turn 6. If the bounty survives, they escape, and all players lose.

Setup

  • Board Setup: Use a 3'x3' board with craggy, rugged terrain featuring rocks, cliffs, and obstacles.
  • Objective: Captur...

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My Morning Ritual

November 6, 2024
Every morning, I try to get up early to carve out a bit of quiet time for myself before heading to work. This is my chance to sneak in some painting – even if it’s just for a few minutes. I started doing this to get a little closer to saying, “Yes, I painted today.” But over time, it’s become something more. It’s a form of meditation, a way to center myself before diving into the day. And as a nice bonus, it helps me tackle the ever-growing “shelf of shame” and reduce the gray...

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Peak X-Wing

November 4, 2024

I look back at this picture, and for me, it represents the peak of my X-Wing experiences. This was right before the game transitioned to its second edition, and as you can see, I was fully immersed in it. The event was called "40,000 Credits," and it was a high-energy, imaginative scenario centered around a crash site in an asteroid field. The goal? Navigate through the field, avoid intense Imperial and Rebel skirmishes, and secure as much loot as possible over six rounds.

The premise was simp...


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On the Road Gaming Adventure

November 3, 2024


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I'm still on the road, but that's not stopping me from squeezing in some gaming time! Although I wasn't able to meet up with any friends this time around, I made the most of the trip by stopping by a local game store and even getting a solo game session in my hotel room last night. 

I played the *G.I. Joe Deck-Building Game*, which is a really neat co-op game that’s perfect for multiple players. It’s been a while since I last played it, so I felt a little rusty, but it all came back to me...

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On the Road: Painting Streak, Hobby Shop Visits, and Halberdiers for Joan of Arc

November 1, 2024

Today’s entry isn’t particularly groundbreaking, but it’s a snapshot of the joys of traveling with hobbies in tow. Right now, I’m on the road, but I've brought along my painting kit to keep up with my daily painting streak. This weekend’s project? Painting up some halberdiers for *Time of Legends: Joan of Arc.* There’s something satisfying about squeezing in some brush time, even when traveling, and I love keeping the streak alive, one halberdier at a time.

I’m down in Southern C...

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Diving into the Terminator Genisys Miniatures Game + A Six-Player Showdown at KublaCon

October 30, 2024

The Terminator Genisys Miniatures Game captures the desperate struggle between Skynet’s machines and the Human Resistance, with streamlined rules that make it easy to pick up and play. At KublaCon, I ran a six-player event using these rules, where the game delivered both cinematic moments and nail-biting tension. Despite being pummeled throughout most of the session, the Resistance pulled off a last-minute victory against all odds, which kept everyone engaged to the very end.

Straightforward...

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GottCon: Growing Community and Giving Back through Tabletop Gaming

October 30, 2024

This past July, we hosted our second annual GottCon event, and it was an incredible experience! Our mission goes beyond just gathering tabletop enthusiasts; GottCon was created to support the Masonic Youth Orders and to offer a welcoming, introductory convention for those who may have never attended a game convention before. With a focus on accessibility, camaraderie, and community support, GottCon is a space where gamers of all backgrounds can come together for a great cause. Planning is alr...


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Battle of Crécy – A Tale of Longbows, Charges, and Hard Lessons in Joan of Arc: Time of Legends

October 29, 2024

Lately, I’ve been diving into Joan of Arc: Time of Legends, and our most recent session brought us to the iconic Battle of Crécy. If you’re familiar with the history, you know this was a critical battle where English strategy, terrain, and weather worked together to devastating effect on the French forces.

In our game, my friend John commanded the English, while I took the role of the French. The scenario begins with the Genoese crossbowmen already retreating in disarray, adding immediate...


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