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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think that 8 is too young to start playing 'Warhammer'?

78 replies

MimiSam · 23/11/2011 12:54

My DS wants to start, but I thought it was something more appropriate for older chidlrem , even teenagers...

OP posts:
Esta3GG · 23/11/2011 12:55

YANBU.
Just because he wants to, doesn't mean he should.
I am staggered by the violent crap some parents allow their young kids access to.

JLK2 · 23/11/2011 12:57

It's an expensive hobby. I can't see why it'd be unsuitable for an 8 year old though. It's not really any different to playing with toy soldiers, just with rules and moves etc.

Jins · 23/11/2011 12:58

Most of the children that you see in Games Workshop are about 8. Mine had lost interest completely by 10.

It was all about painting the figures...

CMOTdibbler · 23/11/2011 12:59

I think thats about the normal age to start playing - its not violent particularly, and as its very rule driven (but needs a lot of imagination) very good for socially awkward boys in particular

Kayano · 23/11/2011 12:59

Never too young for games.

BeattieBow · 23/11/2011 12:59

mine was around that age. He is less interested now at 12.

I think it is quite a harmless, if expensive, hobby.

pinkhebe · 23/11/2011 13:00

my 8 yr old plays it with his 11yr old brother, he's been playing since he was about 8.

It's only fun if he can get his friends interested enough to play with him

Proudnscary · 23/11/2011 13:01

My ds didn't 'play' it but he painted the figures at 8 and enacted his own, mild, battle games!

AFuckingFestiveKnackeredWoman · 23/11/2011 13:01

Oh my 9 year old loves it. He spends hours in the games workshop shop dibbling over trolls and such.

Its harmeless

Himalaya · 23/11/2011 13:02

Warhammer is hardly graphically violent though is it Esta? There is a lot of make believe violence in it but they are basically moving little plastic figures around on a board and making all the rest up in their head.

Mimi - my 8 year old started playing warhammer this year (after much advice and explanation from the gathered wisdom of MN).

To be honest he finds the game part quite hard and I don't think he really gets the subtlety of the strategy, but he likes the collecting, making and painting a lot. And he loves hanging around in the shop talking to the other nerds boys and working on his models.

Has your son been to the shop for a beginners lesson - they are really friendly - go in and ask and they will teach your son to play, and also teach him to paint (both for free, you will need two separate sessions, sometimes you can just walk in and they will do a lesson, or if they are busy make an appointment for later).

The weekly beginners sessions are good too.

AFuckingFestiveKnackeredWoman · 23/11/2011 13:02

dribbling sorry

AMumInScotland · 23/11/2011 13:03

DS started about then - it really depends if your DS has the attention-span and focus to be interested in something with a lot of rules, and to make and paint the models. If so, its quite a good hobby, though it can get expensive.

If you don't want to have to get too involved, try to make sure he gets the plastic models you can use plastic cement on, and not any metal ones which need superglue, unless you're very confident of him not glueing his fingers together! (Oh and cold water sets the glue so if he or you get it on fingers, keep them apart and put under the tap!)

CailinDana · 23/11/2011 13:04

My DH is nearly 30 and he still plays the bloody thing! It's not at all violent - it's basically a board game with very complicated rules. I think DH would say 8 is a bit young unless he's particularly able because the rules are a lot to handle and the painting can be difficult for small hands. However if he's genuinely interested then I would definitely say go for it. I think it's a fab hobby and having known many many gamers down through the years I would say they are a wonderful friendly lot. It takes a lot of concentration, uses loads of maths skills, requires forethought and skill and is a very social hobby. It does tend to attract the more geeky variety of child but IME these turn out to be great teenagers and lovely men :)

wigglybeezer · 23/11/2011 13:04

My seven year old plays with his 10 year old brother and his Dad (not everyone grows out of it Grin).

Esta3GG · 23/11/2011 13:05

It all depends on what you have in your home - we don't do weapons, toy soldiers etc. I think a lot of the Warhammer stuff is pretty vile and is all about weapons and aggression.

CailinDana · 23/11/2011 13:06

Just to add - I really really hope my DS is into it when he's older as DH can supply him with all the models he'll ever need and it'll be great to send the two of them off out to games and such. Oh and it'd be good for him or something.

Kayano · 23/11/2011 13:07

Buy him Carcassonne! Best board game ever!!!!

OhdearNigel · 23/11/2011 13:08

Warhammer isn't violent ! It's a strategy game with dice and models that you assemble and paint yourself. My BFs husband is heavily into it and his little boy of 4.5 is always desperate to get involved.

Warhammer is a great hobby, 8 is definitely not too young

shinyrobot · 23/11/2011 13:08

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Esta3GG · 23/11/2011 13:10

"some fight for the joy of slaughter or to slake an insatiable thirst for carnage."

from Warhammer site.

Himalaya · 23/11/2011 13:11

...I suppose so. The expense put me off more than the tiny futuristic/fantasy weaponry. Its not like Nerf guns where the kids are actually shooting at each other (...I admit it, we have Nerf guns too).

The actual game play itself (and the painting bit) seems much less aggressive than a game of football.

OhdearNigel · 23/11/2011 13:11

Another thing is that WH is a brilliant answer to relatives wanting ideas for inexpensive Christmas presents. There are stacks of books, magazines, paints, models etc so aunties and uncles need never be stuck for a present - ranging from £1.20 to over £100

My advice is to try and get him into an army that is readily available on ebay - woodelves are very popular and you will be able to pick up some great 2nd hand bargains.

Kayano · 23/11/2011 13:11

Key word: 'some'

OhdearNigel · 23/11/2011 13:13

Esta, I suspect that you are quoting an excerpt from a character description (eg a chaos demon or a berserker), not a description of why some people get into WH. Please quote the whole paragraph you lifted that from to make it fair.

OhdearNigel · 23/11/2011 13:15

Ah, found it. Talk about quoting out of context.

The Warhammer world is rich with history and legend, aeons of bloodshed and conflict have shaped both its surface and its denizens into a world of relentless battle. It is the battleground between the forces of Order and Destruction, where vast armies clash in mighty battles with the fate of the world hanging in the balance

Many races wage war upon the face of world, each fighting for a different cause or purpose. Some fight for freedom and the safety of their citizens, some for the joy of slaughter or to slake an insatiable thirst for carnage. Others do battle for the entertainment of the Dark Gods, seeking the enslavement of all mortal

Warhammer is the Game of Fantasy Battles, a thrilling test of tactical skill and strategy. Warhammer is far more than just a game though, it's also an absorbing hobby where you can collect, model and paint armies of exquisite miniatures

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