Back from break! The Long War crew reunites for the first 2026 podcast. We talk about vacations, time off, and catch up on all things hobby. Tune in!
Another Long War Two-Fer is here: Keep those hobby muscles strong with this week’s webcast and the latest exciting podcast of table-top wargaming awesomeness, mostly centered around Warhammer 40k.
The Long War: Episode 496
Article Table of Contents:
Show Summary:
This week, the crew discusses the break and their return in the new year! Here are the key takeaways, section by section:
- (00:00 to 11:13) The crew reunites for the new year, with Wyatt giving a blunt update on his recovery: he left extended VA care after feeling stuck in a loop of “ask the surgeon, ask the floor doctors, repeat,” and dealing with delays caused by complications and limited treatment options. He highlights how much better things felt once he was back home with friends and support nearby.
- (11:13 to 12:27) They ditch the original show plan and pivot into a loose “catch-up and questions” vibe, with chat driving the topics and Wyatt back in the “40k expert” seat.
- (12:27 to 20:46) “Cave of Wonders” returns with a chaotic would-you-rather: never touch electronics again vs never be touched by a different gender (or whoever you’re into), which spirals into jokes about voice assistants, outsourcing button-pressing, and the inevitable “this is how we get the Matrix” energy.
- (21:17 to 27:42) Mike talks getting deep into USPSA: classifiers, ranking goals (currently B-class aiming higher), and a funny moment where fellow shooters recognized him from a Long War sticker on his car. Side tangent into cowboy action shooting and a bizarre “high noon” balloon-pop quickdraw concept.
- (28:53 to 32:28) Hobby pain stories: dropped minis, shattered bases, and a legendary disaster where models were left behind a car and got reverse-parked into. Rob tops it with a “metal Chaos dreadnought sticks the landing” miracle story.
- (32:28 to 37:02) Holiday recap: Rob got sick (thought it was food poisoning, then the “super flu”), enjoyed having Wednesdays free, squeezed in more gaming, and got the “where are you” texts when he skipped his usual spot.
- (37:02 to 46:29) Gift games and collecting talk: they compare white elephant rule sets, share standout gifts (including a Mountain Dew Baja Blast Snuggie and JoyToy figures), and Mike explains he’s selling off a lot of long-held Star Wars collectibles to clear space, leaning into the idea that objects should not “own” you or shame you.
- (49:34 to 50:49) Q&A hits 40k: Wyatt talks Ultramarines Victrix Guard changes (losing a wound is not a big deal to him), prepping for the Games Workshop Palm Springs Open, and list tweaks from points shifts.
- (51:08 to 1:02:27) Hobby product warning and masking tips: Wyatt blasts the new Army Painter washes after experiencing paint lifting/stripping even over varnish, while others note mixed results and suggest it could be QC or suspension/medium changes. They agree oil washes are strong, Monument washes are “decent,” and silly putty (the real egg-brand) works for masking, especially for vehicles and camo patterns, while liquid mask can become a permanent nightmare if left too long.
- (1:05:53 to 1:06:17) Wrap-up: quick plug for Adepticon tickets going on sale Sunday, and they expect their largest Long War doubles yet.
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- Bourbon & Bolters Retreat
- Monument Hobbies Paints
- Get your Warhammer and hobby supplies from Fabricators Forge
- J15 Games Has Your Game Aides, Tokens & Templates!
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