What changed your hobby life this decade? Here’s what we think are the biggest products that in 2019 most hobbyists use on a regular basis now.
The hobby world has exploded and in the past decade, we’ve seen some incredible advancements that you might have not realized were actually pretty new relatively speaking.
Here are our top 5 picks for hobby tech and products that almost everyone uses today.
5. Game mats (Gamemat EU, FLG Mat etc...)
Game mats have been a while for a hot minute but Gamemat.eu has exploded into the market with some incredible settings and warzones. The most basic of tabletop gear (beyond an army) is probably going to be the game mat. While it’s simple in thought, it adds so much depth and immersion to your games it’s almost indispensable these days.
4. Airbrush Gear for Miniatures & Paints
Paint has been around for thousands of years. But there was a time where our selection was extremely limited. Airbrush companies began creating tech that was less for model planes and more for smaller, higher-detailed plastic minis. Since then, we’ve seen companies like Spray Gunner come into the market loaded with all kinds of painting gear perfect for the hobby table.
As far as paints go, GW’s Citadel paint has expanded its initial paint selection from the ’80s and ’90s. However, other paints like Scale75 and Vallejo have also come in clutch with all sorts of shades. There’s no color we can’t achieve at this day in age, especially thought the airbrush.
3. TableWar Cases
Tablewar cases are hard-shell cases that use metal trays instead of the traditional foam that models are tucked into. With the biggest tabletop games out there being 40k and Age of Sigmar, we’ve seen some pretty spindly minis on the tables. From Sylvaneth and Nighthaunt to anything Chaos in 40k, there are so many spikey bits (no pun intended) that need to be protected.
Luckily, with a TableWar case, you can magnetize your minis to the tray and have them protected by simply not touching anything. If you drop your case or have to slam on the brakes, your minis won’t go anywhere.
2. Battlefoam
If you’re a traditionalist or don’t want to fool around with magnets, Battlefoam is actually newer-ish to the game than you might think and could be just right for you. Obviously, pre-cut foam is used to protect your minis and if you’ve got a bunch of smaller, non-spikey units like Space Marines, this may be the way to go. Foam still remains as probably the most popular way hobbyists store their collections worldwide. Plus they have a similar product to the TableWar case above as well.
1. YouTube
This might come as a shock, but the last ten years have been the decade of videos and streaming. While YouTube has grown into a mainstay app for everyone on social media, YouTube is also a goldmine for hobby content like painting/basing techniques.
With all of these five covered, which do you use the most for the hobby? How much have hobby channels on YouTube taught you?
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About the Author: Wesley Floyd
Wesley Floyd
Job Title: Staff Writer
Joined: 2018
Socials:@RealmbrushPainting
About Wesley Floyd: Wes has been in the Warhammer hobby since 2015 and joined the Spikey Bits writing team in 2018. He is known for his satirist takes on trending topics and imaginative yet amazingly affordable hobby solutions to painting Warhammer miniatures.
Imperial fanboy, tabletop fanatic, and the self-proclaimed King of Sprues. He knows for a fact that Mephiston red is the best-tasting paint and is the commission painting equivalent of a Wendy’s 4 for $4. If you like what he writes and want to contact him or have your tabletop minatures painted (to a mostly okayish standard), message him on Instagram.
