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Another weekend, another tabletop gaming show. This weekend saw the latest Chillcon: Sheffield event, and I was lucky enough to attend.
Not many people know that I was part of the team that organised the very first Chillcon, which took place on Saturday, April 1st, 2017, at Ecclesfield School in Sheffield. For that reason, I’m always pleased to attend the show if only to see how the event has evolved. This year’s show was particularly interesting as it was making its debut in a new venue, Hillsborough College. For my part, I really like this new location; it’s spacious, well-lit, and benefits from both an excellent cafe and a large car park.
As with all Chillcon shows, the event also featured a decent array of traders offering a broad cross-section of goods. From wargames to miniatures, boardgames to hobby supplies, I was able to find all the items on my shopping list and, as ever, more besides.
That brings me to the meat of this article: my top picks from the show. Below is a short reprise of the best of the traders at the event. As with last week’s similar review of Airecon, this list is presented in alphabetical order; that order is in no way indicative of the entrants’ comparative merits. Needless to say, it’s also completely subjective, and derived from a vague mixture of personal taste, originality and, in one case, tastiness.
Also, a note on the photography below. I think it’s fair to say that, as far as being a photographer is concerned, I make a great writer. Hopefully, however, I’ve managed to give you at least some idea of what I was looking at…
Cerberus Studios
The brainchild of writer and artist Benjamin Lycett, Cerberus Studios produces an expanding catalogue of highy-detailed fantasy miniatures and equally intricate fiction. The company’s fantasy games also include Celestial Affinity and Mortals Reckoning. both of which boast a range of incredibly detailed 54mm scale miniatures.
See the Cerberus Studios website for more details.
The Lion’s Tower
This isn’t the first time we’ve plugged The Lion’s Tower on Tabletop Sentinel, and it’s unlikely to be the last. The Lion’s Tower sculptor and owner—Dan Kelly —is not only a talented individual, but also incredibly hardworking; this is evidenced by the rate at which Dan releases new miniatures. These new figures hail from a variety of genres and even include some nods toward fantasy favourites and pop-culture icons.
The Lion’s Tower are also behind Crystal Collapse. Designed to transpose the Tactical JRPG experience to your tabletop, Crystal Collapse boasts detailed and dynamic 40mm scale miniatures, vivid terrain and an immersive storyline.
See the Lion’s Tower website for more details.
Nervosa Games
This new company are the brains behind Tribal Conquest. A skirmish games featuring 28mm scale miniature, Tribal Conquest pits opposing tribes against one another in a battle for dominance and Mana; this Mana empowers each tribe’s shaman, allowing them to harness the do battle with, and dominate, rival tribes.
The Tribal Conquest starter set includes two opposing tribes of 12 models each, bases, the core rulebook, a QR sheet and all the dice, tokens and rulers needed to play.
This core set can be expanded by packs of additional warriors, elders, braves and more.
See the Nervosa Games website for more details.
Rogue Hobbies
I’ve been to a lot of tabletop gaming events, and it’s becoming increasingly rare to see a new range which makes my jaw drop; Rogue Hobbies, however, did just that. Their range of 3D printed Rascaltown ‘miniatures’ (at approximately 10cm tall, these critters are anything but miniature!) are bursting with levels of character, detail and originality that’s becoming increasingly rare in the modern hobby. Better still, the painted examples on display sported the sort of riotous colour that put me in mind of The Muppet Show; and in a hobby dominated by models painted in khaki, camo or silver, that’s a very, very good thing.
See the Rogue Hobbies website for more detail.
Void Scar Miniatures
This indie concern is a relatively new arrival on the wargaming scene. Their catalogue of 1/100 sci-fi models, however, are as good any other you’ll find at this scale, and each faction is imbued with its own particular aesthetic. I’m also particularly enamoured with the modular approach Void Scar have taken to kits such as tanks and other armoured vehicles; this allows players and hobbyists to swap out and adapt their armies to any particular opponent or scenario.
Void Scar also offer their own rules with which to use its miniatures. Entitled From Ashes, these rules are available as a free download on the Void Scar website. Donations to Void Scar in return for said rules are, of course, not only polite, but encouraged.
See the Void Scar website for more details.
Honorary Mention: Cozzmic Cakes
Hands down, Cozzmic Cakes’ owner, Corrine, makes the best cakes you’ll find at any event. not just a tabletop gaming show. The perfect blend of vibrant colour, fluffy cake and delightful toppings, they’re, ahem, the icing on the cake at any show.
