Last week, I had one of those rare moments where the planets align—or at least, the dice roll favorably. While lurking in a Discord server dedicated to Oldhammer, I struck up a conversation with another local enthusiast named Cody. Before long, we agreed to set up a skirmish campaign—because nothing revives the old-school spirit like a few good-natured, low-stakes battles where a single unlucky roll can send your general plummeting off a cliff.
Of course, a campaign needs organization, and like all great ideas that spiral out of control, it quickly evolved into something bigger. Enter Music City Oldhammer, a brand-new community for like-minded players in the area. Unlike your average open-invite gaming group, this one has a very specific membership requirement: you must be fun to play with. No rules lawyers, and definitely no one who thinks their 40-minute movement phase is a thrilling spectator event. Just players who enjoy the game for what it is—a chance to roll dice, tell stories, and share some beers.
Right now, I’m out of town, but that doesn’t mean progress has stalled. By the time I get back next week, I should have some of my Wood Elves models waiting for me in the mail—my chosen force for the skirmish campaign that kicks off at the end of the month. I’ll be diving into painting them immediately, which means bracing myself for the joys of shading tiny cloaks and highlighting pointy ears.
If all goes well, by the end of the month, Music City Oldhammer will be up and running with its first campaign and I’ll be painting the army I always obsessed over as a kid. Cheers!
Hello, and welcome to Herohammer Chronicles! My name is Douglas, and I currently live in Tennessee, USA. Warhammer has been a passion of mine since childhood, and my journey with the game began in the late 90s during the golden era of 5th Edition.
I was fortunate enough to befriend the owner of a brand-new local gaming shop near me, which set me on the path of collecting and playing Warhammer. My first purchases were the 5th Edition boxed set and the Magic supplement, quickly followed by the Lizardmen army book, a Stegadon, and a Slann Mage-Priest. I devoured those books, pouring over the rules, the stunning artwork, and the vibrant models that defined the era. I was hooked.
For years, I played 5th and then 6th Edition regularly. I was deeply involved in the local Warhammer club, attended tournaments, and even organized a wildly successful Skirmish league. Our club was a rowdy bunch—often enjoying a few beers in the parking lot between rounds—but above all, we had an absolute blast playing and sharing the hobby.
Then came a career-induced move, taking me away from my gaming group just as 7th Edition rolled in. The game began to shift, with an endless stream of new, ever-more-powerful releases that drained both the flavor and the charm I had loved. Unable to find a new club that clicked, my passion faded. Eventually, I sold off nearly everything, believing I was done with Warhammer for good.
Fast forward a decade later, and lightning strikes again. My son, now in his early 20s, mentions that he’s starting a Warhammer 40k army. I’m currently working on a Thousand Sons army now, planning to do some gaming with him whenever I go to visit.
Hearing GW had released another ‘square base’ game, I started thinking “what if…;” I began to check out the lay of the land and stumbled upon communities celebrating the golden age of Warhammer, reveling in the classic style of the 90s, and even reviving the magic of Herohammer—a term coined to describe the hero-driven, cinematic battles of 4th and 5th Edition. The nostalgia hit hard.
Researching current options for model acquisition, I took a look at the price of old miniatures on eBay, chuckled at GW’s half-hearted attempt at supporting the Old World, and made a decision: I bought a 3D printer. This will be my main source of miniatures moving forward, allowing me to recreate the aesthetic I fell in love with.
However, there is one army I refuse to print—an army that always eluded me in my younger years but remained my ultimate Warhammer obsession: Wood Elves. I don’t care how long it takes, but I am committed to building a classic 5th Edition Wood Elves army, using the original metal miniatures I once dreamed of owning. It’s a personal quest, a tribute to the era that shaped my love for this hobby.
Here at Herohammer Chronicles, I’ll be documenting my journey as I hunt down those old models, paint them in all their 90s glory, and dive deep into the classic White Dwarf articles, rulebooks, and artwork that made Warhammer so special. This blog is my way of sharing that adventure, reconnecting with the hobby, and hopefully making some new friends along the way.
If you’re a fellow Herohammer enthusiast, a collector of classic miniatures, or just someone who remembers the wild, beer-fueled fun of Warhammer’s golden age, then welcome—I think we’ll get along just fine.
Herohammer Chronicles 