40K Fanatics

This week Shane and Austin discuss the best way a new player can get into Warhammer 40K. With the new 11th edition coming soon, we thought it would be a good time to explore this topic. From what boxes to buy, which paints, and the tools you need we discuss it all. Let us know down below how your experience went when you were just getting into the hobby. Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/qGVFHmafqp Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2r2D2uDOYDX6LrZnpzHjYX Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mini-takes-podcast/id1702637657

This week Mini Takes is taking a break from covering the new of Warhammer 40k 11th Edition and instead we're hitting the frontlines. In this episode Shane and Austin discuss the WW2 tabletop wargame Bolt Action from Warlord games and to what degree your models should be historically accurate. Do you agree more with Shane's laissez faire approach to painting army men or do you align more with Austin's academic level research for painting plastic? Let us know below! Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/qGVFHmafqp

This week Austin and Shane take a look at the new rules for combat in 11th Edition Warhammer 40K. With new rules to charging, combat order, and overruns we’re seeing the new direction being taken. Let us know below, what combat change are you most interested in? Give us your miniature takes. Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/qGVFHmafqp

This week Shane and Austin discuss the newest terrain rules for 11th edition Warhammer 40k. With new rules for hiding units and rectangular objectives, there's a lot to unpack. Also cheaters might be in the hot seat for this one. Let us know below what you think of the new terrain rules. Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/qGVFHmafqp

In this exciting first episode of Mini Takes, Shane and Austin discuss the new mission and detachment format in 11th edition Warhammer 40k. It appears GW is retooling matched play to play more into the narrative aspect of the game making battles feel more true to the lore instead of an exercise of standing on circle mats. Let us know what you think below, are you excited for the new missions? https://discord.com/invite/qGVFHmafqp

In the past three years this podcast has grown and evolved and we want to thank everyone that has joined us for the ride. As the show has evolved so have Shane and Austin. Today we sign off for the last time on 40k Fanatics and announce the start of our new podcast called Mini Takes Podcast, for our audio listeners this is just a name change. We will continue to talk about Warhammer 40k but we will be expanding to new games and topics in the miniature wargame and tabletop genre. Thank you to all our viewers.    Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/qGVFHmafqp

We are getting our first peeks at 11th edition Warhammer 40K and it’s starting to look like a further refinement of 10th. Today Shane and Austin discuss what you know so far.   Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/qGVFHmafqp

This week Shane and Austin discuss mortal wounds and how they could be changed to fix player enjoyment. Also we touch on the latest Age of Sigmar rumor, are we about to say goodbye to the Mortal Realms?

In a first for the podcast we streamed a live feed of ourselves reacting and providing commentary on the fantastic reveals at Adepticon for Warhammer. Thank you to those who tuned in for it. Here is an audio only version of the recording for our listeners.

In this weeks solo show, Shane hosts an AMA in our Discord and answers all your questions about Warhammer.

Last week we didn’t finish everything we had to say about 8th edition. Here’s part 2!

Time for a trip to the late 2010’s! This week Austin and Shane discuss their experience playing a game of 8th edition and how it compares to modern Warhammer 40K.

This week Shane and Austin discuss the nature of time in Warhammer 40K.

This week Shane and Austin present the listener with a top 3 list. This time it’s top 3 minis you would take with you on a desert island for the rest of your life. Let us know what minis you would take.

This week Shane and Austin discuss Re-Rolls and why we need them in 40K.

When is grimdark too much? This week Shane and Austin explore the more sinister side of Warhammer and how it could alienate people from joining the hobby. 

This week Shane and Austin discuss lore. Are things too big? Are they at their limit?

This week we discuss the 2026 New Year’s Reveals and Shane rants about female Custodes haters for 20 minutes 

This week Shane and Austin hit the armory and discuss which Warhammer 40K weapons they want to own. There’s so much firepower and heavy hitters in the universe that it’s hard to choose. Let us know below what your favorite weapon is.   Check out our Discord! https://discord.com/invite/qGVFHmafqp  

Recent trends in the past couple editions of Warhammer 40K has seen the game cater more and more to streamlining and competitive gaming. Is the time right for a new version of 40K to be developed to take us back to basics? What would you include in a “Classic edition”? Let us know below! Check out our Discord! https://discord.com/invite/qGVFHmafqp  

This week Shane and Austin discuss terrain in Warhammer 40k and what changes could be made to it to make for a better system.   Check out our Discord! https://discord.com/invite/qGVFHmafqp

This was originally a Members Only episode for YouTube. As a Christmas gift we are releasing it for free. Last time Shane and Austin discussed the depictions of Superman as seen in the 1978 Superman: The Movie and the 2013 film Man of Steel. Now in Part 2 they review the latest Superman film with Superman (2025). Is this the best Superman we have ever gotten? Find out now!

This was originally planned as a Members only episode but with our Memberships ending we are releasing this free as a Christmas gift to our viewers. This was a very spirited discussion we had about the different portrayals of Superman and what his character represents. As a challenge, Shane had Austin watch Man of Steel and Austin had Shane watch Superman (1978). Which Superman is closer to the ideals Superman represents and which is the better film? Part 2 will contain our review of Superman (2025). Check out our Discord! https://discord.com/invite/qGVFHmafqp

Get ready, our beloved Grimdarkness is coming to the world of Total War. At the Video Game Awards Creative Assembly announced Total War: Warhammer 40,000 and we couldn’t be more excited. After the care, love, and attention that went into the Total War: Warhammer trilogy for Warhammer Fantasy Battles, we can’t wait to see what they do for our favorite Sci-Fi setting. This episode Shane and Austin discuss the news about the new game and get hyped. Are you getting it when it releases? Let us know below!  Check out our Discord! https://discord.com/invite/qGVFHmafqp

This week Shane mounts his soapbox and preaches against the evils of alternating activations. While a popular system in games, its implementation in 40K would be awkward. Do you think it could work? Let Shane know below! Check out our Discord! https://discord.com/invite/qGVFHmafqp

In the grimdarkness of the far future, there is only war. The overall plot for the lore of Warhammer 40,000 has hardly advanced after decades. Why has the story not advanced? This week Shane and Austin take a look at the lore and discuss why the stagnation of the lore is a key element of creating a tabletop wargame sandbox setting. If you had to move the plot along, what would you do? Check out our Discord! https://discord.com/invite/qGVFHmafqp

This week Shane and Austin get in the Christmas spirit. They are presenting a top 3 list of potential gift ideas for the Warhammer 40K players in your life. They'll break down what's hot this season from gaming, apparel, and collectables. Let us know below what you've got on your list this season. Check out our Discord! https://discord.com/invite/qGVFHmafqp

With the rise of sports betting apps  and the ease of gambling, Shane and Austin ask could gambling come to Warhammer? Warhammer 40k already has massive tournaments with hundreds of players, what if people could put money on the outcome. Are the likes of FanDuel and DraftKings setting their sight on the tabletop? This week the Fanatics discuss this hypothetical situation and how it might impact the hobby scene. Do you think we’ll see bets in it on Warhammer matches? Let us know below!   Check out our Discord! https://discord.com/invite/qGVFHmafqp

Warhammer fans are eating good. So much cool stuff got revealed during the Warhammer Preview and Shane and Austin are here to talk about it. From Warhammer Quest: Darkwater, to new Grand Cathay, 500 Worlds, and new characters for 40K there’s so much to discuss! Let us know below what you're most excited for! Check out our Discord! https://discord.com/invite/qGVFHmafqp

Hey there, Football Fans! The newest season of Blood Bowl has recently released and this week Shane and Austin are breaking down why you HAVE to try this game. Blood Bowl Season 3 is a great place for the game to be with many fixes to the previous edition and new features that help get the action going on the field. With the arrival of the Tomb Kings and Bretonnians to modern Blood Bowl, it’s going to be a fun time. Let us know below if you’re picking up the starter set or what your favorite team is!   Check out our Discord! https://discord.com/invite/qGVFHmafqp

This week we turn to the friendly local game store and discuss what our favorite features are in a successful game shop. We’ll cover both wishlisting and good business sense. It’s important to have a fantastic place to play our games at. Let us know below what features are important to you when it comes to FLGs.   Check out our Discord! https://discord.com/invite/qGVFHmafqp

Remember when the Imperial Guard used to be fun? 40KFanatics remembers… this week Shane and Austin discuss the Astra Militarum and how they have suffered under 10th edition. From regimental overload to free wargear and loss of flavor, our favorite conscripts are having a rough time. Let us known below what you think. Have GW fumbled their handling of the Guard in 10th edition?  

After tackling the AP problem in Warhammer 40K, Shane and Austin turn their attention this week to the prevalence of re-rolls in 10th edition and how much of a problem it’s causing. What do you think? Are re-rolls a major issue for the game?   Check out our Discord! https://discord.com/invite/qGVFHmafqp

As the year begins to wind down, it’s time again for another round of Christmas Battleforce Boxes for Warhammer 40K. This week Shane and Austin are going through this years Battleforce Boxes and reviewing their contents. From Space Marines, to Krieg, Tau, and others… we’re getting some good stuff this holiday season. Which box are you hoping to get? Let us know below!   Check out our Discord! https://discord.com/invite/qGVFHmafqp

“Big guns never tire” has never been more true than lately in the past couple editions. It feels like every weapon has AP nowadays and it’s making the game a bit too deadly it feels like. This week Shane and Austin discuss AP and what could be done to tone it down. Does it need toned down? Let us know below!   Check out our Discord! https://discord.com/invite/qGVFHmafqp

The time has finally come. After a year of waiting for the Kickstarter to ship, Austin has gotten his stinking paws upon The Roleplaying Game of the Planet of the Apes. This exciting new RPG allows players to experience a future where humanity has found themselves at the bottom of the simian hierarchy as seen in the beloved 60's and 70's film series. Shane and Austin got a chance to play the game and Austin had his first experience acting as the Game Master for a roleplaying game. In this episode they'll go over how the game played, what hurdles were faced as a first time GM, and how with a little flexibility it all works out in the end. Check out our Discord! https://discord.com/invite/qGVFHmafqp

The wheel of time keeps on turning. If you’ve been around Warhammer for awhile you know what we’re talking about. Every three years GW feels the need to shake things up and release a new edition. Why is this? Is it healthy for the game? Do players enjoy it? We answer all these and other questions as we analyze the topic this week in the seeming waning period of 10th edition 40K. Check out our Discord! https://discord.com/invite/qGVFHmafqp

The morale system in Warhammer 40K just doesn’t seem to work edition after edition. We’ve seen it change a few times over the years and now we’re stuck with battle-shock. Is there a better solution to portraying moral in Warhammmer? Pulling from earlier editions and other games, we explore how to build a better morale system for Warhammer 40,000. Did we just build a better Battle-shock system? Listen and find out!   Check out our Discord! https://discord.com/invite/qGVFHmafqp

This week Shane brings on a special guest to the show. Local competitive organizer Dallas comes on to discuss what 40K armies need fixing in the current meta. What armies do you think need tweaking?   Check out our Discord! https://discord.com/invite/qGVFHmafqp

This week Shane and Austin discuss what they’d like to see in 11th edition. What would you like to see or not see?

This week Shane and Austin travel over to the specialist games side of Games Workshop and discuss why players of the mainline Warhammer games (40K and Age of Sigmar) should give Horus Heresy, Old World, ect a chance. What Specialist games do you enjoy from Games Workshop?

This week Austin returns to the show to discuss with Shane the pain that is moving into a house and how much trouble a pile of shame can bring to it. We’ll go over how you can better manage your pile of shame and how to let go when you need to. Have you ever dealt with a pile of shame? Let us know below!   Check out our Discord! https://discord.com/invite/qGVFHmafqp

With Austin busy moving, Shane kicks it old school and discusses with you, the viewer, how tabletop wargames and Warhammer have changed over the years. With the influx of new generations of gamers we have seen a rise in competitive gaming and an “E-Sports” mentality. Where did this come from? How has the hobby changed since you started? Let us know below! Check out our Discord! https://discord.com/invite/qGVFHmafqp

This week Shane and Austin look at 6 interesting data sheets based on their lore and abilities.

As the controversy around Horus Heresy 3.0 continues, GW has announced that Legacies of the Age of Darkness pdf rules will be legal at all official narrative events. A key thing to point out is that it’s up to organizers discretion to allow the rules at tournaments. Are Legacies actually just a corporate speak variation on Warhammer Legends? Will you be able to play with your toys forever? Find out today on 40kFanatics.   Check out our Discord! https://discord.com/invite/qGVFHmafqp

NEA Game Fest 2025 has finally happened and Austin his here this week to discuss with Shane all the events he took part in and what the experience was like this year at its new location. NEA Game Fest is an annual local tabletop convention hosted in Jonesboro, Arkansas with multiple days of RPGs, board games, and miniature tournaments. What tabletop conversations have you attended? Check out our Discord! https://discord.com/invite/qGVFHmafqp

The Big Summer Preview has happened and so much cool stuff was shown off. From Space Marines to Votann and even Chaos Dwarfs (or should we say Duardin?), it's been a blast seeing all the new models. Shane and Austin are here to go over everything unveiled and give you their thoughts on it all. What are you most excited for?  Check out our Discord! https://discord.com/invite/qGVFHmafqp

This week Shane and Austin travel to the 30th Millennium to discuss the new edition of The Horus Heresy. Fans of the game are complaining of the dumbing down of the game and the “40kification” of it. We go over some of these grievances and give our thoughts on it. What do you think? Is the new edition for the worse?   Check out our Discord! https://discord.com/invite/qGVFHmafqp

When is your miniature fully painted? This is the question that Shane and Austin discuss on this week’s episode. Is there a set guideline for when to put down your paint brush or is it a bit more subjective than that? We'll go over painting guidelines, personal anecdotes, and just general artistic theory. Let us know below, when are you for sure finished with your projects?

This week on RPG Tavern Shane runs through what he believes are the top 3 worst mistakes you can make as a DM in a campaign.