Battle Scribe is a free software application that allows you to build point based armies.
WHAT IS BATTLESCRIBE?
BattleScribe is an application designed to make it easy for wargamers to build and maintain their army lists - similar to Lone Wolf’s Army Builder. BattleScribe can handle almost any game system or faction, and is constantly being improved with new features.
Quickly and easily work out your army list
BattleScribe works out your points totals and tells you if your list is valid. If there are problems, it highlights the unit in error and tells you what’s wrong. All you need is the data files for your game and army.
Outputs army lists for printing or the web
Army lists include profiles and rules (if the data file contains them). Layout options let you choose what’s printed and how it’s layed out. Copy the result as text, HTML or print it out.
Easy to share data files
BattleScribe can automatically download and update it’s data files from on-line “repositories” - all you need is the repository’s URL. Repositories can be easily created with the included tools.
Easy to create data files
Easy to use editors are included to allow you to create or edit your data files - no programming required. It’s simple to fix errors you might find in data files.
Works on any system
BattleScribe works on Windows, Mac, Linux and Android, or any OS that supports Java
The Blade Runner Sketchbook is now long out of print (and apparently fetching premium prices at resale). But it’s now available online, apparently with the permission of the creators.
There was a guy in our group who constructed an entire forest out of nails and sponges. It seemed like a good idea until one of the players leaned over the table and his hand came down on one of the trees.
Miniature Wargaming is part of the "adventure games" hobby, which includes r ole p laying and board games. Wargamers recreate battles on the tabletop with toy soldiers, like a more complicated game of chess. Models range in height from 6mm to 28mm tall, with 15mm and 25mm being the most popular. There also is a growing interest in toy soldiers and military models, such as the 1/32 and 1/35 scale plastic soldiers from Conte, and Marx.
The most popular miniature wargames are fantasy and science fiction based, such as Warhammer, Warhammer 40K, Warmachine and The Lord of the Rings. World War II games such as Flames of War and Axis and Allies are new favorites. Other favorite historical periods include Napoleonics, the American Civil War, and ancients, such as Romans or Greeks. Other gamers enjoy miniature naval wargames, recreating battles like Trafalgar, Jutland and the Coral Sea.
Hobbyists research historical periods and paint their tiny soldiers in accurate uniforms. Others develop "historically realistic" rules sets or build scale battlefield terrain using model railroad techniques.
For pictures, visit the gallery.
Some of the bigger hobby companies are Games Workshop, which produces Warhammer, Wargames Foundry and Old Glory Miniatures. Wizards of the Coast produces several lines of pre-painted miniatures games, such as the Star Wars and Dungeons and Dragons miniatures games, and a historical game with pre-painted miniatures: The new Axis and Allies game. Wizkids produces a fantasy collectable miniatures game, such as the Mage Knight and Heroclick fantasy games, the science fiction games MechWarrior and Rocketmen, as well as the quasi-historical Pirates of the Spanish Main.
Painting by Robert Blair from the 
