Miniatures, Scenarios, Wargames, and Rules

I (personally) like miniatures, and I am sad that the D&D Miniatures range is at an end.

My love of miniatures harkens back to when I was a kid. I always liked Toy Soldiers - when ever I built a model kit (such as the Aurora Spindrift from Land of the Giants) I NEVER glued the crew in - that way I could use the model in my wild and wacky games I played on the back-garden rockery.

I spent HOURS out there, it was an alien planet - a fantasy land - or prehistoric times, depending on what game I was playing.

Mum would bring me out biscuits and a drink - or call me in if something was on I wanted to watch on TV.

What does all this have to do with Dungeons and Dragons I hear you asking (seriously, I do LoL) - a lot actually.

Imagination, whether it be with miniature gaming or role-playing is all about imagination. Something I had in spades as a kid, and I am (luckily) "well endowed" with as an adult.

Don't be afraid to "think outside the box" - using props found here and there, taking your players outside (even to a quarry as I did once, or out into the Woods at Portmerion) for a session!

If at home, even if you don't normally use miniatures, try using miniatures for chase scenes - its a great change of pace, and can revitalize your group.

I've even used costumes - and yes, I do feel silly when I do that - but its never stopped me if I want to achieve an effect "in game"!

Also, don't think JUST because D&D is in print in some form - that its your only option -

Try Googling the subject - there are LOADS of different free versions of the rules, Runequest based rulesets, even World of Darkness rules out there on the net for your D&D style campaigns.

If you are a fan as I am, Gary Gygax's creation lives firmly in your imagination - don't limit what you do with yours.