In 2024 we did our first community slow grow challenge. It lasted six months with participants asked to paint a specific type of unit each month and also to give that unit a little character by giving it some background.
We want to do it again!
We’re not forcing you into one specific game system either. This could be whatever game system you like, even non-Games Workshop ones. All we ask is that you paint one unit a month and provide a little background for it.
Perhaps there’s an Age of Sigmar Spearhead box you want to paint, or a 40k Combat Patrol box. Perhaps you’ve got a starter box for Warlord Games’ Epic Hail Ceasar you want to make a start on. The choice is yours!
We’ll set some challenges along the way, but these are optional for you to follow along, and as long as you paint something, then all is good in the world.
Challenges
January: Build and paint a heroic (or dastardly) leader for your rag tag army. Yeah, they don’t have any troops yet, but they have ideas! Soon, the masses will know and love them!
January Additional: Why not try and come up with some fluff surrounding their background? Where are they from? What do they want to achieve?
February: With your leader done, they need some troops to…. well… lead! Build and paint at least 10 models from your Core (Old World), Infantry (Age of Sigmar), or equivalent.
January Additional: Who are these dudes? Are they your leaders honour guard or perhaps some mercenaries they’ve hired to kick start their (nefarious?) plans?
March – You’ve the start of a budding army! But we need more troops! Perhaps something to give a little ranged threat to the enemy? Or a unit that can scout ahead fast? Build and paint at least 5 models from either a missile or scout type unit (this could be cavalry, or perhaps Giant Eagles for Wood Elves, Scouts for Space Marines or a Gyrocopter for Dwarfs?).
Additional: Whose your leaders most hated foe and why? Did they suffer some slight at the enemies’ hands? Was a member of their family brutally mudrered by them?
April – Reinforcements! Build and paint at least 10 more models from your Core (Old World), Battleline (Age of Sigmar) or equivalent.
Additional: Do you have names for all your units yet? What about your army name? Where does it come from?
May – Build and paint either an artillery piece, a Tank, or an elite unit (Special or Rare in Old World).
Additional: Why not have a small game with your fledgling army? Perhaps your army has been ambushed on route to collect further reinforcements? Or they’re conducting a raid on a nearby enemy? Let us know the results!
June – Build anything of your choice! Perhaps there’s a centre piece model you want to paint?
Additional: Give this unit some background, why is it part of you army?
Show us your Models!
If you’re taking part in the challenge we’d love to her your plans, or even better, see your models as your army takes shape.
You can post them on our Discord Server, or send them via email to thewoehammer@gmail.com
Last Year
To give you some encouragement, here are some of the models that were painted and submitted last year.
