Buying presents for a gamer can be a problem, especially if you yourself are not a gamer. Most gaming related gifts I get is because I’m told to buy myself something for Christmas.
So here’s my top ten safe presents for gamers.
OK, this is only a marginally safe idea and you will need to find out if the gamer in your life plays sci-fi or fantasy based games; if it’s both like me then you’rr laughing. Scenery is the staple of a gamer’s diet and is a must have and varies greatly in price and design Gale force 9 have some great all-round gothic ruins that can be used in both fantasy and some sci-fi. The mighty giants that are Games Workshop have a tremendous selection of both sci-fi and fantasy scenery from trees and craters right up to full modular tabletops, their scenery is somewhat more expensive but the quality and build options are second to none
If scenery is the meat on the gamer’s plate then dice are the vegetables. I have a tonne of dice and always love getting more. But how about a set of custom 6-sided dice with initials on one side?
Firefly the board game from GF9
OK, the biggest problem buying gamers gifts is keeping it relevant to games they play but there is a lot of stand alone boxed games out there so my next pick is Firefly: The Game, in which players captain their own Firefly-class transport ship, traveling the ‘Verse with a handpicked crew of fighters, mechanics and other travelers. As a captain desperate for work, players are compelled to take on any job – so long as it pays. Double-dealing employers, heavy-handed Alliance patrols and marauding Reavers are all in a day’s work for a ship’s captain at the edge of the ‘Verse.
For that gamer that loves chess, Shouro is a must have. Alessio Cavatore’s own take on chess is a pleasant blend of the ancient strategy game with elements of tabletop gaming.
Risk is probably the first strategy game I ever played and comes in many themed editions like Star Wars and Lord of the Rings, but a variation called Risk Legacy is a running campaign of fifteen games, Decisions made in the earlier games can change the outcome of future games. On the down side, this can really only be played 15 times but I have it from reliable sources this game is just amazing.
Themed Monopoly and/or Chess
Talking of themed versions of classic games, why not treat the gamer in your life to a Star Wars themed chess set or a Simpsons themed Monopoly – depending on their personal tastes, obviously.
Well, for my number five it’s more of a company than a single game. Mantic Games offer a wide range of boxed games that can be played as stand alone games or can be expanded if you feel the urge. Games include Dreadball, a sci-fi football game with lots of options and lots of fun. Dwarf King’s Hold is standalone two-player board game that pits the Elves against the mighty green menace that is the Orcs as both sides ransack the ancient Dwarven Hold: the Elves reclaiming their stolen treasures and the Orcs looting the dilapidated Dwarven Halls.
Check out Mantic games for lots more christmas gift ideas
A lot of gamers, at least the ones I know, also paint their own miniatures and can go through paints and brushes remarkably quickly.
There are a lot of paints and accessories available and Vallejo paints, Games Workshop paints and Mantic paints are a few of the best.
One of my favourite gift ideas is Star Wars X-wing starter set.
Now, despite being called a starter set, it can be played as a stand alone game. The game is based on dogfights between the Empire and the rebels From Fantasy Flight Games – “Control the most advanced starfighters and outstanding pilots in the galaxy! In X-Wing Miniatures Game, you take the role of squad leader and command a group of merciless Imperial or daring Rebel pilots in furious ship-to-ship space combat. Featuring stunningly detailed and painted miniatures, X-Wing recreates exciting Star Wars space battles from small engagements of only a couple of crafts, to large conflicts where multiple squadrons clash. Select and equip your ships, pick your crew, plan your attack, and complete your mission.”
One of the greatest tabletop games of the past few years and probably thee best starter set in the past ten years is Hawk Wargames’ starter set for Dropzone Commander. The starter set contains everything – and I mean everything – you need to play DzC and the rules are intuitive and very easy to pick up. Why not read my full review here
OK, my number one gift idea is a wee bit of a cheat but as I have recently suggested this idea to a friend I thought why not stick it down here. If and when you are really stuck with what to buy a tabletop gamer go with a Gift Certificate. Most of the gaming companies that supply tabletop games provide voucher options of one kind or another but I personally would go with a stockist that deals with a wide range of games and systems along with paints and supplies, Wayland Games is just the ticket and I regularly use them for all manner of hobby supplies.
Marc
Marc is a self-confessed nerd. Ever since seeing Star Wars for the first time around 1979 he’s been an unapologetic fan of the Wars and still believes, with Clone Wars and now Underworld, we are yet to see the best Star Wars. He’s a dad of two who now doesn’t have the time (or money) to collect the amount of toys, comics, movies and books he once did, much to the relief of his long-suffering wife. In the real world he’s a graphic designer. He started Following the Nerd because he was tired of searching a million sites every day for all the best news that he loves and decided to create one place where you can go to get the whole lot. Secretly he longs to be sitting in the cockpit of his YT-1300 Corellian Transport ship with his co-pilot Chewie, roaming the universe, waiting for his next big adventure, but feels just at home watching cartoons with his kids….
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