Small is Beautiful: Adrian Wood

In the world of Warhammer 40,000, the size of a game has long been a topic of debate, with many players assuming that larger battles are inherently better. However, the article Small is Beautiful by Adrian Wood challenges this assumption by exploring the joys and benefits of smaller-scale games. While large 2,000-point battles with sprawling armies are the standard for many, Adrian and his gaming companions found that smaller battles—sometimes as low as 500 points—offered more excitement and focus. These smaller skirmishes encourage quicker, more tactical decision-making, where even a single die roll can drastically change the course of the game.

Wood recounts his own experiences playing with a reduced point limit, first testing 500-point games during lunch breaks. This limitation forced him to build more specialized, narrative-driven forces, often focusing on fewer but more impactful units. These games, typically lasting around an hour, required less time to set up and allowed for quicker engagement. In contrast to the slow, sometimes unwieldy nature of larger games, smaller engagements felt more intense and personal, with players able to focus on the finer details of strategy without the distraction of massive, overwhelming armies.

 Through his experiences, Wood points out the value of playing campaigns or missions with smaller forces. For example, he describes playing the Battle for Armageddon scenarios from the Warhammer 40,000 boxed game with a beginner, where small armies made the encounters thrilling and full of tension. Wood’s reflections emphasize how the constraints of limited points lead to more creative and exciting tactical gameplay. The smaller scale allows for a higher level of strategy, where a single squad or unit can make a game-changing impact, creating a more dynamic and unpredictable environment.

The article also touches on the larger trends within the Warhammer community, where epic 1,500- to 2,000-point games are common. While Wood acknowledges the appeal of these larger battles, especially when recreating huge cinematic conflicts, he argues that they can often be harder to organize and less satisfying in terms of gameplay. With so many models on the board, it’s easy for the narrative and tactical nuances of individual units to get lost in the shuffle. On the other hand, smaller games force players to engage more deeply with the mechanics and strategies of their forces.

Wood recalls playing larger-scale battles, such as a 4,000-point clash in a Heretic battle report, where the sheer size of the armies made the game harder to manage. He notes that while such battles can be fun and visually impressive, they often lack the tight, focused gameplay of smaller engagements. For Wood, the ideal Warhammer 40,000 experience lies in the realm of 1,000-point games or even smaller, where each unit's actions feel significant and the outcome hinges on clever strategy rather than overwhelming numbers.

Reflecting on his experiences with Necromunda, another Games Workshop product, Wood draws a parallel between the intense, small-scale battles of that game and the smaller Warhammer 40,000 encounters he now favors. In Necromunda, gangs battle in tight, confined spaces, where every decision counts and a single grenade or lucky shot can tip the balance. This concept of precision and drama in smaller games resonates with Wood’s view that small-scale Warhammer 40,000 battles offer a more satisfying experience than their larger counterparts.

Wood’s preference for smaller games also leads to a more narrative-driven approach to gameplay. He enjoys crafting stories through his battles, whether it’s a campaign involving Genestealer Cults or a more straightforward skirmish. Smaller point limits encourage a deeper investment in individual units and their stories, and even the most modest forces can become legendary in the right context. The battles may be fewer in number, but the emotional stakes and narrative potential are heightened, offering a richer experience for those involved.  A compelling argument for reconsidering the size of Warhammer 40,000 battles. While larger games have their place, smaller-scale games create a more engaging, tactical, and narrative-rich experience. Whether you’re looking to play during a lunch break or build a deeper story through each mission, focusing on the quality of the game rather than the size of the army can lead to a more fulfilling and exciting Warhammer 40,000 experience.