Motivation Monday – Community Spotlight – Rob Phaneuf
10th Jan 2022
Jonny Mann
Hello and welcome to Motivation Monday!
This series of blogs will delve into the wonderful Mantic fanbase to find stories and interviews with some of the most well-known and loved members of our community, with the hope and intention of inspiring the rest of us to dust of those sprues, pick up that brush or take the leap into a new game.
Today we speak to … Rob Phaneuf.
Hello, my name is Rob Phaneuf and I’ve been a ranks and flanks tabletop gaming addict for more than 35 years. I first heard of Mantic on the Podhammer Podcast with Jeff Carol. Back then Mantic was a model supplier to other fantasy table-top games. I placed an order for some undead plastic models in March of 2010. This set me on a trajectory of following Mantic and ultimately getting involved with the Kings of War rules beta and participation in the first Kings of War events at Adepticon.
What’s your favourite Mantic game and why?
As a ranks and flanks player with a propensity for enjoying BIG games, Kings of War is my game of choice. I love the hobby aspects that result from the unit basing. It gives a unique opportunity to be creative and make some cool dioramas that can tell a story. Further, the rules provide a solid framework that never seems to get in the way while still scaling up nicely to support those epic battles of toy soldiers we all dream of.
What is your favourite faction/army and why?
Over the years I’ve jumped to and from various armies, but there has been one army I’ve always come back to and that’s Ogres. Maybe it was my first army specifically built for Kings of War. Or maybe there’s something admirable about a collection of profit driven ruffians just trying to scrape out a living in the dangerous world of Pannithor.
Do you have a favourite mini?
Over the years Mantic has continually upped their sculpting game so every new model seems to be a little bit better than their last. But if I nail it down, I’m a big fan of the new Ogre sculpts – specially the new warlock sculpt that commemorates our friend Jesse.
What’s on your hobby desk at the moment?
Besides loads of paint and hobby tools I, currently have an Ogre Bully and the Ogre Pirate from League of Infamy on my desk to expand out my characters. The Ogre characters are great projects as their larger scale make them a little easier to paint, yet they are a small enough project that I can complete them in just a few painting sessions.
What’s next in your hobby plans?
If you can’t beat them join them! So in my immediate future I have a Goblin army to paint over the holidays with assistance from my daughter, Aubrey. After than I’ve got some Deadzone terrain and GCPS reinforcements that need some hobby time!
Do you want to add anything else? Perhaps you’ve got an event or club you’d like to promote, well this is the place!
If you enjoy Kings of War even a quarter as much as I do, I humbly ask you to come over and give the Counter Charge Podcast a listen. We are a small band of Kings of War nutters that love to share our passion for Kings of War and shine a light on how great our community is! We can be found in all places you find podcasts and if you like what you hear be sure to join our Facebook group to participate in the discussions between the shows.
