What's microbuilding? It's using standard LEGO pieces to create structures that are much smaller in relative scale to a LEGO minifigure, as in the following example of the Taj Majal by Anna from thebrickblogger.com.
Why would this matter on a solo-gaming blog? It's another opportunity for creativity and customization when playing our favorite war game rules. In fact, it could become the war game! Just look at Pasukara76's light cruiser, made from those little odds and ends that usually become the trimming on typical LEGO structures. Tell me you wouldn't want to float that baby into combat...
...or fly this space fighter - made by Mainman from the skis(!) of a LEGO minifigure skier - into a sci-fi dogfight! With these little pieces being made in abundance, fleets would be quick and cheap to assemble (and then disassemble to make something new).
Seriously, there's some awesome work out there that, when viewed through the eyes of the miniatures war gamer, could become great inspiration for little wars! Imagine what havoc you could cause in this micro-metropolis by Erik Eti Smit...
...or the possibilities of naval battles on this coastline by Knight Eklund.
I HIGHLY recommend the blog MicroBricks for further inspiration. There's also a wealth of detailed information about microbuilding cities at TwinLUG.
Lots of possibilities...
I am always both amazed and bewildered when I see projects like this. The amazed part speaks for itself, but I am bewildered by the parts that are used. Granted, my knowledge of LEGO bricks are limited by the few sets my daughter has, but I keep seeing pieces that I think must be customed made. Where does one go to get a lot of these parts?
ReplyDeleteVirtually none of those builds use custom parts - Lego have just produced a vast array of different bricks over the last 50 years or so. To get hold of obscure ones people use trading sites like Bricklink
DeleteI know there are people who make minifig armies or micro-spacefleets and actually game with them. I use Lego for scenery when I have no other option, but have dabbled in micro-building as well. Never wargamed with any of it though.
Chris, the Kaptain is right. No customs except in the rarest occasions. I was just reading a book about LEGOs a week or so ago (can't remember title) and it had sections devoted to microbuilds. Seems there's sort of an unwritten code of honor amongst aficionados to keep it real.
DeleteI thought I had left a post this morning, then google shut down my account do to strange activity. Anyhow I just wanted to say this is a fantastic post, very inspiring. Hopefully it will come through.
ReplyDeleteSean, oddly your first comment never appeared, but I still received the email alert about it as if it had been there. This happened a week ago to someone else's comment, and that person also had a weird account issue that I'm not certain has been resolved.
DeleteNevertheless, I'm glad you're back and that you liked the post!