The Independent Characters | Warhammer 40k Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Episode 253 - Introducing your partner to 40k Mar 17, 2025

Show notes

Episode 253 of The Independent Characters explores the age old questions of 'How do you get your significant other into Warhammer 40k?'. To help us explain her journey into the Grim Darkness of the Far Future, we are joined by Chelle Tuttle. For those who don't know by now, Chelle is Carl's wife and has had an on again, off again relationship with 40k. She is also managing all of the tracking of everyone's hobby progress in the Hobby Progress Challenge for 2025. For which we are very grateful!

While we take a trip down memory lane on her exposure to the game, we also get some insights on what worked for her, to get her invested in the game. I want to thank Chelle for taking the time to join me on this discussion as I know this is a bit outside her comfort zone.

We hope you enjoy Episode 253.

Time Stamps:

0:00:00 - Show Intro, Elite Choice, Hobby Progress, & Games Played
0:18:30 - Introducing your partner to 40k
1:29:20 - Final Thoughts and show closing

Relevant Links:

The Independent Characters Patreon
Tablewar! - SPONSOR
Herrick Games & Hobbies - SPONSOR
Goblin Hobbies - Makers of the Stampin' Plates
Maelstrom Mixer
Games Workshop
The Black Library

Episode 252 - The Influence of Online Content Feb 10, 2025

Show notes

We are joined by two very special guests for Episode 252! Welcome David and Adam (known as Chaos Dave - or Wargaming Dave, and Uncle Adam of Tabletop Minions fame) who are here to talk about the growing influence of online content in our hobby. How does it impact your gaming for the positive, the negative, and what can be done better from both a producer and consumer side.

Many people think that content production is all about the fame, glory, and swimming pools of money. I mean, it is. But that really isn't the actual goal of most content producers. Most are incredibly passionate about their gaming, whether that is 40k, Ravaged Stars, Reign in Hell, or Trench Crusade. Expect to hear the thoughts of these two very successful content producers about how they see their role within the hobby space and what responsibilities content producers have, and why you should (or should not) listen to them. You will get a unique view of what goes on behind the scenes for most productions!

We hope you enjoy this discussion!

Time Stamps:

0:00:00 - Show Intro, Guest Intros, & Elite Choice
0:23:30 - The Influence of Online Content: Pt 1
1:08:30 - The Influence of Online Content: Pt 2
2:22:30 - Interview: Dave Taylor on 28 Collected Kickstarter
2:46:00 - End of Show

Relevant Links:

Episode 251 - Why Terrain & Layouts Define 40k Jan 30, 2025

Show notes

Episode 251 of The Independent Characters takes a deep look at Warhammer 40k and how it is played in both competition, more casual play, and why it matters. How this impacts not only the types of units considered 'good' by those folks on the Internet, but also how the game is played by different sets of players and how it may shape new players approach and introduction to the game. To bring differing views on this, we once again have Campbell McLaughlin joining us to help us understand the importance of the tournament scene standpoint.

We hope you enjoy Episode 251. There is a lot to unpack here, and we hope you get out of it as much as we put into it!

Time Stamps:

0:00:00 - Show Intro and Elite Choice
0:09:30 - Hobby Progress & War on The Shore
1:26:30 - Why Terrain & Layouts Define 40k
2:06:40 - Final Thoughts and show closing

Relevant Links:

Episode 250 - The 2024 Warhammer 40k Year in Review Jan 06, 2025

Show notes

The end of 2024 brings us around to our annual Warhammer 40k Year in Review Episode. Typically we go down an entire list of all releases for the year and weigh in on our opinions of them. However, this year we have a lot to celebrate here and so we are going to change it up a little bit. Not only is it the end of 2024 and the beginning of a new year, it is the 250th Episode of The Independent Characters Podcast. And although we took a couple of breaks on the way here, we have indeed made it to this milestone episode.

However, for us it isn't about quantity so much as it is about quality. So we will take some time to discuss a little bit of the history of the show, where we see it going, and what is going on currently.

Then, instead of boiling 2024 down to a list of releases by Games Workshop, we will discuss our various favorites of the year in depth. What was our favorite game played of the year? Who was our favorite opponent? What was our favorite release? All of this and more will be discussed as we meander through our opening episode of 2025!

And while we don't know exactly how much longer we will have Campbell on our staff before he heads back to the 40k Badcast, we have him now.

We hope you enjoy Episode 250!

Time Stamps:

0:00:00 - Show Intro, Elite Choice, Hobby Progress, and Games Played
0:48:00 - 2024 Year in Review: Pt 1
1:28:30 - 2024 Year in Review: Pt 2
2:02:00 - Final Discussion and Show Closing

Relevant Links:

Episode 249 - Collaborative Wargaming Dec 18, 2024

Show notes

Episode 249 of The Independent Characters has Carl, Josh, and Campbell discussing the merits of Collaborative Wargaming. What does that mean? Well you will find out more when you listen, but at it's core it involves working together to improve your gaming experience.

Whether you are playing in a Team Tournament, or launching the greatest narrative campaign this side of the Cicatrix Maledictum, you are going to want to take a listen to this episode for tips, tricks, and inspiration!

Time Stamps:

0:00:00 - Show Intro and Elite Choice, Workbench, and Hobby Progress
1:10:30 - Collaborative Gaming: Part 1
1:50:50 - Collaborative Gaming: Part 2
2:20:25 - Final Discussion and Show Closing

Relevant Links:

The Independent Characters Patreon
Tablewar! - SPONSOR
Herrick Games & Hobbies - SPONSOR
The 40k Badcast
Tablewar Charities
40kHamslam on Instagram
Hawaii 'War on the Shore' Charity GT 2025
Games Workshop
The Black Library

Episode 248 - The Evolution of 40k Terrain Nov 25, 2024

Show notes

Episode 248 of The Independent Characters has Carl, Josh, and Campbell talking about where Warhammer 40k terrain originated from, where it currently stands, and where it might be going.

Yep! Still new intro music you are hearing at the beginning of the episode. We are going to stick with it for awhile, at least as long as Campbell is guest starring on the show, and see how you folks adapt to it! Be sure to let us know your feedback!

Time Stamps:

0:00:00 - Show Intro and Elite Choice, Workbench, and Hobby Progress
0:50:25 - Evolution of 40k Terrain: Part 1
1:35:30 - Evolution of 40k Terrain: Part 2
2:08:30 - Final Discussion and Show Closing

Relevant Links:

The Independent Characters Patreon
Tablewar! - SPONSOR
Herrick Games & Hobbies - SPONSOR
The 40k Badcast
Tablewar Charities
40kHamslam on Instagram
Hawaii 'War on the Shore' Charity GT 2025
Games Workshop
The Black Library

Episode 247 - Fixed Lists and List Fixers Nov 15, 2024

Show notes

Episode 247 of The Independent Characters witnesses the return of Josh to the show! We continue to have Campbell from the 40kBadcast as our adopted Podcast Partner while Dan is on Paternity leave! (Congrats Dan by the way!)

In this episode Carl, Campbell, and Josh discuss the benefits and drawbacks of two different styles of lists. On one hand, there are those who never, or rarely change anything in their list. While on the other hand, you have those who enjoy changing up their lists every game.

We will go into the pros and cons of each option, and maybe a few ideas on how you might want to adjust your approach.

And yes, that is still new intro music you are hearing at the beginning of the episode. We are going to stick with it for awhile, at least as long as Campbell is guest starring on the show, and see how you folks adapt to it! Be sure to let us know your feedback!

This episode will drop on November 15th.

Time Stamps:

0:00:00 - Show Intro and Elite Choice, Workbench, and Hobby Progress
1:05:00 - Fixed Lists and List Fixers
2:13:00 - Final Discussion and Show Closing

Relevant Links:

Episode 246 - Why Campaigns Fail and what to do about it Oct 21, 2024

Show notes

Episode 246 of The Independent Characters brings onto the roster Campbell McLaughlin of The 40k Badcast fame to join us! While his regular Podcast partner Dan takes some much deserved paternity leave, Campbell will be joining The Independent Characters army roster on a regular basis. We couldn't ask for a better partner!

In this episode, Carl and Campbell talk about the ways that Campaigns, in pretty much any system, fail. We discuss what types of speedbumps campaigns often run into, and how those become dead end streets. Then we take a look at what strategies you can apply to ensure that you campaign is a successful one!

Even with some choice edits, this episode rolls in at about two and a half hours. But we think this is a solid topic of discussion and we hope you enjoy listening to it as much as we enjoyed recording it!

And yes, that is new intro music you are hearing at the beginning of the episode. We are going to stick with it for awhile, at least as long as Campbell is guest starring on the show, and see how you folks adapt to it! Be sure to let us know your feedback!

Time Stamps:

0:00:00 - Show Intro and Elite Choice, Workbench, and Hobby Progress
0:52:15 - Why campaigns fail
1:35:00 - Tips to make your campaigns successful
2:22:00 - Final Discussion and Show Closing

Relevant Links:

The Independent Characters Patreon
Tablewar! - SPONSOR
Herrick Games & Hobbies - SPONSOR
The 40k Badcast
Tablewar Charities
Hawaii 'War on the Shore' Charity GT 2025
Games Workshop
The Black Library

Episode 245 - The Warrior Lodge: Big Guns Edition Oct 06, 2024

Show notes

Episode 236 of The Independent Characters has us bringing out the Big Guns! We have not only the return of none other than Justin Keefer to the program, but we also bring in Campbell McLaughlin from the 40k Badcast as well as Phil Hall from The Glacial Geek for a round of The Warrior Lodge!

We will cover a variety of topics in this lengthy episode. It will be a long episode but one that we feel will bring you more entertainment than its length would imply.

We hope you enjoy!

Time Stamps:

0:00:00 - Show Intro and Elite Choice
0:00:17 - Workbench and Hobby Progress
0:41:45 - Warrior Lodge: Part 1
1:58:45 - Warrior Lodg: Part 2
2:42:45 - Final Discussion and Show Closing

Relevant Links:

The Independent Characters Patreon
Tablewar! - SPONSOR
Herrick Games & Hobbies - SPONSOR
Games Workshop
The Black Library
Trench Crusade
The 40k Badcast
The Glacial Geek
Goobertown Hobbies video on YouTuber Bias

Episode 244 - 40K Small Unit Tactics Sep 20, 2024

Show notes

Episode 244 of The Independent Characters has us joined by Phil Hall, also known as The Glacial Geek (check out his YouTube Channel!).

Phil and Carl spent quite a bit of time together during this years Nova Open Tabletop Wargaming Convention and while there we had a lot of conversation around painting, playing, and Kill Team.

Phil has agreed to join Carl for an episode all about Small Unit Actions in the Warhammer 40k universe. This includes the new version of Kill Team and a bit about what we hope to expect there, in addition to Boarding Actions.

These two unique ways of playing in the Warhammer 40k universe offer very different experiences from both each other, and how other games of Warhammer 40k are played!

We hope you enjoy Episode 244.

Time Stamps:

0:00:00 - Show Intro, Elite Choice, Workbench and Hobby Progress
0:35:35 - Small Unit Actions: Kill Team
1:13:40 - Small Unit Actions: Boarding Actions
1:44:10 - Final Thoughts and show closing

Relevant Links:

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