Enter a universe where imagination, design, and construction collide. Provincial villages give way to spectacular starbases. Coastal vistas cascade into cowboy towns and coliseums. We are, of course, talking about our hobby game store. We are dedicated to the best gaming and hobby experience around, and we take our hobbies as seriously as you do. 

We have a huge selection of the finest materials to build starfleet’s, warships, posses, battlegroups, and entire worlds! Whether you are a hobbyist who enjoys assembly and painting, or you are an avid gamer who likes to have the best terrains and minis, we’ve got you covered.

It’s great that tabletop games require and engage our imagination. But who doesn’t love to build out worlds with three dimensional characters and terrains? We can’t resist the added experience of creating custom characters to show off during the next campaign. A Dwarven shield tinged with glistening blood from a troll. Or a bone chilling army of undead Reaper Miniatures roaming ruins of a modern city. 

If scifi and spaceships are more your speed, or armored vehicles strike your fancy rather than dragons, we have what you’re looking for. And you won’t find these things tucked away on a dusty shelf in the back. Our entire store is a gaming and hobby treasure trove. 

We are constantly improving and evolving our hobby game store to provide an atmosphere that is immersive and comfortable. Our carefully crafted terrains and incredibly detailed figures aren’t banished to wobbly card tables. We have a custom built wood table, high tops, low tops, and even our chairs will make you feel like you’re feasting in Valhalla. 

We have a huge selection of Warhammer paints from Citadel or D&D paint from TurboDork. Berserker Bloodshade or Doomfire Magenta are sure to add a dramatic tone to your characters. Add even more detail and texture to take your figures to a whole new level by adding mud, dust, or rust with Dry pigments and textures from Vellejo.  

If you’re new to model building, character painting, or gaming, we’re here to help. Our knowledgeable and friendly staff are gamers and hobbyists who know their stuff. We’ll help you find the right plastics, paints, metals, and more to get you started on your next castle or battle tank. We can give you tips on how to use your new bounty so you can show off your zombie hoard the next time you come in to play The Walking Dead. 

We love seeing all of the unique combinations and characters that our customers come up with! Come to our hobby game store to play and compare notes with your fellow hobbyists and gamers. We hold regular gaming sessions, open play, and how-to workshops so you can comfortably join the community!

Come by and see us in East Windsor or give us a call at (860) 254-5111

Our tabletop game shop has all the tools, resources, and amenities to comfortably engage in and enjoy all of your favorite tabletop games, for all ages! Even for the little ones! We, tabletop board gamers, are always looking for new players. If you have children of your own, it’s no wonder why we try to introduce them to the tabletop hobby. When choosing a board game for your children, you must consider their age, and mental abilities. In games, you look for a short playtime, engaging turns, and easy-to-understand rules. To top it off, you want an appealing theme, something your kid loves from popular culture.

Introducing your kids to board games makes perfect sense, especially since these can further develop their cognitive abilities. Not to mention they will learn about winning and losing, and spend quality family time with you. Learning through playing is one of the most powerful teaching skills, and all kids love games of all types.

Age Requirement

The most important factor is, of course, the age requirement. 4-6 is a period of great development, thus the games a 4 year old can grasp will be a lot simpler than the games a 6 year old can. 

Theme

Our tabletop game shop has a plethora of tabletop games that are full of themes kids adore: Marvel, DC, Star Wars, and Dungeons & Dragons. Children need games that have a strong theme and something tangible. They can’t relate to technical and strong mechanics, since their brain is not yet fully developed. 

Gameplay Length

Considering the gameplay length to be a very significant factor. Kids lack a long attention span, so normally you’re looking at games where there aren’t many rules to follow and remember, and where there aren’t many options on their turn. This means there’s not much downtime, keeping them engaged through and through.

Number of Players

Tabletop board games’ playing quality can significantly depend on the number of players involved. In fact, depending on who’s playing the game can also raise or lower the complexity bar a lot. If the children are playing on their own, you must remain on the lower end of the age spectrum. However, the more players, the more complex the game becomes. This can easily increase the learning and problem solving abilities for your child.

Altogether, tabletop board games offer opportunities for early learning. Even simple tabletop games help young players problem solve, communicate, and develop hand-eye coordination. Make The Battle Standard, your one stop tabletop game shop, whether it’s tabletop games for your children or for your whole family. 

PEYTON SHIPMAN BEST IN SHOW AWARD

[LARGE FILES PLEASE BE PATIENT]

SCIFI Categories

SciFi Single

1. Games Workshop Angry Grot by Peyton Shipman  BCPC2015 Best in Show & Crystal Brush 2016 Qualifier!
2. Privateer Press The Butcher by Graham Sternberg
3. Games Workshop Captain Badrukk by M. Tobias Bermudez

SciFi Unit

1. Games Workshop Inquisitor Drax with Retinue by Dylan McManus
2. Games Workshop Blood Angels Tact Squad by Daniel Brescia
3. Games Workshop Command Squad by Anthony Chadwick

Honorable Mention: Khorne Chaos Space Marines with Rhino by Matt McClanahan

SciFi Large Model

1. Games Workshop Inquisitorial Chimera by Dylan McManus
2. Games Workshop Khorne Dreadnought by Matt McClanahan
3. Games Workshop Dark Eldar Talos Pain Engine by Scot Hillier

FANTASY Categories

Fantasy Single

1. Games Workshop Wight King by Greg Person
2. Games Workshop Barnabus Weathervane, Heavens Wizard by Peyton Shipman
3. Games Workshop Festus by Matt McClanahan

Honorable Mention: Seaguard Captain by Jon Vanase

Fantasy Unit

1. Games Workshop Sons of Lethargy by M. Tobias Bermudez
2. Games Workshop Halfling Archers by Peyton Shipman
3. Games Workshop Sisters of Avelorn by Jon Vanase

Honorable Mention: Warriors of Chaos by Garrett Gabbey
Honorable Mention: River Trolls by Greg Person

Fantasy Large Model

1. Fantization Miniatures Skullcracker Bird by Peyton Shipman
2. Privateer Press/Games Workshop Throne of Slaaneshiblight by M. Tobias Bermudez
3. Games Workshop Screaming Bell by Jon Vanase

Honorable Mention: Durthu by Huytien “Andy” Tran

HISTORICAL

1. Black Hat Miniatures Muslim Warrior by Peyton Shipman
2. King Leonidus by Scot Hillier
3. Games Workshop French Knight by Kevin Spear

OPEN Category

1. Games Workshop Dark Angels Command Squad by Matt McClanahan

Honorable Mention: Games Workshop Commander Purelight by M. Tobias Bermudez
Honorable Mention: Games Workshop M’Mahnos House Knight by Dylan McManus
Honorable Mention: Wyrd Miniatures/Games Workshop Piggly by Peyton Shipman

YOUNGBLOODS Category

1. Games Workshop Sentinels by Ryan Perrier

CONVERSION Category

1. Games Workshop/Tamiya Zombie Nazis by Scot Hillier

Honorable Mention: Crabbie by Anthony Chadwick

The Battle Standard would like to thank all of the participants for their entries and continuing support.  We would also like to send a special thanks to CoolMiniOrNot and Crystal Brush Awards manager, Jen Haley, for supporting our efforts by including us in their national painting competition.  We are already looking forward to next year’s Battle Cry Painting Competition!

Tabletop gamers are always looking for their next game.  A game to show up on the scene and take the miniature gaming world by storm with new miniatures, exciting rules, and options for expansion.  The good folks at Fantasy Flight Games seem to have struck a chord and thus The Force is strong with Star Wars: X-Wing and the even more recent, Imperial Assault.

X-Wing History

Released in 2012 in a small starter set, Star Wars: X-Wing has now exploded into a large scale game that has become quite popular in many parts of the country. With expansions that include new ships and pilots, and tournaments that are held all over the country, it made quite the splash when it entered the scene. It garnered such recognition that in 2012, it was nominated for, and won, the Charles S. Roberts Best Science-Fiction or Fantasy Board Wargame Award. One year later, Star Wars: X-Wing would go onto win the Golden Geek Award for Best 2-Player Board Game, and the UK Games Expo Award for Best Miniatures Range. Suffice to say, this game has won over the general public with it’s quick and exciting gameplay, as well as its line of highly detailed, pre-painted miniatures representing both the Rebel Alliance and the Empire. In this fashion it appeals to gamers and collectors of all ages, and with 27 different expansion packs, each with a new ship or pilot, the game keeps on changing and growing.

X-Wing Gameplay

The game can be played with 2, 3, or 4 players, each controlling their own squadron of ships, cruisers and/or fighters. The ships in any given player’s fleet can be upgraded using special cards and a points system, by adding the upgrade cost to the ship cost. These upgrades alter the stats of a ship to make it faster, more maneuverable or give it special abilities or weapons. The games lasts a series of rounds until one player has eliminated all others or a certain mission objective has been completed. Each round contains 4 main phases that the players go though: Planning Phase, Activation Phase, Combat Phase and End Phase. The phases proceed smoothly and intuitively, much like the game as a whole. From our own experience with the game, it is fun and very competitive, as well as true to it’s source material. The Rebel player always feels the pressure of the Empire and is, more often than not, out numbered due to the points gap between ships. It’s that special edge that makes you feel like you are in the Star Wars universe, helping the Rebels fight for Galactic freedom, or furthering the goals of the Empire.

X-Wing Starter Box

The starter box in stores now contains all you need to start a game between two people. Inside the $35 box set are 2 TIE Fighters, 1 X-Wing, a bevy of ship upgrade cards, damage markers, movement rulers, dice, terrain markers, range indicators and, most importantly, a rule book. Everything in the box, besides the ships and dice, is made out of a robust cardboard that doesn’t seem like it will warp or tear easily. The miniatures themselves are made of a durable plastic and are finely detailed. Everything is well made and ready for a game, though my X-Wing did have an S-Foil slightly bent out of shape, but it’s not noticeable unless you really stare at it. The starter box is quite the bargain for what’s inside and serves as the perfect point to begin your own collection of Rebel or Imperial forces. This reviewer highly recommends this game both from a collector’s point-of-view and a tabletop gamer’s point-of-view.

Imperial Assault: The New Addition

We have not yet experienced the latest addition to Fantasy Flight Games’ line of George Lucas influenced tabletop combat but the reviews by others are positive and the interest from the community is certainly not lacking.  We look forward to getting our gaming mitts on this game soon to test the waters.

For now, we suggest you go out, collect and start playing Star Wars tabletop games! May the Force be with you!

The Pre-orders are available for the NEW 7th Edition of Warhammer 40,000 and to celebrate we are prepared help you SAVE! Beginning today and continuing until Monday May 19th The Battle Standard will be awarding ALL PRE-ORDERS an increasing discount based on the total pre-orders sold! Here’s how it works…

1. Visit or call TBS from now until 5/19 to… Pre-Order 7th Edition WH40K ($50 Deposit).
2. Tell everyone you know to do the same!
3. We will adjust the purchase price of your Pre-Order (at final payment) by the discount reached in the stretch goals below!

Stretch Goal #1: 10 Pre-Orders – All Pre-Ordered rulebooks will be sold at a membership stackable 5% off

Stretch Goal #2: 20 Pre-Orders – FREEBIE DRAWING! One lucky, randomly selected, Pre-Order participant will receive the new 7th Edition Rulebook for FREE

Stretch Goal #3: 30 Pre-Orders – All Pre-Ordered rulebooks will be sold at a membership stackable 10% off

Stretch Goal #4: 40 Pre-Orders – All Pre-Ordered rulebooks will be sold at a membership stackable 10% off AND include a membership stackable 10% off any one additional item.

Stretch Goal #5: 50 Pre-Orders – All Pre-Ordered rulebooks will be sold at a membership stackable 15% off AND include a membership stackable 15% off any one additional item.

Stretch Goal #6: 75 Pre-Orders – All Pre-Ordered rulebooks will be sold at a membership stackable 15% off AND include a membership stackable 15% off on ALL ITEMS sold in this transaction!

Stretch Goal #7: 100 Pre-Orders – All Pre-Ordered rulebooks will be sold at a membership stackable 20% off AND include a membership stackable 20% off on ALL ITEMS sold in this transaction! 3 randomly selected Pre-order Participants will receive the 7th Edition WH40K Rulebook for FREE!!!

DON’T WAIT, PARTICIPATE TODAY!

The Flames of War tournament on Saturday, April 20^th was great fun for all involved. Three rounds of intense action found an even match up of Axis and Allied forces clashing across the great tables at The Battle Standard! There were dramatic assaults, tough defenses, and the shock and awe of a German Gliderborne led assault dropping onto the table in round 1!

Congratulations go out to our top two winners!

• Phil Messier led his Italian Mitraligieri from victory to victory, and 1st place
• Sean Maloney secured a great 2nd place finish with his German Luflandsturmkompanie (Glider assault company), including a dramatic Airborne assault on turn one against a dogged British defense!

In the end there was great fun had by all and plans are in the works for our next tournament. So if you missed this one, don’t panic. We’ll be back on the high ground at The Battle Standard soon enough!

– Chris Kadish, TBS Flames of War Tournament Organizer

Battle Cry 2013 has come to a close and with it the single largest event ever held at The Battle Standard Tabletop Game and Hobby.  Eighty-seven (87) entries clashed across nine (9) categories until only the best of the best were left to claim victory.  The conversions were exceptional.  The level of painting detail, astounding.  The experience could not have been more positive and thus you can expect EVERY year will have a Battle Cry Painting Competition!

We have compiled the results and posted them HERE with the best images we had of each entry that took home an award.  Over the course of this week (and possibly on to next week) those that participated will be receiving an email containing the photos we took of their submission and a link to the comment card which will help us improve the event for next year.

We have already determined a few areas where we plan to improve.  We will be working extremely hard to make sure the timing of next year’s event is more rigid and again we apologize for the delay in judging.  We will also be improving on our photography equipment to ensure everyone’s photographs come out brilliant and web-worthy.  We will also be discussing more categories, more awards AND more events leading up to Battle Cry!  Stay tuned to these pages for information as it becomes available.

We’re thrilled that this event was received so well.  The community of hobbyists that participated in this event, and in our many other events, and support our location via their purchases on a day to day basis are a constant reminder that we are staying true to tabletop gaming and true to the hobby we love and enjoy.  Below are some related links that we felt may interest you.  Thank you so very much for the ongoing support and we hope to see you soon at The Battle Standard!

• Official Battle Cry 2013 Results
• Battle Cry Annual Event Home

And don’t forget… Bitz Blitz Auction & Bazaar Coming Soon!

What is Battle Cry Painting Competition?

BCPC is New England’s entry into the large scale painting competition format. It is hosted annually by The Battle Standard Tabletop Game & Hobby of Manchester, CT. It is an opportunity for hobbyists of all miniature gaming genres to compete amicably in a show of talent and ability. Competitors register to submit their own creation(s) to be judged against the talent of their peers. Winners are awarded the official Battle Cry trophy in brilliant gold, securing their place in BCPC history as a testament to their painting skills and recognition as an exceptional artist in the arena of miniature painting. 2nd place and 3rd place Runners-up also receive recognition by way of a decorative plaque that can be proudly displayed to document their effort to be the best. The annual event will bring in artists from all over the Northeast (possibly further) interested in taking home the trophy. Take the opportunity to display your best piece of work, compete with your peers and enjoy the many creations presented. Welcome to Battle Cry!

Date: Saturday April 6th 2013

Rules:

• Submissions must be entered before 1PM on competition day
• Submissions must be the work of the presenter
• Competitors may only enter one submission per category
• Battle Cry judges determine the category that best fits your entry (should the immediate guidelines not dictate clearly)
• You must be present to collect your awards (runner-up will collect in your absence)

Cost:

• $5 per category entered
• All competitors receive a $5 off ($25 or more purchase) coupon for their initial entry

Time / Schedule:

• All models must be at the store no later than 1pm
• Viewing of models: 2-4pm
• Judging: 4-5pm
• Awards: 5pm

Prizes:

• 1st place in each category will receive a gold trophy of The Battle Standard’s official mascot “Wallace” in the themed Battle Cry pose. This unique resin trophy was sculpted for Battle Cry by Latvian sculptor Oskars Pantelejevs and recast in a limited number specificly for the competition by Ron Lee Casting of Burbank California.
• 2nd and 3rd place will receive a plaque mounted version of the “Wallace” Kettle Hat in the color representing their place, silver or bronze.
• All placing participants will receive gift cards to the store.

Categories:

SciFi

(Which includes but is not limited to 28mm Warhammer 40000, MERCs, Infinity, Dark Age, etc)

Single Model

Squad (3+ models)

Vehicle/Monsterous Creature

Fantasy

(Which includes but is not limited to 28mm Warhammer Fantasy, Privateer Press, Malifaux, etc)

Single Model

Regiment (3+ Models)

Large War Machine/Monster

Small Scale

(Which includes but is not limited to Flames of War, Dystopian Wars, Battlefleet Gothic, Various small scale historical, etc)

Single Model

Squad (3+ models)

BEST IN SHOW

(A special award will be given to the best overall across all catergories)