ratboy is widely (in)famous for his almost tectonic painting speed. That’s not to say that he plays with unpainted miniatures; just that he tries to avoid it as often as possible.
He was, at one time, whispered about in fearful tones anywhere players of toy soldiers gather. In Melbourne. he is the man, the myth, the legend: Ratboy!
You have to just know that there’s a story behind that nickname, right?
Long ago, as a misty-eyed youth, he did what we all consider at some point in our gaming lives; working for Games Workshop. First in retail at the recently opened Chatswood store and then the brand new Sydney store and eventually gravitated to working in Mail Order in the Australian operation where he ran the show for a while. The staff were a bunch of slack-jawed yokels. Actually, it was a one-man show.
As you would imagine, working in the hobby mecca (young and misty-eyed, remember?), money flowed freely from the hole in his pocket. Before he knew it, he was in possession of about five kilograms of lead Skaven miniatures.
At around the same time, a new guy had started in the warehouse (ratboy still remembers his name, Adam Duggan). Upon one of the first times meeting our hero, for reasons known only to him, he cried, “You look like a rat, boy!”
And the rest is, as they say, history.
However, our story goes back earlier than that to high school. There was a Dungeons and Dragons club that he was drawn into. The games were full of lewd innuendo and casual observation of the rules, but he was hooked.
Then a few years later was his ah-ha! moment. White Dwarf 125 was his first real exposure to the world of miniature gaming. Oh, sure, he’d had a train set as a kid and made botched attempts at making “realistic” looking scenery using papier-mache and green poster paint, but this, this was the real deal. A world of elves, goblins, Space Marines and Eldar!
To using the wrestling term, he marked out big time for Games Workshop!
Since then, he has played a LOT of games: Warhammer 40000 (including Rogue Trader), Warhammer Fantasy Battle (when it came with High Elves and Goblins), Mordheim, BloodBowl (the perennial favourite!), and Necromunda.
Today, there is a near-infinite supply of tabletop wargames to suit any and all tastes. he has dabbled in Warmahordes, Malifaux, and Bushido. He is (still) seriously loving Infinity and some of the smaller games, like A Fistful of Kung Fu and X-wing.
ratboy is very fortunate to have a games club nearby that plays a lot of these games and many more. However, being all grown up with a wife and kids means that Saturdays spent gaming at Hampton Games Club are getting few and far between.
I’m proud to be a lifelong fan of the epic worlds of Games Workshop, and I’m excited to share that passion with you. Whether you’re a seasoned veteran of the tabletop battlefield or a newcomer looking to explore these rich and vibrant universes, Grim Dark Goods has everything you need to make your next game unforgettable.
The selection of Warhammer 40K products includes a wide range of fan-made accessories from all the major factions, including Space Marines, Chaos, Tyranids, and more. The inventory is constantly updated with new releases, so you can always stay on the cutting edge of the 41st millennium.
If you’re more of a Blood Bowl fan, we’ve got you covered too. The selection of Blood Bowl inspired accessories includes everything you need to celebrate your fandom. From Orcs to Skaven to Humans and more, we’ve got all the major teams represented.
But we’re not just about products here at Grim Dark Goods We’re also dedicated to building a community of tabletop wargaming Bowl fans who can share tips, tricks, and stories about their favorite games. That’s why we’re always active on social media, hosting giveaways, and participating in online forums and communities. We believe that these games are more than just hobbies – they’re a way of life.
So whether you’re looking to expand your collection, learn new strategies, or just connect with fellow fans, we’re here to help. Thank you for choosing Grim Dark Goods and we can’t wait to see what you’ll achieve on the tabletop!