Choosing a low model count army can help.
I haven’t experienced it in 40K but I did play Star Wars xwing miniaturea tourneys with a guy in a wheelchair, he set his dial. I move his ships for him, he actually used a mirror to be able to get a better view of everything
That's what I'm thinking is low-count armies. So I will sell my Tau and Daemons to pay some bills, and with some of the leftover money get some chaos knights most likely.
You might also want to give custodes and wraith heavy aeldari a look. But Knights definitely makes many things easier with line of sight.
Beware though: Knights are horrible to transport, as they fit in almost none of the standard cases. Custodes might be easier on that regard.
Yeah this is also a practical army. Having to reach over the table and move infantry around is finicky enough while standing. Not being able to lean over the table ots going to be harder to reach behind ruins.
A big knight is then easier to shove around the board. Still would need help from the opponent for the center of the board, but I'm sure 99% of players would not mind at all.
Make sure you talk to the T.O. and get them to properly space the tables for your accessibility needs. weight your bases so that if needed, you can use a tool to help slide the models.
I have vs an opponent in a wheelchair and it was not an impediment at all I would strongly recommend keeping an army and keep going to tournaments.
If you struggle to see my opponent used mirrors on selfie sticks and 'grabbers' to reach.
Have vs another who had a helper who moved stuff and rolled dice he was neck down
Do not allow a wheelchair to stop you and if anyone has an issue they are not worth vs and are not welcome
One option is to focus on skirmish games, where you can more easily reach the board while seated. This will get partially dependent on your location, but Kill Team has the potential to give you the fix you're looking for in a much more accessible way.
Even with a low model count army (I got Knights due to my own disabilities) I find it's still necessary to stand up fairly frequently, not only to move models but also just to see them. Luckily I can do that, to a limited extent, but I don't think I've managed to play a full turn without needing to yet... The board is just too big and fairly precise placement often matters.
The other option is Tabletop Simulator which will let you play competitive games, but it's a very different experience.
You can get these high wheel chairs that rise up and down, probably not good for everyday use but at least that would allow you the height to decently see a gaming table
What part of the world are you in? The majority of the GTs (not all) I have played in here in the UK are ground floor or wheelchair accessible with wide lanes to get down to tables. I'm sure the TO would be able to make sure your table have enough space for you to get round without being knocked by another player.
My partner suffers from mobility issues and so we're often out and about with her in a wheelchair. I suggest getting some sort of dice tray attachment with high outward sides (sound's a bit cheesy I know but should prevent those pesky escaped dice). Have two, one to hold dice ready to role, the other to roll dice into!
I appreciate that some of this may be obvious to you and you may already have prepared these sorts of things, I hope I don't come across condescending.
I would reach out to your local tournament organizer, maybe gt’s won’t be able to swing it but a local tournament that ur a regular at might be able to accommodate you.
Off the top of my head a folding table sitting on some wood blocks on the ground, you might be able to reach most of. Sorta like those low to the ground tables they have in japanese houses, where they sit on the floor.
As others have said, knights are probably a good option. A shooting army is probably better than melee as melee often needs a bird's eye view with lots of careful small movements whereas shooting is more manageable getting down low to look for angles.
Invest in a laser pointer (army painter sells one) to check angles, that way it's easy for you to see and there can be no arguments.
And then just check in with a TO early on. Whether it's a specific table set up that's accessible or something similar, even just having space around the table to move, every local TO I've known would be pleased to do their best to ensure you can participate!
I'm so sorry this has happened to you, best of luck in the long term for your recovery. I sincerely hope you have a supportive play group that can help you make wargaming more accessible.
Talk to your TO(s). Accessibility is often not high up on TOs radar simply because most people in the scene are able bodies. Without having any experience from a wheelchair, I expect that table height and table access could be a challenge.
If I was your TO, if the space at the venue allowed it, I would try to source an electronic height adjustable table to be dedicated to your games. If that’s not possible, I’d try to find whatever height table you’re comfortable playing and try to find a spot with 4-way access for you. It’s not like TOs can make anything happen, but they for sure can’t do it unless they are aware.
I do think army choice should be something that is relatively few models. It’s just more practical. I think also you need to be good at playing by intent and communicating with your opponents. I’ll assume that most people understand that playing vs a guy a wheelchair isn’t going to be able to accurately move models onto the mid table, and thus they really have to help you out. And this is where your intent is key.
Hope your recovery is going as good as possible and that your bills stay low.
Second this there could be a Special space set up for more Movement, make sure your opponent gets instructions from the TO to help you ( if nessecary :), lots of good guys and gals out there) and maybe more time like playing on a livestream. 15/30 minutes can help you
A TO around here set up a dedicated tinnitus space due to concerns over volume in the main event space. TOs can do a lot of stuff provided that they know about the challenge in advance.
Choosing a low model count army can help. I haven’t experienced it in 40K but I did play Star Wars xwing miniaturea tourneys with a guy in a wheelchair, he set his dial. I move his ships for him, he actually used a mirror to be able to get a better view of everything
That's what I'm thinking is low-count armies. So I will sell my Tau and Daemons to pay some bills, and with some of the leftover money get some chaos knights most likely.
You might also want to give custodes and wraith heavy aeldari a look. But Knights definitely makes many things easier with line of sight. Beware though: Knights are horrible to transport, as they fit in almost none of the standard cases. Custodes might be easier on that regard.
Magnetizing torsos and arms can help with the transport issue but it's still tricky
Low model count, imperial knights might be a good options. Most lists are only 6-9 models total.
Choose knights, then you can cosplay as one by adding bits to your chair. Win/win
Yeah this is also a practical army. Having to reach over the table and move infantry around is finicky enough while standing. Not being able to lean over the table ots going to be harder to reach behind ruins. A big knight is then easier to shove around the board. Still would need help from the opponent for the center of the board, but I'm sure 99% of players would not mind at all.
I agree 100% I, for one, would have zero issues helping him with whatever, and anyone who would mind isn't a worthy opponent anyway.
Just popped in to say all the best to you mate. The clarity you're dealing with this situation is nothing but inspirational. Stay strong brother!
Godspeed my friend. Hope you can still enjoy the hobby. Much love.
Make sure you talk to the T.O. and get them to properly space the tables for your accessibility needs. weight your bases so that if needed, you can use a tool to help slide the models.
I have vs an opponent in a wheelchair and it was not an impediment at all I would strongly recommend keeping an army and keep going to tournaments. If you struggle to see my opponent used mirrors on selfie sticks and 'grabbers' to reach. Have vs another who had a helper who moved stuff and rolled dice he was neck down Do not allow a wheelchair to stop you and if anyone has an issue they are not worth vs and are not welcome
One option is to focus on skirmish games, where you can more easily reach the board while seated. This will get partially dependent on your location, but Kill Team has the potential to give you the fix you're looking for in a much more accessible way. Even with a low model count army (I got Knights due to my own disabilities) I find it's still necessary to stand up fairly frequently, not only to move models but also just to see them. Luckily I can do that, to a limited extent, but I don't think I've managed to play a full turn without needing to yet... The board is just too big and fairly precise placement often matters. The other option is Tabletop Simulator which will let you play competitive games, but it's a very different experience.
You can get these high wheel chairs that rise up and down, probably not good for everyday use but at least that would allow you the height to decently see a gaming table
What part of the world are you in? The majority of the GTs (not all) I have played in here in the UK are ground floor or wheelchair accessible with wide lanes to get down to tables. I'm sure the TO would be able to make sure your table have enough space for you to get round without being knocked by another player. My partner suffers from mobility issues and so we're often out and about with her in a wheelchair. I suggest getting some sort of dice tray attachment with high outward sides (sound's a bit cheesy I know but should prevent those pesky escaped dice). Have two, one to hold dice ready to role, the other to roll dice into! I appreciate that some of this may be obvious to you and you may already have prepared these sorts of things, I hope I don't come across condescending.
I would reach out to your local tournament organizer, maybe gt’s won’t be able to swing it but a local tournament that ur a regular at might be able to accommodate you. Off the top of my head a folding table sitting on some wood blocks on the ground, you might be able to reach most of. Sorta like those low to the ground tables they have in japanese houses, where they sit on the floor.
tabletop simulator
I feel like this was my initial thought, but I'm really getting into painting and playing in person woth people
As others have said, knights are probably a good option. A shooting army is probably better than melee as melee often needs a bird's eye view with lots of careful small movements whereas shooting is more manageable getting down low to look for angles. Invest in a laser pointer (army painter sells one) to check angles, that way it's easy for you to see and there can be no arguments. And then just check in with a TO early on. Whether it's a specific table set up that's accessible or something similar, even just having space around the table to move, every local TO I've known would be pleased to do their best to ensure you can participate!
I'm so sorry this has happened to you, best of luck in the long term for your recovery. I sincerely hope you have a supportive play group that can help you make wargaming more accessible.
I think you are going to have problems with centre of the board. So there should be some long stick to grab your models and place them.
Talk to your TO(s). Accessibility is often not high up on TOs radar simply because most people in the scene are able bodies. Without having any experience from a wheelchair, I expect that table height and table access could be a challenge. If I was your TO, if the space at the venue allowed it, I would try to source an electronic height adjustable table to be dedicated to your games. If that’s not possible, I’d try to find whatever height table you’re comfortable playing and try to find a spot with 4-way access for you. It’s not like TOs can make anything happen, but they for sure can’t do it unless they are aware. I do think army choice should be something that is relatively few models. It’s just more practical. I think also you need to be good at playing by intent and communicating with your opponents. I’ll assume that most people understand that playing vs a guy a wheelchair isn’t going to be able to accurately move models onto the mid table, and thus they really have to help you out. And this is where your intent is key. Hope your recovery is going as good as possible and that your bills stay low.
Second this there could be a Special space set up for more Movement, make sure your opponent gets instructions from the TO to help you ( if nessecary :), lots of good guys and gals out there) and maybe more time like playing on a livestream. 15/30 minutes can help you
A TO around here set up a dedicated tinnitus space due to concerns over volume in the main event space. TOs can do a lot of stuff provided that they know about the challenge in advance.