Warhammer Open Play at Purple Dragon Games

Every Other Saturday | 2–8 PM | Free Participation

At Warhammer Open Play, expect open tables, welcoming players, and room to enjoy your hobby. Walk up, explore the battlefield, and use our terrain to set the scene. You can also bring your own terrain to inspire new scenarios and other players. Purple Dragon Games hosts these gatherings every other Saturday from 2–8 PM. Players travel from Northern California and Southern Oregon to battle, paint, and connect. We host large-scale, tournament-style play with space for different approaches to the game. Expect impressive armies, tactical conversations, and plenty of enthusiasm around the tables. Most armies brought to our events range from approximately 600–2,000 points. However, all battle sizes are welcome, including smaller games for players getting started. Discuss your preferred points, pace, and expectations with your opponent before setting up. Some store armies and loaner armies are available for use that day. Ask staff about availability if you haven’t brought an army of your own. You can watch a battle, ask questions, or settle into a painting session. There’s no need to arrive with everything figured out before joining us.

The heart of our community is an unusual collection of passionate, welcoming people. Many of our core members are older adults with wonderfully varied backgrounds. Among them are people who have worked for Games Workshop and taught high school or college. Others have served in police and fire departments, bringing another perspective to the table. Proud mega-geeks are plentiful, and their enthusiasm tends to be wonderfully contagious. You’ll also meet autistic players with remarkable talents and deep knowledge of the hobby. Experience levels vary, from first-time visitors to players with tournament medals behind them. What connects everyone is a willingness to share the table and welcome somebody new. Come expecting introductions and friendly conversations, with room to find your own place. Our community is growing fast because people feel comfortable learning at their own pace. Prefer to show up and paint while listening to the battles nearby? That’s welcome, and so is seeking a challenging opponent to sharpen your skills. Casual players can find company without pressure to follow a particular program. Think of us as a living room for Warhammer, where everyone can settle in.

Our large game store provides generous tables for armies, terrain, and sprawling battlefield plans. During Open Play, we reserve space so you can walk up and get started. These tables are kept ready for Warhammer rather than shared among other store guests. Staff can help you find the gathering and introduce you to available players. Bring your miniatures, relevant rules, dice, measuring tools, and anything your game requires. If you’re missing something, ask rather than assuming you cannot join the fun. Players can coordinate battle sizes and arrange games that fit their available time. You’re welcome to spend the afternoon with us or visit for part of it. Outside scheduled Open Play events, our tables are available for Warhammer Thursday through Tuesday. Those regular store hours are noon–8 PM, giving players additional opportunities to meet. Talk with staff about available space when arranging a game outside event hours. Our community also enjoys proxies and has free files to share with interested newcomers. Ask players about those resources and agree on proxy use with your opponent. Clear conversations help everyone understand the battlefield and enjoy the game together.

Open Play offers opportunities to build skills through practice, observation, and discussion. Playing different opponents exposes you to unfamiliar armies, unexpected decisions, and fresh tactics. You might discover how positioning changes a battle or why an objective matters. Watching another table can reveal ideas you hadn’t considered while building your army. Experienced players can explain their thinking and help newcomers understand what happened. Ask questions, try something different, and give yourself permission to learn through mistakes. Painters benefit from seeing real miniatures up close rather than only finished photographs. Compare color choices, basing ideas, weathering techniques, and approaches to difficult little details. Bring your current project and share whatever stage you’ve reached with the group. An unfinished miniature can start just as useful a conversation as a completed army. If assembling your new box feels intimidating, we offer free help getting started. Simply ask staff for a game mentor who can assist with building your models. That guidance can help you approach assembly with more confidence and fewer questions. There’s always something to learn, whether your next step involves glue, paint, or tactics.

Our wall of Warhammer merchandise gives you plenty to explore between games and conversations. During these Saturday Open Play events, all Warhammer merchandise is 10% off. It’s an opportunity to pick up a project or expand an existing force. You can also request special orders when looking for something beyond our shelves. Ask staff about the items you’re seeking and the ordering options available. Bring your curiosity and let the community help you find your next adventure.