Hello

[wdhjr87]

Thanks very much for allowing me in. I'm a new prospective member from Washington, D.C. I've gotten pointed to some good resources here on this forum, and I know I have a lot of reading to do. I'm working on it.

 

I've had a rough experience getting started, first some time ago but mostly over the last six months or so. I made some mistakes when attempting to buy pieces for my first costume; when I first submitted for approval, I was told that there were no modifications that would get me to approval, and I was advised to get a costume that I had no interest in just so I could join a forum and get help. I'm glad that it seems like it's no longer the case that I have to actually be a "member" before anyone can talk to me. I had some very negative and unkind interactions at first, but I'm hoping that was an exception to the rule, and I'm forging ahead regardless.

 

I'm trying to make sure I don't repeat that mistake, so I'm studying up and getting read up on the resources available here before making any purchases this time. I came here for that reason. The forum here is daunting, but I know there's a lot of information housed here. I'm not used to using a medium like this, so I also sought help on the Discord channel, which pointed me back to resources here. I am looking forward to eventually (hopefully and finally) getting engaged with people near me or others I can communicate with in more real-time settings, but I have not had luck with that prior to finding the Discord server. 

[Nairy[Staff]]

Hello and welcome to the forum Will! Great to have you here! 

 

Sorry to hear that your first impression wasn't as good as you hoped it would be! We are always kind and eager to help our fellow troopers, so you've had an unfortunate start it seems! We won't have that unkind stuff here! 

 

Congratulations on taking the first steps on your journey! What costume are you thinking of building first? Original trilogy Stormtrooper (OTTK)?

 

Research is key, that cannot be understated, and it already looks like you are on the right track with that mindset!

 

When you start building or order your kit (pre built or not) you can always create a build thread to get feedback on every little detail, as we have members online pretty much all the time over here, things should move on pretty smoothly!

[revlimiter[Staff]]

Glad to see you here Will! And great to chat with you on discord. Please feel free to use it (or the forums) any time you want to chat more. We're very much here to help you be the best TK you can be!

[gmrhodes13[Staff]]

Hello and welcome aboard here's a great thread full of info, research is the key, good luck

 

[wdhjr87]

2 hours ago, Nairy said:

Hello and welcome to the forum Will! Great to have you here! 

 

Congratulations on taking the first steps on your journey! What costume are you thinking of building first? Original trilogy Stormtrooper (OTTK)?

 

Thank you. Right now I'm deciding between two things: 1) one of two versions of an ISB supervisor uniform (which I realize in the IOC world, not here), and 2) an OT stormtrooper armor build, which I know is my ultimate goal whether I do the officer uniform first or not. I've looked at the CRLs for the various versions and have six tabs open of forum threads to read tonight, so I'll be learning more. Do most people start with the Stunt version or is there a preference?

[gmrhodes13[Staff]]

2 hours ago, wdhjr87 said:

 

Thank you. Right now I'm deciding between two things: 1) one of two versions of an ISB supervisor uniform (which I realize in the IOC world, not here), and 2) an OT stormtrooper armor build, which I know is my ultimate goal whether I do the officer uniform first or not. I've looked at the CRLs for the various versions and have six tabs open of forum threads to read tonight, so I'll be learning more. Do most people start with the Stunt version or is there a preference?

Some do a soft costume first so they can get involved with the legion and local garrison then build their hard armor, really up to you. Personally I built my armor first, I wasn't much for going out in public so wearing a helmet suited me just fine.

 

Most do a Stunt version as it's the first Stormtrooper many remember first seeing, with a Stunt version you can swap out a few pieces and become a Hero, with a backpack you could do a HWT trooper too. With a few other pieces changed (helmet, belt, handplates, holster) you could also get approved as an ESB version. A great datasheet on the difference between the versions https://drive.google.com/file/d/10tEVteIreh6AHMogW010cuH_Bf8TBfU6/view

 

Here is the breakdown of TK versions currently approved 

 

Incidentally this is the first time approved TK costumes have fallen under 5,000 since I joined back in 2012

[wdhjr87]

Cool to see that data. Thanks for the insight on that. 

[JBar[TK]]

If/When you pull the trigger the "All in One Index of Resources" linked above is a perfect place to start. I went from zero knowledge to a full kit based on that thread. The absolute best thing you can do though is get into contact with local members to help you out. It really helps to see armor in person

[wdhjr87]

3 hours ago, JBar said:

If/When you pull the trigger the "All in One Index of Resources" linked above is a perfect place to start. I went from zero knowledge to a full kit based on that thread. The absolute best thing you can do though is get into contact with local members to help you out. It really helps to see armor in person

I have been trying very hard to do this, but I’ve been failing! Unfortunately all of the events for prospective members have been cancelled since I started trying to engage last year. I’ve been trying to ask about Academy or any sort of “mentor” program, as well, but they seem to not exist. I’m hoping that a potential event for new recruits will land later this spring that I can finally attend, but this has been one of the big challenges I have faced. 

[BAZINGA[TK]]

You don't need to wait or look for an event specifically for recruiting new members.  You can attend any event they are at that is open to the public and chat them up.  A lot of the bigger ones will have people on hand specifically to chat with the public and they will be more than happy to talk with you.  I can tell you from first hand experience when working at a club table that the day is much more fun when people come up to talk about joining.

 

Bart

[gmrhodes13[Staff]]

8 hours ago, wdhjr87 said:

Cool to see that data. Thanks for the insight on that. 

My pleasure, good luck with the researching 

[FN1313[TK]]

Welcome.

My dad and I had bought rubies costumes hoping to get in originally and heard that they weren’t capable for approval. It took a few years, but eventually we made it in with approved armor.

The FISD was such a great help for me when I started. You’ll find a solid group here to help along the journey!


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[TK27022[TK]]

Welcome Will!

 

First of all, I want you to understand that all of us have been in your position. Excited to find something as mind blowing as 501st is but at the same time so overwhelming in the amount of information that is out there.

 

Well also know that you are already doing the right thing which is researching and researching.

 

It is super important and along the way you also make a lot of friends ;)

 

My armor is a SDS (Shepperton Studios Designs) and believe me when I tell you that it took me a lot of sweat, blood and tears to prepare it for approval but I did it! and now I feel mega proud wearing it so I encourage you to follow the path you are taking.

 

Welcome!

 

Jason