Ork Heavy Suits and Wolf Riders

I have painted up the Mantic Ork heavy suits - I have work out what 40k stat line to use. Fairly happy with these 2 - I tried to do WW2 German tank colour scheme.

Big mech suit with circular saw hand to hand weapon and a “plasma” type  gun thing.

Big mech suit with mini gun and another gun. 

I have also finished (apart from basing) the Marduk Hobgoblin wolf riders. 

I have another 6 to go (with bows) - I might srape the rectangle on the flag off the next set so that I can do a more interesting design … happy with these 2 tone wolves. 

I think these will look good when the bases are done. 

Morts

Is this the start of a campaign? Probably not but you never know …

DK and Steedo popped over a for a game (although most of the evening was spent bimbiling and put the world to rights). I had picked Hordes of the Things (HotT) as a simple game to get some miniatures to the table. Also I recall playing some great fun games of HotT back in the day. The sides were Steedo and I with the Hobgoblins verses DK with the Humans. We were playing 36 AP armies (which worked well with the rules). 

The lands of Mortonia has been quiet for many years, but there has been stirring in the lands of the Hobgoblin Khans - the human Kingdom of the Sun moved their experienced general Davio Kaie up to the border river lands. Just in time to, as he was able to intercept on the river a force of Hobgoblins led Steez Khan … battle commenced!

The initial dispositions put the humans in a line - the Hobgoblins had tried to counter the humans with heavy wolf riders backed up by ogres on the right opposing a spear phalanx. Then beasts archers and a chariot versus the human cavalry and riders on the left flank. 

The centres had the hobgoblin warbands and blades facing off against the human knights. 

The river caused many problems for the hobgoblin’s as they are repeatedly repulsed as they tried to force the centre … the phalanx was able to break first the heavy wolf riders and then the ogres …although the artillery (ballista) did a lot of damage supporting the phalanx … 

On the other flank the hobgoblin’s did manage to force their way across the river - the beasts causing lots of problems for the human cavalry… also the hobgoblin archers also managed to break their human opposites … but …

Unfortunately the human centre and left had held firm and many missed opportunities where the humans  had fought off attacks against the odds (ridden their luck - 3 times DK had rolled a 1 and all I needed to do was roll a 2 or more for a quick kill but I all I managed was to roll a 1 as well…). Eventually the hobgoblins had had enough and pulled back from the border … the question is will they be back … and has the attack caused the other powers to prepare for war and conquest?

We had a really good game - some cinematic and frustrating moments and it was a tight game for quite awhile. I am hoping to get another HotT game in and perhaps continue they story/narrative which has started.

Morts

Still no painting and gaming mojo

I am still missing the gaming and making mojo - just not quite feeling at the moment - which is annoying as I have the Epic warpath kickstarter now. I have watched the rules play through and actually read the rules - looks like a fun game. But total inactivity in regards to getting it, or anything else for that matter up and playing. 

I have been think about it recently to see if I can work out the issue … for the 28mm fantasy stuff I think it is some confusion about basing … sabots or fixed bases and having to make a decision. When I moved over to HotT in the early 90’s it was a not brainer … this time I am having major issues making a decision.

The Viking and Saxons are staying individually based for SAGA games … like I have played lots of that …

Also I have been considering the 40k stuff - the major mission creep on the Ad Mech and Marines in particular well beyond the skirmish/Kill teams that I originally planned … so do I review this set up??

Obviously it hasn’t stopped me picking up some Mantic Ork marauders to make up a Kill Team … they were a bargain, but now I am looking for some GW spare bits. 

More thinking to do …

Morts 

Not much to report …

 So with the garden remodelling and the rather hot weather not much gaming going on. 

I have finished the shed and made a couple of raised bed frames … I did buy some 60mm square bases, so part way there in the change to the collection … strangely some figures look ok with the standard DBA basing numbers … 

Just have to fully commit to actually to the change …

Morts

Actually I did paint something …

So I did paint something - an GW elf general for my Kings of War elf army … which might become an DBF/HotT army … 

I need to attach a Ral Partha elf shield - but positioning it isn’t as easy as I thought it would be, so I might to press mould the design onto a larger shield. 

But that will have to wait until the weather isn’t quite as warm and sticky and I have got further along the with the garden remodel. 

I have also seen DK a couple of times and played games in a pub - managed to win Hive (2-1) and Yo Sushi … obviously games at my level.

Morts 

More Celts

 I have finished another 12 Celts - used some contrast paint medium to reduce the brightness of some of the speed paints. Which I think worked well. 

I did use an old flesh wash for the skin to start with, but it started to look a bit dark, so I painted over with some flesh …

Now I have to think about basing them … individually or on the 60mm squares. 

Might be a while. 

Morts 

Basing conundrums again …

Every so often I go through the need to consider my best options for basing my fantasy miniatures for various games. 

Having the chat with the chap running the Lion Rampant game with 12 figures on a single base - which looked really nice - sort of mini dioramas. The multi base means you avoid the very “lined up” look from the sabot bases. 

DK had picked up a copy of the De Bellis Fantasiae DBF rules - a cross between DBM/HotT rules which I really liked back in the day - although I did have a bit of an issue the single rank basing - I have also been mulling over Midgard rules and was considering picking up Hobgoblin rules - both of which work off approx 120mm frontages … which is roughly the frontage for Kings of War (well 100/120/125 mm if you are being pedantic) … so my little brain got thinking and has come up with 60mm squares has the solution to my basing needs - using the figure number ish from DBF as a guide.

Trialling with some of my elves to represent.

So for Regular (solid) Spears - 6 figures (5 for fast) - 2 of these bases would make a regiment for KoW or Dragon Rampant.

The same for blades

 

I think the double rank makes the element in DBF/HotT look like a unit

For Bows - solid 4 figures 

Fast 3 figures - 4 need for Dragon Rampant 

Knights/Cavalry will be 2 or 3, regardless of if they are solid or fast - just because they need to look right on the base. 

As these Elf knights demonstrate - it would be tough to get 3 on a base.

Light horse would be 2 to a base - but not so lined up - see below.

Artillery - well that is straight forward. 

Warbands and Auxilia will be either 5/4 Solid/Fast or 4/3 Solid fast. 

Skirmishers - currently thinking 2/3 on a 60mm square base or possibly 2 on a 60x30 base …

For Ogres and Trolls - possibly 2 on a 60mm square or do they stay on the 40mm squares they are currently on.

This sort of thing is never as simple as it should be …

Morts

Dwarf Steam Tank (Steel Behemoth)

So I finished the Steam Tank (Steel Behemoth) for  the Dwarfs late last week. On the whole pretty pleased with it.

Not sure if I should have gone with a more bronze and steel scheme rather than the red/blue colour scheme, which does match up with a couple of the Dwarf units in the rest of the army. Will have to get them one the table for a quick dust up!

Must avoid buying any extra units .... such as flying things, rangers and such like .....

Morts

Well I think l am clever .......

Well I failed to complete the Viking warband and for SAGA by Easter - still 8 to do, base coated and washed but I haven't done the detail! This failure is due in part to work commitments and being distracted by sorting out the sabot bases from last summer. 

By sorting I mean putting the backs on and texturing them - still got the painting and grassing to do!

The sabotting has been done so that figures can be used for HotT and Kings of War. 

These images show the HotT bases - 80mm frontages. The Vikings are on round 25mm bases the elves are on 20mm squares. 

I have also have done some bases with various numbers of 25mm round cut-outs and with 2 cavalry base cut-outs (some shown in the top picture). The depth on most of the bases is 60mm apart from the 20mm squares which have depth of 50mm - but this is so by rotating the miniatures 90 degrees two bases have the same foot print as a regiment for Kings of War!

A regiment of elves face off against human Knights in KoW. Also the basing means that they are over the minimum model count recommended by mantic. 

However my plans have been slightly stuffed up by some 20mm square bases being bigger than 20mm - which is a really pain. Will probably get some more bases cut or I have to sand the bases ...

Anyway got some games on this week so - might not get much further with this!

Morts

A Rampant Retinue or Warband DONE ..................... Well nearly

Well started the new year off with completing by fantasy human army- well warband apart from he basing. 

The whole force - mainly the old Harlequin Lord of the Rings figures (still available from Scotia Grendel) with the cavalry supplied by Essex miniatures. 

I would like to get a unit of Rangers/scouts and possibly some artillery. 

The army points for various rule sets. 

There would be a wizard(s) as well but I haven't included them in the lists. 

General          68 pts WH. 120 pts KoW. 

Spear unit 1 114 pts WH. 120 pts KoW. Phalanx special rule. 

Spear unit 2 114 pts WH. 120 pts KoW. Phalanx special rule.

Archers        126 pts WH. 100 pts KoW.

Knights        159 pts WH. 195 pts KoW.

Dragon Rampant

Spear unit 1 - Heavy Foot 4 pts

Spear unit 2 - Heavy Foot 4 pts

Archers - Light Missiles 4 pts

Knights - Elite Riders 6 pts/Heavy Riders 4 pts 

Hordes of the Things

4 Spears

2 Bows

2 Knights

The general or King! An Essex Miniatures figure. 

A spear unit. Finished!

Archers- bases to finish. 

Another spear unit - basing to do. 

The knights or heavy horse. Essex miniatures with head and arm swaps. I'm a bit annoyed that I didn't move the standard bearer's arm over to the right more.  I also should have done a musician conversion.  Never mind. 

Morts

Painted!

Finished the Frost Giant - apart from the base. I think he looks rather good.

Also completed the half-Orc.

Got some others on the work table - perhaps an update later.

Morts

Basing - dealing with duplication Part 3

Well I finally got around to playing with the laser cutter at work!

The office now smells of burnt MDF! Pretty pleased with what I have produced 😃

Need to make a few more things but I think most things are covered.

Warlord sabot base for SAGA (probably not legal - an elipse 60mm by 48mm) with my Saxon warlord and standard bearer.

The rest of the "frames" are 80mm by 60mm, with various combinations of 25mm circles and 25mm by 50mm "pills". Suitable for SAGA, OGAM and making armies into HoTT forces 😃

Berserkers modelling a 4 figure base. 

Saxon Heathguard with axes (and 2 others) on a 6 figure 2 rank base.

Next up Gondorian/Numenorian Cavalry on "pill" bases.

I noticed an error in my design while getting the pictures ready - on the 2 rank infantry bases the "space" between the circles had been cut out due to the design. Initially I though this could be a problem for the aesthetics but unusually for me I saw an opportunity! 

Mixed cavalry and infantry bases - useful for Heroes (and their hangers-on) in HoTT.  

The plan is to have some "blanks" to put in. 

I also have frames to take 25mm by 25/50mm rectangular bases. 

I need to do a couple more types - 2 "pills" on a base (the same for rectangles) and 3/5 circles on a base for light troops/warbands. 

Hopefully I will get more use out on the stuff I have already painted - always good!

Morts

What has been painted now!

A painting up date. Exciting I know so hang on to your hats. Or not.

For the on going Saga of Orc's Drift.

First up the new recruits for the Linden Way Militia. 

3 Archers. Originally Garrison Archers from the Harlequin/Black Tree Design Lord of the Rings range which was released before the Peter Jackson movies. I scraped off the Tree of Gondor from their chests.

8 Spearmen

These are also from the Harlequin/Black Tree Design Lord of the Rings range - but were the Men of Anfalas. I picked these up ages ago as I liked the Dark Age/Late Roman vibe they have got for a 1000-1500 point Warhammer army .... That plan got as far as the buying stage. With most being sold off unpainted, but I kept enough for a HoTT army - which was helpful when I decided to run the Orc's Drift scenario pack. 

Now they are going to from the basis of a Retinue for Lion Rampant and hopefully enough for a Dux Bellorum force as well. If I can sort the sabot bases rambled about recently.

I will do a muster for Linden Way a little closer to the game - when we have sorted a date.

Incidentally the figures are still available from Scotia Grendal Productions in the generic fantasy range.

These 3 are some of the civilians needed for Linden Way. From left to right a Black Tree monk, a Warlord Games Celtic boy and a Mark Copplestone sculpted mediaeval lady (I think was a give away with Wargames Illustrated years ago) who I picked up at a bring & buy ... Again years ago!

The final 3 are figures which have been half painted for 2 or 3 years. A couple of Asgard/Tabletop barbarians (still available from Alternative Armies) and a Satyr by Tin Soldier (bought from a HoTT army, but could now be used for Of Gods and Mortals, Song of Blades or anything else I think of).

Thinking of Of Gods and Mortals does anyone know when Croc Games Kickstarter Demi-gods will be available? Fantastic sculpts but I didn't do the Kickstarter so am still waiting :(

Any comments about the figures appreciated - I think I should have put tattoos on the barbarians... 

Next on to the painting list ..... Whatever I want ;)

Basing - dealing with duplication 2

Following up on the duplication ramble - basing and rule systems the bane of the wargamer.

Considering the time spent on painting minis for this game or that it would be nice to be able to cross over systems.

HoTT is 60mm frontage for everything but number of figures varies, Warhammer is 20mm or 25mm bases for individuals - excluding monsters. Then the Lord of the Rings SBG is 25mm or 40mm rounds 

.... I am considering creating some sabbot bases with 80mm frontage and 60mm depth with space for 3 by 2 infantry with any type of base (20, 25 squares and 25 rounds) and 3 cavalry on 25 by 50 rectangles or pils. It has to be said that some of the thinking behind this comes from having access to a laser cutter at work - all I have to do is supply the mdf and work out how to use the software. That bit is worrying as I can't work out how to put links on this blog - d'oh!

This will also be of benefit for the Vikings/Saxons for Dux Bellorum, Of Gods and Mortals and possibly SAGA if DK can get it together rather than buying a new boardgames every week ;)

I am not planning to change the DBA armies as they cover the same historical period - well roughly.

Greeks, Persians, Macedonians, Romans, Thracians, Celts and Carthagian.

Images - well some poor quality rough sketches.

Any thoughts on this would be nice - before I work out how to use the laser cutter!

Obviously this will require a fair amount of work - taking things off bases and putting back on bases.

I think it will give a nice looking game with more figures per base. 

Well there is a plan - put with all wargaming plans it has yet to hit reality. And of course doing this stops painting etc.

Dealing with duplication

I suppose I am like many wargamers I buy figures because I like them, the "Ooo shiney" syndrome which when added to the I "need" a couple of those to finish off the army - "Mission creep".

I have a number of completed DBA armies - Greek, Persian, Thracian, Roman and Macedonian (and a couple of unpainted - Celtic and Carthagian). These can be morphed into HoTT armies as I have a number of bases of creatures from mythology. So this is all well and good.

To be honest the anicents aren't really the problem - HoTT armies are. I have accumulated 2 orc armies using Ral Partha miniatures. These figures can easily be used to fight Greeks or Romans etc. 

This is the Warband Army.

Made up of 3 Riders, 2 Shooters, 5 Warbands (including the general) and 4 Hordes (or Spears if I want to buff the army a bit).

This is the Blade Army. 

Made up of 2 Riders, 2 Shooters, 4 Blades (including the general) and 5 Hordes (or Spears). There is also the Orc Warmachine as artillery - not pictured. 

Then there are these 2 (effectively orc) Lord of the Rings armies. 

Angmar

Made up of the Witchking (either a Hero or Knight general), 2 Riders, 2 Beasts, 4 Warbands (including a general) 1 Behemoth and 4 Hordes.

Mordor

Made up of a Nazgul (either a Hero or Knight general), 1 Riders, 2 Spears, 3 Blades (including a general) 1 Behemoth and 8 Hordes.

There is also a 2nd Age Elf army - and recently I completed the Numenor/Early Gondor Cavalry. Plus Wood Elf, Rohan and Haradrim in very unpainted states in a box. The above discussion doesn't even to bring in the Warhammer Elf and Hobgoblin armies for even more duplication. 

The bottom line is that I don't need to store this many armies .... My current thinking is to sell off the Lord of the Rings stuff, perhaps keeping some for skirmishing ....

Any suggestions about the duplication dilemma would be appreciated.