Good morning,
This just in!
Sir Peter Jackson would like some help in painting 4000 54mm Kiwi and Turkish WW1 soldiers for a diorama he's pulling together of the battle for Chunuk Bair. He's after 100 good painters to paint 40 each.
Please click here for more details.
(I'm hoping Mark O will take this up, and that he'll allow me to paint a couple!)
Nick
Friday, 23 January 2015
Thursday, 22 January 2015
My Book 3, Book 4 Armies
Good afternoon,
Yesterday Stan came round at lunchtime for another quick DBA bash (no pictures!) in an effort to practice for the 15mm DBA competition during the War Clouds Over Wooston event during Waitangi weekend here in Christchurch. He wanted to experiment with a Book IV, Anglo Irish army list (IV/26a) that he's taking to the comp. Seeing as I don't have any DBA armies in 15mm, but a fair heap in 20mm, I pulled out elements of my yet-to-be-painted Norman and Saxon armies as proxies.
That resin tent was made for my ages back by a very clever lad in Auckland, Mike Hansen. You can see some of his work here and here, from my old geocities site back in the day.
And this is my one painted element that I did for my son Matthew when he was doing a speech at school about Vikings! A visual aide, so to speak.
So anyway, yesterday these "Anglo Irish" went up against my [Italeri Saracens] Syrian army (IV/6a - 5 Cv, 4 LH, a Horde, 2 Ps and an Ax). The Horde never managed to crest the steep hill it was deployed behind they moved so slow!
I won, primarily thanks to the Cav/Bw matchups - the fact that when doubled by the Bw, the Cv just fleed...flew...flied...what ever the past tense of flee is - oh, hang on, it's fled! - and then came back. Eventually, despite being a factor down, I won those matchups because mounted in contact quick kill bow.
It also helped that my Ps also ran when doubled by his foot, and a lucky quick kill of my LH (with overlap support) against one of his Knights.
Anyway, hopefully tomorrow we'll try another match up, this time his Norman Anglo Saxon Irish up against my Rohirrim Anglo Saxon Free Company army - Book IV, List 74.
I'd pulled together this HOTT Rohan army (9 Kn, 1 LH, and 2 Sp) because I had spare mounted Revell and...Strelets, I think, Normans, as well as a bunch of spare Napoleonic horses, Revell Saxons that looked kinda Rohirmish...and a couple of spare HaT EIR Equites!
'Course it's now kinda superfluous as I've got my HOTT Sarmatians to go up against my Raetian Goblins. So I'm pleased I can use them for this list at least!
And since I had my toys out anyway, I thought I'd literally pull together another Later Carthaginian Spear element - with a few head, and one leg swaps with some other spares, since I'd used the Cart heads (and torso) for earlier conversions. Probably my Macedonians - I needed some Greekish looking head gear, if I recall.
That makes 6 Later Cart spear elements, should I ever want to try them as a double DBA army. Or Warmaster Ancients, perhaps allied to my Numidians...
So many toys, so little time to paint them!
Speaking of which, back to the EAPs. Got one more Sarabara element almost done. Almost.
Nick
Yesterday Stan came round at lunchtime for another quick DBA bash (no pictures!) in an effort to practice for the 15mm DBA competition during the War Clouds Over Wooston event during Waitangi weekend here in Christchurch. He wanted to experiment with a Book IV, Anglo Irish army list (IV/26a) that he's taking to the comp. Seeing as I don't have any DBA armies in 15mm, but a fair heap in 20mm, I pulled out elements of my yet-to-be-painted Norman and Saxon armies as proxies.
- 1 x General (3Kn)
- 1 x men-at-arms (3Kn)
- 2 x colonist archers (3/4Bd)
- 2 x colonist foot sergeants (Sp)
- 1 x mercenary axemen (4Bd) or kerns (3Ax)
- 3 x kerns (3Ax)
- 2 x kerns (Ps)
That resin tent was made for my ages back by a very clever lad in Auckland, Mike Hansen. You can see some of his work here and here, from my old geocities site back in the day.
And this is my one painted element that I did for my son Matthew when he was doing a speech at school about Vikings! A visual aide, so to speak.
So anyway, yesterday these "Anglo Irish" went up against my [Italeri Saracens] Syrian army (IV/6a - 5 Cv, 4 LH, a Horde, 2 Ps and an Ax). The Horde never managed to crest the steep hill it was deployed behind they moved so slow!
I won, primarily thanks to the Cav/Bw matchups - the fact that when doubled by the Bw, the Cv just fleed...flew...flied...what ever the past tense of flee is - oh, hang on, it's fled! - and then came back. Eventually, despite being a factor down, I won those matchups because mounted in contact quick kill bow.
It also helped that my Ps also ran when doubled by his foot, and a lucky quick kill of my LH (with overlap support) against one of his Knights.
Anyway, hopefully tomorrow we'll try another match up, this time his Norman Anglo Saxon Irish up against my Rohirrim Anglo Saxon Free Company army - Book IV, List 74.
- 1 x General (3Kn/4Bd)
- 3 x [English] men-at-arms (3Kn/4Bd) - the chaps with the Emhar Saxon blade elements behind them. Thanks John!
- 2 x [German] men-at-arms (3Kn)
- 3 x English archer (4Lb)
- 2 x French brigans (3Bd)
- 1 x Hungarian horse archers
I'd pulled together this HOTT Rohan army (9 Kn, 1 LH, and 2 Sp) because I had spare mounted Revell and...Strelets, I think, Normans, as well as a bunch of spare Napoleonic horses, Revell Saxons that looked kinda Rohirmish...and a couple of spare HaT EIR Equites!
'Course it's now kinda superfluous as I've got my HOTT Sarmatians to go up against my Raetian Goblins. So I'm pleased I can use them for this list at least!
And since I had my toys out anyway, I thought I'd literally pull together another Later Carthaginian Spear element - with a few head, and one leg swaps with some other spares, since I'd used the Cart heads (and torso) for earlier conversions. Probably my Macedonians - I needed some Greekish looking head gear, if I recall.
That makes 6 Later Cart spear elements, should I ever want to try them as a double DBA army. Or Warmaster Ancients, perhaps allied to my Numidians...
So many toys, so little time to paint them!
Speaking of which, back to the EAPs. Got one more Sarabara element almost done. Almost.
Nick
Tuesday, 20 January 2015
And Now For Something Completely Different
Well, scalewise anyway. I present to you Kings Of War, Greenskins vs. Dwarfs...in 28mm!
Good morning,
Last night, inspired by Robin's previous game of King Of War, I popped around to his place for a bash of KOW myself, using the figures that I've been quietly squirreling away for just such a purpose, purchased second hand and mostly painted, for a wee while now.
(It's funny how these things start. I had a dozen or so Hero Quest Orcs lying around (well spotted Steven), played a game of KOW with Robin quite a while back, saw that the basic rules were free on the web, and thought "Hey, I've already got some figures I can use for that..."
Far too many dollars later (I've paid, on average, about $NZ 1.00 per figure, painted - some beautifully, some...not so much), and hey - 1500 points of Greenskins - Orcs, Goblins and Lizards!)
Anyway, I pulled together a list...
...right to left...
(The Saurans are essentially Orc equivalents.)
(My only full price purchase - a Mantic Orc chariot. I especially like the shade of pink I managed to get on the pigs!)
(The Skinks are Goblin equivalents)
...facing Robin's Iron Dwarves.
Replete with shooters. First pot shot against my green skins (well, ok, green and blue skins) - 10 dice, no hits!
Likewise the Organ gun on the hill - 15 dice. There may have been a hit or two that time round. Note the banner - one of the aforementioned beautiful paint jobs. However, the seller had really only got round to finishing the front rank, so...that's another job to get round to some time...
I carefully placed my riders on the flank, awaiting for an opportunity of a quick strike, backed up by some magic...
...against Robin's Steel Behemoth. 'Sposed to be a steam tank, I really like his 'copter proxie.
I also move up my Krudger on his chariot for some extra oomph.
Note my unit of Hero Quest Orcs. Those I painted, and mixed in with a lot of old old GW plastic Orcs. If anyone has, or knows of, any more, please let me know - I'd love to expand this regiment.
More shooting, this time causing some disquiet...
Thankfully, that cannon in the background spent all game trying to shoot at these More Ax ('cause they have more axes - a double handed weapon unit!)...and failing!
(Just as well - had they hit, it would have been horrible!)
First contact!
Unfortunately, due to their companion units being shaken for a turn...
...and so unable to move, this lot charges into Robin's horde of Dwarves all on their lonesome.
This may not have been a great idea...
And on the northern flank...the Skinks are getting in the way of the Goblin Horde, who are in turn getting in the way of the Goblin Shooters. Bother.
More non shooting from Robin's lovely looking artillery...
...however, that dreaded Organ gun on the hill...
...takes out my biggest Orc Krudgument before they manage to get into contact. Bother!
And, speaking of not being able to get into contact due to shooting...
...Drats!
And I had such high hopes with those Fleabags!
So, the Krudger rolls in unsupported.
Boing!
However, the losses weren't entirely one way.
Huzzah!
Battle is joined in the north...
...and behind the lines. Robin sends forth his Power Miner up against Wip-the-Half-Caste. Who I thought might be ok in close combat, but he turned out to be more of a zapper than a fighter.
Still, he looks cool!
More biffo in the centre.
And the south.
While, in the north...you know how I said the Skinks were getting in the way?
Problem solved!
Meanwhile, the personal duel continues.
And in the south also.
Finally, my Horde gets into action.
However, since it's charge was partly through the wood, their effective strength is down a factor.
Bother.
Things were looking up in the centre. Having opened up a flank on the Dwarf Horde, I swing my Hero Quest Orcs into their flank - for double the attacks!
I also throw all in in the south - the tussle of the individuals continues, while I send in my Sauran half regiment and Skink Wiz up against Robin's Iron King.
Gulp.
Finally, the Steel Behemoth is shaken - he can't attack during his next turn.
Huzzah!
Back to the centre...urgghh, that don't look good!
(And my More Ax can't get into Robin's cannon, 'cause they ain't got no room. Bother it!)
My galant Orc Regiments had been bounced by Robin's Iron Horde. Now, do you remember that dratted organ gun on the hill?
Oh Drats!
Oh Double Drats!
Oh Stinky Stink Stink!
But at least my shooters can now shoot...?
Finally, in roll my big hitters. Finally.
In the south...
...Huzzah!
However, the Goblin Hordes aren't making much progress, seeing as how they're still partly in the wood.
On the plus side, they aren't taking any damage either.
But...
...well...
...err...
...ummm...yeah...
And that was the end of that!
'Twas a fun wee game, simple rules with quick resolution enabling one to push around a heap of toys to the completion of a game within the course of an evening.
And I learnt a thing or two...
Nick
Good morning,
Last night, inspired by Robin's previous game of King Of War, I popped around to his place for a bash of KOW myself, using the figures that I've been quietly squirreling away for just such a purpose, purchased second hand and mostly painted, for a wee while now.
(It's funny how these things start. I had a dozen or so Hero Quest Orcs lying around (well spotted Steven), played a game of KOW with Robin quite a while back, saw that the basic rules were free on the web, and thought "Hey, I've already got some figures I can use for that..."
Far too many dollars later (I've paid, on average, about $NZ 1.00 per figure, painted - some beautifully, some...not so much), and hey - 1500 points of Greenskins - Orcs, Goblins and Lizards!)
Anyway, I pulled together a list...
...right to left...
(The Saurans are essentially Orc equivalents.)
(My only full price purchase - a Mantic Orc chariot. I especially like the shade of pink I managed to get on the pigs!)
(The Skinks are Goblin equivalents)
...facing Robin's Iron Dwarves.
Replete with shooters. First pot shot against my green skins (well, ok, green and blue skins) - 10 dice, no hits!
Likewise the Organ gun on the hill - 15 dice. There may have been a hit or two that time round. Note the banner - one of the aforementioned beautiful paint jobs. However, the seller had really only got round to finishing the front rank, so...that's another job to get round to some time...
I carefully placed my riders on the flank, awaiting for an opportunity of a quick strike, backed up by some magic...
...against Robin's Steel Behemoth. 'Sposed to be a steam tank, I really like his 'copter proxie.
I also move up my Krudger on his chariot for some extra oomph.
Note my unit of Hero Quest Orcs. Those I painted, and mixed in with a lot of old old GW plastic Orcs. If anyone has, or knows of, any more, please let me know - I'd love to expand this regiment.
More shooting, this time causing some disquiet...
Thankfully, that cannon in the background spent all game trying to shoot at these More Ax ('cause they have more axes - a double handed weapon unit!)...and failing!
(Just as well - had they hit, it would have been horrible!)
First contact!
Unfortunately, due to their companion units being shaken for a turn...
...and so unable to move, this lot charges into Robin's horde of Dwarves all on their lonesome.
This may not have been a great idea...
And on the northern flank...the Skinks are getting in the way of the Goblin Horde, who are in turn getting in the way of the Goblin Shooters. Bother.
More non shooting from Robin's lovely looking artillery...
...however, that dreaded Organ gun on the hill...
...takes out my biggest Orc Krudgument before they manage to get into contact. Bother!
And, speaking of not being able to get into contact due to shooting...
...Drats!
And I had such high hopes with those Fleabags!
So, the Krudger rolls in unsupported.
Boing!
However, the losses weren't entirely one way.
Huzzah!
Battle is joined in the north...
...and behind the lines. Robin sends forth his Power Miner up against Wip-the-Half-Caste. Who I thought might be ok in close combat, but he turned out to be more of a zapper than a fighter.
Still, he looks cool!
More biffo in the centre.
And the south.
While, in the north...you know how I said the Skinks were getting in the way?
Problem solved!
Meanwhile, the personal duel continues.
And in the south also.
Finally, my Horde gets into action.
However, since it's charge was partly through the wood, their effective strength is down a factor.
Bother.
Things were looking up in the centre. Having opened up a flank on the Dwarf Horde, I swing my Hero Quest Orcs into their flank - for double the attacks!
I also throw all in in the south - the tussle of the individuals continues, while I send in my Sauran half regiment and Skink Wiz up against Robin's Iron King.
Gulp.
Finally, the Steel Behemoth is shaken - he can't attack during his next turn.
Huzzah!
Back to the centre...urgghh, that don't look good!
(And my More Ax can't get into Robin's cannon, 'cause they ain't got no room. Bother it!)
My galant Orc Regiments had been bounced by Robin's Iron Horde. Now, do you remember that dratted organ gun on the hill?
Oh Drats!
Oh Double Drats!
Oh Stinky Stink Stink!
But at least my shooters can now shoot...?
Finally, in roll my big hitters. Finally.
In the south...
...Huzzah!
However, the Goblin Hordes aren't making much progress, seeing as how they're still partly in the wood.
On the plus side, they aren't taking any damage either.
But...
...well...
...err...
...ummm...yeah...
And that was the end of that!
'Twas a fun wee game, simple rules with quick resolution enabling one to push around a heap of toys to the completion of a game within the course of an evening.
And I learnt a thing or two...
- Horde units are the thing - don't get yours stuck behind stuff!
- Hence, be careful with your initial deployment
- Have a reserve
- Perhaps throw in the Goblins/Skinks first with the Orcs/Saurans behind
- Don't send in stuff unsupported.
Nick
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