Friday 18 September 2020

Some more participants for the Ancient Battle of Britain

 This week I managed to finish another few units for Infamy, Infamy. A horse unit being only 6 figures makes them a lot easier to get completed, and the Iberian infantry with only 8 figures was also a bonus. 

Spanish Caetrati are the original Auxilia for the Late Republican Romans.

And a view from behind, just because.

I've chosen to use the Roman list for the rules that is based on having Spanish auxiliaries supporting the legionaries. I had originally thought to use the Numidian list and add in my German Cavalry as support, but I already have Numidian Light Horse, and felt I needed something a bit more solid, so I have ordered some Victrix Iberian Cavalry.

The British Light Cavalry

The British cavalry are old Wargames Factory figures that I've had lying around for years. They're certainly part of the 'first generation' of plastic figures. Detail is shallow and design is rather basic. The horses are quite small, which is great, because they are meant to be ponies. 

Numidian Light Cavalry shivering in the British summer

No Roman army is complete without some Numidians.

If I want to, I now have all the figures necessary for an army list based on the Numidians as the main auxiliaries. 

On the tray now are the British chariots and some Balaeric slingers, so hopefully I can get them completed by next weekend, The chariots are also Wargames Factory aside from one Warlord Games metal chariot, so it will be interesting to see what they look like when they are all completed.

The table was set up for a game last weekend, but I still haven't deployed any troops, and it may be another week before I actually throw some dice and push some figures around. It has been a while since I did a battle report.

I acquired a second hand copy of the Condottiere rules from Foundry yesterday. In my quick read through so far, I'm quite intrigued by them. The Italian Wars era is also a period I have a real aesthetic interest in, what with Landsknechts and heavy knights mixing it up with artillery and stradiots. I won't be diving in, there are too many other things to finish for that, but don't be surprised if something new and Italian shows up on this blog in the near future.

Nate

Sunday 13 September 2020

Those Crazy Brits

The Infamy, Infamy preparation continues, with 2 units of Britons and one of Numidians. Fanatics aren't in my basic army list, but they are the first cab off the rank for any extra choices my army gets. There's something very admirable about charging at your enemy with only some blue paint between your privates and their armour.
Not someone I'd like to tackle...

Another unit of Gallic Warriors - that is enough mobs for my core British Force.
The Gauls were painted with Contrast paints - particularly the flesh. By the time that you add the shield decals and basing, and a couple of little touch ups here and there, it becomes an extremely fast process with good results.
Numidian skirmishers to support the Roman legionaries

And without the shields in the way
The Numidians were painted in the old fashioned way over a black basecoat, but were again very quick to paint due to their simple schemes.

I also painted a couple more Marvel Crisis Protocol figures. This time a couple of villains to offset the two heroes already completed.
Ultron. I tried to do non-metallic metals, but I just don't think I have the patience. A couple of bits were painted with metal as a result - the wires in the legs etc.

Maybe when the bases are completed he will look a bit better?

Much happier with my Red Skull holding the Cosmic Cube.

Now getting back to the theme of this post, my first foray into comics came via British comics like the New Eagle and 2000AD. As such, I've always had a soft spot for Judge Dredd, and when Warlord released their Dredd game, I was planning to get it eventually. However, I just couldn't justify it as a priority with so many other projects. Luckily, last week the starter set was put up for sale second hand - and painted for just over half the price of a brand new boxed set. So here they are:

The figures are really nicely painted

The base black scheme on the block gang really works.

So here I have another rabbit hole to go down. But one made much easier by not having to paint them myself.
I already have Dredd and Anderson figures from Heroclix, as well as the four Dark Judges. I'll give them a repaint so that they match the new figures and introduce them into the games when I get the hang of them. 
Dredd and Anderson

I had originally intended to build the Roman force that was supported by Numidians from Infamy Infamy, but decided instead to do the Iberian backed option. I've just ordered some Iberian cavalry, and at the moment the Caetrati and British Light cavalry are on the painting tray.

Nate